Page 18 of Knot Falling in Love
Hannah and I exchange a look, and I can feel the tension between us easing slightly.
I’m still not entirely sure what Hannah was thinking when she saw me with Elijah. She was silent as we walked back towards the cabin and kept to herself as Caroline chatted through preparing her famous hot chocolate. Whatever it was, isn’t important right now. I can tell she’s worried about Alexis by the way she keeps casting sidelong glances through the large glass double doors leading into the backyard, as though she can see past the end of the property.
Without the full moon, darkness swallowed the forest, and the distant wolf song was replaced with thunder signaling the impending storm.
“It’s getting pretty bad out there. Do you think she’s okay?” Hannah asks, looking back.
“Of course, she is.” I cover her hand with my own, she grabs hold of it like a lifeline andsqueezes, “Alexis is a really smart girl, and she’s with Jacob and Elijah.”
She smirks, lifting her hot chocolate to her lips, “A lot smarter than us at 16.”
“Oh, definitely.”
“Remember that one time you slept over and we snuck out in the middle of the night to go ice skating? Eli was so pissed when he had to drive out to the lake at 3 am to pick us up. It’s a wonder he didn’t tell our parents. That was some prime blackmail material.” Hannah shakes her head.
“Elijah is a good guy.”
Now it’s my turn to stare out towards the forest, remembering the look in his eyes right before he left. Moments after I decidedly put my friendship with Hannah before whatever is developing between us. One thing is clear. I have to tell her what happened. Now, before more time passes. Before my silence does irreparable damage to our friendship. Before I lose the only family that I have ever known.
“Hey,” I say, looking over at her, “About your brother?—”
“They’re back!” Hannah exclaims,pushing up out of her chair, “Oh, thank the gods they’re back.”
We file out into the backyard, watching the edge of the property line as the wolves emerge from the shadows, one by one. Alexis shifts out of her wolf form, running full speed up towards the deck, followed by her cousins, their excitement is infectious. She is usually so quiet, it’s incredible to see her light up like this.
“That was amazing, Mom!” Alexis says. “I wish you could have run with me.”
“Soon,” Hannah smiles, glancing up at me as she pulls her daughter into a hug.
Jacob follows, kissing the top of his mate’s head as he brags about their daughter and how fast she ran ahead of the pack.
I turn back towards the forest, my heart thudding in my chest at the sight of the last few wolves, waiting with bated breath for that familiar coat and those beautiful blue eyes. Thunder rumbles above us, and fat droplets rain down, splattering on Elijah’s leather jacket.
“Where’s Elijah?” I look over my shoulder.
Jacob furrows his brow, “I thought he was right behind us.”
“Eli’s okay, he’s probably just clearing his head.” Hannah says, reaching her hand out, “Come on inside and warm yourself by the fire.”
“You guys go in. I’m just going to wait out here for a while.” I wrap myself in his leather jacket and sit on the edge of the deck, just under the eaves, the rain slowly seeping into my black leggings.
Hannah furrows her brow, watching me. “Don’t stay out too long.”
He should have been back by now, even if he had a bit of a late start. I can’t help but cycle through the worst-case scenarios, what if he got injured? What if something got him?
At least if I’m out here, I might hear him if he needs my help.
Chapter Ten
Elijah
The forest is silent with the oncoming storm, leaving me to my own thoughts and the war that continues to wage within.
As soon as I shifted, my wolf wanted nothing but to run back to her, even now, I can barely think of anything else. It goes beyond instinct, beyond the primal bond between us—the bond that I still haven’t told her about. Time is ticking away, and it feels like she’s going to slip through my fingers.
I didn’t fight to keep her in my life all those years ago, and here I am makingthe same mistakes. Choosing to stay silent instead of letting her know exactly what she means to me.
It all boils down to fear. Fear that this will be too much, a fear of her rejecting me. I cannot force her to accept me as her mate, nor would I want to. Whatever bond is between us has to be on her own terms, and as it stands, she’s choosing her friendship with Hannah.
