Page 8 of Awakened By Her Guardian

She smiled and shrugged at Gabriel. He squeezed her hand, and they resumed their walk down the long hall to Santa’s office.

She’d always thought it was weird that Santa had an office. She’d pictured him in a house, reading through the naughty and nice lists while smoking a pipe in a rocking chair.

But he wasn’t just Santa. He was the most powerful warlock in the world, and that meant he was responsible not only for the Well of Magic but also for all the good magic users in the world, the elves who lived and worked in Northernmost, and, of course, delivering toys to good boys and girls on Christmas.

His office had a massive desk in front of a picture window that showcased the Well of Magic and the Portal beyond. A low-banked fire glowed in the fireplace, and a mantel was hung with two stockings that looked like they’d been handmade by someone who had poured love into every stitch.

Perhaps his wife, who’d been taken by Frost in the seemingly never-ending battle for control of the Well.

The truth was, if the Well fell to Frost, all good magic users would eventually have to choose – lose their magic or turn dark and follow Frost. Good magic, the essence of goodness itself, would cease to exist.

That couldn’t happen.

She scooched a little closer to Gabriel.

His wolf rumbled in approval and she smiled.

“So,” Santa said, rising and coming around the desk. “I just sent Mother Nature and Tooth Fairy home to check on their people, since it appears my brother has teamed up with the worst of the worst this year. That brings us to you, Ana, and the dream walkers.” He sat on the edge of the desk, his blue eyes dark with concern. “Tell me everything.”

She took in a deep breath, then said, “I was out on my patrol overnight when Nightmare showed up and turned all my good dreams to nightmares…”

Ana said goodbye to Sandman, who was leaving Northernmost to secure more guards for her family and send word to all dream walkers that Nightmare was on the prowl.

She and Gabriel left Santa’s office to head to his underground apartment, and just being alone with him made her whole body warm with the thought of finally finding her mate. She hadn’t been able to focus on Gabriel because things were dangerous and she’d needed to explain the situation to Santa. Both Santa and Sandman had suggested she stay in Northernmost because it was the safest place for her, and she was happy to do that. Not just because Nightmare was after her, but because her sexy truemate lived here.

But now that she’d said what needed to be said, they were free to spend time together.

Gabriel.

Sexiest male in the world.

He must have known she was thinking sexy thoughts, because his wolf let out a rumbling growl and she felt him staring at her as they walked down an empty hall. She peeked at him and her skin flushed when she met his bright amber gaze.

He stopped and drew her close, backing her against the wall. She could feel the hard planes of his muscles, and oh my, his erection pressing into her belly.

He smelled like fall and the woods at night, like bonfires and camping, and starlit skies. It was the best kind of cologne because it came from him naturally, his wolf’s scent meant just for her.

She was going to drown in it.

Oh, yes. Maybe he tasted good too.

Gabriel tilted her chin up until she was looking into his eyes.

“I can tell what you’re thinking, sweetness, but you can’t go pressing those sweet lips to any part of my body without me returning the favor, and out here in the hallway is not my idea of taking good care of you.”

She slipped her fingers into his waistband and drew him a little closer. “What did you have in mind?”

“That depends.” He leaned into the arm braced against the wall over her head.

“On?”

“If you want to talk first.”

Oh.

Not even a little bit.

But how much of a hussy did that make her?