Page 49 of Knotty, Nice, & Holiday Lights
There’s no way I want her feeling that way. I take that moment to pull her into my arms and hug her tight. “This all belongs to our pack, now,” I whisper in her ear, then pull back to look at her beautiful face. “And you, Izzy, are the shiny star at the center of our little family.”
Her lip quivers, her eyes swim as she rises to her toes and kisses my lips. I savor the moment, my heart fluttering, warmth filling my body. And when it’s over, she wipes beneath her eyes with a sniffle and says, “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” I whisper, then swallow the lump in my throat.
Decorating with the whole pack is definitely faster and easier than doing it myself, alone, or even with Asher’s help.
About twenty minutes in, Izzy is playing DJ with the living room soundbar, using her phone’s Bluetooth connection to play all kinds of Christmas music, and the ambiance seems to really kick up the spirit that wasn’t there just hours before.
Or maybe it’s just Izzy’s enthusiasm.
By the time we take a break, the entire interior will be almost complete. We have battery-powered light-up garland wrapped around the banister of the staircase and around all the doorways, lit-up wreaths hanging on all the doors, my mom’s favorite cloth wall decorations hung all around. Izzy chose the white, fuzzy tree skirt that looks like snow, and a silver star tree topper with bright lights.
As is tradition in the Thomas household, we strung colored lights on the pre-lit tree so we would have an array of colors on it. Not many more ornaments to place on the boughs at this point, and Izzy leans against my body on the couch like I’m a pillow while she looks around at our handiwork.
“This place is really cozy,” she says, taking my hand from her belly and kissing my knuckles.
“This Christmas is going to be great,” I say into the hair at the top of her head as she hums in agreement.
Gratitude warms my heart. Holidays with my pack. My new family.
I know my parents would be so proud.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Sitting in the living room, I’ve had a grin plastered to my face all morning.
It looks like the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future had a bender down here last night. And I can’t complain.
I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed the holidays for years, but seeing Izzy and Will glow and giggle with excitement, and watching the way Matthew would gaze at them with a smile, really warmed my heart.
And I will do everything in my power to ensure that happiness remains with our pack all year, every year of our lives.
The thought of devoting myself to one person for eternity had always frightened me. Until Izzy. Now, I know I just hadn’t been with the right Omega. Never really believed I’d find a scent match, though I’d secretly hoped.
That my Omega is the one woman who haunted my thoughts for years after I’d met her is a testament to fate. My instincts had tried to tell me Izzy was mine when we met, despite her overpowering suppressants nearly robbing her of her scent.
The front door opens slow, and Matthew sticks his head through the opening, looks at me, and says in a low voice, “Hey.”
I raise a brow at him. Why this man won’t just move in here is beyond me. “Morning.”
He looks around like a frightened animal before tiptoeing into the room. “You alone?”
Now, my interest is piqued. “I am.”
Matthew visibly relaxes before sitting in the armchair. “I was hoping to talk to you in private.”
My forehead is beginning to ache from my raised brows as I wave my arm for him to continue.
“Is Will even making any money from this business?”
This catches me off guard, but I wince. “I’m not entirely sure. I’m paying him a monthly sum, like rent. I know Izzy’s first week was paid for, but when she gave Will her card to extend her stay, he didn’t actually swipe it.” I sigh. “So, I’d have to say no.”
“How is he surviving?”
“Eh. He had additional inheritance, as he explained. He must be using that to keep operating.”
Matthew frowns, head shaking.
