Chapter 27 Melody
Melody
“Look at you!” I exclaim, stepping back to admire my handiwork. “You’re absolutely gorgeous!”
Oxford preens, tossing his head and striking a pose. His teeth peek through in what looks remarkably like a smile, his two front ones endearingly crooked. He’s never looked so happy.
I hear the front door open. The guys are back.
“Perfect timing,” I tell Oxford. “Let’s go show you off.”
“Gentlemen,” I announce, “may I present the newly pampered and pristine Oxford the magnificent.”
The guys all turn in unison, eyes widening at the sight of Oxford.
After a thorough wash in the master suite’s bathroom and a dry, I’ve spent the last two hours brushing him until his coat was all untangled and fluffy. He’s practically glowing with pride, standing taller than I’ve ever seen him, clearly basking in the makeover.
Finn’s jaw drops open. “Are there… two of them now? What happened to him?”
He catches my warning look and immediately pivots. “I mean… magnificent. Truly magnificent. The finest llama I’ve ever seen.”
I turn to Gabe expectantly.
“Yeah,” he says. “The grooming really brings out his… eyes.”
Then look to Everett.
He clears his throat. “I’ve never seen him look better.”
“Well, I think you’re the most handsome llama in all of Snowflake Valley,” I tell him, scratching behind his ears the way he likes. “Maybe in the entire world.”
Oxford makes a pleased humming sound before going to lie down on his bed.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I fish it out, expecting another passive-aggressive text from Aunt Karen, or an aggravated email from Marcus, but instead see Mom’s name on the screen.
“It’s my mom,” I tell the guys, sitting up straighter. “I should take this.”
I walk toward the kitchen, pressing the phone to my ear. “Mom? Hi!”
“Melody, sweetie!” Her voice sounds tired but relieved. “Good news, we’re finally getting off the ship!”
“That’s amazing! When?”
“Tomorrow morning.” She sighs heavily. “But honey, your father and I are completely exhausted.”
“Of course,” I say, leaning against the counter. “I’m just glad you’re all okay.”
“We are, and…” she pauses. “We’ll be able to spend Christmas together after all.
We’ll be back by the 23rd. So, could you bring all those decorations you packed, and maybe make your famous gingerbread cheesecake?
Your father and I are just too tired to cook or shop or do much of anything this year. ”
My heart sinks. The request is so reasonable, so standard. Of course, they want me home for Christmas. Of course they’re exhausted after being trapped on a cruise ship.
But I’m not alone anymore. I glance toward the living room, where my guys and my llama have somehow become the center of my world.
“I think I’ll stay in Snowflake Valley, if that’s OK.”
“Alone in Snowflake Valley for Christmas?” She asks.
“I’ve met people. I have new friends.”
“Family comes first, Melody, not people you’ve just met.”
“Yes, I know. But… um, these are special friends.”
I hear Mom’s breath catch on the other end of the phone. “Like an alpha friend?”
“Yes, more like two alpha friends and a beta.”
“Oh,” she says softly. “Oh, I see.”
My heart races as I wait for her reaction. This wasn’t how I planned to tell her about my new… whatever this is. Pack? Relationship? Life-changing holiday fling?
“Are you… is this serious?” she asks.
“It’s new,” I admit, twisting a strand of hair around my finger. “But yes, I think it could be. I’ve never felt this way before. They’re my scent-match, Mom.”
There’s a long pause, and I brace myself. Instead, I hear a small sniffle.
“Mom? Are you crying?”
“Happy tears,” she says, her voice wavering. “I’ve been so worried about you, honey. Always working, never taking time for yourself. I was beginning to think you’d never find someone who appreciates you.”
“Well, I found three someones,” I say with a nervous laugh. “And a llama.”
“A… llama?”
“It’s a long story.”
She laughs, a sound that eases the tension in my shoulders. “I want to hear all about it. But not now. You should be with them, enjoying your holiday.”
“Really? You’re not upset?”
“Disappointed we won’t see you? Of course. But upset that you’re happy? Never.” She pauses. “Your father might need a bit more explanation about the three someones’ part, but we’ll cross that bridge later.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, tears pricking at my eyes. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, sweetheart. Now go enjoy your Christmas. And maybe send a picture of this llama?”
“Deal.”
I hang up and stand still for a moment, processing what just happened. For the first time in my adult life, I’ve chosen my own happiness over meeting expectations. And it feels… right.
When I return to the living room, three pairs of eyes immediately turn to me.
“Everything okay?” Everett asks, his brow furrowed with concern.
I nod, a smile spreading across my face. “My family’s finally getting off the cruise ship tomorrow.”
“That’s great news,” Gabe says, though I can see the question in his eyes.
“They wanted me to come home for Christmas,” I explain, moving back to my spot on the couch between them.
“And?” Finn prompts when I don’t immediately continue.
“And I told them I’m staying here.” The words send a thrill through me. “I’m staying in Snowflake Valley for Christmas.”
I can see the relief in their eyes. Everett’s arm tightens around my shoulders, and Gabe reaches for my hand, squeezing it gently.
“Your mom was okay with that?” Everett asks.
“Surprisingly, yes.” I lean into his warmth. “I think if it were up to her, we’d be mated by the end of the year.”
“Oh, that definitely can be arranged,” Finn teases. “And other good stuff,” Finn adds with a suggestive wiggle of his eyebrows.
Heat crawls up my neck; the implication is clear. My omega senses are on high alert, picking up the subtle shift in pheromones filling the room.
Everett moves to stand beside me, close enough that I can feel the warmth radiating from him. “We don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for, Melody.”
I look between the three of them, all watching me with varying degrees of desire.
“Oh, I’m more than ready—eager, in fact,” I say.
Finn breaks into a wide grin. “Oh, I like her. Can we keep her?”
“That’s up to her,” Gabe says, his voice low.
I take a deep breath and move toward them, settling onto the couch between Gabe and Finn, with Everett perched on the armrest beside me. For a moment, we just sit there, the tension building.
It’s Finn who breaks first. “Oh, for god’s sake, someone kiss someone, or I’m going to explode.”
We all laugh.
Then Gabe’s hand is cupping my cheek, turning my face toward him, and I lean forward, pressing my lips to his.
The kiss is all-consuming.
Gabe’s hand slides to the back of my neck, pulling me closer, kissing me deeper. His tongue caresses my lips, and they open for him, tasting the rich dark chocolate of him. I hear Finn’s appreciative hum beside us, and I’m transported back to reality.
We break apart, and I’m breathing hard.
I turn to find Everett watching us, his eyes dark with desire.
I reach for him, pulling him to my lips.
His fingers tangle in the back of my hair, holding me firmly, but not forcefully.
His pine and peppermint scent sends a jolt of energy through my body, and I find myself practically crawling into his lap.
My enthusiasm draws a soft chuckle from Everett, and I smile against his lips, reminding myself to slow down a bit.
“My turn,” Finn announces when Everett and I separate.
When I turn to Finn, he is looping a stray length of tinsel around my neck and pulling me to him. His kiss is playful and teasing. When he pulls back, he immediately turns to kiss Gabe.
Their intoxicating scents intensify: Everett’s crisp pine and cool peppermint, Gabe’s deep cedar and dark chocolate, Finn’s old books and that warm nutmeg comfort, all swirling together with the sweet-spicy vanilla and clove of my own.
It’s the smell of belonging, of safety, of every happy memory I’ve ever wanted to live in.
The blend is dizzying, and impossibly right; it’s like breathing in the scent of home after a very long time, every note familiar and beloved, and suddenly I know I could never belong anywhere else but here, with them.
Everett pulls me back onto his lap, his arms wrapping around my waist as Gabe kisses my neck. Finn’s hands are everywhere, unbuttoning and untucking.
“Bedroom,” Gabe growls against my skin. “Now.”
“Too far,” I murmur against his kisses. “Let’s stay here by the fire,” I suggest.
Everett scoops me up with ease as Gabe and Finn gather some of the couch cushions onto the floor. But they aren’t doing it right. Everett feels my body tense, and he loosens his grip so I can wriggle out of his arms.
“Step aside, gentlemen,” I declare, “this is a job for an omega.”
Finn and Gabe both drop their piles of pillows where they stand and respectfully back away.
I move in immediately, fluffing and adjusting everything just so. “I’ll need that blanket from the couch,” I state seriously, “the one that smells like Everett.”
I glance up from my important work to see Gabe giving Everett a knowing look before passing me the blanket.
I quickly get back to work, demanding articles of clothing from Gabe and Finn to add to my cozy Christmas nest. They oblige without hesitation, eager to strip down to provide me with the necessary nesting materials.
I am momentarily frozen with distraction as two gorgeous alphas and an equally sexy beta begin stripping down before me.
A log in the fireplace crackles, snapping me out of my oggling, and I put my finishing touches on the most perfect, hastily prepared Christmas nest I have ever seen, and relay instructions to have the room lights off and the tree lights on.
When it is done, I flop myself back into the cushions like a goddess on a cloud and spread my arms, welcoming my men in.