Chapter Nine

Wolfe

I stayed in the room with Aster because I didn't want Noel to walk in and find his elf statue had become a man. Doing my job as a father and protecting my son from the shock. Also, I didn't know this guy yet, and my attraction didn't guarantee that he was someone to insert directly into my life. David would want me to protect Noel against any danger, and I did my best every day. This, however, was a whole new situation. Not one I would have come up with in my most out-there dreams.

After David died. The weight of responsibility came down heavy on me, and I saw threat around every corner. He'd been such a rock, such a solid person, always practical and ready to calm me down, especially after the baby came. Noel was so tiny and adorable, and I was afraid the whole world was one gigantic possibility of harm to our pup.

David was quick but gentle in pointing out that Noel had two parents who adored him, and that it wasn't like we were going to be leaving him unattended on a NYC subway or something. One or both of us would be with him at all times until he was old enough to start to need some independence. Wolf young came into their own a bit younger than humans, or so I understood about the non-paranormal people. But he still had some years to go.

It was still wild to think that someone who was…well, was not someone just a little while ago. Or of course he was, but I just didn't know it. And from the moment he appeared in full stature, my wolf came on alert. But then so did I. But not in a negative way. Still, I could have slept outside Noel's door in wolf form if I wanted to guard him, but not only did that not feel necessary, but my wolf found no harm in him at all. He wanted to be closer, too.

So, on the floor near him it was. Serving the dual purpose of guardian to Noel and satisfying my wolf.

We'd spoken for quite a while before settling in for the night, and although his breathing was slow and even—soothing—my mind would not slow down enough to sleep. I plumped the pillow under my head and kicked off the blanket over my legs. The fire was low but still put out a ton of heat, and even after banking it for the night, the cabin stayed comfortable. This close to the hearth, in front of the sofa where Noel and I often sat and talked on cold winter's nights, I was more than toasty.

Pushing up to lean against the couch, I turned my head and watched Aster resting on his back, lips slightly parted. He was still covered with the handmade quilt we'd been gifted by David's aunt at our mating. It was still one of my most precious possessions, and I supposed I should have been bothered by loaning it to someone I was feeling such attraction to. But, although I searched for any negative feelings or concerns, I found not a one. Only pleasure at providing comfort to our guest after what had to be a traumatic experience. Settling in, I watched the glowing coals and the occasional flicker of flame. A few hours before, I thought our life was settled. Maybe I wasn't happy, as I'd been when my mate lived, but I had found contentment.

Aster was intense, his energy strong and clear, and it had been a long time since I'd been this close to an attractive alpha. I couldn't fully understand what he'd experienced. But I believed him. The most far-fetched part of the whole thing was his turning from a statue into a person, but I knew that happened, so why not the rest.

The elf rolled over onto his side, the quilt falling to his waist, and without thinking, I reached up to tuck it around his shoulders again, as I would have for Noel. Was he cold? Probably not, but I didn't want him to be.

Suppressing a chuckle, I realized I was worried about someone from the North Pole catching a chill down here in the Lower Forty-eight. He probably wore flip-flops in the snow. But didn't elves wear those pointy-toed shoes with the bells every day? Probably a stereotype. He did have pointy ears though.

Standing, I walked to the window and looked out at the wintery landscape. A doe bent her neck to nibble something in the snow and an owl hooted in the distance. Living here in the cabin, nature was all around us. Noel loved it, and so did I. It had a calming effect seeing the animals go about their lives and the scene right outside change with the seasons.

Beautiful. And cold. And not all sweet and pretty, which I knew well as a predator. As soon as Noel shifted, his wolf would want to hunt, and mine would teach him his ways. Maybe not what other people might think of in terms of my adorable child, but we were more than that. We were both human and beast.

And the elf? From what he said, he'd been cursed or something similar by breaking a North Pole rule. So he probably didn't have two forms usually. Probably lucky. It couldn't be fun to have to stand on a dusty shelf all day without moving. What drew my son to the statue? He loved all things Christmas, but a figurine was not really a typical item to catch his interest. Had he known somehow that there was more to the item than just what presented?

At his age, he might have a hard time expressing something like that, but I would like to know.

The moon hung low in the sky, and morning would be here soon, so I returned to my makeshift bed and closed my eyes, trying to shut down all the thoughts still racing inside my mind. I was so drawn to the elf, but I felt as if there was more to the story than he revealed. Was that what had me feeling so protective? Or was it just normal me?

At some point, I fell asleep because the first rays of wintry sun touched my eyelids, without a trace of warmth. Summer felt a million years away. But that was all right. Noel and I would have fun crunching through snow while it lasted as well. He was a great companion.

And it was time to get up and see what today brought. Pushing to my feet, I looked down to see Aster's eyes open. "Good morning," I said. "Did you sleep well?"

"Better than I have for the past several days, for sure."

Now there was a question. "Do statues sleep?"

"I'm not even sure. It feels a little like a dream now. But then…here I am. Not back at the Pole baking cookies. Did you want me to leave?"

"Actually, I am going to wake Noel and make breakfast. He's going to be surprised to meet you."

"Maybe." Aster stood up and folded the quilt, stroking its soft, worn cotton before laying it over the back of the sofa with care. "Children often surprise us, don't they?"

I chuckled. "Noel does, for sure."

"Why don't I start breakfast? Cooking or at least baking is kind of my jam."

I gave a little bow. "Excellent. I'll go get my son and be back as soon as he's on the move. Want me to come help you find things first?"

"No." He smiled, his eyes sparkling. "I'm usually right at home in the kitchen."