“Oh, they’re here,” Karina’s voice rang out the moment we parked in front of the manor. She was waving from the porch, ignoring the freezing weather.
We both took a breath before climbing out into the bitter cold again. I was still half-frozen from our moment at the gate.
Cole was my mate. I could barely wrap my head around that. This whole charade just got a whole lot more complicated.
Or easier, perhaps.
I stepped out into the bitter bite of winter. Before it could get too painful I burrowed deeper into my coat. Cole moved quickly around the car and tucked me into his side, shielding me from the wind that was relentless up here.
It was beautiful, but being on top of a hill during winter was brutal.
My eyes shifted to the manor. It was less imposing up here. The brown-brick building was three floors with a wraparound porch.
Whoever had tended the flowerbeds made sure there were flowers around the edges of the building that could withstand the cold, small flashes of red agains the white blanket of snow that had yet to let up.
The porch was made of dark wood and dotted with pretty furniture. There were wooden swings and rocking chairs, little side tables and heaters. Over the edges hung suncatchers and chimes that were singing aginst the winter wind.
Everything screamed money, but it was also the picture of ‘warm and inviting.’ It had character and style that I knew was all Karina.
Polished, pretty, but also a bit practical.
“Come in and get warmed up,” she demanded as she danced at the top of the stairs, brushing her hands over her arms to ward off the unrelenting chill. “I told North and Jack to be around to greet you, so they’re working on some welcoming treats in the kitchen.”
“My brother is making me treats for coming home?” Cole asked, amusement clear.
“Well, I’d say it’s more forherthan you,” she teased. “But you’ll get to enjoy them all the same.”
Inside was just as beautiful as the outside. There were polished dark-wood floors and plush rugs, a pretty patterned wallpaper, and art hanging on every inch that would fit without looking crowded.
It was honestly perfect. Again, it had character and history, the antique pieces as beautiful and cared for as the house itself.
“Your home is beautiful, Mrs. Hawthorne.”
“Oh, please, just call me Karina,” she groaned, letting out a giggle. “I’m not that stuffy. Mrs. Hawthorne was my mother-in-law, and she was scary. Plus, I won’t be the only Mrs. Hawthorne for too long, right?”
She threw a wink my way and helped me out of my coat, hanging it on a large coatrack just inside. Cole toed out of his shoes and I did the same, not wanting to track snow through their gorgeous home.
“Now, come on,” Karina urged excitedly. Her energy was infectious and I didn’t feel nervous, just happy to be included.
How long had it been since I’d truly appreciated my favorite holiday? Way too damn long.
If ever. I wanted to lean into this one and soak in every moment.
Karina hooked her arm through mine and led me down the hall into the kitchen. I could smell the sweets baking before we even arrived. There was a strong scent of peppermint and mocha in the air, mixed with a combination of nutmeg and gingerbread.
If that didn’t scream ‘holidays,’ I didn’t know what did. I wanted to sink my teeth into whatever they were whipping up in there. It might be just as good as Cole’s pine, cinnamon, and smoke scent that was still lingering on my clothes.
Even though I’d had plenty of treats on the way up, my stomach was growling loudly as she pushed open the kitchen door.
My eyes widened at the array of treats they had waiting on the island. There was enough to fill an entire bakery.
The kitchen itself was more of those dark woods and bold colors, except the appliances, which were gleaming stainless steel. It wasn’t overly decorated, but simple, clean, and homey.
Everything about this place was perfect.
An alpha and a beta were arguing quietly over the mixer. They hadn’t heard us yet until Cole cleared his throat.
“Holy shit, Cole, you actually came,” the alpha said, turning to the beta and raising an eyebrow. He held out one hand expectantly. “North, you owe me twenty bucks.”
