by Katie Reus
She smiled even more broadly and opened one of the credenza doors. “What a lovely idea.” She pulled out a handful of brochures. “This one has everything you’ll need to know about my home. But I’ve included some other brochures on local spas and fun things to do around here. I’m sure you already know about the ski lodges. We’ve got a great relationship with them and if you tell them you’re staying here, they’ll usually discount your ski rentals. And of course we’re online so feel free to follow us on social media.”
He nearly snorted. He wasn’t on any social media. The humans could keep that shit for themselves. But he smiled. “This is wonderful, thank you.”
“I—” She winced at the sound of glass breaking in a nearby room. The kitchen, if he had to guess. “Ah, excuse me for just a moment.”
As soon as the swinging door closed behind her, he hurried up the stairs on quiet feet, following Larissa’s scent and squashing his conscience that he was acting insane.
He knew he was. He just didn’t give a shit.
Her dark forest scent led to a door on the end of the second-floor hallway. He knocked once and was almost surprised when it opened a moment later.
A pretty female shifter with blonde hair and dark brown eyes opened the door and just stared at him. Behind her he saw Larissa sitting on a tufted crimson chaise lounge by a window.
Her indigo blue eyes flashed with surprise, then distress. She jolted to her feet, her blue-black hair a waterfall over her shoulder. “What are you doing here?”
“I should ask you the same thing.” The blonde was still staring at him wide-eyed, but he ignored her, focused on his bondmate, who’d hurried to the female’s side.
“I… Damn it, Aiden! You ruined the surprise.” She grabbed him by the hand and tugged him inside, shutting the door behind him.
He flicked a glance to the female, who looked oddly familiar. He’d seen eyes like hers…every freaking day when he looked in the mirror. “Who are you?” he demanded, much harsher than intended.
The female just blinked rapidly, seeming almost speechless as she swiped away tears.
Larissa tucked up against him, linking her arm through his. “We’re going to talk about your sneaky behavior later, but Aiden, this is Catriona, your sister.”
He blinked, unsure he’d heard right. “I have a sister?”
“You really didn’t know about me?” The female burst into tears.
Panic hummed through him. He turned to his mate, unsure what to say or do. He’d come here for… Hell, he wasn’t sure what he’d thought he’d find. Not this. He couldn’t believe he had a sister he didn’t know about.
“Long story short, Catriona reached out to Connor when she discovered where you were living—against your parents’ knowledge—and Connor had Ryan look into her to make sure she was really your sister. Then he came to me to set up a surprise for you for Christmas. We’ve been emailing and Skyping, but she just got in from Edinburgh this morning.”
He could only stare.
“I’m so sorry for just showing up like this. Mum and Dad never said much about you, just that…” Catriona cleared her throat, her accent bringing up long-buried memories of his homeland. “I’ve always wanted to meet you, and when I turned eighteen I decided I was going to, no matter what they said.”
Eighteen? Christ, he felt about a hundred looking at her. “If I’d known you existed I would have reached out a lot sooner,” he rasped out. When he thought Larissa had been murdered and his own pack had turned their backs on him, he’d left and never looked back. He’d never even returned to Scotland in all these years. Hadn’t even been across the pond at all.
The girl launched herself at him and he barely caught her in time. She was tall, like him, and though slender she was solid like all shifters. Wrapping his arms around her, a stunned laugh slipped out. He had a sister. Merry Christmas.
Thank you for this, he said to Larissa, looking at her over Catriona’s shoulder.
You’re welcome… You better not have thought I was coming here to meet up with a male. Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she eyed him. And how did you know I was here, anyway?
I didn’t think you’d cheat. And I’ll tell you the rest later. Because he was feeling too embarrassed to admit the truth now. That he’d pretty much stalked his mate using her phone.
I’m going to leave you two alone for a bit. I’ll be downstairs getting tea. She was out the door before he could respond, moving with the grace and agility of someone of her power and age.
Stepping back, his sister wiped away errant tears and he wasn’t ashamed to admit he had to blink back a few himself. “I don’t even know where to start,” he said.
“I hope you’ll start by telling me I can stay for Christmas.”
“Definitely. You can stay as long as you want.” His heart swelled with an excess of emotions as he collapsed on one of the side chairs and she did the same, sitting on the chaise across from him. He had so many damn questions, wanted to know everything about her. Staring at her, there was no denying they were related, and if his packmate Ryan had researched her then he knew for a fact she was who she said she was.
Embarrassed as he was for having followed his mate here, he was glad he’d done it now. He’d never felt as if he was missing anything once he had Larissa in his life again, but having family he might be able to have a real relationship with?
This was the best Christmas present he could have wished for.
Reaching out, he took his sister’s hand in his and she gave him the biggest smile, almost as if relieved.
Merry Christmas, indeed.
Chapter 7
Vivian held Lucas’s hand as they raced down the stairs. It was Friday afternoon and since they were so close to Christmas they didn’t have school today and would be off for two weeks after that.
Two whole weeks. She couldn’t wait. She’d overheard Ana and Connor talking about potentially putting her and Lucas in a human school but she hoped they didn’t.
She loved it on the ranch, loved being able to shift to her jaguar anytime she needed to during school. Sometimes it was just too hard to keep her human form. She needed to run free. And okay, she loved sleeping on tree branches under a warm sun.
“Where are we going?” Lucas asked, running alongside her.
He was the best friend ever. He never told her they shouldn’t do something, even if they probably shouldn’t. But the way she saw it, it was better to do something and get in trouble for it later than ask to do something and be told no. She’d discovered that she got in way less trouble if she did something she hadn’t been told she couldn’t.
Not her fault she didn’t know all the rules.
“I want to see if Esperanze can take us into town.” Because she had a big secret and needed to get a last-minute present.
“For what?”
She glanced around as they reached the foyer. She scented Ana but couldn’t tell if her mom was in the house or not. Technically Ana was her adopted mom, but the truth was, Vivian thought of her as her mom and had started calling her that sometimes. It felt a little weird since her own mom had died, but…she really loved Ana. And she knew with a bone-deep certainty that her own mom would have wanted her to be happy.
“I can’t tell you yet,” she whispered. Noel wasn’t here and she knew that Connor wasn’t either, but she didn’t know about Ana.
“Is this something that’s gonna get me in trouble? Again?” Lucas lifted an eyebrow.
She flipped her dark hair over her shoulder. “Maybe.” It wasn’t, but she wanted to see what he’d say.
He sighed, sounding kind of like Ryan. He’d been adopted by Ryan when he was four. She liked that she had that in common with Lucas. Whenever she was with him, she knew she belonged somewhere. “Fine. Just wanted to know ahead of time.”
She snorted. “You won’t get in trouble. I promise. I just want to buy a present.”
Ana stepped out of the living room at that moment, looking at h
er cell phone, clearly distracted. She blinked when she saw them. “Hey, kiddos. I thought you were at Ryan and Teresa’s,” she said, looking between them.
“We were. But I had to get something.” Vivian had just grabbed money from her piggy bank. She’d been saving for a while and was really glad she had been. Now she wouldn’t have to ask Connor for money.
“Where are you guys going?”
“To see Esperanze.” It was true, she just didn’t want to tell Ana why.
“There’s no school today.”
“I know but we need her help with something,” Lucas said, smiling so innocently.
Vivian wondered how he pulled it off because she never could. Ana always seemed to know when she was up to something.
“Oh, well can I help you?”
“Nah, we’re okay. I’ve got my cell phone with me if you need me though.” He gave that sweet smile again, looking all guileless—a word she’d just learned in school. It was totally appropriate for Lucas’s expression right now.
Ana just nodded and kissed both of them on the forehead before heading to the kitchen.
“Man, I have no idea how you do that.” Vivian said once they were outside and far enough away from the house.
“Do what?”
“No one ever questions you about anything.”
He just shot her a sideways look. He didn’t have to say a word. She already knew what he was thinking. She always did. Of course no one ever questioned him because he was pretty much perfect. He never broke the rules. Not really. He bent them when he was with her though.
“So what present are you getting?”
She bit her bottom lip, looked over her shoulder and then glanced around the main yard. A few of their packmates were out, but not many. Still… “It’s a secret.”
He seemed intrigued, looked around with her. “Come on.” He grabbed her hand and they ran for the barn.
Once they were inside they ducked into a stall that had been turned into a storage shed. “What’s the secret?”
Vivian didn’t bother asking Lucas not to tell anyone. He was her best friend. He’d never break her trust. “I think Ana’s pregnant.”
His eyes widened. “For real?”
“Yep. I found a bunch of empty pregnancy test boxes in the garbage outside.”
He frowned. “Why were you in the outside garbage?”
“That doesn’t matter. Once I saw those I looked in all the garbage cans in the house and found a couple of those stick thingies buried in one of the little garbage cans. They were all positive.”
“That’s awesome.”
She was glad he thought so too. “I know. But now I have to get the baby a present.”
His frown deepened. “The baby won’t be here for a while.”
“So what? I still need to get her something.”
“Her?”
She shrugged. “I kinda hope it’s a girl.” The thought of having a little sister was awesome. But she’d be happy with a little brother too.
“Maybe we should ask Leila to take us into town instead of Esperanze. What if, like, Esperanze tells Ana we know?”
Vivian shook her head. “I thought of that. Leila’s out with her boyfriend.”
“Okay, well maybe if we beg she’ll keep it a secret.”
“She will.” Esperanze was an awesome teacher and Vivian trusted her.
“Did you get me a present?”
“Of course.” She couldn’t believe he’d even asked.
He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out something wrapped in brown paper. “I was going to wait until Christmas but…I made this for you.” He shoved it at her, his cheeks flushing red.
Excitement hummed through her. She loved getting presents. When she tugged on the twine, her breath caught in her throat. “You made this?” It was a small wood carving of a wolf who looked exactly like Lucas, and a much smaller jaguar who looked just like her. It was so beautiful and detailed.
He nodded and kicked at the dusty ground. A couple pieces of hay moved. He seemed almost embarrassed, though she wasn’t sure why. His gift was incredible.
“This is the best thing anyone’s ever given me. I love it.” She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. “I’m glad we’re best friends.”
“Me too.”
“Do you want your present tonight, or do you want to wait until Christmas?” she asked, stepping back. He had way more patience than her so she guessed he’d wait.
He half-grinned as if he read her mind. “I’ll wait.”
“Okay. You ready to find Esperanze?”
“Yep.” He grabbed her hand in his and they ran out together.
Just like always, whenever they held hands, her jaguar was completely peaceful and happy. Deep down, she knew they’d be best friends forever.
* * *
December glanced around the area behind her house. On the ranch they didn’t have fenced-in yards and she wanted to make sure no one could see her when she shifted back to her human form.
Which was still a surreal thought for her to have. After giving birth six months ago she was now able to shift into a wolf.
A motherfreaking wolf.
It was nuts and incredible at the same time. So she did it as often as she could, running around in wolf form everywhere and anywhere she was able.
That didn’t mean she was okay with the whole nudity thing that so many of her packmates were fine with.
She did not relish the idea of showing her breasts to someone then sitting across the table from them at a Sunday dinner. The only person who would see her naked was her mate, Liam. Once she was sure the coast was clear, she shifted back, letting the change come over her in a rush of magical warmth.
Breathing hard, she pushed up to her feet and hurried inside. She’d left her clothes folded neatly on the kitchen counter before heading out and was glad they were still there. Sometimes Liam liked to move them so she had to run around the house naked.
And if she was naked then he inevitably got naked too. Not that there was a thing wrong with that. She smiled just thinking about her delicious mate and all the ways he made her moan his name.
After tugging on her sweater and jeans, she went in search of her mate and sweet baby girl. In their living room Liam was stretched out on a recliner with six-month-old Ellie tucked right in the crook of his arm.
With broad shoulders and standing about six feet, two inches, the male looked like a linebacker. Right now he was shirtless and showing off the tattoo on his chest of his family crest. It was hard to believe that at one time she’d tried to resist this male.
He smiled a little sleepily at her. “How was the run?” he asked quietly.
“Exhilarating. It’s so cold out, I love it.” She grabbed a throw blanket and tucked it around him and Ellie before she kissed him. Just a lazy meeting of mouths she wished could turn in to more.
But not with a sleeping baby in the house. It was just the way things were. If they started getting frisky it was like Ellie had radar and would wake up demanding to be changed, fed or any number of things.
So December stretched out on the couch nearest him and grabbed another throw blanket, pulled it over herself. She smiled at the two people who meant more to her than anything. A year ago she never could have imagined this life for herself, that she’d be mated to a shifter, be a shifter herself and have the sweetest baby girl in the world.
“So, I think I know a secret before you do.” Liam gave her a grin, all sexy smugness.
She just snorted and tucked an arm behind her head. “Somehow I doubt that.” Everyone in the pack seemed to tell her their secrets. Which she didn’t actually mind. She loved how welcoming everyone had been, and she never doubted that she was a full-fledged, accepted member of this pack even if she hadn’t been born a shifter.
“I overheard the cubs talking in the barn. They thought they were alone and I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but…Vivian thinks Ana’s pregnant.”
Dece
mber jolted up. “For real?”
He nodded, smug grin still in place and growing wider. “Yep. Can’t believe I found out before you.”
“Does Connor know?” Because she was surprised his brother hadn’t told him.
“I don’t think so. He’s been so damn busy lately, but no, he’d have told me.” He shifted slightly when Ellie made little gurgling sounds in her sleep.
“Knowing Ana, she’s probably going to tell him on Christmas morning as a surprise.” Ana was one of the first shifters to make her feel truly welcome into the pack and December adored her.
“Sounds about right. So…you ready for another one?”
She blinked, surprised by the question. “Ah…maybe in a couple years.” She loved Ellie and couldn’t imagine her life without her daughter, but babies were hard work. And she and Liam had help from all of their packmates. She had new respect for single parents going it alone. “Why, are you ready?”
Giving her a wicked grin she knew oh so well, he quietly stood and set Ellie in her bassinet near the Christmas tree. Their little girl barely moved, telling December she was exhausted. Which could be a very good thing for them right now. Maybe they actually would sneak in a little grownup time.
“I was thinking we could at least practice today.” His deep voice twined around her, made all her nerve endings flare to life. She swore the male’s voice was an aphrodisiac.
“Practice?” she murmured, throwing her blanket off her body.
“Oh, yeah. Lots and lots of practice.” He let out a soft growl before he climbed on top of her, stretching his huge body over hers on the couch.
She wrapped her arms and legs around him, his body now as familiar to her as her own. Arching into him as their mouths met, she let out a quiet moan of pleasure at the simple feel of him. This protective, powerful male had stolen her heart a little over a year ago and she was looking forward to many, many more years together.
Chapter 8
Nathan stretched his legs out on the bench, inhaled the crisp winter air outside. Noel should be getting out of her counseling session soon and he had a surprise for her. One he hoped she liked.
