by Terry Spear
“That can be arranged anytime,” Rafe said.
Aidan and Holly went to Toby’s room, which was decorated in dinosaurs and a jungle—age-appropriate, not scary.
Toby smiled and patted the bed, then handed Aidan The Night Before Christmas. After that, Holly read The Polar Express, and then he wanted her to read Little Wolf’s First Howling. Then Toby was asleep. They both kissed him and then quietly left the room.
Aidan wrapped his arm around Holly, thinking how much he’d love to have his own kids. “Let’s bring out the presents.”
Everyone began bringing out presents and setting them under the tree. Ted and Mike went outside to grab the ones in the limo that had brought Nick and Victoria here. After eggnog cocktails and more cookies, Nick and Victoria said their goodbyes, and the limo took them back to the airport to ride in Rafe and Aidan’s jet, Nick’s version of a sleigh and reindeer, to return to Montana.
“Ohmigod, that was wonderful. I hope Nick’s former pack leader is regretting his decision to oust Nick from the pack. He’s worse than an idiot,” Jade said. “Nick and Victoria are adorable.”
“We all agree with you there,” Aidan said.
“And the poor guy they’ve roped into serving as Santa is not a jolly old elf in the least. He has the white beard and hair, but that’s about all.” Holly took Aidan’s hand. “Ready for bed?”
Aidan grinned at her. She quickly blushed.
Jade and Rafe rose from one of the couches. “If Toby gets up early, we’ll keep him occupied for a while, and then our guests can sleep in a bit.”
“We’ll do the same with Greg and Marianne,” Margaret said.
They both rolled their eyes at her.
“We might get up early, but we’ll play with Toby until everyone’s up,” Marianne said.
“Not me. I’m sleeping in,” Greg said.
Aidan would play it by ear. He and Holly needed some time to sleep, because he knew what they were going to do once they hit the sack.
* * *
Christmas Day was a joyous affair as everyone sat with mugs of hot chocolate and whipped cream in front of the tree while Greg and Marianne played Santas and delivered everyone’s gifts. Ted and Mike had gifts too, some sent by their parents to Rafe and Aidan’s chalet, some that Aidan had bought for them that he’d sent to their parents, thinking they’d be there with them. Everyone else had gone shopping for them too, so they’d feel part of the pack.
It was total chaos with Christmas songs playing in the background, a fire in the fireplace, all the Christmas lights sparkling on the tree, and wrapping paper being torn off the packages and flying everywhere. Being the organized guy he was, Ted soon began bagging the paper for the recyclable trash. He couldn’t take the mess any longer. Aidan was glad for it too, because he was feeling the same way.
Rafe and Jade’s gifts to everyone were long-distance skis, including a little pair for Toby, even though Rafe had said his gift to Holly’s parents was the house.
“I know what we’re doing after breakfast,” Marianne said.
Aidan had ordered everyone bikes with fat tires for bicycling in the snow, all wearing bows on the back deck.
“Well, maybe that’s what we can do after breakfast,” Marianne said.
Aidan also had bought Holly indoor and outdoor rock-wall climbing clothes and gear. “I know a wolf family who has their own indoor rock-wall climbing facility that we can visit, and you can practice to see if you’d like to do that.”
“Yes! No falling down crevasses and having to be carried out,” Holly said, giving Aidan a kiss. They were sure going to get their exercise, but also have lots of new experiences.
“Wildly exciting enough for you yet?” Aidan asked.
She laughed and hugged him tight. “Since I’ve met you, it’s been nothing but.” She really was looking forward to spending some quiet time with Aidan. Maybe everyone would go skiing without them, and they could take a nap.
When he unwrapped one of her presents to him, Aidan eyed the ice skates with a devilish smile. “You’ll have to hang on to me to keep me upright.”
“I will, but I know you’ll get the hang of it before long.”
“Now that will be wildly exciting for me.” Then he opened a set of books on herbs. “Now I’ll be able to really get into these.”
“Me too.”
Nick had given fancy steak gift packages to all the adults, camping equipment for Greg and Marianne, and a little tent and sleeping bag for Toby. Victoria had baked fudge for everyone.
Toby was playing with the Lincoln Logs while Marianne and Greg helped him build a fort. Holly was glad one of Aidan’s gifts seemed to be a big hit with the tyke, and her brother and sister were having fun with them too.
Holly’s mom and dad joined them, and her dad cleared his throat.
Marianne and Greg looked up at him.
“About that ‘special’ present for you for going to Nick’s aid,” his dad said.
Greg shook his head. “I did it for him, not for a reward.”
“Yeah, we know, and we’re so proud of you. We’ve discussed the business about you going back east to a college and decided we’ll send you.”
Greg’s mouth dropped open. “Um, I agreed I’d help Ted and Mike guard Aidan and Holly when I had free time. I decided I’d go to the college closer to home.”
“Ha! It all has to do with the swimming pool we’re going to have,” Marianne said, continuing to help Toby build a fort.
“And I need to watch out for Marianne too,” Greg said, straightening his shoulders.
“Oh brother,” Marianne said, but Holly knew she was relieved her brother was going to the same college as her.
“So thanks, Mom, Dad. I appreciate the offer,” Greg said.
Holly was just as proud of her parents for conceding and making the offer as she was of Greg for staying in the area. She believed he liked his new pack too much to leave now.
Ted and Mike had finished opening their presents and were in the kitchen cooking breakfast. Aidan took Holly back to the bedroom while everyone else was busy cleaning up and enjoying their gifts.
He slipped his hand under the bed, pulled out a box, and frowned. “That isn’t it.”
“That’s mine for you.”
He laughed. “Great minds.” He reached under the bed again, pulled out another box, and handed it to her.
She removed the bow, then the paper, and found a beautiful red lace nightie, a red swimsuit, and a white toweling robe with her initials monogrammed on it.
“For bed, the beach, and the hot tub or pool.”
She laughed. “I love them. They’re beautiful, and I can’t wait to wear them. Now open yours.”
He pulled out a pair of red boxer briefs, a robe with his initials monogrammed on it, a pair of reflective sunglasses, and blue-and-aqua board shorts to match her blue swimsuit. She hadn’t expected him to get her another. And a matching pair of blue sweatshirts with the saying Wolves That Howl Together Stay Together.
“These are great. I love you, Holly. I can’t imagine having a better Christmas present than having you for my mate.”
“Ditto, love of mine. Do you think anyone will notice we’ve disappeared for a while?”
“Yeah, everyone will. We’re wolves. They’ll understand.” With that, Aidan began undressing her, quickly removing her sweater.
Christmas music and conversations faded into the background.
“Wait.” She snagged her red nightie. “I’ll be right back.” She was certain she wouldn’t be wearing it for long, but she wanted to try it on and show off her Christmas present anyway.
The lace was soft and stretchy, and after she stripped off all her clothes in the bathroom, she pulled the see-through lace nightie over her head and down her body. It was wickedly sexy as she stared at it in the mirror, he
r nipples already poking against the fun fabric.
She swept her hair off her shoulders and left the bathroom. Aidan was smiling appreciatively, arms folded across his naked chest, and he was wearing the blue board shorts she’d gotten for him.
She loved them on him, showing off the beginning of an erection and his nicely muscled legs, abdomen, and arms. “Really nice.” She joined him, pushing him onto the bed and straddling him. She pulled on his drawstring to untie it.
“Really, really hot.” He ran his hands up her bare thighs, his hot gaze focused on her nipples.
“You make me hot.” Already her pulse was racing as his cock bulged under the fabric, and she pulled his board shorts down, freeing him. She ran her hand over his erection and purred. “For me?”
He groaned. “Always.” And then he caught hold of her arms and pulled her forward so he could kiss her. As soon as he did, he slid her nightie up and ran his hands over her ass, kissing her mouth, licking, tonguing her.
She rubbed her breasts against his chest, her bottom still in the air as he moved his hand between her legs and began to stroke. She’d never felt as wickedly sexy as she did when he was touching her. She was ready for him, for this, the most perfect ending to opening presents on Christmas Day, the best for last.
She fought dropping down on top of him, his strokes making her lose all awareness of anything but their sexy scents and his touch. She moaned and pressed against his hand, wanting more, needing to finish. His free hand reached up to massage a breast through the lace, the fabric creating friction against her already sensitive nipples. She couldn’t hold on any longer and cried out. He quickly covered her mouth with his, but too late. Her cheeks felt like they were aflame as he took hold of her shoulders and pushed her back this time.
Aidan was kissing her, not pausing, the momentum building, his aching, hard arousal needing release inside her. Now.
He spread her feminine lips, pushing his erection home, and began to thrust. He figured the lace nightie he gave her would be off in a jiffy, but she was just too beautiful wearing it and sexier than hell. He lifted it higher so he could kiss and lick her breasts, the red fabric resting above them.
He slowed his thrusts, concentrating on licking and sucking a nipple, her fingers caressing his hair. Her touches made him mad with need. He began to deepen his thrusts, faster, pulling nearly out and pushing in. Ripples of her pleasure caressed his cock and he came, loving her and all that being with her meant to him.
“God, you’re the only one for me.” He waited a few minutes, then pulled out of her, left the bed, and pulled her into his arms.
Glowing and looking perfectly satiated, she wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled up at him. “This was the best Christmas ever.”
“And many more to come. Love you, honey. You made my Christmas complete.” He carried her into the bathroom to run a hot bath and slipped the red nightie over her head.
“Love you right back, Aidan.”
Christmas would never be the same, just as it would never be the same for his brother and his mate. Aidan couldn’t have been any more pleased. If only they could deal with the longevity issue and get that behind them.
* * *
After breakfast, they all went skiing, and after lunch, Aidan and Holly tried out ice skating. He was right. He had no sense of balance on skates, but he was having a ball learning. “I needed to learn how to do this when I was younger.”
“Nonsense, you’ll be a professional ice skater before you know it.” She held his hand while he skated, wobbly, before falling and pulling her down with him.
He hugged her tight and kissed her as she lay on top of him. “Remember, you have to get up after you fall down and keep trying.”
“I’m finding this much more interesting.”
She laughed and kissed him back.
After he tried for another hour, he said, “Want to go snow biking with the others?”
“Sure, and a wolf run tonight. We’re sure to run off all the food we’ve been eating over the holidays.”
They returned to get the rest of them to snow bike. Rafe pulled Toby in a sled behind his bike while the rest of them tried out their new bikes.
Once they returned, they had a delicious Christmas feast of turkey and ham and all the trimmings. Everyone was helping to put away the leftovers, the kids playing with some of Toby’s toys by the Christmas tree, when Holly got a call.
Aidan glanced at her and noticed she was frowning.
“What’s wrong?” Aidan asked, joining her.
“Ronald said we’ve caused all kinds of trouble for their pack. Three wolves from another pack attacked their people, hoping to get some of their blood to improve their own.”
Rafe said, “We’ll send men to help out.”
“I’m going back. They don’t have a doctor now. Sally’s falling to pieces.”
“We’ll both return.”
“Us too,” Ted said.
“Yeah, you know it,” Mike said.
“Can we do anything?” Eddie asked.
“No, you just stay here, and we’ll be back as soon as we can,” Holly said.
Rafe was already getting hold of his men to send a team to protect the pack.
“Told you it would be like The Walking Dead,” Greg said. “Those who feel there’s a cure out there will do anything to get it.”
“We’re not even sure it will make a difference, but we have to protect the pack. Nick too,” Aidan said.
“I’ll send some men to the Montana pack too,” Rafe said.
“All right, let’s go.” Aidan paused to give Toby a hug and kiss. He was having so much fun with his new friends and toys that he didn’t appear to mind that Aidan was going away for a while.
Holly gave him a hug and kiss too, and then they all packed bags.
They were ushered to the private airport where the plane and pilot were waiting for them.
“Surprised you’d be returning so soon,” Cesar said. “Sorry to hear there’s trouble.”
“Hopefully, we’ll get reinforcements in place to protect the pack until we can learn if what we’ve found is truly the cure.” Aidan carried his bags onto the plane, Holly following. Ted and Mike carried her bags and theirs.
“This is like a repeat of what happened before. Ronald and his enforcers are sure to react like they did previously, having nothing to do with other packs,” Holly said.
“They’ll have to allow Rafe’s men to mingle with them to protect them.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“Another thought I had is that some of the pack members could disburse. Stay with the various wolf packs so we have a bigger group of people to protect them. The Silver Town wolf pack would ensure they stayed safe. The Highland wolves? No one would mess with them. Nick should be fairly safe with the Montana pack because of their SEAL wolves, but even so, Rafe wants to send him some personal bodyguards.”
“I don’t know if any of the pack members would want to join other packs, maybe worried that those packs might have people who would want the same thing. I’m certain Ronald wouldn’t go along with it.”
“Whatever is best for his people,” Aidan said. “No matter how we do this, the people have to have some say in it. What pack do the wolves belong to who attacked your pack?”
“Some from the Nevada pack.”
“Nevada pack?”
“I thought you’d heard of them. One of our pack members left our pack and joined them. They must have learned of the potential breakthrough from him.” Holly got another call. “Yeah, Sally?” She put it on speaker.
“All hell’s broken loose. We’re barricaded in Ronald’s home, but it’s not that secure. There are at least twenty wolves shattering the windows.”
Breaking glass and screaming could be heard in the background.
“We
’re on our way. Hold tight, however you can. Rafe’s sending men, and we’re on our way,” Holly said.
Aidan was on his phone updating Rafe.
“Tell them the first contingent should be there in twenty minutes. I’ll call for more backup.”
Aidan told them what Rafe had said. “We’re on our way. We’ll be there soon.” Aidan squeezed Holly’s hand, tears filling her eyes.
Then Sally screamed, and the phone went dead.
Chapter 30
Holly was terrified her former pack could be wiped out, but then she remembered her family. As if Aidan suddenly thought of it too, he said, “Rafe didn’t come with us because he’ll be there with his bodyguards to protect your family. He’ll call in reinforcements, in case anyone learns where your family is now.”
Aidan got a call and put it on speaker. “Good, we’ll be there in…”
“Another hour,” Cesar said.
Holly gritted her teeth.
“An hour. Hold the fort until we get there.”
“There are three of us on the ground now, five more with an ETA of twenty minutes, more after that.”
“Okay, we’ll let you do your job, Harvey.”
“Out here.”
Everyone was tense, wishing they were there already to help, but Holly knew the men on the ground would be doing much more than her own people could. She just prayed they wouldn’t find a bloodbath when they arrived. Ronald’s place was out in the country, and only other wolves lived in homes near him on a private road. Most likely, the police wouldn’t be alerted to the trouble they were in, which was the way they wanted it.
As soon as they arrived, three men from Rafe’s team met them at the private airport with an armored Humvee.
“What’s the situation?” Aidan asked as two of the men off-loaded their bags into another vehicle.
“They broke into Ronald’s house and took the pack members there hostage. I swear they’re like a bunch of bloodthirsty vampires. Ronald told them you were coming, and they could take you in and you’d help sort out this mess,” Harvey Walton said. He was special forces, hard charging, and a no-nonsense kind of guy.
