Page 49 of Tangled In Tinsel & Knots
Her father reaches the door first, knocking, and a woman in her mid-thirties answers. She’s wearing a knitted dress covered in snowflakes, and her mouth literally drops open when she sees me.
“Hi, Patty.” Hannah’s father moves forward, carrying his baked casserole. “Good to see you again.”
Patty doesn’t respond. She’s staring at me, eyes wide, taking in my size, my tattoos, the entire package.
I step forward, keeping Hannah’s hand in mine, and lean down slightly. “Hey. I’m Noel. Hannah’s boyfriend.”
Patty makes a squeaking sound.
Hannah opens her mouth, probably to add something diplomatic, but I lean closer to her, press a soft kiss near hertemple, and say, loudly enough for Patty to hear, “Actually, I’m her scent match. Her Alpha.”
Hannah looks up at me, whispering urgently, “Don’t need to say that part.”
I smirk down at her. “Oh, I do.”
Patty stumbles backward, bumps into someone behind her, and suddenly the narrow entryway is packed with people. The hallway stretches back toward what looks like a dining room, hardwood floors gleaming, walls painted cream and decorated with family photos in expensive frames. There are maybe fifteen people crowded in here now, all turning to stare at us.
Perfect entrance.
I let go of Hannah’s hand, slide my palm across her lower back, drawing her against my side. “Hey, everyone. I’m Noel, Hannah’s main squeeze.” I let my voice carry, making sure everyone hears. “She’s my scent match.”
“Oh my God!” Lily is practically screaming in my ear. “You’d better be memorizing their faces! I can tell from the silence that they’re all shocked! Tell me they’re shocked!”
I lift my hand, the one with the microphone glued to one of my wooden bracelets, and whisper toward it, “You’d love to see this.”
“I knew it! I’m missing everything!”
Hannah’s father is already pushing through the crowd, completely unbothered by the shock. “All right, everyone, let’s get started. I brought a pasta bake.” He holds up a casserole dish and heads toward the dining room.
Hannah tugs me forward, and immediately we’re swarmed. People pressing closer, reaching out to touch my arms, my shoulders, like I’m some kind of exhibit.
“He’s real,” someone murmurs.
“Look at those tattoos!”
“Is his hair naturally that color?”
An older woman approaches, and Hannah immediately steps forward. “Great-Aunt Martha! So good to see you!”
So this is the infamous Martha. She’s wearing a red dress that screams “I’m in charge here” with a pearl necklace. Her gray hair is styled in perfect waves.
“Hannah, darling!” She pulls Hannah into a hug that looks more possessive than affectionate, then turns her attention to me. “And who is this?”
“Let me introduce you to Noel,” Hannah says. “My boyfriend.”
Martha pulls me into the same aggressive hug-and-kiss routine, then reaches out to squeeze my bicep. Hard. “Oh, Hannah, you finally snagged yourself a good one!” Her voice carries across the room. “How on earth did you manage this? Your cousins could use some tips.”
“Actually, I chased her.” I speak before Hannah can respond, keeping my tone easy but firm. “Hannah is the real catch here. And it’s not just me. My two friends are claiming her too.”
Silence. Complete, total silence.
Hannah is glaring at me.
“Oh, this is beautiful,” Lily whispers in my ear. “I can feel their shock from here.”
“We’re a pack,” I clarify, which somehow makes their stares worse.
Mouths are literally hanging open. Then everyone starts talking at once, and we’re being herded toward an oversized dining table.
