Chapter 19
Henri
Ikeep finding myself stopping to look at my phone while I make breakfast. I’ve been so distracted I almost burned the bacon and spilled the coffee.
Since those near misses, I’ve done a better job of paying attention because I certainly don’t want to serve Hestia bad food.
I turn the stove down now that the pan of hot chocolate is warm enough.
I wonder if Hestia drinks hot chocolate year-round or if it’s a seasonal thing. I’ll have to ask so I can stock up on whatever she wants for her coffee come spring.
Most of the food is done, so I give myself permission to check my phone again. There haven’t been any changes since I last looked.
I can’t stop thinking about yesterday. I assumed Hestia would love the lights, considering how much she enjoyed seeing the ones in town. We put up way more than we ever have before, using every strand we had to make the station as festive as possible.
I still didn’t expect her to be quite that excited.
Charm and I had to plug in the lights, so I didn’t get to see her initial reaction in person. I saw it through the bond though, and thanks to Orion, I had a close-up view of her face when they came on. Eyes wide and lips parted in awe, quickly shifting into a sweet smile.
And when we came out, Hestia rushed over to thank us. She was so excited, her sugared fruit scent was richer than usual.
I always appreciate compliments about our station. I work hard to make it comforting and welcoming, not just clean and tidy.
Now, though, I don’t care if anyone else likes it. All I care about is whether Hestia likes our station, if I have it decorated to her taste. I want this to be the perfect home forher.
I haven’t admitted that to my packmates, but with the way they’re acting, I’m sure they feel the same. Cato, at least, is obvious about his interest in her.
It’s been entertaining watching him use the pole to show off for Hestia. Cato used to slide down it simply because he’s impatient. I was glad when we convinced him toalwaysuse it instead of jumping off the landings above. At least with the pole we have some semblance of safety as he speeds down several stories.
My affection for Hestia comes in the form of elaborate meals rather than sensual pole sliding. Our pack needs to discuss the situation soon and make a plan, because I never want her to leave.
If only we weren’t her bosses.
We’ll obviously have to wait until her training period is over before we do anything. And when the time comes,if she says she’s not interested…well. As much as it hurts to think of never seeing her again, we would wish her well and let her move on to another station.
Until then, it’s two years of maintaining that professional boundary while living together.
Well, perhaps notstrictlyprofessional, my phone usage is evidence of that, but at least not overtly romantic.
It’s been so difficult to suppress my feelings, my alpha’s urges to court her. I have to keep reminding him it’s for Hestia’s sake that we can’t be together yet.
It’s obvious how important being a rescuer is to her, how much she wants to help people. We’re not going to get in the way of that. We’re providing the same training we always do and treating her like any other trainee in the field.
It’s just at home that we get a little lax with those boundaries.
I can hold out until she becomes a certified rescuer. Once she is, HR won’t have a problem with us dating.
That’s decided then. I’ll confess my desperate affection for Hestia in two years’ time.
I’ll tell my packmates the plan later.
My phone buzzes a notification, but I don’t need it. I’m already watching.
I close the video feed and prepare Hestia’s plate.
The others must have been waiting for her too, because they all converge in the kitchen just before she comes in.
Hestia looks so cute in the mornings, still sleepy until she gets her coffee. Her fruity scent is always a little stronger too, and I cherish these moments before the air filters steal it away.
