“So, the single mom woke up the next day to a delivery van full of gifts and a big Christmas tree! Upon asking the men who brought the gifts over, she found out that everything came from her new boss, the same man who brought her and her children to an amusement park the night before. But at the back of her mind, she started to worry again that these presents may have some strings attached…”
“The story sounds so familiar,” Siel told her mate with a smile as she watched her children enjoying another storytelling session with Myron and Raquel. “Also, how many bonfires does your pack celebrate, anyway?”
“As many as we can, Elena; and I am quite thankful,” answered the Alpha as they continued to eat and drink at one of the banquet tables nearest the large pile of burning firewood. “It gives me more opportunities to introduce you as my mate.”
“Hmmm… I hope that doesn’t mean I’m now going to be pressured to live here because I’m the supposed Luna to the Alpha of the Silvercrest pack.”
“Like I’ve promised you even before Christmas, princess… It will always be your choice, and I will never push you to do anything that you don’t want to do.”
“Alright, so you aren’t going to force your Christmas present on me?”
V looked at Siel with furrowed brows. “The Roadster? I thought you didn’t want it?”
“Oh, I want it. But I don’t want to receive it without giving you something in exchange.”
“But Elena, that wouldn’t be a gift anymore.”
“Alright, what about exchanging gifts? So, you let me give you a present in exchange for the Roadster. What do you say?”
V’s right eyebrow shot up. “I’d accept a handkerchief from you just so you accept my Christmas present.”
“Well, what I’ll offer you is a little more exciting than a handkerchief, V.”
“Ok, let’s hear it.”
Siel whispered into V’s ear, and the Alpha’s face showed shock, amazement, and delight all at the same time.
“Are you SURE, Elena? That can’t possibly… I mean, coming from you…”
“I just need a yes or no, V. And I hope it’s a yes…”
“By the Goddess, of course! How can a man say no to such an offer?”
“Alright then, back to the story…”
Unfortunately for V, he could no longer concentrate on the tale being told at the bonfire. His mind kept shifting to the offer he had just gotten from his mate and was still torn up about it. Well, I’d say yes to anything so I can give her my Tesla Roadster. Plus, I can manage to keep our sessions tame. But no safe word? I can’t believe she trusts me that much!
* * *
“And the Alpha threatened the man that if he ever harms his mate and his children again, he will pay him back, not with dollars but with blood. The villain laughed and threatened the CEO werewolf back, saying that if anything happened to him, he would expose him to the woman he loves and she would forever see him as a monster. The thing was, the Alpha had other plans…” “Well, our villain will never be able to do anything bad to you anymore, my fruit pop. Even before his sentence was finally carried out, he was still unrepentant. Like, he really still believed you two really had something going on. He’s a real psycho, that one!”
“I’m just glad it’s my brother who was chosen to complete his punishment. The thought of you or me dealing with him… still gives me the chills.”
“Yeah, I know. Trauma is a bitch…”
“Well, Alexia is very willing to put me under a program to help me with that. And I’m no longer too proud to accept help… or to admit when I’m wrong…”
“Diwa, you were a victim…”
“Yes, and I don’t have to stay that way. Especially now that I have you…”
“As the Alpha would always say when talking about his mate, he can wait. So can I, cheese puffs. From here on after, you decide when you want to visit the Packhouse. Meanwhile, I’ll find time in between my tasks as Beta to visit you at your house in the city. And no pressure whatsoever. Whatever makes you happy, ok?”
Diwa felt a painful twist in her heart. “There you go again, giving up everything you want for me to be happy. I told you not to do that again remember, so let me give you something, too. Please…”
“Only if you want to, Di.”
“OK, what if I come over here during weekends at least once a month and you can visit my house anytime? I can give you your own key…”
Aaron’s small smile stretched to a happy puppy grin. “Anything you want, pumpkin pie. Anything at all…”
* * *
“And, as the man was confronted by the females he had wronged, the Gamma brought in the cops to bring the villain to jail. Unfortunately, the Alpha’s mate, as she overheard one of the policemen call the CEO ‘Alpha’, started to doubt her man. She then asked her boss to enter her house and asked for an explanation. He answered her questions as honestly as he could, and she seemed to be open to the truth. And then he shifted in front of her…”
“I can definitely relate to her. Imagine my surprise back then, finding out that you’re from a rival pack,” the Gamma-Female whispered into M’s ear.
Ma’Heron’s hardness was now starting to tent his pants, as his mate’s sultry voice and warm breath tickled his ear. And no, he was not making any effort to hide it. After all, he couldn’t exactly keep his heat hidden from his mate, who could smell it even if they were a quarter of a mile apart. The same applied to him, of course.
And as the story of the Alpha of the Silvercrest pack continued to be told and presented to the eager audience, M took this time to look at his bro, at the other side of the circle of banqueting tables and chairs…
He found himself smiling at the joyful and blissful looks of his sister and at how Aaron had his arm around her in a tender and protective manner. As if his friend felt someone’s eyes on him, the Beta finally looked towards M and gave him a smile and a small salute. Ma’Heron responded with a nod.
Now that you understand what I understood two years ago, Aaron, I know you and my sister will be very happy together. In the same way, I am happy with my mate now. I’m just glad you learned this, just in time. I look forward to hearing your story at the bonfire come Valentine’s Day.
An hour later, fireworks erupted in the sky. The DJ started playing dance tracks, and everyone stood to start the countdown.
3, 2, 1… HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The cheers were deafening as everybody in that party began to dance the night away as they welcomed the start of a more hopeful and prosperous year for their pack.
And we wish the same for you…
* * *
Dear reader, if you want to know more about V and Siel’s story, feel free to search for
“Her Christmas Wolf” by Myrrh D. Keizer and Mia Reid. May we see you again this coming Valentine’s Day for the Gamma and his mate’s love story.
And may you have a happy new year!