Page 178 of Finding the Forward: Part Two
Though I’d stolen it a while ago.
The cabin was cute and rustic, if a little dusty, like something out of asnowed-inromance novel. The furnishings were simple—giant sectional, with a TV and coffee table. A farm-style table. A farm kitchen with wood cabinets, granite countertops, and a hanging pot rack over the stove. Adorable. The gas fire flickered in the living room, providing heat.
AJ got down the popcorn. “Um, I hope it’s okay that you bonded with me.”
“I’m happy about it. Though your moms are going to want an even bigger dinner now. Probably invite my family, too.” I grimaced at the thought as I got out the makings for hot chocolate. Though I’d invite them to the wedding, of course.
“Queen Twatwaffle versus my parents.” AJ shuddered as he put the popcorn in the microwave. “Though I know I should fear your match-making grandma.”
“Oh, yes. Though, since I told her I was courting a pack and she needed to stop trying to set me up, she informed me there was an omega gift set aside for me. Look. Dean and Grif will be so pretty.” Taking my phone, I showed AJ the pictures of the ornate heirloom jewelry sets.
“I love how they assume you’ll have a female omega.” AJ laughed. “They’re very nice.”
“Well, someone has to cook for me. Honestly, I might not accept it.” I was still surprised since it had been made clear that I wouldn’t receive the same things my alpha male cousins got.
“Accept them. In fact, see if she’ll send them to you now before she changes her mind. Even if Dean and Grif aren’t interested, they’re still assets and can be listed as what you bring to the pack when you get added. Might as well take advantage,” he told me as he got down a bowl. “If not, no worries. It was worth a shot. But I’m guessing you worry about that.”
“Oh, that makes sense. Sure.” I shot off a text to my grandma.
Yes, they were adding me to the pack. A pack I brought very little to, asset-wise. Though my investments were doing better thanks to AJ’s help. If we were all students or just getting started, it would be one thing, but they were established, and I worried about disparity.
“I’ve been putting off visiting my parents to pick an heirloom gift out for Grif out of the safe. Because my mothers will want to talk about things. I did order a custom watch for him, though.” He leaned against the counter.
“Go when they’re not there. Take something, leave a note, and go? I should get something new for them as a mating gift, too. But I have no idea what.” I thought for a moment. “Maybe a chain for Grif to wear the ring on since he’s using one of Dean’s?”
“Great idea. We can go to my family’s jeweler together. Maybe a sail boat charm or tie tack for Dean? We’ll look together.” He opened the bag of chocolate chips and popped some in his mouth.
I squeezed his hand. “I like that. Ooh, maybe an engraved compass?”
Did I get AJ and Jonas bonding gifts? I wasn’t sure. Hmmm, maybe I could have one of the heirloom necklaces made into something for the four of them. That could be special.
“Fantastic idea. That or one of those spy glasses so he can pretend to be a pirate when we go sailing?” AJ suggested. “Um, back to us bonding? We should get a mate agreement drawn up for the two of us, since it’s always a good idea to have one. While I’ll marry you if you’d like,pleasedon’t make me have a wedding. Unless we’re eloping, and it’s only our pack.”
His words warmed me, and my shoulders wiggled in happiness as I heated the milk in the saucepan.
“As soon as we get back to the city, we’ll get your bond with Dean registered, and that agreement drawn up, too. You and Jonas can sort yourselves out on your own.” He grinned and took more chocolate chips out of the bag.
I measured the chocolate. Someone had gotten the good kind. “Who ordered all this?”
“Me, I figured you’d all come up eventually, and we love your hot chocolate. I even got marshmallows.” Taking out a bag, he threw it at me. “Well, everyone except for Mr. I-Don’t-Like-Chocolate.”
Laughing, I caught it. “I make a very good hot vanilla, but it’s hot pink, and I put sprinkles on it and call it unicorn vomit. One of the littles doesn’t like chocolate either.”
AJ guffawed as he poured kernels into a special bowl and put it in the microwave. “I’ll buy all the ingredients just to see his face when you serve it to him.”
“He might like it. It’s pretty tasty when spiked with bourbon.” I stirred the pot, making sure the heat was low, so it didn’t burn.
“Jonas also brought groceries when you all came down. Mostly prepared stuff. He took the old snowmobile to the store earlier to get a few fresh things.” He sniffed the air. “That smells so good.”
My phone buzzed, and I checked it. “Huh. Grandma already mailed everything. Baba apparently told her to?”
How bizarre.
“The press release.” AJ nodded as he got out the salt and butter. “He must have seen it. That went out while you were in the hospital.”
I scrolled through my texts. “Mama told him. Baba is apparently very excited that I actually listened to him and found a man in finance. Mama wants to meet all of you.”
Hmm, I wasn’t sure what I thought of that. If I let them back into my life, it could be hard to enforce boundaries.
