Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

S unlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow across the bed as Gemma woke. Her shoulder twinged, a reminder of yesterday’s events, but the pain faded when she saw Yede and Liam beside her. Yede’s massive body was curled protectively around them both, his white fur gleaming in the morning light. Liam had somehow managed to wedge himself between them during the night, his small body pressed against Yede’s side.

She smiled happily at the sight. Between the confrontation and her injury, she’d been afraid that Yede might retreat into himself again. Instead, he’d stayed close, tending to her wound and comforting Liam with stories until they’d both drifted off to sleep.

She reached out, unable to resist tracing the strong line of his jaw with her finger. His features softened in sleep, making him look younger, more vulnerable. The urge to protect this gentle side of him surged through her.

As she pushed herself up in bed, a realization struck her. Today marked the Eve of the Longest Night. Back in her village, families would gather to celebrate with feasts and storytelling, sharing warmth and hope during the darkest time of year. Even though they’d never had much money, her mother had always made it special, decorating their small home with evergreen boughs and cooking traditional dishes that filled the house with mouth-watering aromas.

Now she had the chance to create those same magical memories for her own family. The thought made her smile. My family.

She eased out of the bed, careful not to disturb Yede or Liam. Her bare feet padded silently across the floor as she made her way to the kitchen. The morning chill nipped at her skin, but her excitement warmed her from within.

She decided to make kolachin for breakfast, just as her mother always had. The burn in her shoulder faded into the background as she lost herself in the familiar motions of measuring and mixing. Kneading the dough was a little bit more of a challenge, but she managed to do most of it with her uninjured arm. The repetitive motion soothed her, and soon the kitchen was filled with the comforting scent of dough. She set it aside to rise while she made the filling.

She’d just rolled out the dough and was spreading the filling across it, exactly as her mother had taught her, when Yede appeared in the doorway, his worried expression relaxing as he saw her.

“You’re supposed to be resting.”

“I’m fine,” she insisted.

He sighed but came to join her, bending his head to kiss her.

“Good morning, my stubborn little warrior.”

“Good morning.”

She smiled up at him and put her good arm around his waist, delighting in the fact that she could touch him so freely.

“The house smells wonderful,” he added. “What are you baking?”

“They’re called kolachin—they were a tradition in my village for the Eve of the Longest Night. My mother always made them for me.”

He looked thoughtful. “And now you’re making them for us and starting our own tradition.”

“I like the sound of that.”

He kissed her again, slowly and thoroughly. Despite the lingering ache in her shoulder, her body started to respond. Perhaps they should go back to bed after all…

“Why are you kissing Mama?” Liam demanded.

She blushed and tried to step back, but Yede kept his arm firmly around her waist.

“Because I love her and that’s what grownups who love each other do.”

Liam’s small face scrunched up in concentration.

“Does that mean you’re my new daddy?”

She felt his big body freeze, but then he released her to kneel down next to Liam.

“Would you like that?” he asked solemnly and Liam immediately nodded.

“More than anything.”

“Then yes. From now on, I’m your daddy.”

Her heart threatened to burst as Liam threw his small arms around Yede’s neck. He looked up at her over their son’s head and she could see her own joy reflected on his face. She couldn’t imagine a more perfect way to begin the new year together.

The day passed in a blur of happiness as they cooked and decorated and simply enjoyed being together. Late that afternoon she watched Liam fold another piece of shimmery paper into a star, his tongue poking out in concentration. She caught Yede’s eye across the room and smiled as he arranged evergreen branches above the windows, his big hands surprisingly delicate with the fragile needles.

“Tell us another story, Mama,” Liam begged once he’d finished his star and curled up next to her on the couch. “About the Longest Night.”

She pulled him close, breathing in his familiar little boy scent. “Long ago, when the world was young, people feared the darkness of winter would last forever. But they discovered that if they gathered together and shared their warmth and light, the sun would always return.”

Yede settled beside them, his eyes fixed on her face as she spoke, and the intensity in that silver gaze made her cheeks warm.

“So they decorated their homes with evergreen boughs,” she continued, gesturing to Yede’s handiwork, “to remind themselves that life continues even in the coldest times.”

Liam immediately jumped up and grabbed some smaller branches to weave into one of the garlands they’d made. His laughter bubbled up as glittery bits of paper stuck to his hands.

She went to check on her latest batch of pastries, relishing the rich scent of spices and sweet bread that filled the air when she opened the oven door. Behind her, Yede and Liam continued work on the decorations, Liam’s excited chatter a counterpoint to Yede’s deep voice.

Her heart filled with happiness as she looked around their transformed home. Colorful garlands draped the walls, twinkling in the fading sunlight. Paper and fabric stars dangled from strings, spinning gently in the warm air. But more than the decorations, it was the sound of their shared laughter and the feeling of belonging that made the space truly magical.

After such a full day, she’d hoped to get Liam to bed early. Instead he bounced from decoration to decoration, his energy showing no signs of waning despite the late hour. The candlelight caught the sparkle in his eyes as he pointed at each paper star, dreaming up with names for each of them.

“Time for bed, baby.”

“But I want to stay up!” He spun in a circle, arms spread wide. “It’s special tonight!”

“Come here, my little whirlwind.” She knelt down, catching his hands in hers. His skin was warm, his pulse racing with excitement. “The faster you sleep, the sooner tomorrow’s celebrations will come.”

Yede crouched beside them, his massive body somehow making the moment more intimate. “What if I tell you the story about the star-keeper?”

Liam’s face lit up. “The one with the flying creatures?”

They settled onto his bed, Liam nestled between them as Yede’s deep voice filled the room. She stroked Liam’s hair, watching his eyelids grow heavy despite his attempts to stay awake. She hummed an old lullaby her mother used to sing, the melody weaving through Yede’s words.

“Just one more story?” Liam mumbled, even as he burrowed deeper under his blankets.

“Sleep now, sweetheart.”

She tucked the covers around him, pressing a kiss to his forehead. His breathing evened out almost immediately.

She and Yede lingered a moment longer to watch his peaceful face in the soft light. Their son, safe and loved, dreaming of tomorrow’s celebrations.

Then he took her hand and led her down the hallway to their room. The flickering candlelight turned his white fur silver and gold and his eyes blazed silver as he turned to her.

“I love you,” he said softly. “I’ve been alone for so long that I’d forgotten what it was like to be a part of a family. But now that I’ve found it, I’ll do anything to protect it.”

“As will I,” she vowed.

He bent his head and kissed her, tender at first but then more demandingly as she teased his tongue. Her fingers curled around his horns and his hand found its way into her hair. The heat of his mouth and the touch of his tongue against hers filled her with warmth.

He scooped her up and carried her to their bed, settling her gently against the pillows. His hands were gentle and sure as he slowly undressed her, his fur whispering across her bare skin.

“Are you sure you’re well enough for this?” he asked, frowning at the bandage on her neck..

“Very sure.”

She tugged his head down, pulling him into another kiss. His big body pressed her into the mattress as their tongues tangled and heat coiled low in her stomach. His cock sprang free of its sheath, hard and hot against her thigh, and she moaned, arching up against him.

“Please,” she panted when he broke the kiss to nibble on her neck. “I need you now.”

His eyes met hers, still concerned.

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t. I need to feel you.” She reached up to stroke his face, her thumb rubbing gently against his cheek. “I love you.”

His expression softened and he kissed her again, harder this time, before sitting back on his knees to look down at her. His massive hands curled around her thighs, spreading them apart, and the look in his eyes as he studied her made her feel beautiful, desired.

“So perfect,” he growled, his thumbs caressing her inner thighs. He leaned forward, inhaling deeply. “And you smell so sweet, so tempting.”

She gasped as he lowered his head, his hot breath washing over her. His tongue flicked out to lick her swollen clit and her hips arched up towards him. He growled, the vibrations making her moan. His thick fingers parted her folds, exposing her throbbing nub, and she cried out when he licked it again.

“Quiet,” he growled softly. “You don’t want to wake up Liam.”

He licked her again and she bit her lip to silence her moans. His tongue moved in slow circles, teasing her clit and driving her higher. She could feel the pressure building inside her, threatening to explode, and when he pushed one thick finger inside her she came apart with a silent scream. His tongue continued to work her as he added a second finger, curling both to hit a sensitive spot inside her that made her writhe against the sheets.

“More,” she pleaded, wanting to feel his weight on top of her, the heat of his body against hers.

He moved over her, his cock nudging at her entrance. He paused, looking down into her face, and the love and desire in his eyes almost took her breath away. She pulled him down for a kiss as he entered her in one smooth thrust. He filled her completely, stretching her, and she moaned into his mouth.

“Love you.” His voice was strained, the corded muscles in his neck standing out. “So much.”

He started to move, his strokes long and deep. His thick fur whispered over her sensitive skin with every thrust, making her shiver with pleasure. The feel of him on top of her, inside her, surrounded her.

She clung to him, her hands gripping his massive shoulders as they moved together. Her breasts rubbed against the soft fur on his broad chest, adding to the sensations overwhelming her, building and building until she shattered beneath him. He caught her cry with his kiss, his pace never slowing as he continued to thrust.

Another climax built, even stronger than the last, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. His growls were becoming louder, his movements more urgent, and she could sense how close he was to losing control. She didn’t care. She wanted everything he had to give, to be filled with his seed, to belong to him forever.

Her climax crashed over her, even more intense than before, her entire body quivering with pleasure. She heard his deep roar, quickly muffled as he bit down on her uninjured shoulder, his teeth closing on her skin. She cried out, her back arching at the sudden sharp pain mixed with intense pleasure, and she felt him pulse deep inside her.

He collapsed on top of her, his weight pressing her down into the mattress, his warm breath tickling her neck. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close as she drifted on the afterglow, feeling completely safe and loved. She’d found her home.