by Shelby Lynn
“Well let’s hope so for you, Johnny,” she told him.
“It looks like they are starting to line up. It is almost time to go in the store. Are you ready for the mad dash?” she teased him.
“Ready as ever!” He chuckled as they got out of his truck and walked to the front of the store.
The line was already about ten deep when they made it to the back of the line. Mandy was glad she had dressed warmly. It was so cold this morning, she could see her own breath. They were only in line for about five minutes before the line stretched out to the middle of the parking lot.
“Wow, this is like Black Friday sales,” Mandy told him.
“Never been,” Johnny told her.
“Oh my Gosh! You've never been? After last year, I swore I would never go again. I waited in line forever, and then I didn’t even get what I came for. There is nothing more frustrating than that!”
“I can only imagine. It really doesn’t sound like much fun. Didn’t your boyfriend help you find what you wanted?” he asked.
“I don’t have a boyfriend. I’m just not the girlfriend type, I guess.”
He could tell by the way she hung her head this really bothered her. He wasn’t the best person to judge, but she was a nice-looking woman to him. He had never felt that way towards women, so he never really had a lot to do with them. After meeting Mandy, he could see that was a mistake. She was great and he hoped she found someone special.
“I hope you find a special person as well. It's worth it to wait for that special someone, Mandy. Don’t ever feel bad because you’re looking for that special one,” Johnny told her.
“Thank you, Johnny.” She gave him a hug.
“I think it’s time, Mandy,” Johnny said. The man was starting to unlock the front door.
They watched the door come open, and it was like a cattle stampede. People just started pushing and shoving to get through the door. Johnny grabbed hold of Mandy and let them rush past them. There were indeed some crazy shoppers out there. The poor man at the door looked a little frazzled already. They walked through the door and grabbed a cart.
“Well that wasn’t any fun. Now let’s see what we can find.”
In a much more leisurely pace, they walked to the Christmas Shop. Johnny headed them towards the big wall of Christmas tree boxes. They got one of the smaller four-foot trees. It would be the perfect size for the corner of the bedroom. Next, they made their way over to the ornament aisle. It was already pretty full of people, but they eased their way in. They found the smaller ornaments, which would look much better on the small tree.
“Those are beautiful, and they will look perfect on this tree,” Mandy told him. For someone who said they couldn’t decorate, Johnny did a great job picking out the things he wanted for the tree.
“That was easier than I thought it would be after seeing those people act like idiots earlier. If I hadn’t pulled you out of the way, I think that man would have barreled right over you. Men are not supposed to act that way in my book,” Johnny told her. He was still pissed the man acted that way toward someone smaller than himself. It reminded him of his bully of a stepbrother. He didn’t want to think of him at all. His life was really coming together, and the last thing he needed was a reminder of his painful past.
“Is everything okay, Johnny?” Mandy asked. For a moment, there was an almost haunted look in his eyes. That was something she was very familiar with from her past.
“I’m fine, I promise. I was just thinking of something. That crowd just pissed me off, I guess.”
“Johnny, I’m sorry this made you uncomfortable. I wouldn’t have suggested it if I knew.”
“No, Mandy, please don’t think that at all. I have enjoyed every moment with you. It was just the man pissed me off. I'm fine,” he reassured her. He didn’t want to burden anyone with his past. Johnny knew he would have to tell his mate in time, along with all the other secrets of his life.
Mandy was glad she hadn’t truly upset her new friend. They walked around the store getting to know one another better. She told Johnny about Haven and Garrett, and how they’d found her a few days ago. Wow, it seemed so much longer than a few days.
In no time, they were through the checkout and heading back out to the truck. They decided to go ahead and get the decorating done this morning, in case Sawyer came home unexpectedly. When they got back to the house, they took the purchases into the Pack house.
Garrett already had been hard at work coming up with the other decorations they needed to complete the room.
Last night, he told Haven about Johnny and Mandy’s plans for this morning. They didn’t know how much that would mean to Sawyer for his mate to go to so much trouble just for him. Haven knew that would be the second best present for him to come home to. The only thing superseding that would be Johnny himself.
First thing the next morning, Garrett dug out more Christmas decorations. Meanwhile, Haven was looking after baby Jasmine. This was a true blessing to him, as he silently thanked the Spirits once again for this special gift. Jasmine was bright-eyed and curious to everything going on around her. She asked about her daddy Garrett, and what he was doing. Haven was soon carrying Jasmine up to find him, and to help if he could.
“Someone wants to help her daddy find Christmas decorations for Uncle Johnny,” Haven told his mate. There were boxes strung all over the attic of the Pack house.
“Well we certainly have enough stuff up here. I think we should have plenty to make their room shout Christmas. I am so glad Mandy and Johnny became friends. Now they are out having lots of fun, and he isn’t as sad,” Garrett said. He reached up and gave his mate a kiss, turned and then kissed his daughter’s forehead.
“They will probably be back soon. They have been gone for a couple of hours already. I’ll see if one of Jasmine’s uncles can watch her while I help carry these things downstairs for you.” Sending out a summons over the Alpha link, Jasper came right away.
“Thanks, Jasper. I am going to help Garrett take down these boxes,” Haven told his Pack mate.
“No problem. I love watching this darling, little girl,” he said then held her up in the air and blew on her belly. Jasmine’s giggles could be heard throughout the Pack house.
“Where should we take these boxes, Garrett?”
“I was thinking of setting them right outside Sawyer and Johnny’s room. That way, they can bring in one box at a time.”
“Handsome and smart, how did I ever get so lucky?” Haven teased his mate.
“Well I think we are both lucky, and I’ll show you just how lucky after we get these boxes down stairs…
Chapter Eleven
Johnny took the time to look at the beauty surrounding his new home on the way back from the store. On the way here yesterday, he hadn’t given it the attention it deserved. The mountains in the distance were breathtaking with their snowy peaks. He couldn’t wait to explore his new home with his mate. It was the perfect place to safely run and let their shifter side out.
He wondered what his mate would think of his wolf. When he was growing up in his adopted parents' Pack, he transformed away from the others. His unusual coloring would have been just another thing for his stepbrother to pick on him for. Johnny tried not to worry. Mates were the missing part of themselves, only complete when found. He had to rely on that when he revealed just how different he was.
“Thank you, Johnny for letting me come shopping with you this morning,” Mandy told him.
“It should be me thanking you, not the other way around. I wouldn’t have thought of doing this in a million years,” he told her with a big smile on his face.
“You would have come up with something even better; I have no doubt, Johnny.”
They pulled into the driveway to the Pack house. It looked like everyone was up and about from all the lights on in the house. He was looking forward to decorating their room. He hoped Sawyer would like the necklace he had made for him. He had always been able to carve thing
s out of wood. When he had started on the piece of wood, he didn’t know what it would turn out to be. It wasn’t until it began to form a shape that he knew what it was.
Johnny carried the Christmas tree box into the house. Mandy carried the three much smaller bags of decorations in right behind him. Jasper was in the kitchen getting little Jasmine a bottle when they walked into the kitchen.
“Jasper, are you ready for me to take the little bundle of joy there?” Mandy asked.
“No, you can help Johnny with those things while I take this little one to the rocking chair. You guys have fun,” Jasper said as he walked out of the kitchen. He was heading to Jasmine’s room and the rocking chair they had put together for her.
“It amazes me how much all of these guys love that little one. I am so glad that Jasmine is going to grow up with so many uncles who adore her,” Mandy told him.
Mandy didn’t even seem to realize the emotions that came through in her voice. It seemed she had some secrets as well, Johnny thought to himself. He didn’t like the idea of his new friend being hurt. Now that he was a part of her life, he would make sure she wasn’t ever hurt again. He would be the big brother, and there would be hell to pay if anyone thought to hurt her.
Just then, Alpha Haven walked down the hallway.
“Johnny, we just put the last box of Christmas decorations outside of your bedroom. Feel free to use anything you want to decorate your room,” Haven told the young man.
“Mandy, it's good to see a smile on your face as well. Did you find everything you needed for the tree?” Haven asked.
“Johnny picked out the perfect decorations for the tree. Wow, with all the rest of this stuff his room will look like Santa’s own home,” she teased them.
Haven left them to start going through the decorations so they could plan how they wanted to decorate it all up for Johnny’s special mate. They were both like kids in a candy shop, and it was great to see their enthusiasm. Now it was time to find his mate…
Chapter Twelve
Garrett had taken the opportunity to take a quick shower, while his mate was talking to Johnny and Mandy. He was ready for a little downtime for just them to reconnect. He still considered himself blessed to have found a mate like Haven. Every day he thanked the Spirits for allowing him to live through the abuse he lived through for years. He would gladly go through it all again, just to have this special man in his life.
He lay on the bed thinking of all Shannon and he must accomplish in the next few months. They’d laid the groundwork, but that was all they had gotten underway. It was not going to be an easy task. They had decided they would accept the offer of help from Counselor Jackson to get the network set up. He had done much the same with an abuse hotline. In fact, that was how he had met his mate.
Haven had been a key player as well in finding these wolves who were abused by someone within their Packs. Haven had retired from the Councilor’s service; although, that was mainly to help Garrett and Shannon form the Dream Weaver Hotline. Garrett was so deep in thought he almost didn’t hear his mate coming into their bedroom.
“Heavy thoughts, my love. We will get this all figured out very soon. Something tells me the Warrior Spirits have something else in the works to help as well.”
“You are amazing, you know that? Haven, you always say the right thing to make me feel better. Thank you for loving me,” Garrett said.
“Garrett, you are the amazing one. You awe me a little more every day with your goodness and love for everyone around you. I thank the Spirits every day for allowing me to find you.” Haven sat down on the edge of the bed, and leaned over to gently kiss his mate’s lips. He ran his fingers up and down Garrett’s strong muscular arms. Haven enjoyed the feel of his mate’s skin underneath his fingertips.
It was intoxicatingly erotic to explore his mate. Bringing pleasure wasn’t always about sex. Loving one’s mate, and showing him just what he means to you, and bringing about his pleasure alone, is what it was all about. Haven kissed his mate down his throat, paying special attention to the mating mark. Lapping it repeatedly was a pleasure spot all in its own. He stopped only when he felt the shiver race through his mate’s body in reaction.
Working his way down the muscled six-pack and tracing the hair, that led to a painfully hard cock already weeping pre-cum for him. Just before he took the engorged cock into his mouth, Haven looked up into his mate’s passion-filled eyes. Haven took Garrett’s cock all the way down his throat, and worshiped it with his tongue. Over and over, Haven would envelop his cock with his mouth until Garrett’s cock hit the back of his throat, and then he would swallow.
Stopping only long enough to suck on the mushroomed head and lick off the pre-cum right before he exploded into his mouth. Nothing ever tasted better to Haven.
Haven went to get a washcloth for his mate. “What about you, Haven?” Garrett asked. He was more than ready to return the pleasure.
“No, my mate. This was about your pleasure. Now I just want to lay here and hold you close for a while,” Haven told his mate.
They lay there holding each other close. Happier than either ever thought possible. For a short time neither had any worries, just the sharing of love from one mate to the other...
“Have you heard from Counselor Jackson on Sawyer?” Johnny asked Alpha Haven several days later. He and Mandy had gone a little overboard decorating their room. Johnny thought Sawyer would understand and appreciate the thought. Here it was New Years and still no sign of his mate. It looked like he would be bringing in the New Year alone as well.
“No, sorry. I wish I had some good news for you, Johnny,” Haven told the disappointed man. Everyone was hanging out in the living room watching the time go by until another year was brought forth. He really hoped Sawyer would be back by now. He must have run into some trouble. Haven had already talked to Garrett about finding out what was going on with his friend and soon-to-be Beta of the Pack.
Johnny was starting to lose hope of seeing his mate anytime soon. With each day that passed, the uneasiness filled his stomach. He didn’t like that feeling at all. He was just getting ready to head to their room when he scented the most wonderful smell imaginable. Then seconds later, his mate walked into the room. Within moments, he was enveloped in a hug. His mate’s voice sent a shiver through his body.
“You didn’t think I would let you pass into a New Year alone, did you? These lips are mine,” he said before pulling him closer and kissing him passionately. They could hear the countdown in the background, and when they got to one, both knew this would be one very happy New Year…
Mandy couldn’t have been happier for her friend. She knew the days had been trying for him following Christmas. She would have loved to have invited Teddy tonight. He was finally back in town, and they had celebrated a late Christmas as well. Teddy was officially off the book tour, and biting at the bit to get started on his next bestseller.
Something was bothering her friend, and she wasn’t sure what it was. She hoped he would tell her in time though…
Chapter Thirteen
All he could do lately was remember the past. Teddy breathed a sigh of relief. In all the years since losing Mandy’s birth father, he had been on the outside looking in. Never able to come close to the young girl whose father was his best friend, until his death right before her birth. Lance and he were orphans in the same Pack. Right before Lance’s death, he had come to Teddy asking a favor. Somehow, he knew he would never live to be in his daughter’s life. He asked Teddy to watch over his daughter.
With his writing, following the small family wasn't hard to do. He watched the beautiful little baby grow into a little girl as it seemed to take place almost overnight. It wasn’t until her mom took up with the muscle-bound idiot that he worried for the safety of his friend’s daughter. There was just something about the man that rubbed Teddy the wrong way.
It wasn’t until one night he had a horrible feeling something was about to happen. He got out of bed and hea
ded towards the place they were living. Before he even made it there, he found her walking into town. She had tears streaming down her face when he approached her. Before the night was over, they became fast friends.
Everything that happened that evening came pouring out of Mandy. He listened, keeping his beast under control with each word that poured from her mouth. All he wanted to do was tear the asshole apart for trying to take advantage of her in that way. In that moment, he swore he would never let the man near Mandy ever again.
Mandy was so stubborn; she was very much like her father in that regard. She only stayed with him until she found a job and could afford a small place. They kept in touch daily after that. She soon became his very best friend, and they got together every chance available. He was finally able to fulfill his friend’s request, and he couldn’t have asked for a better friend.
His life was so lonely before Mandy had become his best friend. He actually hadn’t had a friend since Lance. When Mandy called and told him about her live-in nanny job, he had been worried until he heard the name of her new employer. Haven Storm was a hero of sorts to him. Honestly, if it hadn’t been for his promise to watch over Mandy, he would have asked to join Haven’s Pack a long time ago.
Haven was an inspiration to every gay wolf out there. He gave up everything to be his true self. Coming here and forming a Pack, helping anyone who found themselves in need. His rescues were known throughout the Wolf Packs across the nation. Teddy often wondered if he knew how much he had affected the gay men throughout the Packs. Giving them hope and acceptance in some cases.
When this last book tour was over, he planned to contact Alpha Haven and ask permission to explain about the Weir’s living among the humans. Then he hoped to join the Pack himself…
Excerpt from Sawyer’s Hope
