He loves me.
Viktor loves me back.
“I love you too. I love you so much, Viktor. I’ve never felt anything like this and every single day I wake up, it’s a downright privilege to be your mate.”
“You’re such a sap,” he says with a giggle, cupping my face in his hands. Somehow, he always knows exactly how to make me feel treasured. I hope I do the same for him.
“Your sap.”
Viktor grins before pulling me down and kissing me softly, pushing all of his feelings and emotions into the kiss. Every press of our lips whispersI love you, I love you, I love you.
Chapter Twelve
Viktor
Snow slowly descends from the clouds, landing all around me. I pull my robe tight around me, using my magic to enchant it so that it will keep me warm against the cold outside. It’s simple really. I can do it without much of a thought these days.
I smile to myself as I watch the snow come down, sipping at my steaming tea. Not for the first time I marvel at how much has changed in such a short amount of time. My fingers toy with the mating bite across my shoulder, feeling the scarred indents made from my alpha’s teeth.
After my magic manifested, my life was turned on its head. I knew that nothing would ever be the same again, but it turns out, that was okay. Somehow, this new life was even better than I imagined it would be.
I have a mate who adores me and worships the very ground I stand on. I have the best pack in the world. And now, on top of all that, I have this little life inside of me, a creation that my love for Duncan made. I’m not sure it’s possible to be any happier than I already am.
The back door opens and a moment later, two strong arms go around my middle from behind. Duncan buries his face against my hair, breathing me in.
“Is cold,” he murmurs against my shoulder.
“Is not,” I say with a chuckle. I run my hand over his robe, doing the same magic as my own, warming him up.
“Oh. That’s nice,” he says with a sigh, sinking against me even further.
“You’re nice.”
Duncan makes a confused noise. “You make that sound like a bad thing. Do you want me to be mean to you?”
“Like you could even if I wanted you to.”
“Yeah, that’s true,” he says, moving his face so he can kiss my ear. “I’m too much of a softie.”
“It’s true.” I let out a dramatic sigh, smiling. “But that’s why I love you. My big softie.”
“All yours,” he says in agreement. “I turned the Crock-Pot on before coming out here. Everything should be set for lunch today.”
“Thank you.” Reaching down, I place a hand on Duncan’s wrist, giving it a gentle squeeze. When that’s not enough, I turn around in his arms, looking up at his pretty brown eyes.
“Hi,” he whispers with a grin, his cheeks pink from the cold. Snow falls in his hair, turning the ends a pretty white color before they melt. He’s so handsome I could almost pretend this is nothing more than a Christmas dream. Yet, somehow heisreal. He’s real and here’s here and he’smine.
I lean up on my toes and kiss his lips. They’re cold but mine are toasty warm from the tea I’ve been drinking. When his tongue swipes into my mouth, my head grows foggy in the most delightful way. My entire body warms even further that has nothing to do with my magic.
“Merry Christmas,” Duncan murmurs against my lips. I play with the strands at the back of his neck. He’s been growing it out since we met. I think he’s hoping to keep the brand on his neck hidden so he doesn’t have to answer questions if any humans notice it. Soon it’ll be a full blown mullet which I find kinda sexy.
“That was not your gift,” I tell him with a grin.
“Not to be a sappy alpha but even if that’s all you got me, I would be more than satisfied. Just being in your presence is a gift, Viktor.”
I take his hand and place it against my chest, right over my heart. “I give you my heart every single day,” I tell him softly. “That’s not a gift, that’s just a fact of life.”
“It’s a gift to me.”
