Page 17 of Knot Falling in Love
“Fuck,” I moan, that one request causing me to shatter as I grind against him, riding out my orgasm as he whispers filthy promises and worship.
As I come down, I lean my head on his shoulder, the feeling of his hand gliding up and down my back grounding me. Twice, he has given me space but also has been there the moment I needed him. Never making it about him, never taking more than I was ready to give.
Maybe I am ready to see where this might go.
Chapter Nine
Maisie
In the morning, we grab breakfast at the diner and drive out to his family’s place just outside Ghostlight Falls.
It’s been a few years since I’ve visited, but the pack’s cabin is a big part of the Davies family traditions, passed down from father to son over three different generations. The beautiful log building has a large second-story wraparound balcony that offers an incredible view of the quarter acre of land feeding into the forest, but it’s the beautiful backyard that sets it apart.
Instead of a fence, wooden posts mark thefar perimeter of the property, connected with a daisy chain of string lights, and with the glowworms in the summer months—it resembles something out of a fairytale. Every family hunt happens on these grounds, along with every holiday. Hannah and Jake were married in this very backyard under a trellis of star jasmine.
Tonight, it feels like there is magic in the air.
Jake stands at the edge of the yard, flanked by Hannah, with Alexis standing in front of him. He is an imposing creature with the forest as his backdrop, short dark hair and brown eyes, wide shoulders a reminder of his years playing college football, but everything else screams accountant.
“This night has come a lot sooner than I expected,” he laughs, the sentiment echoing through the crowd.
I look around the gathering of wolves, generations of shifters from different packs all coming together to keep a family tradition alive. It feels strange yet thrilling to be one of the few humans here. As far as I know, there’s only three of us, the two others here standing beside their mates.
Elijah is beside me, his hands shoved into his jean pockets as I try to siphon off the warmth from his leather jacket, cursing my last-minute decision to just wear the long-sleeved top. Somehow I forgot how cold it gets in Ghostlight Falls, even in the autumn months.
“I am honored to be standing up here with my mate and our beautiful daughter, leading her just as our parents did years ago.” Jake says, placing his hand on Alexis’s shoulder. “Tonight is about the importance of family and the bonds that we share as wolves. So, I ask you to step forward and join us in our hunt and usher in the newest member of our pack.”
She looks equal parts nervous and excited, her arms folded across her chest as she toys with the wrists of her sweater. Jake’s genes didn’t have a chance, she’s a mirror image of Hannah when she was sixteen. The same mousy brown hair pulled up into a ponytail, though her mother’s has more grey than it used to, but at least she has Jake’s brown eyes.
A low wave of chatter falls over the crowd as wolves of all ages break from their mates and their families, making their way towardsJacob. Two of Alexis’s older cousins rush to meet her, and her expression brightens immediately.
“That’s my cue,” Elijah steps in front of me, his eyes searching my face, then his brows furrow, “You’re freezing. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I’m fine.” I wave him off, trying my best to keep from shaking, “Anyway, we’re all going into the cabin as soon as you leave.”
He shakes his head, then shrugs off his jacket and drapes it over my shoulders.
I glance over to see Hannah watching, her expression unreadable. The pit in my stomach returns, this wouldn’t have been weird when we were younger, but now it holds weight, especially given our history. I can’t imagine what she must be thinking.
“You know, maybe we shouldn’t . . . at least not right now.”
Elijah follows my gaze and sighs, “Sure.” He squeezes my arm and then moves to join the rest of the wolves.
“Everyone!” Jacob’s voice cuts through the chatter, “We’re going to keep to the southern border since there are sightings of giants in the Dreadwither Forest. Stick with the pack.”
They each shift, one by one, the adult wolves reaching nearly 4 feet tall, larger than the native gray wolves of the area. It’s a wonder to watch the transformation, their bodies enveloped in a shimmering light as the magic takes hold and they step into their wolf form.
The other wolves race towards the forest, the night filling with their song. Jacob stands beside Alexis, waiting until she shifts and circles him before he leads her to join the rest of the pack. Elijah watches me from the edge of the property, the last to shift, his dark gray and tan mottled fur setting him apart from the rest of the pack as he fixes me with those intelligent blue eyes that almost glow in the reflection of the fairy lights.
Hannah limps towards me, giving me a cautious smile before looking over her shoulder.
“Hey,” I say, reaching out for her.
“This weather.” She takes my arm, shaking her head.
Clouds have overtaken the clear night sky, cloaking the full moon and plunging the forest in darkness. Beneath the cool breeze, I smell the promise of rain.
Caroline, Jacob’s heavily pregnantsister, waddles up beside us, patting me on the shoulder, “C’mon, I’m freezing my ass off. Let’s get inside and I’ll make us some hot chocolate.”
