Epilogue

The Christmas Kiss

“ T he maroon house on the left.” I point down the street toward the charming Cape Cod-style house with smoke curling from the chimney. The roofline is outlined with twinkling Christmas lights, and the two tall pines in front of the house are wrapped in strings of lights like shimmering emerald giants.

Connor pulls his sleek navy blue electric car up to the front of the house and puts it in park. He pushes up the sleeves on his sweater with “Happy Howlidays” and a wolf howling at a moon on the front before straightening them again.

“Don’t worry, Mom and Dad are going to love you.” I lay a hand on his forearm and lean over before kissing his cheek. “If you can lead a whole pack of wolves, you can handle one Christmas dinner with a handful of witches.”

“Is that so?” He raises an eyebrow before pulling me close and pressing a kiss to my lips that leaves me breathless.

“It’s not like you’re going to huff and puff and blow their house down to eat them.” I snort and slap him playfully across the chest.

“No,” he says with a smirk, his eyes flickering with desire. “But there are definitely other things to eat I have in mind.” As he slides his hand under the hem of my sweater, a rush of warmth floods through me.

“Connor,” I gasp, writhing in my seat. I cast a glance through the windows to the front of the house. “Someone could see.”

“I know, I know.” He chuckles and presses a quick kiss to my lips. He gets out of the car and comes around to the passenger side, letting me out and offering me a hand.

“Netti!” Mom’s voice calls, and I turn to wave at her standing in the front door, apron around her waist. Her silvery brown hair is pulled into a neat bun atop her head. Conner grabs our bags from the trunk, hands me the box of baked goods, and follows me up the drive with one hand on the small of my back.

“Hi, Mom,” I greet her as she approaches.

She pulls me into a warm hug, and I inhale her familiar butterscotch scent, instantly feeling at home. “Oh, I’ve missed you, honey,” she says, holding me at arm’s length and examining me closely. “You’ve changed so much.”

“I don’t think a couple of years at school has changed me that much, Mom,” I reply with a chuckle. She steps back and turns her attention to Connor, giving him a thorough appraisal. “This young man must be your Connor,” she remarks, a hint of playfulness in her tone.

“Yes, ma’am,” Connor responds, flashing her a charming smile and extending his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Ellsworth.”

“Oh, nonsense,” Mom dismisses, pulling him into a warm embrace. I give Connor a thumbs up, barely hiding my amusement as she turns and leads him into the house. “Now you call me Mom. The two of you look nearly starved. Your brothers and father are out back smoking a ham, but why don’t you two come into the kitchen and get a cup of warm cider and some snacks?” she suggests warmly.

Honey flaps his wings on top of my head, and Mom gives his head a little pet. “It’s good to see you too, Honey. You don’t think your grandmama would have forgotten about you. I made a special treat just for you,” she croons.

With a grateful nod, we follow Mom into the welcoming aroma of home-cooked food. Connor gives my hand a reassuring squeeze.

“You can put your bags here. I’ll have one of the boys take them to your room.” Mom gestures to a bench by the door. “Or did you want separate?”

“One room is fine,” I reply in a rush, my cheeks heating.

“I figured as much. I might be old, but your dad and I were young and in love once. Well, we’re still in love, just not as young as we once were.” We reach the kitchen, and Mom busies herself making drinks.

“Is there anything I can help with?” I set the box of baked goods on the table with the other appetizers. In the corner is the Christmas tree decorated with hundreds of sparkling lights and tinsel. Christmas music plays from a smaller speaker in the kitchen, and the entire house smells like cinnamon and nutmeg.

“Yeah, you can explain why you’ve let a dog in the house,” Harrison says as he hobbles over, one foot in a boot. He slings an arm around me and punches me playfully in my shoulder. “Run away from us to go to some fancy schmancy school and come home with a new pet.”

“Harrison!” I slip from his grasp and pinch his arm. “Don’t be rude.”

He waves me away in mock hurt. Ethan and Matthew come through the back door next, followed by Dad. The two of them drop right into grilling Connor about his job, his hobbies, and his intentions. I break free from Harrison and slip my arm through Connor’s.

“Connor, this is Ethan, Matthew, and Harrison, my brothers.” I glance around the room before looking pointedly at Harrison. “Is Poppy Marie joining us for dinner?”

He drops my gaze, turning ten shades of red as he toes the carpet.

“Are you boys trampling in mud from outside on my newly mopped floor?” Mom chides as she walks over, carrying two steaming mugs of spiked spiced cider. She hands them to Connor and me. I take a sip, relishing in the sweet taste.

“Mom, did you hear Netti’s new boyfriend’s pack is only a short drive south of us?” Ethan says, distracting her as he leads her back into the kitchen.

“Is that so, Netti? What does that mean for graduation and your career?” She glances between the two of us.

“Well, our pack healer is looking to bring on nurses to train as the pack is growing, and we are starting to expand beyond shifters to humans, fae, and other creatures.” He caresses the back of my hand with his thumb. “Until then, I’ve purchased a rental house in Rusthollow while I finish a business contract and Netti finishes her courses.”

“Is this what you want, Netti?” Mom looks at me, worry and concern in her eyes.

“Netti only ever does what she wants,” Matthew and Carter chime in, pulling up to stand on either side of Connor, eyeing him speculatively.

Dad wraps his arms around Mom and kisses her on the forehead.

“The ham should be done in about an hour.” He turns to face us and offers out his hand.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Abernathy,” Dad says, shaking his proffered hand.

“Please, it’s Connor.”

“Harrison, could you get the spare chairs from the attic?” Mom asks as she chops up vegetables and adds them to a tray.

“We can get them,” I chime in, dragging Connor to the stairs. “Harrison should probably put his foot up, and we need to put our bags in our room.

Connor hefts our bags, the weight of them settling on his shoulders, and we climb the stairs.

“This is where we will stay—” I turn around, and Connor, with a look of pure adoration, cups my face in his hands and kisses me deeply.

“You’re so beautiful.” There is a playful glint in his eyes. He kisses the tip of my nose, then my mouth. He looks down at me with a slow, loving smile.

I can’t help the grin from spreading across my face, a feeling of elation bubbling inside me.

“Netti Ellsworth.” Connor falls to his knees and pulls a box from his back pocket, opening it to reveal a small rose gold ring with a singular diamond shining in the middle. “You’ve taken me as your mate, but will you be my wife?”

“Connor.” I gasp before falling into his embrace and wrapping my arms around his neck. “Yes. Yes, a hundred times, yes.”

“Good, now let me show you how much you mean to me.” He pushes the door closed with the tip of his foot and lowers me to the ground before covering my body with his. His pants are stretched taut by his obvious arousal, making it impossible to ignore.

“Connor! My parents and brothers are downstairs,” I hiss as his hand slips up my skirt and teases me through my lace underwear, sliding them down my thighs.

“Then we will just have to be quick, and you’ll have to be quiet.” He strokes me, and I moan, pressing my head back against the floor. His body is warm above me, and his fingers stroke a fire deep in my center.

“So wet, so ready for me,” Connor growls as he nips my ear with his teeth, sending a surge of pleasure running through me.

“Then what’s taking so long?” My hips lift, seeking more friction. With one swift moment, he frees his erection, rolls on a condom, and lines himself up to my entrance.

“Oh,” I gasp as he pushes himself deep, the sensation overwhelming all other thoughts. His eyes flash golden as he runs slow, excruciating circles with his thumb. Pleasure hums through me as he thrusts faster and harder. He catches my mouth in a hungry kiss as I cry out while unending pleasure floods me in waves. His hand tangles in my hair, pulling tight as he thrusts one last time, his erection pulsing deep inside.

“Merry Christmas, darling,” he whispers as he presses a kiss to my temple.