Prologue
Dylan was excited. There was a year round Christmas shop in town that I frequented. I had saved up my allowance for months and was ready to head over there. Mom chuckled and watched me as I headed out. Mom always laughed at my antics if dad wasn’t around.
I ran the whole way to the store but slowed to a walk when I entered. The shop owner called, “Well, look at who it is. Little future Beta Dylan Frost, my best customer. Danver, look who came in again.” Danver was like a big brother to me really. They were both members of our pack.
Danver laughed, “Hey, Dylan.” They were an Omega family in Blue Moon, and I loved spending all my time in this store because they were here. I went to the section where they had the decoration I wanted. I knew exactly what I was getting, but I pretended to debate it just to spend more time here.
I watched Danver’s dad out of the corner of my eye. I called him Saint Nick because he owned a Christmas shop. His name was actually Kris with a K. Obviously because he was actually Santa Claus. I watched him with Danver. Saint Nick’s pride for his son shone in his eyes.
His youngest pup came in after twenty minutes yelling, “Daddy, daddy, daddy, I got third place in my speech competition!” Saint Nick grabbed his pup and put him on his shoulders and started singing ‘For he’s a jolly good fellow’ and running him around the store.
I ended up watching and observing this happy family all day. I could acknowledge my house didn’t have this. My dad didn’t appreciate anything Travis or I did that wasn’t something heapproved of. Honestly, luckily for everyone, Travis did a lot that dad liked. I was the problem pup as far as he was concerned.
Saint Nick came over and sat by me asking, “What’s the debate today?” I showed him two decorations on my list knowing full well which one I was getting. I asked out of sheer curiosity, “Do you like giving speeches?”
Saint Nick threw his head back and laughed, “God, no. I don’t like debate or speeches. You would not catch me doing either.” I asked, “Then why are you so proud of your pup?” Saint Nick answered, “Because he loves giving speeches and that makes me happy.”
I teased, “Well, that must be a you thing.” Saint Nick quite seriously said, “No little Dylan, it’s a good parent and father thing.” He handed me a flyer for a stand-up comedy kids club. I admitted, “I saw that and showed my dad. He rolled his eyes which means he doesn’t want me to do it.”
Saint Nick asked, “Do you want to do it?” I answered, “Heck, yes! I’d win.” Saint Nick agreed, “I think you will too. I’ll drive you there and sit in the audience. I already asked your mom, and she said if you wanted to go it was fine. So long as we didn’t talk about it around your dad.”
I gasped, “Really? I don’t have a routine figured out yet! I need a tight ten minute set. I’ll have to work on it.” Saint Nick chuckled, “Danver and I can’t wait to hear it. We think you’re hilarious, pup. I never want you to lose that humor.”
I saluted him saying, “I literally never plan to.” Eric thought I was funny, and he was far too serious. I had to keep being funny so those Conners boys lips would twitch into a smile. They were trying to go into an early grave with their seriousness, and I couldn’t allow that. Friends don’t let friends die young from being overly serious.
Saint Nick said, “Good. Honestly, the Supernatural World could use some more humor. I think you’re great for FutureAlpha Lucas. You have him smiling more than any other Alpha around.” I agreed, “I do. I have to keep him smiling or his Alpha blood has him thinking and getting crease lines on his forehead. He’s too young for those. I even got him a special moisturizer to help avoid such things.”
Saint Nick nudged me, “Let’s not forget those very serious Conner boys. Lord knows they could smile more. They are only amused if you’re running around causing your chaos.” I puffed up, “I know. I’ve known from a very young age that I can help them. They act like they don’t use the moisturizer I get them, but nary a crease on their foreheads can be found. That’s all me.”
Saint Nick agreed, “I truly believe you are the only one who gets Future Alpha Eric’s lips to twitch.” I admitted, “My goal is to get a full blown smile from him one day. I’m playing the long game.” I picked up the decoration I wanted.
I declared, “This one will be perfect.” Saint Nick wryly asked, “Really? How interesting. I would’ve thought this decoration wasn’t your speed.” It wasn’t but Lacy Lyons loved these caroler figurines. The young Alpha pup collected them, and I loved to get her all things she loved. I paid for the new caroler and started to leave.
Saint Nick told me, “Wait a second, and I’ll lock up. You shouldn’t be running here or back by yourself.” I did all the time, unless Danver wasn’t working. Then he shadowed me to make sure I arrived safely.
Saint Nick finished locking up and ran with me back to the pack as the sun began to set. I waved, “Thanks, Saint Nick.” Several people smirked and Saint Nick smiled and waved back. Someone called, “Hey, Kris.” I sighed knowing that one day people would accept he was really Saint Nick.
I ran all the way to the main house and knocked on the door. Debbie, our Luna, opened it. She laughed, “Well hello, little Dylan. It looks like you're bringing Christmas to the house inJuly again.” I reasoned, “Christmas should be all year round. It’s the best holiday. Who doesn’t love presents?”
Debbie chuckled, “It’s certainly your love language. You love receiving and giving gifts.” That was very true, I did. I asked, “Is Lacy here?” Debbie answered, “My deeply serious, thinks she’s an adult, pup is in the library.”
I argued, “Lacy isn’t always serious.” Debbie laughed, “Her tastes are very grown up and serious. The case and point is in your hands. Not many three year olds are collecting the things she does. I noticed the figurine you have, and I know it’s going to be for her.”
I shrugged, “It is for Lacy because she likes them.” Debbie smiled at me and stepped aside for me to run in. I quickly made my way through the house to the library. I called, “Lacy, look what I got you.” Lacy looked up and giggled, “D!”
I grinned and handed her the figurine. Lacy squealed, “You got one I don’t have!” I knew that because I was observant about most things, but particularly anything involving Lacy Lyons. Lacy stood up and hugged me.
I hugged her back saying, “I’ll give you anything you want, Lacy Loo.” Lacy beamed at me and honestly, I’d do anything to keep her smiling. Lucas called, “Hey, Dylan!” I turned greeting, “Hey, Lucas.”
Lucas saw the figurine and smirked, “You and Christmas, Dylan Frost. Come on, I’ll walk you home.” I waved, “Bye, Lacy.” Lacy waved and sat down, putting her caroler beside her. I watched her begin to play pretend with caroler and give it a back story.
Once we got outside Lucas asked, “Why do you love Christmas so much? I can’t believe I’ve never asked.” I admitted, “Only Saint Nick has asked since we share this passion of Christmas joy.” Lucas chuckled, “Ok, well now I’m asking.”
I admitted, “I love giving gifts and making people happy. I love seeing the smiles on people’s faces. Let’s not forget I’ve made future Alpha ever so serious and always gets his way smirk on several occasions. I’ve seen those lips twitch since I was Lacy’s age. I only imagine younger me was better at it.”
Lucas laughed, “You have always been good at giving and getting laughs out of people, even without Christmas.” I replied, “Yes, but Christmas is a magical time of year. It’s a time when it feels like people come together and they are nice, even humans. Everyone’s willing to spread joy, and I want everyone to see how addicting the feeling is.”
“Plus, I think Christmas is the only time my dad is proud of me. I put a lot of thought into his gifts, and he feels my Beta traits shine through. It honestly feels like the only time he admits I have Beta qualities. That mattered to me more when I was younger.”
