Page 45 of Crushes and Confections
“The school gymnasium survived,” Claire pointed out with a shrug.
“We’ll be hearing that story after this,” Adrien said with a small twitch of his lips.
“But in all seriousness the Holiday Hollow Courting Countdown is meant to bring packs together and help them establish a stable foundation together, and with their community. It’s a bit quirky, just like us, and we sincerely wish the four of you the best of luck on your journey. Without further ado, Janet, could you please come up and join us to read the charge?”
Janet took the mayor’s place, standing between us, Claire and Adrien on one side, Riley and I on the other.
“This year, since those rascals forewent a courting ceremony of their own,” Janet said, looking pointedly at the pack we’d been introduced to at the auction, “Pack Halston has graciously decided to sponsor the future Pack Laveaux should they wish to complete the list. For each item on the countdown you complete, a member of the community will give you an item. You never know who it may be. Once you receive an item, please take it to Boone at his store on Main Street.”
“That’s my alpha!” Autumn called out from the crowd, making the stoic alpha beside her blush.
I could totally see why she was friends with Claire and Riley. Maybe the Halston pack could give us a few useful tips.
“When all five items are complete, the sponsoring pack will present a gift from Holiday Hollow to the Laveaux pack that they can have to remember this joyous time in the forming of their pack,” Janet said.
I thought it was sweet that the community celebrated the forming of packs like this, but I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect when Janet began to read the list.
Holiday Hollow’s Courting Countdown
5. To go forward you must go back, learn each other and take a page from the rack.
4. Next be careful, next be quick, open yourself, it’s just a nick.
3. Build the walls and seal the seams, fill thy Hollow up with teams.
2. One or two, milk, no cream, straight black, or just a steam, it’s time to learn the little things.
1. All that’s left is the heart, a moment in time, never to part.
I could feel the wave of confusion down the bond from Adrien, and admittedly he wasn’t the only one. The whole thing was quirky, and I wasn’t sure if I was in a small town in North Carolina or on a stage at The Globe hearing a bastardized version of iambic pentameter mixed with some southern rhyme schemes.
“Okay, that’s even stranger than I remember,” Riley muttered under his breath.
“I’m glad I’m not the only one,” I said with a small laugh.
“Let the courting commence!” Janet cheered, the rest of the crowd that had gathered joining her.
Janet stepped down from the gazebo, giving the four of us a moment.
“Well, that was certainly something,” Adrien said.
“How are you feeling?” Claire asked seriously. “Any regrets?”
“No,” Adrien said firmly, cupping her cheek and reassuring our omega.
Footsteps sounded against the wood, pulling my attention to Autumn who was bounding up the stairs, her pack not too far behind her.
Claire gave Adrien a quick kiss before turning towards her friend.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me y’all were sponsoring us?!”
“Surprise!” Autumn said, throwing her arms around our omega before holding an arm out. “Get your cute ass over here, Riley.”
“They always like this?” I asked Jack, who had stepped up beside me.
He chuckled. “I’m pretty sure it’s only gotten worse since they’re all tied into business together, between the orchard and the distribution, and goods that Claire partners with. So much excitement, so many ideas.”
“I’m glad they have friends they can count on,” I said, a warm feeling settling in my chest as I watched them. There was a carefree, happiness they possessed that we’d been lacking in our lives.
