“I thought it would be more crowded,” Destiny said, turning her attention back to the people congregating among the trees. “This is a huge event, right?”
“Not tonight,” Alexander replied, leaning back against his seat and looking around. “The trees will be lit every night at dusk through January 7th. But the judging night is exclusive to contest participants and approved vendors.”
“Safety precaution for the royal family,” Hunter explained.
“Tomorrow, people from all over the country and continent will start pouring in,” Greyson added. “If the weather clears enough for air travel, they’ll come from all over the world. It’s huge for tourism.”
“I think our economy can stand losing out on the international travelers this year,” the prince said, fixing his electric blue gaze back on Destiny. “I’d prefer the weather stay exactly as it is—completely unsafe for airplanes.”
Greyson and Hunter murmured their agreement and Destiny flushed, pleased that they wanted her to stay. They spent the rest of the evening in the same easy conversation, with breaks to stretch, talk to contest winners, and try the treats on offer at the food carts and souvenir stalls. Pack Stepanov bought herpresents she didn’t need, but loved anyway—local chocolate, a hand-woven coin purse, a batik scarf and a pair of funky silver earrings.
They insisted she try all their favorite local Christmas treats, from delicious sugar cookies layered with jam called Vánocní Cukroví to Bejgli, a combination of flaky dough and rich poppy seed filling. Destiny felt like all of her senses were alive, relishing the new tastes, the picturesque surroundings, and the scents that were starting to feel like home.
Maybe it was the twinkling lights and glimmering garland, the endless sea of stars overhead and the music of the horses’ hooves crunching in the snow, or maybe it was the magic of Christmas, or maybe she was just falling in love, but Destiny felt more like herself, surer of who she was and what she wanted.
And it wasthis. More of this.
Chapter seventeen
Alexander
Xander wanted more of this.
He wanted more easy conversation and exhilarating flirtation. He wanted more of Hunter’s satisfied smiles, and Greyson’s full belly laughs, and Destiny’s teasing siren eyes looking at him with sass and trust and desire. He wanted more days showing her his home and his people, of experiencing Avondale through her eyes.
Xander wanted more of Destiny.
He wanted all of her.
Xander watched her glow beneath the twinkling lights and thought that there’d never been a Christmas festival this beautiful. Despite the chilly night air, he never felt the cold, not when he was basking in the warmth of Destiny’s attention. His pack was happy. His family was happy. His people were happy.
Xander was happy.
He’d realized it when he hopped on stage beside Destiny to tell the kids the Christmas spider story. It had felt so natural. He hadn’t been worried about saying and doing the right thing, hadn’t been preoccupied with his own anxiety and self-doubt. Even the press hadn’t shaken him. And it was because, for the first time in a long while, Xander was truly happy.
He was still buzzing with energy when they returned to the castle. He was prepared to beg Destiny to hang out a bit longer but, luckily, the rest of the pack had the same idea. When Greyson took her arm and steered her toward their wing, she didn’t protest.
The packhouse felt better when she was in it. His life felt better with her in it. Xander needed to make sure she knew it.
“What kind of tea shall we have?” Greyson asked, as they removed their coats and boots in the packhouse foyer. “We need to unwind. So, perhaps chamomile or lavender?”
“Lavender,” Destiny replied, padding across the living room to stand in front of the fireplace. “Even if it doesn’t make me sleepy, at least it’ll thaw me out a bit. I’m still freezing.”
Greyson went to the kitchen to make tea. Hunter stoked the fire. After turning on some quiet music, Xander plopped onto the couch, stretching out with a thick blanket.
“Frosty, there’s a spot right here with your name on it,” he declared, patting the couch beside him and lifting the corner of his blanket in invitation. “Grey got to sit beside you all evening. It’s my turn.”
“Twat,” Greyson said, not looking up from the tray he was arranging on the bar top between the kitchen and living area. “Aren’t you still supposed to be groveling? You’re in no position to make demands.”
Xander snapped his mouth shut, eyes instinctively going to Hunter. They weren’t in play mode, but he hadn’t forgotten Hunt’s warning after his bratty taunts during the sleigh ride.Xander felt a thrill of excitement at the idea of being punished, even as he dreaded the thought of being denied snuggles with his omega.
Hunt grinned his lazy, dominant grin that made Xander’s stomach flutter. He always knew what Xander was thinking, what he needed, even when Xander didn’t understand it himself. It’d been that way since they met.
“Ask her again, without being a brat,” Hunter ordered sternly, though his lip twitched like he was fighting a smile. In the flickering firelight his eyes were molten amber and as intense as ever.
Hunt’s intuition must’ve told him that Xander needed this time with their omega. Though Xander knew it was his own fault, he was a little jealous that Destiny had taken to Hunt and Grey so quickly. Their relationship with the popstar was already intimate and comfortable. It made Xander’s insecurities try to resurface. A familiar, insidious little voice reminded him that he was the fuck up of the pack. Of course, Destiny preferred his packmates.
“Pretty please, Destiny, may I help you warm up?” Xander asked, ignoring his intrusive thoughts and batting his lashes at her playfully. “I’m an arrogant asshole, but I am genuinely trying to make amends and earn your trust. So come snuggle me, please, before you catch pneumonia.”
