Page 6 of The Twelve Knots of Christmas
Artemis returned to me, and I took hold of her leash. It surprised me to discover Miss Eloise had a connection to the farm, and I felt a wave of guilt about not wanting to come here. She often talked about her husband and son who died in a boating accident a decade or so ago. Having such a large home and much more love to give, she created Primrose House and became housemother to us Omegas.
“Yes, Elizabeth.” Balthazar nodded. “She’s still around and probably working the shop in the barn right now. I bet Mom would love to see you again. Somehow she remembers everyone.”
“We’ll definitely be stopping in to get some cider and hot cocoa.” Miss Eloise smiled and put her hands on her hips as she turned. “Now, about a tree. I know precisely what we need, but we just have to find it.”
“Tell me. I know every tree on this farm.” Balthazar said it without it sounding like a brag, but there was no way he could know every tree on a seven thousand acre farm.
“We want an eight foot tall Fraser Fir, but with the bushy branches on all sides. I love a Christmas tree I can walk all the way around.”
“Is there one with pinecones still on it?” Emberlee shyly asked.
Balthazar gave her a patient smile. “Not the firs. Their cones ripen mid-October, and anything left, the squirrels hide away for the winter.” He turned and jerked his head to the south. “I know where to find the perfect tree for you. The south-facing hill here. The bushiest and tallest trees grow where they get the most sun.”
He offered an arm to Miss Eloise and she took it with a smile. At least the Alpha was a gentleman and knew his trees. Points for that. Maybe Lyla or Emberlee might like—
My thoughts immediately came to a screeching halt. No way was I going to imagine my best friends with him. I don’t know why it bothered me so much, but I couldn’t do it. His rich scent of hot chocolate and a crackling wood fire still filled my head. The first time I smelled him, it immediately reminded me of home. Not home with my family, but the place I was meant to be. Like in Primrose House, but that had a totally feminine scent. Balthazar was all male.
Yes, all male. A complete Alpha. He arrived and took control. Fuck that. I gritted my teeth and slammed my internal defenses back up.
Lyla came up beside me and looped her arm through mine as we started to follow them. She leaned in with a smirk and whispered, “So you took a ride with the hot Alpha, hm?”
I quietly shushed her and hoped the crunching of the snow covered up anything we said. “No. I rode on the sled with Artemis. He was being stubborn and refused to let me walk on my own.”
“He seems very nice.” Emberlee still hadn’t rid herself completely of her flushed cheeks. “And he’s very handsome.”
“Smoking hot.” Lyla agreed. “Too bad he kind of smells like a sooty fireplace.”
“Does not.” The words came out of my mouth too fast for me to stop them. I inwardly chastised myself and ignored Lyla’s probing look. I attempted to save face. “He’s an Alpha like any other. He comes walking over and won’t let anyone else be in charge. I bet he’d tell us where to put every single decoration on the tree if we let him.”
Lyla snorted with a laugh, and Miss Eloise and Balthazar looked over their shoulders at us. I hid my smile down in my coat’s collar. Between my friends, I was protected from his charms. The Primrose Pack would safeguard me against my own weakness for Alphas built like mountains.
We walked onto a gentle slope with the white afternoon sun blazing down on us. There was less snow here and the bushiest firs we’d seen so far.
Miss Eloise gasped and bustled toward the tallest in the bunch. “This one. This is our tree. Come here, girls.”
Balthazar stood back, but I could feel his gaze on me. Always on me.
“It’s beautiful.” Emberlee cooed and ran to stand in front of the tree, waving the neon flag as if we’d just won a battle.
“Yes, this is the one.” Lyla agreed and shook the remaining snow of its branches.
It was a gorgeous tree. Healthy too. It would be a shame to cut it down. Yet they were all waiting on me. “It’s good. No empty spots and a straight trunk, and it smells lovely.” I inhaled to emphasize the point, but I still could only smell Balthazar’s warm and masculine scent.
“Excellent!” Miss Eloise gave me a squeeze and motioned to us girls as she got out her phone. “Stand in front of the tree. I want a picture.”
Lyla, Emberlee, and I wrapped our arms around one another and smiled.
“I can take a picture of all of you, if you’d like.” Balthazar offered and held out his hand for Miss Eloise’s phone.
“You’re a sweetheart, young man.” She handed him her phone and hurried to get in on our group hug. “I want lots of holiday pictures with my girls since Mariska is leaving us at the end of the month. She’s been with me for over five years, and we’re going to miss her so much.”
I leaned my head on her shoulder and tried not to let my eyes tear up. “I’m going to miss you all too.”
Balthazar’s smile vanished as he took some shots and then held out the phone for Miss Eloise to take back. “You’re leaving? Where are you headed to?”
Emberlee piped up before I could say anything. “Mari got her dream job in California.”
“Yeah, she’s the brainiac of our group, and she’s going to change the world.” Lyla kissed my cheek. “We’re taking a road trip to visit her next summer. I’ve never seen the Pacific Ocean.”
