Grayson goes next, receiving a new hunting knife from Noah, a rare first edition of poetry from Kai (which raises my eyebrows—I had no idea Grayson read poetry), and a hand-carved walking stick from me that I’d spotted at the Winter Fair.
Kai tears into his gifts with abandon—a snowboarding trip to Japan from Noah, a custom-designed snowboard from Grayson, and a vintage poster of the 1998 Nagano Olympics from me, which makes him let out a whoop of joy.
“Your turn, Holly,” Noah says, handing me a small, elegantly wrapped box.
Inside is a delicate silver chain with a pendant—a tiny mountain range crafted in silver and gold. “It’s beautiful,” I whisper, running my finger over the detailed peaks.
“Turn it over,” Noah says softly.
On the back, three tiny letters are engraved: N, G, K.
“So we’re always with you,” he explains, “even when you’re back in New York.”
My throat tightens with emotion. “Put it on me?”
Noah fastens the chain around my neck, his fingers brushing my skin in a way that sends shivers down my spine.
Kai hands me his gift next—an ultralight climbing harness that might be one of the most expensive on the market. “You mentioned not bringing much of your gear with you, so in case you find some time for the walls while you’re here.”
Grayson’s gift is last—a hand carved set of wolves that are so intricately detailed I assume he bought them from an artist’s booth from the fair until he quietly admits to making them himself.
I run my fingers over the smooth wood grain, overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness of each gift. They’ve paid attention to who I am, what I love, in a way no one ever has before.
“My turn,” I say, reaching under the tree for the three identical small boxes I’d hidden there last night. I hand one to each of them, suddenly nervous. “I had a really hard time finding something to buy, so I went in a slightly different direction.”
They open the boxes simultaneously, each revealing a single silver key.
“It’s to my apartment in New York,” I explain into the silence. “I want you to have them because...because I want you to know I’m not going anywhere when my rotation ends. I mean, I’ll physically go back to New York to finish my residency, but I’m not leaving us.”
Their surprised expressions make me rush on. “I’ve decided to come out as an omega in a year when my residency is over. I won’t need the suppressants anymore, so I’ll start having normal heats. Though I’ll still need to take the Chinese herbs to mask myscent when I’m not in heat, at least until I’m established in my career.”
The silence stretches, making my heart race. “Why do you all look so shocked?” I demand, indignation rising. “I don’t know how I could have been any clearer about what I want.”
Noah laughs then, a warm sound that vibrates through our bond. “I pretty much never know what you’re going to do next, Holly Chang,” he says, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “It’s definitely part of the attraction.”
“Is that why none of you have asked to bond me?” The question bursts out before I can stop it, revealing an insecurity I hadn’t even fully acknowledged to myself.
Noah’s expression softens. “We didn’t want to pressure you. You’ve had so many changes thrown at you these past weeks.”
“But if it’s what you want,” Grayson adds, his voice low and intense, “during your next heat, we’ll give you as many bonding bites as you want.”
“All you have to do is ask,” Kai finishes, his usual playfulness replaced with a rare seriousness.
I look at each of them in turn—Noah with his steady strength, Grayson with his quiet intensity, Kai with his boundless enthusiasm. Three alphas who have somehow become mine, who want me enough to follow me to New York, who see me as I am and love me anyway.
“I’m asking,” I say, my voice firm despite the emotion threatening to overwhelm me. “I want all of you. Completely.”
Noah pulls me into a kiss that steals my breath, while Kai wraps his arms around us both from behind. Grayson’s hand finds mine, squeezing gently in silent promise.
Kai takes a swig from the nearly empty bottle of spring water, expression heated over the rim. “I do want one more thing for Christmas, if we’re in the mood to make dreams come true.”
The expression on his face makes my belly tighten. “What’s that?”
His smile is wide enough to bare teeth. “I want to chase you.”
Iwouldn’t have thought Kai would be the one wanting to go all primal play and hunt me through the woods.
It’s less surprising how eager Noah and Grayson are as soon as Kai says it out loud.
