The Snow Leopard's Christmas Surprise

by Emilia Hartley

  A pang of guilt hit Savannah right in the gut. She knew without a shadow of doubt that Dan was right. Whatever retaliation Lucas brought upon Tom and Nick and Jo, it would be her fault, at least in part. She had to take responsibility. Now was not the time for cowardice.

  With a sigh, she breathed. “I’ll do what I can.”

  Dan smiled. “Good to hear it. And after,” his gaze slid towards the garage again, something contemplative in his gaze. “After we’ll figure out what to do with our lives for good.”

  Savannah didn’t tell him that she’d figured that out already, worried that the solidarity she felt with him as fellow ex-members of the Northern Wind might fade. Her entire body quaked at the very thought of disobeying Lucas and she was surprised she had the mental energy to entertain a rebellion at all. She needed this unity if she was going to go through with this.

  “I have a feeling, whatever we choose, we’ll both be a lot happier off for it,” Savannah opted to say.

  Dan glanced at her. “You think so?”

  She shrugged. “I think you’re happier already and you haven’t even made a decision yet.” Out loud, she finished mentally.

  Dan smiled, finally taking his attention away from the closed garage door. “Yeah? I guess so. You, too.”

  She grinned, knowing she had Tom to thank for that. Finally her path was clear. “Come on, Dan. There’s no Lucas anymore. Let’s just be honest with ourselves for once. I’m pretty sure we’re both staying with the alphas for much the same reason.” She grinned at the surprise on his face. “You haven’t been able to take your eyes off of the door where you know Tom has been working.” She shrugged. “And we’re kind of exploring something right now, too, so I want to see how that goes.”

  Dan stared at her, first in confusion, then slowly growing to epiphany. “You two mated.”

  Savannah scoffed, her heart skip-hopping in betrayal as the bear raised its head in interest. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The last thing she needed was to worry about putting a label on her relationship with Tom. Plus, the thought terrified her.

  “I could smell that lie from a mile away, Savannah.” Dan looked worried. “Though you couldn’t have picked a worse time to—”

  “Don’t, Dan,” Savannah warned.

  “Hey, there’s no shame in—”

  “I don’t want to talk about this anymore,” she said, her bear’s ears pricking up.

  “Tom is more than a sufficient mate—”

  “Dan!” Savannah exclaimed. Her bear growled a warning at him and he held up his hands.

  “Okay, okay,” he placated, his gaze falling serious once more. “But m-word or not… you know we’re going to have to tell them about us, right? That is, if you’re really serious about staying.”

  Her stomach dropped, but she agreed. “I haven’t been more serious about anything in a good long while.”

  “And we’ll have to confront Lucas about our future,” Dan continued with a serious look. “Alone, without the alphas. The Northern Wind was our problem before we inadvertently requested the alphas’ safety. Whatever our future plans, it’s our responsibility to put them in motion. I won’t allow Nick and Tom to shoulder that burden as well.”

  Savannah’s body ran cold at the thought of being alone with Lucas again. “I’ll go if you’re there with me. Remember, there is no ‘we’. Lucas already gave you an out. I’m the one who’s not free.”

  Dan shrugged. “As long as Lucas keeps recruiting the vulnerable and impressionable, I won’t allow myself to be free either.” He winced. “Though we’ll have to wait a bit. I’m right on the cusp of being fully healed, but this leg has been through hell and back.” She watched him flex the muscle in his wide leg. “Another few days at the most.”

  The sound of whistling grew closer to the garage door, cutting the rest of Savannah and Dan’s conversation short. Savannah turned in a panic and began leafing through the stack of paperwork Jo had left for her.

  Tom swung open the garage entrance door, stopping short in the doorway, as he took in Dan and Savannah sitting semi close in the office alone. Savannah felt grotesquely guilty, despite not technically doing anything wrong in that moment.

  “What’s going on in here?” he asked, blatant suspicion in his voice.

  Savannah looked up from the papers, giving a quick smile as she feigned nonchalance. “Oh, nothing, really. Going through the work Jo set out for me today while she and Nick went out of town for something. Dan was just offering me a bit of chatter while I worked.”

  Tom narrowed his eyes, taking in the two of them. “So everything’s alright?”

  Savannah looked at him with innocent, round eyes. “Yeah, of course, why wouldn’t they be?” she replied without missing a beat. She wondered idly if she should be proud or disappointed in how easy it had gotten to tell the occasional white lie to the alphas.

  The sooner she could tell all, the better. She didn’t want to make a habit of this.

  Dan shrugged. “She was just telling me how much I’m missing out on since I still can’t shift yet.” He looked down at his stiff leg. “I’m definitely missing it. Is it all right if I take a walk—er, limp, rather—outside? That oughta help curb the craving some.”

  Tom shrugged. “Like I said earlier, you’re a free man, Dan. Do whatever you want.”

  Dan nodded, “Then I’ll see y’all in a bit.” With that he hobbled out the entrance, the door swinging closed loudly behind him.

  Savannah felt the tension in the room spike instantly, making her shiver inwardly. She didn’t understand; this didn’t happen when they were out in the forest; why did this uneasiness come back when she least wanted it to?

  When she turned to Tom, he was already staring at her. “Are you really okay?” he asked softly.

  She swallowed and nodded. “Yeah. Everything’s fine,” she murmured as he trailed gentle fingers down the soft skin of her arm. Goosebumps followed in their wake, making her suppress another shudder. Just the slightest touch rendered her senseless. She opened her mouth to speak again, not really sure what to say, but needing to break the content before it accelerated, but Tom ran a thumb lightly over her lips.

  “How about I cook for us tonight?” he interrupted, his voice barely above a whisper. He leaned in, his lips a breath from hers. “You can say anything you need to there. Maybe stay a little later.”

  A delicious shiver ran through her as his lips trailed down her jaw and neck. She leaned back as he traveled to her collarbone, sighing in complete bliss. “I’d love that,” she breathed.

  “Great,” Tom growled in pleasure, nipping lightly at her collarbone and making her gasp. “I can’t wait.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Tom paced the garage impatiently, the tinny signal on the radio playing so that he didn’t have to listen to the repetitive tap of his boots on the concrete as he eagerly awaited Savannah’s return to the shop that night. Equal parts terror and excitement sang in his veins, as well as a bit of doubt that he refused to acknowledge. If he was going to, for himself, be sure of anything tonight, it was that there was no turning back.

  “We’re heading out for the night.”

  “Right” Tom mumbled as Nick put on a light jacket, “See ya.”

  “Ask him about Dan!” came Jo’s disembodied voice from the office area as she called the suggestion loud enough for both brothers to hear.

  Nick grinned. “She’s right, you know? I bet you didn’t include him in your dinner plans.”

  He hadn’t. “Damn it.”

  Nick barked a laugh. “Don’t worry about it. We were planning on taking him off your hands for the night anyway, giving him a feel for the rest of our territory and maybe swaying him to our side.”

  Tom nodded. “Yeah, yeah, that sounds perfect. Thanks.”

  “No problem,” Jo said, peeking into the garage with a knowing glint in her eye. Before Tom could rebut, she was already gone.

  He opted for glaring at Nick inste
ad. “Don’t start.”

  Nick snorted. “I wasn’t going to say anything.”

  Tom sighed heavily. “Not like you need to. I know what I’m feeling for Savannah is pretty obvious.”

  “Yeah, it is,” Nick agreed. “But I’m happy for you. Finding your mate is one of the best feelings in the world.”

  Little tingles of electric shocks washed across Tom’s skin at the mention of the word mate. “I don’t think we’re calling it anything just yet,” Tom said quickly, skirting around using the word himself.

  Nick raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? Then tell me, how do you feel when you accidentally touch?” To Tom’s surprise, Nick paused for the answer.

  Tom shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s… electric. Like touching a livewire. But in a good way.” Nick gave a satisfied snort, but he didn’t comment on the answer.

  “Okay. How does your bear feel when you think about her? How do you feel when you think about her?” He waved away Tom’s words before he’d spoken them. “Those you don’t have to answer out loud. They’ll likely not make much sense in words, but you’ll know what you’re saying is true if you just remain honest with yourself.”

  Tom nodded once, knowing that Nick was probably right. He’d been where Tom was before. He promised himself he’d think on it before Savannah got to the shop, even if he could already answer with complete certainty that both he and his bear were, at the very least, happy.

  “Got it,” Nick grinned. “Well, I’m gonna head out now. You two have some fun tonight!” he called, closing the garage door behind him before Tom could growl a warning at him—not that Tom knew what to say, even if he wanted to speak.

  He stared at the closed door in silence for a moment, letting the quiet and the conversation he’d just had waft around on the air, undisturbed. Was this how Nick had felt about Jo when he’d found out?

  ***

  Tom was relatively calm by the time Savannah stepped through the entrance of the shop. She held up a small bag in her hand as way of greeting. “I brought dessert.”

  The entire front office had filled with the aroma of the meal he’d cooked for them. He peeked his head out of the back room where he’d gotten some dishes to set out. “Perfect,” he replied, taking in the sight of her. She was wearing a heavier coat, a sign that the temperature had dropped again. Tom noticed that Savannah was more susceptible to the cold than most shifters. He hadn’t thought to ask why, but it was just one more thing that set her apart from everyone else. He didn’t mind in the slightest, but he did find himself fighting the slight urge to unzip her coat and remove it… quickly followed by everything else on her body.

  He coughed to clear his mind, setting the plates on the dining table. “I hope you like steak and potatoes. I made plenty.”

  “Who doesn’t like a good steak?” Savannah asked with the slightest lick of her lips. Tom couldn‘t help but wonder if she also felt the slightly building tension in the room.

  He shrugged. “Well, I’m just an okay cook. So I hope you’re fine with an okay steak.”

  Savannah giggled, and it made Tom’s heart palpitate. “I’m sure it will be great.” She unzipped her jacket, placing it on a hook by the entrance. “How are you tonight?”

  He let out his breath in a relieved gust of wind. “Better, now that you’re here.” He winced as the cheesy line left his mouth, and seeing Savannah bite back a soft laugh.

  “I’m glad I’m here too,” she smiled, looking slightly amused. Was he acting differently? He couldn’t tell. He felt happier though, and he knew it was because of her.

  He cleared his throat past the nerves building there. Food first, relationship stuff later. “Hungry?”

  She nodded. “Famished. Do you need me to help plate?”

  “Sure, if you want. Food’s in the back where Dan is—was. He’s at the Nick’s cabin tonight.”

  “Oh.” Savannah’s gaze slid slowly to the back room, a look in her eye that Tom couldn’t quite place, but it set off fireworks in his chest.

  He watched as a sly glint filled her eye, his breath catching in his throat when she turned that wicked gaze on him. “So are you going to kiss me or what?” she asked quietly.

  He grinned mischievously, setting down the last of the dishes at once. “Nope,” he replied, her mouth dropping open in surprise. “Not unless you catch me.”

  “What?” Savannah exclaimed as he burst into action. He was out of the door before she could even recuperate from his issued challenge. He tore off all his clothes as he swung open the office entrance. “But Tom, the food!” He could hear the laugher in her voice.

  “Then you better hurry up and catch me before it gets cold!” he called back just moments before the bear burst from his skin. With a roar of delight, he tore off into the woods. He raced past trees and fallen logs in tense silence wondering if she’d follow before he heard the jovial belt of Savannah’s bear sound behind him. With a joyful growl, he sprinted faster.

  His chase ended at the lake; it just seemed right. As he reached the bank, he could tell she was still a ways off from catching up. With a promise to let it run free soon, Tom folded back into his human form, launching himself into the lake as Savannah’s bear cleared the tree line.

  She watched him with honey amber eyes as he swam laps in the cool waters. “Are you going to come in?” he called to her. “The water’s lovely.” He saw the recognition signal in her eyes as he recited the words she’s used on him here at this very lake back to her.

  Tom watched as Savannah’s body snapped back into human form with alarming speed. She let out a small gasp in pain, as her hands and knees reoriented into her human shape. A wary look passed over her face before she resettled her gaze on Tom’s. Slowly, a smile washed over her face, cheeks flushing pink from the exertion of the run. She rose to her feet, standing tall and completely naked in the moonlight, and he couldn’t help give her entire body an appreciative glance. She was absolutely breathtaking, the very sight of her curves sent electric sizzles through his body, shorting out his brain.

  She watched him as he looked without an ounce of shyness on her face. The confidence in her eyes as he met her gaze astounded him. Before he could say or do anything, she launched herself into the water, a perfect replica of Tom the first night he’d swam with her in the lake.

  Unlike Savannah, Tom was much too enthralled to dodge the splashes of water, spluttering for air as Savannah resurfaced, laughing.

  “You didn’t even try to dodge,” she exclaimed, happily.

  “Hey, before you laugh, do you realize I could have drowned?” He joked, spitting out a bit of lake water.

  “Highly unlikely,” she grinned.

  The moon shone off the surface of the water, highlighting the gleam in Savanna’s eyes as she laughed. Water held in the creases on the sides of her soft, smiling lips. Their eyes met once more and sparks flew, covering Tom’s wet body in goosebumps. Slowly Savannah’s mischievous expression melted away into something completely different.

  “Come here,” Tom growled, reaching for her.

  With a rush and a splash of water, Savannah threw herself backward and swam as fast as she could. He realized it was his turn to catch her.

  She made it close enough to the bank for her feet to touch the bottom before Tom caught up with her. He spun her around, making her slip on the lake floor, but he locked her securely in place before placing his lips on hers. His hand snaked around her waist, holding her flush against him, his skin igniting in a medley of sensations wherever they touched. His mouth was hot and urgent on hers, pushing her soaked hair back from her face so that he could see all of her as she panted and gasped for him. He needed her in a way he’d never needed anyone before, in every way he’d never even thought to need someone. Nick was right; this was something he’d never be able to explain in words, but in this moment, everything felt right.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Savannah tried to find her footing as she grasped for Tom, but her body only see
med interested in having as much of him on her as possible. He held them tightly to each other, as if they were one being that was never meant to be separated. For the most part, Savannah couldn’t agree more.

  As she eagerly ground her body against his, she could feel him hard and ready against her. It drew soft whimpers from her throat, anticipation building, and swelling deep within her as his lips locked onto hers once more. She’d wanted this, needed this for so long, and the night was finally here. She wondered absently if he thought she might run again, if a sliver of doubt remained that she might not be as ready as she finally was. As if he sensed something, he pulled back from their kiss, searching her eyes for something. Eagerly, Savannah pulled his lips back down to her own, showing exactly what she wanted when she wanted it. His lips tingled like she’d stuck a fork in a plug socket, and she groaned against him, using her body to beg for more

  Savannah’s body began to tighten like a coiled spring as Tom kissed her. His skin was smooth and soft, cool from the water as she pressed deep against him to feel the rock hard muscles underneath that flexed tight as they held her. He backed away slightly, trailing a line of hungry, biting kisses along her neck, and she used the extra space to run her fingers lightly over his solid chest and every bump of his washboard abs. she could hear her breath coming quickly with every bite, lick and kiss, but she didn’t want him to stop. She wanted more, faster.

  She cried out in surprise when he did exactly the opposite.

  Pulling away from her with one last teasing kiss, Tom stared down at her with wondrous eyes. At first, Savannah was frustrated, but the look he gave her was full of amazement and awe and something else that unraveled her down to something even more vulnerable than skin. She felt he knew everything that was important about her, and held it all in his gaze, promising that he’d keep all the most fragile parts of her safe and locked away for the rest of eternity. He felt like home.