by V. Vaughn
He couldn’t even imagine such a thing at his house. His mom would have whooped them for sure.
“We all felt bad afterward, though, so to make it up to her, dad went to one of the local farmers and bought another fresh turkey. Came back with new silverware, too, since the regular set was lost in the snow. Kate and I did all the kitchen work, and we made another Thanksgiving dinner the next day. My sister and I even did the unthinkable and wore dresses and fixed our hair up. Mom loved it when we did that. Still does.”
Dereck smiled around his fork. “Did she forgive you?” he asked, knowing she would have. Who could stay mad at someone like his Jenna?
She grinned and bit the end off the piece of bacon she held between her fingers. “It took some convincing, but yeah, she did. The meal wasn’t as good as hers would have been, but she appreciated the effort we’d put into it.”
The hum of an engine coming up the hill just before the Blaine driveway drew his attention. Jenna wouldn’t hear it, but he did. It slowed as it crested but then didn’t speed up again on the other side. “You expecting someone?” he asked. Not that it was any of his business, but she hadn’t mentioned anything.
“No, why?” she asked, then as the rumble of the motor neared, she glanced toward the window then back at him. “So, super sonic wolf hearing then?”
“Something like that,” he said.
She rose from her chair and strode across the room to peer out the window. Her whole body stiffened, and she took a step back. “What the hell?” she gasped.
He was up and coming toward her in an instant, a growl breaking out of his chest, ready to defend her against any threat. But before he could reach her, she held her hand up, not looking in his direction. Her eyes didn’t stray from the window at all.
When she turned toward him, her eyes shone bright, and she blinked fast. “Kevin’s here,” she said as though that explained everything.
Dereck’s heart slammed into his sternum. Her ex? Why the hell was he up there? He followed Jenna to the door, where she opened it, not waiting for the other male to knock.
The man, well dressed in a suit and tie, held out a bouquet of red roses, a big smile on his face.
He waited for Jenna to tell him to fuck off and go home, but she remained silent.
Kevin’s gaze darted to him, and his smile dimmed a little. “Who’s this?” he asked Jenna, still holding the damned flowers like some fucking trophy that would win her over.
Jenna sputtered and glanced at him, her brows drawn down at the center. The look in her eyes wasn’t one of determination, or even of the budding love he’d spotted there in the days since they’d come together. It was…fuck. He didn’t know what it was. What he did know was that he had to get the hell out of there before he went wolf and tore the other man to shreds.
“This is Dereck. An old family friend,” she said, hesitating on the friend part.
Kevin looked him up and down, not bothering to hide his opinion of the plaid shirt and faded jeans Dereck wore. “I hate to break a reunion apart, but I have to speak with Jenna alone,” Kevin said, his lip curling up in an unpleasant way that showed a lot of teeth and zero joy.
Still, Jenna didn’t say a word. He waited for it. Damn, how he wanted her to tell him to go to hell and send him packing, but she didn’t. The moment stretched on as he gave her some time, but in the end, she looked at him, her eyes wide and her mouth gaping open. “It’s okay. I was just leaving. I’ll grab my coat and head out,” he said, ducking back inside.
It took him all of three seconds to put his coat on. Another ten for the boots, yet he lingered inside, willing the wolf to retreat enough for him to be able to make it to his truck without making an ass of himself. His jaw ached, and his skin burned with the need to let his fur rip through his skin, but he forced the beast back.
Mine, it snarled. Get that asshole away from her, or I will.
Dereck wished it was that simple, but it wasn’t. He taught the kids in the pack to use their heads and not let their beasts get the best of them. How could he lead them as an Alpha if he couldn’t follow his own rules?
Let me at him, the wolf shouted into his mind, fury making Dereck’s vision hazy.
Shut up, Dereck snapped, silencing the wolf. She has to make the choice. Not me. Not you. Jenna.
What if she doesn’t choose us? the beast whimpered.
He closed his eyes and breathed through the pain tearing his entire being apart. Then we must respect her decision.
When Dereck returned to the porch, keys in hand, he found them in the exact same position he’d left them in, neither of them speaking.
He didn’t say a word as he walked past, but before he could make it to the top step, Jenna reached for his arm, stopping him. “I’ll see you this afternoon?” she asked.
Air finally made it into his burning lungs. He swallowed hard and nodded, still not trusting his voice.
She gave him a small smile that brought some of the shine back to her eyes and took a step closer before rising on her tiptoes and pressing her lips to the corner of his mouth. It wasn’t a lip lock like they’d shared before, but it wasn’t on his cheek, either.
“Jenna, what the hell are you doing?” Kevin asked, his voice rising with each word he spat.
Dereck ignored him. He wasn’t worth the jail time.
If she’d shown a hint of fear, if her scent had soured in any way, nothing could have torn him from her side, but she wasn’t afraid of the man. If anything, she looked confused. He’d give Jenna the space and the time to deal with whatever was going on. “I have to get some stuff ready for the party. See you then.”
She gave his hand a little squeeze, then let him go.
She still wants us, the wolf said, his voice still strained, but steadier than it had been before.
I hope so.
13
Jenna watched Dereck leave. Her heart ached as he turned his truck around and his brake lights disappeared out of the driveway. She’d hurt him by not claiming more than friendship with him. He hadn’t moved or said a thing, but his tiny gasp had said it all. But what was she supposed to do? Proclaim her love for him in front of the man she’d thought was going to propose to her? She didn’t want Kevin included in that moment in her and Dereck’s history.
Besides, it wasn’t like she could tell Kevin that Dereck was her mate. As far as she knew, Kevin didn’t know shifters existed. And calling Dereck her boyfriend seemed wrong on so many levels, cheapening what they shared. No, she’d find the right time to tell Dereck how she felt. And that sure as shit would not include her ex.
“What are you doing here, Kevin?” she asked, her voice strong and steady.
He smiled at her as if he was dealing with an unruly child, making her want to smack the stupid grin right off his face. She didn’t, but she wanted to.
“I made a mistake. I didn’t realize what we had—what you mean to me—until it was too late. I’m here to beg for your forgiveness.” His cheeks turned a darker shade of red. Whether it was from the cold breeze blowing through or his own embarrassment, she had no idea. She didn’t really care, either.
“You got it. Now go. I have plans,” she said, spinning on her heels, ready to leave his ass on the porch to make his way back to the rented SUV still idling in the drive.
“Jenna, stop,” he said, his voice taking on the nasally sound he used when he wanted something she had denied him.
She took a deep breath and turned again, only to stumble a step back. What the hell was he doing on one knee? “Kevin, no.” She shook her head, emphasising her words. A few months ago, she’d have been thrilled to see him at her parents’ house and proposing, but now—it wasn’t going to happen.
“You’re not doing this,” she said when he pulled out a black velvet box from his suit pocket.
“I love you, Jenna. I always have. The thing with Paula was a mistake. A horrible mistake, and I’ll spend my life making it up to you.”
Jenna took another step
back but came up against the door behind her. For a second, she wanted to whip around and hide inside the house, but then something happened. The hurt she’d shoved aside came roaring back, bringing with it all the anger and fury that had been bottled inside her.
“Get up, Kevin. You gave up any chance of being with me when you fucked my best friend. Is that the ring you were going to give her?”
The red in his cheeks spread further.
“Oh, my God. It is, isn’t it? Did she reject you, too?” Jenna took a step closer as Kevin stood.
“It wasn’t like that,” he spluttered. “She didn’t reject me. I chose you.”
Jenna blinked fast, and out of nowhere, laughter bubbled from her, exploding from her into the cold air. “Well, pick again. I’m not up for grabs. You better head out if you want to be back in the city before dark,” she said as she turned, reaching for the doorknob. Parrish Pointe had no hotels to rent a room, and he sure as hell wasn’t staying with her.
“Fuck,” Kevin muttered under his breath and shuffled his feet. “Don’t tell Paula I was here, okay?”
Jenna turned around again, her fury boiling so hot she was surprised the snow hadn’t melted around her. “What?” She fisted her hands and took a step toward him. No way had she heard him right. Even he wasn’t that much of an asshole.
He took a step back, his eyes wide. “Please, just don’t say anything, alright?”
Jenna shook, she was so angry. Now that she’d denied him, he was going back to Paula? It wasn’t like she spoke to the other woman anymore, but damn if she didn’t hate that Kevin was treating Paula the same way he’d treated her. “Get off my parents’ property. In fact, get the hell out of Parrish Pointe.”
Without looking back, she opened the door and slammed it behind her, rattling the picture frames on the wall. She waited there only long enough to hear the SUV leave the driveway before she threw the deadbolt and headed upstairs.
Goose bumps chased each other along her skin as the heat of the house warmed her shivering body after standing in the cold in nothing but her fluffy pyjamas and bunny slippers for so long. A good book and a hot soak were just what she needed to put her together again. And maybe a glass of wine to help her lose some of the anger still thrumming through her. She glanced at the clock in the hallway and sighed. Right. Even she couldn’t justify the drink at ten in the morning.
Jenna could hear the squeals of laughter from outside the church’s reception hall before she was anywhere near the door. Underneath that was the murmur of conversation and Christmas carols playing. Had she not known it was a shifter party before she opened the door, she would have thought it was just a regular get together, but as soon as she walked in, the reality of it crashed into her.
Although there were plenty of people standing and sitting around, looking just like every other person she’d ever met, there were small wolves running around, chasing each other. One lifted its head and howled, the lilting sound curling itself around her. A second later, the others joined in, obliterating all other noise. She stood there, watching, as one by one, they finished their song before the race to see who would outrun the others started again.
Okay, so that was a little intense, but nothing she couldn’t handle. She spotted Dereck across the room. As though drawn by her gaze, he glanced her way a second later. He looked at the door behind her for a beat before he stepped forward, heading straight for her.
He didn’t smile, and she could feel the tension rolling off him from where she stood rooted to the spot. He didn’t stop until he was right in front of her. He took a deep breath, and some of the hardness left his eyes. “You don’t smell like him.”
Part of her wanted to be annoyed that he would consider that she might after the time they’d spent together, but she couldn’t blame him. Not after the way things had gone that morning. “Nope.”
His lips quirked up at the corners, but the smile didn’t stick. “You still smell like me. A little.”
She bit her lip to keep from laughing. “I needed a hot bath after going out there in my PJs. I was cold and there wasn’t anyone there to warm me up.”
Dereck’s lips lifted at the corners again, but this time, they didn’t fall. “You looked pretty damned sexy in those reindeer pyjamas. I wish I could have taken them off you.”
“Dereck William Harrington, don’t you dare say such things in the Lord’s house!” a familiar, older voice came crashing into their conversation.
“Shit,” he mumbled, his eyes round.
“Don’t use that word, either. You may be pack Alpha, but that doesn’t excuse this type of behavior,” his mother scolded.
Jenna took a deep breath, willing the fiery heat in her cheeks to cool. “Mrs. Harrington, how are you?” she asked, taking the focus off Dereck.
The woman’s expression softened as she looked her way. “Well, if it isn’t Jenna Blaine. I’m well, sweetheart. How are you? How’s Claire enjoying Italy?”
Dereck sighed and mouthed the words “thank you” her way.
“I’m doing great, actually. And mom’s having a blast in Italy. She texted me some pictures of the sights she and dad have visited if you’d like to see them,” she offered, further diverting the woman’s attention. Dereck was going to owe her for this one.
“How wonderful. Dereck has to go get ready, anyway, don’t you, son?” Mrs. Harrington asked.
Jenna lifted her eyebrows, but Dereck just shook his head and grinned. “I’ll catch up with the two of you in a while. Try not to think poorly of me after this,” he said after he’d kissed his mother’s cheek and leaned in to press his lips to hers.
“Why would I think poorly of him?” she asked, more to herself than anyone else.
“Oh, it’s nothing. He’s just being a big baby. But tradition must be maintained, and he is Alpha, dear. You know that, right?” his mother asked, pride dripping from every syllable.
“He’s told me, yes.”
Mrs. Harrington nodded. “Good, so you know what we are?”
“I do.”
“Even better. Welcome to the family, Jenna Blaine. You’ll give me and Claire gorgeous grandchildren some day,” the woman said as she led her deeper into the room to where the rest of the Harrington family sat.
14
Hard clapping sounds came from the ceiling up above, and the tinkling chime of sleigh bells filled the air.
“Ho. Ho. Ho,” a deep, familiar voice shouted from the direction of the door and stairwell she’d come in through when she’d arrived close to an hour before. She hadn’t seen or heard her mate’s voice since—until then. She shook her head and grinned, looking to Mrs. Harrington for confirmation. Her returning smile said it all.
She’d noticed the running wolves had been corralled into the washrooms fifteen minutes before and had returned as dishevelled children a few minutes ago, fully dressed. Each pair of eyes rounded at the sound, their mouths gaping open as they froze where they stood and sat.
“It’s Santa,” a little girl wearing a red velvet dress, her hair tied in cute, little pigtails said, her reverent voice sounding through the quiet room. Parents smiled, and older kids snickered, but no one argued the fact.
“Ho. Ho. Ho. Merry Christmas,” Dereck’s voice boomed again from just outside.
Excited squeals rose from the children as the door opened and the big man himself walked through. If she didn’t know better, she’d think it really was Kris Kringle with his twinkling eyes, red cheeks and jiggly belly. Santa met her gaze and gave her a wink, sending warmth into every bit of her.
Jenna watched as he made his way through the crowd of wriggling kids and parked himself in the middle where a chair had conveniently been placed.
“What do we have here?” he asked, looking at each child. “My elves tell me there are a lot of very good wolves in this pack this year. Have you been good?” he asked a young boy who nodded so hard his hair flopped in front of his eyes.
“He hasn’t, Santa. He pulled my tail las
t week,” a little girl in a blue dress said, jumping up and down, tattling on the little boy.
Dereck grinned, and she could tell even from where she sat that he fought to keep from laughing.
“Is that right? You won’t do that again, will you, young man?” he asked the boy.
The boy shook his head from side to side. “No, sir. I promise.”
“Well, then. Let’s see what I have in my bag,” Dereck said, pulling the big red sack next to him. He riffled through the pack, pulling out a brightly wrapped gift. “Is there an Emily here? Emily McMann?”
A girl no more than three stood there, trembling. “I’m Emily,” she said, her voice more scared than excited. She looked over her shoulder at who Jenna could only assume was her mother, her bottom lip quivering. The mom stood and came to her, scooping her up and bringing her closer to Santa.
Dereck said something too low for her to hear, but the little girl smiled at him and stretched her arms out, taking the gift he offered.
Some of the children sat on his lap, telling him of all the things they wanted for Christmas. Others, like Emily, didn’t want to get too close, but each one left with a smile and a gift in their clutches. There had to be at least twenty-five children there, and not once did Dereck waver. He treated each one like they were the first, giving them his undivided attention.
Only once his sack was empty and each of the children had gone off to play with their new toys did he approach her, still in his Santa garb. “Miss Blaine, would you mind helping me feed my reindeer? The voyage back to the North Pole will be a long one, and I want to make sure they have plenty of energy for their big trip on Christmas Eve.”
Jenna noticed a few of the children nearby listening in. “Of course, Santa. It was awfully nice of you to come to Parrish Pointe to visit us so close to Christmas,” she added as she stood and stepped away from the table.
“We’re still in the Lord’s house. Remember that,” Mrs. Harrington’s voice rang out just as they reached the door that would lead them up the stairs where they could go outside or into the church itself.