Chapter Twelve

Wolfe

"Normally, I'd put him down for a nap after a day like this, but I think he's a little too wound up." I watched my son pretending to be an airplane all around the living room. "I'll have to wait until he winds down a bit."

"Why don't I make some cocoa and maybe a little snack while you get the two of you in dry clothes?"

Noel came zooming by then. "What about you, Mr. Aster? What about your clothes?" I figured I'd just get him another set of mine, but then more magical stuff happened. I had a feeling I'd better get used to that if he was going to stick around.

The wet clothes he wore melted away to reveal a colorful outfit including a cap that would mean Santa's elf to anyone who saw him. His boots curled in the classic fashion, his hat was peaked, and yet he managed to carry off the whole look. It was the same outfit he'd worn as a statue, but it was much nicer in its real form.

And Noel? Was not only pleased but took it in stride. He walked around Aster, taking in the whole look and came back around to the front. "You look better now. More like you." Interesting. I wouldn't have said it that way, but it was true.

"We'll be right back." I took Noel's hand and led him off to change into comfy pajamas. He would definitely be napping soon. And we had done all the outside activities for today. I sent him off to the living room and changed into sweats myself before joining the two of them in front of the fire. Aster made cocoa as special as his pancakes, and our cups brimmed with multicolored marshmallows I didn't remember buying.

"That looks amazing." I accepted a mug and sat down between them on the couch. "So, what shall we do next? Puzzle?"

They looked at each other then back to me.

"Daddy, how about a Christmas movie?" I was a huge puzzle fan who somehow managed to give birth to a puzzle non-enthusiast. He did them to placate me from time to time, but he preferred other activities.

"Okay, as long as Aster is all right with it." Maybe he was over all the holiday stuff after living in the North Pole.

"Heck yeah. I love Christmas movies. Which one would you like to watch?" Up here at the cabin, internet and streaming weren't always guaranteed, especially in bad weather, so we had a big collection of DVDs that we often watched even when there was no problem. Noel towed the box over and we all went through the selections, trying to decide which to watch. We all had strong opinions on each, but in the end, we let Noel pick an animated feature with adorable bears who showed us all how to find the joy of the season.

It was great, and when I turned to high-five Noel for his good choice, it was to find his eyes closed and a little trickle of drool at the corner of his mouth.

"He's had a busy day," Aster said in a low voice, giving him a soft smile. "Being a good host."

"That's my guy." I stood up and reached down to lift my son to my shoulder. "He runs hard, but he sleeps hard, too. Luckily because I'm usually ready for bed not long after him. Once or twice, I might have even napped along with him."

"If you want to do that, it's fine. I'll straighten up the cocoa mess and watch something else. You have so many to choose from. Santa himself may not have this many."

My cheeks warmed. "I'll be right back." Noel in his jammies was all ready to be tucked in for his nap, and after a kiss on his forehead, I returned to join Aster on the couch.

At some point during the day, I'd recognized why he was such a perfect fit here in our home. It was because he belonged here. With us. As my mate. And I didn't know if he felt the same way. Usually fated mates both did, but I'd heard of once or twice when things went sideways and one either didn't get the feeling or just didn't want to.

"Is he still asleep?" he asked.

"Never even opened his eyes. He'll be down for a couple of hours, or should. He is really enjoying you being here."

"And you?" He turned sideways to face me. "Are you enjoying me being here?"

"You're my mate, Aster. Or at least I think you are."

His eyes welled. "Do you see it too? Everything has been so strange, but from the moment in the store, I knew there was something. And it's been so hard not to take your hand or sit closer to you."

I scooted over. "Better?"

His arm came around my shoulders. "Now it's better."

I relaxed, tension I hadn't even been aware I'd been holding for so long seeping out of me as this elf's strength and goodness came across in his embrace. "It is." I looked up at him, trying to think of what to say next. This felt like a huge moment. Something to celebrate or at least say the right thing. But no words were there, and then his lips descended onto mine and words no longer mattered. His kiss was just like his energy. Calm but strong and holding a promise that I did not have to do it all myself anymore. Fate had sent him to me.

We kissed for a long time, my lips parting and his tongue coming in to stroke mine in a slow, sensual, mind-dissolving way. His other arm came around to bring me in closer until we were pressed together in the firelight, a trace of cocoa in his mouth or mine, probably both. A winter dream.

Finally, we sat back, out of breath, and looked into one another's eyes. "That was nice," he breathed. "I can't believe I found my fated mate. If I ever had a hope for that, I'd have thought it would be an elf in our group or another one."

"Disappointed? Would you prefer an elf?"

He shook his head back and forth. "I prefer you."

More kissing happened but in between, we talked about our lives, which could not be more different. Basically, Noel and I lived here in regular old America. Yes, we were wolf shifters, but our lives were ordinary other than that.

Aster, on the other hand, lived at the North Pole, where he worked for Santa.

"So, we agree we're mates?" I said.

"I think we did, a few times," he agreed.

"But we come from such different worlds." I chewed on my lip, still trying to come up with a way to express it. "If we're mates, then don't we want to be together all the time?" I knew I did. Blindingly quickly, but that was how mating worked.

"I do want to be with you all the time."

"But where? Are shifters even allowed at the North Pole?" I didn't know anything about it.

"I don't know. Or even whether I will be allowed there anymore."

"And does that make you sad or homesick?"

"Daddy, naptime over." At Noel's sweet voice from the doorway, we jerked farther apart like guilty teenagers. "I am hungry for dinner." He came and plopped down on my lap. "Hi, Mr. Aster. Can you make meat loaf that looks like cookies?"