“Mom? Are you crying?”
“Happy tears,” she says, her voice wavering. “I’ve been so worried about you, honey. Always working, never taking time for yourself. I was beginning to think you’d never find someone who appreciates you.”
“Well, I found three someones,” I say with a nervous laugh. “And a llama.”
“A… llama?”
“It’s a long story.”
She laughs, a sound that eases the tension in my shoulders. “I want to hear all about it. But not now. You should be with them, enjoying your holiday.”
“Really? You’re not upset?”
“Disappointed we won’t see you? Of course. But upset that you’re happy? Never.” She pauses. “Your father might need a bit more explanation about the three someones’ part, but we’ll cross that bridge later.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, tears pricking at my eyes. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, sweetheart. Now go enjoy your Christmas. And maybe send a picture of this llama?”
“Deal.”
I hang up and stand still for a moment, processing what just happened. For the first time in my adult life, I’ve chosen my own happiness over meeting expectations. And it feels… right.
When I return to the living room, three pairs of eyes immediately turn to me.
“Everything okay?” Everett asks, his brow furrowed with concern.
I nod, a smile spreading across my face. “My family’s finally getting off the cruise ship tomorrow.”
“That’s great news,” Gabe says, though I can see the question in his eyes.
“They wanted me to come home for Christmas,” I explain, moving back to my spot on the couch between them.
“And?” Finn prompts when I don’t immediately continue.
“And I told them I’m staying here.” The words send a thrill through me. “I’m staying in Snowflake Valley for Christmas.”
I can see the relief in their eyes. Everett’s arm tightens around my shoulders, and Gabe reaches for my hand, squeezing it gently.
“Your mom was okay with that?” Everett asks.
“Surprisingly, yes.” I lean into his warmth. “I think if it were up to her, we’d be mated by the end of the year.”
“Oh, that definitely can be arranged,” Finn teases. “And other good stuff,” Finn adds with a suggestive wiggle of his eyebrows.
Heat crawls up my neck; the implication is clear. My omega senses are on high alert, picking up the subtle shift in pheromones filling the room.
Everett moves to stand beside me, close enough that I can feel the warmth radiating from him. “We don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for, Melody.”
I look between the three of them, all watching me with varying degrees of desire.
“Oh, I’m more than ready—eager, in fact,” I say.
Finn breaks into a wide grin. “Oh, I like her. Can we keep her?”
“That’s up to her,” Gabe says, his voice low.
I take a deep breath and move toward them, settling onto the couch between Gabe and Finn, with Everett perched on the armrest beside me. For a moment, we just sit there, the tension building.