Page 46 of A Pack of Mistletoe
“I’ve already ordered the tree and two honey-roasted hams,” she preens, then narrows her eyes at me. “And this year, there’s no wriggling out. One of your alphas is my mate’s brother.”
My heart sinks. Two years ago I was new in town, so I didn’t take the invite seriously. Last year, I begged off, claiming I didn’t want to make anyone sick. I spent the evening curled up with hot chocolate and some good books. But she’s right. With Logan in the picture, I can’t make him miss Christmas with his brother—especially when things between them are still so fragile.
I glance out the window. Sunny’s alphas are barbecuing as expected. Cali and Clara’s are out there too. I spot Logan’s white-blond hair at the edge of the group, talking quietly with Cole. The sight punches something in my chest. I want to go out there and support him, but I don’t want to interrupt either.
The girls follow my gaze.
“All right, let’s wrap this up and put Rose out of her misery,” Clara teases. “Besides, this is the longest I’ve ever seen you without your phone.”
I jolt. But they don’t notice. They’re already diving into a debate about the mystery book Cali picked out. And Clara’s right. I didn’t eventhinkabout checking my phone the whole time I’ve been here. Normally I’m glued to it—watching for texts from my brother, or doom-scrolling for any sign that my family or the Blackbear Pack is still looking for me. But since the Sterling Pack moved in, I haven’t needed to. Not really.
Tonight, it didn’t even cross my mind.
Maybe I just don’t need to anymore.
…Maybe.
The alphas are just taking the meat off the grill when a car comes rumbling up the driveway. A big Suburban. All the alphas tense. They’d been warned about reporters sniffing around, and my friends already filled them in on the mess that is my family. Nearly a dozen alphas form an instinctive wall between the incoming car and the Omega Book Club.
Logan pulls me behind him, his shoulders squared as he glares at the vehicle’s dark tinted windows. But when it rolls to a stop and the doors pop open, I let outa sigh of relief.
Harlan steps out from the driver’s side, wearing a sharp black suit and a warm looking chic winter jacket. The other alphas follow, dressed similarly. They must’ve come straight from their meeting.
My omega practically somersaults inside me. I have the sudden, completely irrational urge to run to one of them like I’m in some cheesy movie.
Kai catches my eye and grins wide and well, fuck it.
I duck around Logan and jog toward him, slipping right through the solid wall of alphas.
Kai’s smile brightens, his arms thrown wide just in time to catch me as I launch into him. He wraps me up in his warmth and my omega purrs with satisfaction.
Still, I feel restless. Jittery. It’s not anxiety exactly, more like ache. I try to tamp it down, but I keep thinking about the pack bed. About all of us tangled together. About their hands and bodies and heat.
The doctor warned me this would happen. Said touch deprivation can crawl under your skin and dig in deep. My omega’s starving for closeness.
“Hey,” Kai murmurs, eyes crinkling. “You having a good time, Rosie?”
The nickname sizzles straight through me. His sharp smile makes my whole chest ache.
“Yeah,” I say, gesturing toward the food. “You’re just in time.”
“No running hugs for the rest of us?” Evander calls, faux-offended. He’s the only one not in black. His plum jacket pops against his gray shirt and slacks, and his purple glasses and wild hair complete the look.
I grin and let go of Kai just long enough to throw myself into Evander’s arms. He lifts me effortlessly, feet dangling off the ground.
“There’s my Candy,” he murmurs, and the possessive lilt in his voice makes my toes curl.
When he sets me down and moves toward the grill, I turn and find Wyatt waiting.
He hasn’t moved. Just leaning against the new car, steady eyes watching me beneath the brim of his cowboy hat. Quiet, unreadable.
Until his hand circles my waist and pulls me toward him. His other hand cups the back of my neck, strong fingers massaging slow, grounding circles into my spine.
I melt. The soothing rhythm sends a wave of relief and pleasure up through my whole body, like something in me finally stops clenching.
It takes me a moment to realize this is one of the touch techniques from the sheet the doctor gave me. I look up sharply.
“You read the sheet?” I ask.
