Finn’s jaw drops open. “Are there… two of them now? What happened to him?”
He catches my warning look and immediately pivots. “I mean… magnificent. Truly magnificent. The finest llama I’ve ever seen.”
I turn to Gabe expectantly.
“Yeah,” he says. “The grooming really brings out his… eyes.”
Then look to Everett.
He clears his throat. “I’ve never seen him look better.”
“Well, I think you’re the most handsome llama in all of Snowflake Valley,” I tell him, scratching behind his ears the way he likes. “Maybe in the entire world.”
Oxford makes a pleased humming sound before going to lie down on his bed.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I fish it out, expecting another passive-aggressive text from Aunt Karen, or an aggravated email from Marcus, but instead see Mom’s name on the screen.
“It’s my mom,” I tell the guys, sitting up straighter. “I should take this.”
I walk toward the kitchen, pressing the phone to my ear. “Mom? Hi!”
“Melody, sweetie!” Her voice sounds tired but relieved. “Good news, we’re finally getting off the ship!”
“That’s amazing! When?”
“Tomorrow morning.” She sighs heavily. “But honey, your father and I are completely exhausted.”
“Of course,” I say, leaning against the counter. “I’m just glad you’re all okay.”
“We are, and…” she pauses. “We’ll be able to spend Christmas together after all. We’ll be back by the 23rd. So, could you bring all those decorations you packed, and maybe makeyour famous gingerbread cheesecake? Your father and I are just too tired to cook or shop or do much of anything this year.”
My heart sinks. The request is so reasonable, so standard. Of course, they want me home for Christmas. Of course they’re exhausted after being trapped on a cruise ship.
But I’m not alone anymore. I glance toward the living room, where my guys and my llama have somehow become the center of my world.
“I think I’ll stay in Snowflake Valley, if that’s OK.”
“Alone in Snowflake Valley for Christmas?” She asks.
“I’ve met people. I have new friends.”
“Family comes first, Melody, not people you’ve just met.”
“Yes, I know. But… um, these are special friends.”
I hear Mom’s breath catch on the other end of the phone. “Like an alpha friend?”
“Yes, more like two alpha friends and a beta.”
“Oh,” she says softly. “Oh, I see.”
My heart races as I wait for her reaction. This wasn’t how I planned to tell her about my new… whatever this is. Pack? Relationship? Life-changing holiday fling?
“Are you… is this serious?” she asks.
“It’s new,” I admit, twisting a strand of hair around my finger. “But yes, I think it could be. I’ve never felt this way before. They’re my scent-match, Mom.”
There’s a long pause, and I brace myself. Instead, I hear a small sniffle.
