Love Me, Still(16)

Her wolves were playful this morning.

She threw back the covers and swung her feet over the side of the bed. She put her good leg down first and eased up. Cael pressed his muscled body against her knees to help support her. She reached down to scratch his ears in affection.

She dressed while her wolves paced impatiently. When she’d bundled herself up and put on her boots, they nudged her out the door into the snow.

A soft gasp of delight whispered past parted lips. Before her stood a shiny sled. Riyu and Cael pushed her in the direction of it and she climbed onto the seat and pulled the blankets up around her.

Her two wolves trotted around front and wiggled under the straps. They picked them up in the teeth and started off at a slow pace.

She sat back and let out a giggle of delight as they headed down the hill. The wind blew cold on her face. She closed her eyes, threw back her head and gloried in the moment. It was as if the last weeks hadn’t happened. She was back with her wolves, laughing and playing. Enjoying life so close to nature.

They picked up speed, sailing her through snowdrifts and angling through the trees. She let out a squeal as they took a corner too fast. The sled tipped and she went tumbling into the snow, laughing like an idiot the entire time.

In a flash, her wolves transformed and stood over her in the snow, concern echoing in their eyes.

“Heather, are you okay?” Cael demanded as he bent to pick her up.

She retaliated by quickly forming a snowball in her hand and smashing it into his face. His look of surprise was priceless.

“What the…you little…”

She burst out laughing. Beside him Riyu grinned, his blue eyes flashing merrily.

“It’s so good to hear you laugh again,” Cael said hoarsely. “I’d take a thousand snowballs in the face just to hear that sound.”

“In that case.” She shoved another handful of snow but this time he ducked before she could clobber him with it.

She tensed, expecting him to retaliate, but instead, he bent and kissed her hungrily, his cold, wet lips fusing to her warmer ones. She melted, just like the ice on his face did.

“We should get you back,” he said huskily. “You’re going to freeze to death.”

Riyu righted the sled and brushed the snow from the seat. Cael eased her onto the sled and arranged the furs around her again. Then he and Riyu picked up the leather straps and began pulling her back toward the camp.

She burrowed into the furs and stared up at the beautiful blue sky. Christmas Day. And it was perfect.

A good bit later, her mates pulled the sled into camp. Ahead she could see their pack, all assembled in the center of the compound.

Concern pushed her forward. She leaned, trying to see what could be the matter.

“Don’t worry, love,” Riyu said as he turned to look at her.

Both her mates stared at her, their love for her shining in their eyes.

“We have a surprise for you,” Cael said as he bent down to pick her up.

Ahead she could hear the giggles of little children, the quiet whisperings of the women and the low rumble of men talking. Then they parted as Cael approached.

There, in the middle, stood a tall fir tree, decorated from top to bottom with cones, bright paper, handmade ornaments and an assortment of other trinkets.

Tears filled her eyes as she stared at her pack, all assembled, welcome in their faces. From behind several women, her mother-in-law stepped forward, her expression hesitant.

Cael gently set Heather on her feet as his mother approached. Heather blinked when Lorna put a gentle hand to Heather’s cheek.

“My daughter. I’m so sorry for what was done to you by the hunters and by our pack. I can only hope that in time, you can forgive us.”

She leaned forward and kissed Heather on both cheeks before stepping back.

Heather’s throat threatened to close. “All is forgiven,” she said hoarsely.

“Then come. Let us celebrate the holiday as a pack. As we always have, and the gods willing, always will.”

She took Heather’s hand in hers and pulled her toward the tree. Her pack swarmed forward, all bearing wrapped gifts with an assortment of ribbons and colored paper. They were placed under the tree.

Tables were set up, food and drink was brought out, and the more musically inclined of her pack pulled out their flutes and began playing merry tunes.

Heather stood back, humbled by the reception, her pack’s willingness to admit wrong and embrace her once again. Two strong arms settled around her waist as Riyu and Cael flanked her.

“Merry Christmas, my heart,” Cael murmured close to her ear.

She put her arms around their waists, pulling them closer to her. “Merry Christmas, my mates. I love you so dearly.”

“And you are dear to us,” Riyu returned.

They bent to kiss her but she stepped back and with a push, sent them both sprawling into the snow. She burst out laughing at their astonished expressions before leaping on the both of them.

They caught her, ever mindful of her wellbeing. She nuzzled their faces in an imitation of them in their wolf form. Then she rose up, staring into their eyes.

“Take me back to our cabin and make love to me,” she said softly.

Two sets of crystal blue eyes stared back at her.

“It would be our fondest desire,” Cael murmured as he closed his arms around her.