Page 67 of The Twelve Knots of Christmas
“We do.” Lucian confirmed and caressed my cheek again. Chills that had nothing to do with the cold rocked me.
They loved me. And underneath all my complicated emotions, one was clawing its way to the top. I loved them too.
But…
I looked from Jasper and Lucian to Balthazar. The farm was his family’s. He grew up there, wanted a life there, and to pass it on to his children. Did he love me too or was he the one truly only interested in me being an Omega?
His jaw clenched and unclenched, over and over. Then suddenly he was on his knees in front of me like a gladiator bowing before his empress. “I’d give it all up for you. I fucking love you more than I ever loved anything.” He pressed his head against my blanketed leg. “I can’t imagine life without you, Mariska.”
I ran a shaky hand through his thick locks. He’d give up everything for me. For me. “I would never ask you to give up the farm.”
Balthazar raised his head. His dreamy green eyes shone with emotion. “You wouldn’t have to ask. I’d just do it.”
A tear ran down my cheek. He reached up and wiped it away.
“And if you agree to be our Omega, I will never bring up babies again. If you never want children, then we won’t. All I need is you. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted and more. You complete our pack, and I cannot fucking stand the thought of losing you.”
Oh God. The scenery around me blurred as I started to cry in earnest. They loved me and wanted me so badly they were willing to change everything. Not only did they have the willingness, but they had given it thought and planned enough to even get me a job with the DNR. And if I stayed, I would be able to help Miss Eloise and see my friends.
I’d have to give up my dream job, but it didn’t seem so perfect anymore. I could have a job that I enjoyed and still make a difference, and stay with the people I loved. The one thing that scared me the most about moving to California was how alone I’d be, and if I agreed to be a part of this pack, I’d never be alone again no matter where I was.
I would be with them.
With Jasper and his salacious charms on top of luxurious tastes.
With Lucian and his eco-nerd soul paired with beastly urges.
And with Balthazar, and his immense heart fueling his fiery determination.
Lucian had moved close enough I could rest my head on his shoulder, and Jasper had slipped into the seat beside me at some point and wrapped an arm around me. “You don’t have to answer right—”
“Yes!” As soon as I said it, all my walls crumbled down and my heart was whole. This was truly what I wanted. I’d neverwanted to leave. As much as I fought it, these Alphas were my dream.
I was engulfed in one gigantic hug. My teary laughter was muffled against Balthazar’s chest and Jasper’s hip bumped against me as he kissed the back of my neck. Lucian murmured his love for me over and over. Lust burned through me, but I didn’t want this to end. I was safe and loved between them, and fuck, I needed them to take me somewhere to knot me.
“I love you all.” I kissed them one by one, getting more fervent each time. “And I want to talk about all of this, but right now, you need to get us a hotel room or something, because my heat isn’t done yet. I’m going to start ripping off clothes right here in the sleigh, and then we’ll all be in the hospital with frostbite in places we don’t want it!”
“The seats are heated…” Balthazar chuckled as he pretended to lift my blanket and go under it.
I squealed and laughed, trying to swat their hands away and at the same time pushing myself into them. Jasper told the driver to turn around and make a dash back to the hospital lot, and the sudden turn had me sliding onto his lap. Which did not help my heat pains in the least!
Yet with Lucian on my right, Balthazar taking a seat on my left, and Jasper squeezed in the middle with me on his lap, I couldn’t stop smiling.
I was definitely on Santa’s naughty list with all the hot images flashing through my mind, but he still brought me the best gift I’d ever gotten: a happy ending with a pack who loved and respected me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN - Balthazar
I woke Christmas morning with my Omega in my arms, and for the first time since I could walk, I didn’t fly out of bed and rush downstairs to see what was under the tree. The only gift I wanted was right here.
Mariska laid curled up against my side with her lips slightly parted. Her long hair flowed over the pillows like a dark honey river. Her chest slowly rose and fell, brushing her tits against me with each breath. She was so incredibly beautiful, a perfect angel.
Lucian was curled up on the other side of her with his hand on her hip, and Jasper stretched out on the far side of the pack bed lightly snoring. At the bottom of the bed by our feet, Artemis watched me. Mariska refused to close her dog out of the room while we celebrated, but at least Artemis had the decency to lay on her dog bed while we knotted Mariska every which way.
The dog probably needed to go out to do her business, so I carefully slid out of bed. Mariska moaned softly, but didn’t wake. Lucian pulled her closer, protective even in his sleep.
I motioned to Artemis and walked naked out of the room and downstairs. The sun had just peeked over the horizon and bathed the snow in a soft golden light. “Come on, Artemis. Go do your thing so we both can warm up again.”
She hurried out, and I refilled her water bowl and food dish. I snuck a cinnamon bun which was meant for breakfast, ate it in three big bites, and sucked my fingers clean. By the time I was done, so was Artemis, and I let her back in.
