Winter Moon: A Christmas Novella (Seven Book 8)

by Dannika Dark

  Trouble bobbed his head a few times and turned to the left.

  Ivy rubbed her cold nose and continued. “I could have wound up in the wrong kind of pack, and I would have never met you. Maybe his way is different from ours, but we each have a path to follow. Like Trouble here.”

  “We may not even be on the path,” he pointed out.

  She looked up. “Then we’ll just have to see where it leads.”

  They weren’t aware that they’d reached the main road until the horse’s hooves clip-clopped on the cement where tires had pressed down and melted the snow into long tracks. Lorenzo turned on a powerful flashlight and handed it to Ivy while he held the reins.

  “You shine brighter than any winter moon.” He placed a kiss against her cheek.

  “That’s my love for you.”

  He nestled his chin on her shoulder. “You’re bewitching. I never know when your words are true or veiling sarcasm.”

  “Perhaps I need to be mysterious to keep your interest,” she suggested, holding her head high and switching the flashlight to her right hand.

  Lorenzo weaved his right arm beneath her coat and cupped his hand between her legs. “Careful, sweet Ivy. You know how that wicked tongue stirs up my wolf.”

  Trouble nickered and slowed to a stop.

  “Now see what you’ve done?” she said with an impish grin. “He thinks the wolves need time alone.”

  Lorenzo let go of the reins and reached inside her coat, massaging her breast with eagerness. “Maybe we do.”

  Ivy captured the moment and enjoyed the feel of her mate’s warm hands against her body. Despite his brassy demeanor, Lorenzo was a passionate and giving lover. Not once had he ever made sex between them animalistic or unfeeling. She understood that’s what some women desired, but that wasn’t what happened naturally between them.

  “Lie back,” he whispered. “Give in to me.”

  His hand massaged between her legs and sent a ripple of pleasure through her. She gasped lightly when he kissed her neck, his lips warm against her skin.

  In a jarring motion, Trouble jumped forward and knocked them to the ground. Ivy landed in a pile of deep snow with Lorenzo somewhere behind her.

  “I think tonight we should offer Cole some horse stew,” he grumbled.

  She wiped the snow off her cheek, her hip sore from the fall. “That horse has more sense than we do. Help me up.”

  Lorenzo rose to his feet and offered her his hand. They’d fallen into a ditch where the snow reached his knees.

  Ivy turned in a circle to pick up the flashlight when something occurred to her. “The bread!”

  Lorenzo whipped his head around. “Crisis averted. It landed over there.” He grabbed the strap and slung it over his shoulder.

  Once they brushed the snow off their clothes and remounted the horse, they kept focused on the trail and avoided foolish behavior that could impede their journey. The wind burned her face and forced her to look down. Her shoulder ached from holding up the light, but before she could switch hands, Lorenzo took it from her.

  “Whoa,” he said.

  Trouble stopped, and Lorenzo aimed his light up ahead.

  “What is it?” she asked nervously.

  “Power lines on the road.”

  She squinted, studying the shapes in the distance. The flashlight only reached so far. There were also two abandoned cars next to the pole. “Are they live wires?”

  “I don’t know, but we’re not going to chance it. We’ll have to either turn back or cut through the property.”

  Pretty flakes drifted quietly around them like pieces of cotton. She noticed the snow in the woods to their right wasn’t as heavy since the evergreen trees had caught some of it in their branches.

  “We didn’t come this far just to turn back. Trouble won’t know the way, so you’ll have to guide him.”

  Lorenzo steered the horse toward the tree line and stopped in front of a wide path. Trouble whinnied and backed up a few steps. Ivy wondered why he was hesitating, but the longer she stared into the dark woods, the more she felt herself leaning back against her mate. After a beat, Lorenzo clucked his tongue and they continued walking alongside the road.

  “Let’s just go around the lines,” he said. “I don’t want us to get lost in these woods. Evil spirits are afoot.”

  Ivy gripped Trouble’s mane and prepared for a rough journey, but with Lorenzo at her side, all her fears were abated.

  Chapter 8

  Maizy and Denver

  Maizy spent all day helping her mom prepare dinner. She watched Travis for a couple of hours and put him down for a nap around the time that Lexi and Reno decided to fire up the grill. She was glad that he’d made it home safely with April, but Denver and Wheeler were still out there somewhere, and that made her sick to her stomach.

  Maizy peeked into the dark game room and saw Trevor sitting at the bar on the left side. The lemony smell must have been coming from the two candles in tiny jars on either side of him. Trevor chugged down the last of his soda and then crushed the empty can.

  “Trevor, do you mind staying upstairs for a little while longer? I just put Travis down for a nap and want to see if anyone’s heard from Denver.”

  “They’re probably in the middle of bumfuck nowhere, wondering why they didn’t just go to Target to look for a plastic tree.”

  She shook her head. “I wish they had, but you know Denny. He loves supporting the local farmers.”

  Trevor smirked handsomely and threaded his fingers through his dark hair. “I find that funny coming from a guy who eats processed cheese like it’s going out of style.”

  She leaned on the doorjamb. “Anyhow, do you mind keeping an eye on Travis?”

  “Go on. I’ll listen for him. Nice shoes, by the way.”

  She looked down at her big dinosaur feet. Denver had given the slippers to her last Christmas when she told him that all she wanted was something to keep her feet warm. She couldn’t complain; they were like little toaster ovens on her feet, and today was the perfect day to break them in.

  Maizy shivered and noticed Trevor was wearing William’s black coat. “I put little Travis down in my mom’s room since she doesn’t have windows. It’s too noisy downstairs with everyone going in and out of the house. Come downstairs by the fire when he wakes up.”

  Trevor looked away and stared at one of the candles. “Will do.”

  “Are you okay? I mean, is everything good between you and Will?”

  “Perfect.”

  Something was bothering Trevor. He hadn’t been himself all day. Each time William handed out an assignment, Trevor would volunteer, but William kept him busy with other things. It was as if Trevor wanted to do everything, and that just wasn’t possible.

  When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she sat on the fourth step. The first floor was suffused with orange firelight, and she listened to the sound of the logs snapping, the twin boys snickering in the dining room down the hall, and her mom humming “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from the living room sofa. All the sights, sounds, and smells evoked an intimate feeling—like a blanket of memories wrapping around her. She’d missed out on holidays with the family while living abroad, but at least she’d gotten a chance to see the world. It took leaving home to make her realize what she wanted in life, and it wasn’t money or a fancy job.

  It was family.

  Once Maizy began following her heart, she ended up finding her path. Writing news stories for an online Breed news site not only put her talents to good use but also served the community. She made a difference in their corner of the world, and maybe someday she’d get around to writing that novel she’d always dreamed about. Not for fame, but to show people in the Breed world that anything was possible and they didn’t have to bury their dreams simply because they had to live in secret. There were always ways around that.

  Pen names, for instance. Or maybe she’d just sell her book exclusively to Breed.

  Maizy tapp
ed her dino feet together, her stomach twisting into knots. Denver had been gone a long time, and he hadn’t called since telling Austin they were taking a detour. What detour? There were only two routes that led to their land. She’d tried calling and sending messages, but he didn’t answer. Wheeler had left his phone in the study, so there was no way to get in touch with them.

  The smell of cinnamon filled the room. It reminded her of a costume party many years ago when she’d sat on these steps as a little girl. All she’d wanted was for Denver to sit next to her, but he’d drifted outside to be with the adults. Now she was feeling the same longing all over again, only this time it was mixed with fear. She couldn’t imagine a life without her Denny, and horrific thoughts of their truck plunging into a river were flashing through her mind.

  What if he hit his head and drowned? A Shifter couldn’t heal if they were unconscious, and the water had to be below freezing.

  All for a tree.

  Tears glittered in her eyes, blurring her vision.

  Her head jerked up in surprise when the front door swung open and a bustle of movement drew her attention.

  “Nobody’s allowed to make fun of my jacket ever again,” Denver announced. “Worth every penny.” He unzipped his coat and shoved it into a closet. After kicking off his wet shoes, he wiped a few flecks of ice off his bare chest and glanced up at her. “Did you miss me?”

  Her lip quivered.

  If there was one thing Denver didn’t like, it was seeing Maizy cry. His amused expression shifted to concern, and he dusted the snow from his blond hair as he approached the stairs. “What’s wrong?”

  Her voice cracked when she wrapped her arms around his neck. “You can’t swim in an icy lake.”

  “What the train wreck is going on? Come here, Peanut.” He coaxed her to lock her legs around his waist. “I’m not going anywhere, you got that?”

  His skin was sticky and warm, and even though he smelled like sweat and sap, she couldn’t stop breathing him in, couldn’t stop feeling his arms around her.

  Wheeler dragged a snowy tree into the living room and then let go of the trunk. “Power still out?” he asked, stripping out of his leather coat and revealing his body art.

  Lynn didn’t bother sitting up from her spot on the sofa. “Come get warm by the fire.”

  Austin appeared in the doorway behind Wheeler. “Where the hell have you two been all day?”

  Wheeler kicked off his boots. “Long story that requires a bottle of whiskey for me to tell.”

  Maizy shivered from a gust of wind as the door closed.

  “Is someone going to decorate this tree or what?” Wheeler asked. “My job is done.”

  “I’ll take care of it,” Austin said. “Find the twins; I need their help with something.” He went back outside and shouted for Jericho.

  Maizy kissed Denver on the mouth. Nothing in the world compared. Her fingers weaved through his hair in the back, and he nibbled on her bottom lip as they fell into a slow kiss.

  “You taste like Christmas cookies,” he murmured.

  She broke the kiss and hugged him hard. “I love you, Denny. I was so worried something happened.”

  His arms wrapped around her a little tighter, and he nuzzled against her neck, his voice a whisper. “Calm down; I’m about to shift.”

  Denver’s wolf was fiercely protective of Maizy. He’d been her watchdog for as long as she could remember, and it wasn’t uncommon for him to shift when she was afraid or in need of reassurance. A few months ago, Lexi had a grease fire in the kitchen. Maizy helped put it out with the fire extinguisher, but she was so shaken up that when Denver came into the room and saw her in a frenzied state, he shifted instinctively.

  Maizy unlocked her ankles and set her feet down on a step. “You’re stinky. You need a shower.”

  He waggled his brows. “True that.”

  She patted his chest. “Alone.”

  He slid his gaze downward. “I like your slippers, Peanut.”

  “It’s been cold in here all day. Before I found these slippers in the closet, I was literally shaking.”

  In a split second, Denver shifted into his wolf. She ran her fingers through his grey-and-white fur as he pressed his body against hers, offering his heat.

  After giving his ear a good scratch, she stared him in the eyes. “I’m still going to throw you in the shower.”

  Jericho made a dramatic entrance as he strutted through the front door with hooded eyes and a devilish smile.

  Shirtless.

  After unwinding the net from the tree, Wheeler stood up and gave Jericho a scrutinizing glance. “Why do you look all sweaty?”

  “I was getting the decorations down.”

  Wheeler folded his arms when Izzy shuffled in with a guilty look on her face and a wrinkled dress. “That all?”

  Jericho shrugged and set down a small box. “Got a problem with it, compadre?”

  Maizy glanced at the box. “Where are the rest? We have more balls than that.”

  Jericho gave her a sideways glance. “Izzy broke my balls.”

  Wheeler rocked with laughter. “That I don’t doubt.”

  Jericho kicked off his shoes. “Don’t be an asshat. Someone decided the top shelf was a great place for fragile items, and Izzy pinched my ass when I was pulling them down. Anyhow, don’t tell Lynn. She’ll be pissed, and—”

  “Don’t tell Lynn what?” Maizy’s mom sat up from the couch and peered over the back at Jericho.

  Wheeler grinned darkly and whispered, “Busted.”

  Jericho scratched the back of his head and gave Lynn a sheepish grin. “Uh, about your Christmas ornaments…”

  Lynn rubbed her sleepy eyes. “Never mind that. The boys are untangling the garland and tinsel. That should dress up the tree just fine. I’d make you something hot to drink, but—”

  Everyone turned their head at once and looked at the tree.

  Jericho stepped back, eyes wide. “What the hell was that?”

  Something scurried within the branches. It was a sound you didn’t want to hear inside the house. Denver’s wolf neared the large tree and poked his nose in the open hole.

  Jericho pointed. “Who let that loco wolf in the house? I thought we agreed—”

  Maizy clutched her heart when Denver yelped and scurried back, his toenails clicking on the floor.

  Maddox rushed into the room. “What the Sam Hill’s going on in here?”

  Wheeler grabbed the fireplace poker and jabbed it through a gap. A furry creature leapt out, and everyone jumped back as if hot coals were beneath their feet.

  Maddox cackled. “Looks like you boys brought home one hell of an angry squirrel.”

  Denver barked as the brown critter flew over the sofa and ran into the kitchen.

  Then they heard Naya scream and a pot clang against the kitchen floor.

  “Don’t kill it!” April shouted.

  The twins howled with laughter, and their footsteps tramped down the hall.

  Jericho stepped back when the squirrel raced into the living room, scurried between Wheeler’s legs, and shot up the stairs. “Holy shitola!”

  Denver’s wolf charged up the stairs in hot pursuit with April and the twins close behind.

  The front door opened, and Austin kept hold of the doorknob when he stepped inside and noticed the chaos ensuing. “What’s going on?”

  Maizy hurried to the door and slammed it shut to keep the cold air out. “Squirrel on the loose.”

  “Too bad Ma’s not here,” Wheeler remarked. “We’d have a nice stew.”

  Maizy wrinkled her nose. The Cole brothers grew up on wild game, and every time their parents came down to visit, Maizy and Lexi would poke at the stew, wondering what kind of mystery meat was really in there.

  Maizy drew back the curtain to look outside, forgetting that Ben had put foam on the main windows. “Did Reno get the grill started?”

  Austin grabbed a knit hat hanging on one of the key hooks and put it on his wet ha
ir. “Yep. Ben! Get your ass in here.”

  A moment later, Ben cruised into the room from the back hall. Unlike Wheeler, he was clean-cut with a smooth shave. No beard, no tattoos, and no dark sense of humor. Ben was a funny guy, just in a different way. “What’s the hullabaloo?”

  “Put on your coat,” Austin said. “And grab all the tinfoil you can find. Reno’s heating up the food, so we need something to wrap everything in before we pack it in the coolers. They should stay hot in there.”

  Ben brushed back his brown hair and gave it some thought. “I can line the inside of the coolers if that’ll help insulate everything.”

  “I have a few thermal bags,” Lynn offered. “Let me go find them.”

  Ben rubbed his nose and crossed the room to pull his jacket out of the closet. “What about the turkey?”

  “That won’t take long,” Austin said. “Less than an hour. We’ll do that last. Let’s just get the food cooked and back inside. If we seal up the coolers and keep them by the fire, we should be all right.”

  Maizy wondered if they had enough people to pack and carry everything inside. “Do you need help?”

  “No, you stay in here where it’s warm. The twins are going to help me set up the deep fryer.”

  “No can do,” Jericho said. “I’m going to have to override your orders on this one, Packmaster. I don’t want my boys anywhere near hot grease.”

  Austin leaned his arm against the wall. “Let me recall who helped you set up the pyrotechnics at your last outdoor show.”

  Jericho anchored his fists on his hips, and he shook back his long hair, giving Maizy a look at the hickey on his neck. “That was different and you know it. I didn’t have them doing the dangerous shit. They can’t shift to heal, and no Relic would be able to make it out here if something went wrong.”

  “As long as you treat them like children, they’ll behave like them,” Austin countered.