Christmas After Dark: A Holiday Paranormal Romance Anthology

by Abigail Owen

  “I’m not sure what to say,” I murmured.

  “I know that feeling.” She nodded.

  She came over to me and dropped the towel as she clung to me. Her breasts pressed tight against my bare chest, and I wrapped my arms around her and closed my eyes. She wasn’t a werewolf, but her instinct for skin to skin contact was primal. A statement without a single word. We were one. Nothing would come between us.

  Never again.

  I kissed her wet head, and she tipped her chin up, searching my face. “I’m so sorry, Shane. I would have stopped him if I knew what he was planning.”

  The realization that she was shouldering any of the blame for the massacre of my Pack stabbed me in the heart.

  I caught her face in my hands, shaking my head slowly. “Don’t let him make this your fault. You thought you were protecting me by staying away. No one is responsible but him.”

  “Your whole family…if we’d never met they’d be alive.”

  “No.” I brushed my lips to hers, hungry to erase her pain, wishing it could be so simple. “We were meant to me. I’m the luckiest guy on earth that fate chose you to be my mate.”

  Her gaze searched mine, and her voice hitched. “He stole ten years from us.”

  “We have lots of catching up to do.”

  She sniffled, wiping her nose. “So what do we do now?”

  “Cole told me you have the week off, and I’ve never seen the Grand Canyon.”

  She chuckled through her watery eyes. “We’ll freeze our asses off.”

  I slid one hand down her back to cup hers. “I bet we can find a way to warm up.”

  “How do you do that?” She almost smiled.

  “Do what?”

  “Make me believe in the future?”

  I pressed my lips to her forehead. “I owe you. I came to Sedona ready to die avenging my family, but you changed everything. You showed me a different future.”

  “Your wolf saved my life.”

  I nodded. “And you saved my soul.”

  She rose up on her toes and kissed me. “I love you, Shane.”

  I lost myself in her green eyes as I scooped her up into my arms and carried her over to the bed. I laid her down, kissing her tenderly. “Rest. I need to fix the door before we get unwanted visitors.”

  She caught my hand as I stood up. “Wait.”

  I sat on the edge of the bed. “What’s wrong?”

  “Besides everything?” She chuckled, rolling her eyes. “The only thing that’s right, is us. I know this is going to sound crazy, but I want you to move in. We lost so much time already. I don’t want to waste another minute.”

  Heat washed through my chest. I bent to kiss her, slow, savoring her soft lips. My eyes burned as I straightened up, pinching the bridge of my nose, and struggling to get a grip on my emotions. “Sorry, I thought I’d be a lone wolf until my last breath. I’m a little…overwhelmed.”

  She kissed my hand. “Don’t apologize. Just say ‘Yes.’”

  I nodded slowly, a grin spreading across my face. “Yes.”

  She pulled me down to her, kissing me until I forgot all about the damned door.

  Epilogue

  Shane

  Christmas Eve

  We parked in front of the sprawling desert ranch house. Piper squeezed my thigh. “It’s gorgeous.”

  I nodded, scanning the area. The magic of the massive red rock mountains hadn’t worn off yet, maybe it never would. Our weekend at the Grand Canyon had helped us mourn not only for the ones we lost, but for the time her father had stolen from us. We caught up on each other’s lives and damn it, I loved her more every day.

  After we got back to Sedona, I moved what little I had left into Piper’s place. I’d also gotten to know Chase and Asher better over a few beers at the Wolf Pack Bar. Apparently, the Pack ran the bar, and it was a tourist favorite, complete with t-shirts and bumper stickers. None of them would ever guess an actual Pack owned the place and used the profits to help cover the costs of maintaining this estate.

  They also offered me a job.

  One of their Pack members, Raven, turned out to be the mate for one of the guys in the Pack up in Reno, Nevada. Since she moved away, Ryker had taken over tending the bar, but that left them without a bouncer.

  It wasn’t a career, but it would give me some income until I got some roots in Sedona, and I appreciated the offer. I’d start work right after Christmas.

  We jogged up the steps and knocked on the door, stealing a quick kiss under the mistletoe perched above the door. When it opened, I looked down to find a little guy staring up at us with big blue eyes. “You’re the new werewolf.”

  I nodded and knelt down, offering him my hand. “I’m Shane.”

  He did his best to clasp my forearm with his pudgy hand. Someone was already teaching him the traditional Pack greeting. “I’m Bart.”

  I looked over my shoulder. “This is Piper.”

  Bart waved at her. “You’re human.”

  “I sure am.” She chuckled with a nod.

  “Bart, let them come inside. It’s freezing outside.” A woman with short dark hair came over. She smiled as she picked up the boy. “I’m Naomi, Bart’s mom. Come on in.”

  We stepped into the warm living room, hanging our coats on the rack by the door. The sight of the tree, and stockings on the mantle warmed me more than the fire. They didn’t have an Alpha, but this was definitely a Pack.

  Cole came over and hugged Piper before we gripped forearms. “Merry Christmas, Shane.”

  “Merry Christmas.” I glanced around the spacious living room, smiling at the two sets of twin boys on the floor playing. “Thanks for inviting us tonight.”

  “Have you thought about our offer?”

  “We’re still thinking about it.” I slid my arm around Piper’s waist. “I’m not sure how you’re going to add new Pack members without an Alpha to accept them.”

  Cole chuckled. “I warned you we’re not a traditional Pack.” He sobered. “But you’re both welcome here.”

  He headed for the kitchen and I turned to Piper. “You still haven’t told me what you want for Christmas.”

  She squeezed my hand. “I already got it.”

  I grinned, glancing over at the kids. “Someday…” I tipped my head toward the little guys. “I want little Piper’s chasing those boys around with her mom’s sword.”

  Piper laughed, and I swore I’d never tire of seeing her happy. “It’s a Scottish claymore, and it’s not a toy.” She shook her head, watching the boys. “Besides, I thought werewolves only had boys.”

  “Boys are born shifters, and they’re much more common, but one of my cousins had a little girl.” Maybe someday I’d be able to remember them with a smile instead of a pang of bitterness in my heart.

  Piper chuckled. “So the rare girl is just an average human?”

  I lifted her hand to my lips. “Nothing about you is average.”

  Asher cleared his throat, interrupting us. “Good to see you both.” He focused on me just like we agreed he would. “Can I talk to you?”

  “Yeah.” I glanced over at Piper. “I’ll be right back.”

  Naomi called Piper to the kitchen while I followed Archer into a spacious study. He checked the door and finally smiled. “You’re sure about this?”

  “Never been surer of anything in my life.” He put the blue velvet box in my hand and I smiled. “Thanks for hiding it for me. Keeping it a secret from her has been killer.”

  “When are you going to do it?”

  “I don’t know yet, but I figure I’ll know when the time is right.” I slipped the box into my pocket. “Won’t be in front of everyone though. I don’t want to put her on the spot.”

  Asher nodded. “Smart man.”

  “I have my moments.” I chuckled and headed for the door, but something made me stop. I looked back at him, and deep in my soul, my wolf howled. This was my Alpha. I crossed to Asher and clasped his forearm before pulling him into a tight
hug. “Cole said the Pack was open to accepting me and Piper.”

  “We are.” Asher lifted a brow. “Are you accepting the invitation?”

  “I need to check with my mate, but…I think I’d be honored to join your Pack.”

  Asher stepped back, his dark eyes on mine. “It’s not ‘mine’, but we’d love to have you with us. With jaguar shifters nearby, we can use all the help we can get.”

  I nodded with a knowing smile. “If you need me, I’ll be there.”

  “I’ll get your cell number from Cole and add you to my Pack list. When I find trouble, you’ll get the call to help.”

  “You don’t know, do you?” I studied his face. His eyes were a window to an old soul. Noble. But…he didn’t feel the push to lead. My wolf recognized the dominant leader. The others already looked to him. Why didn’t he see it? I couldn’t figure it out.

  Naomi poked her head inside the door. “Did you make the exchange? I can’t keep Piper stirring mashed potatoes much longer, all the food is ready.”

  I patted my pocket. “I’ve got it. Thanks.”

  I followed her out to the front room, and Naomi announced, “Dinner’s ready!”

  Piper came over and smiled with a questioning look in her eyes. “Everything okay?”

  I nodded. “Definitely.”

  The laughter and conversations interspersed with the little guys asking if it was time for presents yet were magic. Instead of making me sad, I felt grateful. And so damned lucky to get a second chance.

  After we helped clean up, the little ones tore into the gifts like wild animals and I nudged Piper. “Come get some air with me?”

  We grabbed our coats and slipped out back. The forecast gave us a chance of a white Christmas, and judging by the clouds covering the stars, it seemed likely. We walked out back to an empty fire pit and sat down.

  “Are you going to join the Pack?”

  “It’s not just me.” I took her hand. “You’re my mate. You’re a part of this too.” I stared into her eyes. “Normally, I’d already be in a Pack and they’d welcome you to our family, but your mate is a lone wolf, so this is sort of uncharted territory.”

  “Do they want me?”

  I kissed her forehead with a smile. “We’re a package deal.”

  She smiled. “Well, I could be useful. I do have experience stitching up werewolves.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  She nodded with a sparkle in her eyes. “Yes.”

  A tiny white snowflake settled on her red hair. I looked up as more tiny white flecks drifted down from the heavens. The hushed silence embraced us as the snow fell. I stared at my mate, memorizing every curve of her face, every snowflake in her hair.

  I scooted off the bench onto one knee and her eyes widened. “What are you doing?”

  Praying she would say yes. But I kept that to myself. I took out the box and opened it to reveal a diamond set into a white gold band with a wolf etched into it.

  “I love you, Piper. And any other person would think we’re nuts, but I have loved you for years, and I want to keep loving you for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?”

  She stared at the ring long enough that I started second guessing myself. Maybe it was too soon. But before I could say anything else, she bent forward and kissed me. Was this a consolation kiss or yes?

  She rested her forehead on mine and whispered, “I’ve always wanted to be Piper Dodd.”

  I pulled her off the bench and into my arms, kissing as the snowflakes settled on our heads. Christmas music from the house spilled out into the quiet night.

  The wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on earth, good will to men…

  I held her tighter. When I was at my darkest, alone and numb, I’d found her again, and her love gave me a peace I never thought I’d know again. She saved me.

  A tiny hand poked my shoulder. I looked up at little Bart and he leaned in close to my ear. “Did she say yes?”

  I chuckled and nodded. “Yep.”

  The little guy raced for the house chanting, “She said yes! She said yes! She said yes!”

  The door closed behind him and Piper grinned. “They were all in on this?”

  I nodded. “I ordered the ring online, and I couldn’t have it shipped to our house so…they helped me out.”

  I slid the ring onto her finger. “Merry Christmas.”

  “Merry Christmas,” she whispered as her lips brushed mine.

  I couldn’t have wished for more.

  The End

  If you enjoyed The Lone Wolf’s Wish, be sure to check out Sedona Sin for more adventures of The Sedona Pack.

  About the Author

  Lisa Kessler

  Lisa Kessler is an Amazon Best Selling author of dark paranormal fiction. She’s a two-time San Diego Book Award winner for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror and Best Published Romance, an Award of Excellence for Best Paranormal Romance, as well as the Romance Through the Ages Award for Best Paranormal and Best First Book.

  Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.

  When she’s not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, and has performed with San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego.

  http://www.lisa-kessler.com

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  Series by Lisa Kessler

  The Moon Series

  The Sedona Pack

  The Muse Chronicles

  Sentinels of Savannah

  The Night Series

  Summerland Stories

  UPCOMING RELEASE

  Pirate's Persuasion (Sentinels of Savannah #4) - 4.27.2020

  Shifting Seasons

  A Holiday Shifter Romance

  Sheryl Nantus

  SHIFTING SEASONS

  Cassie Nyre is looking forward to a quiet and lonely Christmas—until she finds an injured animal on the way home. Her big heart has her bring the hurt otter into her home and into her bathtub, to rest until Christmas Day when she can deliver it to Animal Control. But the next morning she finds a semi-naked man in her bathroom—and it's not Santa Claus!

  1

  It was Christmas Eve—for some, the best time of the year.

  For Cassie Nyre, the worst.

  Three years ago, her father had been in mourning. Both of them had been, trying to recuperate from the shock of losing her mother in a freak car accident a month earlier, the victim of a drunk driver. Cassie put her dreams on hold and moved home, doing what she could to help him recover.

  It hadn't been enough in the end. Her father didn't make it through the year, his broken heart unable to cope.

  Two years ago—her world had changed forever.

  One year ago, she'd been alone by choice, dealing with the biggest twist in her life to date.

  This year...

  She wouldn't be spending it alone, no matter what.

  Cass studied the interior of the Rolling River bar, noting the lack of customers. She'd wiped down the tables twice, set the bar stools in a perfect line and swept the floor three times, making sure to get into the corners—as her father taught her. Tucking a wayward blond strand of hair behind one ear, she straightened the bottles under the counter one more time, debating her options.

  There wouldn't be a problem with closing up early, before midnight—after all, she owned half of the business. Danny Yablonski owned the other half, and he'd offered to take New Year's Eve if she took Christmas Eve—the bar would be closed on Christmas Day, of course.

  It was an offer she couldn't refuse.

  It'd been easy to make arrangements with Veronica to come in for the evening, letting Cass take the bar up for the evening shift. The handful of regulars who came in were glad to see her, each wishing her holiday greetings on their way out. Old Tony had been the last to leave, over an hour ago.

  She checked the time—close to nine o'clock. Do a final sweep, lock the place
up and head on home. Veronica had told her not to rush, but...

  Cassie went to the nearest window, tugging aside the black and yellow curtains. There were no cars in the small parking lot and no sign of anyone coming down the narrow road. A light snow was falling, coating the trees and ground. The nearby river would still be running—it'd managed to survive anything the Pennsylvanian weather could throw at it.

  Including her father and grandfather's garbage. Growing up here, she'd heard a litany of stories about what they'd tossed into the Monongahela River, including a cement roller, now likely covered in silt and debris.

  Except it wasn't what they'd put into the river that had startled her in the end.

  It'd been what she got out.

  Cassie looked out into the blowing snow again, debating her decision. Close early, miss out on serving some lonely soul trying to escape the yearly family chaos. Stay open, sit here with her own ghosts until it was time to go home to Veronica...

  The front door edged open with a burst of cold air whistling through the bar, startling her out of her reverie.

  A man stepped in and closed it quickly, keeping the hot air from escaping. He turned toward her with a smile, shaking the snow from his dark blue pea coat.

  Her heart raced as she recognized him. The short black hair, the deep brown eyes, the mischievous smirk.

  Alec.

  She charged at him before her mind had fully processed his arrival, striding across the empty floor.

  He smiled and opened his arms. "Cassie." He said her name like a prayer. "I'm so glad—"

  The rest of the words were lost in the slap, her hand leaving a vibrant red mark on his left cheek.

  "You bastard!" She took a step back, fighting the urge to hit him again before she had her say. "How dare you come in here."