The look on Beth’s face was about what I expected. She had a vacant expression, and her body slumped forward. She then put her hands on her face and whispered, “I thought it was all over. Will it ever be over?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think so, Beth. I think this is something we will have to deal with forever. Power corrupts and when people, or wolves, think they can steal someone else’s power, they are going to try. I think the best we can hope for is a few years of peace at a time.”
Beth sat up straight and began wringing her hands. “We have to tell Palo right away. It does sound like he’s the one in danger.”
“Yeah, but how do I say it? It’s not like I can walk up to him and say ‘guess what, you’re a target again. There are a few wolves here who think you’re an abomination and want to off you.’ That won’t exactly be taken very well.” I rubbed my eyes and realized I needed a good night’s sleep, but that wasn’t likely to happen for a while.
Beth shook her head. “No, you just tell him like you did me. Let him decide who’s the target and exactly what’s going on. Since they didn’t tell you their plans, it could be something else. Just convey it like information you’re sharing. Don’t get overly emotional or make assumptions. You know what happens when someone gets too emotional.”
“Yeah, the story gets changed and details are overlooked.” I sighed, knowing she was right. This was exactly why I needed her help.
“Alright, let’s go to the big house and eat breakfast. After, I’ll ask Palo for a private talk.” I chewed at the corner of my lip. “Will you go with me?” I always felt stronger when Beth and I were together, as a team.
“Of course. We are inseparable you know.”
I stood up and gave my sister a hug. “Thank you. You know, when the time comes, we have to mate with males in the same pack. There’s no way I’m going to be in a different pack then you.”
“I agree one hundred percent. There is no separating us. Together forever.” Beth smiled at me, and I started to feel better. Not about the situation, but about how I was going to tell my brother-in-law he was being targeted again.
“All males should realize we are a package deal. If someone wants one of us, they have to make sure another male steps up and falls in love with the other. No forced matings, only love matches for us Kringle girls.” I felt stronger already, just holding Beth’s arm as we walked out of our room and headed toward our entire family.
Chapter 8
Bella
By the time we made it to the breakfast table, the rest of the family was almost done eating. Even though I was feeling better, I was still nervous, and maybe even a little frightened.
“Good morning, girls,” Lizzie called out as we entered the room. “There are pancakes beside the stove, and, of course, bagels by the toaster. Help yourself. Sorry, but all of the bacon is already gone.”
Palo and Jax looked sheepishly at each other.
“Sorry, but you snooze you lose,” Palo said.
I couldn’t hold it against him today, not when I was going to drop such a bombshell on him. I hated that someone was going to use the Round Up as a way to hurt my family.
This was supposed to be a summer of new beginnings, of wolves getting along with dragons. And hopefully, by the end of the summer there would be a lot of mating announcements. Not necessarily between a dragon and a wolf, but hopefully a lot of wolves would be mated this year.
I still wasn’t too sure about the dragons. Sure, Salvador and Ian were nice, and Salvador did help me out last night, but I couldn’t get past what happened to Mandy. I wanted to, I really did. Maybe by the end of summer I would be. This was the chance for all of us to get over the past and work towards a mutually beneficial alliance.
“Don’t worry. I’m not that hungry anyway.” I smirked and went to get a bagel. With the way my stomach was roiling, I figured nothing more than toast would be acceptable anyway. I put the two halves into the toaster oven and checked for butter.
“Honey, are you getting sick?” my mom asked.
I looked back at her with brows furrowed and was about to ask why when she said, “You never just want a bagel for breakfast, unless you’re sick.” Mom stood up and came over to me. She put the back of her hand against my forehead to check for a temperature.
“Mom, don’t worry. I’m not sick. I just need to speak with Palo after breakfast.” I turned my attention to my brother-in-law and sighed.
He was goofing off with Jax and the other dragons. They seem to have hit it off right away.
“Is something wrong? You look worried or sick. With you, it could be either. Didn’t you sleep well?” my mom continued.
I looked down and quirked my lips. “No, I didn’t sleep well at all. Something happened, and I have to speak with Santa about it. It’s going to ruin this summer for him.”
“Really? Maybe you should tell your father, too?”
I shook my head. “No, it requires the attention of the current Santa. I’m sorry, Mom. I’m sure Palo will tell you all after I tell him, but I don’t think I can tell the whole room what’s going on. I shouldn’t have said anything. Just forget what I said.”
The toaster oven dinged, indicating my bagel was done. Once it was toasted, I looked up to see my mother still hovering above me.
I tilted my head and sighed. “Mom, just leave it be for now. I’m fine.”
My mom moved a lock of blonde hair out of my eyes and smiled. “I know, honey. I guess I’m still not used to my baby being all grown up. I still wonder if leaving you behind when your father and I left to start a children’s home in Africa was the right thing to do.”
I did miss my parents, but Lizzie and Palo took really great care of Beth and I. Plus, we had our pack. I don’t think we would have done well without it. Wolves are pack animals, and if we would have needed to stay away for so much of the year, I don’t think we would have gone to college. We most likely would have chosen to come back here once we were done with school.
Staying here meant we had an actual school to attend. Albeit a small one, but we had friends our own age here. Had we gone with mom and dad, they would have had to homeschool us. I don’t think we could have made it through my teenage years without other teen wolves our age.
I hugged my mom. “Of course, I missed you, but I think it all worked out the way it was supposed to. Besides, we’re Arctic Wolf shifters. There’s no way Beth and I would have survived in the desert of Africa. I don’t know how you do it.” I shook my head before taking a bite of my bagel. Africa was hot. Our type of wolf preferred the cold weather.
“Lots of trips as far south as we can get. That’s how. Plus, we have our best friends with us. And we get to see all of you once a year. Facetime is also very helpful. I hope we never stop using that technology.” My mom kissed my forehead, and I smiled back at her.
Her love was comforting and exactly what I needed this morning. It was strange how she instinctively knew what I needed. Even grown women still needed their moms every now and then.
Palo stood up at the table. “Well, that was a great breakfast, Lizzie, thank you. I need to get to work on my opening ceremonies speech for tomorrow. I’ll be in my office if anyone needs me.”
I lost my appetite, and my mouth went dry.
Palo began to walk away, and I spoke up, “Palo?”
He turned toward me and smiled. “Yes?”
“I have something I need to speak with you about. Can we go to your office?” I put my bagel down since I had lost my appetite.
“Of course, come on in.” Palo motioned for me to follow to him.
Beth stood up and followed me. Palo looked back at my sister and then at me. He arched an eyebrow but didn’t say anything.
Once we were seated in his office with the door shut, he asked me, “What can I do for you two today?”
I fidgeted in my seat. Beth looked at me, expecting me to start. Her eyes urged me to say something.
I cleared my throat and pretended
like I was about to speak with Beth, like this morning. “Last night, I was out for a walk and heard something that has me worried for your safety.”
Palo’s brows furrowed. “My safety? How do you mean?”
I took a deep breath and then told him all about what I overheard and how I was pretty sure I was being followed. I left off the part about Salvador’s hard chest, but I did say I bumped into him.
Palo took it all in without saying anything. Once I was finished, he sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. He tried to keep a blank face, but I could see the storm brewing in his deep blue eyes.
We all sat there in silence until Palo asked, “You didn’t hear them specifically threaten me. They just mentioned me and then in the next sentence they said they had to get rid of someone?”
“Yes. But I got the feeling they were talking about you the whole time,” I responded as I tried to sit still.
I couldn’t help fidgeting in my chair. Palo was staring intently at me, and I felt like a little kid sitting in the principal’s office while waiting for some sort of punishment. Santa could be very intimidating when he wanted.
Santa leaned across his desk and looked into my eyes. “Bella, I don’t want you or Beth to worry about this. Sometimes things aren’t always what they appear to be.” He sat up straight. “However, I want the both of you to always be on the lookout. Please don’t go anywhere alone. I also want you both to always carry a radio. That way, if you are split up by accident, you each have a way to call for help.”
I nodded and thought he was being a bit over the top. I wasn’t the one they were talking about, after all.
Palo reached over and picked up two radios from the chargers. When he handed me one, he continued, “Also, if you ever feel like you are being watched or followed, call us. I don’t care if you are wrong. I don’t want to take any chances with your safety. No one in this family is to be out alone, understand?”
Beth and I both nodded our understanding. We got up to leave, and I stopped before the door and turned around. “Palo, I hope the warning goes for you, too. Don’t go anywhere without one of your Enforcers. Chances are, you will be the target. Please be careful.”
Santa’s face beamed with joy, and he said, “Ho, ho, ho. Bella, don’t worry about this old man. I’ve been through worse. But, yes, I won’t be going anywhere alone. I doubt Rock will let me leave the house without at least two or three guards until this mess is all settled.” He chuckled again, and I did feel better knowing he was going to tell Rock.
Rock was his second in command as his father was my father’s second in command. I knew Palo was in the best hands possible. Rock did kind of go overboard when it came to my family’s safety. I was glad for it now.
Before I could turn down the hall away from Santa’s office, I heard him on the phone telling Rock to get over here right away and to bring his best Enforcers with him.
Beth and I went back to the kitchen where Lizzie and mom had already cleaned up from breakfast.
My bagel was gone, and since I felt better after telling Palo everything, I was hungry. “Lizzie, is there anything left from breakfast? I’m starving.” I pouted looking around at the clean kitchen.
Mom chuckled and asked, “I take it your talk with Palo went well?”
I nodded. “As well as can be expected. Is there anything to eat? Something simple maybe?”
Lizzie pulled a couple of breakfast burritos out of the freezer. She made them from scratch and usually kept a supply of them in case anyone needed a snack or, like in my case, missed breakfast. “Here ya go. Heat it up in the microwave.”
“Thanks.” I took the two breakfast burritos and licked my lips. She usually made them with hash browns, eggs, cheese, and bacon. Lots of bacon. I loved her breakfast burritos.
Before I could finish my last bite, the house was swarmed with Enforcers. Rock ran inside yelling for Palo. “Is everything all right? Where are Santa and Lizzie?”
Chapter 9
Salvador
When Palo took his two little sisters into his study, I knew what Bella wanted to talk about. I was actually impressed she was telling him right away about what happened last night. I was worried she wouldn’t take it seriously and that I would have to warn Santa about what she went through last night.
Jax came up to Ian and me in the kitchen. “I want to go take a flight, but Mandy needs to head into the village for a few things. Can one of you take her?”
After what happened last night, I wasn’t sure we should split up. “Your Highness, I don’t like the idea of you going alone, even if you will be flying out of here. I also think the princess needs two guards at all times from here on out.” I proceeded to tell him about what happened the previous night with Bella most likely being followed.
I still didn’t know exactly what happened, but if she was being so skittish and actually allowed me to walk her home, I knew something had happened. Which had me worried about the royal family’s safety.
“Salvador, I do agree Mandy needs two guards at all times now. But surely, I can still take a flight without worry? I’ll only walk a few blocks down before shifting, then I’ll take flight and none of the wolves will be able to do anything to me.” Prince Jax looked around and continued, “I think if anyone is in danger, it will be Mandy. Please make sure she’s always assigned two guards once the rest of the guards arrive. Until then, I’ll try not to leave her side unless I have to.”
I couldn’t argue with my prince, but part of me felt that even a few blocks alone wasn’t safe for him. However, he was right about the princess. She was a bigger target than he was, considering she was carrying the future king. If any of the wolves were against their union, she and her unborn hatchling were the ones to target. They were the weak point right now. Not that the princess was weak, but while pregnant, she wouldn’t be able to fight like she normally could.
“Of course, my lord.” I nodded my head in deference. “But, please, be vigilant and keep an eye out. Until the guards arrive, I am very worried about the safety of both of you.”
The prince put his hand on my shoulder. “Salvador, how long have we known each other?”
“Since we were boys, my lord.”
“Since when have you been so formal with me? I understand once I’m king, but I’m only the prince. The same guy you used to pummel when we were kids. Please, call me Jax. I feel so old when you use my title.”
I chuckled. Normally, I did use his given name, but because we were here on official business and would be surrounded by so many unknown wolves, I wanted to make sure everyone knew who he was. I was counting on the fact that no wolf would want to attack a member of the dragon royal family. It would be too dangerous, and reprisals would be swift and severe. They all had to know that. Just like if they attacked a member of Santa’s family.
“I’ll make sure Ian and I don’t take our eyes off your mate while she shops today.” I knew I would always have one eye on the princess and one on everyone surrounding us. Just as Ian would.
No one was going to hurt our future queen and the mother of our future king. Granted, it would be a long time before the hatchling would become the ruler, but he would always be in line for the throne, which made him a target. Even now, while he was still in his mother’s womb. It was a given the baby would be a boy. A girl hadn’t been born into the royal family in many generations. Maybe his child would one day be a girl, but for now, we had to be happy with a male heir.
Once the princess was ready, we headed out. As we exited the house, I noticed a lot of Rock’s Enforcers were heading inside. It must have been a security meeting for the Round Up. I wish we had been invited as well. We would have to coordinate once the rest of our guards arrived.
Maybe I could even request a wolf guard to assist with the princess’ protection detail. At least, until all our guards were here. Then, I wouldn’t have to leave the prince alone. I made a mental note to discuss it with Palo once we brought the princess home s
afely.
Prince Jax was still inside when we left. I was sure he would be safe with all those Enforcers close by. I knew I needed to focus on Mandy and where we were going and not worry about Jax. He could take care of himself. He was a dragon, after all. One touch of his fire would send a wolf up in flames. What with their fur coats, they wouldn’t stand a chance as long as Jax was in his dragon form.
As we walked through the little shops and watched as vendor booths went up all around the village, I realized this place was going to be very crowded. It was smart of the princess to get her shopping done now before it became utter chaos.
Over the years in my security business, I had a full range of protection details. Too many times I had to watch over the wives of rich humans as they shopped. Most of them only shopped out of boredom or to spend their husband’s hard-earned money. I supposed it helped the local economies when they shopped, but I never enjoyed being out shopping with women.
Mandy was different. She knew what she needed and rarely stopped to look at items unless someone stopped her. Being the daughter of a living Santa, everyone knew who she was. Plus, this was her pack’s territory. She had probably grown up playing with most of the shop owner’s kids. Even those setting up little booths outside waved and called out greetings to her.
Only a few asked her to stop and chat. One in particular caught my interest. We were coming upon a flower cart and an old man was sitting there, watching us as we walked closer.
“Hello, Mr. Forster. How are you today?” Mandy called out to the old man.
“Ahhh, Mandy. It’s so good to see you again. I’m fine, fine. Thank you. How are you dear?” The old man looked at Ian and me before continuing, “Where is your mate? And who are these men with you?” the craggily old voice asked.
Miss Claus and the Christmas Wedding (A Shifter Christmas Romance Book 3) Page 5
