<h4>Chapter 233: A Christmas Like No Other</h4>


    <strong>Evaline:</strong>


    The next few days blurred past me like kes of snow against a foggy window.


    Just as Draven had said, River returned to the mansion that very afternoon. His expression was unreadable but his steps steady. He looked better - less pale, more himself. I had half-expected him to avoid me or downy the whole thing, but he surprised me.


    When I passed him in the hallway outside the grand staircase, he slowed to a stop and looked at me. The moment held weight. Jasper stopped just a few paces behind him.


    "Thank you," River said, his tone low but clear. "For staying. For helping. For proving me right."


    I nodded, my voice lost somewhere between relief and awkwardness. "I’m just d... you are okay."


    He nodded once, and the moment ended as swiftly as it came. They moved on, and I was left standing there, watching his retreating form like I always did - trying not to think too hard about what I felt and why I shouldn’t feel it.


    - - -


    The next three days were spent tucked inside a bubble of warmth I hadn’t known I needed.


    While the mansion’s halls glittered with lights and gands, my room slowly transformed into a cozy winter haven. Oscar insisted we go "all out" with the decorations. He brought even more crates of ornaments, warm lights, a fake snow machine - yes, seriously - and even a velvet red tree skirt.


    Draven showed up with hot chocte, a smug smile, and an armful of pine-scented candles. Kieran somehow had the most practical ideas -mand strips,dder handling, and knowing how many bulbs a string could support before fizzling out.


    Weughed a lot and I enjoyed theirpany much more than the alone time I used to prefer in the past.


    But the biggest surprise came on the evening of the 24th, when we were adding final touches to the tree.


    Kieran was adjusting the ribbon, Draven was untangling yet another strand of lights, Oscar was and I were on the floor, sorting through a box of leftover ornaments, when the door creaked open.


    And River walked in.


    None of us had expected him. He was dressed in ck as always, but without a coat, his hair slightly tousled. He didn’t say a word. Just walked past us, reached for the golden star resting on the small coffee desk, and... without ceremony... ced it at the top of the tree.


    The moment froze.


    He stepped back, gave the star onest nce, then turned and walked out.


    No exnation. No nod. Noment.


    We all stared after him, wide-eyed and silent.


    Oscar was the first to speak. "Okay, that... just happened."


    Draven hummed. "Did he even blink?"


    "At least now the tree has his approval." Kieran added with a shake of his head.


    As for me, I had a smile ying on my lips that threatened way more than I was ready to admit.


    That night, while the brothers hosted the Roguemunity’s Christmas Eve party, I opted for a quieter evening.


    I curled up in my favorite knit sweater with my tablet and a te of cookies, Face-Timing Mallory, Kyros, and Rowan.


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    Mallory was wearing a glittery red dress and had obviously already downed one too many candy cane martinis. "Girl, you are glowing. Don’t think I didn’t notice."


    I shook my head. "It’s the lighting."


    "It’s the Rogue boys," Rowan chimed in with a teasing smirk. "She’s in the middle of her own winter romance novel."


    Kyros just smiled knowingly, sipping from a ss of spiked eggnog. "You deserve peace, Eva. Especially this kind."


    Despite their teasing, it was good to see them. To hear themugh. To feel grounded.


    - - -


    When Christmas morning finally arrived, I woke up slowly, buried underyers of soft nkets and the faint scent of pine and cinnamon.


    A faint glow from my Christmas tree was filling the room in gold and green hues. But what really caught my attention were the gifts - over a dozen of them - neatly arranged under the tree.


    My heart skipped.


    I didn’t dare touch them yet. Instead, I slid out of bed and padded into the bathroom to freshen up.


    Just as I stepped out after getting dressed, a knock sounded at the door.


    I opened it to find Oscar and Draven standing there, both grinning like boys who knew they were up to no good.


    "Merry Christmas," Oscar said as he stepped inside and pulled me into his arms, kissing me squarely on the lips.


    Iughed, feeling slightly breathless as Draven literally snatched me away from his brother. His kiss was slower, deeper, and he whispered his greeting against my lips.


    They didn’t even give me time to wish them back. But I didn’t mind. Being wrapped in their warmth was the best start to this special day.


    After getting dressed in cozy matching Christmas sweaters - thanks to Draven’s coordination - the five of us gathered in the living room near the roaring firece and the giant Christmas tree.


    River sat with a book in one corner, pretending not to be part of the group while clearly listening to everything. Kieran handed out steaming mugs of cider and spiced hot cocoa, while Draven yed soft instrumental Christmas music in the background.


    Oscar was in his element, of course. He passed out gifts with a dramatic ir, announcing each recipient like an award presenter.


    Most of their gifts came from the Alphas and high-ranking people from around the shifter world, or their fangirls. And honestly, none of them looked excited to even spare another nce at those presents.


    After a while, Oscar got tired and turned to face me.


    "Just give me a hint on what kind of present wrap you have used, or the size of the box, or any other information that can help me find your presents. I can’t keep going like this."


    I noticed how the other three immediately shifted their attention to me, even River.


    I stood up and walked toward the cluster of gifts, easily finding the boxes I secretly ced theretest night.


    "Great. Let’s bring all these to your room and open our presents together."