Page 3 of Christmas Embrace

“Sydney? Are you sure?”

“Pretty sure. I don’t know. After everything went down…when I turned her.”

“But she forgave you. Accepted it.”

“Yeah but everything has changed for her. Maybe because she’s immortal, it’s easier for her to bury her feelings, to shove off the wedding. We have eternity after all.”

“Did she say she wasn’t going to marry you?”

“No, but she won’t wear my ring. She won’t even talk about getting married.”

“Maybe you need to turn on that British charm and woo her.”

Kade briefly closed his eyes and laughed. “Did you just say ‘woo her’?”

“What’s so funny, mate?”

“I can’t believe how much things have changed.” The sound of the doorbell ringing interrupted their conversation.

“Expecting someone?”

“It’s a surprise.” Kade gave a wide smile.

“I don’t like surprises,” Luca muttered.

“You’ll like this one.”

“You want me to answer it?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“I don’t like surprises,” he repeated.

“I heard you the first time. Sure you don’t want a latte?”

“I’ll take a chicory,” Luca said as he left to go open the door.

“You got it.” Kade slid a fresh mug into the machine and pressed the button, smiling as he anticipated Luca’s reaction. He had a love/hate relationship with their old Alpha friend, Tristan Livingston.

Three. Two. One. Kade smiled to himself as he heard the ruckus erupt from the foyer.

“Hey Tris,” Kade called as he prepared the coffee. He glanced to Luca who barreled into the kitchen and shook his head.

“Can you believe this guy?” Tristan asked Kade with a casual smile. He laughed and set his sights on Luca. “What’s up big man? Why the frown? You know you’re lucky I came. Not everyone gets to have the Alpha attend their wedding.”

“You’ve gotta be kidding me?” A corner of his lips turned upward, and he stifled his laughter. “Consider this a revocation of your invitation.”

“I see the witch hasn’t helped your personality.”

“Fuck off, wolf.”

“And fuck you too.” Tristan laughed, his eyes wide with amusement. “Boys, we are gonna have a happy fucking day. Yes we are.”

“Alpha,” Kade called toward his old friend.

“Yo, brotha.” Tristan rushed the vampire and gave him a burly hug.

“Tris.” Kade patted him on the back. He’d missed the Alpha. “Starting up already, boys? You’re both going to have to answer to Sydney if you keep up the cursing.”