Chapter 11 Aspen
Aspen
Ishould’ve expected nothing less than the magazine-worthy display we walked into. The dining room was gorgeous and even more decorated than this morning.
The Christmas tree was lit up now, the lights twinkling in the corner of the room, reflecting on the red and gold ornaments that adorned it.
There was a huge garland-and-pinecone runner down the center of the table, candles lit and glowing in between. Whatever she’d had catered in smelled incredible, and after a nap, I was absolutely starving.
“Really, Cole?” Jack groaned as I walked past him.
We had cleaned up and showered, but I knew all those marks were visible and I hadn’t bothered to hide them. Thankfully, I was far enough away from his mother that she wouldn’t notice them, and even if I still smelled like Cole, that wouldn’t be anything new.
My pack, though? Oh, they definitely noticed. North’s eyes flashed with heat, and Jack was glaring so hard at his brother that if looks could kill, he would be dead right here in the middle of dinner.
Karina noticed the tension and let out a small laugh that she tried to contain. Honestly, the woman was always happy, but right now she looked downright giddy to see us all together. Tension and all.
“Let’s all have a seat. Things will work out like they’re meant to work out. Now, I just want to give a toast,” she said, raising the wineglass that Cole had just filled for her.
He filled mine, and I raised it as well, waiting for her to continue her speech.
“A toast to having my boys here, all of us together. It doesn’t happen often enough,” she said with a little sniffle. “And I’m so grateful that you’ve joined us, Aspen. I have a feeling this is going to be one of the most interesting holidays we’ve ever had around here.”
“We could all use a little excitement,” I laughed, raising my glass to her before taking a sip.
She took one of her own, her eyes dancing with amusement. She was loving every second of this.
Before Jack could say another word, a man walked in with plates stacked high with food, passing them out.
“Don’t worry, Aspen. I made sure that they were aware of your allergy. Everything you have in the house should be safe. I made them throw out anything with traces in it.”
“Oh my gosh, you didn’t have to do that,” I said, but she waved me off.
“I absolutely did. What kind of mother would I be if I let one of my kids get sick on my watch?”
Hell, even my own mother wouldn’t have cared this much.
The man who had served us stole Karina’s attention for a moment, discussing something in hushed whispers, and I couldn’t help the whispered question I hissed at Cole.
“You guys have staff here?”
Cole nodded. “Mother was never big on employing too many staff members, but she’s not a cook. So, a chef was non-negotiable, and we also have some housekeepers that come in and keep the place tidy. The extra people here tonight I think were brought in just like she would for big events.”
Honestly, that made sense, and I wasn’t judging her for it. I just wasn’t used to seeing actual private chefs and servers.
If my parents had the level of wealth that Cole’s family did, they absolutely would have so many staff members that mother would never have to lift a single finger.
I had a feeling Karina would get bored if that were the case.
“So what plans do you guys have for the winter now that you’re here?” she asked once the chef disappeared through the kitchen doors.
“I think those plans might’ve changed,” Jack said, giving me a questioning look. It was accusatory, like I’d already made a choice and left him and North out of it.
What the hell? Was this the same man I met earlier?
There was some obvious sibling rivalry here, and I had landed myself right in the middle of it.
Jack wasn’t joking, and maybe it was the fact that Cole and I had gone up to our room and had sex, but it didn’t matter what we did. My relationship with Cole would be separate regardless.
“Actually,” I said, narrowing my eyes at him before looking back at Karina with a smile.
“We didn’t have set plans as far as I know.
But I wanted to explore Pine Ridge, get to know the town.
I hear there’s some weekend vendors for the tourists and I’d like to see that.
And I swear I spotted a thrift shop and an antique shop. Those are my favorites.”
Karina lit up. “I love antique shopping. If you don’t mind an old woman tagging along, I can show you some of the best antique spots around. We have more than that big one right in the center of town. Lots of hidden gems around here.”
“Oh, I would love that,” I agreed quickly. She had no idea how much she was healing my inner child already and we’d only just arrived.
North cleared his throat, bringing my attention to him. He looked adorably nervous and I smiled at him, hoping to calm his nerves.
“If you happen by the bakery, stop in and I can give you some warm cookies or whatever you like,” he said, blushing slightly.
“Oh, don’t worry. I planned on that being one of my very first stops,” I promised. “I am an omega with a sweet tooth. Just nothing with cherries, I’m afraid.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he promised, a sweet grin spreading across his face.
Jack was frowning even more now, and I wasn’t sure what to do with that, but I wasn’t going to fight with anyone. I’ve had enough of alphas thinking I owed them something, and if that was the case here, then I wasn’t interested.
He could get on board or not. That was up to him. But I wasn’t a prize to be fought over in a pack.
We were supposed to be a team. That’s the only kind of pack I wanted to be a part of, not a competitive one or one where a single alpha stood at the top dominating the rest, making it feel like his word was law and nothing else mattered.
“How’s good old Mayor Grady?” Cole asked, ignoring his brother as much as I was.
Karina let out a small laugh, shaking her head. “Oh, the usual, protesting any extra town funds being spent on Christmas festivities. I think Harvey finally wore him down, though.”
“Good man,” Cole laughed.
Karina turned to me to explain. “Harvey runs the bookshop in town, and he loves nothing more than to get under the mayor’s skin.
He's also one of our biggest supporters of going all-out for Christmas. We used to have a Christmas festival every year, just a single-day event where the town gets together and celebrates the season. Nothing elaborate. Just perfect for Pine Ridge. But he’s been against it since he lost his wife. ”
“Understandably so,” Cole said. “I couldn’t imagine losing my omega.” He gave me a meaningful look and my stomach fluttered. This man was going to be the death of me.
He barely knew me, and yet the idea of losing me was painful enough that he looked genuinely upset. Then again, the idea of anything happening to him did the same to me.
It was crazy how quickly a scent-match could take hold. I felt connected to Cole the moment I pressed my lips to his, and spending the ride with him, getting to see a different side of him, had changed everything.
None of the rumors about him being a grumpy, stoic CEO mattered. I never really met him in that capacity, and I wasn’t the type to judge before I really knew someone.
“So, he finally gave in?” Cole prompted her to continue.
“Oh, not without a fight,” she said as she took another hearty sip of her drink. “He insisted it was a waste of tax dollars, but Harvey had to remind him that the distribution of tax dollars also included a fund for this. It always has.”
“What happened to the funds all the times he refused?” I asked.
“I can answer that,” Jack said. It was a step up from the hostility he had a few minutes ago.
“I work in the town’s treasury office. It’s been rolling over for years because they can’t use the funds for anything else once it’s set.
So, this year’s event should be an extravaganza of sorts.
They’re talking about going all out, renting a reindeer for the kids, having someone walking around as Santa and Mrs. Claus, and there’s a cookie competition that we all know North here is going to win. ”
“Do you bake much, Aspen?” North interrupted.
“I’ve never really had a chance to learn, but I’d be willing to give it a try.”
“Maybe we can do some baking together while you’re here.”
“I would love that,” I said, giving him a genuine smile. “Though, I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of a master baker.”
“I won’t let you fail,” he promised. His grin was teasing now, even as his cheeks burned. This beta was the embodiment of a cinnamon roll and I loved it.
I had a feeling he wasn’t used to dating and flirting with an omega. I kind of loved that. Not that I was na?ve enough to think this beta was a virgin just for me, but the idea of him waiting for the right person, and that he knew from the start that I was that person, made me feel special.
Our eyes were locked now, both smiling softly and unable to look away. My stomach fluttered even more, as if my body was reminding me that this was right. That we belonged in a pack.
Jack stood up abruptly, startling everyone at the table.
“If you’ll excuse me for a minute,” he growled before storming off.
I frowned down at my plate, unsure what the heck was happening. It was such a contrast from the man who was so flirty when I walked in. He seemed so confident and centered, and now it was as if he would do anything to get away from me.
I couldn’t help but look at Cole. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No,” he said firmly. “This is all on Jack. He and I have a strange relationship and he’s letting that get in his way.”
“He’s jealous,” North tacked on with a sigh. The beta was conflicted and I hated that he was as much in the middle as I was.
I didn’t expect him to be so blunt.
“He feels like Cole outshines him. He comes home and everybody is so excited, and then he brings you and suddenly we’re all a pack that was started without him. He feels like he’s lost before it even begins.”