Chapter 28 A Little Frostbite Never Hurt Anyone
Sienna
Our trip was basically a highlight reel of Teyam and Gael bickering like they’d been married for forty years, Tristan’s weirdly good singing, and Elizabeth’s perfect little laugh at every one of Gael’s jokes. I mostly stared out the window, watching the world blur until the green trees finally turned white. The air grew crisp, and that’s when it hit me—we were finally at Silver Spring.
I couldn’t help myself; I cracked the window and stuck my hand out.
“Snow!” I gasped. The cold hit my skin, and I watched a flake melt into a tiny wet drop against my palm. “It’s actually beautiful.”
“Beautiful? That’s nothing. Look at that,” Tristan said, pointing ahead.
Down the road, a town flickered with white lights and traditional-looking houses. It didn't look like some medieval movie set; it looked like a cozy, high-end winter escape.
“Wow,” I breathed.
“Damn, okay. Now that is a view,” Teyam added, leaning over.
I leaned forward, resting my hand on the back of Tristan’s seat. “So, what’s the Alpha actually doing here anyway? Is it just boring business?”
I caught a smirk in the rearview mirror. “Our ‘Great Alpha’ is officially on the marriage market. The Alpha here, Carius, got wind of it and knew exactly how to bait the hook. He’s using the Academy as an excuse to invite students over to his hospital, but it’s a total setup. I bet he’s planning to parade his daughter in front of Sebastian the second we land.”
He chuckled, turning his head just enough to give me a teasing, wicked look before focusing back on the road.
“And... we’re here,” he announced, pulling up to a gorgeous inn. You could see the steam from the hot springs rising into the air like thick fog.
My brain was stuck on one thing. Marriage? Sev is looking for a wife?
“Wait—when did he even announce that?” I blurted out. My heart felt like it had been dunked in ice water.
Tristan just shrugged. “Before you got here? I don’t know, I forgot. Anyway, let’s go.” He hopped out of the driver’s seat, leaving me sitting there in a total daze.
Marriage? I mean, I knew Alphas needed Lunas, but did I really think he’d just stay single forever waiting for me? I scoffed at myself. Dream on, Sienna. But a girl could dream, right?
“What are you doing? Get your bags out,” Tristan said, sliding the door open. The others were already hauling their stuff.
I glared at him and shoved past, making him chuckle. “Hurt?” he whispered as I grabbed my suitcase. “If you want him, then make him yours. I’ve got a plan.”
I froze mid-reach. “Why do you even care?”
“Because it’s fun,” he said with a wink.
I shook my head, grabbed my stuff, and headed toward the entrance where the others were waiting. Tristan followed right behind me like a shadow. “I made sure his room is at the very end,” he whispered, his eyebrows wiggling like a maniac. “Yours is right next to his, and mine is across from his. Some privacy, don’t you think?”
I kept my mouth shut. I was honestly grateful, but he was way too annoying for a thank-you.
“What took you so long?” Gael complained once I finally caught up.
“I’m here, aren’t I?” I snapped. She rolled her eyes and then darted a look back at Tristan.
“Is there something going on between you and the Beta?” she asked, sounding way too suspicious.
“W-what? No!” I stammered. To her, I probably sounded like I was hiding something big.
Before I could dig a deeper hole, Tristan spoke up. “Let’s check in. Come on, move it.”
At the desk, the woman handed over our keys. When I grabbed mine, Tristan gave me another wink—and of course, Gael saw it.
“That wasn't... we aren't...” I started, but how could I explain that he was winking because I was about to be Sev’s neighbor? Gael just gave me this ‘I see you’ look.
Fine, think what you want, I thought, surrendering and heading to my room.
I’d barely unpacked when a knock came at my door. Gael, Teyam, and Elizabeth were standing there like they were ready for a party.
“We’re going to the open hot spring! Now!” Gael exclaimed, dragging me out of the room before I could even grab a hair tie.
“Aren't we supposed to wait for tonight?” I asked, stumbling after her.
“No way! It’s freezing now, which makes it better. Let's go!”
We arrived at the open spring and the first thing we saw was the Beta, standing there with nothing but a towel around his waist. Gael’s eyes immediately shot back to me.
“You have it totally wrong,” I hissed at her, my face heating up in anger.
Seriously, did she really think I was into the Beta? I mean, Tristan is a lot of things, but he's also very much married, has three kids, and a mate he’s basically obsessed with. Besides, my heart was already occupied by a much bigger, much more complicated problem.
"Oh, you're here." Tristan said, sounding a little caught off guard once he finally spotted us through the haze.
“The Alpha is around here somewhere, too,” he added, looking around.
My heart skipped a beat. Sev was here! But I wasn't the only one reacting; Elizabeth shifted right next to me, her knuckles turning white as she clasped her hands together like she was saying a prayer.
“It’s time to show the Alpha your charms,” I heard Gael whisper in her ear. Elizabeth gave this tiny, shy little nod that made my stomach do a nauseous flip.
“What are you teaching poor, innocent Elizabeth now?” Teyam asked, shaking his head at them.
Gael ignored him completely. “Excuse us, Beta. We’re going to go... get ready.” She didn't wait for an answer, grabbing me and Elizabeth and dragging us toward the lockers before I could even get a word in.
Gael basically had to give Elizabeth a full-blown motivational seminar before she finally agreed to come out, shivering and clutching her towel like it was a bulletproof vest.
“This way. Let’s go this way,” Gael led for the tenth time, marching through the steam like a woman on a mission.
“We’ve been walking for like five minutes. Are you looking for Teyam or something?” I asked, my feet starting to get cold on the stone floor. This place was massive.
“Better. I’m finding the Alpha,” she said with a naughty grin. Elizabeth gasped, her eyes going wide. “Think about it—who has the best shot at being Luna if not Elizabeth? She needs to make her move. Let’s go, Eliza!” She pulled the reluctant girl away.
I followed, feeling a sick twist in my gut.
“Did you hear? The biggest snowstorm is hitting the Southern area,” I heard an old man say as we passed a group of locals soaking in a smaller pool.
The idea hit me. It was evil—I knew it was—but I couldn't stop the thought from taking root.
What if Elizabeth "accidentally" ended up in that Southern area? Totally by accident, of course.