“That’s one of the things I love about them,” Xander replied. “It doesn’t get old to them. Every year I get to see my home through their eyes. They remind me not to take all the beautiful things I’ve been blessed with for granted.”
Xander’s eyes remained on Destiny as he spoke, and Hunter knew his pack leader was counting the omega among those blessings. Finally, the entire pack was on the same page. Destiny Duvalle was theirs.
Now she just had to realize it.
And there was no reason Hunter couldn’t help things along.
“The quality of life in Avondale is quite good, with universal healthcare, childcare, and low cost of living, so people have the means to provide for their families without overworking themselves or going into debt,” Xander was telling Destiny and Sasha. “This is another way we offer support. Each year, ourfamilies experiencing the most need are invited to these festival kickoff events.”
“It was Xander’s first initiative,” Hunter added, looking at his pack leader affectionately. “He started planning when we were still at Oxford. It’s a huge hit every year.”
“I can see that. What a wonderful idea,” Destiny said, and Hunter stifled a grin when Xander puffed out his chest. “What comes next?”
“The families will have lunch, then there’s a program for the kids, while parents wrap presents,” Xander replied. “They provide us with wish lists, and we set up a little Santa’s workshop. And everyone who needs them leaves with new coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and boots, plus a box of food for Christmas dinner.”
Hunter chuckled as Destiny’s eyes widened. “I know. It was a culture shock for me too after growing up in the U.S.”
“This place is amazing,” Destiny said, and Hunter felt his chest puffing up a little too. “I can’t wait to see more of it today.”
“We look forward to showing you more.” Hunter might’ve growled a bit just to see Destiny’s pupils dilate and her pulse flutter. He turned to the prince before she could answer. “You need to begin saying your goodbyes. Twenty minutes until the press brief.”
Xander sighed heavily. “If I must. I’ll see you soon, Miss Duvalle.” The prince bowed slightly, then returned to his circuit of the room.
Sasha glanced between Hunter and Destiny with a knowing smile. “I’m going to get a closer look at the rest of these gingerbread houses. Damon, walk with me, and don’t argue. You can see Destiny from every spot in this room.”
Hunter grinned as Sasha steered the huge alpha away. He was going to have to find out Sasha’s favorite meal and make it too.He was pretty sure the clever beta had been on Team Stepanov all along.
“All these happy families look like something out of a movie,” Destiny mused once they were relatively alone. “It’s entirely too wholesome.”
“It takes some getting used to,” Hunter agreed. He chose his next words carefully. “By too wholesome, do you mean it’s not something you’d want?”
Destiny gave him a sidelong glance. “Smooth, Li. Real smooth. You sure don’t ease into the hard stuff, do you?”
Hunter blushed a little, but he didn’t think she was offended by the question, so he plunged ahead. “I’ve been called intense a time or two. But I just meant this is definitely the kind of thing Meemaw Debbie would’ve done with me as a child. I was really lucky to have her. Our family didn’t fit the movie mold considering my father was dead and my mother left me with my grandmother after he died. Meemaw had no idea he’d even sired any children until my mother showed up on her doorstep the day after his funeral.”
Destiny looked at him with such tenderness that he had to fight to keep from kissing her. She touched his arm when she spoke again. “That sounds really hard. I’m sorry. But I’m glad you had such an amazing grandmother. She clearly did a great job raising you. I hope to do half as well with my own children.”
For fuck’s sake, she was really close to being kissed breathless in front of hundreds of citizens. He covered her hand on his arm with his own and held it there. Her touch was soothing, instilling him with a sense of complete calm.
“I’ll tell her you said so,” Hunter murmured, his heart stuttering at the thought. She’d meet his grandmother someday soon, and the two most important women in his life would get along well. He could tell. “I’m sure you’ll be a great mom.”
Destiny tilted her head, smiling softly. “Yeah. I will.” She hesitated, then spoke quickly as if wanting to ask before she lost her nerve. “Have you ever spoken to your mother or connected with her at all?”
Hunter stiffened, though he didn’t mean to. He wanted Destiny to feel like they could talk about anything. He wanted her to know him completely. But he didn’t like thinking about his mother. His feelings toward her were…complicated.
“Before I joined Xander’s pack, they did a thorough background check that confirmed some things I’d already suspected.” Hunter remembered opening his file and seeing a photo of a beautiful omega with eyes the same shape as his, his high cheekbones, and even his slightly imbalanced lips—the top thinner than the bottom. “She moved back to China, mated, and had three children. She sent my grandmother money sometimes. And she used her connections to get me into the prestigious English alpha academy where I met Xander and Greyson. Paid my entire tuition up front. But she’s never contacted me directly and I’ve never sought her out.”
Destiny was quiet for a long moment. Hunter realized he was still holding her hand where it rested on his arm. She hadn’t even tried to pull away, despite being in public. Even after that stupid article, she wasn’t concerned about the inevitable rumors and speculation that would come from them being seen so close. That was a very good sign.
“Well, her loss,” Destiny said with a shrug. “She’s missing out on one of the most interesting, intelligent, and kind men I’ve ever met.”
Hunter huffed out a breath. “That’s it, Kitten. I can’t take anymore of you saying sweet shit and me not kissing you silly. I’m going to go down that little corridor over there. In five minutes, you’re going to follow me. Got it?”
Destiny’s lips parted and her scent intensified. She nodded.
“Good girl,” Hunter said.
Chapter fourteen
