Chapter 5

DAVINA

The sound of birds chirping outside pulls me from the deepest sleep I’ve had in years, wrapped in layers upon layers of soft furs and blankets. A thin sheen of sweat clings to my skin, my hair sticking to the nape of my neck and forehead. Might have gone a little too hard on the warmth front, unable to pick between all the beautiful blankets in the cabin. So, I chose them all.

I make my way into the bathroom, switching on the shower to warm up the water, needing it to be hot enough to melt my skin off despite my body heat being off the charts. This usually happens when I’m coming into my heat but goes away pretty quickly. Nothing to be concerned about by any means.

Allowing the steam to swallow me whole, I step under the rain showerhead, the streams drowning me head to toe. This kind of luxury calls for an everything shower, the ones that leave you feeling softer than butter and smelling like freshly baked cookies. Taking my time, I wash every inch until my skin turns red and my body is the softest it has ever been.

Quickly looking outside to gauge the weather, I pull out one of my cream-colored sweaters and a pair of black skinny-leg jeans with thick, woolly socks and boots. There has been this feeling deep in my gut that there was something out by the window last night, lurking in the darkness, watching my every move. It should have me feeling uneasy, but it didn’t feel threatening in any way.

The chill of the winter air hits me the moment the front door opens, stinging the tip of my nose. Everything else is layered to perfection, keeping me nice and toasty while I check the outside window. My boots crunch in the fresh snow, snapping twigs underfoot on my way to the back window, when a rich, unfamiliar scent hits me. It’s strong and complex, with notes of cedar and cologne and a familiarity that has me confused as hell.

Omegas are drawn to the sweeter things in life, but this is far from that, and yet, here I am, moments from shifting and rolling in it. My shift feels dangerously close to the surface, burning at my skin, clawing at me like a beast that needs to be set free. It isn’t a scent I recognize, not any family. What the fuck?

A throat clears from the side of the cabin, where Felix stands against the wooden outer wall, his hands in his pockets to keep warm. He has either mastered the art of sneaking up on people, or I was too caught up in my mystery scent to notice him coming closer.

“You coming to breakfast? Mom wants to decorate the tree. Pretty sure Reyne is on her way as well to say hi.”

I begrudgingly follow him to the house, not really wanting to leave. Each step I take has me holding in a low whine, wanting to run right back to my cabin and revel in the scent a little more.

Sure enough, the main house is bustling with bodies. Ledger and Dad are up on short little ladders, fluffing out the top of the towering pine in the living room, one of the alphas of Reyne’s pack standing in front, directing them on where he thinks it needs more. I couldn't tell you who it is; they all look too similar for me to distinguish. Three brothers make up Reyne’s pack, much like their sons. Sensing my approach, all three men turn to look at us as we push our way through the multitude of empty tubs and bags scattered on the ground.

“How’d you sleep, pup?” Dad asks warmly, dusting his hands together before stepping down onto the ground. “You remember Lukas, Davina?”

I nod, holding his gaze. He looks so similar to his sons, the same piercing eyes and dark hair. You can always tell an alpha just by looking at them: they’re much taller and more muscular than the average person. His presence alone consumes the space, even though he’s one of four men in the room. Creases form at the corner of his silver eyes, a grin spreading across his face, reaching them the moment he turned.

“Just you wait until Reyne hears you’re here. I apologize in advance. She’s very excited to have you back.”

I smile politely, picking up the wooden reindeer ornament from the tub by my feet. Rubbing my fingertips along the rough surface, I approach the tree and find a nice spot off to the side for it, nestling it amongst the deep green needles. The sharp tips pinch at my skin while I hook the ornament in place, nestling it far enough in that it can’t slip out.

“It’s lovely to be back,” I respond, grabbing a small box of glass decorations. There is a part of me that feels happy to be back here, with my family, celebrating Christmas and all that. Yet, there’s a deeper part of me that’s restless, waiting for the moment I hear his voice, the deep tone still ingrained in my mind, as though I heard it just yesterday.

“Are you planning on making an appearance at the annual feast tonight?” he asks, picking up a bauble and walking to stand beside me. His scent fills my nostrils, and it has me scrunching my nose. The strong, earthy smell is potent as hell, but it’s not in any way pleasant.

“She can decide to do whatever the fuck she wants to do. If she doesn't want to come because of your asshole of a son, she is more than free to decline,” Ledger snaps with more bite than he should be showing someone of Lukas’ standing. He told me just last night that Elias wasn’t here, so this is news to me.

Lukas doesn't seem taken aback by my brother’s attitude at all, smiling at me warmly before continuing to decorate the tree by my side with a deep laugh.

“I understand your hesitation, Ledger, but I can assure you, she is safe. Besides the fact that she has not only you two but Hunt and Kai, you’re all adults. Davina, I don’t excuse what my son did when yo...”

He’s cut off by a tornado of a woman whirring into the room and running up to me with open arms, tears running down her cheeks. Reyne cuts off her alpha with zero remorse, pushing him aside to get to me, her small hands gripping each of my shoulders to get a better look.

“Look at you, Davina. Oh, sweetheart. I am so happy you’re home, even if it’s just for the holidays,” she says, pulling me in for a tight hug. She has such a warm aura around her, always has. Something about her just makes you feel instantly at ease. “Did you love the cabin?”

“I absolutely did! You all did such a good job, but I’m going to need to know where you got some of those blankets. I need them back home,” I laugh, relishing the feeling of her being so close. Most of the people I’m around, even back home, are alphas or betas. Very few omegas hang around for long, with most finding packs and moving out of the city or into the bigger beachfront properties. Sure, there are a sprinkling of omega nurses at the hospital I work at, but we are few and far between.

“Oh, hush. You take everything you like back home and I will replace it for the next time you come here. I believe I heard my husband apologize for Elias, but I truly think this needs to come from him directly if you are ready to hear it. He’s big and ugly enough to do these things himself.”

I look around at everyone else in the room, who have all returned to decorating, their eyes flitting back to us every so often. Felix and Ledger are silent while Dad and Lukas discuss logistics for the setup after breakfast today. Mom takes that moment to walk in with a hot mug topped with whipped cream and Christmas sprinkles. It smells like roasted coffee with a hint of gingerbread, making me smile.

“Come to the festivities tonight, Davina. Have some fun. Not that you need anyone to protect you, but there are so many eyes at that party who will be watching Elias’ every move with hawk eyes. I know the twins hold no qualms about stepping in if they need to when it comes to you, nor do your brothers. Truth be told, they would probably love the chance to knock him down a peg or ten.”

Smiling at her, I nod, taking a sip of the deliciously sweet coffee. What use is coming back here for the holidays if I can’t enjoy it in all its glory? Before my last year here, it was the highlight of the entire year for me. The decorations, the food, being able to spend time with my brothers and their best friends without them telling me to leave them alone like the tag-along I was most of the time… I can’t let one person hold me hostage over something they did years ago.

“I’ll be there with bells on.”