“We’re looking to find some Christmas ornaments. Plus, I heard this is a treasure trove and that’s right up my alley,” I said.
“Oh, it is,” she promised. “Just look around, I guarantee you’ll find something that calls to you.”
“Thanks, Claire,” Cole said with a wink.
The old woman blushed and waved him off.
Cole chuckled as he led me deeper inside.
Everywhere I turned was something new, quirky, fun, or unexpected. He wasn’t kidding about the shop having everything.
She had a whole shelf dedicated to Bigfoot, another Mothman. Then there were vintage knick-knacks and toys. Nothing truly made sense together, yet it worked.
I stopped at the jewelry section, unable to help myself. Racks and drawers were packed full of pieces. Some were vintage and delicate and the others pure costume but they all had character. It didn’t take me long to fill an entire basket with my finds.
Cole raised an eyebrow at a few of my picks, but I kept going. He wasn’t the one wearing them and he wasn’t judging, simply amused.
“Okay, ready,” I finally said, moving along. Cole didn’t protest as he followed close behind.
I skipped the home décor since I was moving soon, then wandered to the clothing section.
This was something I hadn’t expected. Buried among patterned scarves and shirts, I found the real treasures. The first was a dark green velvet dress that was perfect for the season. A few pairs of fuzzy socks, cozy things that called to my omega side.
“Oh look, lace,” Cole teased, holding up a Santa-themed lacy nightgown.
I eyed it, then snatched it before he could put it back. It might’ve been a joke, but I knew damn well I’d look great in it.
Teasing alphas was an omega’s job, right?
He smirked but said nothing, simply taking the basket from my hands now that it was getting heavy.
Finally, tucked in the back corner, we found the Christmas section. It was a mess of twinkling lights and baubles.
“We have a family tradition,” Cole said as he studied a sparkling snowflake.
I perked up, waiting.
“Every year since we were kids, we each picked an ornament for the Christmas trees. Mom has moved some of the older ones to other trees, but on Christmas Eve we always put them up together. My dads were always home by then and brought something new from the road and we always picked ours weeks before. Then that night we listened to music and decorated and caught up. It was our way of making the holiday about family when we couldn’t the rest of the year. So, if you find ornaments you like, you should grab them. We’ll have to have something to add Chirstmas Eve.”
“I’m not sure your mom is going to want me adding ornaments tohertrees,” I hedged, unsure. She made me feel welcome but that tradition felt a bit too intimate for this early on.
Cole frowned. “Why not? You’re pack. You’ll be back for future Christmases, too.”
“What if you don’t want me around after Christmas?” I whispered.
He glanced around, ensuring we were alone, then set the basket down on the ground.
I swallowed hard as he stepped into my space, pushing me gently against the wall. One hand braced beside my head, the other settled on my hip. He leaned in, running his nose along my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.
“I told you last night, Aspen. Once I tasted you, there was no going back.”
His lips crashed onto mine, not soft or tentative. It was possessive. Commanding. As if he was carving his place in this relationship into me. Making sure I couldn’t forget where I belonged. Who I belonged to.
“Tell me you understand,” he breathed out against my ear, nipping at it.
“I understand,” I whispered as I clenched my thighs together.
“Now,” he said. “You’re going to go back to shopping. Let me pay for everything. And you’re going to pick out a Christmas ornament that feels like you, so you solidify your place in our lives for this Christmas, and every Christmas after.”
