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Thank you for my gifts, I tell him through our bond, referring not only to the necklace, but the rest I was able to get.
He doesn’t get to reply before we’re sprayed with water from the sink. “I might be an adult, but seeing my parents make out is still gross.”
Dawsyn’s horror makes both of us laugh as we pull apart. I glance over Roman’s shoulder at her. “Sorry, Daughter.”
“Just don’t do it again.”
Roman rolls his eyes. “Look at her already thinking she can tell us what to do, and she isn’t even alpha yet.”
“Just wait until I am,” our daughter muses, making me laugh and her father groan.
Embry tugs on my arm and hugs me next. “Breakfast is about ready. I’m going to go get my mate and be back, but…” She pulls back enough to grin at me. “Merry Christmas, Asstie.”
“Merry Christmas, Asstie.”
“Love you,” Embry calls out as she leaves through the back door. My cheeks begin to ache from all the smiling and I’ve barely been up twenty minutes.
“Where are Amersyn, Maciah, Vaughn, Kelly, and River?” I ask, realizing they’re the only ones not here. “Oh wait, and Sam?”
“You know Sam doesn’t do mornings, let alone cheerful celebrations,” Roman says as he flips a few of the pancakes on the stove. “The vampires went…somewhere. I didn’t ask. Vaughn and his family are on a run together. They should be back soon.”
I glance at Cillian. “What about Lykem? He’s been gone a lot longer than I was told.”
The dragon shifter isn’t technically part of my pack, but he’s been around long enough that I consider him one of my own. A pseudo-son that came along with my son-in-law and that I haven’t had any complaints about. Especially since he loves to make people laugh.
“He’s making his way back,” Cillian replies, moving platters of food from the counter to the table. “The snowstorm hindered any movement last night.”
There’s a tension in his voice. “You’re not telling me something,” I say sternly, but Cillian refuses to look at me, confirming my suspicions.
Dawsyn’s hand squeezes my shoulder. “Nothing we need to worry about today, Mom. I promise.”
While “worrying” feels like my number one job, I decide to listen to my daughter. It’s Christmas. I have my family here. As long as nobody is coming to attack, I’m going to enjoy the day to its fullest.
“What can I help with?” I ask, pushing up the sleeves of my red sweater.
“Nothing,” Roman tells me. “Go hang in the living room for a bit. We’ll call everyone in when everything is ready to be served.”
Pushing up onto my toes, I kiss his cheek. “Alright.”
His brow raises. “Really? Just like that, you’re going to relinquish control?”
I nod, smirking. “Old wolves can learn, too.”
I used to believe the control was all I had, and even after all this time, I still find myself needing to be in charge of certain situations, but not today. Today I’m going to trust those I love to have my back.
It’s time to really get into the Christmas spirit.
Chapter15
LEXI
Back at the cabin in the woods…
My head is pounding, and I can’t seem to make my heart stop racing. I have so many questions, but I’m not ready to talk. Hell, I’m not ready forLykem.
Yet, here he is. Waiting for me, yet also not rushing me.
Once I accepted he really is my mate and not some trick, I decided to trust him. At least enough to understand why I’m a bit unhinged. Though, realizing that I’ve been gone for much longer than I thought has driven me back into my mental hole.
