My teeth lengthened. I kissed his neck once, gently, then bit down hard.
Hawthorn gasped and his hands gripped my hips, pulling me closer. I could taste him, could feel the bond snapping into place between us. Not just physical but soul-deep.
When I released him, the mark stood out stark against his skin. The bond settled over me. I could sense him now in a way I never had before. His presence was a constant warmth in my chest.
"I can feel you," Hawthorn whispered. His forehead pressed against mine.
"Me too."
We wrapped around each other, bonded and freezing and completely whole.
"We should probably get dressed," Hawthorn said after a moment. "Before we lose feeling in important body parts."
I laughed. Actual, genuine laughter that bubbled up from somewhere deep inside. "That would be unfortunate."
"Come home with me," Hawthorn said as he pulled on his coat. "Not to the lodge. Home, to our apartment."
Our apartment. Our home.
"Yes."
We walked back through the snowy woods together. The same path I'd run along in wolf form, desperate and hurting.Hawthorn's hand found mine, our fingers intertwining. I couldn’t sense everything through the bond but there was a prickling sensation that gave me a hint. He was as content as I was.
My wolf was smug about being right all along.
We emerged from the woods onto the quiet street as carol singers' voices carried on the cold air.
I'd run to this town to escape and figure out my life.
Instead, I'd found my mate.
And it was better than anything I could have imagined.
ELEVEN
HAWTHORN
Christmas Eve morning, I walked downstairs to find garlands wrapped around the display cases and fairy lights strung across the windows. There was a small tree in the corner that hadn't been there yesterday and it was adorned with festive red and gold ornaments.
"You hate it." Zale’s voice wavered as he appeared from the back and wiped his hands.
"I don't." I pulled him close, breathing in his scent. "When did you do all this?"
"Last night after you fell asleep and the day before. I've been sneaking boxes of decorations in for days.” He looked up at me with those beautiful blue eyes. "I wanted our first Christmas together to be special."
Our first Christmas. We could be sleeping in a tent or on the street and tomorrow would still be special because he was my mate. I’d remember this Christmas until I took my last breath.
"It's beautiful.”
"Glad you like it." Zale grinned and kissed me. "Because Mrs. Trent is going to lose her mind when she sees it. She's been asking me why you never decorate."
"Because I never had time."
"You have me now."
He said it as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. And maybe it was. Everything felt easier with Zale here. The work was still brutal, but I wasn't alone anymore.
The morning rush was busy as expected. Everyone in town needed their last-minute orders of pies, rolls, cookies, and specialty breads for Christmas dinner. But the bakery looked beautiful and customers kept commenting on the decorations. Zale handled the compliments with a nod and a smile while I boxed up orders.
