21. Mai

Chapter twenty-one

Mai

T he fire crackled as I settled onto the couch, watching Lark fidget with the hem of her sweater. It was nearly midnight. Wally had found a Christmas playlist on his music streaming app, and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” was playing on the speakers Ryan had installed around the house.

I glanced around, my eyes automatically drawn to the Christmas tree that could have graced the lobby of a five-star hotel. Strings of warm white lights were expertly woven through the lush boughs, creating a soft, romantic glow. Mercury glass ornaments and glistening icicle ornaments hung artfully, catching the firelight like prisms.

When I first walked in here, after cleaning up after the fight, and seen the shimmery ribbons, beaded garlands, and twinkling lights draped along every surface, Wally had thrown his arms out, and asked me what I thought. I’d said the first thing that had come to mind. “It’s very...um…sparkly.”

Wally had grinned. “Good. You can never have too much sparkle, honey.”

Now, taking in the sleek metallic bows and lustrous winterberry wreaths that he’d added to the mantle, and sculpted reindeer figurines in the corners that peeked out from amidst the mounds of pearlescent-beaded garlands draped to look like glistening snowdrifts, I wondered at how Wally had managed, despite the chaos of today, to transform our Alpha House into a winter wonderland for everyone.

It was exactly what we all needed after the events of this evening. After the fight, Thomas and Amara had patched everyone up, the Knox Pack and witches had been secured in the enforcers building—Sam would be taking them to the kennel, the name most Shifters gave the Adarcan Prison, tomorrow.

The surviving prospect had finally caught up with Ronnie, and he’d called his brother. Maxwell had walked off into the forest to have that conversation without all of us hearing, though we’d had to cover the kids’ ears, given the yelling and language, before he was out of earshot. Maxwell had returned fifteen minutes later to say that Ronnie would be here in the morning. After that, I’d announced that it was finally time for Ben’s Birthday Christmas celebrations. Sylvie was busy putting the last touches to the meal and had shooed us all out of the kitchen. Everyone except Maxwell, which was interesting. I was going to have to find out more about him.

Lark had been quiet since the fight ended. Some of the tension had left her, but her scent told me she was feeling wary and uncertain.

“Lark,” I said softly, “we need to talk about what happens next.”

She jutted out her chin and glared up at me. “I’m staying with Ronnie. You can’t stop me!”

I was pretty sure if we tried to keep her here, she would run away the first chance she got. If Ronnie was just using her to get information, I would kill him myself. “You don’t have to go anywhere you don’t want to. But we do need to deal with your bonds to the Knox Pack.”

“I don’t want any Pack bonds,” she said, her voice sharp with fear. “Packs are stupid.”

“Not all Packs are like the Knox Pack. Being part of a Pack is about strength in numbers; it’s about protecting each other and having someone to look out for you,” I explained. “But more than that, Pack bonds help ground us; they help our wolves stay balanced and healthy. Without them, we can become unstable, dangerous to ourselves and others.”

She considered this, her fingers still worrying at her sweater. “I … I don’t want to hurt Ronnie. Does that mean I have to keep the bonds?”

I shook my head. “Not if you don’t want to. I can teach you how to break your Knox Pack bonds. But after that, you’ll need new ones.”

Her face scrunched up. “You mean, stay here? Be part of your Pack?”

“We need to talk to Ronnie about it, work out all the details, but maybe there is a way for you to stay with him.”

Hope bloomed in her eyes. “Really?”

“Really. But it would come with conditions.”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “What sort of conditions?”

“Well, for starters, you’d need to visit us at least twice a month, plus the three days around the full moon. That way, your Pack bonds would stay healthy, and you can learn about being a werewolf. You’re about to hit your teenage years; that means lots of change is coming, and you need to know how to deal with it all.”

“And when I’m here, I can borrow your books?”

I smiled. “Anytime.”

“And I wouldn’t need to leave Ronnie? I could live with him?”

Ronnie really meant something to her; that much was clear. “Being part of our Pack doesn’t mean giving up your found family—it means adding to it.”

Lark seemed to consider this carefully, her eyes darting to where Ben and Tucker were setting up dominos under the Christmas tree. The twinkling lights cast a warm glow over their faces as they argued about the rules.

“Would I get to play with them when I came to visit?”

“Of course. That’s part of being in our Pack—there’ll always be some Packmates around to play with.”

Ben looked up then. “Hey, Lark! Come help! Tucker’s trying to cheat!”

“Am not!” Tucker gave Ben a playful shove.

Lark glanced at me, seeking permission. I nodded, and she scrambled off the couch, racing over to join them under the glittering tree.

Around the room, my Pack was settling into the celebration. Mason had pulled Shya onto his lap in the oversized armchair, his fingers absently playing with her hair as they watched the kids play. She smiled and leaned back into him, completely at ease in his arms.

Near the fireplace, Amara was attempting to hang more tinsel while Cameron kept trying to “help,” which mostly involved wrapping the sparkly strands around her instead of the mantle.

“You’re doing it wrong,” he teased, pulling her closer with the tinsel.

“Oh, really?” She raised an eyebrow at him. “And you’re the tinsel expert now?”

“I’m an expert at making you smile,” he replied and pressed a kiss to her nose.

Behind them, from his spot by the door, Jase pretended to gag.

Maxwell appeared from the kitchen with a tray of hot chocolate, Sylvie’s scent mingling with his. I suppressed a smile. I had a feeling I knew exactly what they’d been doing in there.

“You missed a spot,” Sofia called out, pointing to where Derek was attempting to rehang some fallen Christmas lights.

Derek turned, the muscles in his arms flexing as he stretched to reach the lights. “If you’re such an expert,” he drawled, his eyes darkening as they swept over her, “why don’t you come up here and show me how it’s done?”

Sofia’s heart rate picked up—something every wolf in the room could hear.

“Because then who would protect these candy canes from becoming Wally’s latest ‘artistic inspiration’?” She gestured to where Wally was attempting to create what he called a “candy cane Christmas tree sculpture” that looked more like something from a horror movie.

“I’m creating art!” Wally declared, waving around a half-melted candy cane. “This will be my masterpiece—‘Christmas Joy in Red and White.’ Or possibly ‘Santa’s Revenge.’ I haven’t decided yet.”

I watched as Derek’s eyes stayed locked on Sofia. The way he tracked her movements reminded me of how Ryan used to watch me before we got together—like a predator waiting for the perfect moment to pounce.

A sudden blur of motion caught my eye as Ben launched himself off the floor towards Wally. The room seemed to still, everyone holding their breath as Ben tackled Wally in a fierce hug. “This is the best birthday ever!” he cried, his voice muffled against Wally’s shirt.

You could have heard a pin drop. We all knew how much this meant to Wally—to throw the perfect party, to make Ben’s first birthday celebration as part of Wally and Thomas’ family one he would never forget. Wally’s arms tightened almost convulsively around the boy, and his shoulders shook ever so slightly.

“It was no problem at all, Ben! You deserved it!” Wally choked out, one hand flailing up to dab under his eyes.

Ben looked up at Wally. “Are you…are you crying?” A horrified expression formed on Ben’s face. “Did I make you cry?”

“I am not crying, you hear me? I’m just...sweating through my eyes. From all the party planning exertion! It’s a completely normal thing.”

A wave of soft laughter rippled through the room. Thomas grinned as he made his way over, put his arm around Wally and ruffled Ben’s hair.

“Better get used to it, Ben,” Thomas said gruffly. “Wally’s eyes tend to sweat a lot!”

I stood up, smiling, and felt Ryan’s strong arms slide around my waist from behind. “Dance with me?”

I raised my eyebrows. “Dance. Me?”

“You’ll be great; just follow my lead.”

He pulled me against his chest, and I relaxed into his warmth, swaying to the music.

“You did good with Lark,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to my temple.

I nodded as he spun me slowly around the room. In the corner, Sam was having an intense debate about “Star Wars” with Waylen, who was gesturing wildly with a half-eaten gingerbread wolf.

By the tree, Esme skipped over to the children. “Can I play? I’m good at dominoes, and I promise I won’t cheat for the first five minutes.”

Jem, leaning against the far wall with his arms crossed, smiled. It flashed across his face, there and gone before I’d blinked, but I saw it. I had thought they would leave after the battle, but they had stuck around.

“How are you doing? You seem calmer.”

I knew Ryan wasn’t asking about the fight, and he was right. I did feel calmer. I didn’t know if I would always get it right, but I trusted my instincts. I’d take it one day at a time, one challenge at a time, and would do the best I could. Ryan and me were in for one hell of an adventure, but we would figure it out.

“I feel calmer. I don’t think I’m going to be having more nightmares.”

His eyebrow shot up. “Really? You finally gonna tell me what they were about?”

I sighed and bit my bottom lip. “I…I was scared that in the middle of a fight, you would be too focused on protecting me, and … and that someone in our Pack would die because of it.”

He leaned down and whispered in my ear. “You will always come first.”

“I know. But you trusted me back there. In those moments when Gabrielle had me, you trusted that I would get me and the baby out of it. I know that now. You didn’t see me as weak and in need of help. You saw me, Ryan. You knew I was capable of doing it.”

“I’m not gonna lie and say it didn’t kill me out there, and I’m never not gonna want to destroy anyone who threatens you, but you’re more than capable of protecting both you and our kids. I’m glad you know it, too.”

I nodded. “I finally realized that me giving a shit is not a weakness. It makes me who I am. It makes me a better leader, a better Alpha, and it makes our Pack stronger.”

Ryan grinned. “You know, I think you’re the last in the Pack to work that out.”

“The last one, huh?”

“Yes!” Wally, Sofia, Jase, and Derek all called at the same time.

Okay, then.

Ryan kept us dancing, leading us into the hallway. “I have a present for you.”

“You got me a present?”

“Three presents, actually. I’ve been trying to talk to you all day about the first one. I’m going to build you a cabin. In the forest. Still in the Three Rivers, but away from the town and anyone who might be tempted to disturb us. Say with questions about tinsel emergency protocols.”

My breath caught. “A cabin? For us? Just us?”

“I thought we could do with a place to escape to once in a while. Just for you and me. Not Alphas Mai and Ryan, just you and your brother’s best friend who has loved you your entire life. But only if you want it.”

I felt my eyes well up. Want it? It was the most thoughtful gift anyone had ever gotten me.

“Ryan, it sounds absolutely perfect.”

He smiled and twirled me further down the corridor. “Good. That takes us to present number two.”

“You don’t need—“

“Don’t even try. I’m going to get you as many presents as I want. And, here’s letting you in on a little secret, they won’t be just at birthdays or Christmas, they’re gonna be all the time.”

“Ryan—“

“Present number two,” he interrupted. “I talked with Jem.”

I frowned, knowing where this was going. “I know; Esme told me what happened last week. I love that you tried, but Jem isn’t ready to spend time with me. I’ll find a way to be alright with that.”

“Uh-huh. Did Esme tell you I talked to Jem again?”

I shook my head, hoping Ryan hadn’t made it worse with Jem; they’d been best friends for so long.

“He’s agreed to come over for Friday night dinners. Him and Esme. As a trial run at first, but I’ll be there, and I’d never let him hurt you. Plus, Esme is handy with her magic these days. She’ll hit him with a spell if his wolf gets out of control.”

I stood still, not able to move, and just looked at Ryan.

“No more dancing?” he teased.

I didn’t reply. I couldn’t. Tears rolled down my cheeks.

“Mai—“

“You…he…you!”

His expression turned worried. “I can tell him not to come—“

“Don’t you dare!” I pointed my finger accusingly at him. “He really said he’d come?”

“Yes.”

“Oh my Goddess, Ryan!” I leapt, flinging myself into his arms. He caught me, his strong arms wrapping round me as he held me tight. “Thank you! You’ve given my brother back to me.”

I felt his chest rumble as he chuckled. “It’s just dinner but it’s a start.”

“I can’t…this means so much to me, Ryan. I thought I’d lost him for good.”

He set me down on my feet, wiping my tears away with his thumbs. “I’ll do anything to make you happy, Mai. Anything. Which brings me to present number three.”

“No more presents, Ryan! Really. You’ve given me everything I could have ever wanted. You gave me you, this Pack, this family, and now my brother back.”

“There will always be more, Mai.” His smile turned dark as he slipped his arms round my waist and started dancing again. “This present is for later, though, when I’ve kicked everyone out of here.”

“So, in what? Five minutes?” I teased.

He frowned, then spun me, twirling me out and pulling me close. “I’ll give them till after dinner. Then our no-one-in-our-vicinity days begin. I have plans.”

A warmth spread through my chest. “Those plans better include us in bed.”

“In bed, in the gym, in the lounge, in the kitchen, and the study. I told you, I have plans. Big plans. All night plans.”

Er, yum!

“Maybe we send everyone home for dessert?”

He grinned down at me. “Whatever my Alpha wants.”

His hand, hot against my back, slipped down, his fingers grazing the top of my ass, and I could feel my breasts tighten at just the thought of what he was going to do to me later.

“You know,” Ryan said thoughtfully, “I could get used to this whole Christmas birthday thing.”

“Really? The famously stubborn Ryan Shaw, accepting change?”

He grinned down at me. “Well, some changes are worth it.”

Mate. Happy.

Yes, I said back to my wolf. We were happy.

“How’s the little one doing? Still hungry?”

I placed my hand on my stomach as it gurgled as if on cue. “It’s always hungry. I swear, if I didn’t know better, I’d think it was a litter.”

“Not a litter. Just twins.”

I blinked up at him. “What?”

“Twins. I can hear their heartbeats.”

I swayed, and Ryan caught me.

Just like I knew he always would.

What’s next in Shifters of the Three Rivers? The Reluctant Mate. A Derek and Sofia story, coming 2025!

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