Chapter 60

Adira and little Alex were sitting by the pack Christmas tree in the Luna room. Elder pack members were around her, while the young pups played with their new toys.

It was Christmas Eve; for dinner, everyone had pizza and snacks. The kitchen was far too busy preparing for the huge feast they would have on Christmas Day.

The pack tree was different from other personal trees; it had twinkle lights and a star at the top. However, its garland was made by all the pack's pups. There was a train going round and round under it.

Each pack family also made an ornament to hang on the tree. The rest of the ornaments were old. The rest of the Luna room was decorated with twinkle lights from the ceiling, holly around the hearth, and evergreen garlands.

It looked old-fashioned, warm, and welcoming. The two Lunas made Christmas cookies with all the pack's pups for the Christmas Eve party. There was also a huge bonfire in the pack square for all the pack as well.

Little Alex was sound asleep in the arms of Selma, the pack’s head elder. Adira and Marnie were playing with the children, making sure all were happy, while the males of the pack hung around the snack table.

It was a peaceful and happy Christmas Eve. Tomorrow, there would be a feast and then the Christmas Ball. Adira was like a kid in a candy store; all of this was new to her. She made sure she enjoyed every minute of it, while Duncan watched over them with a happy smile.

Felicia was not a happy female at all. She was allowed to take a ten-minute shower with lukewarm water. Then she was given another grey jogging outfit to wear; her hair was covered by a grey bandana.

She sat in her assigned room, which was grey as well. It had a small cot in the corner with a plastic milk crate for an end table. The cot didn’t have any sheets, just a wool blanket and a pillow.

The floor was just dirt, cold damp dirt. It did bring a little contrast to the room, though.

There were no windows, only a light hanging from the ceiling. There was a small shelf on the wall; it was empty except for a couple of small booklets on manners and protocols for meeting new people, and what to expect when visiting other were-packs.

There was a small room off from hers; she assumed it was the bathroom only because it had nothing but a bucket in the corner with a lid, and beside it was a cheap roll of toilet paper.

There was a shelf on the wall in this room as well; it had a bottle of hand sanitizer on it. That was it, so this was going to be her life for the next week or two.

There was a tray of food on the milk crate; it was two slices of cold pizza and a Christmas cookie, with a small glass of milk to wash it down.

She was told that for her Christmas present this year was that she would not be working till the day after Christmas; she would be working on the cleanup crew.

It was Christmas Eve, and she should be out with all her friends, dancing at all the best parties. She had a special gown made just for the holiday. Now she is sitting in grey, doing nothing at all. Feeling sorry for herself, she laid down on the cot to cry out her angry tears.

What does it matter anyway, really? It’s not like any of them were real friends. It wasn’t like her mother or father really cared about how she felt. Even her Lion is pissed at her for forcing her to attack the she-wolf.

Seriously, what was there for her back at the Pride? Nothing, nothing at all. Perhaps she will just take off for a while and just be herself.

The King decided that he was going to go to Storm Crow pack this year for Christmas, a surprise to all in the court. He decided that things needed to cool down a bit, so he cancelled the Christmas festivities for the crown.

Instead, he loaded up an SUV with all the presents for his Godson, Alpha, and Luna, as well as a present for each young pup in their pack. He was going to play Santa this year.

Lily was both excited and nervous about going. It was time that she and Adira had a long talk. She wanted to see her nephew too. It wasn’t right what happened to them. That didn’t mean, though, that they had to continue on the same way.

It was time they both led the lives they were meant to lead. The past is in the past, and there it will stay.

She, too, bought a gift for Adira, something special. As for little Alex, she didn’t really bother; her mate pretty much bought everything he could find. There was nothing left for her to buy him.

They went out to their motorcade and were off into the snow and wind. The King held Lily’s hand in comfort and encouragement. She laid her head on his lap and decided to take a nap. She always hated long car rides.

They would arrive there at around three in the morning. She wanted Callan (aka the King) to call ahead and give them some kind of warning, especially since they would arrive so early in the morning. He assured her that it will be ok.

Duncan and Adira were in their room for the night; they checked on all the preparations for the next day.

“Duncan, have you heard from the King lately?”

“No, I haven’t, actually. I suppose he is still getting things straightened out, also with all the holiday dinner parties and balls, diplomats trying to gain his favor. I didn’t really expect to hear anything from him.”

“I don’t know, Duncan, maybe it is my Luna intuition or something, I just feel that he might be coming here for Christmas. I had some extra rooms made up and I had another cabin freshened up, just in case.”

“Little wolf, that is fine. If he shows up, we have the room; if he doesn’t, then there is no harm done.”

One of the best things for a female werewolf is that her body heals fast. So, no bleeding, and all the weight that she gained was now all gone. She was happy because the gown she chose was going to knock Duncan’s socks off. She had been very secretive about it.

For some reason, he asked if he could make one request about the gown. His request was that the gown would be a deep blue color. Adira wondered why, but decided not to say anything.

Checking on little Alex in his homemade cradle, Duncan got into bed. They were both exhausted; between little Alex and all the prep for the parties, they were both ready for bed.

Jack Dawson was not much for the holidays. Sure, he enjoyed watching all the cubs having fun. Heck, he even played Santa one year. He just felt alone sometimes during this time of year. Though he is always busy with clan business and arranging the big holiday celebration and parties, he just felt alone; he needed his mate. He had all but given up on that pipe dream, though. She would have to be rather unique in order to live with him for the rest of her life.

He tried to picture her in his mind, but as always, it was just a fuzzy, out-of-focus picture. The snow all around him was twinkling with the moonlight. He walked through it with unseeing eyes as he walked the grounds on patrol.

His bear, Brutus, was also feeling a little down. He was more positive about the whole finding-your-mate thing. He was starting to lose hope as well. They both decided to let it go and see what happens, just continue on with clan life as usual.

He might, though, after the holiday season, go on a walkabout. Single male bears tend to get restless when staying around others, so once in a while they go on what is called a walkabout; you go off into the woods to be just yourself and your bear.

Jack always found it to be relaxing, nothing but you and nature. There are several what they call hidey-holes for the males; they contain some supplies for camping along with some canned goods for food. It usually depended on the time of year as to what was in them.

Jack had his own private ones that he used, especially on rainy days. Brutus doesn’t like getting rained on; he will swim and play in the lakes and rivers, but he doesn’t like rain. He never bothered to ask why, though.

He decided that it was time to stop and go play with all the clan’s cubs, join in on the party in the main room. It was all decked out in holiday fashion. The cook, holy crap, can she make the best holiday dinners—hams and turkey with all the sides, deserts all over the place.

He was especially fond of her lemon and honey cakes; she always baked him one. It was always just for him to have. She would get mad if she caught him sharing it. He chuckled at that thought and turned his way to home.

It’s Christmas after all.

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