Page 23 of Knot My Type

Rhys leans in closer to her, his sly grin ever-present, but there’s an underlying affection in his gaze that speaks volumes. “So, do you think you’ll stay? Maybe make a home here with us?”

I hold my breath as I await her answer, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on us. Eliana hesitates, glancing between Fen and me, her expression laden with the conflict of possibilities.

“I’d like that,” she finally says, a shy smile playing on her lips, but her eyes glisten with uncertainty. “But what if I can’t? What if I’m just a burden?”

“Hey,” I say firmly, my voice cutting through the doubt hanging around her like a fog. “You’re not a burden. We need each other; that’s what a pack is about. You bring something unique to our bond, and we’ll figure this out together. We’re not perfect, but we support each other. That’s what makes us strong.”

Eliana’s gaze softens, and I notice the tension in her shoulders ease slightly. I yearn to give her the reassurance she needs, to make her feel safe among us as she has begun to feel more like family.

As the night wears on, laughter and camaraderie fill the cabin, laughter mixing seamlessly with stories of our pasts and hopes for the future. With every word exchanged, I see Eliana transform before my eyes. The fear that had once clouded herfeatures fades, replaced by an undeniable warmth that lights her up from within.

The wavering flame in the hearth mirrors the spark of joy beginning to grow in her chest. It’s incredible to witness; it feels like we are all breathing a little easier, sharing our burdens and lifting each other up. For the first time since she arrived, I begin to feel a glimmer of hope—a connection forming not just between us, but with Eliana as well.

Later, when the food is cleared and the fire has started to dwindle, we settle into a comfortable silence, content among each other. I glance at Eliana, who is now curled up more comfortably on the chair, legs tucked beneath her. She looks deep in thought, as if she’s weaving her own tapestry of memories in this unexpected refuge.

It dawns on me that this is just the beginning. There’s much to teach her about what it truly means to be part of our pack—the ups and downs, the laughter and struggles we face daily. I want her to not only understand our lives but to embrace them as her own. She could bring our group not only balance but joy, connecting the fragmented pieces of our hearts that we’ve been hesitant to address.

I can sense a profound shift among us. I lean back in my chair, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over me as I observe the bonds forming, igniting.

Every moment spent together brings us closer, and as the dark blankets the cabin, I know that tomorrow holds promise—the promise of a life where we can all find belonging in the mountains, where Eliana can become part of our story, and I realize that Fen could be right, maybe fate did Eliana here. Maybe she is just what we need, not just during the snowstorm, but forever.

ELIANA

I’m still caught up in the warmth of our previous conversations when a gentle thump echoes from the door, causing my heart to jump. It’s not the forceful knock I imagine it could be, but rather a soft disturbance, a hesitant invitation. My eyes dart nervously to the door, and I can’t deny the scent wafting in—a blend of pine and something distinctly Kael.

He’s outside, I think, and a rush of anticipation courses through me, making my pulse race. In the moments that follow, I wrestle with the instinct to retreat, to find an escape as small and inconspicuous as possible. I glance briefly around the room, my mind racing through potential hiding spots.

Kael, seems to deem privacy as a luxury he can’t afford, while Rhys always respects my space, gentle at heart. Fen is somewhere in between, exuding a watchful intensity that often leaves me guessing. But Kael? There’s an unyielding strength wrapped around a hidden fragility that pulls me in close, even when I want to shy away.

“Anyone home?” Rhys voice carries from the other side, teasing but lighthearted, the edges softened by laughter. “Come on, Kael, this is our chance. Just knock! Don’t be such a bear!”

There’s a part of me that hesitates, wanting to hold onto my newfound sense of privacy. Maybe there’s still some time to let the warmth of today’s conversations infuse me further before I have to confront it.

There’s another thump, softer this time but no less insistent. I hold my breath, heart racing as I stare at the door, waiting for the moment he chooses to enter. After a moment of silence, it creaks open just a bit further.

Kael steps inside like a wounded dog, his usual towering confidence dimmed, shoulders slightly hunched—a stark contrast to the imposing figure he often presents. The moment the light from the cabin washes over him, I can see the subtle traces of vulnerability etched in his features, and it sends my heart racing.

“Seriously?” Rhys’ voice carries in from behind him, a playful lilt. “You can’t just stand there like a statue, you know. Open up a little!”

Kael barely responds, standing just inside the threshold, keenly aware of the warmth inside but hesitant to cross any further. He looks at me, acknowledgment gliding between us, a connection so palpable I feel its tug in my chest.

As I gather my strength, moving from my previous spot where I had found comfort among the cushions, I realize I’m starting to regain mobility. My body feels heavier, yes, but today’s conversations have ignited a spark.

“Hey,” I say softly, trying to breach the distance that seems to stretch between us. “What’s up?”

His gaze lands on mine, those stormy eyes filled with an ocean of unspoken words. “I—” he starts, then falters, the tension running thick. “I just thought maybe you’d like some company?”

For the first time, I see Kael not just as a hardened leader but as a man who struggles with striving for more, caught betweenthe expectations he faces and the vulnerability that seems to flicker behind his eyes.

Rhys stands behind him, arms crossed with barely contained amusement. “We figured it was time for Kael to be around more people. We need more warmth in this cabin, after all!”

Fen follows closely, his expression unreadable, but there’s a softness in his gaze as it shifts from Kael to me. The dynamics of the pack weave a tapestry of genuine care, and for a moment, it feels like home—the kind I’ve always dreamed of.

“Do you want to join us?” I ask, standing a little straighter as the words tumble out. My heart beats faster, knowing that in inviting him, I’m inviting more than just company—I’m inviting connection.

Kael hesitates, but something in my tone seems to pierce through the uncertainty that lingers around him. He finally releases a breath he’d been holding and steps through the doorway completely. “Alright,” he says, warily but softly, a hint of a smile creeping into his expression as he settles himself in the space next to me, close yet still holding back, as if unsure of where he stands.

The warmth of his body pulls me in even closer, and I find myself magnetized to the heat radiating from him. I can feel that unspoken bond growing stronger, a thread weaving through the chaos outside and pulling us all together.

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