Chapter 36 Robin
Robin
Christmas over at Noelle’s grandmother’s house didn’t exactly go as planned.
We were supposed to win her back with a bold, romantic gesture, taking each of our fathers’ advice.
Yet, the last thing we expected to find was a strange Alpha sitting at the table with our Omega.
I can see why Frost sent that message now. Duke is not a good Alpha, especially for our Omega, and my instincts go on overdrive next as I try to maintain my decorum.
It’s a tense dinner indeed. Even Shepard can’t stop scowling at Duke.
And Frost… he does try. But any moment, he’s going to snap.
The moment we arrived, Duke changed seats, taking his place right beside Noelle. When he placed a slice of turkey onto her plate, I gripped my fork.
Bastard. That’s my job.
Poor Rebecca doesn’t know what to do with herself, and her Alphas offer her nothing but support. Joel pats her hand in comfort. Bernard pours her a glass of wine, and the Omega drinks it right away.
Richard, however, won’t stop scowling at the three of us. Shepard smiles at the stern Alpha, trying to offer him an olive branch, but Frost and I avoid eye contact.
He hates us. And I don’t blame him.
We broke his daughter’s heart twice. I bet we’re the last people he wanted at his mother-in-law's at Christmas.
But he can’t honestly prefer Duke to us, right? There’s just something about the smug Alpha that puts me on edge, and it’s not because he’s a rich douchebag.
The Alpha keeps glaring at the three of us, but only Frost meets his challenge. It’s not that Robin and I are afraid of Duke; we just want to show some respect at Noelle’s Nana’s house.
Duke smirks at Frost, reaching across to Noelle’s neck. He brushes a finger over the diamond pendant hanging from her silver necklace.
Frost growls, and Shepard mutters, “Cool it.”
Noelle flinches at Duke’s touch, and I can’t help but feel smug. Noelle’s Nana glares at Duke, and I can tell she hates him.
She’s worse than Frost. Every time he touches her, she looks as if she wants to grab her fork and stab him in the hand.
“So,” Duke drawls, addressing me and my brothers next. “The three of you own a lodge in Silverpine? How quaint.”
Frost growls yet again at his mocking tone, and I kick him under the table. “Yes. As a matter of fact, Duke, we do. We have nothing but five-star reviews.”
Duke purses his lips, gripping his wine glass. “That’s adorable. Yet it’s not as if it’s a five-star resort, right? I mean, do you even have a ski slope? Now that would be impressive.”
“Yeah, almost as impressive as Noelle’s diamond necklace,” Shepard cuts in.
Noelle glares at my brother next, and he stops right away. Then she looks at Duke. “Duke. That’s enough. Their lodge is beautiful. You’d be honored to be a guest there.”
“No. By all means, continue. All of you. I’m having a grand old time,” Nana chuckles.
“Mom,” Rebecca scolds.
“At least Duke never broke her heart twice,” Richard chimes in now.
Frost bares his teeth at the older Alpha. “Seriously, dude. If you’ve got something to say, just say it. Don’t keep us all in suspense.”
“Frost!” I scold now, looking across at Richard, Joel, and Bernard next. “Sorry, sirs. He didn’t mean that.”
“It’s all right, Robin,” Joel replies, softly. “Please excuse our pack brother, too. And Dick, take it easy. They’re just kids. We all made mistakes at that age.”
Yet Richard and Frost keep glaring at each other across the table. I put my knife and fork down—this is getting out of hand. “Frost. A word, please.”
Frost shakes his head, finally breaking eye contact with Richard. Now he glances at Duke. “I apologize, Richard. I may have broken your daughter’s heart twice, but that’s nothing compared to what this Alpha will put her through next.”
Duke shows his canines. “What the hell is that supposed to mean, punk?”
I roll my eyes. Here we go.
Frost smirks at Duke, showing his own canines. “Do you love her, Duke? Tell me now… and we'll leave."
Duke stammers, peering quickly at Noelle over on his right. The Omega covers her face in embarrassment. Her Nana, though, won’t stop giggling. She even has a glass of wine to celebrate.
The Alpha inhales through his nose, brushing his hands down his bespoke suit. “Maybe I do.”
Frost’s eyes glow as I grip his shoulder, trying to tug him away. “All right. Then who is her favorite author?” he asks.
Now Duke is totally stumped. So, he just names the first author from the top of his head, and even then, he can’t get that right. “The… the one who wrote those books about the wizards at that magical school. Obviously…”
No. Not even close.
It’s best we leave. We’ve long outstayed our welcome.
“Shepard,” I say.
The Alpha doesn’t have to be told twice. He finishes off his food and gets to his feet. Now we both start pulling Frost away.
But our stubborn brother pushes us off him. “No. We’re not the ones who should be leaving.”
Duke chuckles. “Well, that’s just too bad. Bye-bye now.”
“Frost,” I warn again. “It’s time to go.”
Yet Frost won’t budge. Duke leans across toward Noelle next, brushing her hair aside so he can kiss her neck.
Frost swoops in, yanking the Alpha by the scruff of his neck as he shoves him hard against the wall.
“Frost!” Noelle screams.
Nana cheers. “Yes! Knock the living snot out of him!”
Frost only has eyes for Duke, though, as he grips his silken ascot, almost choking the life from the Alpha. It looks like Duke is no match as he flinches in Frost’s grip. “N-not the face… please…”
“That’s enough!” Bernard steps in, breaking the Alphas apart. He glares at Frost. “It’s best you leave. You’re upsetting my family.”
Actually, Nana is overjoyed. It’s only his Omega and his daughter who look remotely distraught.
Noelle just palms her face. Rebecca has Joel pour her another glass of wine, and I think that is her fourth now.
“Frost,” I say again. “Let’s go.”
My brother scowls at Duke for a few moments longer. Then he rolls his eyes, stepping toward the door.
He doesn’t even wait for me and Shepard. Before we leave, I look at Noelle. “I’m sorry.”
But she just sighs, closing herself off to us at last. It looks as if we lost our third chance with her.
I offer my apologies to her family, then Duke, much to my chagrin, and then we finally leave.
What a Christmas this turned out to be after all.