Page 24

Chapter

Twenty-Three

D ANNY

As I walked hand-in-hand with Knox into my parents’ dining room, everyone turned toward us, stunned. Momma was the first one to get over her shock. She hurried over to us, the reindeer on her awful Christmas sweater glittering beneath the bright lights.

“Knox, it’s so good to have you here.” She took his hand and squeezed it. “Thank you for coming, and Merry Christmas to you.”

Knox tipped his head respectfully. “Merry Christmas to you too, Melinda. I appreciate you having me.” He offered her the bottle of mulled wine he’d insisted on bringing as a hostess gift. “Here. I hope you like this. I don’t know much about wine.”

Momma took the bottle and rotated it to read the label. “I’m sure it’ll be lovely. Why don’t I heat this while you find a seat? Knox, I don’t know how much Danny has told you, but we have a Christmas tradition that’s a little like Thanksgiving. We’ll be doing that soon.”

Knox nodded as if he knew what she was talking about. He didn’t. I’d never mentioned it, too worried that he’d refuse if he knew that he was going to be put on the spot. Perhaps that made me a bad mate, but I’d felt so terrible when I’d realized how lonely he must have been today and I’d needed him to come with me so I could make up for it.

Momma patted his shoulder and headed off with the wine.

“Good evening, Knox,” Dad said, joining us. The two men shook hands. I looked from one to the other. While Dad was larger and had a more commanding presence, there was something about Knox that just screamed that he was dangerous.

“Good evening, Alpha.” Knox bared his neck, showing his submission. The gesture came easily, as if he’d spent a lifetime doing it, and I couldn’t help wondering where he’d come from before he’d arrived here. Had he always been a loner, or had he once belonged to a pack?

He must have been part of a pack at one point, or at least had parents. Where were they now?

“Garrick says you’re a real asset to the Search and Rescue team,” Dad said, gesturing toward my brother, who was locked in an intense conversation with Zander. I kept an eye on them for a few seconds. Were they discussing work at the dinner table? Because I couldn’t think of any other reason they’d look so serious.

“I’m enjoying it,” Knox replied, his scent staying clean, proving his honesty. Then again, I wasn’t surprised. I’d known the job would be a good fit, and I got the impression that Knox was someone who liked to be busy—and preferably, useful.

“That’s good.” Dad pointed to a pair of seats at the nearest end of the table, opposite Milo and Everett. “Why don’t you two sit there?”

“Yes, Alpha.” Knox took my elbow and guided me into the seat .

Momma returned with the mulled wine in a jug and placed it on the table, along with the leftovers from earlier. We’d all eaten well at lunch, so I wasn’t particularly hungry, but I’d worked up a bit of an appetite after playing with Knox earlier.

Dad sat at the head of the table, nearest to Garrick and Zander, and Momma claimed the chair to his right.

“For those of you who don’t know the drill, think of this as similar to Thanksgiving,” Momma said. “I want to hear one thing that each of you are happy about and one thing you’re grateful for right now. I’ll go first. I’m grateful to have all of my babies in one place, and I’m happy to see our family growing.”

Beside me, Knox made a noise in the back of his throat. I grabbed his hand beneath the table.

Garrick went next, followed by Zander, Everett, and Milo.

When it was my turn, I looked around the table and smiled. “I’m grateful for family, and I’m happy to be here with all of you.”

Knox stiffened, clearly nervous. “I’m, uh, grateful to you all for letting me join you, and I’m happy to have met Danny.”

Aww.

My heart contracted, and emotion twisted in my gut. He was so sweet, and when I chanced a look at him, his eyes were sincere. But I wasn’t sure that I actually deserved him. Not after how I’d pushed him away and left him to struggle on his own. Even now, I didn’t fully trust him, no matter how badly I wanted to.

We completed the circle and began to eat. Knox relaxed beside me and I poured a glass of mulled wine for each of us. He served me one of the blackberry pastries that hadn’t been eaten earlier with a dollop of cream .

My bear preened. Our mate was caring for us.

Across the table, Milo asked about our afternoon. I told him about the beautiful new pastry brush set that Knox had given me, and then showed him the necklace around Knox’s neck. Something inside me thrilled at the sign of ownership over him. He’d let me adorn his body. Surely that meant I had some kind of claim to him?

Perhaps it wasn’t fair to be so pleased about that when he didn’t have the same visual claim over me, but my bear remained smug despite that.

Our mate , he insisted. Ours .

I sighed internally. I know, buddy. But we’re not ready for more yet.

My mind wandered as I sipped the rich, dark mulled wine, enjoying the way it warmed me from the inside out. But just as I was about to tune into a conversation Everett and Knox were having, I heard something farther up the table that almost stopped my heart.

“...Rex,” Garrick muttered.

I froze and turned toward him slowly. Everyone fell silent, perhaps scenting the fear and anger that emanated from me.

“We don’t mention that name here,” I growled, almost animalistic. “He’s off-limits.”

Garrick grimaced. “I’m sorry, Danny. You’re right. I won’t do it again.”

I nodded and focused on my food, stabbing a piece of blackberry and forking it into my mouth. I could feel Knox’s eyes on me and knew he was curious, but I was in no mood to explain. I was sure he already knew a little, and I was too ashamed to tell him more unless it couldn’t be avoided.

“What are your Christmas traditions?” I asked him, in an effort to get his mind off the subject of my ex.

He shrugged. “I don’t have any. ”

“No?” That couldn’t be right. Everyone had holiday traditions, even if they didn’t like them.

Knox side-eyed me. “My family is a long story. Let’s just say I’ve never had the typical Christmas experience.”

“Oh.” My heart ached for him, and I wished even harder that I’d been brave enough to invite him for the whole day. Next year, I’d make sure he came. “If you ever want to talk about your family, I’m here to listen.”

The corners of his mouth firmed. “Maybe another time. When we’re alone.”

Crap. Of course he didn’t want to talk where my nosy family would be able to hear every word. I shook my head, disgusted with myself. I’d been a terrible mate, rejecting him at every turn and leaving him to wallow in his loneliness on a day that was supposed to be joyous. Now I couldn’t even offer help the right way.

I focused on sipping my wine, hoping he wouldn’t smell my inner turmoil. What did I really know about Knox? He hadn’t mentioned his family to me, and I hadn’t asked. I didn’t even know whether he had siblings or if his parents were still alive. He’d been trying so hard to win me over, and I’d done the bare minimum in return.

Do better, Danny.

We kept to light subjects for the rest of the meal, and when Everett and Milo left, I said my good nights as well. Momma hugged me and then Knox, ignoring the tension in his muscles. If he’d seemed bothered by the embrace, I’d have stopped it, but I think he was just surprised. Maybe physical affection wasn’t common wherever he’d grown up.

My parents ushered us out the door, but not before Momma extracted a promise from Knox to come by again soon.

Once outside, he exhaled sharply.

“You okay?” I asked .

“Fine.” He waved toward my house. “I’ll walk you home.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I protested. It was literally right there. I could be in the door in less than a minute if I wanted.

He gave me a look that said he wasn’t taking no for an answer. I rolled my eyes, but inside, my stomach swooped and I was a little giddy that he felt so protective of me.

He escorted me to my front door and hovered while I unlocked it.

“Will you tell me about him sometime?” he asked cautiously.

The question startled me. I flinched but hid it—hopefully before he noticed my reaction.

I pursed my lips. He could only mean one person. I was tempted to tell him everything, but surely he’d look at me differently when he realized that I was damaged goods.

“I-I can’t,” I stammered, stumbling through the doorway into the house. He caught my shoulder and steadied me. “One day, maybe, but not right now. Please.”

He stiffened for a moment, his muscles coiled, but then relaxed again. I breathed a sigh of relief, instinctively knowing that he was about to let me off the hook.

I couldn’t avoid telling him the truth forever, but at least I’d bought myself some time. I just wish I knew how long it would last.