Growl, I demand.Let out a roar. Do something scary!
He spots a candy cane on the ground and picks it up.
“Aww,” someone in the crowd says. “He’s eating a candy cane.”
“So adorable,” another says.
I’mlivid. I’m like a volcano about to blow.
Get your ass over there, I hiss.And knock down that damn tree!
I push him forward with all I got and he lurches forward, dropping the candy cane, thank god. With me pushing and shoving and threatening him with everything I can think of, he waddles over to the Christmas tree and looks up at it.
Push. It. Over.
He takes a slow, exaggerated step forward and starts rubbing on it lazily.
Push. It.
But then…
Something gets his attention.
Or,someoneis more like it.
And I know my plan is ruined.
In fact, my whole life might be ruined along with it.
It’s her.
I know it immediately.
It’s our mate.
She’s here.
CHAPTER FOUR
Veronica
“Tree lighting in five minutes!” the mayor says to the excited crowd.
“You’re live in two minutes,” my producer says through the com in my ear.
“We’re live in two,” I say to Leanne, already buzzing with excitement.
She lifts the big heavy camera onto her shoulder and points it at me, getting ready for our live shot of the Christmas tree being lit.
I catch my reflection in the camera lens and quickly fix my hair. I’m bundled up in a winter coat with a faux fur lining and the purple mittens my grandmother made me last Christmas. She’s going to be so excited to see them on camera. I know all my family and friends are watching, as well as thousands of other people.
I’m thrilled and honored that I get to send a little sliver of Christmas into their living rooms.
“Get ready,” my producer says. “Three. Two. One.”
I see the LIVE ON AIR sign light up in our van and I throw on my biggest smile as I address our viewers.
“We’re live tonight in Wildpeak Village for the first annual lighting of the town’s Christmas tree,” I say, presenting the massive pine tree behind me. “The whole town is out tonight, dancing, singing, and celebrating the magic of Christmas. I can tell you right now—spirits are brighter than Rudolph’s nose.”
