Page 42 of Knotting Autumn

Ripping the door open, Thorne lunged at Hunter. He slammed his twin back against the plaster wall, making our neighbor’s jack-o’-lantern welcome sign rattle.

“You don’t talk to her, don’t even look at her,” Thorne said, his forearm to his brother’s neck to pin him in place.

Hunter held up two hands, palms out. “Peace. I’m not here to hurt her. We just need to talk.”

“I have nothing to talk about with you.”

Cocking his head, Hunter raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure about that?”

After a long moment, Thorne stepped back and crossed his arms. His shoulder bumped against the doorframe, blocking me inside my apartment. “Speak.”

Hunter made a show of brushing himself off.

“You know I have the pack’s best interest at heart. And I wanted to give you and Cole a chance to return before it becomes known how disloyal you are. You can even bring your new little mate along.” He sniffed. “But not the other stray that lives here. I don’t like the smell of him.”

My hands clenched into fists, my nails cutting into the skin.

“We aren’t coming back. I don’t ever want to see you again,” Thorne hissed.

“Maybe I wasn’t being clear,” Hunter said, baring his teeth as he grinned. “You can return on your own, or I will drag Cole back, and probably your little girlfriend here for good measure.”

Thorne surged forward again, shoving Hunter against the wall. The neighbor’s sign dropped to the ground with a thud.

Despite his brother restraining him, Hunter’s sneer stayed in place as he continued talking as if nothing was wrong. “If she’s your mate, I’m sure she can adjust to me instead. We’re genetically the same. It’d be an upgrade, actually.”

My lungs squeezed at his casual threat. The very idea made me want to dry heave.

“I will rip out your throat if you touch her again.” Each word was said with deadly calm that scared me far more than when Thorne yelled.

“I’ll give you some time to think it over. Enjoy your taste of freedom.” Hunter glanced down at Thorne’s arm and raised an eyebrow.

Begrudgingly, Thorne released his brother. “Get the hell out of here.”

“Gladly.” Hunter smoothed his jacket, flicking a piece of lint with a curl of his lip.

Thorne backed up to the door, pushing me further inside with his bulk, as he watched Hunter descend the stairs and disappear from view.

Stepping back, Thorne cautiously closed the door. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself.

The lock clicked into place, and a few seconds later, the door to Sawyer’s room opened. Cole stood there, a grim expression on his face.

“Well that was fun,” Thorne said, crossing into the kitchen and preparing three cups of coffee. His movements were precise and sharp, tension in every line of his frame.

Cole hovered in the corner of the room, far from Thorne’s angry coffee making. His pale skin was bleached bone-white, fear etched into every line of his handsome face. Crossing the room, I reached out, wrapping my arms around his waist. His eyebrows shot up, and he hesitated a moment before hugging me back.

“I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. Hunter’s a real piece of horse shit, and it’s not fair.”

Grunting his agreement, Cole ducked his head, pressing his face into my hair. His slow inhale rustled the hair against my neck, causing me to shiver and cling to him harder.

“It’s going to be okay,” he said.

“You’ve seen it?” I asked, pulling back to see his solemn expression.

“Not exactly,” he said, his mouth pressing into a thin line as his chin wrinkled. “Let’s talk about something else. I’m too sober for this.”

Thorne approached, holding two coffee cups in one of his hands. Cole grabbed one, and I looped my fingers through the other, lifting it to my lips.

“Thanks,” I hummed, looking up at my fated mate through my lashes.