by Cara Wylde
For long minutes, the Blackmane family just sat in front of the fire, stared into its cheerful flames, and contemplated how happy and fulfilled they felt. Yes, Avelyn and Max had hoped to have some peace and quiet for Christmas, but if they were to be really honest with themselves, this was better. The few hours they’d had were enough.
“Did you guys like your presents?” asked Max.
“Oh, yes!” the boys jumped in excitement.
They started talking all at once, bragging about their toys, video games, Lego, books, and various art supplies.
“Aunt Josie bought me a new coloring book,” chirped Luke. “Thank you for the Sakura Gelly Rolls, mom!”
“And thanks for the astronomy book, dad,” said Jake.
While Nick and Luke were craftier and more artistically inclined, Jake was into astronomy, mathematics, and all those complicated subjects neither Max, nor Avelyn could quite wrap their mind around. When it came to making something with his own hands, little Jake was clumsy. But when it came to solving complex equations and debating various theories, he turned into a tiny genius. His parents didn’t understand him half of the time, but it was okay. He was just different. In the best way possible.
“You know,” whispered Nick, “we can go back to the Schloss. We were headed that way when you came.”
“Yes, mom,” Luke agreed. “We only wanted to bring you your Christmas presents, that’s all.”
“It’s sad to have a tree, but no presents under it,” said Jake.
“Aww… you two are adorable,” Max laughed. “But it’s fine, you can stay. You’ve already ruined Christmas. Just kidding…” He stood up and went into the kitchen. “Anyone want milk and cookies?”
“Yes!”
“It’s way past midnight,” said Avelyn. “So, you eat your cookies, drink your milk, then you’re off to bed. We’ll go see Triberg Falls tomorrow. How does that sound?”
The kids nodded and went to take their seats around the table.
“Does this mean we can stay here, with you, for the next three days?” asked Nick.
“So, that permission slip meant nothing?”
The boy avoided his mother’s gaze. “We really did want you to spend some time alone, away from all the madness at the Schloss.”
“And then you changed your mind?”
“N-no… It’s just… Well, it was so sad and boring without you. We’re… sorry?”
Avelyn chuckled and kissed the top of his head.
“Never be sorry for wanting to spend Christmas with us. Ever.”
Max brought milk and cookies for the pups, and a bottle of wine for him and Avelyn.
“I’m hungry, aren’t you?” she asked.
“I was. But it passed when I realized what these three had done.” He cocked and eyebrow when his stomach rumbled. “I could eat some pudding.”
“Awesome! Bring on the pudding! Boys, do you want pudding?”
“I hate Christmas pudding,” said Jake.
“Yes. Bleh!” Luke scrunched up his nose.
“I want some,” said Nick.
“Christmas pudding coming right up!”
Avelyn smiled. It was nice to see Max so invested in bringing the food to the table and making sure everyone had what they needed. He was the Alpha of Clan Blackmane, but he was also a great husband and a loving father. He never expected her to gravitate around him just because he was the Alpha and she was his wife. They were equal. And they both loved their three sons equally. Well, that was the definition of a perfect family, in Avelyn’s opinion.
“Merry Christmas, dear.” Max raised his glass, then gave her a quick, chaste kiss on the lips.
“Merry Christmas, baby.”
“Eww… stop kissing in front of us,” complained Nick. “It’s gross!”
Avelyn pinched his chubby cheek.
“Shut up and eat your cookies.”
THE END
THE ALMA VENUS UNIVERSE
Alma Venus Shifter-Brides
Four Paranormal Shifter Novels
Amazon US | Amazon UK
Now you can read the full series at an incredible price! If you have Kindle Unlimited, read it for free!
Dive into the world of the Alma Venus Shifter-Brides! Get four standalone novels at an incredible price, and enjoy the stories of four beautiful, amazing women who are trying to make their own destiny in a world where humans are an inferior race!
The peace treaty between humans and shapeshifters was signed over a century ago. One of the clauses says that humans must provide shifters with young brides to give them heirs and ensure the perpetuation of their species. Today, all over the world, special boarding schools take girls from orphanages and give them the most exquisite education, preparing them to become brides for the enemy. If a bride reaches the age of 25 and no shifter wants to buy her, then she is given two options: serve in a shifter brothel, or starve on the streets. Society would never accept a bride who failed to accomplish her duties.
Sold to the Alpha – Avelyn is determined to regain her freedom and never marry a shapeshifter. When Alpha wolf Max Blackmane buys her, she uses all the tricks she can come up with to escape. Before she knows it, she falls in love with him. But Max has dark things in his past, dark things he keeps hidden in the dungeons under his castle.
The Hidden Alpha – Amelia has always wanted to marry a wealthy shifter and live a simple, normal life. She is bought by Seth, the Beta of Clan Sylfur, for his fox-shifter Alpha, Blake Sylfur. But her husband ignores her, and Amelia falls in love with Seth. Her betrayal might ruin her forever.
Claimed by the Dragons – Delyse has waited for three years for her Alpha, ancient dragon Eric Drekinn to wake up from his hibernation and claim her. When she finally meets her husband, she’s already in love with his Beta, Viggo. What she doesn’t expect is for the two dragons to agree to share.
Taming the Alpha – Claudia is worried that no shifter will ever want to buy her, and when Karl Blackmane shows up, she wonders if he bought her just because her friend, Avelyn, insisted. All she wants is to make Karl happy, but his dark, twisted past threatens to ruin their marriage.
SURPRISE!
You might have not expected this, but the story of Alma Venus continues, not as a boarding school, but as an agency for mail-order brides. Avelyn and her friends changed the face of politics, and the world has to keep up with their innovative ideas. So, get ready for…
… the Alma Venus Mail-Order Brides series!
Silver Dragon
BBW Dragon-Shifter Romance
Amazon US | Amazon UK
Sexy, curvy, and very determined to get what she wants, Andrea Evans applies to the Alma Venus Agency for mail-order brides. She is sorted into House Dracones, which means she will become the bride of a dragon-shifter. Well, that suits her just fine. The dragons are the wealthiest shifters in the world, having had hundreds of years at their disposal to hoard treasures and stuff them under their ridiculously luxurious palaces. What does love have to do with wealth? Nothing. Andrea is not interested in finding love because she’s only pretending to be a mail-order bride. In reality, she’s a clever con artist who plans to rob the poor dragon-shifter (pun intended) who will make the mistake of falling for her.
After he lost his first wife, Calder Grimmr vowed he would never remarry. But a dragon-shifter’s life can get lonely. The gift of living for thousands of years becomes a curse when you have to watch your bride and the mother of your children age and die. However, things have changed. Now, the antidote for shifter venom has been discovered, and human brides can be turned into hybrids, which gives them the long lifespan of their shifter mates. Encouraged by his clan, Calder decides to give himself a second chance and find a mail-order bride.
When Andrea finds out Calder Grimmr is a member of the Council of the Six Factions, she almost gives up her plan. Yes, he’s the wealthiest, most influential dragon-shifter there is, but can she handle him?
>
When Calder realizes Andrea might not be who she pretends to be, it’s already too late. His inner beast has recognized her as his mate.
Emerald Dragon
BBW Dragon-Shifter Romance
Amazon US | Amazon UK
Shy and curvy Jade Summers has almost lost hope she would ever get her happily-ever-after. After all, she was never lucky in love, so why would she be now? She came at the Alma Venus Agency for Mail-Order Brides because she thought shapeshifters made better husbands than human guys. Now, she isn’t sure anymore…
Dragon-shifter Kaden Grimmr needs a bride. And fast. He’s the Alpha of the Emerald Wing, and he believes it’s time to divide his father’s clan and take his dragons to a new place and a new future. The problem is that his father, Calder Grimmr, refuses to give him his blessing unless he gets himself a mail-order bride so he’d one day have heirs. Kaden has no choice. As much as he hates the idea of mail-order brides, he’ll have to make a compromise and find one.
He wants a marriage of convenience. She wants true love.
When Kaden messages her and tells her exactly what he needs, Jade wants to refuse him. But he’s so tall, hot and handsome that it’s very hard to say “no” to him. Maybe, if she takes this one risk, true love will be waiting for her at the end of the road.
Obsidian Dragon
BBW Dragon-Shifter Romance
Amazon US | Amazon UK
Natalie Sands is one curvaceous beauty who’s not entirely aware of the effect she has on men. The fact that she’s been at the Alma Venus Agency for mail-order brides for over a year without getting one proposal doesn’t help, unfortunately. Her best friend keeps telling her that her fated mate will show up when the time is right. After all, that’s how destiny works. But after so many disappointments, Natalie isn’t sure she believes in destiny anymore.
After one hundred and fifty years of hibernation, dragon-shifter Lucian Sutherland returns to the world of the living only to discover that his whole clan was wiped out during the War of the Six Factions. With his home in ruins and no family to call his own, Lucian seeks the help of the only dragon he knows might still be around – Calder Grimmr. His friend confirms what he’s already figured out by himself: Clan Sutherland is dead. As the Alpha, Lucian should have never deserted his dragons.
When Calder comes up with the only solution he knows, Lucian doesn’t even want to hear about it. He doesn’t see how taking a mail-order bride will help him start a new life. In fact, he isn’t convinced he deserves a second chance.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cara Wylde loves to write about strong, feisty women and their hot Alphas who will do anything to make them happy. Her books are filled with romance and just a dash of mystery, suspense, and that eerie atmosphere she fell in love with reading too many gothic novels. With a master’s degree in Comparative Literature, she can’t help but play with tropes and themes from various genres, trying to come up with fresh perspectives on the paranormal characters her readers love so much. Vampires, shapeshifters, demons, witches... Cara will always make sure they get their own twists.
When she’s not writing, Cara is reading, planning her next story, or daydreaming. Her idea of pure heaven is a day filled with nothing but her laptop, a huge coffee pot, relaxing music, and a new, exciting project.
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