Page 64 of A Pack of Mistletoe
But it’s the stockings that undo me.
Six of them hang from the mantel, each in a different Christmas pattern. Each embroidered with one of their names—and one in the middle with mine.
My breath catches. Tears fill my eyes again, but this time they don’t sting. They’re warm and bright and full of love. Every alpha is seated around my little table, a beautiful breakfast spread before them.
“What is all this for?” I ask through hiccuping tears.
Harlan reaches out a hand, and I walk straight to him. His palm is steady, grounding.
“Do you remember asking us about bonding last night?” he asks gently.
My heart plummets. “I—no,” I admit, voice small.
He smiles, kind and quiet. Oh god. Is this them trying to let me down easy?
Harlan’s expression hardens as soon as he reads my scent turning sharp. “What’s the matter, Starlight?” he asks, his tone edged with concern.
“She thinks she embarrassed us last night. That we don’t want her anymore,” Kai says casually.
I shoot him a look that could cut glass. If my head didn’t hurt so much, I’d tackle him. He just smirks.
Harlan doesn’t smirk. He doesn’t even blink. His big hand catches my chin, tipping it up until I have no choice but to meet his gaze. His presence fills the room, quiet and absolute.
“You do not embarrass us,” he growls, voice low and rough as thunder. “You’re our omega. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Alpha,” I whisper. The words come out like a vow.
The sound that follows is primal. It's a chorus of low, rumbling growls that vibrate through the floorboards. Logan’s and Evander’s eyes go molten, hungry. The air thickens, heavy with want. I can’t stop imagining it. Them on their knees before me, Harlan behind me, his voice a command and a promise.
Heat crawls up my spine before I can stop it, and my scent blooms. It's sharp, sugary, peppermint-sweet. Harlan’s head dips to my shoulder, his growl slipping out soft and possessive.
“This is quickly getting away from the whole reason we brought her out here,” Wyatt says, ever the voice of reason, even as he’s smiling. He gently pries me from Harlan’s lap. Harlan’s fingers linger at my hips before he lets go.
“There’s a reason?” I ask, dazed, my head still full of fantasies and pheromones.
Wyatt pulls out a chair, guiding me down before setting a breakfast that looks five-star. Eggs Benedict, bacon, French toast, and a cinnamon roll the size of my head cover the table. But I can’t eat. My hands tremble as I pick up my fork.
“This looks delicious,” I manage.
“We were hoping to talk to you over breakfast,” Harlan says.
My stomach knots. “Okay,” I whisper.
He glances around the table. “We’ve been talking, Starlight. We know this all started in an unconventional way but it’s become clear, very quickly, that you’re made for us.”
I go still. My heart feels too big for my chest.
“Even before your scent, I knew,” Harlan says, voice softening. “That night on the patio at your parents’ party, everything about you, the way you carriedyourself, the way youendured—I wanted you. My biggest regret is not finding a way to get you out of there then.”
Kai leans forward, eyes bright. “I’ve known since we were kids. Our parents always ran in the same circles, and all I ever looked forward to was seeing you again. You’ve always been my world, Rosie.”
Evander grins, soft and shining. “Pretty sure I fell in love when you got the guys to wear those matching pajamas. You’re my friend, Candy, and so much more.”
Wyatt chuckles. “Definitely when you tried every food I gave you. I love that light in your eyes.”
“Nah,” Logan says, blue eyes steady as ice over deep water. “She was always ours. Before we even met.”
And goddamn if it doesn’t feel that way. Like fate itself wove our souls together long before we knew it.
