Evaline:
I didn’t even realize I was moving until I felt the soft fibers of Kieran’s sweater against my fingertips.
My gaze was fixed on River, who was now nearly done peeling the gift wrap off the small rectangular box in his hands. Panic crept into my chest as if every layer of that wrap was a protective shield, and with each one being stripped away, I was being exposed.
Why did I even buy that book?
The wrapping fell away completely, revealing the smooth black box. Kieran shifted beside me, glancing at my hand now clutched at his side, his brow quirking slightly in confusion.
I quickly shook my head, pleading silently for him not to say anything. To his credit, he didn’t, though one of his hands came down and gently covered mine. Normally, that small gesture would have distracted me... but right now, I was too focused on the time bomb in River’s hands.
River lifted the lid and looked inside.
And just like that, his entire face froze.
Gone was the calm, composed Rogue Alpha King. Gone was the mildly amused, mildly curious man watching me open gifts just moments ago. In his place was cold, unforgiving silence. A wall of ice formed in his gaze as it immediately lifted to meet mine.
That glare. It was sharp enough to slice through my confidence like paper.
I instinctively curled further behind Kieran, gripping his sweater tighter.
He stiffened. "What did she get you?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity and amusement, completely unaware of the war I was having with my soul at the moment.
River pulled out the book with slow deliberation, as if showing evidence of a crime.
"Learn How To Be a Better Boss," he read aloud, the sarcasm practically dripping from each word.
There was a beat of silence.
Then Kieran snorted.
And in the next breath, he burst out laughing. Hard.
"Oh my god," he wheezed. "You actually gave him that? You gave him a book on how to be a better boss?"
I didn’t answer. Couldn’t. My head was bowed low, my cheeks hot enough to melt the North. I was cursing every impulse, every ounce of mischief that had once made me think this gift would be perfect to irritate the life out of my boss.
River’s aura felt lethal.
"I thought it was funny in the store," I muttered in my defense, barely audible.
"Don’t be mad at her," Kieran said through more laughter. "It’s a very thoughtful gift. I mean, come on, you do need the motivation, brother. Like, desperately."
I closed my eyes.
Kieran. Stop talking. Please.
I felt River’s mood go from icy to glacial. Even Kieran’s presence wasn’t enough to protect me now. Not when he was fanning the flames like that. I peeked up only when I heard movement - River was rising to his feet, holding the book up for me to see.
His jaw was tight. His voice calm. Too calm.
"You’ll definitely see a better version of your boss in the near future," he said with a clipped smile that did not reach his eyes. "Consider this a promise, Miss Greystone."
With that, he walked out.
I let out a long groan and collapsed back onto the rug, burying my face in my palms.
"I’m going to die," I whispered.
Kieran chuckled again, and I felt his hand ruffle my hair gently. "You’ll be fine. He won’t make things hard for you."
I lifted my head just enough to squint at him. "You clearly don’t know your brother as well as you think you do."
"Maybe," he shrugged, still smiling, "but I do know he respects you, even when you test him like this."
I grumbled again, refusing to believe him, but let myself be soothed by his calm energy. It was nice, being with Kieran. He was like that one grounding element in a storm of chaos. Even now, when I felt like burying myself in a snowbank out of embarrassment, he had a way of making things feel a little less tragic.
To change the subject, and probably give me a reason to breathe again, he reached over and picked up one of the four remaining boxes near the tree. And then handed it to me. "Here. Open this one."
I glanced at the tag. From Kieran.
Feeling my nerves settle slightly, I unwrapped it carefully. Inside, I found several scrolls bound with deep green ribbon, a cluster of small sample vials nestled in cushioned lining, and a leather-bound notebook.
I picked up one of the scrolls and unrolled it gently - potion recipes. Detailed, well-written, and clearly categorized. I turned to the notebook next. It was old, slightly worn at the edges, and filled with Kieran’s familiar handwriting.
"I wrote that notebook when I was in my final year," he said softly, watching me with a quiet pride. "It’s mostly about herbs and potion crafting. Some of the rarer combinations are near the end."
I stared at him.
"This... this is amazing," I said, stunned. "You are giving me your notes?"
He nodded with a smile. "You have a natural curiosity for herbs and potions. I thought maybe this would help."
"It’s more than help," I breathed, flipping through the pages. "This is... this is years of work."
"And now it’s yours."
My heart swelled. This wasn’t just a present. It was a gift from someone who saw me and believed in the work I had been putting in for months now.
He didn’t say anything else. He didn’t need to. His presence alone was comfort enough. After the chaos of River’s glare and the adrenaline of that awkward moment, this - his soft gaze and his thoughtful gift - felt like a warm blanket.
I hugged the notebook to my chest. "Thank you," I said softly.
He simply nodded.
And for a few moments, we just sat there, beneath the warm glow of the lights strung across my tree, surrounded by the scattered bits of wrapping paper and lingering scent of pine.
Minutes later, he stood up too. "I shouldn’t get going too. Get some rest. I’ll see at dinner."