Page 15 of My Omega's Gift

“Is there anywhere around here we can cut a Christmas tree? We’d love to have one for the cabin.”

“We cut ours from the stand just west of here, and there are plenty of other options in there. Also, it’s level walking through the grove, which might be helpful to someone who is close to having a baby.”

“Absolutely. Do we need a permit, or is there a fee I can pay?” Everything here was so easy and smooth. “I have my wallet, or you have my card on file if you just want to use that.”

“No charge. We have to thin out the forest anyway. Just be careful and don’t cut more of a tree than you can fit in the cabin. We’ve had guests cut down thirty-foot trees for an eight-foot ceiling on occasion.”

“Considering we’ll have to make our decorations, we probably will keep it on the small side.”

He chuckled, a warm friendly sound. “There should be a box of lights and maybe a few ornaments in the bedroom closet, if you take a peek. But otherwise, you’ll probably find some materials for your project. I don’t suppose you brought an ax with you?”

He ended up giving me the ax, leather gloves, a tarp, and some rope all piled on a sled then sending me on my way. His cocoa had to be cold, but when I glanced over my shoulder, I saw steam rising from his cup. I shrugged, hurrying to the cabin to pick up Wade and head for the grove of trees.

Wade, all bundled up, was watching for me through the window, and, as I approached, he disappeared behind the curtains and reappeared opening the door. He wore a heavy coat and hat, fur-lined gloves, and a wooly scarf, none of which I’d seen him in before. Overall, he looked more like a bear than a wolf, and utterly adorable. He’d worn my coat before but this time, I wouldn’t be wearing my fur.

“Where did you get all those things?” I asked.

“The closet. Do you think I shouldn’t wear them?”

I shrugged. “I think they were left behind a while ago judging by their appearance. Can’t see why you shouldn’t.”

“Is that an ax?” He gave a little bounce. “We’re getting a tree!”

I pulled the sled, although he offered to help, and side by side we walked along the road in the direction Theo sent us. It wasn’t far at all, and soon we were moving from tree to tree, discussing them as if we were going to pay city prices. They wereall great, but I mentioned Theo’s warning about height. When I held up my hand next to a tree I’d have sworn was eight or nine feet, it towered at least another few feet above my fingertips.

Finally, we narrowed it down to two. Both were between seven and eight feet high, but one had defined branches and the other was bushier. “How do we decide?” I asked. “If we stay out here much longer, your nose is going to turn blue.”

“I know.” He smiled but cupped his palm over his nose, muffling his words a little. “Let’s take the one that smells the best.”

“How will we know?” Everything smelled like green and cold out here.

“Simple.” He reached out to the closer of the two trees, the bushy one, and pulled off a few needles, crushing them in his glove. “Sniff.”

I bent to inhale the fragrance. “Heady, sharp, and somehow watery? Nice.”

He brushed the needles away and did the same thing with the more defined tree. “Now smell this one.”

I sniffed the bruised needles and tipped my head back. “Smells like Christmas.”

“Exactly.” He nodded. “Now, give me the ax and…what?”

“Just step back. Maybe next time you can do it, but an ax is dangerous and I don’t want anything to ever hurt you.”

“Thank you, alpha.” His voice was thick with emotion. “I am not used to someone being so concerned.”

With everything in me, I wanted to say something, to let him know we were, but instead I chopped down the tree, wrapped it in the tarp, and secured it on the sled. All the way home, we were belting carols, and we did find that box of decorations, so the only thing we made was a popcorn chain.

Thoroughly fun, thoroughly happy Christmas outing, fun tree decorating, and my heart burst with the joy of it all.

Chapter Eleven

Wade

Theo and Elias had called and asked us to come down to the main house to help them with…they didn’t say what. We were happy to help, no matter what it was. It wasn’t like they were jerks who would ask me to do heavy labor while pregnant.

We bundled up and made our way there. I wasn’t sure what kind of help I could offer—not with my baby due any second now, but they had been so kind to me that I’d do what I could.

I hadn’t been getting any contractions, not even the practice ones you’re supposed to have before delivery, and that had me confused as to when my baby was actually going to arrive. Not that babies had a history of going by a schedule. Maybe the baby knew we weren’t in a good spot yet. Or maybe I was overthinking and just needed to suck it up and ask Elias to help me find a midwife. I probably needed to do that.

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