The coffee is covered in whipped cream with chocolate shavings and colorful sprinkles. Underneath the chocolate, I can smell sugar cookie creamer. Coffee with a side of Henri and Cato’s scents.
Delicious.
Henri always makes me coffee flavored like at least one of them now, gingerbread, peppermint, and even sweet pine needle vanilla syrup.
I only take a few sips, wanting to save it for the ride.
We’re about to head into Starsfalls to visit the street fair, but everyone else ran off after breakfast, saying they needed to finish getting ready.
They return quickly, and Orion comes in last, carrying a big blue gift box with a white bow.
I’m already reaching for it when he says, “We wanted to get you something for our first day out together.”
I snatch my hands back, remembering to be polite.
“I hope you like it, and that this will be a reminder ofthe great memories we’ll make today,” Orion says, giving me the box.
“That’s so sweet, thank you. I’m sure I’ll love it,” I say graciously.
My alphas are so thoughtful, it feels like my heart will burst with happiness.
I sit on the couch to unwrap it, carefully untying the bow and pushing the tissue paper aside to reveal plush faux fur. I pull it out and a light blue coat unfurls. It’s long, with a thigh-length skirt and gold buttons running down it. The collar, cuffs, and hem are trimmed in white fur. It’s like a fairytale cloak for a princess.
“Do you like it? If you want a different style, we can exchange it,” Charm says.
I drop the coat back in the box and slide it onto the couch before launching myself at them.
“I love it, it’s perfect! Thank you so much,” I say, arms wrapped tight around Orion and Charm.
“You’re welcome,” Orion says.
I release them so I can hug the others. Cato squeezes my ass when I hug him.
I do one more round of thanks, this time with kisses, and then they help me try it on.
“It has pockets!” I say excitedly after finding them hidden in the side seam.
Orion buttons it up, and I spin to watch the skirt flare out around me.
“It looks beautiful on you,” Magnus says, grabbing my arms to look me over.
I smile, as pleased with all the attention as I am the coat.
Once they’re done admiring me, it’s time for the festival.Since it’s outside, I’ll get to show off the gift from my mates, without letting on that we’re dating, of course.
The street fair is already busy, and we got here shortly after it opened.
The road is lined with stalls selling all kinds of winter things, with cheerful decorations everywhere in between. Shiny garlands, colorful lights, and evergreen trees make the gray winter day feel bright and cheerful, along with the live band playing festive music. The air is crisp but not too cold, and the evergreen scent mixes with the smell of fried food and sweet things.
I try to keep track of everything I want to eat, but there are so many options, I discover a new one and forget two others.
It doesn’t really matter, I’m sure we’ll end up visiting every booth eventually. I need to get some of that funnel cake soon though, it has powdered sugarandcocoa powder sprinkled on it.
So far, we’ve just walked around to see where everything is. They closed down all the roads near the town square. The skating rink is still there, but now there are other activities too, like an ice sculpture carving contest, axe throwing, gingerbread house decorating, and a giant bonfire for roasting chestnuts and marshmallows and other treats.
“Should we start with a snack, or is there something else you want to do first?” Orion asks.
I reply with “snack” before he finishes talking, so we head to the closest food stall, a pop-up for Quickie Coffee.
