“Were you an only child?” Karina asked before I could.
She shook her head. “No, but I don’t have a relationship with my siblings. They’re a lot like my parents, and I just wanted more out of life. Something that meant more than status.”
“I can understand that,” I agreed.
“So, I hear we’re all moving to the guest wing?”
“That was Jack’s idea,” she said. “Cole agrees that being close together will make it easier.”
“I may have overheard that,” Karina said. “And I have some movers coming in...,” she checked her sparkling watch, “in about an hour. So, we better finish up. What can I do next?”
Aspen glanced back at her. “If you can set the table, we’ll be ready.”
“We already warmed up some of your baked goods,” Karina told me as she gathered plates and cutlery.
“They were so good,” Aspen said. “I might’ve snuck one with my morning coffee.”
“I’m glad you like them. I made them for you.” I smiled over at her, unable to help myself. She was so soft right now, smiling and open, and relaxed.
“That wasbeforeyou knew I was your mate,” she teased, leaning closer until our arms brushed. She glanced back at Jack, then to me. “Are you happy?”
My expression softened. “More than I’ve ever been.”
“Then I’m happy,” she promised. “We’ll figure everything out as it comes. There’s no rush. It’s not like Christmas is a hard deadline.”
“What about your job and your life in the city?” I asked before I could stop myself.
She frowned. “I don’t know. I’m not even sure if that job is what I want forever.” She whispered it, cutting off any explanation as Cole walked in. I made a mental note to push for more at a different time.
Jack jumped in to help put away the groceries he brought in. Everything felt strangely normal despite us being new to this.
Cole sat on one side of Aspen at the table, Jack on the other. I sat next to Jack, and Karina took her usual seat at the head of the table.
“You know, it’s been a long time since you’ve had a break, too,” Karina said to me. I blinked, unsure where she was going.
“I’m taking one now,” I pointed out. She rolled her eyes, apparently, it wasn’t enough.
“I spoke to your mom. We both think it’s a great time for you to take a vacation. Two weeks. Madeline will cover with your staff. She’s hiring temporary help for your team.”
Shock hit me like a truck. I hated the idea of someone stepping in, but I also felt intense relief. I didn’t want Aspen and Cole building everything together while Jack and I drifted in and out.
Karina wasn’t finished.
“And the mayor and I had a very pointed talk. You’re off work, too,” she said definitively.
We both stared at her.
“You’re a new pack,” she said gently, imploring us to realize that this was done out of love for us. “You need time together. At the end of two weeks, you’ll know where to go from there. I’m not pushing you either way. I just want you to know you have options. And that you all have a place here.”
“Thank you,” I managed.
“Don’t mention it,” she said, spearing an egg with her fork as an end to that conversation.
The musical chime of the doorbell ended breakfast.
It was time to invest in our pack, and that started with me moving my things here.
We might separate for a few hours to pack, but I wanted to shop for trees after and end the night together.
