I barely held in my laugh when Melanie mentioned her sex hair. I would’ve snapped it clean and tangle free for her if she’d woken me up. We teased her a little bit. It was nothing to anyone here to talk about sex freely.
Then we got onto the fact that Kingsley has her own moment with her version of heat. I bit my lip thinking of Kingsley’s Dragon finding a cave here. There were caves all around. I’d have to find a way to make sure Kingsley and Kayda knew that. Oden replied, “Already done.” Good.
Maybe Angela could tell her where they all were and where she’d like them the best. I wished I could link someone about this because the words breeding cave were said. It was too good. Oden snorted, “It is pretty funny that our cousin will be in a breeding cave.”
I linked EJ, “We are going to pick a Christmas tree. Can you organize everyone for that?” EJ replied, “Angela already gathered us all. She said we’d be doing something important to Melanie together.” I linked Angela, “You are such a great person and little sister, I love you.” Angela chuckled, “I love you too.”
I popped us home and conjured a tree farm for Melanie to go Christmas tree picking. The look on her face was worth every second. I guess they weren’t used to getting nice trees. Melanie’s excitement filled me in our bond.
I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. Mom hugged me saying, “This is a great thing that you’re doing for her. You’re a good man, son.” I smiled, “As if you would’ve raised anything less than good men, mom.” Mom laughed, “Damn right I wouldn’t.”
It was actually a lot of fun decorating the tree and drinking with everyone. I linked EJ, “Those motherfuckers! Robert had to send them pictures of the ornaments Duncan got Melanie to smash them.” EJ reasoned, “Those ornaments are fine.” I snarled, “She GLUED them back together!” My mate was really talking about being good at jigsaw puzzles. Duncan was going to rage with me at these assholes.
Kai loved all the ornaments Melanie got him. I thought it was a really beautiful tradition that she’d kept alive thinking Kai would never get these. Mom’s eyes misted over with tears anddad grabbed her. All the McAlister’s were emotional, which no one could blame them for.
The older adults filtered away to have their own conversations. Everyone was laughing and having a good time. The women started talking about us mates. We all looked at each other and smirked. I had to admit my cousin’s Demon/Angel mate was funny.
I did think she could be nicer to the McAlister’s, but I understood why Angelique was being cold to them. She was a good friend to my mate, and I really couldn’t fault her for it. She was going to fit in perfectly with the Hackura.
The topic of sex was totally normal to Angelique. Which I found interesting, since she’d been so sheltered and learned from T.V. shows and movies. I was glad she wouldn’t have a hard transition with the Hackura. She deserved something nice after what her family had done to her.
I couldn’t imagine a mother doing that. I looked at my mom as the older adults trickled back in. She would never hurt any of us, emotionally or physically. I got very lucky in having a mother like her. I linked mom, “I love you, mom. You’re the best.” Mom smiled at me and replied, “I love you too, Alexander. You guys make it easy to be a good mom.”
We didn’t sometimes though. She was a great mom, and she never really took credit for it. I hated that she thought for one second she didn’t give me enough attention. She did an amazing job no matter how many siblings I had.
We opened our presents. I really did like the broadsword Melanie got me. Julian winked at me. I instantly knew that this was the present he’d snapped back from the fire in their car. I held Melanie a little tighter remembering that scene in my mind.
Melanie nervously rambled about extra presents she had for everyone. Holy shit. I linked EJ, “This is a ridiculous amount ofpresents. I even have some. Kai’s section is like a toy store itself. I don’t even have to ask which one is his.”
I practically whispered even though I was linking, “This is an explosion that Dylan Frost cannot ever see. If he and Melanie unite in their love for Christmas, and gift giving, there will be no room for anyone in the present room.” EJ laughed and popped in with Elise who had presents too.
My brother’s jaw dropped. Oden told me, “Brutus is stunned.” EJ admitted, “I thought you were exaggerating. The bad news is that Dylan already saw all this. Wesley told me he’d clamored about finding his Christmas soul sister in Melanie. I thought he was just being himself. Clearly, he meant that from the depths of his being.”
I nuzzled my mate because her nerves told me how frazzled she was, hoping everyone liked everything here. I found it adorable Melanie clearly got Kai presents for them to do together. There was literally no way Melanie didn’t want Kai interested in science by getting a magic kit that included science. Oden told me, “Freya said that is true.” I opened my gifts which were all spot on to things I wouldn’t have gotten myself but loved.
I linked EJ, “What the fuck is this about the dinosaur game for Peter?” EJ said, “It was Peter’s favorite game as a pup that got accidentally sold. They couldn’t ever find it since the game was discontinued. They’ve looked for it everywhere. I offered to conjure it, but Peter said it wasn’t that big of a deal. He had fun looking for it and knew someone would find it one day.”
I replied, “Well, I’m sure he’s stunned it was my mate.” EJ replied, “That Ladybug hunted it down for him, despite thinking he’d done the literal worst to her, does in fact mean the world to my father in law.” That was very apparent.
Melanie was feeling awkward but Kai got everyone’s attention off her. I got my wife to her very own present stack. Melaniedidn’t even notice, but when I pointed it out she began to cry seeing that they’d never forgot her. Oden said, “Freya said mate really thought they had.” Duncan’s presents for her were here too.
I felt my mate’s sadness as she looked over at where his stuff was. I linked Uncle Bjourn, “We need someone on Duncan McAsliter. I won’t override their decision not to pull him out, but I need to make sure he’s safe.” Uncle Bjourn replied, “I will send someone to have his six right now.” Good.
Oden purred seeing Melanie’s dancing outfits. I could easily see some role play things happening with those dance costumes. Or sexy routines she could do for me in a private show. The present opening lasted quite some time given the amount there was to open.
Melanie felt overwhelmed by everything. EJ linked, “Is Ladybug ok?” I answered, “She’s happy but feels awkward. My wife definitely thinks this was a good thing and feels better knowing they always loved her.”
Everly’s present, which was an all-expenses paid overseas trip, had the room gaping. Oden snorted, “Freya said mate has a lot of money.” Which meant she could’ve stopped fighting how Swiffer did well before I’d asked. Oden agreed, “Yes, but the Witch told us that was mate’s rings and we know mate was hurting.” I knew that.
Once everyone finished with their presents, I conjured Melanie’s new things to our room while EJ conjured the rest of the McAlister’s and Kyle’s things to their homes. Oden snorted, “We have presents.” I conjured all mine to their places.
Gage linked me, “Why am I getting asked what some new equipment that was conjured to the gym is?” I answered, “My mate got me some things, and I’m pretty sure the sparring droid is something she made herself.” Gage snorted, “It definitely is. At least that means no one can turn it on.” Probably not.
Melanie wanted her horse next Christmas. Oden snorted, “Mate does not know it’s a horse.” That was true, but she still wanted it then. I told Melanie we’d be in Faerie for New Years and staying for our honeymoon.
I knew my wife wanted to go to the library, and I wanted to show her the Faerie realm. I was sure she’d love it. Melanie had liked what she’d seen so far. Oden snorted, “Freya told me mate thinks she was calm about her excitement.” I could feel in the bond, and my mate literally squeaked asking if I was serious. All that told me that I’d made the right choice. We talked a little bit before we went to bed.
The next day I walked into my office. I asked, “Whose pack attacked Melanie when she went into heat?” EJ answered, “Alpha Roberts.” I growled, “Are we calling it a coincidence that two packs whose Alpha’s are friends in Louisiana have both come to this area and tried to get the white wolf? Did they tell anyone who she was?”
