He gave me that cute, lopsided grin of his as Jack sat at the kitchen island to watch our omega work.
“I was thinking of us doing dinner tonight, but maybe we should order in again.”
North shook his head in protest.
“Absolutely not. I think I’ve had just about enough takeout. We need some real food.” He shot a sideeye towards Jack as if he saw right through his plans. “Let me guess, you want fried chicken?”
Jack nodded his head, causing his thick, wavy hair to fall over his eyes.
“Hell yeah, maybe with some mashed potatoes.”
Cole groaned. “I don’t think I’ve had mashed potatoes and fried chicken since I left. I second this plan.”
“You could have,” North said, giving him a half-hearted glare. “Someone decided to not join us.”
“I was a stupid, stupid alpha,” Cole agreed, doing his best to look repentant.
“You were,” North agreed playfully.
“Can I help? I’ve always wanted to learn how to do some good homemade cooking,” I said.
North’s face lit up. “Yes, of course. I would love it if we could cook together as a pack,” he said, giving Cole a pointed look.
My alpha winced, but didn’t protest. Especially seeing how both of us were excited.
“Sure,” he hedged. “Don’t expect it to be any good.”
“That’s what you have us for,” North reminded him. “Then yes, we can definitely make that.”
We took over the kitchen, Karina still making herself scarce, of course. It was a little different than we expected, but Jack brought in a TV to playIt’s a Wonderful Lifewhile we talked and cooked together.
North was so patient with both Cole and I, giving gentle corrections and instructions, making sure everything was properly seasoned and cooked. Never once did I feel self-conscious about what I didn’t know how to do. He was too good of a teacher for that.
The movie was still going by the time we had devoured the meal and washed the dishes.
“Now, sit down,” North demanded, pointing at the kitchen island. He quickly set us up with the frosting he made earlier and gingerbread shapes. I took my time picking the rightgingerbread pieces, carefully piping frosting in between the layers like cement, hoping to hold it together.
I’d been so focused on mine that when I leaned up to stretch and peeked over at Cole’s house, I burst out into laughter. His house was a mess. It was honestly more of a tent than a house. Its walls leaning together with gobs of frosting and candies dripping down into a lake around it.
“It’s an A-frame,” he deadpanned, trying to hold his laughter back.
“It has character,” North tried to offer, but Jack, true to himself, barked out a startled laugh. That only made us all crack up, even Cole who knew it was hopeless.
“I never claimed to be an artist.”
I tilted my head, smiling at the glorious monstrosity.
“I kind of like it,” I said decidedly.
“I think you have us beat, baby girl,” Jack said, looking from mine to the others. North’s was the closest. It was simple, but well done. Just not decorated outside a candy doorknob.
I’d gone for more decorations, making mine a cozy cottage with burse of colors and swirls of frosting.
Jack tried but gave up, his icing also dripping down like his brother’s. He’d just used a whole lot less of it.
Cole swiped a hand over his face, not realizing there was frosting on his hands. A bright green streak rested on his cheek. I started to say something then simply leaned in. Cole’s eyes darkened when I was inches away, then startled as I darted my tongue out and licked it up. He made a choking sound and swiped at his wet face.
“What are you doing, Chaos?”
