Page 25 of The Twelve Knots of Christmas
The previous night had been a disaster. Mariska had laid out what she wanted harsh and cold like the night after an avalanche. Balthazar, bull-headed as he was, refused to believe she wasn’t the Omega for us. No matter the rest of dinner was uncomfortable as shit, he wouldn’t budge. We almost came to blows again when we got home later.
I walked away. In the end, I would still be right. There had been no mixed messages, just Alphas thinking with their dicks. Mariska was clear from the minute she met Balthazar that she was moving out of state. Why would one heat and twelve dates dissuade her from chasing after her dream job? There was no way I’d let a woman keep me from what I wanted to do with my life, and so I’d have no respect for her if she didn’t stick to her guns.
Good for Mariska. She was honest, strong, and sexy as hell.
The one I was really worried about was Lucian. He barely said anything else the rest of dinner and then locked himself in his room when we got home. His heart was already pinned on Mariska being the Omega for us, but he could see the hard reality of the situation.
Lucian was the youngest in our pack at twenty-five, and wore his heart on his sleeve. He always gave the Omegas a chance when Balthazar introduced them to us, but after working Friday morning with Mariska, he’d been smitten. Sure, he’d get over it in time, but I didn’t want the guy to lose that intuitive sensitivity which really was what kept our pack together. Damn fucking Balthazar for getting his hopes up.
I’d see to it that our pack stayed strong, even after this bump in the road. I wouldn’t let Mariska tear us apart.
Time to bring out the bastard Alpha.
Since Lucian still hadn’t come out of his room by midday, and Balthazar was out on the farm working off his frustration by cutting down trees, I texted Mariska and told her that I would be the one taking her out today. “Dress for cocktails.”
I took my time getting ready, left a note for my friends—because I didn’t want them rushing after me if they got a text—and drove my Mustang to Primrose House. The guys and I had talked about getting Mariska a gift every day for the twelve days, but my present to her today would be my blunt fucking honesty.
Walking up to the door, I ran a hand through my hair. A tickle of nervousness trembled in my gut. I didn’t like it. I’d dated tons of girls. Most of them Betas and a few Omegas. Omegas I learned fast always had agendas, and I’d never been proven wrong in that aspect.
Mariska had made her design clear: she needed us to help her through her heat. We were convenient tools. Most Alphas would jump at the chance to knot an Omega with no obligations, especially one as hot as her.
Short, gorgeous, and haunting my dreams every night.
Fuck. I hadn’t decided if I would offer my help. I was pissed that she could screw over my packmates, but I also struggled with the idea of her suffering from her heat pains without an Alpha to help her. It didn’t matter that I’d come so hard in the shower this morning stroking my cock to a fantasy of bending her over under the spray. I was in no danger of losing my heart to her, but this date would decide which side of the fence I’d fall.
I rang the bell, and from somewhere out back, a dog started barking. About a minute later, the door swung open.
Eloise stood there looking like she was going to an office Christmas party. Her red dress was modest and festive, and she even had red high heeled boots to match. “Hello, Jasper. Don’t you look dapper today.”
Shit. I’d forgotten about the fact an escort would be coming with us. Guess I couldn’t be an asshole from the start. Plus, I’d made dinner reservations for two, not three. “Nice to see you. Thank you, and you look fantastic too. Red suits you. It makes your smile shine.”
“Flatterer.” Eloise chuckled but there was a faint bloom of color in her cheeks. “What do you have planned for your date?”
“I thought first we could walk the Festival of Lights downtown, and then head to the Whisper Room for a cocktail before dinner at seven. I have reservations at The Saffron Lounge.” I didn’t add that I’d have to call ahead and make sure they had a seat for Eloise, but it shouldn’t be a problem with it being Sunday evening.
She raised her brows. “Well, aren’t you the fancy one? If we’re walking, I should change my footwear. Give me a moment.”
Eloise disappeared into the house, and I waited on the porch. I was about to swing the door shut to keep the heat from escaping when Mariska appeared at the top of the stairs.
The black cocktail dress she wore was long sleeved and didn’t reveal much skin, but it hugged her delectable curves from top to bottom. Her black heels clicked on the wood of the stairs as she came down, cautious where she stepped. While she’d worn her hair down yesterday, today she had it up in a simple but elegant twist showing off the creamy skin of her neck.
My cock throbbed, hardening in my pants. She was pure feminine class, and add that to her slight height, she was doubly my type of woman.
I’d reach out to help her down the last few steps if I didn’t have to stay on the porch. But in my head, I’d already done so and pulled her hot little body against mine, with thoughts of propping her up on the banister and hiking up her dress to—
No. My dick wasn’t going to rule me. “Hi Mariska. You look absolutely stunning.”
She dipped her head, trying to hide the flush that crawled up her throat. “Thank you.” She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I wasn’t sure I’d hear from any of you today. Or ever again, actually.”
“We had a deal, and I will make sure we keep up our end of it.” I smoothed out the rougher edges of my voice as I regained control of myself. “After last night, we have a lot to think about. Balthazar may have made up his mind, but he doesn’t speak for all of us. I want to make my own decision, and so here I am.”
Mariska nodded slowly and turned as Eloise came down the hall. The older woman drew in her breath and took Mariska’s hands into her own, looking her over. “Oh, my sweet dear, you look so pretty. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen you dressed up. We need to do fancy dinners more often.” She hugged her and then motioned to her feet. “Best you put on some boots for walking and bring the heels with you. We’re going to see the Festival of Lights. Isn’t that exciting?”
Mariska’s jaw hardened, but she didn’t say anything. She slipped off her heels and took her boots out of the hall closet. Her bent over was every bit as glorious as I’d imagined it.
“Have you been to see the festival yet?” I asked her as she joined me on the porch. The creamy scent of her, soft vanilla and then the bang of cinnamon had me swallowing a growl. Fuck. No Omega had ever had this powerful of an effect on me.
If it was the same for Balthazar and Lucian, I could see why they were losing their heads. That’s why I had to step in and protect my pack from losing it over Mariska.
