Page 39 of Trick Knot Treat

“Felix Sol has been unlucky in love, but he’s an omega with determination, stealing this pack out from under his twin. We wonder if his underhanded methods will pay off.”

I snarl, baring my teeth.

“And we have the stepbrothers of mayhem themselves, Jace and Clint. A forbidden love story that everyone has been wondering if there is something more than just bro-mance.”

On the screen, they stand around waiting. There’s an open area, and I think I recognise the park as one beside the river. It’s only a few minutes’ walk from here. I take another bite of cake.

“There will be three tests of your mettle, three chances to prove you have what it takes to be an amazing treat.”

I roll my eyes and cross my legs at the ankles, irritated but unable to explain exactly why I’m so annoyed.

“Date one. Protect your omega,” a voice calls.

I see flames on the screen. It pans to Zaire, who goes white. My heart clenches painfully. Don’t hurt him. Don’t you hurt my alpha. I slam my fork down on my plate and stand up, throwing the chair back. All my attention is focused on the alpha I have come to care for more deeply than I care to analyze and how clearly he is suffering.

I don’t stop to think. “SPECTRE, FIND ZAIRE!”

We run. I don’t even think to question the dog as he chooses the direction. He takes off, leaping in bounds. After an embarrassingly short while, I have to let go of the leash because I’m too slow, and Zaire needs his dog.

I arrive at the park, watching as Spectre slams into his alpha, shoving him off his feet. A seagull and several magpies scream from the trees as if egging us on. Spectre and Zaire go down, and the dog crawls onto his chest, pinning him to the ground. His nose is pressed to Zaire’s throat.

“You absolute moron!” I shout and go up and shove Fox hard in the chest.

“Hey!”

“You should have done your research. You should have thought this through.”

Zaire isn’t breathing properly, and I divert my attention from the people who set this up to the alpha who is struggling for air.

Felix is snarling at the camera crew while Jace and Clint keep the people who are watching back.

“Spectre?”

The dog raises his head. I lay on my side beside Zaire in the grass and slide my hand into his.

“Zaire Bear. I need you to come back now. I’m here.”

He shudders, but his breathing is deep and ragged. Panicked. He’s struggling, and it’s painful to watch. I roll half on him, sharing the space with Spectre.

“You’re safe. The fire is out.”

He turns his head in jerking movements toward me.

“I would never lie to you,” I whisper. “Never. I’m telling you it’s safe. Spectre is here, and he says it’s safe.”

It takes forever, but then his tension eases, his breathing calms, and the edge of desperate terror disappears. I wish I didn’t hear his desperate screams through the walls at night. I wish I didn’t know how haunted he is, but I do. I might be the only one beside Spectre who does.

I’m not going to abandon him.

He struggles up, easily lifting me and the dog and grabs us both, pulling us closer and hiding his face in us.

“Breathe, Alpha. I am here.”

He shudders but can’t quite obey. I slide my fingers over his scalp and bury my face in his shoulder.

“You are okay. I’m here.”

His breathing slows, and he calms second by second. I watch as a wave of fatigue hits him, and he sits there almost bonelessly.