Page 35 of Chasing The Alpha's Son
Once the plates are cleared, I rub my full stomach contentedly, and the guests begin to leave. Some are heading back to their homes, and others must have rooms in the packhouse because the numbers dwindle quickly.
Olivia is off before they’ve even cleared her place, and I’m thinking about heading back to my room too when Morven approaches. Katie, Todd, Simon, and I stand to greet him.
“Hello, sir,” I say lowering my head. “It’s so nice of you to invite us.”
“You must be the one who—what did Jericho say—fell in?”
He knows about that?
“Let’s hope you have better luck on the slopes tomorrow.”
My mouth drops open and I laugh awkwardly. “As long as there aren’t holes in the mountain, I should be fine.”
To my surprise, Morven laughs—maybe at my sort-of-joke, maybe at my complete awkwardness.
“The mountains may be holy, but they are free of holes. Enjoy your stay.”
Morven leaves us in peace and Katie gives me her best sympathetic head tilt.
“Hey Elite Pack,” Mia says, skipping toward us. “There’s gingerbread and coffee in the den, if you want to meet some of the officers’ kids?”
“Sure,” Katie says, ever the extravert. “Max?”
“I dunno.” I kind of want to go back to my room, maybe try and sketch something before bed.
“Come on, Mia says they have gingerbread; we can count this as our traditional gingerbread-house-building extravaganza.”
“That sound cute,” Mia says, and she has a point. This is the perfect opportunity to get back on track with our traditions.
“Fine.”
“Great,” Mia says, turning on her toes. “Follow me!”
We form a clump behind Mia and make to leave the dining room, but run into Jasper and Clayton at the door.
“Jasper!”
Mia catches him off guard, and his eyes snap to her before traveling to me. His brow is low, his mouth a straight line.
“Wanna come to the den for gingerbread and coffee? You too, Clayton.”
“I’m in,” Clayton says, clasping Jasper’s shoulder.
“I…need to call my father,” Jasper says gruffly. Mia looks disappointed and Clayton is a little surprised. “Sorry, maybe some other time.”
Mia shrugs it off. “No problem, good night. See you on the slopes tomorrow.”
“Good night,” Jasper says, then darts off into the hall.
“Do you think he’s annoyed because Daddy forgot he doesn’t eat meat?” Mia asks Clayton, looking absolutely terrified.
“Of course not,” he says laughing. “Jasper loves eating nothing but string beans and cabbage. He’s just one of those early to bed early to rise types. Always has been.” Clayton wraps an arm around Mia. “Me on the other hand, I don’t plan on sleeping untilmuchlater.”
Gross.
They lead us down to the den, which looks like the basement from every teen boy’s dreams. A pool table is lit from above in the far corner, a jukebox glows and hums beneath a neon sign that says Cocktails in fluoro-pink cursive, there’s a fully stocked bar, a dartboard with three darts sticking out at weird angles, and an array of squishy-looking leather sofas surrounding a coffee table.
A few Rocky Pack kids are already situated on their sofas. I nod to them as we enter, then my eye catches on the cute guy with the tight blond curls.
