Chapter 33 Noelle
Noelle.
It’s Christmas Eve as the family has gathered around for dinner at Nana’s long dining table.
My other dads finally came back from New York, and now we’re all one big happy family again. It’s sure to be a Christmas to remember…
Except I can’t rejoice. My heart is broken, and I hate feeling this way. Because my heartbreak will only upset my Nana.
I haven’t told her what happened with the pack. And I told Mom not to tell her. The less stress I can cause for Nana, the better.
So, she is none the wiser as my mom helps her with her food at the end of the table. My dad, Joel, cooked.
My other dad, Bernard, suggested take-out, but my dad Joel just scoffed at him and made a delicious beef casserole.
He’s already prepped the turkey for tomorrow—he even baked us some cupcakes for dessert after the casserole.
My dads know what happened with the pack. And, of course, my dad Richard was none too pleased. Yet I appreciate his understanding all the same, as he doesn’t ask too many questions.
My father Bernard won’t stop casting me worried glances. “Are you sure you’re all right, Noelle?”
I meet his gray eyes. I never inherited any of their eye colors; I just inherited my mom’s. However, my red hair is a mystery.
“I-I’m fine,” I whisper, glancing at Mom and Nana at the end of the table.
“I still think you should hear them out,” my dad, Joel, chimes in, placing his fork in his mouth.
My third father, Richard, glares at him. “He invaded her privacy. She was right to storm off.”
“Still,” my dad, Joel, sighs. “Those boys have been through a lot. Ed tries to stay strong, but I see it in his eyes when we go fishing.”
My father, Bernard, shuts his eyes. “Well, the choice is Noelle’s. We can’t push her.”
I look at him then and smile. “Thank you, Dad.”
He returns my grin as we eat in silence again.
There comes a knock at the door next. Mom looks at me, confused. “Who could that be?”
My heart pounds. It could only be the pack. Probably coming back to ask for my forgiveness, but I need some space right now.
I will give it to the 28th. Just three days after Christmas, and three days before the New Year. Then, I will make my choice.
Whether I’ll stay in Silverpine with them or return to NYC in January.
But the door pounds again, rather insistently this time. Nana finally pipes up. “Tell them to get lost! We’re eating here.”
I hold back a snort. She won’t be saying that when she realizes it’s the big-armed Shepard at the door.
I won’t deny that my Omega is excited at the prospect of seeing her Alphas. So, I will answer. Just to let them down gently.
I just need a few more days. Then, I’ll make my choice.
“I’ll get it,” I sigh, placing my knife and fork down as I approach the door.
My dad, Joel, offers me a thumbs-up for support. My other dad, Bernard, wishes me good luck, but my stern father, Richard, wears a sour expression as always.
As I approach the door, I check my hair in the mirror. I’m wearing my red sweater with the flashing Christmas tree, but all in all, I look cute.
Yet, when I open the door, it’s not Shepard’s handsome, bearded face I find gazing back at me, nor Robin’s bespectacled eyes or Frost’s sour puss.
It’s Duke’s.
My heart seizes as I close the door, using it to cover my embarrassing Christmas sweater. This is a man who wears cashmere and Italian-made suits.
So, what the heck is he doing all the way out here in Silverpine, Vermont?”
“Hey, Noelle,” he serenades in that smooth, refined voice.
“D-Duke… What are you doing here?” I fight to keep the horror off my face.
He smiles, showing me his perfect white teeth. “I thought I would surprise you. I know we agreed to spend New Year's together, but I figured I’d surprise you on Christmas Eve! Bold romantic gestures and all.”
I have to shake my head. “How…how did you even get here?”
Duke steps out of the way. That’s when I spy the private car with the chauffeur just outside of Nana's house. The driver tips his hat at me in greeting, and I refrain from rolling my eyes.
“My driver, of course,” Duke chuckles. “Who else?”
Yes, yes—of course… As if Duke would get the train, or heaven forbid, drive himself.
Duke inclines his head toward the interior of my Nana’s house. “So, are you going to let me in?”
I chew my lip, trying to think of an excuse to say no. I can’t just turn him away. I mean, he did come all the way here…
Still, he must have received my text. Well, the text Frost sent him. This is so confusing. And totally unprecedented.
And I have no idea when I gave him any inclination that I was free on New Year's. He must have just assumed.
Fuck. If I let him in, then my Nana will know that I’m having trouble with the pack. So, no… Duke can’t come in.
He has plenty of money. I’m sure he could afford a hotel.
But then I remember that the only decent hotel within close range is the Wynter Lodge, and my stomach bottoms out. It’s a charming kind of rustic that a lot of rich folk hire for that full country experience.
Hell, no.
Why can’t Silverpine just have a Four Seasons? That's more up Duke’s alley.
It looks like I have no choice. Duke is going to have to stay with us.
I cringe as I open the door. The Alpha’s eyes widen when he sees my sweater with the flashing lights.
He chuckles. “Very festive.”
“Well, come on in.” I know I will regret those words later.
Duke smiles, stepping into the front hall. “Don’t mind if I do. So… this is your Nana's house? Cute.”
He's being way too nice. I can tell he isn’t impressed at all. But he puts on a brave face for me.
It's a step down from what he’s used to.
“I thought you’d be entertaining the elite of New York right now,” I mutter as I take his expensive coat, hoping he didn’t just detect the sarcasm in my tone.
He shrugs. “No. Forget those stuffy old parties. I decided to pay my favorite Omega a visit on Christmas instead.”
Oh, how I wished you hadn’t. I’ve got enough on my plate as it is.
Finally, I step into the dining room, clearing my throat for everyone’s attention. “Everyone… I would like to introduce you to someone.”
Mom looks up at me, confused. “Noelle?”
I may as well just get this over with. It’s like ripping off a Band-Aid.
I take a deep breath. “Family, I would like for you all to meet Duke.”
The Alpha steps into the dining room. My dads freeze. Only my father, Richard, looks remotely pleased to see him.
He does work at the same law firm as Duke’s dad after all.
Duke winks at Mom and Nana. Yet, Nana only looks mildly impressed. “Ooh, I’ve never had a duke in my house before…” She slaps my mom’s shoulder. “You should have brought out the nice China.”
I shake my head. “No, no. Nana… he isn’t a duke. He’s just named Duke.”
Though Duke sure acts as if he’s a duke.
Duke gives Nana a debonair smile. However, she is no longer impressed. Her face deflates as she goes back to her casserole. “A duke would be far more impressive,” she mutters, earning a scolding look from my mother.”
Mom gets up now to make the Alpha feel at home, offering him a seat at the table. “Welcome, Duke. I hope the drive here wasn’t too much trouble.”
Maybe she should ask his driver that. The poor man is spending Christmas Eve outside in the cold. I hope the pay was worth it.
“Oh, no. No trouble at all. The long drive was worth it just to see Noelle,” Duke says.
“Aw. Well… that’s nice,” Mom replies, looking at me uncertainly before re-taking her seat. Now an uncomfortable silence stretches a mile long as we resume our dinner.
This has to be one of the worst experiences of my life. The New Year couldn't come around soon enough.