Page 23 of The Twelve Knots of Christmas
Lucian was quick to get behind me and pull out my chair. “Hi Mariska. So good to see you again. How was your day at the market?”
Balthazar unzipped his vest and stretched. The buttons of his flannel shirt could barely contain his broad chest. “Hey. We had a good day. Delicious food, lots of walking, and me winning every race on the rink.”
“You did not!” I gasped as if offended, but I laughed. He was faster than me, but he’d clearly slowed down on the ice when we skated together. Even when we raced, he pretended to stumble a few times to let me get ahead. Him making me laugh broke the stranglehold I had on my nerves, and I could breathe a little easier.
I smiled at Lucian as I sat. “Thank you. The food there was so good. I could have eaten more if the chimney cake hadn’t been so huge.”
Balthazar and Lucian each sat on either side of me, and Jasper lowered back down into his chair across the table. The rest of the people around us seemed to fade away as I was keenly aware of the majestic Alphas surrounding me. A hot throbbing between my legs had me trying not to squirm.
“I haven’t had one of those in years. We’ll have to try making chimney cakes ourselves this year.” Lucian picked up his menu, but hadn’t looked down at it yet.
“My nephews would love it.” Balthazar grinned, leaning back in his chair. He hadn’t picked up his menu either.
“Everyone will. But Jasper has to make his famous German chocolate cake. No Christmas is complete without it.” Lucian turned to me and hummed with the delicious memory of the dessert. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted. You’ll love it.”
I glanced at Jasper, surprised that he could bake. It was almost unheard of for an Alpha to do anything in the kitchen. That was left for Omegas. While I was capable, I had no passion for it. “Do you like to cook?”
“I dabble in the kitchen sometimes.” Jasper shrugged one shoulder. “But I only make the cake once a year. It’s a Christmas treat.”
“He’s incredibly cruel like that.” Balthazar chuckled.
“It’s just another reason why Christmas is the best time of the year.” Lucian nodded. “Plus, Jasper’s rum infused eggnog cookies are amazing. We eat them as we decorate the tree.”
“Along with drinking what remains in the rum bottle. Remember how you got so drunk last year, Lucian, that you fell into the tree trying to put the star on top?” Balthazar rumbled with laughter along with his pack.
I smiled, trying to imagine these Alphas decorating a tree together. My mind just didn’t want to go there. All this talk of Christmas and how it was so wonderful was souring my mood. I understood many people loved the holidays, but it was only a reminder of what I’d lost. All the yummy desserts and hilarious tree stories wouldn’t change that.
A server came to our table with smiles only for the men. We ordered drinks, and the guys were ready to order food. When I asked for a few minutes with the menu, Balthazar stepped in and told her to bring me a prime rib. She didn’t even glance my way to ask how I wanted it done or what sides I wanted.
Ordering my dinner for me. Jack used to do that. It was just another way he controlled me, except he would have gotten me soup and salad, because that’s what Omegas should eat. I never disagreed with him. Not out loud.
I hadn’t noticed the quiet at our table until Jasper leaned forward. “Is the prime rib okay? Anything you want would be fine. We can change your order.”
All of their eyes were on me. A rock had formed in my guts with all the talk of Christmas and now this. Cold and hard. That’s what I needed to be about my upcoming heat. I couldn’t afford to get attached to these Alphas. “No, it’s good.”
“Are you sure?” Lucian hedged, and I nodded. It was just food. Not like I was going to eat much at all.
Rock. Hard. Just get it out there and over with. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you guys about something.” My throat tightened. I had to do this. I couldn’t afford to be struggling with my heat when I moved to California.
The server returned with drinks. A dark stout for Balthazar, a Brandy Old Fashioned in a crystal glass for Jasper, and a root beer for Lucian. A glass of water was placed in front of me without comment. I mumbled my thanks and took a big gulp.
Maybe I should wait until after we've eaten. They’d be much more amenable if they had full stomachs.
“So what is it you wanted to talk about?” Balthazar sipped his beer. A bit of foam stuck to his whiskers, and his tongue peeked out to collect it. My thighs clenched again as another wave of yearning went through me.
After another drink of water, I clasped the glass on the table in my hands. It was so much easier to bring this up in front of the mirror. Which even made me stutter and blush while I was alone. I inhaled and slowly exhaled and stared at the ice cubes shimmering in the water. “All right. I want to be absolutely honest about everything. I’m going to put it all out in front of us.” The pack leaned toward me. “None of us can deny we’re scent matches.”
“We’re the perfect match.” Balthazar grinned, seemingly immensely pleased we were talking about this.
“Sometimes,” I continued, ignoring how his smile made my stomach jittery. “When an Omega and Alpha are highly compatible, a simple touch can trigger the Omega’s heat.”
Eager surprise widened Lucian’s eyes, but even as he got a hold of it, that light still danced in his gorgeous eyes. He opened his mouth to say something and then immediately shut it as Balthazar gave a hoot of victory.
Balthazar straightened his shoulders and widened his grin. “That’s right, baby. I’m impossible to resist.”
Of course he thought it was him, and I didn’t doubt that it would have happened today if I hadn’t already been triggered. My eyes darted to Lucian. It had only taken a second, a brush of our fingers. My entire world had changed.
Jasper stilled, gaze drilling into me as if he could read every thought in my head. “Your heat. Are you certain?”
