Chapter 38 Shepard
Shepard
My brothers and I feel utterly hopeless as we arrive at the private cabin back at the lodge. It’s the one place we should be avoiding the most after we totally messed things up with Noelle, but it was the only place we all agreed on.
We gathered that it would be almost like having her with us on Christmas. Her scent still lingers around the cabin as I drop to the couch, closing my eyes.
“Now what?” Frost gripes as he stands by the Christmas tree, the one we decorated with Noelle.
Robin gets a bottle of champagne from the kitchen, pouring the three of us a glass. I’m not in the mood for a drink.
Even Frost declines, to my surprise. Maybe he truly is changing.
Robin sighs. “Yeah… I get it. It’s not like there's much to celebrate.”
Now silence falls over the three of us as we sit in the lounge of the cabin, listening to the sound of snow as it taps the window outside.
We don’t even start a fire.
What’s the point? It would never truly feel warm in this cabin again. Not without Noelle.
It looks like we failed to win her back. And she will most likely return to New York in the New Year with that dipshit Duke.
I resist a growl as that smug prick’s face swivels up above me. I can’t believe we lost Noelle to a goddamn New York socialite.
“Well, it looks like it’s just the three of us again,” Robin notes.
Frost scoffs. “What else is new?”
I sigh, “It’s the bachelor life for us…”
Just like we wanted, hey. When we were just seventeen and idiots.
A car pulls up in the driveway outside, and we look across at each other, confused. Who is that?
Frost approaches the window, muttering, “Shit. It’s Noelle…”
My heart thumps, and I jump to my feet. Robin moves to the door with me. But Frost stays behind.
Just before we open the door, Robin meets my eyes. He’s nervous. We both are. But this just may be our chance to win her back.
“Well, open the door,” I tell him. Robin is our pack lead, after all. So, he should get the honor.
Finally, Robin closes his eyes. Then he opens the door.
Noelle stands in the snow in her bright bubblegum pink coat, flakes dusting her purple beanie hat, and she looks just like a winter goddess.
Her brown eyes sparkle when she meets our eyes. Robin is the first to speak. “N-Noelle…”
She smiles. “Can I… come in?”
“Of… of course,” Robin steps aside.
Now, Noelle steps into the cabin. Just as he shuts the door, Robin asks, “How did you know we would be here?”
Noelle shrugs. “Lucky hunch. Hi, Frost.”
She greets the Alpha next. Frost sighs, closing his eyes. “Noelle, about before…”
She holds up her hand. “It’s fine. Water under the bridge now. Actually, I wanted to thank all three of you. My Nana hasn’t stopped laughing since dinner.”
Robin stares at her, shocked. A chuckle escapes me as I think back to her Nana cheering Frost on when he cornered Duke.
She really does have so much life left in her.
Frost grins. “Glad to have put a smile on her face.”
Noelle smiles, stepping toward Frost where he stands by the Christmas tree. Robin and I join her side, and now the three of us watch as she hangs the ornaments we made for her on the tree.
Once she’s done, we step back to admire them. They look good together. We look good together.
“I spoke with my dads. And… they have given me their blessings.” She blows out a breath. “I want you back.”
My heart skips a beat. Frost makes an amused sound. “Even Richard?”
She gives him a pointed look. “Yes. Even my father, Richard.”
“But… what about Duke?” Robin blurts.
She shrugs. “It wasn’t meant to be. So, I sent him back to New York with his diamond necklace.”
I won’t deny the relief that courses through me. Noelle chose us.
Frost purrs, stepping forward to scoop our Omega up in his arms. He gives her a passionate kiss. “Good. Because you are ours, Noelle… No other Alpha can have you.”
She grins, returning his kiss.
Now I step forward, bringing her to my own lips. Noelle yanks Robin closer by the tie when he hesitates, and now she claims his mouth, too.
“Let’s take this downstairs,” she whispers.
Finally.
I pick her up bridle style, rushing her down to the nest, and my Alpha won’t stop saying it.
Mine.
It looks like we won her back in the end, after all.
Noelle is ours again.
And we can finally be the pack we were meant to be all along.