Page 15 of Knot Their Boo
“Halloween-themed candles were a great idea. Seems like they’re selling pretty well,” Rhian says as he approaches the backend of Plum’s pickup truck. I have no idea where she ran off to. We were supposed to be passing candy out together at the farm’s Trunk-or-Treat. After we set up the candy, and a small batch of my candles, and a few of her glass art pieces, she dipped out.
“I think so too. I sold out of the‘Going Batty’ scent yesterday. It’s a new scent. Some of my tried and true scents are selling well too so far, since it’s only been a couple of days.” I shrug. I don’t tell him that one of my most popular scents has always beenHarvest Hearth. The one that smells like honeyed hay, apple cider vinegar and cinnamon bark. Or that I keep one upstairs just for me when I want to feel closer to him, along with two others that I’ve strongly considered no longer selling, not wanting to share them with anyone else.
“That's good! Are you having fun? The kids seem to like your costume.” He smirks, nodding at the black witch's hat and fake crow on my shoulder. Its eyes glow green, and it even caws from time to time.
“It was low effort, since I spent most of the day pouring more candles. Thankfully, Plum picked up all this candy for us.” I chuckle, gesturing to the giant plastic pumpkin head. We decorated her truck in the parking lot of my shop yesterday, after making the sign for it the day before. Nothing crazy, just hung the banner to advertise the shop and added some cobwebs and fake spiders. We added some giant foam candy corns, and sprayed everything with a layer of sparkle glue.
“I saw her running off not too long ago. Something about baby goats,” He chuckles, glancing over his shoulder.
I take a moment to admire his scarecrow costume. Straw hat, blue overalls over tanned bare skin, and bits of straw poking out of the pockets. It’s cute. He’s cute. Fuck, why does he have to be so damn attractive?
“Shit,” he snaps, and before I know it, he’s running away. I frown, not sure what I’m missing, but then I see it. A kid isclimbing on the antique red tractor that sits in front of the farm shop. He’s small, maybe five. No one but Rhian seems to see him. Where are this little guy’s parents!?
“Oh god,” I gasp, covering my mouth with my hand as I watch Rhian sprint toward him. The tractor is tall and full of sharp metal edges. If that kid falls, he could get seriously hurt, and it looks like he’s trying to make it to the scoop that holds a load of hay up in the air.
I can’t just stand here watching, so I take off running toward them. I have no idea how to help him, but my instincts are screaming at me to make sure Rhian is okay as he tries to save this kid.
“Whose kid is that?!” I shout as I reach the tractor, watching Rhian jump on it, reaching out for the kid.
“Matthew!” Someone screams, finally realizing their kid is in danger. His little feet slip as he stands up next to the air stack on the hood of the tractor.
“Rhian?!” Colter hollers from somewhere behind us. I hadn’t even realized the Alpha was here. My instincts tell me to get out of the way, so the alpha can save Rhian, but I’m frozen in place for a long, horrible moment as I watch.
The moment he gets his hands on the kid, they both fall back, but Rhian’s head slams against a metal roll bar behind the seat with how he stumbles to get a good hold of the little guy. Colter is already halfway up the machine, grabbing the entirely uninjured kid and handing him off to his wailing mother, before turning back to the dazed looking omega sprawled across the seat.
“What were you thinking, being so reckless?!” Colter demands, but Rhian is more than a little out of it. With gentle hands, he cups the omega’s face, checking his eyes. I rush forward when I see him start to guide Rhian down the steps. I’m not strong enough to carry Rhian, but I help Colter get him down, sitting him up on a bale of hay.
The alpha switches into trained firefighter mode, examining Rhian closely. “Are you dizzy?” He asks. Leaning forward, I take Rhian’s hand while Colter takes a closer look at the back of his head.
“Is he okay? Do we need to call an ambulance?” I ask as I sidle closer, hoping my scent will help soothe the frayed nerves of both of them while he checks him over. It’s not much, but it’s the best I can offer.
“I don’t know yet, Rhian. I need you to answer me now. Are you feeling dizzy or nauseous?” Colter lets out a slight curse when the omega nods, immediately looking queasy as if the movement was too much for him. “Try not to move. Even if it’s uncomfortable, I need you to speak, omega.” There’s a gentle bark in his tone, enough to nudge, but not overwhelm Rhian.
“Yeah,” he winces. “I feel like I just stepped off the Tilt-a-Whirl.” Rhian falls forward against the alpha’s chest after a moment, making my heart stall out as worry takes over.
“I am so, so sorry, Rhian. Matthew, I can’t believe…” The mother of the wayward kid has finally stopped screaming long enough to realize there is something wrong with her kid's rescuer. Omegas are so dramatic.
Colter lets out a low rumble when she steps forward with her hand outstretched like she intends to touch Rhian. The warning sound startles her back a step, and I roll my eyes. She’s annoying but not a threat. Omegas might be dramatic, but alphas are the ones that overreact.
“I would like you to return to pretending to care for your kid when it suits you, and step away from the omega that just saved the kid you couldn’t keep your eyes on.” Colter growls, and my eyes grow wide as saucers. Vicious alpha… That probably shouldn’t have been hot.
The woman sucks in a shocked breath as I stare at him with my eyebrows in my hairline. I have never heard Colter beanything less than respectful to a woman. I guess as far as insults go, that one could have been worse.
“I… Well, I never,” she sniffs loudly, swiping away her crocodile tears, before grabbing the young child’s hand and dragging him away. A small crowd has gathered, and I see Nick ambling toward us, his head visible above the crowd.
“Rhi! What the hell happened?” I spot Plum peaking around him, her hand twisting worriedly as they get closer, Nick’s massive form easily parting the crowd.
“Fucking people ignoring their kids. Rhian saved the kid, but I think he has a concussion. I want to take him over to the medical tent to have the medic on standby check him out. I am pretty sure Doctor Walton is helping out today,” Colter explains, and I release Rhian’s hand, taking a step back as Colter scoops up the omega and starts walking toward the red tent. Scrambling after them, I can’t help but savor the way they look together.
Now really isn’t the time, Sable…
Colter already has Rhian up on the small exam table by the time I catch up, with Nick and Plum on my heels.
Doctor Walton is already peering into Rhian’s eyes with a light. The older alpha’s gray hair is in disarray around his head, and he’s dressed as a mad scientist. I feel like his costume is cheating. Although, I can’t really say shit, considering I’m in a black crop top, high waist black leggings, and my costume is a witch’s hat, with a crow that’s hung on shockingly well.
“Well, kiddo, l would wager your head has a drumbeat at the moment. Based on the pupils alone, I would say it’s a minor concussion.” The doctor goes through a few more questions before turning to look at the rest of us.
I step forward before he can say anything else and hold Rhian’s hand once again. The separation was physically painful, and the second we’re touching again, I let out a little sigh.
