She saw that she had everyone’s attention. It wasn’t as uncomfortable as she’d imagined it would be. These were all friends. They would help her and her babies.
“What kind of dreams?” Betina asked gently.
“I’m being chased. That part is pretty straightforward. But the thing that’s chasing me is grotesquely beautiful. No, that’s not the right word. I’m not really sure how to describe it. It’s absolutely stunning. Gorgeous. And wholly evil. So evil its beauty becomes ugly. If you’re just looking at its outer shell, it would be very easy to trust. But underneath, evil radiates from its core. Palpable, pulsing waves of evil. I don’t know how else to describe it.”
Betina’s eyes narrowed in concern and Maggie noticed everyone else around the table had varying expressions of unease, though none showed any fear.
“Is it a creature or a human?” Tim asked.
“Sometimes it’s human. Sometimes it isn’t, but I can’t see the actual shape. I think it has horns and it’s surrounded in a swirl of red. Red and dirty brown. Black.” She tried to recall the images from her nightmare. “It’s like a sickly miasma of evilness. Dull and dirty. Like bloody mud.”
“A demon,” Betina announced after a brief pause.
“I knew nothing mortal could take down our Tony,” Marissa said after a long moment filled with stunned silence.
“Damn, Mags. You’ve been running from a demon for the past nine months?” Rocky seemed impressed and a little horrified.
“I always knew our Maggie was made of sterner stuff than most humans,” Joe said approvingly, giving her a little wink of encouragement.
“The dreams always warned me when to move,” she explained.
“So we’ve got a demon in league with the Venifucus coming here.” Tim boiled the situation down to the bare facts. Rafe let out a low whistle between his teeth. Nobody looked pleased at the idea.
“We’ll lose the outer perimeter guards if we don’t pull them back,” Rafe said, sitting back in his chair. “They’re the youngest and least experienced of our fighters,” he explained, probably for Maggie’s benefit.
“Then pull them back,” Betina said swiftly. There was a decisive air about her. “This is not something that can be fought solely on the physical plane. I fear this is a job for Allie and I. And Maggie,” Betina nodded toward her, shocking Maggie speechless.
“No.” Rocky shot up from his chair, clearly agitated. “There’s got to be something I can do.”
“Oh, there is Rocco.” Betina smiled at him and he seemed to calm down. “This evil thing must be fought on the spiritual plane by us women, but you can deal with the body that presents itself in your front yard.”
“You’ve seen something, haven’t you?” Rocky asked as he took his seat again, calmer now.
“I didn’t know what it meant until just now, but I think you’ll get the fight you want, and it will be out there…” She gestured toward the front of the house where there was a small clearing in addition to the gravel drive. “And you will wear the heartstone to protect you from its magical assault,” she announced.
“When?” was Rocky’s only question.
This one Maggie could answer. “Not for a few weeks yet, judging by my experience. But if I’m going to fight instead of flee this time, we all need to prepare. I don’t want anyone been caught off guard. The evil in this thing is unlike anything I ever could’ve contemplated. I don’t want anyone to die—and especially not be killed by this demon—on my account.”
“Forewarned is forearmed,” Tim agreed.
“Don’t worry, Maggie,” Rafe put in. “Now that we know what we’re up against, we can formulate a better plan.”
They left it at that and Maggie’s heart was a little lighter now that the problem was out in the open. Even better, Betina had given her a name for the faceless danger that had plagued her dreams for so many months.
After that momentous evening, the day before Thanksgiving dawned bright and clear and the work crews showed up early. This was the day they were planning on joining the newly sealed addition to the main house. All the windows and doors had been completed the week before, along with heating ducts and electrical wiring.
The plan was to join the two halves so work could continue inside. Rocky’s parents would be the first to try out the addition, moving into the large guest room that had been prepared for them. It wasn’t entirely finished, but it would do.
The mood brightened when the hole was cut. The men cleaned up as they went, so that by the time they left at around three o’clock, the kitchen was clean and ready to use. Marissa took over then, organizing a celebration dinner for the family. She’d already sent every man on the work crew home with a pie she’d baked the day before, in addition to the big al fresco luncheon she’d served.
The woman was in her element cooking for the crew. Maggie remembered how Marissa had always enjoyed entertaining and throwing parties back when Rocky and she were kids. It seemed like Marissa was really enjoying the opportunity to cater to so many hungry shifters.
The family spent the evening admiring the newly expanded kitchen and adding little finishing touches. Maggie mostly watched, keeping an eye on the boys while Rocky and his dad moved things around at Marissa and Maggie’s direction. Before long, the place looked as if it had always been as big as it was now. Seamless. That’s how good the construction was, even if it had been accomplished at record pace.
When it came time to prepare Thanksgiving dinner the next day, Maggie helped as much as she could. The men had disappeared somewhere and she had the boys with her in their carrier as they worked in the kitchen. Maggie made green bean casserole and a few other side dishes while Marissa took care of the really hard stuff. They chatted and talked about old times, holidays past and what Maggie could expect as the boys grew.
It was the kind of talk Maggie missed. Her own mother had been gone for years now, but she still missed her every day. Marissa’s presence helped fill that void a little. She was a part of Maggie and Rocky’s shared past that brought back only the best memories of childhood and her teenage years. Maggie also trusted Marissa implicitly. She was a good person, with high moral values and a kind heart. She’d be a terrific grandmother to the boys as they grew.
“We’re lucky we’ve had a warm autumn,” Marissa observed. “We can work in all kinds of weather, of course, but things are always easier when you don’t have three feet of snow to contend with.” They both laughed.
“I guess it gets pretty snowy up here,” Maggie observed looking out the window. It was already dark.
“The henge of stones at the top of the hill radiates magical energy downward that probably protects this area from the worst of the weather. But shifters tend to like the cold. Our bodies run hot naturally and the fur coat can get a little too warm in the heat of the summer.”
Maggie kept forgetting that all the Garibaldis were grizzlies. Even petite Marissa. She hadn’t seen anyone actually shift form except Tony, but that had been enough to impress her. She wasn’t sure she wanted to encounter even sweet Mrs. Garibaldi when she was in her fur coat, as she put it.
Maggie was saved from answering because they heard the men stomp in the front door just then. She set the table while Marissa set out the platters of steaming meat and side dishes. Rocky and his dad appeared a few minutes later, still dusted with a fine layer of snow in their hair.
“Snow flurries are getting thicker. Might have an inch or two by morning,” Joe reported as he swooped down to kiss his wife’s cheek.
“Where’ve you been?” Maggie asked, curious.
The men shared a secretive smile before Rocky answered her question. “Just getting some fresh air.” He pulled out her chair at the table and moved the boys in their carrier to a small table within reach. They’d decided to eat in the expanded kitchen as a way of christening the addition to the house. They’d added a leaf to Rocky’s big table so that it straddled the wide opening that led to the new part of the house.
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Rocky sat next to Maggie and his parents took their places opposite, the table nearly groaning under the weight of the platters of food Marissa had insisted they needed. Maggie knew by now that shifters ate a lot, but she doubted three of them plus her could even make a dent in the feast they’d set out.
Joe reached out and took one of Maggie’s hands. Rocky took the other and Marissa completed the circle before Joe spoke.
“The holiday season that begins today is a special time for the world. We celebrate the birth of hope, the Mother’s blessing on Her people. This year, we also celebrate new additions to our family. We welcome them and love them for the hope they bring to us.” Maggie felt a tear in her eye as Joseph’s words struck true. He winked at her and she gave him a teary smile. “May we all continue to live in peace with nature, in harmony with our spirits and in safety from our enemies.”
As blessings went, it was a beautiful one, if a little strange. Maggie hadn’t known Rocky’s father could be so eloquent. He’s always been a man of few words around Maggie when she was a girl, but she was learning so much more about Joe Garibaldi now. He was the rock upon which his family leaned. His son would be the same for her sons, she had no doubt.
Dinner brought back good memories of the holidays she’d spent with her mom and dad and then later with Tony and his parents. The Garibaldis had many of the same traditions and included her in them naturally—from playing tug-o-war with the turkey’s wishbone to the luscious mince pie served for dessert.
Maggie enjoyed herself immensely and the boys provided entertainment by shifting to grizzly form halfway through the meal and wriggling around until they’d freed themselves of their diapers. Maggie had to repair the damage as soon as they changed back to human form, grateful there hadn’t been any accidents while they were uncovered.
Joe was grinning from ear to ear when she turned back to the table.
“They held their shift longer this time,” he said directly to Rocky. From the expression on his face, Maggie assumed that meant something good.
“Longer each time, from what I’ve seen,” Rocky agreed, also grinning. “And no issues changing back. They’ll really be something when they get a little older.”
Joe gave her a challenging look. “Do you think little mama bear can handle it?”
She felt the teasing air in his words and didn’t take offense. “I think so. As long as they don’t start biting.”
Everyone laughed, as she’d hoped. They lingered over coffee and she was reluctant to see the evening end. But the men had a surprise in store. They ushered everyone into the living room and Maggie stopped on the threshold.
“A tree. You got us a tree.”
A gorgeous, seven foot pine tree stood on one side of the big room in front of the picture window. Several new boxes of lights sat on the chair that had been moved aside to make room for the tree. Rocky motioned her over and handed her one of the small boxes.
“Rafe got these in town when he went down for groceries. I don’t have many ornaments, but at least we’ll have lights.”
“It’s perfect.” She went up on tiptoe and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, Rocky.”
Joe cleared his throat dramatically. “I helped too, you know. Don’t I get a kiss?”
Laughing, Maggie gave Rocky’s dad a big hug and a peck on the cheek. “Thank you both. This is the best present ever.” To her surprise, emotion clogged her throat for a moment, but she mastered it.
“Shall we trim the tree?” Rocky asked, smiling so kindly, she knew he understood how touched she was by his gesture.
“Oh, yes. Then we can sit in here with just the lights from the tree. I always used to love that when I was a kid.”
“I remember.” Rocky leaned in and kissed her cheek in a simple gesture of affection that almost brought all that emotion back to the surface.
“You two set up those lights. We’ll watch the fire and keep an eye on the boys.” Marissa said as she sat on the couch by the crackling fire her husband was tending.
The twins were deposited next to Marissa who fussed over them while Joe finished with the fire and sat back in an easy chair beside the couch. Rocky turned to Maggie and helped unwrap the new sets of fairy lights. Together they wound them around the tree. Rocky handled the highest branches, moving things around at Maggie’s direction as she stood back. Then she moved in to help with the lower branches that were within her reach.
They worked well together, and within about twenty minutes the tree was lit with twinkling multicolored lights that brought a smile to her face. In fact, she didn’t think she’d stopped grinning since walking into the room.
“This was so thoughtful of you, Rocky. Thanks.” She turned to him and looked up into his handsome face.
He moved closer and put his arm around her shoulders, standing with her to admire the work they’d accomplished on the tree. A quick peek at the older couple told her Joe was napping—or pretending to nap—and Marissa was fully engaged in admiring the babies. Maggie felt a pang in her heart for the people in her life who could have—should have—shared these moments but were now gone.
“This is my first Christmas without Tony,” she whispered, snuggling into Rocky’s protective embrace.
“I know. Mine too. Even if I didn’t see him, we talked on the phone every holiday. He made it a point to track me down around this time every year.” Rocky hugged her close and warmed her with his comfort.
“I didn’t know that. I’m sorry, Rock. I wish I’d known about you all sooner. It hurts to think he didn’t trust me enough to tell me until it was almost too late.”
“He couldn’t take the chance that you’d reject him, Maggie. He loved you too much,” Rocky said quietly. The words touched her soul.
“I wouldn’t have rejected that side of him. It would have scared the crap out of me, but I like to think I would’ve accepted it even without the pressure of being in danger. I know I would have. Especially knowing that you and both sets of parents were shifters too. That calmed me down almost right away. I mean, I’ve known all of you for so long. My parents really liked your families. They were ecstatic when I got engaged to Tony. There was never anything weird or sinister about any of you. After the initial shock, those memories of your families comforted me.”
“You always were a reasonable child.” Marissa’s voice came to her from just a few feet away. Joe stood beside her.
“We’re turning in,” he announced. “It’s been a long day and I’m looking forward to sleeping on that new bed.”
Maggie smiled and went to him. “Thank you for the tree, Joe. Happy Thanksgiving.” She gave him a peck on the cheek.
She hugged Marissa, wishing her a good night as well, and the elder Garibaldis left them alone with only the boys as chaperones. Which is to say, alone, for all intents and purposes. One glance told her the boys were sound asleep.
Rocky saw his parents out and turned off the lights on the way back to her, leaving just the tree lit with a warm glow. She’d always thought the little lights gave off a magical blend of color that harmonized into a homey feeling.
“Shall we sit by the fire?” Rocky took her hand and led her toward the roaring blaze.
Instead of the couch, where the boys slept in their carrier, he sat on the floor and pulled her down beside him. They used the couch as a back support and sat on the thick, braided rug that fronted the fireplace.
Rocky put his arm around her and she snuggled into his side as the light from the fire and tree splashed over them. Both warmed her in different ways, as did the big man at her side. She felt more comfortable with him, yet on edge. The tension between them rose as the flames licked at the wood, his presence licking metaphorically at her insides, making her yearn for something she was afraid to reach for.
There’d been so much tragedy in her life lately. She was so afraid she’d brought more to Rocky’s home. She didn’t want to lose him. And she really didn’t want to be the reason he was in danger, but tha
t couldn’t be avoided now. If the danger found her, it would find her with Rocky because she couldn’t leave him now.
“Have I told you how thankful I am that you took me in when I arrived unannounced on your doorstep?” She rested her head against his shoulder as they looked at the flames.
“I’d never turn you away, Maggie. Not ever.” The warmth in his voice made her shiver.
“But you could’ve been married with a family of your own. You should’ve been.” She drew back to look up into his eyes from close range. “Why didn’t you marry, Rocky?”
“The only woman I wanted was already taken.” Her breath caught at the look in his eyes. “I didn’t want to settle for second best. I figured I’d live my life alone. Seemed better than making some poor woman miserable simply because she could never be you.”
This time she did gasp. “Are you serious?”
“Darlin’, most shifters know their mate when they meet them. I was too young to really recognize it at the time, but the first time I saw you, I knew you were special. It was some time before I figured out you were my mate. For me there is no other woman but you, and there never will be.”
He didn’t give her a chance to respond as he lowered his head and locked his lips onto hers. But she didn’t mind. His admission was shocking…and thrilling at the same time. Maybe life did give second chances.
Rocky loved the feel of her in his arms. The warm fire in front of them, the soft glow of the fairy lights on the tree and the hot woman in his arms combined to make him feel almost lightheaded with wonder at the joy that had come out of tragedy. Maggie was in his arms, at last, and that erased all that had come before. At least for the moment.
“I want you so much, Maggie. Say yes. Let me make you mine.” He stopped his headlong rush with effort, knowing he had to give her a choice. He also had to say what was in his heart. She had to know all of it before she made her decision. “I’ve always loved you, Maggie mine. Always.”
“You have?” Her expression was so hopeful it touched him deep inside.
Alphas for the Holidays Page 135