I don’t know what reaction I expected but dead silence wasn’t it. Finally, one young matron spoke up. “But we never decorate or have winter celebrations here like other packs.”
“Yeah.” A middle-aged male wolf I recognized as a store-owner in town added. “The alphas don’t like it.”
“Pshaw!” I winked at Wendi. It did seem like the right word. “The alphas as you know love parties. Don’t we have them almost every month? Samson has arranged all those picnics and barbecues for our runs for years. Now, it’s our turn to give him and Tris as well the party of a lifetime. Who’s in?”
One hand rose, then another and another, and within a few minutes, Wendi and I were assigning the tree committee—for both the one in the clearing and the one we’d need for the alpha house—lighting crew, garland hangers, cookie bakers, and all the other tasks necessary for the biggest holiday blowout ever. While we were doing this, others had arrived, and it seemed everyone who was on pack lands at the moment joined in.
I moved from group to group, sharing my “vision” while Wendi, bundled in a blanket, held court in the living room, offering encouragement. Her mates had turned up as well and were on the lighting crew, stringing so many multi-colored bulbs over the house and from tree to tree across the clearing, I thought we would be visible from space. This was going to be amazing, and beautiful. And might result in my banishment if my mates didn’t think having the biggest, brightest holiday display was a good idea.
Still, listening to the excitement among those participating, I felt good about what I was bringing to my pack. I was doing my job. Big time.
Chapter Ten
“This is like Snow White threw up all over the place,” Gigi said, looking around with her hands on her hips like she hadn’t been one of the main directors of decorators throughout this whole thing. “I mean, where are the dwarves?”
We had gone all-out, though I disagreed with her Snow White reference. It was more like Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella.
“I think it’s stunning. I mean, it’s a stark contrast to your tree decorations inside the alpha house, but this has a charm all its own,” Wendi remarked. She consulted the baby in her stomach and claimed he or she kicked their approval.
The whole damned thing was straight out of a story book in the best way possible. Wendi’s mates had gone into town and gotten a second tree, three times as big as the one in the house, for the clearing where we usually celebrated events in the pack. The monster had to be at least fifteen feet tall, and I was being conservative.
We decorated the tree’s boughs with pine cones and things from nature, mostly. There were fake birds and mice and owls, but for the most part, the pack had had a blast gathering things from the forest. This tree would represent who we were as shifters and our strong connection to nature. In the oaks surrounding the tree, we hung soft white lights and bird houses along with some squirrel feeders. The main Christmas tree in the center had minimal lighting, but, selfishly, I intended to place some solar lights all around the base, so I could see it lit up from my bedroom.
I hoped my mates would be pleased as well as the pack. But as I looked around at everyone who had helped with the decorating, there were a few hands moving to faces to wipe away tears, and I received more than one smile from elders of the pack.
Somehow, I’d restored something in this pack, with a simple Christmas tree.
“What are we missing?” I said, clapping to myself, trying to deny the tears welling in my eyes. There was an inherent joy, deeper and more clinching than any other kind of joy, when it came to doing something to make the one or ones you love happy. I would labor day and night for months for one smile on any of their faces. Because apparently, I was a sap.
“We forgot the star. Are you going to put a star?” Wendi asked me, and everyone’s gaze went to the top of the tree. Now that my attention was drawn to it, the top did look awfully bare and lonely.
“I didn’t buy a star for this one, and my other one is too flashy. Shit. I knew I was going to forget something.”
“Hold on, dear. I think I have just the thing.” Willa, one of the older women who had shown up, ecstatic to help, fled to her cabin. I hoped she had something effective. The last thing I wanted or needed to do was to go back to town. They were probably out of everything by now anyway.
“You’ve done this pack proud, Alpha Female. There’s been an absence in this pack for too long. Celebrating Christmas together was something my husband missed. But you are fixing all of that. Here. It’s a gift. My husband made it when he still had use of his hands.”
Willa had emerged from her cabin with the most beautiful hand-carved star. Instead of points, there were birds and small forest animals carved into it along with pine cones and pine needles.
“I never liked the thing, to tell you the truth. I’ve always been a red-and-green-and-golden glitter girl, myself. But it was like my Edgar knew this day would come. I once asked him why he was carving this star. I thought maybe it was for a gift or to sell, and he’d shrugged. Somewhere deep, I think he knew. At least that’s what I’m telling myself.” Willa winked at me, and as she did, a lone tear fell from one of her eyes. She wiped it away quickly and gave me a hug before scampering back to her cabin, dealing with her grief, though I knew her husband had died over a decade ago.
I guessed we never did get over losing the ones we loved.
“Okay, who is the brave one who’s going to get on a ladder and put it up there?” I asked, waving the intricate thing in the air.
“I’ve got it.” Moss stepped up while Cash and Brandon pulled the ladder from where we had propped it earlier. They held it for him while he climbed it and put the star on the top.
Edgar was a freaking genius and so talented. The star was absolutely perfect.
“They’re going to love it. If they don’t, kick them in the nuts,” Wendi quipped, sidling up to me and resting her head on my shoulder.
“I’ll volunteer for the job,” Gigi joked while I took in the scene.
Between this and the alpha house, we’d done a week’s worth of decorating all in one day. Now, I just had to cross my fingers my men would notice.
Chapter Eleven
After we finished with the outdoor decorations, some of the matrons surprised all the workers with an impromptu hot chocolate-and-cookies party under the strings of lights we’d crisscrossed over the clearing. White lights since we were keeping things pretty natural out here. Later, after everyone went inside, I snuck out and, with only the tree lit by its solar glow, stood in the middle of the clearing, and tipped my head back to gaze at the night sky.
Way out here in the country, the city lights did nothing to dim their majesty, something I forgot sometimes, but tonight, after such an amazing and beautiful day with my pack, one where I for the first time truly felt like the first lady, I watched the galaxies and solar systems, comets and planets and whatever all those sparking motes of all colors were wheel by, thanking all the gods and goddesses above for placing me in this place at exactly this time. For the love of friends and pack mates…and of course my mates.
I didn’t like sleeping alone much, having grown used to the warmth of Samson and or Tris at night, but after my encounter with the universe, I returned to the alpha house, donned a warm plaid-flannel nightgown I never wore anymore, and crawled between the sheets. I didn’t open my eyes again until sometime after dawn when my phone went off with a notification.
Meeting’s finally over! We’ll see you tonight.
My eyes went from half open to comedic popping out. The clearing was done, and we’d strung some solar garland along the drive all the way from the road—I had probably used the entire output of a factory somewhere for that—but the alpha house decorations were still a mountain of boxes in the main gathering room, surrounding the eighteen-foot tree, which someone had managed to dig up, pot up, and drag inside. The intent was to plant it again afterward, and I hoped it would survive.
But either way,
it had not so much as one single ornament on it, and if I didn’t get started immediately, my plan would fall through. I had this niggling sense any decoration still in its packaging was subject to return. Kicking back the covers, I sent a pack-wide text, carefully avoiding Tris and Samson’s numbers. Emergency! Alphas on the way home. Report to alpha house for immediate assignments.
I wished I’d had taken the time to shower the night before, but no way was it happening now. Teeth brushed, hair gathered in a messy bun, I tore down the stairs and flung open the front door, hoping my call to arms would get a speedy response.
My heart swelled at the sight of people streaming across the clearing toward the alpha house. They all looked like they’d spent about the same amount of time I had getting ready, which made sense, although most of them were probably smart enough to have showered before bed. Some of them carried baskets overflowing with the makings of breakfast, and as they all poured into the house, I didn’t even have to tell people what to do. We’d made such an amazing start the day before, bonding as a work force, and this morning, a half-dozen people went into the kitchen and started breakfast, Gigi taking charge there, while others tore into the boxes and bags of lights, ribbons, bows, ornaments, and other paraphernalia I’d broken the budget on.
Soon, the scent of frying bacon accompanied the heavenly aroma of coffee, and my stomach rumbled. Again, I thanked the deities for their gift of my pack. An hour later, the tree was strung with thousands of lights, and we all helped ourselves to plates of bacon, eggs, freshly baked muffins, and crisp hashed brown potatoes. Someone handed me a glass of OJ, and I was on my third cup of coffee.
I was riding a high of happiness, enjoying the delicious food and the company, but we couldn’t sit too long. Not if everything was going to be ready for our alphas’ return. So, one by one we filed into the kitchen where Gigi and her crew took our dishes and loaded them into the industrial-sized dishwasher our home was blessed with.
Strands of bright-colored garland were draped around the tree, and then it was time for the ornaments. I’d bought many in anticipation of such a large pine, and while a couple of the taller men stood on ladders, others took the middle, and the pack children circled the bottom. Not one member of our pack was unrepresented in the tree we would all share. Even the babies were assisted by their moms and dads, so everyone could say they participated in decorating our first Christmas tree in two generations.
I couldn’t have loved them more, and while hanging crystal snowflakes and tin soldiers, fragile glass doves and every kind and shape of hanging ornaments, fastening delicate songbirds to the tips of branches…I brushed more than one tear from my eye.
I noticed Wendi had settled on the sofa after she hung a couple of tiny stars on a branch and, a little concerned, I moved to her side. “You good?”
She smiled, but patted her belly. “Someone is very active today. I hate to be a slug.”
“A slug? More like a graceful mama-to-be! You relax and enjoy the fun. I’ll get you something to drink.”
She smiled. “With my mates around? I’m more in danger of floating away than being thirsty.” She held up a cup. “If I have any more herbal tea, I’ll have to pee—again. And I just don’t want to have to stand up.”
Satisfied she was doing fine, I went back to work, and soon the entire room as well as the stair railing to the second floor were decked to within an inch of their halls. A glance out the window showed daylight waning, and I had a vague memory of eating sandwiches at some point. The day had sped by, and soon, I’d find out if my work gained cheers or boos from the men who meant so much to me.
A text came in. We’re passing through town. Need us to pick anything up?
No, I think we have everything. And then some!
I ran up a few steps to be high enough to be seen over the crowd. “Everyone, they’re almost here! Gather up the last of the trash and find a place to chill.”
Excited babbling filled the room as we all rushed to clean up the mess and make all things perfect. I was so nervous my teeth chattered. They were probably even now driving down the garland-lit drive from the main road.
Chapter Twelve
“What in the name of candy canes?” Samson said as he and Tris walked in. They were bundled up in their warmest jackets, and, I had to admit, they were damned sexy in their scarves and hats with faint snowflakes on their shoulders.
“Surprise!” The entire pack yelled at once, making Tris’ and Samson’s eyes go wide. They left their boots by the front door and took off their jackets before accepting hugs and some welcomes from the other pack members. But the whole time, they kept their eyes on me.
“The place looks incredible. I mean, we knew it would…” Tris hugged me and placed a sweet kiss on my temple. He smelled like pine trees and apples for some reason that night, and it seemed to fit the season just right.
Wait a minute.
Come to think of it, my mates weren’t as surprised as I thought they would be. Seriously, I assumed they would take one look at the place and flee like rabid jaguars. Instead, they were smiling and telling me how great everything looked.
I should’ve known better.
“Who told you?” I asked, making sure they got a hint of Gigi’s stink eye as I made my face as stern as possible. Gigi laughed from behind the counter, but when I looked at her, she whistled and pretended to be drinking eggnog. She’d probably spiked it.
“Who told us what?” Samson kissed me right on the lips, making my face heat up. He reached behind me and grabbed a cookie and stuffed it in his mouth while Tris changed the subject to complimenting the tinsel on the tree.
“Don’t sidestep the question, Samson, and you either.” I pointed to Tris, who rolled his eyes. “Who told you? Whose nuts do I need to kick up into their throats?”
Samson leaned down so his lips barely grazed the rim of my ear. “You really think the alphas of this pack aren’t aware of everything that goes on on these lands, female? You know better, Christie. I know every time someone farts crooked around this place. We do have betas who are sworn to keep us informed.”
My gaze shot right to Brandon. He was not only the head beta of this pack, but he was Tris and Samson’s little brother.
And a freaking tattletale.
“Brandon!” I shouted, and Wendi’s mate’s eyes went wide. He went to sit beside Wendi and pretended to use her for cover. “Revenge is mine.” I scowled at him.
Samson stood to his full height and chuckled. “Christie, it’s okay. We knew you were decorating and making the pack lands look amazing, but we had no idea what anything looked like. Brandon gave us no details. So, really, it is all a surprise to us. How can we thank you? I mean, look at this place. It’s gorgeous.”
I beamed under their praise and mostly forgot all about my revenge on Brandon. “Wait until you see the outside tree.”
Tris pulled me tight against his body. The fire in the decked-out fireplace was nothing compared to the way this man heated me through and through. “Let’s leave that for later. For now, let’s just celebrate this time. We have all this amazing food and, more importantly, we have the company of our gorgeous mate. I can’t imagine a better night. Thank you for all you do for us and this pack.”
“I think that calls for a toast. Raise your glasses, Midnight Alder.” Moss stood and raised his glass of champagne while the others lifted theirs, some with eggnog, others with wine, and Wendi’s with water. “To the Alpha Female and her dedication to this pack.”
Tears welled in my eyes as I was celebrated. My mates surrounded me and bundled me in their embrace while the twinkle lights made everything in our home sparkle.
The rest of the night was spent filling our bellies to the brim with cookies and eggnog and everything in between. Pack members filed out a little at a time until there was no one left but me and my mates sitting in front of the fire.
“I’m stuffed.” I patted my belly, and it barked back with a gurgle.
“We are,
too. You are the best mate in the entire world, you know that, right?” Tris cuddled me up in his arms while I still held Samson’s hand.
“I know. But being the best mate in the world is exhausting.”
They both chuckled.
“Why don’t I go run you a hot bath. While you are otherwise detained, Tris and I can bring in your presents.”
I’d steeled myself to the notion I wouldn’t get any gifts since my mates weren’t fond of Christmas. I’d made myself okay with this night being enough.
“I will take you up on the offer, but only if you carry me up there. I don’t think my legs will go upstairs.”
Samson chuckled and scooped me up from Tris’ hold. “I think I can handle that.”
Chapter Thirteen
Christmas Eve was all about romance, and after my mates and I spent a little alone time, we bundled up for a trip through the forest. We started with a stroll around the clearing where I pointed out all the different ornaments—especially those from Mother Nature herself.
“I had no idea I needed a theme when I went to the Christmas shop, but they guided me through how to select everything I needed to develop one and make it happen.”
Tris chuckled. “I bet they did.”
“No, they were really helpful. Don’t you like the results?” I was really proud of what I’d done, and they’d been so nice about it so far.
“Of course, we do,” Sampson slung an arm over my shoulders, bringing me in for a squeeze. “It’s magnificent and exactly what the pack needed. I’ve never seen them so happy. Their new first lady is undoing a lot of years of neglect in the spirit department.”
“You really think so?” I sniffled a little. “Because I really was afraid I’d gone a little over-the-top.”
“Oh you did that.” Tris grabbed my hand, and, linked, we continued past the tree line. “Way over the top and I think we need to talk about that.”
Tinsel: A Shifter of Consequence Holiday Tale (Shifters of Consequence Book 8) Page 4