Chapter 27 Aspen
Aspen
“Ihad a thought,” Cole announced as we all sat around the table. Even Karina joined us, finally done with avoiding her own house, I suppose.
“Oh?” Karina was the first to speak, raising a perfectly styled eyebrow.
“I’ve considered remote working since half of our pack lives and works here, but I think I’ve decided to go a different route,” he said, giving me a look. My pulse picked up, hope blooming even though I was afraid to let it take hold.
Karina’s eyes were bursting with questions, but she didn’t interrupt her son.
“I’m thinking an extension office might be a good idea. It could be my new home office. It isn’t like the things brought to me aren’t done via email or upload most of the time anyway. I could add in conference rooms and a few other things to make sure it’s worthwhile.”
“And that would be here, in town?” Karina asked carefully, her voice so strange, like she was locking down her emotions tight, afraid to hear his answer.
“Yes,” he confirmed. “It seems Grady thinks that my omega here would be a great asset to the Gazette, and gave her a job opportunity. I can’t let my whole pack live here without me, can I?”
We all flinched as Karina let out a screech that reached decibels I didn’t know were possible. Then she was flying around the table, pulling Cole into her arms before doing the same to me. She was fanning her face, trying to dry up the tears.
“You’re going to have my makeup all runny before the family dinner tonight,” she complained, but there was no heat behind it. Their mom was thrilled to have her boys back at home, and I couldn’t blame her. They were pretty great.
She finally sat back down, and we resumed eating.
“You know, there’s actually a storefront open downtown. It’s the corner one on the edge of Main and South Street,” North said. “It used to be two separate storefronts, but when the old library was there they expanded.”
“I actually work with the realty company that’s selling it. I could put out feelers if you want,” Jack offered.
“I would love that,” Cole said, looking relieved. “I really feel like this is a good move for the pack.”
“Then we’ll make it happen,” I said firmly. It was the last piece we really needed to fall into place.
Jack was typing away on his phone now, ignoring us as the conversation went on. North and Karina were discussing dinner plans.
I leaned closer, my hand resting on his arm. Just like that, his focus was on me.
“Question,” I murmured. “Are you sure about this?”
“Absolutely,” he promised. “I want my pack happy. And this place makes you guys happy.”
He tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his soft smile reassuring. We finally turned back to our food, finishing up. We were just about to stand, when Karina interrupted.
“I was wondering if I could steal my future daughter-in-law here to go shopping. Maybe we can pick out a new outfit for the dinner tonight, and I can give you all the latest gossip.”
That sounded much better than sitting around and worrying all day.
Karina had us out of the house within an hour. My pack took over dishes while I disappeared upstairs to get ready.
I slipped on something comfortable and festive, bundling up to face the Colorado cold. Just as I reached the bottom of the stairs, Cole was there waiting. I took a breath in of pine, cinnamon, and smoke.
He slipped something into my hand, his eyes burning into mine.
“I know that you’re independent and you can handle yourself, but frankly, I don’t want you to have to worry about a thing when you go shopping today. I want you to enjoy truly shopping for Christmas. And I have more than enough to spare. Take it.”
I glanced down at the black credit card in my hand, eyes widening and throat growing dry.
He was handing me his credit card with no limitations. That trust meant something to me, and honestly, if my pack wanted to do something sweet, I was going to accept it.
“Thank you,” I said, leaning up and giving him a sweet kiss before putting the card safely in my wallet. “I’ll keep it safe.”
“Both of you be safe,” he said firmly.
“It’s Pine Ridge,” Karina said, rolling her eyes. “Come on. Let’s get out of here before these alphas stifle us.”
Karina wasn’t much for silence. She filled the entire drive to the antique shop with chatter. I listened, chiming in when necessary, as I took in the wintery landscape.
I soaked in every moment of her stories about the boys’ past and her life here in Pine Ridge. How the Hawthorne name meant something here. Which made sense giving her pull with the Mayor.
“Here we are,” she said, pulling up to a huge, brick building. It was at least four stories, a giant sign on the front boasting about rare and unique antiques.
“This place looks incredible,” I said, hurrying out of the car and following her inside.
We split up long enough to browse the aisles, coming back to each other every so often and showing off our finds. I had a basket hanging off my arm that I filled with small knick-knacks and things I found.
I wasn’t sure what Jack had in the way of baseball cards, but when I found a box full of them tucked away in the back, I easily put it in my cart, not caring how much it was.
The pack and I hadn’t really talked about presents, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to exchange them this year. Everything was a bit crazy, and we were just getting to know each other.
What I did do was spend time picking out small things that reminded me of my guys, and would make our wing feel like our own.
It was a bit weird to not have to worry about pricing or if it would affect my budget. I had a good salary and it was just me, but it wasn’t like my savings were endless, especially if I was going to have to figure out how to move all of my things here.
I didn’t want to be that omega that relied on her pack to cover everything. Moving to Pine Ridge was already going to be a huge hit.
If they let me cover my own expenses, at least.
My mind went back to the guys as I turned another corner, even more shelves ahead of me. This place seemed endless.
I found an antique watch that I thought looked like Cole, adding it to my basket as I hummed along to the Christmas music playing through the old, crackling speakers.
This place had its charm.
North was the only one I hadn’t found anything for yet, but when I reached the back of the store and it was full of books, I couldn’t help but stop and look around.
They had a few early editions with original covers of some of the fairytales.
I heard Jack teasing North about his collection as he was stacking them into his nest. North didn’t care, taking it and laughing along with him, but protesting that he didn’t have a complete set.
He was missing The Wizard of Oz collection.
I nearly screamed when I found it… a full set, with their vintage covers. I knew they’d fit perfectly.
Too excited to wait now, I bundled them up in my arms before rushing to the front. It was something small but meaningful for each of them, and the best part was, it was exactly the kind of gift I enjoyed giving, and one that I hoped my pack would enjoy receiving.
“I see you made out about as well as I did,” Karina said. She had a full basket and was already leading the way to the counter. When I saw two more waiting, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“You always clean me out when you come in here, don’t you, Mrs. Hawthorne?”
“Oh, you better quit it, Lucille,” Karina said, waving the older woman off.
She rang up Karina’s purchases, and then mine, chatting the whole time about each item and where she got it. This woman was just as passionate about her antiques as I was. I’d found my people.
“I’ll send the bulk of this up to the estate. Is there anything else you want to take with you, though?” Lucille offered as I signed the receipt with Cole’s name. “Or perhaps gift wrapped? I do offer that as well.”
“Actually,” I said, quickly setting aside the three things I’d chosen for my pack, “can you gift wrap these items for me?”
She reached under the counter and pulled out a pad of paper, sliding it over to me.
“Give me the details and I’ll make sure it happens,” she promised.
I jotted down who each item was for so she could put a name on the tag, before giving her my information and number in case there were any issues.
“Actually, I have the same for my mates,” Karina said, taking a notebook that Lucille slid over.
We were about to leave when Karina froze, her hand reaching out and gripping my arm.
“We didn’t even choose anything to wear.”
“I think I have the perfect dress,” I admitted. “I was just happy to come explore.”
“Oh, good,” she said, deflating a bit. “I was afraid you wouldn’t have brought anything. I didn’t exactly prepare you ahead of time for a dinner party.”
“Nothing about this vacation has been expected. I think I can go with the flow at this point.”
“My boys found the perfect omega,” she said, a fond smile on her face as she patted my cheek in that motherly way that made my chest ache.
Guilt slammed into me right after, reminding me that she thought Cole and I were engaged this whole time. Something must’ve shown on my face, maybe the damn guilt. She let out a little chuckle.
“I can read you almost as well as I can read my boys, and I’m going to assume that guilt means that you weren’t actually engaged to my boy when we met, were you?”
My jaw dropped. “How did you know?”
“I know my boys,” she said, then gestured for me to follow her outside.
“That stunned look, the way you both looked like deer in the headlights before he explained who you were. A mother knows these things.”
“And you let us keep lying to you?” I shook my head. “I’m just glad you’re not upset with us.”
“I knew there was something important about the two of you being together, and I had my hopes. I wanted my boy to be happy. It wasn’t just about him coming home, but I wanted him to have a chance at finding a pack. Look what happened.”
“That mother’s intuition is strong with you,” I agreed, letting out a relieved breath as we climbed into the car. “Are you sure you’re not upset?”
“You gave me Cole back. Brought him back to life. I could never be upset at that,” she said firmly.
With that, she cranked the Christmas music and drove us back across town.
I’d officially finished my Christmas shopping, and I was so excited about all the things we still had planned.
They’d mentioned courting me, and I think they were doing an incredible job with all of these little Christmas traditions and adventures.
Now I couldn’t wait to wake up on Christmas morning and not dread the holiday or feel the pangs of loneliness.
When we pulled up to the estate, there were more cars parked out front than I expected.
“Oh good, everyone’s arrived to set up for the party. Don’t worry, no cherries,” she promised me.
“Thanks,” I grinned, climbing out of the car.
She greeted the cleaning staff and caterers that were waiting for her, going into full hostess mode while I slipped away to our suite to get ready.
My pack wasn’t up here, and I enjoyed the quiet as I took a shower and dried my hair before curling it.
My makeup was subtle, though I did go a little extra with my eyeshadow, opting for a smoky shadow with a hint of green glitter that matched the dress I bought earlier this week.
I hadn’t tried it on. I was just hoping for the best, and I let out a relieved breath when I slipped it over my head. It was perfect, showing just enough skin to make my men weak while also feeling gorgeous.
Grabbing my black heels, I slid my feet into them and spritzed my favorite perfume on. It was a subtle vanilla that paired well with my natural scent.
There was a knock on my door. I hurried over, opening it to find North waiting on the other side. He somehow found a tie that matched my dress perfectly.
His eyes slowly rolled over me inch by inch like a caress. He let out a low whistle before meeting my gaze.
“You look beautiful, Aspen. I can’t wait to show you off tonight.”
With a grin, I walked closer, brushing a kiss over his lips.
“The way that I just want to throw you back in that nest and say forget the party... but we can’t do that.”
“No, we definitely can’t,” I agreed with a chuckle. “But afterwards, all bets are off.”
Sounds downstairs drew his attention, when he looked back, he let out a sigh and held out his arm for me.
“Are you ready to meet my parents?”