“I trust him to keep me safe. Anything else, I’m not sure.” I replied.
“I see…Do you trust me?” Rock inquired.
“Of course. I’ve known you all my life and you have always been there for my family and this pack.” There was no way I couldn’t trust Rock.
“So, you need to get to know Jax better? Is that it? Maybe next week, after you have improved a little bit in your training, you should take the day off and do something fun.” I couldn’t believe Rock was trying to get me to spend more time with Jax. Something fishy was up.
“What’s going on, Rock? Why are you all of a sudden buddy buddy with him and trying to get us to spend more time together?”
Just then my father came up and patted Rock on the back. “Rock, would you mind if I participated in your training today? I was hoping to get in a good workout. The twins are here, too. I think they should be included in your training every day from here on out.”
I agreed with my father. My sisters needed to be able to defend themselves should anyone come after them.
“Of course, sir. You and your family are welcome at any time! Just know, I won’t go easy on your just because you are my former Santa.” Rock laughed and headed to where the twins stood.
“Dad, I think it’s a great idea. Bella and Beth have never been interested in advanced training, unless it meant they got to watch the male wolves work-out. Then they were interested.” I knew my sisters were boy-crazy. Even more then I was at their age.
Dad laughed, “Yes, I know. Which is why I want Rock training them. He’ll get them into shape in no time.”
“Dad, I think we should have a big pack dinner again. I miss those. Since I’ve been back it’s just been us, which I love. But, I miss the craziness of all the guys at our house. Why haven’t they been over?” Growing up the Beta and his family, along with a few key enforcers always came over. It was really rare for us to have just the family at dinner.
“I think your sister wanted to give you a chance to get back into the swing of things here. You remember how crazy it is when the enforcers are over. Plus, I don’t think Jax is used to so many people in one place. She didn’t want to scare him away with the normal dinners.”
“Well, I think it’s time to get things back to normal around her. If Jax can’t handle it, then he isn’t right for me or any wolf shifter. We are pack wolves and love company. Solitary time isn’t what we crave.” I liked my alone time just as much as any wolf, but nothing beat having the pack around.
Later, after training and a long, hot shower, I ambled into the kitchen sorer than I had been in ages. Rock was really taking us through the ringer.
Jax entered the kitchen, “Hey there. Are you alright?” He asked when I slowly turned to smile at him.
“Just sore. Today’s lesson was brutal. I can only be thrown down on the mat so many times before I start to hurt, even as a wolf.” I sipped the peppermint tea Lizzie had made me.
“Should I talk to Rock? Get him to go easier on you?” Jax was sweet, but he had no clue how the pack operated.
My eyes shot up to him and narrowed, “Don’t you dare! It would only make me look weak. I can handle this. This pain is a good thing.”
I turned to Lizzie who stood silently watching us. “I think it’s time to have a normal pack dinner. How about tomorrow night? We can Rock and a few of the enforcers to come over with their families. Let Jax get a real picture of what life in a pack is like.”
Lizzie bit her lip. “I’m not sure he’s ready for that, yet. It’s pretty crazy.”
“I can handle anything your pack throws at me.” Jax proclaimed.
I laughed, “Just remember you said it, not me.”
Chapter 19
The next night we must have had thirty arctic wolf shifters in our house. The dining room table could only hold eighteen. The rest were spread out through the living room and kitchen for dinner. At the table were my family, Jax, Rock and his parents, Mikey Jr. and his parents, Nick and his parents, along with one of the regular enforcers who used to always come over, Rick.
The house was a cacophony of sounds as everyone chatted like old times. I had missed this. Living in Seattle I almost forgot what it was like to have so many people in one place with me. I had a few friends, but nothing like what was in my house now.
Jax sat next to me with wide eyes watching as everyone joked around and passed the dinner plates. “Is it always like this? There are so many bodies in here and it’s very loud. It’s difficult to focus on any one conversation.”
I looked around and saw it all from his perspective for the first time and wondered if he would ever be comfortable with my pack.
“Pretty much. We don’t normally have thirty wolves here, but the dinner table is usually packed. I thought you could handle anything?” Smugly, I nudged his arm with my elbow.
“I can. It’s just this is absolute chaos.” Before Jax could say anything else, a roll came flying down the table right at him. He was able to demonstrate his fantastic reflexes by grabbing it before it hit him or his plate.
“Alright, who threw it? Come on guys, give him a chance.” I yelled out over din of everyone’s laughter.
Rock was down the other side of the table trying hard to stifle a laugh. “Rock, just remember we have training tomorrow and you still haven’t been able to beat the dragon.” I raised my eyebrows at him and remembered I still needed to talk to him about what’s been going on.
Later, after desert I would corner him outside and get the truth from him.
“No worries, Mandy. I have an understanding with the dragon. We’ve become friends. Isn’t’ that right, Jax?” Rock nodded to Jax.
“You know it.” He raised his hand for an air fist bump.
When had the two of them had time to become such good friends? Curiousor and curiousor.
The evening continued pretty much the same. Rock and Jax seemed to be getting along quite well and the other enforcers really took to him as well. In fact, my entire family did. Jax was a little overwhelmed in the beginning but as soon as he relaxed, he began to enjoy the evening.
When there was a lull I asked Rock, “Can I talk to you? Outside?”
Rock’s brows rose and he looked between Jax and me, “Sure. Is anything wrong?”
“Nope, I just need to ask you something.” I stood up to lead the way outside.
Once we were out of earshot of my nosey family I asked him, “Okay, what gives? Since when did you and Jax become best buds?”
“What do you mean?” He was trying to play coy but I wasn’t buying it.
“Why are you and Jax so close all of sudden? Why are you trying to get us together?”
Rock sighed and looked around. “Alright. You can’t say anything.”
“Fine. Just tell me the truth.”
“Your dad asked me to befriend Jax and help him fit in. He believes you will choose Jax if no one else is trying to get between you two. Even though it’s your choice, you dad thinks this is best.” Rock scrunched up his face and looked to my house.
“What do you think?” I knew some would want me to mate with Jax, but my dad?
“I think he’s really into you. You should have seen how upset he was right after you were taken. He practically blew flames in his human shape he was so upset. I wasn’t surprised he went on looking for you even after his partner, Darius, was told to stop for the night. Jax wasn’t going to let you be hurt by Alexandru and his followers.”
“That doesn’t mean he likes me or might fall in love with me. It just means he takes his role as prince of the dragons very seriously. He had been in Seattle keeping Alexandru and his friends from doing anything too outrageous, even before we met.” Jax had told me his job was to rescue damsels, not “damsel” singular, but plural. He was most likely keeping those dragons from going after anyone, not just me.
“I wondered the same thing until we got you back. I see the way you both look at each other. The dragon’s in love with you, or a
t least on his way. You…”
“Stop right there.” I held up my hand to stop him from going any further.
“You aren’t in my head and have no idea how I feel. Stars, I don’t even know how I feel.” I threw my hands in the air and walked around the spot where we were standing.
“Mandy, just relax. No one is saying you have to love him. I really think you will fall for him over time. He’s a nice guy and he wants to take good care of you. Give him a chance. That’s all anyone is asking. The fact that you could be a princess, is a bonus.”
“Ugh! Why couldn’t I have met him when we were younger? No matter what I choose, I think the Kringle family needs to keep in touch with the dragons going forward. Keeping this deal a secret from my family was wrong on so many levels. It’s making it so much more difficult to accept.” I bit my lower lip and ran a hand through my hair.
“I want to do what’s right. I’m just worried that what’s right may not be in my own best interests. I sound selfish, I know.” I huffed.
“No, you sound like anyone would who was thrown a curve ball. Just relax and forget about mating. Get to know the dragon. I’ve seen you two together and you seem to enjoy his company. I’m confident he would take really great care of you.”
“I really don’t want to leave my pack. I love the life we have here. I can’t imagine giving up Christmas, could you?” My favorite time of years was from September through New Year’s.
“Who says you have to give up anything? Think about it. They don’t live that far away and you can fly here anytime you want. Maybe even stay here during the season and continue to help your sister. I don’t see why you can’t live here part of the year and back with the dragons the other part of the year.” Rock made a good point.
“Do you really think his father will allow his son, his heir, to spend part of the year here with the pack?” While I didn’t want to live anywhere else, being home for the Christmas Season would make it bearable.
“Yes, I do. King Erol seemed pretty reasonable. He felt horrible about the way everything panned out.” Rock would have spent more time with them all while I was missing. He might have seen or heard how Erol really felt.
“I’ve already promised to give him a chance. That’s why he’s here. If I choose to not mate with him, or any dragon, would you back me up?” I was worried if I said no, I wouldn’t have any support.
“Mandy, I’ll always be on your side. If you don’t want to mate with any of them, I’ll stand beside your decision, no matter what. You deserve to make this choice and have said choice respected.” Rock took my hands and squeezed.
“Thanks, Rock. I appreciate it.” At least I had one wolf on my side.
Poor Rock, I wished he could find the female of his heart’s desire. I wondered if there really was a mate out there for him. Whoever she was, she would be one lucky girl.
Chapter 20
Mandy
Over the next couple of weeks I spent my mornings training and my afternoons working with Lizzie, preparing everything for Christmas Eve. Jax assisted us. He seemed to be really enjoying it all.
“Hey, what do you say we take the night off and make a snowman?” I knew it would end up with a snowball fight before the night was over, but we hadn’t had a night to ourselves for close to two weeks. I was ready for some alone time.
“Sounds like fun. Do your snowmen move and talk like the movies?” Jax asked.
“Let me guess, the twins showed you those old Claymation Christmas movies with Rudolph? We don’t have that kind of Christmas magic.” I laughed as Jax looked depressed.
“Bummer, I was really hoping you could do that. A walking, talking Frosty would be a lot of fun.” He admitted.
“Yeah, when I was a kid we tried. It didn’t work.”
“Okay. I’m still up for snowman building as long as you promise me more of the peppermint hot cocoa.” Jax loved my sister’s favorite drink.
“Done. Let’s get these letters sorted so we can cut out early.” We had been working with the elves that day, sorting the letters to Santa. It was cutting it close, but some kids were still sending him letters asking for the toy of their dreams.
Jax hadn’t kissed me again since the mistletoe incident and I was wondering what he was waiting for. Although, to be fair, we hadn’t had any alone time. I was hoping tonight he’d make a move. I had to know if that one kiss really was as fantastic as I remembered or if it was a one-time thing.
“Oh, these type of letters make me so sad.” It was our job to read letters and determine if they were the type Santa could fulfill or not. This was not one he could deliver.
“What is it?” Jax asked putting down his letter to come over and read mine.
“This little girl wants a mommy for Christmas. We get several kids asking for mommy’s or daddy’s each year.” I wiped a tear from my face as I realized Jax was doing the same thing.
“What does Santa do for those kids?”
“If the letter includes a request for a toy, we fulfil that request. If there is no toy request then the letter goes directly to the big guy and he determines what the child receives.” I wanted to do something more for these kids but we couldn’t.
“Palo’s first year as Santa was really tough on him. One of the kids had lost his mom in war. He had asked for her to come back. That was all he wanted forever. When I delivered the letter to him he cried. I haven’t ever seen him cry except for that one time. What he did next really surprised me, considering it was his first year.” I almost began crying when I thought back to that year. It was the one event that told me Palo was going to be one of the best Santa’s ever.
“What did he do?” Jax asked after I has stayed quiet too long.
“Oh, sorry. I was thinking back to that year. Palo got all dressed up and brought a sack of presents with him to the boy’s house. The family lived in a rundown neighborhood in the UK and weren’t planning on celebrating Christmas at all that year. Palo also sent them a tree to put up later. The little boy, Benjamin, and his father were shocked. I’m not sure if they realized it was the real Santa or not, but they sent another letter to Santa thanking him and letting him know they hadn’t smiled or laughed since the mother died. When Santa visited them and just spent time talking to them, it helped them to mourn her and begin the long process of healing.” I had to stop because my voice was cracking.
Every time I thought of this family I couldn’t help but cry. I was tearing up again and knew it would be difficult to finish the story.
After wiping my eyes and calming my heart, I continued, “The next year, Santa asked a single mom with a little girl who lived in the town next to theirs, if she could help him deliver some packages. The woman was a bit surprised, but agreed to help. She told me later she thought he was just a secret Santa who wanted to remain anonymous.” I smiled remembering when I interviewed her. She thought I was a reporter.
“Did the little boy get his mommy?” Hope gleamed in Jax’s eyes as he waited for my response.
“Yes, he did. The little girl also got the daddy she had asked my dad for two years before. Palo didn’t know that. He only knew the woman was divorced and lonely. I think he had been looking around during the year for someone to introduce to the single dad.”
“This isn’t a normal story. Santa can’t always go to see the children who need a parent. Something guided him and he listened to it. I think fate, or God, or something, was at work. I hope we can keep an eye on that family and see what happens. I know one of those children will grow up to do something spectacular.” I wiped what I hoped was the final tear from my eye and put the letter to the side for Santa.
“Alright, how about we stop for the day and have some fun? I think we deserve it.” I knew we wouldn’t be able to concentrate after this. It was already after four in the afternoon and most nights we worked right up to dinner and some nights we even went back to work after dinner. We deserved a break.
“Yes, I’m ready to build a snowman. Maybe w
e can create some magic to make it come alive.” Jax laughed and we walked out hand in hand heading to one of the parks in our little village.
“Lend me your scarf. I think Frosty hear needs it.” I had brought a carrot for the nose and some buttons for the eyes.
“What about his mouth? What do you want to use for his mouth?” Jax asked as he took off his scarf.
“This.” I pulled out one red licorice and put it on Frosty’s face.
After I put the scarf around his neck I stood back and examined our masterpiece. “Perfect.”
“I agree.” Jax was looking at me instead of the snowman.
Heat creeped up my cheeks and I smiled. Jax and I had been alone for close to an hour and he still hadn’t kissed me. If he didn’t make a move soon, I was going to burst.
I swallowed and he looked away. What was he waiting for?
I had to do something. I couldn’t keep standing there waiting like an idiot. Reaching over I grabbed a handful of snow and threw it at him. If nothing else, I was going to cut the tension which had snuck up on us over the past few minutes.
I hit him right in the face.
He sputtered, “What? What was that for?”
“Because you needed it.” I couldn’t tell him I was mad at him for not kissing me again.
We spent the next few minutes throwing horribly made snowballs at each other. They were more like tight handfuls of snow than actual balls.
I hid behind the snowman and threw a couple of handfuls before he roared and ran through the snowman to tackle me to the ground. I was on my back and he was chuckling while laying on top of me.
Laughing, I looked up into his silvery eyes and smashed the handful of snow, which I had been preparing to throw at him, right onto his cheek. The snow fell in clumps onto my face when he shook his head laughing.
“I see how it is. You must be itching for a smackdown.” He said before picking up a handful and dumping the snow on my face.
Miss Claus Under The Mistletoe Page 12
