6. Sage

Chapter six

Sage

There’s something tender about this alpha. It’s in the way he looks and speaks with me, it’s like my fox knows he will take care of us. Xavier also knows more about me than he’s letting on. It’s in the way he gazes at me. Like he already knows me. Wants me.

This isn’t the first time I’ve had the thought that he was conscious when he was a figurine.

I peer at Xavier from behind my mug. He’s across the table cutting into steak he prepared, when he hums in pleasure. A sound that causes me to leak. He’s wearing a tight tee and black jeans, that really seem to show off his lean build. It’s no wonder they wanted to photograph him for that magazine, he’s devastatingly handsome with his thick brown hair and well-trimmed beard.

Thank goodness I dressed up this morning. Something about his appreciative look instantly calms all my nerves.

I take another sip of my white mocha, and moan. How the hell did he get this just right? I mean, I usually add a lot of sugar to my coffee, but my sweet tooth is truly satisfied at the moment.

“Wow, this is so damn delicious. How did you learn to make coffee taste this good?” I ask. And how did you know I loved white chocolate?

Is it strange to get this turned on by a sexy alpha making me sugary drinks?

“Santa’s village.” He beams at me, looking proud. “Most elves have an addiction to sugar.”

“Then we’ll be good friends.”

Xavier’s lips turn down into a frown. “Do you still think I’m meant to be with one of your friends?”

I freeze. “I mean who else can it be?” Surly he isn’t hinting that it could be me, could he?

“And what does your fox say?”

My lips twitch.

He narrows his eyes, and I can’t help it, I burst into laughter. That crazy pop song from several years ago comes to mind, and I double over laughing again. Xavier smiles, before he starts to laugh as well. My eyes water, and I can’t control my giggles that turn into full on snorting. When Xavier laughs harder, it starts up a whole new wave of laughter. It really isn’t that funny, but with the laughter I feel all the extra tension and stress from the week leave me.

It takes me about five minutes, but I finally get myself under control.

“Feel better?” he asks, still smiling.

I wipe the tears from my eyes and nod. “Oh my god, I am so sorry. I think I needed that. Remind me to show you the song about the all the different noises a fox might make.”

Xaiver’s eyes sparkle. “I will. So, all jokes aside. Has your fox said anything about me or my presence?”

I close my eyes and listen. My fox twirls around in my chest and jumps on his hind legs. Mate. Mate. Mate. He’s ours. I swallow hard and shake my head. Opening my eyes, I peer over at the stunning alpha in front of me. There’s no way.

“No worries. Maybe he’ll say something soon.” Xavier gives me a sweet smile that almost looks sad. Did I do that?

Could my fox be right? Could this elf really be my fated mate? And if he is, what does that mean? Am I expected to just give up my life, leave my mom, and my friends? Leave my house I worked so hard to buy?

If this was my ex, hell, if this was any of my previous boyfriends, then they would expect me to give up everything for them. And I just don’t think I can, not unless I was in love and he really is my fated.

Over the next several hours Xavier and I chat about everything. I end up laughing more often than I have in years, and somehow this sweet alpha is breaking down all of my defenses. I tell him about my experience in college, and how I double majored in business and music. He tells me about his life in the North Pole, how hard it is being one of the few alpha elves in the village and all the expectations.

I show him the gossip rag, and he spends time telling me about each photo and how the paparazzi always seemed to capture him in a pose that looked almost stagged. That’s really no surprise because he’s such a good-looking elf, but what does surprise me is that most of these photos are taken while he was out spending time with his omega Papa.

I’ve never met an alpha who is close with their omega parents. The thought warms my heart, and I hope that if I were ever lucky enough to have the children I want, that they would treat me with half the love that Xavier seems to have for his Papa.

“So, you’re an omega who can’t cook, and I’m an alpha who loves to cook. I think the fates must have known what they were doing by placing you in my path,” I joke.

“Or maybe it was Santa,” he replies easily.

“Where did you get your love of cooking? Was that from Santa’s Village too? Or was it your Papa who taught you.” We’ve moved from the dining table over to the living room. We are sitting very close, huddled together. My fox whines, encouraging me to touch our alpha and cuddle up to him. The more I get to know about Xavier, the harder it is to fight.

At one point, my phone buzzed and I got a text message from Mark. He wanted to come over and maybe go out shopping. I thought it was a sign that it was finally time to introduce my friend to Xavier, but when I asked him if he wanted me to invite Mark over, Xavier just shook his head and told me he was having too much fun getting to know me.

I swear, that’s the moment my tumbled.

“My Papa taught me how to cook,” he finally replies. “One Christmas when I was little, Papa was in charge of cooking food for all the elves Santa 42’s department, and several of his helpers got sick. He asked me to help, and I don’t know, that moment of pride when we finished washed over me. I accomplished something and made Papa proud.”

‘That’s amazing,” I reply, imagining a small Xavier holding down the kitchen. “What did the other elves think? Were they shocked an alpha was cooking for them, or were you young enough that they didn’t notice?”

“They love it. I was so happy. I cooked food that other elves complimented me on—mind you, I pretty much just stood there and stirred a pot of creamy potato soup to keep it from sticking.”

I giggle.

“Will you show me how to cook?” I ask on a whim.

His smile softens and he gives me that caring look again. “I’d love to. I have several Fall recipes in mind. And I have the best Christmas recipes I can teach you in a few months.”

It dawns on me just then, that Xavier has been making plans for us months into the future. He keeps talking about us as if we have future. My fox swirls in my stomach again. Mate. Images of how I woke up the morning filter into my head. The feeling of Xavier wrapped around me. How good it felt to wake up in this alpha’s arms.

A blush heats my cheeks. I smile at Xavier, wondering what types of food we can make together for Christmas. “I’d like that.”

Over the next several weeks, Xavier and I fall into this happy little domestic pattern of waking up in each other’s arms, starting our day with breakfast together and then I would go off to work while he worked around the house, and tinkered with several recipes he wanted to perfect. He spent most of his time cooking and donating that food to several soup kitchens and shelters around town.

Xavier truly seems to get pleasure out of cooking for others, especially those in need. Once we are home and settled for the day, we spend our evenings cooking and going for a walk where we continue to learn more about each other. Then, just like every night, we fall asleep together.

He never pushes me for more, and I love him for it. Xavier is the prime example of how an alpha should treat an omega. With respect.

Eventually he ended up meeting both Mark and Jill, and even cooked them dinner. The three of them spent their time together giving me knowing looks, while my fox growled and snarled, wishing they would back off of our alpha.

As the weeks go by I’m starting to realize that my fox must be right. Xavier has to be my mate. Why else would he be so happy every morning with me snuggled up to him. But, gods, how do I even approach the subject? I feel so stupid pushing my friends on him. Did he know the whole time?

Tonight, happens to be a really cold night. We are curled up on the sofa together, under a fleece throw blanket. Xaiver throws his head back and laughs at something on the screen. I watch the motion of his Adam’s apple bob up and down, and my eyes focus on his lips.

Xavier catches me staring and smirks. Without a word he tilts his head, indicating that he wants me to come closer. He lifts the blanket and holds out his arms. My heart pounds, but I snuggle up against him, cuddling against his side.

“Sage?”

“Hmm?”

“Can I tell you a secret?”

I laugh. “Sure. I’d love to hear a secret.”

“Every time we go out for dinner, then come home and watch a movie together, I pretend we are on a date.”

My mouth falls open and my heart pounds. “I—I’ve been doing the same thing,” I whisper.

Xavier smiles. “Good. Then it’s settled. This is our fifth date together.”

My heart continues to pound, but my fox yips with happiness. Have we been dating this whole time and I never even realized?

“Okay, yeah.” I nod. “This is our fifth date.”

He pulls me in tighter and I smell his intoxicating alpha scent that reminds me of hot chocolate and home.