We get back from that incredible evening and walk straight into bedlam. The town is full on in decoration mode for Light Knot Night. There are stars, snowflakes, and glittering ice crystals everywhere. I don’t know where to look; it’s incredible.
Charming, absolutely charming.
Sofia calls out to me from the bookstore, and I stumble in, flanked by Sebastian.
“Have you told them yet?” she asks as soon as she sees me.
I shake my head, my happiness fading. “No, they don’t know. I am going to do it.”
Sofia grabs my hand. “You need to do it, Cordie. Why are you waiting?”
I shake my head, unable to tell her that I’m terrified that if I give them a reason to leave me, they will abandon me just like my father did. I pick up a book and try to focus on something else other than the pit of dread in my stomach.
Sebastian prowls around the store. “When are you going to put the books back up?”
“I’m not,” Sofia says defiantly. “Not until it’s all okay.”
Sebastian growls and continues stalking. His aggression and unease are slowly seeping into me, and I turn to watch him, wondering what is upsetting him.
He glares at all the strangers who are walking past in a very un-Sebastian-like way.
On impulse, I walk over to him and lean into his chest, wrapping my arms around him.
“It’s okay. We’re okay.”
He relaxes second by second. When I turn around, Sofia is staring at us with the softest expression.
“I’m going to go find Fox and stop him from bringing home any more animals,” Sebastian murmurs and kisses my forehead.
I watch him go, then spin to confront Sofia, who is leaning on the counter with her chin on her hand. “What’s that look?” I accuse.
“You make him happy. Like, really happy.”
I stare at her. “I know.”
She shakes her head. “You don’t know how amazing you are.”
“Aww, bestie.”
“Shut up, you,” she growls playfully, but she comes to me, and we hug. This time, her touch and scent doesn’t irritate me. “We need to catch up, girls night or something. When this is over.”
“Absolutely.”
Fox walks past, peering in the window. I wave at him, and he grins. He’s so adorable.
“Excuse me, I have alphas to play with,” I whisper, my body thrumming with excitement.
Sofia says something, but I’m already heading out the door. It chimes as I slip out, too excited to even slow down.
Fox crashes into me, but grabs my waist before I can fall, and spins me around. His eyes are shining, and he’s pure happiness. He looks how I feel.
His lips press into mine. I wrap my arms around his neck as he pulls me off my feet, laughing into the kiss. He pulls back and grins. “What shall we get up to today on this most auspicious of days?”
I open my mouth and get halfway through a reply when we’re suddenly interrupted. “Sebastian just went to find you-”
“Fox, darling, can you take this down to Grandma’s. Cordie, I need you to help me here.” Lorelei smiles widely and holds a box out towards us.
Fox let’s go of me, his smile dimming only slightly. He takes the box. “Grandma?”
