13. Avery

Chapter thirteen

Avery

I curl up on the couch with my book, unable to get the smile off my face. Not that I’d want to. I feel so happy. I hate to admit it but Ellie was right, this is exactly what I needed.

I was overworking myself to the point of exhaustion without even realizing it. Getting some distance makes me realize I need a better balance, but it also makes me genuinely miss my work. I miss my pack. I’ve loved this vacation but I’m glad it’s almost over.

That just leaves the giant elephant in the room. What’s going to happen when this vacation is over and it’s time to head back to my pack? Could I convince Frost to come with me? Is it possible that whatever it is we have going on can last outside this remote cabin?

Gods, I hope so. Now that I have Frost in my life, I can’t imagine going back to the way things were. My home will feel too empty without him there taking up space. And that’s without even thinking about how amazing it’s going to be that my mother can no longer try to set me up with people!

I just need to figure out how to actually approach the topic. Could I just ask Frost to come home with me? Would he even be interested? I know he’s a lone wolf but I get the sense that he’d rather it not be that way. If given the choice, would he want to settle down in one place?

“Hey, handsome,” Frost says, startling me out of my thoughts. I look up at him, my stomach warming at his soft smile. He hands me a cup of hot chocolate before sitting on the floor, leaning against my legs.

The shutters on the front of the cabin shake as the wind blows. It’s been snowing all night. I’m glad we have enough food that we’re not having to make our way to the main lodge. The snow has made everything white and beautiful outside while the inside of our cabin is perfectly warm thanks to the electric fireplace. We’re in our own little bubble together.

“Thank you,” I murmur, taking a sip and humming happily. One of my favorite things about the holidays is hot chocolate, especially if I can put some peppermint sticks in there as well. “You’re the best.”

Frost chuckles. “If you say so.” He tilts his head back. “How’s your book?”

I set the book down beside me. “Honestly, I have no idea. I was lost in thought.”

“I figured as much. It’s been like ten minutes of you staring at the same page.”

“What? No. Ten minutes, really?”

“Mhmm,” he hums, knocking his head against my knee. “Anything you wanna talk about?”

I take another sip of my hot chocolate, giving myself a moment to think. Do I want to spring this on him? Everything has been going so well since the other night when we’d fallen asleep in the little dome together and then come back to the cabin and made love. I’m pleasantly sore from how many times Frost has knotted me and there’s a bruise on his shoulder that might actually be permanent after how hard I sucked it into his skin. Things feel downright domestic between us, so why the fuck would I want to shake things up by asking questions?

Fuck. I really shouldn’t hold the question back just because the response is unsure. I should be brave! I should tell Frost exactly what I want! But why is that so terrifying?

“Maybe? I don’t know, I’m scared to break the little bubble we have going on,” I confess softly.

“Oh,” Frost whispers. He turns around, kneeling between my legs. His eyes are wide and he bites his bottom lip, right between his piercings. He looks like he’s ready to worship the very ground I stand on. I might have worried about my body in the past, but the way this alpha cherishes every inch of me leaves me feeling like a god handcrafted this body. He makes me feel beautiful and sexy.

“It’s nothing bad,” I quickly add, running my fingers through his hair. “My vacation is almost over. I leave tomorrow to head back home.”

Frost’s eyes widen and he quickly looks away. “I see.”

“I don’t think you do. Frost, look at me.” His eyes snap back to my face, our eyes locking. “Come home with me.”

“What?” Frost’s eyes dart between my own. “Are you serious?”

“I’m dead serious.” I cup Frost’s face between my palms. Between the two of us, physically I look much softer and Frost looks like a badass, but right now, I can tell his heart is bare for me. He’s tender and soft and fragile. I would never want to do something to hurt him, especially after all the hurt he’s already endured in the past. “I want you to come home with me. Meet my pack. Join my pack. Be with me.” I swallow around the lump in my throat. “Be my alpha.”

Frost surges forward, kissing me hard right on the mouth. He kisses me with an urgency that calls to my very soul. He kisses me until we’re both breathless.

“Are you sure? I want that more than I can tell you, but I’m worried we’re rushing.”

“If it makes you feel better, we can wait to officially mate until after you come and meet my pack?”

“Yes,” he says, kissing me again. And then again. “Yes, that’s perfect.”

A startled giggle leaves me without my permission, excitement bubbling up inside of me until it pours out in the form of giggles. Not only does Frost want me but he’s going to stay. No more running, no more drifting.

“I’m going to owe Ellie so much when we get back home,” I say, ignoring the way my vision is growing glassy from unshed tears. “This is going to be the best Christmas I’ve ever had and it’s all thanks to you.”

“When we get to your house, I’ll lie under the tree for you.”

I smack his shoulder playfully. “That won’t be necessary.” Then I pause, smirking. “Although, I wouldn’t have a problem with you wrapping a bow around your co-”

Frost cuts me off by kissing me, the two of us giggling against each other’s lips.