Chapter 28 Aspen
Aspen
My heart was slamming in my chest as we walked down the grand staircase. Voices greeted us as we reached the bottom. Karina was leading another omega out of the room, their arms intertwined as they laughed at something.
North’s mom was gorgeous. They had that same sandy-brown hair and teal eyes. She wore glasses, cute, dainty, gold frames that fit her perfectly.
Just past them were the rest of North‘s parents, his three dads, Jasper, Damien, and Lawrence. I wasn’t sure who was who yet, but I definitely knew that the burly one had to be North’s dad. The resemblance was uncanny.
If I thought his mom looked like him, it paled in comparison. Their hair had the same softness to it and was thick. The cow-lick in the front was also identical.
When a soft, sweet chuckle escaped him, his cheeks blooming with red, I couldn’t help but grin.
“You two are a lot alike,” I said, nodding toward the doorway.
He shook his head. “Everyone always says that, but I don’t see it. I’m hardly built like him.”
“That’s about the only thing you got from your mom,” I said.
His beta father had red hair and a splash of freckles. The laugh lines that crinkled around his eyes and mouth told me that he was a genuinely happy person.
The third father, another alpha, spotted us first, his face breaking out into a huge smile.
“There’s my boy!” he called out, rushing over and practically pushing the other two dads aside to get to North. He pulled him into a hug. Then he frowned, studying his son. “Something’s wrong.”
North’s cheeks burned bright, making it very obvious that this man was right.
“We’ll talk about it later,” he promised, likely in hopes to appease his father.
The man narrowed his eyes but thankfully, didn’t argue.
For now.
“Your mother brought her famous chocolate tarts, so I hope you brought your appetite today,” he said to change the subject.
“I always do,” North agreed quickly before pulling me closer. “Dad, I’d like you to meet my omega, Aspen. Aspen, this is my father Lawrence. The one with red hair is my father Jasper. And Damien is the one that you think looks just like me.”
“Right?!” Jasper said as he pointed at me. He had a look of pure vindication on his face.
“I keep trying to tell them, and they both deny it.”
“We refused to get a DNA test,” Lawrence said. “But there are signs.” He rolled his eyes at both of them before turning his bright smile back on me.
“And this,” North said as his mom moved closer to join the introductions, “is my mother Madeline, who also happens to be my best friend.”
Karina moved to our other side. “Madeline, you’re going to absolutely adore this omega.”
“If she makes my son happy, then I already do,” Madeline said firmly. “Aspen, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“And you,” I said, meaning it.
Karina started detailing the antique mall and all the things she found. She was beyond thrilled that I had joined her, and I couldn’t help the blush as they all turned their attention back to me again. I wasn’t used to being any form of the center of attention outside of my pack.
It was also a little intimidating that they came from such good families. I felt a bit out of place and uncertain, two things I did not enjoy.
“Aspen, tell us about yourself,” Madeline said as she sat down next to her mates. The kitchen staff swept out of the doorway, arms loaded with plates. The Chrismtas gods must have been looking out for me.
I hesitated a minute before answering as a plate was put in front of me. Was I absolutely stalling? Yes. I hated talking about myself. But for my men, I would try.
“I actually work with Cole. I’m a journalist. I currently work in the lifestyle portion, however, I just spoke to Grady today about a position here in Pine Ridge,” I explained.
“Oh my goodness, that is great news,” Madeline gushed. “Does that mean—?” She glanced around at the rest of us, hoping we’d fill in the blanks.
“We’re trying our best to figure out this whole pack thing, but yes, I believe we’ll be staying.” Cole’s words had her letting out a watery cry.
“Oh, baby, I bet you’re so happy,” Madeline said, turning to look at her son now.
She was tearing up again, letting out an exasperated laugh.
“Oh my goodness, look at me blubbering like a little baby. I’m just so relieved.
We always thought that you would become a pack.
The timing just never seemed right for you guys. ”
“Well, it wasn’t exactly the timing,” Jack said, giving me a soft smile. “We were just missing a piece of the puzzle.”
My chest warmed as the words sank in. I never had to worry about fitting in again, because with them I knew where I stood. They reminded me constantly that I was part of them, and I believed every word they said.
“How did you meet?” Damien asked.
I was done with lying, so I opted for a version of the truth.
“I crashed North’s fancy Christmas party. I was trying to hide from some crazy exes and somehow wound up in his lap, wearing a Santa suit.”
Madeline and Karina were cackling as I described it in all the embarrassing detail.
“So, we tried to pull one over on Mom and convince her that we were engaged, but she saw right through it,” Cole finished with a chuckle.
“Then she walked in the door here for the holiday and realized we were scent-matched,” North explained, shaking his head. “Isn’t it crazy how life works?”
“It is,” Damien said, grinning at his partner.
“She was a barista at my favorite coffee shop. Didn’t know we were a match thanks to the scent-dampening spray the shop used until I ran into her at the grocery store.
Two years of being in love with this woman.
” He shook his head, and the smile she gave him back was full of adoration.
Their relationship was sweet.
Despite my nerves, dinner passed rather quickly. I grinned as I took the first bite of the chocolate tarts everybody was hyping up, and it seemed the hype was very much real.
“This is fantastic, Madeline. I guess my mate here isn’t the only one in your family who knows how to bake.”
“I taught him everything he knows.” Madeline shot her son a playful wink.
“Sure, Mom,” he indulged her, not bothering to argue.
“What about your parents? Are they going to visit us here sometime?” Madeline asked. When she saw my face fall, her smile softened. “I know what that’s like. Say no more.”
“We became Madeline‘s family,” Jasper said, “and she became ours. We wanted to make sure that our boy here had a very different childhood than we did.”
“We haven’t exactly talked kids,” I said, giving the guys a shy smile. “But, I think I’d like to do the same someday.”
Cole’s eyes darkened with heat. It seemed my alpha approved of that train of thought.
North shifted, wiping his sweaty hands on his pants. “We actually have some news for you all.”
They froze. If I hadn’t just made a pregnancy joke I think that’s where their minds might have gone.
“Well, out with it,” Karina urged, her smile coaxing but sweet.
“I’m an omega. Something about finding my pack triggered it,” he rushed out. “We confirmed it with a doctor. My designation was dormant.”
“I was right all along,” Madeline said with a gasp, pulling her son in for a hug. “I always thought it was more fitting for you, my sweet boy. How are you adjusting? How do you feel?”
“Shaken, a bit confused, but it feels right,” he explained.
Karina offered him a hug of her own, sweeping him into it and squeezing hard enough to hold him together.
My eyes burned as I watched them, loving how much their families cared about each of these men. It was something I knew I’d experience one day, and for now I was happy to soak it in.
“I noticed a bit of a change in you, but I thought she just gave you confidence,” Lawrence said as he studied us, eyes landing on Jack. “You treating him right?”
“He is,” North said, rolling his eyes. “They’ve all three been amazing. I swear I’d go crazy without them. My mates are incredible and having Cole back has helped. He’s always been a rock for me.”
“I understand that,” Madeline said, giving her men a smile. Cole blushed, his mouth gaping a bit like he didn’t realize how much he meant to the rest of us.
North recounted our nest shopping adventures before the conversation stalled out and Madeline took a breath, changing the subject.
“Now, I’m sure you want to spend your Christmas together. It’s your first as a pack, and it should be that way. So, we brought your gift early.” She held up a hand when North started to protest. “Don’t even start. This is a mother’s job. You just treat that girl right, and that’s enough for me.”
“They do,” I promised.
She reached into her bag, pulling out an envelope. The entire table seemed to freeze, waiting for whatever was about to come.
“I hope it’s not overstepping,” she said as she held it out to her son. North’s fingers shook as he took it and I leaned closer, pressing my arm against his in solidarity.
After a few beats of tense silence, he finally tore open the envelope with trembling hands. I could feel his anxiety even without a bond, or maybe it was the way his body was practically shaking with it.
He pulled out a piece of paper, his eyes scanning it as his jaw dropped.
“No, Mom—”
“I said no arguing,” she cut in, her voice sharp and firm while somehow holding a sweet edge.
“The entire point of having money is to be able to take care of your family. Just because you could doesn’t mean you should have to.
So, we’ve taken the liberty of putting the amount of your mortgage for that shop in there, along with bills for up to five years.
Hire some help. Don’t work yourself to the bone and miss out on time with them.
This time is too precious to miss. You opened the shop because you loved baking, make sure you keep that passion. ”
Tears were running down his cheeks. She got up, placing a kiss on his forehead and cupping my cheek in an approving smile.
“I think that’s our time to slip away. We love you all, and we had an amazing evening. I truly hope you stay in town. I can’t wait to get to know you better, Aspen.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I can’t wait to get to know you better as well.”
With that, they filed out, giving quick hugs and goodbyes before leaving me and my pack in silence. Karina walked them out, giving us space for North to process their gift.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“I…” he started, but he seemed unable to form the words he wanted.
Jack dropped to his knees in front of his omega, hands wrapping around North’s and holding them steady. The paper fluttered to the ground. Cole picked it up, placing it on the table in front of them while Jack stared into North’s eyes, imploring him to listen.
“Baby, she’s right. This gives you a chance to step back. You can go in and make things when you want, to teach your team to do the same. You have Judy. You could even have seasonal help. The works. You’ve been running yourself ragged. I’ve been worried.”
“Time with you guys does sound really nice,” North managed to choke out. “I can’t believe they did this.”
“I can,” Jack snorted. “Your family is about as subtle as my mom.”
“Maybe tonight would be a good night to go look at Christmas lights,” Cole suggested. “Drive around, listen to music, and just enjoy the night.”
“That sounds great,” North said, standing up and wiping his sweaty palms on his pants and shaking his head.
“I know this is a good thing. I just can’t believe they’d do this.
I said I wanted to do it on my own, but…
I’m also oddly relieved. I can’t fail now, and I think that fear has been in the back of my mind for a long time. ”
“Even though I just met your parents, I have a feeling they knew that,” I said.
He let out a soft laugh but didn’t disagree.
Cole stepped into the kitchen for a few bottles of water and likely to inform his mom where we were going, while Jack warmed up the truck. I let North sit in the front while I took the back with Cole. It was one of the few times North didn’t try to protest and force me to take shotgun.
Jack turned the radio to a Christmas station, keeping it low enough to fill the background. Cole relaxed, checking his phone and then wrapping his hand around mine as Jack drove through Pine Ridge. The only sound was someone pointing out Christmas lights here and there.
The silence went from strained to comfortable quickly.
Finally, an hour in, North shifted in his seat, facing sideways so he could see all of us.
“This is a good thing,” he said, more confident this time.
“I should’ve known she’d do something like this.
My mom’s not subtle. Now we can spend time together and I won’t have to get up early and go to bed early.
I can wake up in your arms more than every once in a while. Actually sleep like a normal person.”
“When you both go into heat, it won’t be a big deal for you to take time away,” Cole pointed out. He was always the reasonable one, thinking about the important things.
“And what about you?” I said to Cole. “How will that work with your job? You won’t be missing my heat—”
“Not for anything in the world,” he promised, cutting in before I could let doubt hit me.
That warmth settled into me as I watched the scenery shift to the open fields that led to the outskirts of Pine Ridge.
“Oh my gosh, look at the estate from here,” I said as we finally reached the bottom of the hill.
At this time of night, it was lit up with all the Christmas lights I hadn’t realized were there before. With the snow covering the grass and the lights glowing against the night sky, it looked like something out of a fairytale.
Just for a moment, I let myself paint a picture of what that life could be like.
Raising children here, little feet running through those hallways.
Taking them down to see lights in town just like we did, soft giggles coming from their car seats.
A pack so full of love it radiated between the bond we’d someday forge.
I wanted it more than anything.
Just as quickly as that dream formed, reality stepped in.
Cole’s phone rang, and I looked over in time to see Karina’s name flash across the screen.
“Is everything alright, Mom?” Cole questioned as he answered the phone.
“I just heard from your fathers,” she said, her voice cracking. “They heard about your mate and they… they’re heading home. They’re going to be here for Christmas.”
The mood darkened instantly, both Hawthorne boys looking like they didn’t know how to react.
To most, this would be good news.
Right now, all I could feel was tension. Our holiday just took a turn.