Page 4 of Christmas Embrace

“He fucking started it,” Luca grumbled.

“All I said was that I could kick his ass in HALO. He’s a little bitch.” Tristan chuckled.

“I already beat you,” Luca shot back

“That was a short game. He cheated.” Tristan turned to Kade. “Come on. You were there. You saw it.”

“We’ll have a rematch,” Kade suggested.

“The wolf is delusional. He doesn’t know who he’s dealing with.” Luca gave a side eye toward Tristan and reached for his mug.

The Alpha glanced to Kade. “Lattes?”

“You want one?”

“Yeah, sure,” Tristan said. Kade reached for a mug but the Alpha held out a hand to stop him. “I got it. I got it. So what’s up? Big day tomorrow, huh?”

“You bet,” Kade agreed.

“You know what I think,” Tristan continued, still taking jabs at Luca, “I think this wedding shit has sent all the blood to his cock. Yeah, that’s gotta be it because no one thinks they can dethrone me. My HALO record stands for itself. I am the king of the game. I am the master.”

“He’s been practicing,” Kade told Tristan with a laugh. “You created a monster.”

“Soon I won’t have time anyway. I’ll be playing Minecraft.” Luca smiled into his chicory.

“He’s just fucking with me now.” Tristan laughed.

“I’ve got a toddler. They grow up fast,” he insisted.

Tristan’s grin broadened. “I’m pretty sure I’ve stepped into an alternative universe down here in Nawlins.”

“You know what’s happening. He’s getting married,” Kade responded.

“Ah yes. Humans and their traditions,” Tristan mused as he prepared his coffee.

“I’m a vampire. Don’t fucking start with that shit,” Luca shot back.

“I don’t know,” Kade interrupted. “We start off as human and are reborn vampire. But maybe all we’ve been taught isn’t exactly correct.”

“Leo or Quint would damn well kick your ass for suggesting that,” Luca told him.

“No,” Kade shook his head. “First of all. Nobody is kicking my ass in my town. And second,” he paused, his eyes meeting Luca’s, “The Alpha’s correct. Getting married is a very human tradition. But perhaps so are the desires that burn in our soul. There may be only a miniscule amount of our humanity still within us, but it persists. Look at you. You’re a father. Soon to be a husband. You’ve never been happier. All those things are very much human. We seek the family that is stolen from us.” Kade raised his mug and clinked it with Tristan’s. “Cheers.”

“Samantha is more than family. She’s my life,” Luca told them. “I’m unapologetically in love with the high priestess and my beautiful daughter.”

“Well then. Now that we’ve established Luca is more like a human than he thinks…” Tristan clapped his hands together. “What do you say we get this show on the road? It ain’t every day I get to participate in human activities. It’s bachelor time. Cocktails?”

“Bourbon Street,” Kade suggested.

“It’s Christmastime.” Luca peered over the rim of his mug. “I should be home listening to Christmas carols, tending the fire.”

“Decking the halls?” Tristan laughed.

“He’ll be decking the halls for the rest of his life.” Kade smiled.

“Dude. Bro. Ya gotta go with the flow on this one.”

“Did you just call him dude? You been hanging out with Jake, haven’t you? Next thing you know you’ll be movin’ to California.” Luca shot Tristan an unimpressed glare.