After Knox explains what happened between his family and the Royal Pack, it doesn’t seem real. I’ve never known Knox to be power-hungry.
“So, let me get this straight,” I say, pacing the living room floor. Knox sighs and sits on the couch, his expression guarded. I stop walking and stare at him. “Your grandfather was the one who tried to take over the Royal Pack, and when he was defeated, the rest of your family attacked?”
Knox looks away and nods. “Pretty much.”
“And you joined in as well. So I can see why the people in my pack don’t like you right now.”
His dark gaze jerks back to mine. “I just watched my grandfather die, Amelie. The same goes for my parents. My mother tried to protect my father and failed. I lost it after that.”
My heart breaks for him even though their deaths were justified. His family betrayed their pack, and they paid the price for it. Still, I can’t imagine losing my entire family like that. With the hostility between Knox and Zayne, I have a feeling Zayne played a part in their destruction.
Clearing my throat, I walk over to the couch and sit down. Knox’s eyes lighten, and his anger slowly dissipates. “I don’t want to burden you with all of this on Christmas day. If I remember correctly, it’s your favorite day of the year.”
“It is,” I say with a smile. “But this is important. Tell me the rest.”
Knox leans his head against the couch, and I can see the sorrow in his eyes. “When I tried to save my parents, Lyall stepped in the way. I would’ve fought him, but my sister and I were surrounded.”
Swallowing hard, I try to keep my emotions to myself. I’m afraid to find out the answer to my next question. “Did Zayne kill any of your family?” I ask.
Knox growls. “No, but his parents did. Zayne was my best friend.”
My mouth gapes, and no words come out. Out of all the wolves in the world, I never thought a past lover from twenty-five years ago would be the former best friend of my future mate. Yet, the world connects in mysterious ways.
“It’s because of Zayne,” Knox continues, “that my sister and I are alive today. The pack knew we were friends, and that Kara and Zayne were lovers, so instead of killing us, they banished us.”
The word lovers made my stomach clench. “Did you say Zayne and your sister were lovers?” I can feel the jealousy stir within me, but I hold it back as best I can.
Knox snorts. “They couldn’t stay away from each other. I think that’s what broke her heart even more when the attack happened. He turned his back on her.”
Clenching my teeth, I try to relax my jaw before speaking. “Any loyal wolf to the pack would’ve done the same.”
Knox chuckles, but there’s no humor to it. “And that’s what Lyall is. He chose his family over love and friendship.” He looks past me, his gaze full of concentration. “What worries me is that I don’t think she’s over him. She orchestrated a meeting to see him in Chicago a couple of weeks ago. I don’t know what happened between them.” His eyes focus back on me. “Kara has it in her head that royals belong with royals.”
I have a feeling I’m not going to like her very much when she gets into town. Knox moves closer and places a hand on my leg. It doesn’t feel right to be touched by another man like that. “Don’t worry, she’ll like you. She knows everything about you.” Not everything. If she plans to get Zayne back, she’s in for a rude awakening when she finds out he’s my mate. That is if the Great Luna ever bestows her magic on me. I still don’t understand why he can feel it, and I can’t. Is it punishment for taking the wrong mate and killing him?
Knox stands and walks over to my Christmas tree, keeping his back to me. “What all do you know about Zayne Lyall?”
I don’t know how to answer that question, but my intuition screams at me to play it aloof. “Not much,” I say. “Zayne prefers his solitude, so he doesn’t spend much time around the pack. Although, he has here recently. I think he’s trying to fit in.”
Knox glances at me over his shoulder. “He’s changed then. The Zayne I knew used to be adventurous and wild. We used to get in all kinds of trouble.”
He’s had a lot of heartache, but it’s not my place to tell Knox any of that. “People change,” I say. “I’m not the same girl you knew twenty-five years ago.”
His eyes darken. “I know. When Finn told me what happened, I’d have given anything to keep you from the Sierras.”
I shrug. “It made me stronger. Nothing like that will ever happen to me again.”
He turns around to face me. “You’re right; it won’t. I’m here, and I don’t plan on leaving.” He walks over and sits beside me, taking my hands in his. “I’ve been on my own for way too long. It’d be nice to belong to a pack again.” His gaze falls to our hands, and he blows out a sigh. “Do you think it’d be okay if I stayed here for a few days until I find my own place?”
Knox staying with me under the same roof has a few pros and a ton of cons. I’ll be able to keep my eyes on him but being around an unmated male will only add problems to mine and Zayne’s strained relationship. Unfortunately, there are going to be issues either way.
“You can stay,” I tell him.
His smile brightens, and he squeezes my hands. “Thanks, Amelie. This means a lot to me.”
To get his attention, I squeeze his hands harder and let go. “But if you’re goal is to take over my pack, you can leave right now. We’ve been through so many wars with others trying to take control. The more royals we have, the harder it is. It draws a lot of attention.”
“I know,” he murmurs. “I heard about the Blue River Pack alpha abducting one of your royal females.”
Holding a hand over my heart, I can still feel the worry I felt that night she was taken. “Yeah, that was scary. It all worked out though.”
Knox’s expression turns serious. “That’s why I want Kara here. It’s not safe for a royal female to be on her own. I won’t be able to keep her safe if I’m up against an entire pack who wants her.”
“I understand. If you both truly want to live in peace here, then I don’t see why you can’t.” I may want to kill Kara if she comes into town in hopes of seducing Zayne, but she is a royal female. I agree she needs the protection of the Royal pack.
Knox’s lips slowly pull back into a smile. “Do you remember our first Christmas together?” The memories flood through my mind, and my eyes burn.
“I do,” I whisper. “You had dinner with my parents and me.” My mom and dad enjoyed his company and thought for sure he’d end up being my mate. They loved him, as did I.
He nods. “It was a good night. Do you remember what we did after that?”
I do, but I don’t want to say it. Those times in my life are over. Yes, I loved him once, but my heart isn’t his anymore. Before I can reply, his eyes slowly close, and his head falls to the side.
“Knox?” Grabbing his shoulder, I shake him, but he doesn’t respond. A familiar essence of magic swirls around me, and I stand, knowing very well who’s close by. Light footsteps sound on the front porch, and the door magically opens to reveal Laila on the other side. She smiles and walks in, glancing sheepishly over at Knox before turning to me.
“I’m sorry to barge in like this, my dear friend, but there’s someone outside waiting for you.” The second she says it, I can feel Zayne’s presence. Taking a deep breath, I let it out slow and head for the door, but Laila grabs my arm first. “Please don’t be angry with him, Amelie. He’s been worried about you all day.”
I don’t know what to say, so I just nod. Laila lets me go, and I slowly walk out the door. Leaning against a tree is Zayne with his arms crossed over his chest. I can feel his concern, but I can also feel his anger and jealousy. He walks toward me, and I to him, and I have no clue what’s going to happen between us.
“What’s going on with you and Knox?” he asks.
Keeping some distance between us, I stop and stare at him. “We were lovers just like you and Kara. She’s coming back for you.”
Zayne closes his eyes and sighs. “I don’t want her, Amelie. You should know that.” Then, he opens his eyes and focuses on me.
I know he doesn’t want her. “That’s not what I’m mad about, Zayne. Instead, I’m upset you kept all of this from me. Why didn’t you tell me about Knox and Kara?”
He steps closer. “Did you not read my note?”
Brows furrowed, I shake my head. I have no clue what note he’s referring to. “I don’t understand. What note?”
Zayne hangs his head. “That’s why you’re so angry with me.” When he lifts his eyes to mine, it takes all I have not to close the distance between us. “Kami’s been tracking Knox and Kara for a while now. This morning, Colin called and said Knox was in Wyoming. That’s why I wrote you the message and left it on your dresser, telling you I’ll explain everything once it’s safe.”
I don’t even remember looking at my dresser when I got up. If I’d seen the letter, I probably wouldn’t have spent the entire day furious with him for leaving.
Zayne moves closer, his need getting stronger. “I’m sorry I left you in the dark. I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this. Knox and Kara want to make me suffer for what happened. You can’t trust either one of them. If they find out you’re my mate, they’ll hurt you to get to me.”
I shake my head. “Knox may have made mistakes in the past, and he may be your enemy now, but he wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. I’m certain of that.”
His eyes glow, and he lifts his hands to my face. I can feel his urgency to be close to me, protecting me. “Do you still have feelings for him?”
Leaning into his touch, I place a hand over his. “That was a long time ago, Zayne. People can change.”
A low growl erupts from his lips. “That’s not a chance I’m willing to take when it comes to you. Please tell me he’s not staying here.” When I don’t say anything, his anger explodes. “You can’t be fucking serious? You may think you left the past in the past, but he wants you, Amelie. It’s not safe for you here.”
Stepping closer, I kiss him, and his arms wrap around me tightly. It’s the full moon, and I’d give anything to make love to him again. “I know how to fight, Zayne. Your brother taught me well. Besides, it’s only for a couple of days until Knox can find another place to stay.”
He presses his forehead to mine. “I’m sorry, Amelie, but I don’t trust him or Kara. As long as they’re around, I can’t let them know what you mean to me.”
“What are we going to do?”
Zayne pulls back and cups my cheeks. “I’m going to hate every minute you’re around that bastard. Don’t tell him or Kara about us. If keeping you safe means we have to keep our relationship a secret for now, then so be it. But I’m warning you; this isn’t going to end well. Knox and Kara don’t want to join our pack.”
I don’t know what to believe. Zayne knows Knox in a completely different way than I do. “I hope you’re wrong,” I murmur.
Zayne rubs his thumb over my lips. “I wish I was.”
He kisses me and deepens it the second I open up to him. I don’t want him to go. “Merry Christmas, Zayne.”
His hands slide down my face, and he steps back. “Merry Christmas, Amelie. I won’t be far.”
I nod. “I know.”
I watch him for a few more seconds before turning and walking away. Laila smiles sadly at me from the front porch. “He’s still passed out. I’ll wake him when you’re ready.”
“Not yet,” I say, climbing up the stairs. Laila follows me inside to my bedroom. I flip on the light switch and focus on the dresser. There’s not a piece of paper in sight. “Zayne said he left a note for me.”
“Maybe it slid off onto the floor,” Laila says from behind.
Once on my knees, that’s when I see a piece of paper on the floor under my bed. I reach for it and open it up.
Amelie,
I’m sorry I had to leave, but there’s no time to explain. All I’m asking is that you trust me. I told you before that everything I do is to keep you safe. This is one of those times. I’ll come back to you when all is well.
Zayne
My heart aches to be close to him. I fold it up and hand it to Laila. “I can’t take the chance of Knox reading it.”
Laila takes it and slips the note into her pocket. “Be careful, Amelie. My father may be overprotective, but he’s been in this world a lot longer than us. He’s seen all sorts of evil. If he believes there’s something to be worried about, then I’d trust him.”
I do trust Zayne. That’s what scares me. I don’t want to think Knox could hurt me, but I’ve learned you can’t always believe what people want you to see.
“I’ll be on my guard,” I promise her.
We walk back into the living room, and she stops at the front door, glancing at me over her shoulder. “I’ll wake Knox up in thirty minutes. In the meantime, you might want to check under the tree. I think someone left you a present.”
I look over at the tree, and there is a present that wasn’t there before. Laila smiles and then disappears out the door. Knox is still passed out on the couch, so I hurry to the tree and grab the gift. Specks of glitter fall to the floor from the shimmering snowflakes embossed on the shiny, silver wrapping paper.
I rip through the paper, and underneath is a medium-sized green box with a golden logo engraved on it. I’ve seen it before outside of a shop in downtown Jackson Hole. When I open the box, I gasp at what’s inside. It’s a hand-blown glass Christmas tree figurine with a small note attached to it.
Merry Christmas, Amelie. I thought you could add this to your extensive holiday decorations.
Zayne
Holding it close to my heart, I move to the window and peer out. I know Zayne is out there. “Thank you,” I murmur, knowing he can hear me. I set the figurine on the fireplace mantle and throw away the ripped paper. I can’t bring myself to get rid of the note, so I hide it in my closet along with the box the Christmas tree came in.
My time is almost up, so I hurry to the living room and sit on the couch, closing my eyes to make it appear as if I had fallen asleep. Knox stirs, and he jerks awake. I gasp and clutch my chest, pretending to be alarmed.
Knox peers around as if disoriented. “What the hell? I don’t remember falling asleep.”
I stretch my arms out. “Neither do I. Guess it was from all the excitement today.”
He glances over at the clock on the oven. “It’s the full moon tonight. We can go for a run.”
There’s a look in his eyes that I’ve seen before. Maybe Zayne was right; Knox does want me. It’ll definitely make things more complicated.
“I think I just want to go to bed,” I say, getting to my feet. “There are two guest bedrooms, so feel free to pick either one. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Knox smirks. “You never answered my question before I passed out.” His eyes darken with need, and his focus lands on my lips. “Do you remember what happened after we had dinner with your parents that Christmas night?”
We ran through the woods, but in human form, since he was trying to conceal his true identity at the time. We made love in the forest, and he told me he loved me for the first time.
“I remember, but that was a long time ago, Knox. We can’t just pick up where we left off.”
He shrugs. “No, but we can try.”
Instead of a reply, I say nothing at all. Knox smiles at me, and I turn on my heel, wondering what the hell I’m going to do. I know where my heart stands, but I don’t want to be caught between two wolves. Unfortunately, it’s looking like I might not have a choice.