“A toast to having my boys here, all of us together. It doesn’t happen often enough,” she said with a little sniffle. “And I’m so grateful that you’ve joined us, Aspen. I have a feeling this is going to be one of the most interesting holidays we’ve ever had around here.”
“We could all use a little excitement,” I laughed, raising my glass to her before taking a sip.
She took one of her own, her eyes dancing with amusement. She was loving every second of this.
Before Jack could say another word, a man walked in with plates stacked high with food, passing them out.
“Don’t worry, Aspen. I made sure that they were aware of your allergy. Everything you have in the house should be safe. I made them throw out anything with traces in it.”
“Oh my gosh, you didn’t have to do that,” I said, but she waved me off.
“I absolutely did. What kind of mother would I be if I let one of my kids get sick on my watch?”
Hell, even my own mother wouldn’t have cared this much.
The man who had served us stole Karina’s attention for a moment, discussing something in hushed whispers, and I couldn’t help the whispered question I hissed at Cole.
“You guys have staff here?”
Cole nodded. “Mother was never big on employing too many staff members, but she’s not a cook. So, a chef was non-negotiable, and we also have some housekeepers that come in and keep the place tidy. The extra people here tonight I think were brought in just like she would for big events.”
Honestly, that made sense, and I wasn’t judging her for it. I just wasn’t used to seeing actual private chefs and servers.
If my parents had the level of wealth that Cole’s family did, they absolutely would have so many staff members that mother would never have to lift a single finger.
I had a feeling Karina would get bored if that were the case.
“So what plans do you guys have for the winter now that you’re here?” she asked once the chef disappeared through the kitchen doors.
“I think those plans might’ve changed,” Jack said, giving me a questioning look. It was accusatory, like I’d already made a choice and left him and North out of it.
What the hell? Was this the same man I met earlier?
There was some obvious sibling rivalry here, and I had landed myself right in the middle of it.
Jack wasn’t joking, and maybe it was the fact that Cole and I had gone up to our room and had sex, but it didn’t matter what we did. My relationship with Cole would be separate regardless.
“Actually,” I said, narrowing my eyes at him before looking back at Karina with a smile. “We didn’t have set plans as far as I know. But I wanted to explore Pine Ridge, get to know the town. I hear there’s some weekend vendors for the tourists and I’d like to see that. And I swear I spotted a thrift shop and an antique shop. Those are my favorites.”
Karina lit up. “I love antique shopping. If you don’t mind an old woman tagging along, I can show you some of the best antique spots around. We have more than that big one right in the center of town. Lots of hidden gems around here.”
“Oh, I would love that,” I agreed quickly. She had no idea how much she was healing my inner child already and we’d only just arrived.
North cleared his throat, bringing my attention to him. He looked adorably nervous and I smiled at him, hoping to calm his nerves.
“If you happen by the bakery, stop in and I can give you some warm cookies or whatever you like,” he said, blushing slightly.
“Oh, don’t worry. I planned on that being one of my very first stops,” I promised. “I am an omega with a sweet tooth. Just nothing with cherries, I’m afraid.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he promised, a sweet grin spreading across his face.
Jack was frowning even more now, and I wasn’t sure what to do with that, but I wasn’t going to fight with anyone. I’ve had enough of alphas thinking I owed them something, and if that was the case here, then I wasn’t interested.
He could get on board or not. That was up to him. But I wasn’t a prize to be fought over in a pack.
We were supposed to be a team. That’s the only kind of pack I wanted to be a part of, not a competitive one or one where a single alpha stood at the top dominating the rest, making it feel like his word was law and nothing else mattered.
“How’s good old Mayor Grady?” Cole asked, ignoring his brother as much as I was.
