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  “There’s nothing to thank me for.” He tilted her face up. “You’re my mate, Fawn. I’d do anything and everything for you.”

  “Really?”

  “Always, baby,” he replied. “Don’t you get it? I love you.”

  Tears filled her eyes and her bottom lip trembled. She traced small patterns on his chest with her fingertips while she tried in vain to gather her composure. “Well,” she said, “I love you, too.” She cleared her throat then shook her head before giving a quick laugh.

  “I know you do.” He smiled down at her and wiped away her tears. “Let’s have some fun tonight, baby, and celebrate this Winter Solstice right.”

  “I like the way you think.” She grinned. “It’s about time I cut loose.”

  “More than you’ll ever know,” he whispered against the crown of her head.

  Chapter Nine

  So they were more than a little late, but the idea of getting out of bed didn’t appeal to Kalum. He made love to Fawn once more before dragging her to the shower to clean up and re-dress. The soft glow she emanated made his heart constrict. The woman didn’t even know how beautiful she really was. Kalum opened the door to his truck and helped her up into the seat then made his way around the front. Once he was situated inside, he opened the glove box and pulled out another small four-by-four box. Handing it to her, he grinned. “Drew said something about everyone bringing an ornament. I hope you like the one I picked for us.”

  Fawn grabbed the box from him and gently pulled the tab opening it. She gasped. “It’s beautiful,” she said, taking it out. Inside the small Mason jar stood a white-dusted pine tree on a bed of white cotton, simulating a blanket of snow. It was simple compared to the one he’d given her, but, when he bought the first, this one had stood out for him as well.

  “I’m glad you like it,” he said, pulling away from her house. “Lily and Graham should be at the festival when we get there. I kind of had to force them.”

  “Didn’t they want to be there?” she asked, placing the jar back into the box. “It’s the first time we’ve done something as a pack in a long time.”

  “I know. I said the same. I think between the move home and the fact things aren’t the same anymore, they were reluctant.” He turned onto the main road back toward the middle of town. “I do know Luc and Ero will be there as well.”

  “Kole and his mates should be there, too,” she said. “I talked to him when I went over his books.”

  “Is there anyone you’re hoping to see?”

  “One person, but I’m sure he won’t show up. He left a long time ago, and I haven’t heard from him since.” She glanced out the window as the sun dipped low in the sky.

  “Kru?” he asked, taking her hand in his.

  “Yeah, Kru,” she whispered. “I wish I knew where he went and what he is doing. If he’s okay. If he ever plans on coming home.” Her voice cracked, and he squeezed her fingers as a sign of support.

  “There was so much done to tear us apart. I have to believe when he finds out Magnum is gone, he’ll return. Hell, look at how many members have returned since Drew took over.” Damn, why hadn’t he thought to find her brother? Why hadn’t he thought to bring him home so she could have her family by her side? He mentally beat himself up, but knew, no matter what, Kru coming home had to happen on his time, not Kalum’s.

  “Maybe,” she replied. “I know he left because of everything…you know. I always…well, I always wondered if there wasn’t more to why he left. If I could’ve done more to make him stay.”

  “Sometimes things happen for a reason, Fawn. There’s no rhyme or reason behind it.” He put the truck in park and turned to her. “How about I make you a deal?”

  “Okay.”

  “If Kru isn’t back by spring, I will put out a few feelers. If I find him, we’ll go together and see if we can bring him home.” Her face brightened and her eyes sparkled with merriment. When her lips curled into a devastatingly beautiful smile, he felt mule kicked in the gut. He’d spend the rest of his life keeping that smile on her face.

  “Deal,” she said. Leaning across the seat, she pressed her lips to his. “This is the best day of my life.”

  God, she was killing him. Every word from her lips dripped with such adoration. Such wonderment and appreciation. He didn’t know if he should tuck her away and keep her to himself, or share her newfound zest for life. “I believe the day ain’t over yet.”

  “No, it’s not.” She laughed. “If I don’t get a chance to say it again later, thank you, Kalum. For…everything.”

  “Baby, you don’t have to thank me. It’s my pleasure. It’s thanks enough just to see you smile.” He opened the door to his truck. “Are you ready to have some fun?”

  “Yes,” she answered, a smile as big as the state of Texas tugging at her lips.

  “Well, all right.”

  ***

  Fawn took Kalum’s hand in hers as they walked over to the giant Christmas tree where everyone had gathered. She saw some couples she knew and some who were new. Luc and Ero stood off to the side talking with a woman she’d never met before. Over by the fire, Lily and Graham were having an animated, yet lighthearted conversation. No Tinks, though.

  Lights twinkled and danced with the light westerly breeze. Snow was in the air; she could taste it. The Wolf in her rejoiced in the fact she might be able to play with her mate in the white powdery substance. Her mate. Just the thought sent a thrill of excitement through her. Warmth spread through her as the thought of never being alone again washed over her. This was her big reward. This beat the hell out of pizza.

  Pulling the ornament from the box, Fawn placed it on an open branch and stood back. Around the jar, twig stars, painted pinecones, and strands of berries were hung with care. Carved wolves and lacquered plaques with the words joy and merry were spaced randomly around the tree. Clear light strands were wrapped from the top where a wolf and star sat, down to the base, disappearing from under heavy-duty power-cord covers. Around the trunk of the tree sat a beautiful woven skirt. Two wolves stood together in the forefront while behind them a pack ran freely.

  Home.

  The word danced through her mind as she gazed out over everyone gathered together. For so long she didn’t know what home meant or if she ever had one. Now, she knew she did. She just had to find her way—even if it did take a little while for it to happen. Kalum came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Although he wore only an arctic vest, his body heat penetrated the suede coat she wore, warming her up. He bent his head and nuzzled her mark then placed a kiss on it.

  Yes, she’d finally found her home.

  “There once was a young girl who had a baby boy. They said he had no father.” Gee sat on a log near the fire pit, Thin strips of red leather braided into his long black hair, which lay over the shoulders of his buckskin coat. Steam rose from a mug in his hands, curling in the cold air as it rose above them. His gaze had been fixed on the leaping flames dancing across the fresh-cut wood that had been added to stoke the fire. “He had been named Snow and Ice.”

  At the same moment, a light dusting of snow floated to the ground and mingled with the ever-growing coverage from the last few days. The pack converged around the Werebear as he continued the story. “When he was angry, he would take hold of a person’s fingers and suck on them. Within minutes, they would turn black and stiffen, as if frozen from the cold.”

  Fawn smiled. The tale of the first winter. She had loved this story as a child. Her mother, before she’d died, would tell it to her on the first day of their first snowstorm of the year. Snow and Ice is here, my daughter. Go play and greet winter. For hours she would dance through the flakes and catch them on her tongue. Times had been much simpler then.

  “He said he’d been sent to teach his people how to hunt and track big game and people. As the air turned bitter cold, he did just that until one day when his time was up. He couldn’t stay with his mother any lo
nger. ‘Remember when snow falls, it is I who has come to visit you.’ His mother led him down to the banks of the river and placed him on a cake of ice. He was given a ration pack of food then sent down the river….”

  Silence filled the area as Gee took a sip from his cup then looked at those who gathered around him. “The first winter,” he said. “The birth of new life.”

  Drew stepped away from his mate Betty and nodded. “New beginnings, my friends.” The light dusting of snow thickened a bit, blanketing the ground in a fresh layer of pristine white. The time had come for them to run as a pack. Drew raised his hand, but something above him caught his attention.

  There, hanging by the talons of his strange bird-shifter mate, Stewart clutched a large red bag. As they crossed over to the Christmas tree, he opened the bag and presents fell to the ground. Some only had bows attached to them while others were wrapped with care. They enveloped the ground around the tree, cushioned by the fluffy snow. His aerial display only added to the mysticism of the coming evening.

  “Okay,” Drew said. “We’ll all thank Stewart and his mate later for the toys and gifts. I don’t know, maybe we’re having a new tradition. All right, everyone. Let’s do this. Time to run. As a pack. You’re my family. Now and forever. Let’s have a great time.”

  A cheer rose around the pack. Some whooped and hollered. And, like a chain reaction, people began to undress then shift, or simply shifted, and took off. Trepidation filled Fawn along with a healthy dose of embarrassment. However, when Kalum turned to her, his eyes blazing with lust and desire, everyone around them disappeared. Kalum took his time caressing and teasing her, banishing her fears of being seen.

  Her Wolf grew more excited by the second, pushing her way to the surface, desperate to get out and be with her pack…her family. Fawn gave over to the shift. Warmth bloomed in her chest and expanded outward. The hairs on her arms stood up as electricity snapped around her then skimmed down her flesh. In one fluid motion, she went down on all fours and peered out through her Wolf’s eyes. Freedom.

  Fawn took a deep breath and yipped. The scent of pine, fresh crisp air, and burnt wood comforted her in ways she couldn’t describe. The playful bump of Kalum’s head nudged her. Bigger than her, his large black Wolf form loomed over her. Her frisky mate prodded her again, before taking off. She gave chase, following him into the woods with the rest of the pack. In her Wolf form, she could pick out everyone’s scent and knew in which direction they headed.

  Leaping over a downed log, Kalum tackled her to the ground then licked her muzzle. She’d never seen him be so jovial before, but she liked it. Enjoyed it even. Getting to her paws, she took off again, zigzagging through the thick underbrush of the forest floor. Her mate stayed no more than three feet away from her in any direction, giving her a sense of security she craved—for now.

  They caught up to the pack, which followed the stream deeper into the surrounding woods. The wild scent of live game hit her nose, and she lifted her head, taking a deep whiff of air. Elk. She fanned out with some of the other females and began tracking the animal, while the males continued on. They worked as a team, following the trail. They came to the clearing, and there, in the middle, stood a giant elk. At least a ten-point bull with a head the length of her arm, raised his head. Steam poured from his nostrils. His ears twitched back and forth. Across from them, the males appeared, slowly advancing on their prey.

  Betty pushed forward. Following the Alpha’s lead, they eased ahead, matching the men step for step. They crouched, making little to no sound at all. No need to spook the animal, yet, anyway. Drew stepped out of line, inching closer to the big game. Anticipation churned in Fawn’s belly. She had a feeling she knew what would happen next. Betty held their line a good three feet back, out of danger. Her body coiled. Her nails bit into the snow-covered ground. Any second.

  Her Alpha sat back on his haunches and she could have sworn he smirked. A loud yip then a howl rent the night air. The elk took off and they followed, hot on its heels. Up and over brush they went, jumping and passing each other as they cried out, enthralled by the hunt. They followed the trail down and around, pushing the elk back toward town. The men peeled off once more, and she knew what it meant. It was time to claim their prize. They continued to push, herding the big beast the way they wanted him to go. The trap had been set the minute Drew’s yip broke the silence in the clearing.

  Taking the animal’s flank, they slowed. From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of her mate and three others coming straight for the elk. Ahead, Drew waited for the right moment to strike. With one last push, Betty backed off, stopping short. In a blur of action, the males attacked, overwhelming their prey. Together they wrangled it, taking it down with precision and care. Drew delivered the deathblow then raised his head and howled in victory.

  One by one, they shifted back. The women hugged each other, exhilarated by the run and their kill. The men stood by the animal, high-fiving each other while others fist-bumped and slapped each other on the back. Two men headed back down to the center of town and returned a few minutes later carrying a wooden litter. They rolled the beast onto the stretcher, and slowly but surely they made their way out of the forest.

  Kalum came up beside Fawn and wrapped his arm around her. She tingled from head to toe. Adrenaline coursed through her; she was still running off the endorphin high from the chase. Her body vibrated with excitement. No words had to be spoken as they followed the trail out. She knew what would happen once they got home. His Wolf would claim her again. Dominate her. Consume her. She could see it in the way his eyes sparkled with intent.

  “You’re in so much trouble when I get you home,” he growled. When he crushed his mouth to hers, her mind shut down and her toes curled. Her body responded to his and a soft whimper passed her lips.

  “Promise?”

  “Definitely a promise.” He kissed her again then smacked her ass. “Get dressed. We still need to mingle for a little while.” With a wink, he grabbed his clothes then strolled away. Damn.

  ***

  Soft sunlight poured through Kalum’s bedroom window. Beside him, Fawn slept peacefully. Her lithe form pressed to his, and his cock stirred to life. The night before had been incredible. Not only had he claimed his mate, marking her for all to see, he’d run with his pack, something he’d not done for longer than he wanted to consider. The scent of bacon cooking, plus the soft rumble of his brother’s voice drifted up to his room, but he didn’t want to move. His mate needed a proper wake-up call.

  He pressed kisses to her shoulder blade while trailing his fingers down her side and over her hip. She sighed, pushing back against him with a wiggle of her hips. Kalum groaned. Allowing his hand to slide between her legs, he teased her, drawing lazy circles over her clit. Her eyes popped open and a sensual smile curved her lips upward.

  “Good morning.” Her voice was husky, dripping with arousal.

  “Good morning.” He ground his groin against her ass. “I thought I’d give you another present this morning.”

  She giggled and rolled to her back. Reaching out, she took his shaft into her hand and stroked. “Oh? What’s my gift?” She squeezed his tip and gathered the bead of his essence on her thumb and brought it to her lips.

  Kalum pounced. His little minx teased him, turning him on more than he already was. “This,” he said, positioning himself at her pussy. He pushed forward, filling her up until he was balls deep inside her. The muscles of her vagina rippled around him, milking him for everything he was worth. “Naughty little mate.” He nipped at her full bottom lip with a growl.

  Fawn wrapped her arms around and scored her nails down his back before settling her palms on his ass. She gripped him, pushing him deeper still as she rubbed back and forth, getting off on him. Her channel went slick, searing him with her release. “Yes,” she cried, working herself up and down his length.

  Watching her through hooded eyes, he was stunned by her assertiveness. She to
ok what she needed from him, and he was more than obliged to let her continue to have her fill. Grabbing her hips, he rolled them so she was on top. With one hand guiding her over him, he pressed his palm to her chest and pushed her back slightly. He watched in awe as she took every inch of him into her tight passage. She cupped her breasts as she rolled her hips, tweaking and tugging on her nipples until she cried out, shuddering above him.

  Slumping forward, Kalum wrapped both arms around her, holding her in place while he fucked into her hard and fast. He reveled in the way her pussy quivered with each thrust then tried to hold him within when he pulled back. His balls grew heavy as the tingle of awareness rolled down his spine. He knew he wouldn’t last long. Rolling them once more, he took her from behind. He braced her back against his chest while manipulating her clit. She cried out again, begging him for more.

  He’d give her more. Kalum bent them slightly as he pumped into her. Each thrust rubbed her sweet spot and, with one last flick of his finger, he sent both of them headlong into release. He latched onto the mark he’d left last night and bit down again. Fawn jerked as another wash of her cream coated him. He groaned against her neck. His eyes shut as pure bliss rolled through him in lazy waves. Still tangled in their sheets, he laid her down, cocooning her in his embrace.

  “I could get used to this.” She sighed, running her fingers up and down his arm.

  “So could I, sug.” He pushed an errant lock of hair from her face and grinned. “So, do you have anything special planned for today?”

  She shook her head. “I cleared my schedule to make sure I’d have fun last night.”

  “Did you?” he asked.

  “I did. Tinks wasn’t there. She said she would be.” Fawn frowned. “I hope everything is okay.”

  “I’m sure it is,” he said, rubbing away the furrow between her brows. “I’ll bet she planned to come with you if you didn’t have a date or something.”