11. Chapter 11
Chapter eleven
Alexander
X ander woke up with a deliciously sore ass and an unfamiliar excitement in his belly. He honestly couldn’t remember the last time he’d woken up genuinely looking forward to the day ahead. And it was all because of a beautiful, maddening, sassy, ice princess omega who’d absolutely wrecked him the previous night.
Again, Xander had underestimated her and, again, she’d put him in his place. Destiny Duvalle wasn’t at all what he’d expected. If he hadn’t been interested in her before, he would’ve been completely intrigued after she’d made him kneel naked at her feet.
Look how pretty you are on your knees , she’d purred down at him.
He’d nearly cum on the floor.
Xander’s cock stirred, obviously interested in that idea. He was surprised he had the energy. Hunter had edged him to the point of pain last night, but he’d eventually cum so hard he saw stars. He’d woken up still thinking about Destiny, her scent still enveloping him.
He couldn’t wait to see her again. It was so much fun getting under her skin, forcing her to reveal the fiery personality beneath her perfect poise. Xander couldn’t believe the woman he’d seen on a thousand magazine covers was the same woman who’d handed him his ass in pool and foosball, then literally brought him to his knees. What else was she hiding beneath her popstar persona?
Xander was delighted to find that the storm had delayed the festival. The unexpected downtime would allow him to get to know Destiny better. He was sure he could convince her to hang out with them again. Maybe she could hustle him in Monopoly or something.
When he emerged from his bedroom, Xander was surprised to find their packhouse empty. The air smelled of Hunter’s famous steamed buns, making Xander’s stomach rumble. He found a container of them waiting for him with a note.
For taking your punishment so well last night, Pet. Eat up and be a good boy today.
Xander grinned and bit into a bun. Creamy, sugary goodness exploded on his tongue. Hunter was such a softie on the inside, despite his intimidating size, deadly fighting skills, and dominant personality. He was the absolute best at aftercare.
Speaking of which, where was Hunter? And Greyson for that matter. While Xander stuffed more buns into his mouth—god he was ravenous after last night’s exertions—he focused in on the pack bond. It hummed with an unfamiliar pleasure and satisfaction. Xander’s instincts tugged at him, telling him something he couldn’t quite parse.
Regardless, he was pretty sure where his packmates must be. Only an omega could fill them with the joy of being a caretaker and protector. Besides, there were two types of buns in the container, both meatless, and Xander was confident Hunter didn’t pull out all the stops just for him. He obviously wasn’t the only member of Pack Stepanov eager to see Destiny Duvalle again.
As he pulled out the last bun, Xander heard the outer door to their wing open and a moment later Hunter strode into the packhouse, preceded by one of his mother’s tabby cats. The cat mewed loudly, padding toward Xander with her tail in the air. Xander bent to pet her, his eyes on Hunter. His packmate had a definite energy about him—his eyes bright and movements purposeful.
“You’ve had a busy morning,” Xander said, standing again. “And you didn’t even yell at Aly for sneaking in. What’s got you in such a good mood?”
A telltale pink tinge crept into Hunter’s cheeks, but he shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m sure you already know.”
Xander grinned. It was completely out of character for Hunter to be flustered and even more unusual for him to pursue a woman. For as long as they’d known each other, Hunter had always been mostly indifferent toward the omegas and betas of all genders who’d fallen for his whole tall, brooding, and mysterious bit. But he’d been completely different around Destiny Duvalle.
“I knew the buns weren’t just for me. How is our illustrious guest this morning?” Xander asked, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.
Hunter ignored his teasing tone, crossing to the fireplace and bending to start the flames. He kept his back to Xander as he answered. “She’s good. Enjoyed the buns almost as much as she enjoyed Grey eating her pussy.”
Xander choked on the last of his food, earning a reproachful look from the cat, who stopped rubbing against his legs and scampered away. Xander hardly noticed. He was too busy imagining Destiny with Grey’s face between her thighs.
“Don’t be a dick about it,” Hunter snapped, turning to glower at him. “She’s going to hang out with us today and I don’t want you making her feel uncomfortable.”
Xander winced. Obviously, he’d been a complete bastard yesterday, if Hunter felt like he had to warn him not to be a total scumbag. He would never slut shame or sexually harass a woman.
Not while he was sober anyway. Xander’s stomach dropped when he remembered his first encounter with Destiny. He still didn’t know what all he’d said. Hunter was right to be concerned.
“Look, Hunt, I know I’ve been shitty to her, and I really am sorry. Just like I’m sorry I’ve been a shitty packmate to you and Grey. I’m going to do my best to make up for it.” Xander pulled himself up to his full height, meeting Hunter’s gaze steadily. “We have an unexpected chance here, and I intend to take full advantage of it. Don’t worry about babysitting me today. Trust me to do better—to be better.”
Xander didn’t know why it suddenly felt so important that Hunter believe him. Maybe it was the talk he’d had with his mother, or maybe it was something deeper and instinctual, but Xander knew things were different this time. They were at a precipice, a crossroads, and Xander’s actions would determine whether his pack healed or deteriorated beyond repair.
Xander wouldn’t let that happen. He couldn’t . He would finally grow up, take his responsibilities seriously, and be the leader they deserved. But he couldn’t do it without the trust of his best friends.
Hunter studied him with those intense hazel eyes of his, as if he could see into Xander’s soul. Xander didn’t look away. He could feel the bond pulsing between them, reminding him that he hadn’t been attending to that bond lately and certainly not nurturing it. He could be better. He would be better.
At last, Hunter nodded, the corner of his mouth quirking up slightly. “We promised we’d watch Christmas movies. She said her favorite Christmas movie is Die Hard .”
Xander put a hand to his chest, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “Seriously? You’re not just messing with me? Be still, my beating heart! That woman is just one surprise after another.”
Hunter grinned enigmatically. “You have no idea. Light some candles and shit. Grey is showing her the greenhouses, but they’ll be here soon.”
A luxury of having a full staff was not worrying much about cleaning and upkeep, but Xander still found himself rushing around to make sure the place was ready. He grabbed spare blankets, adjusted the room’s lighting, and lowered the projector screen, setting up for a cozy movie day, while Hunter threw together popcorn and assorted snacks.
Soon enough, Grey and Destiny arrived, laughing and chattering, their brown skin rosy from the cold. Xander was immediately struck by how happy Grey was. He could feel it humming through the bond as much as he could see it in Grey’s glowing face. And Destiny was absolutely radiant. The two were an undeniably perfect pair. The joy emanating from them made Xander’s chest ache.
He was so distracted by emotion that it took him a moment to realize Destiny was carrying a tabby cat almost identical to the one stretched out in front of the fireplace. His mouth fell open. He turned to Hunter, who just shrugged.
“It’s brass monkeys outside!” Grey proclaimed, which was obviously his nonsensical British way of saying it was cold. Xander noticed how Grey casually placed a hand on Destiny’s back as he guided her nearer to the fire. “Warm up, love. Can’t have you catching cold.”
The popstar gave Grey a dazzling smile before turning her siren eyes on Xander. “Good morning, your highness.”
“You’re carrying Ivan,” Xander said stupidly, gesturing to the demon purring contentedly in the omega’s arms. “No one carries Ivan. Ivan doesn’t let anyone touch him except my mother. How are you not being filleted right now?”
Destiny laughed, the sound tugging at Xander’s heart. “I guess not everyone is as resistant to my charms as you are, Princeling. The little angel came right up to me. The other one did too, but then she followed Hunter. Oh, there she is! Hi sweetness.”
Xander watched incredulously as Destiny put Ivan down beside the hearth with his sister, who bumped her head against the omega’s hand affectionately. Alyonushka and Ivanushka were his mother’s cats, and both were menaces in their own way. Though Aly couldn’t be trusted not to get into the garbage, at least she was sweet. Ivan was not. Everyone but the queen had fallen victim to his claws at one time or another.
And now he was on his back, letting Destiny scratch his throat.
Grey grinned at Xander. “The twins like her, and Star likes them back, so now Hunter likes cats.”
Hunter scowled. “I never said I didn’t like cats. I am allergic to cats. And you’re one to talk since you like gory movies now. We’re all embracing new interests.”
Destiny laughed again, and Xander found he really, really liked the sound of it. She seemed so relaxed today. She was absolutely lovely with her guard down.
Xander was sad to see her walls come back up a bit when she met his gaze. She gave him a sardonic smile. “Greyson said the cats are named after siblings from a Russian folktale. Was it one of the really good gruesome ones?”
Grey sighed and shook his head. “I can’t believe you two are this much alike. How is it that I keep being seduced by sociopaths?”
“You’re just lucky I guess,” Destiny teased. “If it’s any consolation, I’m sure the prince is mortified to share my tastes.”
“Not at all,” Xander said. “I’m excited to have someone around who enjoys quality cinema. This lot hardly ever let me pick the movie.”
Destiny tilted her head, looking a bit surprised that he hadn’t taken the opportunity to bait or insult her. Xander cursed himself internally. He wanted to tease and bicker with her, but only if she felt safe with him. Which she clearly didn’t yet.
He would have to change that.
“Destiny has agreed to ease me into the darker side of Christmas.” Grey sighed heavily again, though his eyes still sparkled. “She said we can watch that bonkers kids’ movie with the skeleton Father Christmas.”
“Santa Claus,” Destiny corrected. “There’s a very important pun around the name, so you have to tap into your American side, hon.”
Grey groaned and everyone laughed. The sound filled the huge room, and Xander realized how rare it was lately that the pack spend time together like this. Hunter and Greyson were too busy cleaning up his messes and taking on the responsibilities he shirked, while Xander moped and fucked around.
Well, his mother always said that without effort, you couldn’t get fish from a pond. It was a kooky old Russian saying she’d gotten from his great grandmother, but it was true. He had to start putting in the work. Right now.
“Did Grey tell you about the time at academy when a group of us dragged him along to a haunted house?” Xander asked, grinning when Grey’s eyes went wide, and Hunter snorted a laugh. “We’d barely gotten into the queue when–”
“No! Absolutely not! We are not telling embarrassing stories,” Grey interrupted, covering Destiny’s ears and leading her to the couch. “We are cuddling and watching movies and that’s the end of it.”
After a chaotic few minutes of laughter, yelling, and playful roughhousing, everyone collapsed on the huge sectional sofa. Grey and Hunter took spots on either side of Destiny. Then, to Xander’s surprise, Aly and Ivan hopped onto the chaise end of the sofa, mewing and purring when Destiny arranged a blanket for them. He shook his head in disbelief as they kneaded the blanket with their little paws, before lying down and curling up together.
Well, he wouldn’t be the odd man out in this cozy little tableau. He plopped down on Hunter’s other side. Despite Hunter’s protests, Xander grabbed a pillow and laid his head in Hunter’s lap, stretching out and propping his legs on the arm of the couch.
“Clearly Greyson isn’t the only snuggle bunny in the pack,” Destiny mused, giving Xander a genuine smile. “I knew I should’ve made you cuddle him on the scary parts.”
“We’ll split shifts,” Xander said with a wink. “You cover Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays and I’ll handle Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. We’ll make Hunt do Sundays.”
Hunter scowled. “I only cuddle after sex.”
“Then I guess Grey’s putting out on Sundays.” Xander grinned, feeling a surge of triumph when Destiny giggled.
“Do I get no say in the matter?” Grey protested, pulling Destiny against his side and draping a blanket over them. “I’ve only agreed to cuddling Star. You blokes aren’t nearly as soft. And you certainly don’t smell as delicious.”
Destiny laughed again, the sound warming Xander’s chest. Hunter grabbed the remote and settled more comfortably, running his fingers through Xander’s hair absently as he scrolled their streaming catalog. Xander relaxed, enjoying the touch and the wonderful combination of all their scents intermingling.
“What are you going to do when I go home?” Destiny asked teasingly. “If you have residual nightmares, I won’t be here to comfort you.”
Xander stiffened. Hunter’s hand stopped moving in his hair. A torrent of emotions pulsed through the pack bond. They didn’t have to speak to know that no one in Pack Stepanov was pleased with the thought of Destiny leaving.
“I suppose that means you can’t leave,” Grey said after a beat, mimicking Destiny’s playful tone despite the distress Xander could feel through the bond. “I shall ask Santa Claus for more snow.”
The mood lightened again and stayed that way as they watched movies—Xander and Destiny excitedly pointing out their favorite parts and finding more and more common ground. They snacked and snuggled and somehow the hours passed in a blur of pleasant nothings unlike anything Xander had ever experienced. It was easy and right and wonderful.
It was at the simplest moment that he realized it. Hunter had taken his hand from Xander’s hair and wrapped it around Destiny’s shoulders. She’d gradually moved close enough that her thigh pressed against the crown of Xander’s head. Grey had mirrored Xander’s position, placing his head in Destiny’s lap.
Then Destiny casually placed a hand on each of their heads and began running her nails through their hair and Xander knew . He just knew. Perhaps he’d known it all along.
Destiny Duvalle was their mate.
It was then that all of their cellphones began ringing.