I sent a quick text to Karina to keep it between us and put in an order at my favorite restaurant.
A cozy night in front of the fireplace in our shared living room sounded like the perfect place to start.
Aspen
The Christmas tree farm was bitter cold, but I barely noticed. My whole focus was on my pack. Their scents were blending together as they surrounded me, into something warm and inviting, yet familiar. Someone was always touching me, the warmth of those touches seeping into my being.
My omega was content.
Now that Jack had said his piece and I’d said mine, he seemed to fall back into his more laid-back personality that he had shown the first time we met. He was smiling and teasing now, and it made me feel like there really was a chance that our pack could find its way.
“What about this one?” North called out. His voice was lighter than I think I’ve ever heard it, his eyes shining brightly as he waved us over.
It was definitely a mix of finding his place with Jack and a little bit to do with me. The shyness had worn off more and moreevery moment we spent together, leaving us in a comfortable place.
“It’s beautiful,” I said as I looked up at the monster tree, then back at him, “but I don’t think it will fit.”
“There’s a joke there somewhere,” Jack laughed as he walked up beside me, tilting his head back to look up at the tree. “It’s definitely tall, though.”
“I like it,” Cole decided. “It’s one of the only ones that seems full. The others are all missing branches.”
“It just gives them character,” I teased before holding out my hand to North. “Let’s keep looking. If nothing else, we’ll come back to this one.”
His cheeks burned as he put his hand in mine, but he couldn’t hide the smile.
Honestly, neither could I. I’ve been smiling nonstop since I met these men. This was definitely not the Christmas that I anticipated.
“We haven’t checked the back row yet,” I urged him, trekking through the snow that was starting to pile up now. It had barely relented since we arrived in Pine Ridge, but thankfully, Jack had a truck with four-wheel drive that handled the snow just fine.
“This place is magical,” I breathed out as I glanced around, truly taking in the farm. There were rows and rows of trees that we’d already walked through. Branches and pine needles lined the snow from others doing the same.
At the front of the lot was a large lodge that we walked through to get here. They had a cute little shop on the ground floor and I’d already added a few of the seasonal cookies and jams to buy later.
“It really is,” North agreed, a soft smile taking over his full lips. The warm glowing lights dotting the farm were reflected back in his teal eyes. “I don’t think I’ve appreciated the last few years as much as I should have. I lost myself in work.”
“I have a feeling that’s about to change,” I said, giving his hand a squeeze. “We have a pack now. And you have Jack.”
I hadn’t meant anything by it, but he frowned at my words and looked down at me.
“You know that you’re just as important to me, right?”
“I’m getting there,” I promised. “I just know that you guys have insane history.”
“That doesn’t mean that I don’t want to make history with you, Aspen. You’re everything I could have hoped for in a mate. I want you as much as I want Jack, and we will prove to you we’re ready to be a pack.”
I swallowed down my emotions. It was more than a sentiment from North, it was a vow. His voice was strong and confident, eyes begging me to believe him.
They said they wanted to court me, and at one point in my life I thought it sounded so outdated, like something not really necessary. With them, I was excited at the prospect. I wanted to see what they came up with.
Jack and Cole moved ahead, searching for the perfect tree. By the time we made it halfway through the row, Jack poked his head out from behind a fluffy fir tree, excitedly waving us over.
“We found it, guys!”
North pulled me ahead, his grin growing again.
“This is the one,” Cole declared as he stood back and looked up at it. They were both adorably proud with their find.
North let go of my hand to inspect the tree, his fingers running over the branches carefully. I stopped in front of Cole, leaning back into his chest for warmth.
