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Wrapping my arms around his shoulders, I get up on my toes for a deeper kiss. A moan escapes me as he catches my waist and pulls me closer, meeting my lips.
A loud, fake cough sounds from behind us.
Turning around, I see Carol, my old neighbor and friend.
“Hey!” I say as my excitement spikes. Stepping away from Jacob, I move toward her and hug her tightly. “You have no idea how much I missed you!”
“Did you?” she snaps but lets me continue to hold on to her. “Where the hell have you been? Do you have any idea how worried everyone’s been? No one could find you for weeks! It was like you disappeared into thin air!”
“I’m sorry,” I say, looking up at Carol. “I didn’t even get the chance to grab my phone when I ran out of here. Hell, I didn’t even have my shoes on.”
“What?” Carol’s expression falters. “What exactly happened to you?” Her gaze roves over the three men who closely guard me. “Who are they?”
I grab her hand and squeeze. “It’s a long story. How about I tell you all about it over a cup of coffee and ginger cookies?”
“Uhh...” I notice her staring at Cole who’s put on a cold expression.
“This is Jacob,” I say, pointing toward him. “That’s Cole and that’s Kai. They’re the reason I’m still alive and standing before you. I don’t know what would’ve happened to me if they weren’t the ones who found me on the night I ran.”
A grim expression comes over Carol. “You’re going to have to explain everything.”
I give an earnest nod. “I will.” Turning toward my mates, I gaze up at each of them. “Is it okay if I spend the rest of the day with Carol?”
“What about skating at Reagan Square?” Cole says as a hint of a grin spreads on his lips.
“Carol and everyone else who’s been looking for me deserve an explanation,” I say. “They’re the ones who’ve been watching over me after my dad passed away. They need to know what happened. And...I also want to tell them about my wonderful mates.”
“Mates?!” Carol exclaims, staring up at Jacob, Cole, and Kai with a funny open-mouthed expression. “They’re all your mates.”
“Yep,” I say, smiling happily. “They’re mine.”
Moving toward me, she wounds her arm around mine. “Come on, you. Let’s go to my house and talk. I have the day off and the kids are away with their dad for the weekend. You’re going to have to tell me everything.”
I glance toward my mates and wave at them. “I guess I’ll see you later.”
“Not so fast!” Kai says, moving closer to kiss me.
Jacob and Cole gather around us while Carol mutters about space. I chuckle as Cole comes over to kiss me next.
Happiness and warmth surge through me as I realize I’m finally back home again. And, this time, I’m no longer alone. Jacob, Cole, and Kai are my new family. My pack.
15
Cole
I gaze toward the ice-skating ring while my brothers lead the way toward the giant Christmas tree. There are barely any people skating on it at this time of the day, making it seem vast compared to the time when I’d been with Winter.
“Why are we here exactly?” Jacob asks as we come to stand underneath the tree.
“Winter wanted to come here,” I say with a shrug. “We might as well wait for her here instead of driving back home.”
“It’s kind of nice to be out here,” Kai says with a grin. “You can enjoy the place without having to deal with the crazy crowd that gathers in the evening. How about we walk around and explore some of the stalls?”
“Let’s start with buying some chestnuts,” Jacob says. “Winter’s got me addicted to them.”
A snort escapes me. “Sure, let’s go.”
“How about we buy some crepes too?” Kai suggests. “Punching that asshole has got me craving for something sweet.”
