Free Web NovelChapter 128: Chapter 128
The tracks turned out to be from a massive elk that Marcus eventually found and relocated away from residential areas. Crisis averted. My heart rate returned to normal after approximately three hours.
"You panicked," Christian said over breakfast two days later.
"I strategically assessed the threat level."
"You made me drive ninety miles an hour to see deer prints."
"Elk prints. There’s a difference."
Marcus snorted into his coffee across the table.
But the incident got me thinking—we needed something to break the winter tension. Something fun and distracting and completely ridiculous.
"I have an idea," I announced.
Christian’s fork paused halfway to his mouth. "Your ideas scare me."
"Rude but fair. Hear me out—what if we celebrated Christmas?"
"We’re werewolves."
"Werewolves can’t have holidays?"
"We have the Winter Solstice ceremony."
"Which is beautiful and traditional and involves a lot of standing still in the cold. I’m talking about Christmas. Trees, lights, presents, cookies—"
"Why would we bring a tree inside?" Christian looked genuinely confused.
"To decorate it!"
"That makes no sense."
Marcus held up his hands. "I’m staying out of this."
I ambushed Diana during our morning tea session, spreading holiday decoration catalogs across her desk like battle plans.
"Christmas," I said. "We’re doing it."
Diana’s eyes lit up. "Oh my god, yes."
"Christian thinks I’m insane."
"Christian thinks most things are insane until you convince him otherwise." Diana grabbed a catalog, flipping pages. "Outdoor lights?" frёewebηovel.cѳm
"Obviously."
"Inflatable decorations?"
"Is that even a question?"
We spent two hours planning our Christmas takeover of Shadow Ridge. Diana added ideas faster than I could write them down—light displays, themed activities, and cookie exchanges.
"Connor’s going to have opinions," Diana warned.
"Connor has opinions about everything."
"True. But I know how to manage him." Her smile turned devious.
I didn’t ask. Some things were better left mysterious.
I found Christian in his office with Marcus, reviewing security reports. Professional. Seriously. Definitely not desiring my chaos.
Perfect timing.
"I have a presentation," I announced, pulling out my carefully prepared folder.
Christian looked up warily. "Presentation?"
"About Christmas celebrations and their positive impact on pack morale during difficult winter months." I opened my folder, revealing hand-drawn sketches and bullet-pointed arguments.
Marcus tried to hide his grin.
I launched into my pitch—community bonding, creating new traditions, giving everyone something positive to focus on. I’d even included statistics about seasonal depression and the benefits of social activities.
Christian listened with his arms crossed, expression unreadable.
"These are surprisingly well-thought-out arguments," he said finally.
"I’m capable of planning things."
"I never said you weren’t."
"Your face said it."
Marcus coughed to cover his laugh.
Christian sighed. "Fine. We can consider—"
I kissed his cheek and bounced out before he could add conditions.
"She played you," I heard Marcus say.
"I know," Christian replied. "I’m not even mad about it."
Diana, Elder Margaret, and I drove into the nearest human town the next day. We filled three shopping carts with lights, ornaments, garland, and one extremely large inflatable snowman.
"Is this excessive?" I asked, looking at our overflowing carts.
"No such thing as excessive Christmas spirit," Elder Margaret said firmly.
"I didn’t know you liked human holidays."
"Dear, I’ve been waiting decades for someone to introduce them to Shadow Ridge." Margaret held up a string of lights that changed colors. "Thomas always said it was ’too human’ for pack traditions."
"Thomas needs to loosen up."
"I’ve been telling him that for forty years."
Diana filmed our shopping adventure, capturing my delight at every sparkly decoration. We returned to Shadow Ridge with packed vehicles and ambitious plans.
Christian came back from evening patrol to find the pack house common areas already decorated. Garland wrapped the staircase. Lights twinkled along the banister. A wreath hung on every door.
He stood in the doorway, looking bewildered.
"Surprise!" I called from halfway up a ladder, stringing more lights.
"When did this happen?"
"While you were being all Alpha-y in the forest."
Diana held the ladder steady. "You’re welcome, by the way."
Marcus walked past, saw Christian’s expression, and quickly retreated.
"Is this really necessary?" Christian asked.
I climbed down and placed a Santa hat on his head.
He looked at me. At the hat. Back at me.
"Sophie."
"You look festive!"
"I look ridiculous."
"Same thing during Christmas."
Marcus chose that moment to walk past again, saw the Santa hat, and literally ran away to hide his laughter.
Christian removed the hat with as much dignity as possible. "I’m keeping this for evidence of your crimes against my reputation."
By the next morning, word had spread. Pack members volunteered to help decorate.
Warriors strung lights along building exteriors with impressive efficiency. Parents and kids made paper snowflakes at crafting stations Diana set up. Elders directed decoration placement with strong opinions and decades of aesthetic expertise.
"The wreath is crooked," Elder Thomas called up to James.
"It’s fine, Elder."
"It’s crooked. Fix it."
James adjusted the wreath microscopically.
"Better!" Thomas nodded approvingly.
Connor showed up with his tablet, displaying optimal light-hanging algorithms based on electrical load distribution and visual symmetry.
Diana kissed his cheek. "You’re such a nerd."
"An efficient nerd."
"Still a nerd." freeweɓnovel.cѳm
Watching the entire pack invest in Christmas preparations made my chest warm. This was working. People were smiling, laughing, and working together.
Christian organized a group to find the perfect Christmas tree—him, Marcus, Connor, Diana, and me trekking into the snow-covered forest.
"This is actually a respectable pack activity," Christian admitted, surveying the pine trees.
"Because it involves forest skills?"
"And teamwork."
"You’re just trying to save face about liking Christmas."
"I don’t like Christmas. I’m tolerating it for pack morale."
"Sure, Alpha. Whatever you say."
I wanted a giant tree. Christian preferred something "reasonably sized." We argued while walking through pristine snow.
"That one!" I pointed to a massive spruce.
"That’s twelve feet tall."
"Perfect!"
"Our ceiling is ten feet."
"Minor detail."
Marcus found a compromise—a beautiful spruce that satisfied both our preferences. We worked together cutting it down with respectful efficiency, then hauled it back to the pack house.
The physical work felt good. Grounding. Working alongside Christian and our friends reminded me why I loved this pack.
That evening, the entire pack gathered for tree decorating.
I’d ordered special ornaments featuring Shadow Ridge’s wolf symbol. Watching pack members carefully select and hang them—warriors, elders, children, refugees—made my eyes water.
"You’re crying again," Diana said.
"It’s the pine smell. I’m allergic."
"You’re not allergic to pine."
"Starting now, I am."
Christian caught my eye across the room. His earlier skepticism had vanished, replaced by something softer as he watched pack members work together.
Elder Margaret started singing holiday songs, her surprisingly lovely voice filling the hall. Others joined in—some on-key, most not, everyone enthusiastic.
The tree slowly transformed into something beautiful and uniquely ours.
The next day, I found Christian on the packhouse roof helping Marcus string lights.
My skeptical Alpha, who’d questioned everything about Christmas.
On a roof.
Hanging lights.
"Admit you like it," I called up.
"I’m ensuring proper electrical safety."
"You’re having fun."
"Those are different things."
"Christian’s been humming Jingle Bells for an hour," Marcus said.
"Traitor," Christian muttered.
Young warrior Jackson approached Christian for advice on light placement. The respect in Jackson’s voice, the way Christian carefully explained his reasoning—it hit me that Christian was fully invested now.
My ridiculous holiday idea had worked.
Planning the holiday feast turned into a committee effort. Elder Margaret took charge of the menu with military precision. Diana suggested a Secret Santa gift exchange. Christian contributed logistics about timing and space.
"Each pack member draws a name," Diana explained. "The budget is twenty dollars. Thoughtful gifts, not expensive ones."
"I like it," Christian said. "Emphasizes community over materialism."
I stared at him. "Who are you, and what did you do with my Grinch mate?"
"I’m not a Grinch."
"You literally said Christmas was ’unnecessary human nonsense’ three days ago."
"I’ve evolved."
Marcus and Connor exchanged amused looks.
We spent two hours planning every detail. Elder Margaret’s proposed menu made my mouth water. Diana’s Secret Santa rules ensured everyone could participate regardless of financial situation.
Christian’s focus and genuine enthusiasm made me fall in love with him all over again.
I taught holiday crafts to pack children in the common room. Twenty kids surrounded tables covered in paper, paint, glue, and glitter—so much glitter.
"We’re making ornaments for your families," I explained, demonstrating how to paint pinecones.
Emma, the shy sanctuary refugee, painted carefully. "Can I make one for you, Luna?"
"I would love that."
She created a wolf family—two big wolves and three little ones. When she showed me, pride radiating from her small face, I nearly lost it.
"It’s perfect, Emma."
Christian walked past the open door. Then again. Then a third time, definitely not checking on anything specific.
"You can come in," I called.
He leaned against the doorframe, watching kids create holiday chaos with an expression that made my heart skip.
Later, I asked what he’d been thinking.
"That you’re going to be an amazing mother someday," he said simply.
I blamed the glitter for making my eyes water.
