“It made him happy even though he didn’t want it to. This time Dylan can make a big ass deal about not inviting them, and they will still be proud about the fact that everyone comes to his damn over the top party. Which he will know and therefore be happy.”
I told Eric, “It’s sweet how much you care about him. If you told Dylan you wanted him to bring the party back, he’d throw it.” Eric asked, “Do I look like a masochist to you, Lacy Frost? I tried to get him to throw the party, he wouldn’t. Now, he’d say I was begging, and I’d hear about it for the rest of our very long lives.”
I laughed, “You do not look like a masochist. I guess I just feel like I took Dylanmas from him.” Eric disagreed, “I don’t think you did. You were a freshly shifted she wolf, and you were manipulated by someone older than you.”
I snorted, “Someone I never liked, then believed.” Eric argued, “You were isolated and it’s easy to think you know everything when you’re young. You’re an Alpha blood too, and the need to protect hums in your veins. You ran away for your brother, pack, and Dylan. Because I do know that you two always had a crush on each other.”
I blushed but it was true. Eric continued, “So, I don’t agree you took the party away from him. Part of the joy of Christmas for Dylan was seeing you so happy. He adores the season, but he loved that you enjoyed the party. Your mate did it for you because you smiled at him when you were a pup.”
I snorted, “What age are you claiming that would be? I smiled a lot.” Eric scoffed, “Dylan threw a friend's Christmas party when you were three years old. You squealed and giggled saying that it was the best party ever. I literally saw it on Dylan’s face when he made a personal goal to make it better every single goddamn year afterwards. All because the man just had to make you smile.”
“You’re your husband’s Christmas joy. Dylan loves giving presents and making people smile. He adores that even humans get into the holiday spirit, but it has always at its core been about you. Because it stopped being about Davis being proud a long time ago.”
Kiara growled in my head. I scoffed, “I hate that Davis took that feeling from him.” Eric said, “I’ve never liked the man myself. I found him annoying when I was a pup, and I still do to this day. The point is, only you can come up with a plan to maneuver Dylan back into hosting his Christmas Party. I’ve evengiving you a month's head start in the crazy, ridiculous timing that Dylan requires for said damn party.”
I laughed, "Because my mate always started planning in July.” Eric scoffed, “Honestly, I’m probably late. The man sent out invitations in July, but he already had it mostly planned. Considering I got the invites in April once I became the Alpha of my pack. He’ll probably thrive and adore having what he’ll think is tight deadline. Which is utterly absurd, but that’s Dylan.”
I pointed out, “Planning an epic comeback Christmas Party on a time crunch will be right up Dylan’s alley. Dylanmas being revived will be huge.” Eric grinned, “Yes, let’s go with it’s not me being late. It’s just giving him the tight deadline he desires to thrive in chaos. That literally no one else would consider because it’s fucking June.”
I laughed, “You really are a very good friend to him.” Eric made a ‘shh’ gesture whispering, “Let’s keep that between us.” I asked, “How did you make sure Dylan and Lucas wouldn't be here when you came over? Because you had to coordinate this so my mate wouldn’t be here to overhear and record this conversation. I know it was you because Dylan usually would be here and he would’ve heard this.”
Eric said, “Danver is working in his family’s Christmas store because Dylan is on Darrin’s schedule today with Lucas.” I replied, “Wow. You really did plan that out.” Eric replied, “I take literally no chances where Dylan Frost is concerned. He calls us all his wind-up toys, but he has to be functioning at his highest level to be at peak Dylan. He can’t use all the functions on his toys correctly if he’s not in tip top shape.”
I admitted, “I thought he’d throw Dylanmas when I came back, but I found out he stopped because I ran away. I never wanted to broach the subject with him. I couldn’t believe I stole his Christmas joy. I thought our first year together was just crazywith Lucas and Emmaline’s mating ceremony, but he didn’t throw it the next year either.”
Eric admitted, “I have no goddamn idea why he’s not throwing the party now. I understand why he didn’t when you were gone. Because if Haley was gone, there wouldn’t be a single tree in our house. Dylan spent Christmas looking for you. He actually put Carolers around the entire border of Blue Moon while heavily intoxicated on whiskey. The man was cackling about me killing rogues for him.”
I gasped, “What?” Eric snorted, “Yeah, he was hammered but fully convinced the carolers would guide you back to him. Honestly, Christy is lucky she didn’t cross his path that day because he would’ve killed her for doing so. That was back when he didn’t even know she was the reason you left.”
I admitted, “I can’t believe Dylan did that.” Eric reiterated, “He did. That man has loved you since you were born. While I could ask my wife the psychological shit that’s going on, I’m simply going to tell you to plan a way to give the party back to him.”
I teased, “You think you’re sly, but you want me to give it back to him because you know I feel like I took it from him. How did you know that before I told you?” Eric answered, “I like to know things, Lacy. I don’t have a sister, but I see you as one.”
Kiara sniffled in my head. I whispered, “Eric.” Eric said, “And god help me, Dylan is the annoying little cousin or brother I never asked for. I don’t know which one he is, but the point is that you're both important to me. Sure, I could make a comment about the party and hear about it forever. I just know you want Dylan to throw the party too.”
I admitted, “I think Kris should be the one to bring it up.” Eric grinned, “There you go, the plan forms. I’ll just go ahead and plan to be busy.” I laughed, “Dylan will have it on a day you won’texpect. It’s his comeback.” Eric sighed, “Being a good person is the worst.”
I teased, “You were always a good person and a good man to everyone around you. Those of us that know you know that.” Eric said, “There are few people who would call me a good man. Or admit that I care about people.”
I scoffed, “Well, those people that wouldn’t say so are wrong and stupid.” Eric chuckled, “No, Haley brought this out in me.” I pointed out, “You hadn’t met her when you attempted to design an invitation for Dylan’s Christmas Party. You tried to give him Dylanmas to distract him from the fact I was missing.”
Eric grumbled, “That was for the good of the area. He was so damn sad and serious all the time that people were worried.” I teased, “You can say you were worried instead of people.” Eric shrugged, “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Ben McAlister was practically on anxiety meds over it. Chase asked what was wrong. People mentioned him being broken.” I chuckled, “Uh huh.”
We watched our pups play until Buttercup's nap time. Buttercup grumbled, “I’m a big girl now, and I don’t need a nap.” I teased, “Yes, you are but you get grumpy without one.” Buttercup sighed, “You don’t need a monitor to watch me.” That was true but I still had one.
Eric let Wesley stay until she fell asleep. Kiara purred, “Pup is fighting her nap because she wants to see her mate.” Yeah, she was. Buttercup adored Wesley and seeing them together always made me smile. Wesley popped Eric out with a huff.
I turned to Finn saying, “We are going to see Uncle Travis.” I grabbed the monitor so I could hear Buttercup. I went out into the main room. I called, “Mom, I’m heading to Travis and Jackie's. Buttercup is down for the nap you all claim she doesn’t need.”
Mom snorted, “We claim it because it’s true.” I whispered, “I’m riding the nap train until she stops falling asleep. I don’t care if she’s twelve and we are still doing it.” Mom laughed. I told her, “I have the monitor with me, but can you keep an eye on her?”
Mom grinned, “Gladly. I’ll just get the backup monitor and hope for an early wake up.” I snorted, “No, she’s grumpy when that happens.” Mom winked, “Not if I’m with her.” I rolled my eyes and left the house. Travis would help me make a plan to bring back Dylanmas. I was certain Kris was going to be key.
Flashback Ends
Emmaline pulled me back to the present, “It’s a really good plan, Lacy.” I sighed, “Dylan will realize it was a plan.” Emmaline shrugged, “Maybe.” I gave her a look. Emmaline smirked, “Ok, probably but he will adore that you put it all together. Now, while we wait for word, I thought we could put a sexy Christmas spin on the ending.” I laughed, “What?”
Emmaline grinned and popped me to my room. I gasped, “You got me sexy Christmas lingerie.” Emmaline giggled, “Yes, I did! I thought you could coordinate outfits for when he has a meeting about the party.”
