Thousands of lights blazed to life, and the ornaments spun slowly, casting rainbow reflections across the square. Snow drifted down from nowhere and everywhere, dissolving into sparks of light when it touched anything.
The hum of the North Pole surged through me like a current, amplifying my connection to the nine men standing below. I felt their wonder, their pride, their desire, as if they were extensions of my body.
In that moment of perfect clarity, while magic flowed through my veins, I finally admitted the truth to myself.
I wanted this. I wanted them. I wanted to complete the bond that had been forming since I’d met them.
I, Neve North, wanted to be Santa Claus with nine reindeer mates.
Chapter 30
Lights, Magic, Reindeer
The snow continued to dissolve into sparks around me as my ice platform melted beneath my feet.
“Citizens of the North Pole!” My dad’s voice boomed across the square. “The holiday season has officially begun! Enjoy tonight’s festivities; tomorrow we begin the final countdown to Christmas Eve!”
The crowd erupted into cheers so thunderous that the sound vibrated through my chest. Some openly wept, and others jumped up and down.
My mom stepped forward, her hand slipping into my dad’s. The pride radiating from her face was so bright it could have powered the tree lights all on its own. She nodded at me, a small gesture laden with a thousand unspoken words.
Cole’s arm slid around my waist, anchoring me as the square transformed into a whirlwind of celebration. A band with instruments glittering with enchanted frost launched into festive music that sounded both traditional and modern.
“You’re glowing,” Blitz whispered into my ear.
I looked down at my hands, surprised to find they were emitting a faint silver light. “That’s... new.”
“And extremely hot.” Vix’s fingers brushed against mine on my other side.
Magical tables laden with treats appeared along theperimeter of the square. Elves wove through the crowd with trays of steaming mugs, and the scent of cinnamon and chocolate filled the air.
Pierce snagged two glasses from a passing tray and offered one to me. “You have to try elfnog. Think eggnog, but with a kick that could make a reindeer fly without magic.”
I accepted the drink, our fingers brushing in a contact that sent sparks racing up my arm. The first sip burned pleasantly down my throat before blooming into warmth that spread to my extremities.
The music shifted, and couples began spinning around a dance floor that glittered with embedded lights. My dad twirled my mom with surprising grace for a man of his stature, her silver hair fanning out as she threw her head back in laughter.
Don extended his hand to me. “May I have this dance?”
I placed my palm in his, and he pulled me into the swirling crowd.
He moved with surprising fluidity, guiding me through steps I somehow knew without being taught. It was like my body remembered that this magic, this place, and these men were written into my very cells.
“Your magic is calling to us. Can you feel it?” He spun me and pulled me into his chest again.
I could. The tug had morphed into a gravitational pull. Nine energies orbited me like I was their sun, growing stronger with each passing second.
As the song ended, Dash seamlessly cut in, his movements quicker, more playful than Don’s controlled grace. Then came Pierce’s smoldering intensity, Cole’s gentle steadiness, Blitz’s theatrical flair, Vix’s dangerous edge, Kip’s infectious joy, and Dane’s confident lead.
The square blurred into a kaleidoscope of lights, laughter, and magic until Rudy finally stepped forward.
He stood before me, raw vulnerability in his eyes. “I need to know if this is what you want before I touch you again because once I do, I won’t be able to let you go.”
The noise of the celebration faded into the background as Isearched his face. The alpha who’d pushed me away and ultimately pulled me closer waited for my answer with barely concealed hope.
I stepped forward, eliminating the space between us. “I want this. I want all of you.”
His exhale was almost violent with relief. He cupped my face between his palms, thumbs brushing my cheekbones. “Once we complete the bond, there’s no going back. Nine reindeer for eternity.”
