Page 6 of Trick Knot Treat

Asher floats up and takes her stone.

Heaps more people go up, but I don’t listen. Felix isn’t involved this time? I don’t know why that’s so disappointing, but it is. He’s watching, though. Standing slightly off to the side with Cordelia and Sofia.

For a minute, all I can do is stare at him, wishing, wanting, knowing it’s impossible. He looks up, straight at me. I drop my eyes, panicking, then look up again. Of course, he’s not looking at me. Still, my heart races.

“PAIR UP,” Lorelei shouts.

The crowd starts mingling, and slowly, people form little groups. Person by person, everyone disappears into little arranged packs until all that’s left is my Zaire.

He stands alone. Spectre is at the café with Yolanda, but I can see the stress rising in him. He glances around, then looks down at the rock in his hand. I see it tremble. No one else would have even noticed. No one cares enough to look.

Groups split off, going to talk to other people and each other, but I stay focused, looking for anyone who might still be alone.

There’s one person. One single person who is staring at Zaire with an intensity that has the hairs lifting on my back.

I adjust my cap, looking around, hoping to see more unclaimed matches.

Lorelei is watching with a smug, little smile on her lips.

I’ll kill her. My temper flares and turns dangerous, but I shove it down. I need to focus on Zaire.

Asher glares at the massive alpha.

No way, this can’t be happening. I see the exact moment Zaire notices her glaring. His face tightens, and he turns, searching the crowd, looking for me or Spectre.

“No, not her,” I bark and shove my way through. “I am not letting this happen.”

She looks down at the stone, her face contorting into fury. I push through the crowd, hoping I can reach her in time. I just need to stop her from hurting him.

“You!” Asher snarls and holds out her stone in a way that is full of scorn.

I’m closing in fast, I reach out to smack her hand away.

Felix beats me to it. He grabs her hand and forces it open, staring down at the rock I painstakingly painted. His eyes flick up to Zaire and stay on him for a long, heavy moment.

“You promised me a favour,” Felix murmurs. “Give him to me.”

I stop moving completely, unable to do anything but stare. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him speak like this, raw, full of emotion, want, need. Hell, I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone sound this desperate.

Asher gapes at her twin. Neither of them see how close I am.

“I did, but this is ridiculous. You can’t want him. Jeez, Felix, what are you going to do?”

Felix glances at Zaire again, and I can’t see well enough to determine what his expression is or the intent behind this strange behaviour.

“Give me that match, please, Asher. Give me the alpha.”

What? What is even going on here?

Asher scowls. “Felix, you can’t-”

“Give me the match, Asher. I want him.”

He plucks the stone from her hands. “Take my position with our aunt. Go to Angler’s Beach. I’ll make something up and deal with Mum.”

Asher’s face softens. “Really?”

“Really. Let me do this for you.”