Chapter Thirteen

Lucifer

“That’s the last of them,” Cary said. “Why am I sad?”

They’d worked hard to have all the presents complete for the boys and girls who were in need. The last week they’d put in very long nights, and even with magic, they’d barely finished on time. It had seemed there were more needy kids out there than other years. That worried Lucifer.

“I get that way too,” he replied as he pulled Cary to his side.

Normally it was worse. This time Christmas Eve meant that Lucifer could spend time with his mates without a deadline hanging over their heads. In the past Lucifer only looked forward to December first to December twenty-fifth. Christmas day was always for the meal that he hosted for his family. The same would true this year. Getting his mates to agree to welcome Michael back into their home had taken a bucket full of promises, vows, and bribes.

“Do we really have to host Christmas dinner tomorrow?”

Lucifer turned to where Gage was sitting on a now empty table. He was kicking his legs as he glared at where all the gifts had been. Lucifer’s magic was working at getting all the presents where they needed to be. “Yes, you agreed.” After getting a blowjob every morning for five days.

“What are we going to do tonight then?” Gage asked. He hopped off the table. “Prep for the party?”

“It's not a party. It’s a dinner.”

“It’s Christmas Eve!” Cary said. “I want to open a present. We always open one before we go to bed.”

Gage shrugged. “We normally only exchange a couple. Someone got out of hand and there are hundreds under the tree.”

That was a bit of an exaggeration. There was no more than twenty. Maybe thirty gifts. Per mate. Lucifer might have indulged in spoiling his boys, but he hadn't gone crazy. “We actually have plans for the evening,” he shared. “Cary, make sure you grab a jacket.”

“We’re going out?” Cary danced around. “Are we going to look at Christmas lights? Can we have hot cocoa?”

Well, Lucifer hadn’t thought of that, but they would now. On the way home. “It’s a surprise. Dress warm, please.”

“I’ll be right back!” Cary raced out of the room.

His little human still forgot he could transport from room to room.

“Where are we going?” Gage questioned. “Somehow, I doubt it’s to sing carols, drink cocoa, and look at lights.”

“Sing carols—”

“Don’t even think about it,” Gage growled. “I don’t sing.”

“I have a lovely voice,” Lucifer shared. “My father loves for us to sing for him.”

“Great, you can sing for me later. Where are we going?” Gage insisted.

One mate loved surprises, and one hated them. “We’re having a Christmas Eve celebration with the dragon alpha, Axel, and his family.”

Gage smiled. “The dragon alpha mated to a human little? A family full of littles.” He kissed Lucifer’s cheek. “You are amazing.”

“It’s also a family full of shifters,” Lucifer told him. “A couple felines. A lion, bobcat, and a panther.”

“And a hellhound alpha.” Gage shuddered.

“Oh, that reminds me. One of the humans, Seb, has a hellhound pup. She’s adorable but can get a little worked up. Will you be okay with her?”

Gage waved his hand. “A hellhound puppy? I think I can handle that. I’m going to get dressed too. I should probably show up in something better than basketball shorts and a sleeveless shirt.”

“I’ll be waiting until you two are ready,” Lucifer said.

Gage transported out of the room. He had no problem using the magic. Surprising since Lucifer had expected due to his upbringing Gage would have a harder time with the magic. Gage didn’t need the coin any longer. Still, he refused to not carry it. He’d said it was one of the first things that Lucifer gave him. Gage could be sweet when he wanted to be.

So, neither of his mates were against using magic. Cary just often forgot.

Looking down at his own clothes, Lucifer decided he should change as well. He pictured black leather pants, boots, and a long-sleeve red silk shirt. He did have a reputation. And he liked leather and the color red. Which was why the color was so heavily associated with him.

Gage popped back into the room with Cary under his arm.

Cary flushed. “I forgot to transport again.”

“Baby boy.” Lucifer crossed the room. “You don’t have to use the magic. It’s there if you want to.”

“I want to!” Cary cried. “The magic is so helpful! I don’t want it to think I don’t like it.”

That was a complicated statement.

“The magic knows that you forget. It won’t be mad at you.” Gage hugged Cary’s shoulder as he winked at Lucifer.

Probably a better way to handle the situation. Lucifer was still learning about his mates. The good news was that Lucifer had about an eternity to get it right.

“You both look great,” Lucifer praised.

“You look hot.” Gage scowled at him. The protectiveness coming through clearly. “A little too hot.”

“I like it,” Cary said. “And our marks will glow to anyone paranormal.”

“Shall we go?” Lucifer offered his mates his elbows.

* * * * *

Gage

“Don’t run!”

“It’s okay, Daddy! The snow isn’t slippery! Or even cold! This is awesome!” Bryce shouted back to the overprotective dragon alpha.

“Just be careful, please,” Axel warned.

“K! Snowball fight!” Bryce shouted.

Gage groaned. Lucifer had made the perfect snowfall for the boys to have a white Christmas. And they hadn’t stopped running and playing since the first flake fell. Cary was going to be exhausted. It was fun watching him with the other boys though. Littles. Cary had friends that were littles, a pup, or just fun boys.

The yard was overflowing with the amount of people.

He turned his head at the barking and growling.

The…thing that Lucifer had called a hellhound pup was in no way a puppy. She was a terrifying three-foot hellhound who was chasing after the boys while barking.

“Hey.”

He turned and smiled. They’d been introduced to everyone, but the names and faces were sort of a blur. This was a huge family. Shifters, humans, and paranormals that Gage couldn’t determine. He just didn’t have enough knowledge since his clowder had kept to himself. The man in front of him was luckily one name that he remembered. The guy’s gorgeous mane of hair was awesome. “Logan, right?”

“Yeah.” He shifted from foot to foot. “Can I… Are you feline? I can smell it, but the species isn’t one I recognize.”

Says the lion shifter. The freaking king of felines. “Oh, just your average housecat.”

The guy, Logan, perked up. “Really?” He gave a little shimmy. “I’ve smelt your species before but couldn’t ask. That is awesome! Do you want to shift? Bryce says the snow isn’t cold. We can take a nap under my tree!”

“Logan loves to take nap. He’s not hitting on you,” a handsome dark-haired man told him. Gage couldn’t remember his name. He swung his arm over Logan’s shoulder.

Logan’s eyes widened. “I wasn’t! I swear! Gav—”

“It’s okay,” Gavin said.

Gage remembered the guy’s name now although he had no idea what kind of paranormal creature he was. Gage literally had no clue.

Gavin winked at him. “Logan loves to shift if you do want to. He’ll probably end up falling asleep though. He really does love his naps.”

“The sun is shining even with the snow that Mister Lucifer provided,” Logan said. “I never napped in snow before. Too cold.”

“Maybe you can shift and run around a little first? I’ll see if Trevor will go with you.” Gavin strolled off as he called for Trevor.

“Yes,” Logan hissed. “The felines.” He turned to Gage. “What do you say? We’re practically brothers after all.”

Gage didn’t know how Logan had come to that conclusion. He did kind of want to shift though. He’d never transformed with other types of shifters.

“I’d ask Nate—he’s a bobcat shifter,” Logan said. “But he’s playing with Bryce. Or trying to bury Bryce. I’m not sure.” He tilted his head as he peered across the yard.

He took the chance to glance over to where Lucifer was sitting on the back deck with several of the other Daddies. It was very easy to separate the Daddies from the boys. Lucifer turned his head and gave a very small nod. Of course he’d been listening to their conversations. He was all Daddy as well. And as protective as Gage.

Gage tapped Logan’s shoulder. It appeared Logan had gotten distracted watching the other boys attempt at making a snowman.

“Oh! Hey!” Logan said sheepishly. “Sorry.”

“No problem. I would like to shift if you still want to,” Gage told him.

“Really?” Logan’s smile was huge and bright. “Trevor—”

“Right behind you, boy.” Another man bumped into Logan’s back. “I’ll shift and keep an eye on the two of you.”

Logan frowned. “We aren’t going far.”

“Better safe than sorry.”

“I can take care of myself,” Logan argued.

Trevor nodded. “I know. No one is saying you can’t. Remember no one is supposed to go into the woods alone. Gage doesn’t know the area. It’s better if I go with you.”

Logan huffed. “But we can shift?”

Gage did his best to follow the conversation. He didn’t know the area, but he thought maybe something bigger was going on. Deciding it would be better to ask Lucifer later, Gage bounced on his toes. Now the option was in front of him Gage really wanted to shift.

“Yes, let’s go!” Trevor said.

He and Logan whooped and high fived.

Gage followed Trevor and Logan across the yard. They stopped under a canopy of trees where a metal box sat butted up to a wide trunk.

“We can put our clothes in here,” Logan told him. He was already pulling his shirt over his head.

Naked. They had to get naked. Gage had forgotten about that. In his defense he’d never shifted with anyone other than his parents, and the last time had been before he was fourteen. Getting naked and shifting with others was frowned upon by his clowder.

He didn’t want to wuss out and Gage really wanted to shift with others, so he turned his back as he began to undress. Gage made sure to be quick and stashed his clothes in the trunk quickly.

Gage called on his shift.

One long stretch and an arch of his back and Gage felt good. He’d been shifting more since he’d become mated. Gage loved his feline form. It never made sense that his clowder regulated the shifting so strongly. Now that he knew about the magic that had been wielded, it made more sense.

It was a pure shame that Gage hadn’t learned how to enjoy his shifting before this.

A long black tail twitched, and Gage caught it out of the corner of his eye. Without thinking, he pounced.

There was a yowl, and the tail moved.

Gage rushed to catch it again.

Heaving chuffing reached his ears and Gage paused.

A large and gorgeous lion sat watching him. Which meant. Gage turned his head. He’d been attacking Trevor’s tail. The massive panther eyed him.

Lion Logan sauntered over and with a giant paw smacked Trevor’s tail down. That gave Gage the perfect opening. He backed up, gave a little butt wiggle, then pounced.

Trevor tried to headbutt Logan’s chest. The lion didn’t even move.

Gage snagged the tail and gave it a tiny, the smallest, nip before he took off at a run. Heavy footsteps sounded behind him. He glanced over his shoulder to see Logan coming up quick. Gage could have sworn that the big lion was smiling.

This was fun!

Great!

He should shift all the time!

Gage soared over a fallen log. A dark massive form passed him. Okay, the panther was really fast. It wasn’t Gage’s fault. He was just a little guy.

Waiting until the Lion roared as he went to pass him as well, Gage timed his jump. He leapt and landed on Logan’s back. He crawled up to his new friend’s neck and held on tight.

Logan ran fast, giving Gage a wild ride.

It was almost like he was flying.

* * * * *

Lucifer

“The boys seem to be adjusting well,” Mal said.

Lucifer found himself smiling. He loved hearing the excited exclamations of the boys enjoying the snow that he’d created for them. Gage had been going back and forth between the two groups until Logan had approached him.

His magic was giving him a bird’s-eye view of Gage playing with the other two felines, but he didn’t share the knowledge. Lucifer didn't want to insult the dragon alpha. However, Gage was also not used to shifting with others. Lucifer had a right to be concerned.

“They are,” Lucifer replied. “The real test will be dinner with my family tomorrow.”

“I heard there was an issue with Michael,” Mal commented.

Lucifer grunted. “Asmos.”

“He does love to gossip.”

That was true. “Thank you again for your help when Gage was taken.”

“No problem. And I’m glad you came today. Adam hasn’t stopped talking about you finding your mates.”

“It really is astonishing,” Ash said. “Hell threw a party in your honor.”

“Most demons will find any reason to throw a party,” Lucifer replied.

“That they will,” Bo agreed.

“Just like shifters,” Drake joked.

That was received with a round of boos and jeers.

Lucifer cleared his throat. “I noticed that you are missing a mage here. And that Logan is still unclaimed.”

Levi shook his head sadly. “Dean is gone. So is his assistant. The bakery has been closed. He left right after the attack from the hunters. We think he went after his old coven.”

“I’ve called around. No one has seen him,” Axel shared. “I thought telling him would let Dean know that we were on his side. That he had help. Instead he took off.”

Lucifer would do his own tracking down. He’d hoped to introduce Dean to Cary. There was no better mage to help his human mate learn magic. And that sweet lion deserved his mate. Lucifer hadn’t agreed with Dean hiding the scent from the shifter. “Does Logan know?” The last time that Lucifer had spoken to Dean he’d still been hiding from his mate.

“We don’t think so,” Axel replied. “He could and just not be saying something. We’re keeping an eye on him.”

Because they were family. They looked out for one another. “It wouldn’t be easy if he thought his mate rejected him.”

“I know he’s a friend of yours. That’s why I spoke to Axel on your behalf and Axel allowed him in his territory,” Bo said. “But if he screws with Logan, his body won’t ever be found.”

Lucifer didn’t have a response to that. “If he screws over Logan then he deserves what he gets. Just be careful, Bo. Hellhound alpha or not, Dean is powerful.”

“You said he was a good man,” Axel reminded him.

“He is. Dean…” It really wasn’t his secret to share. “Dean will do right by Logan. He just needs to work it out on his own.”

“Time’s ticking,” Drake, the vampire, said.

Lucifer wouldn’t want to go up against this family. And he was one of the most powerful beings in existence. “Understood.”

“Daddy! Daddy!”

They all turned as the boy ran up the steps to the deck.

It really was a gorgeous day even with the snow that Lucifer had provided.

Cary stopped by his chair, face flushed and sweaty.

Lucifer wrapped his arm around Cary’s waist as he offered a cup of juice.

“Thanks.” Cary slurped up the juice as he looked around. “Where’s Gage?”

“He shifted with Logan and Trevor. They’re in the woods but not too far away.”

“He got to shift?” Cary grinned. “He always wanted to do that with other shifters.”

“It appears he got his wish,” Lucifer said.

Cary wrapped his arms around Lucifer’s neck. “We all did. We just had no idea what to wish for.” Leaning forward, he kissed Lucifer in front of all their friends.

“Aww!” Adam cooed. “Didn’t I tell you they were adorable.”

“Shh,” Nate hissed. “You’ll disturb them!”

Lucifer pulled back before tugging Cary into his lap. “You boys are trouble.”

The grins he got back didn’t change his mind. Maybe he should have found another group to connect his mates with. No, this group was perfect even if they did give their Daddies trouble from time to time.

* * * * *

Cary

“Harder!” Cary yelled.

“I’m trying!” Gage pumped his hips faster. “Stop squirming.”

“I need to come!”

“Me too.” Lucifer grabbed Cary’s cock, stroking him.

Cary screamed as he shot his load all over Lucifer’s hand. That was all he needed. The touch of his other mate. Cary collapsed onto the floor as Gage plunged deep and came inside him. That…that had been awesome.

Gage yelped as Lucifer lifted him.

Lying back, Lucifer smacked Gage’s ass. “Ride me.”

“Yes, Daddy!” Gage straddled Lucifer before reaching back and grasping his cock. He started to sink down as Cary rolled to his side.

Cary kissed the center of Lucifer’s chest.

With torn wrapping paper covering nearly every inch of the carpet Cary was pretty sure some was stuck to his back. Itchy!

They’d planned to make love into Christmas morning and might have gotten a little carried away. They’d be at this for at least a couple of hours. Cary had come at three times already.

The lights shone from the tree that they’d somehow managed to not to knock down in their excitement to be together. That was good. Cary’s Christmas tree was still perfect in every way.

Lucifer grunted as he pulled Gage down hard.

Gage let his head fall back as he groaned.

Cary smiled at his mates as they cuddled with him between them. It was Cary’s favorite place in the whole world.

Christmas Eve had been wonderful. He’d made lots of new friends, shared an amazing meal, opened half their presents, then spent the rest of the night making love with his mates. As far as traditions went, Cary thought they should do this every year.

“I have come leaking out my ass,” Gage bitched.

Cary snorted. “That’s not very romantic.”

Gage narrowed his eyes. They both had found a spot on Lucifer’s pecs.

Cary moved the inches that separated them and kissed him. Gage hummed but Cary was pretty worn-out.

Lucifer waved his hand over them and Cary was as fresh as he’d be right after a shower.

“Thanks, Daddy.” Gage said then yawned.

“He’s going to sleep,” Cary said.

“I got this baby.” They were instantly in bed. Same position but now Cary could stretch out and snuggle on the soft mattress.

“I’m going to become so good at magic,” he reminded his mate. Cary was a little disappointed that the mage Lucifer had wanted him to meet hadn’t been at dinner. Lucifer promised he’d get to meet Dean soon though.

“I know. How about we watch the lights twinkle outside?” Lucifer suggested.

“Yes, please.”

The curtains opened, giving Cary the perfect view of the street and all the lights hanging from the houses. The entire plane was decorated. The demons liked to bitch about Lucifer’s favorite holiday, but they loved to indulge as well. Asmos had shared a lot with him on their playdate.

“And you’re sure that no one can see in?” Cary questioned.

“Magic windows. We can see out. No one can see in.”

“Magic is awesome.” His eyelids fluttered. Cary was tired too. And they had a big day coming up. Dinner with family. His new family. Cary was sort of excited. Terrified.

“It is.” Lucifer patted his naked bottom. “Go to sleep, little one.”

“Merry Christmas, Daddy,” Cary said.

“And a very Merry Christmas to you as well, my little mate.”

“Mury…mas,” Gage mumbled in his sleep.

Lucifer and Cary laughed quietly.

Cary wrapped his arm tighter around Lucifer’s waist. A very Merry Christmas indeed.