by Quinn Loftis
“No thanks necessary,” Fane replied. “This home is yours as much as it is anyone’s in this pack.”
Jacquelyn hugged Andrei and then everyone else who came through the door throughout the evening. She moved with the ease and grace of an alpha female who had been in charge of a pack her entire life instead of a few short weeks.
A commotion grabbed everyone’s attention as Jen’s voice came from the direction of the kitchen. “Thia, if you eat one more wolf head, so help me, I will tan your hide!”
“Hell yeah!” was Thia’s response. Everyone around them froze, and then laughter rolled through the entire mansion.
Jacquelyn shook her head. “If anything, it will not be a boring evening.”
“Something would be seriously wrong if it was,” Fane pointed out.
“True.” They headed toward the sound of Jen’s shouts and the babbling voices of young children.
When they entered the kitchen, Fane stopped in his tracks. The entire room was covered in flour.
“Jen, I thought the cookies were going to be done last night,” Jacquelyn said. Fane was glad he had not been the one to point out that little factoid because the stink eye Jen gave his mate was brutal.
“Uh, I’m going to make sure everyone has … uh, a drink or … whatever they might need,” Fane said as he retreated from the room.
“Chicken,” Jacquelyn called after him. She was sure this would no doubt come to be known as the great Christmas Cookie Disaster in the annals of Grey Wolves’ history. Wadim would probably have a shirt made up to commemorate it.
Jacque glanced over at Slate. He was standing on some sort of stool that had rails all around him so he couldn’t fall but made him tall enough to participate in the baking. Why would anyone allow a twelve-month-old to help make cookies?
“They were supposed to be done last night.” Jen attempted, unsuccessfully, to wipe flour from her sweater. “But after I made all fifty pounds of dough…” It wasn’t actually fifty pounds, but Jacque would not point that out because she didn’t want that very solid rolling pin thrown at her head. “I realized it had to be refrigerated before I could start rolling it out. So, it had to sit in the fridge before the kids could use the cookie cutters.”
“And you didn’t ask for any fae help because of the whole traditions thing?” Jacque kept her voice gentle, not wanting to provoke the beast that was Jennifer Anghelescu.
“I wanted to make them from scratch. The kids need to experience the fun of eating raw dough, watching the cookies puff up in the oven, and then making a massive mess of icing.” Jen glanced around the kitchen, which looked as if a snowstorm had just blown through.
“Well, it looks like you’ve made plenty.” Jacque pointed to the rows and rows of baked cookies laid out on parchment paper. She counted them and realized there were eleven dozen cookies. That’s an odd number. But then again, this was Jen.
“What exactly are they supposed to be?” Jacque realized they weren’t Christmas trees, or stockings, or snowmen, or anything else remotely holiday related.
“They were wolves.” Jen growled as she sent Thia, who was also standing on a stool similar to Slate’s, a sharp glare. Titus stood on a regular stepstool, painting the cookies nearest to him with icing while humming “Silent Night.”
“Slate began eating the heads off of them the minute I started laying them on the counter. They were hot. Did that stop the little Fane-in-training? Nope. Did he eat any other part besides the head? Nope. Which I’ve got to say, Red,” she said, giving Jacque the side eye, “is a little disturbing. Then Thia saw what Slate was doing and thought it was a fantastic idea. She said ‘momma, head,’ and took a bite. Then she spit it in her hand and held it over her head and yelled.”
Jacque couldn’t help it. She tried not to laugh, but there was no stopping it. “Like mother like daughter. Perhaps you’ll remember that the next time you go running around waiving a bloody vampire head in the air.”
Jen sighed. “I’ve created a monster.”
Movement from her right caused Jacque to turn and glance at Titus. He’d picked up a wolf that hadn’t been iced and still had its head intact. Without missing a beat of the song he was humming, the boy took a bite, chomping off the wolf’s head. “And why is that one doing it?” Jacque asked.
“Trevor,” Jen said dryly, “tell Aunt Jacque why you’re biting off wolf heads with these two delinquents.”
Titus, who was wearing an exceptionally ugly Christmas sweater that was probably causing Jen to twitch, looked up at Jacque. “I didn’t want them to get in trouble on their own. We’re pack. We’ve got to stick together.”
“And that’s why none of them are getting whacked with a spoon,” Jen said. “How can I punish them for having each other’s backs?”
Jacque walked over and gave Titus a hug. “You’re an awesome pack mate, Titus. Thank you for wanting to protect Thia and Slate.”
Titus shrugged. “I’m sure I’ll be protecting them from Aunt Jen a lot. Might as well get some practice in.”
“What you need to be practicing is your hunting skills, dude. Gavril is doing a crap job.” Jen picked up a headless wolf and started putting icing on it.
“Or I’m so good that I’m purposely making you think I’m bad,” he said and then went back to humming.
Jen paused and glanced at him through narrowed eyes. “Just remember who will slip you candy when your parents say no.”
“Duly noted.” He gave her a decisive nod.
Jacque snorted and then picked up a headless wolf and grabbed an abandoned knife and started icing it.
“Any reason there are eleven dozen and not twelve dozen?”
Jen snorted. “Yes, her name is Bethany, and she’s an emotional-eating, thieving she-wolf who needs her pregnant-sized ass spanked.”
Jacque’s mouth dropped open in an O shape, and her eyes widened.
“Is she still griping about the freaking cookies I ate?” Bethany waddled in, grumbling.
“Yes. She is,” Jen snapped. “We’ve got a mansion full of hungry wolves, literally, three weird kids that are obsessed with beheading the cookies, and a prego who can’t keep her paws to herself. Forgive me if I’m just a little irritated.”
“Look on the bright side.” Sally entered behind Bethany. “She could have eaten two dozen.”
“And would have if her mate hadn’t caught her and carried her out of here. All the while, she was pointing at the cookies with her mouth already full. She gave him puppy dog eyes, trying to get him to swipe her some more.” Jen’s lips twitched a bit, as if trying not to smile.
“I imagine that was quite a sight.” Jacque laughed.
“I got pictures,” Zara sang as she strolled into the kitchen, which was quickly filling up with people. The smell of freshly baked cookies was drawing wolves like flies.
Jen glanced up and realized she had an audience of at least forty people. She tossed down the knife and said, “New tradition. Everyone decorates their own headless wolves on Christmas Eve.”
“Head!” Thia yelled as she bit off another one and then held up the body of the wolf. Chuckles filled the room as pack members crowded around the large island where the cookies were resting.
Jacque grabbed some more butter knives and then stepped back, watching as Titus showed different people how to spread the icing. Slate kept trying to grab anyone’s cookie who dared get too close to his little chubby hands, and Thia entertained everyone with her rendition of “Jingle Bells.”
Jen and Sally came up on either side of Jacque and leaned against the counter where she stood.
“Judging by the fact that no one is rolling on the floor yet, I’d wager you haven’t unboxed the cakes?” Jacque asked.
“Or the wall pictures showing the wolf-deers pulling the sleigh,” Sally added.
“One moment at a time, ladies,” Jen said. “This is the headless Christmas cookie moment.” Her voice was full of nostalgia as they watched their pack laugh, talk, and pas
s around cookies, which were proving to be very popular despite being headless and already bitten by three little wolves.
As pack members continued to retrieve their snacks, Cyn and Thalion appeared in front of the three ladies.
Jen pursed her lips at the fae and elf prince. “If I wasn’t so tired, I’d gripe at you about flashing right in front of my face.”
Cyn simply smiled and then said, “I’ll be right back.” A moment later, she reappeared with Lilly in tow. Then she was gone again. When she returned this time, she had Dillon and Tanya with her. They’d barely showed up when Cyn flashed again and then returned with Cindy and Chris Morgan.
Jacque knew the smile on her face was ridiculously big as she hugged her mom and then her dad. “Thank you,” she said to Cyn as she passed out hugs to the newly arrived guests. “I know y’all might have had your own plans for Christmas, but I’m glad you came tonight.”
“Thank you for inviting us.” Thalion wrapped an arm around Cyn. “We are honored to be a part of the celebrations.
“Also”—Cyn cleared her throat—“Jen’s invitation didn’t leave much room for discussion.”
Jacque glanced at her BFF. “Do I want to even know?”
Jen’s face scrunched up as she shook her head. “Definitely not.”
“The kitchen looks very, well, festive.” Lilly glanced around the flour-covered room. Her eyes lit up when they landed on Slate. She pointed to her grandson. “I’m going to go save that cookie from Slate.”
Jacque laughed at Slate, who was leaning as far as he could, trying to grab a cookie that was just out of his reach.
Chris and Cindy quickly made their way next to Titus, and he immediately handed them cookies and said, “You have to bite their heads off first.”
Jen groaned while Jacque patted her on the back. “You wanted new traditions.”
“You got them,” Sally added with a grin.
An hour later, they gathered as many people as they could into the massive living area, with the rest of the pack and guests overflowing into the halls and rooms nearby. Peri and Lucian stood at the front of the room. To their left was Fane and Jacque, who held Slate in her arms. The boy’s face was stained with red cookie icing, and Jacque was pretty sure he was on a bit of a sugar high … or drunk because his eyes kept rolling back in his head, each time followed by a loud giggle.
Fane took a deep breath and stood a little taller as he looked around the room. Jacque could feel her mate’s pride and love for their pack. He opened the pack bonds, allowing the rest of them to feel it as well. “This year has been one of joy, triumphs, hardships, and great loss,” Fane began. All eyes were on him. Even the kids seemed to be pulled to the power he was emitting. “We experienced deep betrayal, but we’ve experienced amazing loyalty as well.” He paused and glanced at her, then leaned down and pressed a kiss to Slate’s forehead. “We’ve experienced new life, new true mates, and now a new future that the Great Luna has set before us.
“We end this year with joy in our hearts despite our pain because we all know my mother would be standing here in tears right now, so happy to have all of us together in one place. So, we will honor her memory with a joyful celebration instead of mourning. We will make new traditions.” He glanced at Jen and bowed his head to her. She smiled and wiped tears from her eyes. “We will fill this home with laughter.” Fane looked next at Peri and motioned to her with his hand. The huge red curtain fell, revealing a wall of photos showing him and the other pack males in their reindeer outfits. Laughter rang out. When it died, Fane continued speaking. “And we will eat bizarre cakes that will make you blush and guarantee you will never let Jen have a cake made for you for any occasion whatsoever.”
“My cakes rock, Alpha. You’re just upset I didn’t use your family jewels for the inspiration for Bethany’s cake,” Jen called out.
A growl came from Decebel. “Whose did you use?”
“We don’t want to know where you got your inspiration,” Fane continued quickly. “You can keep that secret to yourself.” More laughter spread throughout the room. After a few moments, Fane held out his hand, which had been empty, and a glass appeared. A full wine glass now materialized in Jacque’s as well. She glanced over at Peri, who gave her a smirk.
Fane lifted the glass. “A toast,” he said, and everyone else lifted their own glasses, no doubt many of them provided by the handy high fae. “To our future, our children, our mates, ones discovered, and ones yet to be. I toast to my parents who have left an amazing legacy, and I toast to the Great Luna who has guided us and will continue to guide us as we move forward into the next chapter of the story of the Romania Grey Wolves.” The room filled with cheers of agreement. “Please, enjoy yourselves. Eat, drink, be merry, and know that the pack doors are always open to everyone here.”
The room filled with chatter as people began to move about. Laughter rang out when people began looking at the cakes that had finally been uncovered.
“Can I steal him for a bit?” Lilly asked. Jacque felt Slate being pulled from her arms and realized her mom had walked up beside her.
“Of course, just no more cookies,” Jacque warned.
Slate patted his grandmother on the cheek and proceeded to demonstrate all the words that Thia had taught him. Jacque sighed. Her mate’s arms wrapped around her from behind, and his mouth rested beside her ear. “I can feel them,” he whispered.
“Your parents?” She turned so she could look up into his beautiful blue eyes.
He nodded. “My mother’s joy, my father’s pride. I can feel them.”
Jacque felt her mate’s contentment coming through their bond, and she turned in his arms. She took his face in her hands and rose up on her toes to press a chaste kiss to his lips. “I feel them, too. I think we will always feel them. They are a part of us. A part of this.” She motioned to the surrounding room filled with their pack. “The positive impact they had on the world and those around them didn’t die with them. It will continue to live on, generation after generation.”
Fane pressed his forehead to hers, and Jacque’s breath fled her lungs at the jolt of emotion he sent her. “I can only hope that we will have the number of years together my parents did.”
She nuzzled his nose. “I’ve no doubt we will.” Neither of them brought up the fact that they only had a week left before the mourning period was over. Only a week before the other wolves would be knocking on their door for a chance to take Fane’s title. Those worries were not for tonight. Tonight was about pack, celebration, joy, and love. At the tail end of that thought, Thia ran past them with two wolf cookie heads held high in the air. “This Sparta!” she yelled.
“Costin!” Jen growled as she ran after her squealing daughter. “I told you not to let her watch that freaking movie.”
“My bad. I must have heard you wrong. Sorry about that.” Costin’s voice came from somewhere in the crowd.
“He’s totally not sorry.” Jacque chuckled.
“Not in the least,” Fane agreed.
*****
It was well after midnight when the last few pack members headed out into the snowy night. Sally’s heart was so full of joy she was sure it was going to explode in her chest. The evening had not been perfect. She was pretty sure everyone had icing somewhere on their clothing thanks to the three wolf pups who had run amuck. And after a few fae cocktails, Adam had begun to mess with the Christmas decorations, including changing some of the ornaments on the trees to lady parts and transforming the festive balls into balls of an altogether different variety. Jen had taken one look at it and laughed until Sally thought the woman was going to pass out. Bethany had eaten her entire baby shower cake all on her own and growled at anyone who’d come near her. Zara had gotten it all on film. As she had said, “My mate is the historian, and this is definitely going down in history.” She’d told Bethany, who’d attempted to take the camera from the other she-wolf, causing a minor scuffle. The scratches had healed in a matter of moments.
/> But it was precisely because the celebration wasn’t perfect that made it perfect indeed.
“The kids are asleep.” Jen came into the living room, where the rest of the group was sitting. The house was a mess, but that lasted all of ten seconds as Peri snapped her fingers, and suddenly the mansion was as pristine as if a professional cleaning crew had come through and spent all day laboring.
“Having a high fae as a BFF is the best.” Jacque leaned back against Fane where they sat on the couch.
“The rest of us are chopped troll guts, you know.” Elle said dryly.
“No, but one of you is a butthead that likes to highjack Christmas trees and defile their decorations.” Jen looked pointedly at Adam. He and Crina sat on the floor, his back resting on the couch, while she sat between his legs with her back to his chest.
Adam grinned. “You’re just jealous that you couldn’t make a vagina-ball tree.”
“That’s wrong on so many levels,” Sally muttered.
“I think it’s poetic,” Peri said. “This whole shindig started with vaginas and balls. Might as well end with it as well.”
Sally shook her head. “I’m pretty sure you all have brain damage. How could you be so disturbed?”
“Or we’re just that awesome.” Zara grinned and gave her mate a high five.
“Yeah, we are,” Wadim agreed. “Tonight was awesome and will go down in history, literally, as one of the best Christmases this pack has ever seen.”
“Vasile and Alina would have been speechless by your thoughtfulness, Jennifer.” Sorin looked at the blonde who’d made it all happen.
Sally reached over and took Jen’s hand. She gave it a tight squeeze, and Jen’s eyes took on the glassy sheen of tears. “I couldn’t have done it without all of you.”
Jacque laughed. “You probably could have, but you wouldn’t have had nearly as much fun without anyone to boss around.”
Jen smiled as everyone chuckled, snorted, and added their agreements, but all with love shining in their eyes.
“Don’t we all have to go to bed so this Santa guy can show up?” Drake held his mate, who was completely passed out and snoring softly in his lap.