Chapter 218: Chapter 218 Boundaries
Author
Hannah had been meaning to ask Elara about their Christmas plans. Then she found out her best friend was already on a plane.
She sighed. Right. Elara was married now. She wasn’t just hers anymore.
It stung a little. But she was happy for her.
Then her phone buzzed.
Mom: [Hannah, I sent you an address. Meet me there. Need to talk to you.]
Hannah figured it was a shopping trip. Her mom loved dragging her to boutique stores and pretending to browse while gossiping about the neighbors.
But when she walked into the teahouse and opened the door to the private room, she froze.
A man sat at the table.
Tailored suit. Sharp cheekbones. Thin lips curved into a polite smile that didn’t touch his eyes. Even sitting down, the guy radiated authority. The kind of presence that made you straighten your spine without thinking.
"Hello." His voice was smooth. Controlled. "Your mother asked me to wait here for you."
Hannah’s hand tightened on the door handle.
A setup. A blind date.
"Is my mom here?"
"No."
"Then I’m leaving."
Xavier stood. His pale eyes flickered with something unreadable. "Miss Hannah, since you’re already here, why not stay for tea? It’ll make it easier to explain to your family later."
Hannah hesitated. He had a point.
Fine. She’d hear him out.
She sat down stiffly. "Look, Mr. Xavier . I’m sorry my mom dragged you into this. I’m sure you’re busy."
"I’ll be straight with you. I’m stubborn. Immature. I’ve got a temper. I’m not girlfriend material."
"And I hate blind dates. So yeah. You seem great, but you deserve someone better. You get what I’m saying?"
Xavier’s lips curved slightly. He picked up the teapot with pale, elegant fingers and poured her a cup.
"Try it."
Hannah eyed the cup suspiciously. Was it poisoned?
No. That was ridiculous.
She took a sip. "It’s fine."
"Good." His tone was mild. "As long as it doesn’t taste like an old man’s socks."
Hannah choked. Tea went down the wrong pipe. She coughed violently, eyes watering.
Xavier handed her a handkerchief. He stood and patted her back gently. Carefully. Just enough to help.
When she finally caught her breath, she glared at him. "You did that on purpose."
He smiled faintly. Said nothing.
She grabbed her bag. "I’m leaving."
Hannah thought that would be the end of it.
Then her phone buzzed.
Mom: How did it go? Xavier said he really liked you! Want me to set up another meeting tomorrow?
Hannah stared at the message.
What?
Was this guy insane?
--
Christmas Eve.
The Wolfe estate was decked out—fir tree in the corner, lights strung along the banister, the smell of cinnamon and pine hanging in the air. A fire crackled in the stone hearth.
Yardley brought Nancy through the front door. Orion was already bouncing on his heels.
"Nancy! Are you staying over tonight? There’s like ten guest rooms! You can pick the one with the big window!"
Nancy glanced at Yardley. His dark eyes were on her, steady and warm.
She bit her lip. "I don’t want to impose."
"You won’t be," Hunter said from the couch. "It’s Christmas Eve. Nobody drives home after midnight. That’s the rule."
Nancy hesitated. Then she nodded. "Alright. Thank you."
She wanted to spend Christmas with her son. Their first one together.
Elizabeth emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. Her eyes landed on the two of them and lit up.
"So." She smiled. "When are you two making this official?"
Hunter perked up immediately. "Yeah. You’ve been circling each other long enough. Put a ring on it."
He’d been terrified Yardley would screw this up. This was his chance to lock it down before Nancy came to her senses.
Yardley didn’t laugh. He turned to Nancy, his voice low. "She’s right. I’ve been thinking about it."
Nancy’s heart stuttered.
Marriage.
If they got married, she could be with Orion full-time. But that meant living with a man she barely knew. A stranger wrapped in her mate’s face.
But if she said no—would he let her take Orion?
Her eyes drifted to the little boy. He was watching her with wide, hopeful eyes.
She couldn’t say no.
"I’m okay with it."
"Really?" Orion’s face lit up. "You’ll marry my dad?"
Nancy’s cheeks burned. She kept her eyes down. "After the holidays, we can figure it out."
Yardley stepped closer. His hand found hers. "I don’t want to wait."
She looked up.
His eyes were dark. Serious. "Nancy. Marry me."
It wasn’t a question. It was a statement. A promise.
Her face went red. Her voice came out barely a whisper. "Yes."
Orion heard it anyway.
"YES! I’m getting a mom!"
He launched himself at them, wrapping his arms around both their legs. Nancy stumbled, caught off guard, and then she was laughing.
Yardley’s hand found the small of her back, steadying her.
When she looked up, he was smiling. Really smiling.
--
The cold hit Elara like a slap the second she stepped off the plane. Twenty below. Her first breath turned to ice in her throat.
Alpha Dominic grabbed her arm and pulled her tight against him. "Move. Car. Now."
She didn’t argue.
Five more hours to the viewing spot. He’d rented an RV—heated, stocked, comfortable enough to live in for a couple of days. The moment the door closed behind them, she let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding and shrugged off her coat.
She pressed her palm against the window. The frost melted under her hand.
"Look at this." She traced a lazy smiley face in the glass. "Art."
Alpha Dominic snorted. "Museum-quality."
"Shut up." She carved his name next to it. Quick. Messy. Then she pulled out her phone and took a picture.
"You posting that somewhere?"
"Maybe."
"Send it to my dad."
She looked at him. "What?"
"He was being an ass earlier. Let him see what he’s missing."
She raised an eyebrow but sent it to the family chat anyway.
Orion:[ Why is Alpha Dominic ’s name always first? Put Elara ’s name in front next time!]
Elizabeth: [The handwriting is lovely. Both of them.]
Alpha Dominic grinned at his phone. Then he tossed it aside and stretched out on the bed in the back of the RV.
Elara curled up next to him. He threw his coat over both of them.
The RV hummed along the frozen highway. Snow blurred past the windows.
"Half hour left," he said. His voice was low, quieter now. "Get some rest."
"Not tired."
"Then close your eyes and pretend."
She elbowed him. He didn’t move.
"You warm enough?"
"Yeah." She shifted. "Legs are cramping a little, though. Been sitting too long."
Alpha Dominic sat up. Pulled her legs across his lap without asking. His hands found her calves and started working the knots out. Firm. Steady. Like he’d done it a hundred times.
She opened her mouth to say something. Then closed it.
"Which one?"
Elara was ticklish. She jerked her leg back.
Alpha Dominic ’s hand closed around her ankle. "Nope."
She pressed her lips together. "Left."
He nodded. His fingers slid over her sock, pressing into the arch of her foot.
"Your feet are freezing. Put them here."
He didn’t wait for an answer. He just slipped her foot under his sweater, against his stomach.
Elara’s breath caught. "Quit it."
Alpha Dominic grinned. "I’m warming you up. What’s the problem?"
He paused. "Or did you think I was gonna peel off all your layers like a Christmas present?"
Her face went red. She kicked at him.
He caught her ankle. His voice dropped. "Keep going. See where that gets you."
She stopped.
