Page 39 of Rescued By Her Guardian

His leopard responded to her sultry tone with a purr of its own. Sweeping her up into his arms, he carried her to the bedroom to see where the day took them.

The night of the full moon came quickly, as Ivy spent her days working for Santa and her nights tumbling in the sheets with her sexy mate. And also packing.

Santa had spent most of the time over the last week behind closed doors speaking with the elder elves. She knew he wasplanning for Frost’s replacement, but who it would be, she couldn’t guess.

Alder was her only brother. She loved him dearly even when he was being a coal-head. She couldn’t imagine him being evil and her having to deal with it the way Santa had to deal with Frost.

“Ready to go, sweetheart? The leap is waiting,” Knox said. He strode into the bedroom where she was tying her hiking boot. She was dressed to be out in the cold for a long period of time. Leopards stayed in their shifts for a few hours, prowling through the forest of their territory and looking for things to chase. She was going to walk with Knox while he was in his shift, and Zara, plus Maverick and Chase, were also going to be with them.

“I am,” she said. She finished tying her boot and stood. “How do I look?”

She’d picked dark jeans and a thick sweater and had put her hair up in a high ponytail. She was foregoing her red coat for an insulated parka that would keep her warm, paired with gloves and a matching crocheted headband to cover her ears.

“Gorgeous,” he said. He pulled her close with a growl. “Good enough to eat.”

“Hold that thought until after you’re out of your shift,” she said. He’d kept her in bed most of the day. Not that she was complaining, of course. He rocked her world every single time they were together.

“I can be quick,” he said with a purr.

“No, you can’t.” She laughed and ducked from his arms. He pulled her back with a growl and kissed her.

“Fine, fine, let’s go make you the alpha female. The sooner we get this going, the sooner I can get you back in bed where you belong, screaming my name.”

She grinned. “You’re the best mate a girl could ask for.”

“You are too.”

She grabbed a backpack of her overnight things and they headed out to meet with Maverick and Chase. A few elves were taking over for the Guardians who were heading home for the full moon, including the wolves. She and Knox would be back in the morning.

It was a week until Christmas. Frost hadn’t come for anyone and hadn’t caused any problems. Magical people came and went through the Entrance without issue.

The consensus was that he was simply biding his time, and she believed that was true. Whatever he was planning, she was sure it wasn’t going to be good, but Santa was the most powerful warlock in the world, even more powerful than Frost. But Frost had dark magic, and that meant he was willing to do things Santa wasn’t—like turning good magic users to dark magic.

“I can’t wait to get through this Christmas,” she said. “I feel so on edge.”

“Me too,” he said. “But the good news is it’s just a few days away. We’ll be back home in the mountains before you know it.”

“I can’t wait.”

At the Entrance, Maverick and Chase checked out the area before they let her and Knox through. Calix and Zara were waiting for them and greeted them warmly.

“The leap is waiting,” Calix said. “The elders have the law books, and they’ll read from them before the ceremony so everyone knows the new laws.”

“Thanks for keeping the peace while we were gone,” Knox said.

“My pleasure.”

Zara gave Ivy a hug. “Are you sure you still want me to be your personal guard? I would understand if you didn’t because I messed up, and you nearly got turned into a dark magic elf.”

“I already told you when we talked last week that I want you to be my guard. I don’t hold any of what happened against you. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“I am,” she said. “And happy to be your guard.”

Ivy smiled at Knox. “It’s going to be a great full moon.”

“The very best,” he said with a wink.

Knox tried not to fidget as the laws were being read by the elders, but he couldn’t help it. He was nervous, and he was not a male who got nervous.

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