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“There were a few times he was a little… improper.”
“I hope there are more than a few times my alpha gets improper with me!”
“Anna!” I scolded.
“Seriously? You’re going to act scandalized?”
“You’re my little sister. You have to remain pure until your own bonding,” I replied with as much of a self righteous air as I could muster. Anna laughed until she couldn’t breathe.
“Let’s go, you hussy.” I smacked her leg. “We’ve got our video call with Mother and Father. Nothing says Merry Christmas like breaking the news that your daughter was almost manipulated into a bond.”
It was an odd break from tradition, but we all opened our gifts together on camera. Our parents had long since given up on actually trying to buy my sister and I anything we liked, so we both got gift cards to local stores. Anna’s were to a few boutiques in town, and mine was to The Knitted Nest. It was the mothership of nesting supplies for omegas. I couldn’t wait to set up my own nest, to enjoy with my own alpha… My mind clearly started to wander, and my scent bloomed with it because Anna elbowed me in disgust. Oh, not the right time… It was probably time to break the news about Grant though.
“Masked his scent?” our father boomed through the screen after I explained the last few weeks, his expression switching between disbelief and rage.
“I’ve never heard of anyone doing that,” our mother added, twisting her bracelet in worry.
“It’s fine,” I tried to reassure them. “I really am okay. I thought he was my alpha, but I struggled with how much I was also drawn to Will. Now I know why. It all makes sense now.”
“Except why he was such a douche canoe,” Anna snarked beside me.
“Anna!” our parents scolded at the same time, causing us all to laugh, breaking the tension.
“I don’t want to talk about him anymore. Let’s open our gifts!”
“Mia, sweetheart, this is serious. I expect the school will launch a full investigation and press charges. What happened to you is a big deal. Are you sure you’re okay? Do you want to come home?” My father was a successful politician because he cared about his constituents as much as his family. Which was a lot.
“I am okay, I promise. I’m not coming home. I’m going to continue courting Will Rossi.” A smirk took over my face. “But it would be a nice Christmas gift if you blackballed Grant from your administration. And maybe politics in general.”
“Absolutely. Consider it done.”
Anna high fived me. “Nice!”
Chapter Twenty-Four
WhenIwalkedupto North Pole Village a day later, doubts started to creep back in. Wouldn’t it be ironic for Will to stand me up here too? How much heartbreak can one little village hold?
My heart started to race, and nausea crept in until I was sure that I was imaging the lime scent that I loved.
“Hello, Sweet Pea.” The voice close behind me made me jump, interrupting my swirling thoughts of despair. I spun around and leapt into Will’s unexpecting arms.
“You came,” I sighed in relief.
“Of course I came. Am I late?” He checked his watch.
“No. No.” I detangled myself from him and tried to regain some composure, embarrassed by my outburst. “You’re right on time. Hi. You look nice. Thanks for coming.”
He laughed at my awkward ramble, then gave me a concerned look. “Omega, is everything okay?”
“Yes. Sorry. Coming here was a little harder than I expected. I guess Grant left me with more worries and doubts than I realized.”
“Oh, Mia. Omega.” He bundled me into his arms, as close as our winter coats would allow, which honestly wasn’t nearly close enough. “I’m so sorry. Your doubts are understandable, but trust me when I say I have none. The fates may have decided that I will win your bond, but I will spend the rest of my life trying to win your heart.”
I sniffled unattractively and tried to burrow further into Will’s coat. “Even when you’re being romantic, you’re still an athlete.”
“An athlete?”
“Winmy heart? You’re competing with... yourself?”
