“Mommy!” Ruby bounded into the room. “I’m ready for the party! Ooh, kitty-cat is here! I wanna bring him to the party too!”
Tonight, they were all heading to dinner at one of the local restaurants that was run by a bear shifter family. Jasper had booked out the whole restaurant so that the kids could come out too, and they wouldn’t have to stress about a human seeing a tiny dragon or fiery hellpuppy if the kids got too excited and lost control of their shifting.
“Sure he can come, sweetheart.”
“He can wear my crown!”
“Who can wear your crown?” Jasper walked in, shrugging on a sweater embroidered with disco-dancing reindeer.
“Kitty-cat!” Ruby hugged the little toy, and Abigail’s heart melted.
Jasper put his arm around her. “You okay?” he murmured.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because I just walked in here to find you clutching that little soft toy and looking like you were about to cry?” He searched her face.
She swatted at him. “I wasn’t looking like I was about to cry!”
“I could have taken a photo and put it on a fundraiser. We would have made millions.” He pulled her close and kissed her. “Really, are you feeling all right? I know Christmas isn’t the easiest time for you, that’s why I—”
“Mommy Daddy look!” Ruby rushed to the window. “Auntie Opal and Uncle Hank are here already! It’s time to go!”
Abigail tossed the toy to Ruby, who caught it with a squeal, and leaned into him. He was warm and sturdy, the sweater was surprisingly soft despite all the sequins, and…
She took a deep breath.
“It’s nothing,” she said. “Just getting stuck in my own head.”Worrying that really you’re fine, everything’s fine, and I’m the one who’s going to ruin Christmas because… I’m a grinch who doesn’t want anyone to be happy?
She’d gotten it all the wrong way around. Everyone loved Christmas.Jasperloved Christmas. Why would he keep trying to do more and better Christmas-y things if it was making him unhappy?
Didn’t it make more sense for the unhappiness she felt in the mate bond to be… her?
Another deep breath. This one tasted like guilt.
There were only a few days left until Christmas. It was time to stop ruining everyone’s day.
“I’m fine,” she said, determined to make it true.
No more scheming. No more plans.
Jasper deserved a happy Christmas. He deserved better than her ruining it.
6
Jasper
His mate was hurting. And she waslyingabout it.
Something like panic gripped him as they all headed to dinner, and it still had him in its claws when they returned home. It didn’t let go, all that night or the next.
Everything he’d been doing to make this Christmas the best year ever, to make things magical and wonderful and perfect? It hadn’t worked. He needed to—to—
Try harder. Doeven better.
And he had one last chance to do it.
Christmas Eve.
