Page 41 of Let It Snow
Eventually we make it to the parking lot. We load everything into the trunk, but I keep the bag with the fish on my lap while Lake secures the tank with a seatbelt in the backseat.
He doesn’t seem at all bothered by the extra shopping. He stays cheerful the entire time, surrounded by an aura of calm optimism.
When we pull up to the house, the same two figures are standing on the porch, watching the car. One is Aiden, the other is Snow… of course. I wonder if they’ve been waiting there the whole time.
Aiden takes off the moment Lake jumps out of the car, wrapping his arms around him and pulling him close, their mouths colliding in a kiss so full of passion it stops me in my tracks.
For a second I just stare. There’s something mesmerizing about it, almost as if I can feel that passion vibrating in the air between them. After nearly forty years together, it’s still that strong, kept alive by the magic of being True Mates.
A sting of jealousy runs through me…
I want that too!
Having my True Mate!
I pull my eyes away from the kissing pair, glancing instead at Snow, who stands against the wall of the house. He doesn’t come over, just watches us from a distance.
Only when we start unloading everything does he finally come down the steps. Without a word, he joins us, taking bags from our hands. His brows lift slightly when he notices the aquarium.
Lake offers to help me with the aquarium, but Snow gives the smallest shake of his head. It strikes me that he and his dad understand each other in ways that don’t require much talking, as if there’s some subtle bond between them on a level beyond words, a kind of silent telepathy.
Snow helps me carry the aquarium upstairs.
This time, I decide not to use my powers. The glass walls are far too thin to survive even a light impact with the wall, and I don’t trust myself to control my magic well enough.
So, getting it safely to the second floor isn’t easy, especially since the staircase up to my little room is narrow, but we manage. He helps me set it down on the floor for now, then leaves and comes back a few minutes later carrying a small cabinet. It fits perfectly under the tank, its drawers ready for all the things I’ll need to keep it clean and feed the fish.
Having Snow in my room feels a little strange, especially since he doesn’t say a word.
Instead, he slowly shifts his gaze to my bed and fixes it on the nest, and my cheeks flush as if he’s inspecting my naked body. This is that level of intimacy: staring at an omega’s nest. After all, it’s my sanctuary, my intimate temple.
The alpha’s eyes roam along its edges, and I tremble as if he were touching me physically.
Suddenly, he freezes.
Oh, fuck!
The hoodie!
It’s visible from this side.
My heart races violently, my breath catching in my chest.
Snow openly stares at the spot in the nest where I wove in his stolen clothing.
Then unexpectedly…
He emits a low, vibrating sound! I’ve never heard it live before, but my genetic code carries its meaning. It’s a rarely used mating call, roughly expressing approval that he has energetically become part of my nest, acknowledging and accepting my very obviousinvitationto join him inside it.
An alpha being invited into the nest by an omega weaving in his clothes, has always been a clear sexual signal. It’s similar to how buying nesting materials shows an alpha’s interest. The weaving of the alpha’s clothing into the nest expresses the omega’s interest, including sexual and serious relationship intent.
Wow. Intense stuff!
The funny thing is, I did it without thinking. It was just instinct.
And then… we’re saved from the awkward moment.
I hear Lake’s footsteps on the stairs; he’s carrying some of the things we bought.
