Page 50 of The Twelve Knots of Christmas
But fuck, he was perfect. Then add in Balthazar with his big heart and determination, and Jasper with his sharp wit and pack protectiveness, and I had found the ideal trio of Alphas for me.
I didn’t know what to do.
The only thing I could do at the moment was lay here with Lucian and listen to the comforting thump of his heart in his chest, and not think on the fact that this felt not just good or even great. It felt like the place I was supposed to be.
CHAPTER TWENTY - Lucian
I’d never been a person who walked around with their head in the clouds, but after knotting Mariska and our conversation, I felt like I was floating. Once my knot went down, we’d showered and dressed. We grabbed something quick to eat from the kitchen and headed to Primrose House.
This could be our everyday life. Waking beside this beautiful Omega, making love, and running errands together. Talking and laughing, and sharing little touches and smiles meant only for one another.
Fuck. I was in love with Mariska. So deeply and thoroughly in love.
It literally hurt me to not say the words. I wanted to tell her, to kneel in front of her and offer all of me. There never had been nor would be anyone else.
Looking into her bright amber eyes, I believed I saw the same feelings reflected back. But was it me projecting my own emotions onto her? That thought scared me. It terrified me that she might not feel anything at all, and it was only her hormones making it seem that way.
I waited on the porch for her at Primrose House. She packed a bag for Lyla and another for Eloise. We then stopped at a bakery to get two boxes of pastries and another of various sandwiches along with coffees for Lyla, Mariska, and myself. At the hospital, Mariska sat in my truck and sipped her coffee, stress stealing her smiles.
“It’ll be okay.” I gave her thigh a comforting squeeze. “Eloise is awake and coherent. Excellent signs for a full recovery.”
“But it will still take time. It could take months.” Mariska fiddled with the lid of her cup, and her breaths fogged up the passenger side window.
“It might, but I think she’ll push on through faster than anyone thinks. She reminds me of Liz in that she’s got secret super powers.” It was dorky, but I got a smile from her.
Yet it quickly faded back to a frown. “She does, but she’s only human. Strokes are complicated things. Sometimes the effects are delayed by weeks or even months. Years!” She shook her head. “I don’t know…”
I wanted to hug her and chase all her anxiety away. Her big heart wanted to save the world, and she especially wanted to help those she cared about. It made me fall for her all the more. I took her hand and raised it to my lips, kissing her knuckles. “I may know trees much better than people, but I see the strength in Eloise. She might have seen many years, yet she has healthy foliage and a spring in limbs. I saw no evidence of borers or disease, and like a good matron of the forest, she takes good care of the younger trees around her.”
Mariska stared at me with her eyebrows raised for several seconds and then chuckled. She rolled her shoulders and some of her tension eased away. “Miss Eloise is the best of mother trees.” One more gulp of coffee and she reached for the door handle. “Okay. Let’s go.”
We gathered everything and headed inside. Eloise had been moved to long term care and was sharing a room with an elderly woman who was lightly snoring as we softly knocked on the door.
Lyla, who had been holding a magazine and showing something to Eloise, jumped up and rushed toward Mariska. “Mari!”
Mariska hugged her friend fiercely with a duffle bag in each hand. “I’m so sorry. I slept in and not even Artemis wokeme. I feel like such an ass not showing up with coffee and breakfast for you.”
“I’m too happy to see you right now to give you trouble.” Lyla took the pink duffle from Mariska and smiled. “Thanks for getting my stuff for me. I was going to spend another night here, but Miss Eloise has already told me to go home tonight.” She lowered her voice to a whisper that I just managed to catch. “She’s doing so good, but sometimes she forgets a word or two.”
Mariska kept her smile but her body tensed up again. She gestured to me. “Lyla, this is Lucian. I think you only met him once, but he is the delivery man for the pastry gods today. I made sure to get all your favorites, plus a peppermint coffee with extra cream.”
“Bless the pastry gods, and bless you too, Lucian.” Lyla opened her arms and came forward ready to hug me, but she was jerked back by a growling Mariska who suddenly had fire in her eyes. I sucked in a breath and held it as Lyla gaped at her.
Oh no. I didn’t know what was going on, but I hoped they weren’t going to fight.
Mariska blinked a few times and flushed a deep crimson. “God, I’m sorry. I don’t know why I did that.”
Lyla burst out with a bell-like laugh. “You totally didn’t want me touching your Alpha. One night with your pack and you’re in deep, girl. That’s absolutely adorable!”
My grin widened. My Omega being possessive. I liked it. I liked it more than I ever thought I might.
Mariska swiped her hand over her face and muttered something which only had Lyla giggling some more. She then went to Eloise and gave her a hug that lasted at least a minute. The older woman rubbed Mariska’s back, soothing her worries.
“I see you went to Bryanna’s for the goodies. My favorite place.” Lyla set her bag down by the end of Eloise’s bed and took the two boxes of pastries from me to place on the small tablenearby. “Thanks so much for the treats and for taking care of Mari.” She lowered her voice and leaned in. “She might be the strongest of us, but she needs all the support she can get. I’m so happy she found you and your pack. I’ve never seen her glowing like this or wearing a scarf to hide hickeys.”
I choked on a laugh, but I felt like I was shining brighter at her comments too. Lyla was Mariska’s best friend for years, and if she had never seen Mariska so happy, that made me puff out with joy that we could make our Omega happier than she had ever been.
“I’d give you a hug if that wouldn’t set Mari on a rampage. But right now, I want to change. I’ve been wearing these leggings and this sweater since yesterday, and I have to wear a different Christmas sweater every day. It’s my thing.” Lyla told me as she picked up her duffle and then wagged a finger at me. “Don’t touch any of the Kringles. Those are all mine, and I will eat every single one when I get back.”
