by P. Jameson
What a difference it made to have friends. Tabatha could relate to that. And boy did she miss her vixens back home.
As for the males of the skulk… most of them were trying. They were at least listening, and that was as good a start as any.
Tabatha made her way through the small crowd to Sela.
“Am I doing this right?” the vixen asked when Tabatha came up beside her. “Or does the whipped cream come first, then the marshmallows? I can’t remember.”
“Well, the good news is there’s no right or wrong way to make hot chocolate. You can do it however you like.”
Sela seemed relieved as she piled more marshmallows on top and added a sprinkle of crushed candy cane.
“You making that for Nash?”
Sela smiled. “He really liked it last time we tried it. I wonder why no one ever thought to warm up chocolate and milk before you came along.”
Tabatha laughed. “I bet someone would’ve figured it out eventually.”
“Not soon enough though.”
Tabatha started her own mug, pouring the thick creamy drink from one of the thermoses.
“How are things at home?” she asked.
Sela sipped the hot chocolate, testing it. “Well, I tried your cookie recipe again, and this time, they turned out perfect. Nash loved them. I swear, he grinned so hard that night. Don’t tell anyone I told you that,” she added.
“Of course. My lips are sealed.”
“We have it, you know? The true bond.”
Tabatha turned to her, excitement bubbling up as she tried to keep her composure. “You do?”
Sela nodded but she didn’t look altogether happy about it. “Nash has healed me. He just doesn’t know it.”
“Why haven’t you told him?”
She frowned, looking truly perplexed. “I don’t know. Fear, maybe.”
“You fear him.”
“Not him… I fear what will happen if he finds out.”
“What might happen?”
“He would see me.” Sela pressed her palm to her chest above her heart. “The whole me. Do you know what I mean? And he would know how deeply I care for him.”
Tabatha smiled. “Oh, Sela. That’s not a bad thing at all.”
“Maybe not. But it’s a scary thing. What if he doesn’t care like I do. What if everything between us is just born out of duty and so-called honor?”
“But what if he shows you the real him? What if his feelings for you are just as beautiful and terrifying? Can you imagine how great that would feel? Because I can. I’m living it now.”
Sela sighed, staring off into the distance as she thought about it.
“Sometimes, I think I see glimpses of more. In his eyes, when we are face to face in bed. Or the way he holds me when we’re alone in our cabin.” She found Tabatha’s gaze. “Do you think that means something?”
“I do. I think it means you two can be happy. Happy down to your bones. I believe it.”
Sela smiled, looking away to find Nash across the room where he stood, staring up at Rocco as he hung the mistletoe.
Yes! Tabatha’s smile grew. Mistletoe was the last piece she needed to make this Christmas celebration unforgettable.
Nash glared at the thing and Tabatha watched as he turned, his gaze zeroing in on his mate. When the corners of his eyes went soft, she knew there was more to their story. Many years more, with many more grins and tender smiles.
Yes, those two were going to make it just fine.
“I think maybe you should go show him what that thing is for,” she hinted to Sela.
“He does seem perplexed, doesn’t he?”
Tabatha couldn’t help watching as Sela made her way over to the mistletoe. Rocco stalked off with the ladder just in time to leave the two of them alone under the thing. Words were exchanged and Nash took the mug from Sela. He drank it down, coming away with a whipped cream mustache that earned a laugh from her. It was sweet and made Tabatha’s heart throb with hope for them.
Then Sela pointed up, telling him about the mistletoe and his eyebrows shot into his forehead. He looked around, as if to see who might be watching but he didn’t notice Tabatha. He frowned, saying something, and Sela’s shoulders sank. She nodded and started to walk away. But before she got very far, he dragged her back, taking her face between his palms and pressed his lips briefly to hers. He pulled back, staring into her eyes… and then went in for more, this time, kissing the hell out of her right in front of everyone.
Tabatha could hardly keep from jumping up and down and squealing.
She loved love.
A throat cleared from behind her and she turned to find someone she hadn’t been expecting.
“Oh! Mrs. McGray, I… I… didn’t see you standing there. How are you?”
Maxim’s mother stared at her, expressionless. “I would like to speak with you. Privately, if you will.”
Tabatha looked around. They were about as private as you could get in the meeting hall, but she led the woman to the farthest empty corner anyway.
“Look,” she said carefully, “I know we got off to a bad start, but I want you to know I—”
“Thank you,” Maxim’s mother interrupted, cutting off Tabatha’s nervous rambling.
“I…”
“I can imagine it must have been hard for you to understand our ways,” she began, eyeing Tabatha in a way that made her feel like a puzzle. Something to figure out. “But you accepted my son anyhow, and came here to help him. To help us. For that, I want to say thank you.”
“You… you do?”
“I won’t apologize for my behavior, because vixens never apologize—”
“Oh, the ones I know do.”
Mrs. McGray frowned.
“They do apologize, I mean. Never mind. Carry on.”
“The truth is,” the woman continued, “I didn’t think you had what it would take to fix my son. Or any of us. I thought a true mating bond was something of legend. Until you healed him in front of us all. I’m here to admit that I was wrong.”
Tabatha looked away, wanting to hide from the woman’s hard gaze.
Wow. That was… this was big, she knew.
“It’s no problem, Mrs. McGray, really. We’ve all made mistakes in our time.”
The woman nodded, appraising Tabatha. “You are very forgiving, Tabatha Baker. I can see why my son chose you.”
The words made tears form in Tabatha’s eyes and she quickly blinked them away putting a smile in their place.
“Diiiiid we just become best friends?”
Mrs. McGray’s brow furrowed with a deep frown. “No.”
“I think we did.”
“Strange human,” she muttered. “There’s one other thing.”
Tabatha grinned. “What’s that?”
Mrs. McGray looked around as if to make sure no one would overhear. “I’ve been trying to grow the bond with my mate. For the first time in thirty-seven years, I am… I am actually trying. I want to heal him. But there is pain between us, you understand.”
“Of course. Yes.” This must be why the alpha had hung on weeks past when he should have.
“I…” She huffed out a breath. “Oh, this is silly. Never mind.”
“No, please. Go on. I will help however I can.”
The older vixen pressed her lips together, debating.
“How… how do I make him love me the way my son loves you?” It came out as a thin whisper that broke Tabatha’s heart.
“Mrs. McGray,” she said softly. “There is no way to make a person love you. All you can do, is show them your heart and hope they accept it.”
The vixen shook her head. “That’s too difficult.”
Tabatha smiled, taking the woman’s hand in hers. “I know. Trust me, I know. It’s probably the hardest thing in the world, to trust someone enough to open up your soul to them. And sometimes, it doesn’t work the way we want it. But when it does…” This time, Tabatha let the tears welling in her eyes show. “When it
does, it is so so worth it.”
“You say I should risk it?”
“I think either way, you’ll feel better getting it all off your chest.”
Mrs. McGray nodded, pulling her hand away. “I believe you’re right. Thank you again, Tabatha Baker.”
“You’re welcome, Mrs. McGray.”
The vixen’s eyes crinkled just a touch at the corners. Barely even noticeable.
“Call me Cait.”
Chapter Thirteen
Maxim looked around for his female but couldn’t find her in the crowd of people. The party was wrapping up and everyone was gathering outside for the tree lighting. The last time he’d seen her, she was talking to his mother. Then she disappeared.
Damn it.
If his mother caused her any fucking pain, there would be hell to pay—
“Maxi poo doodle doo.”
He turned to find his mate, stumbling toward him, a huge smile spread across her face. Except… the way her eyes were all glossy told him that smile was being helped along by something of the liquor variety. He caught her as she tripped over her own feet and giggled.
“What the hell, stormy. You can’t call me that.”
“Sure, I can.” She laid her head on his shoulder, humming some Christmas carol.
“What did you have to drink?”
“Just hot chocolate. Lots of it.”
As far as he knew, you couldn’t get drunk off hot cocoa.
“But come to think of it,” she slurred. “Rocco was looking sneaky over by the cocoa bar. You think he spiked it?”
“No doubt, female. No doubt.” That goddamn hound was a mess. “Come on, let’s get you out of here.”
“But wait, what about the tree?”
“It’ll still be there tomorrow.”
“Okay, but can we snuggle when we get home? And watch a cheesy Christmas movie?”
As if she would make it through a movie. But hell if he’d tell her no when she was so soft in his arms.
“Sure, stormybaby,” he murmured, lifting her. “We’ll snuggle.”
“Wuh… wait, Maxi poo. You can’t carry me.”
Maxim stared down at her, trying not to grin. “Of course I can. I’m doing it aren’t I?”
“Too heavy,” she argued, her head lolling on his shoulder.
“Bullshit.”
He walked with her past the mistletoe and out onto the lawn. Some heads turned but most people were staring at the tree and all its twinkling lights. They liked it. That was a good sign.
“Lemme walk, Max.”
“No, mate. We’re almost there.”
At their cabin, he set her down to open the door and she stumbled inside. “I’m okay, see?” She landed on the couch haphazardly, and fell into a round of giggles.
Fuck, she was adorable.
Maxim closed the door, stalking over to her. “Remind me to kick Rocco’s ass tomorrow.”
“Why?” She laughed. “You don’t wanna cuddle?”
“Oh yes, I do. After I fuck you senseless of course.”
She sobered, biting her lip as she stared at his… waist.
“And I can’t do it until you burn off some of that buzz.”
“Why not?” she whined, somewhere halfway between cute and sexy.
“Because I’m gonna need you to remember it in the morning, and I don’t think you’re going to remember a second of this conversation.”
She grinned, arching her back in a faux stretch so her tits stuck out.
“I bet I will.”
Maxim shook his head, going to his knees beside the sofa. “I don’t think so, mate.” He brushed her hair back from her forehead and took in every aspect of her face. He didn’t know how it was possible, but he loved her even more than he did the day he first got on his knees to ask her for forever.
Lowering his mouth to hers, he kissed her. Not too hard, not too long. He had to be careful because he wanted her bad.
Yessss, his fox purred.
She rubbed her cheek against his, a little moan escaping her lips, and Maxim couldn’t resist pressing his nose to her neck to drag in her familiar champagne scent—
Wait. Something was off.
He took another breath, soaking in as much of her as he could.
No.
Oh… shit.
Maxim jerked back, practically taking the lamp with him. Tabatha just giggled, her eyes drooping until they closed all the way.
“Stormy, we have a problem.”
“We do?” she slurred. “What kin a prollem?”
Shit.
Breed, his fox insisted. Breed mate. Give her young.
Shit.
But before he could explain, Tabatha’s head drooped to the side and she was out cold.
***
Tabatha came awake to the sound of feet stomping across the wood floor. And it was hot. Way too hot. As if someone had stoked the fireplace to blazing. Aside from that, she felt nice and cozy. Like she could sleep for a year.
But that thumping. Those aggressive steps. Back and forth, back and forth.
Prying her eyes open a sliver, she caught the twinkle of the Christmas tree just before a large figured passed in front of it. Then more lights… then another pass.
Pacing. Someone was pacing.
Blinking, she tried to make sense of things. “Max?”
The pacing stopped and then he was there, right in her face, his expression deadly serious.
“Stormy, we have a problem.”
Yeah, she briefly recalled him saying something like that before she passed out—
Passed out?
Oh, no. She’d gotten drunk… on hot cocoa.
She sat up, lucky that her head was only slightly spinning. Shit. Had she done something horrible? Offended someone? Maybe she’d blurted something she didn’t really mean.
“Max, what is it? What did I do?” Her mind raced, trying to peel back the fog that covered her memories. “Did I say something wrong? Make someone mad?” She would never forgive herself if she ruined everything they’d been working for.
Maxim frowned down at her, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he went and stood in the kitchen.
“You didn’t do anything wrong, mate.”
She scowled. “Why are you talking to me from all the way in there?”
“Because, I can’t be so close to you right now?”
What? Dear god, what did she do to put him off that badly.
“Look, whatever it is, I’m sorry.” The gnawing in the pit of her stomach grew. “I didn’t realize the cocoa had something extra in it.”
“It has nothing to do with the cocoa, mate.”
She stood and followed him to the kitchen.
“What then? What is wrong?”
His expression was so serious it gave her chills. Were they in danger?
“Maxim, you’re scaring me.”
This seemed to shake him and he frowned. “There’s nothing to be afraid of. I won’t hurt you.”
“Of course not. I know that. Please, what has you acting like the apocalypse is coming?”
Eyes big, like he was announcing a life sentence, he said, “Stormy, you’re in heat.”
She blinked at that.
In heat?
“Wait. What?”
“Fuck, mate. You’re fertile. Right now. Fertile as fuck. It’s all I can smell, and it’s driving me fucking crazy. I want you. I want to drill a goddamn baby into you like nothing else. How in hell do you smell so fucking good?” He turned, bracing his hands on the sink and drew in a shuddering breath. He was shirtless and the strong muscles in his back bunched and jerked with restraint.
Tabatha stared at him, two stunned blinks, before she lost it, practically choking on a laugh.
He turned to glare at her. “What’s so funny?”
But she couldn’t get an answer past her chuckling.
“Goddamn it, mate. What are you laughing at?”
“I… I’m in heat? That’s our big problem?�
�
“Yes.”
Dear god, she’d thought the worst but this… this wasn’t a problem.
“Max.” She stepped closer but then stopped when he stiffened. “Max, it’s fine. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Like hell there’s not. Did you hear what I want to do to you?”
She smiled, remembering what he’d told her that night at the lodge, and it made her instantly wet. “Yes, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Besides, I’ve actually had three cycles since we got together.”
He shook his head. “I’ve never smelled you fertile, woman. Not like this. Trust me.”
“Maybe… maybe it just means this is our time.”
His gaze caught on hers. “Our time?”
“Yeah.” She shrugged, gathering the courage to say what she wanted. “Maybe this is supposed to happen now, here. At Christmas.”
He turned to face her, his eyes flashing with desire so intense it threatened to melt her on the spot. “Stormy,” he breathed, “are you saying you’re ready to have my baby?”
She smiled softly, feeling shy beneath his searching gaze. “I said I wanted everything. When I said yes, I meant all of it.”
He took a step toward her. “Woman… if we do this… I don’t know what will happen. I’ve never tried to breed before.”
“It’s okay. I’ve never been… bred… before.”
“What if I hurt you?”
“You won’t.”
“What if I bite you, claw you?”
“I’ll heal.”
“What if I’m finally able to mark you. For good?”
“Then I will take it, and wear it with pride.”
Something about her words changed everything in an instant. His shoulders straightened, his brow unfurled, and suddenly, he was her fierce man again.
“You. Are. So. Mine.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
Two steps. That’s all it took for him to cross the distance and drag her into his arms.
Two steps… and she knew this was going to be the wildest ride she’d taken with him yet.
Chapter Fourteen
Maxim felt his animal closer than he ever had before. Like the thing could take him over, but he knew it wouldn’t.
