Page 20 of Rescued By Her Guardian

Alder put his hands up. “Hey, it’s your life, sis, do what you will with it. I’ll just miss you, that’s all.”

“I’ll be back every year to replenish my magic, but Knox and I can come up here to visit other times, too, and you both can come to visit us.”

“That would be great,” Marcus said. “I only go down to the States for errands. It would be nice to stay for a bit someplace new.”

“Yeah,” Alder said. “Maybe I’ll find myself a nice lady leopard.” He wiggled his brows.

Ivy let out a disgusted grunt. “Those aremypeople you’re talking about. Keep the gross thoughts to yourself.”

“It’s gross for me to date a leopard?” he asked incredulously.

“Yes. You’re gross.”

She said it so matter-of-factly that Knox and Marcus burst out laughing at Alder’s surprised expression.

Knox kissed her temple with a chuckle. “You’re going to be an amazing alpha female.”

“I sure hope so.” She blew out a breath. “It stresses me out just thinking about being in charge of people. I’ve only ever really been in charge of the Nice and Naughty Lists.”

“Hey,” Marcus said, patting her hand with a kind smile. “You’ve taken care of me and Alder for years, and you’ve handled any challenges that came your way with grace. You’ll be an incredible alpha female, I just know it.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

She looked pointedly at Alder who said, “I’m not saying anything nice about you, you said I’m gross.”

With an arched brow from Ivy, Alder finally admitted that she would be great as alpha female. Knox was certain she would be too. She was kind and compassionate, and she balanced out his rough edges.

When their dishes were cleared and they returned to the table in the employee cafeteria with refilled drinks, Marcus said,“When is this happening? You said you were going tomorrow to see the high ranked males.”

“We’re going to set everything in motion tomorrow,” he said. “It will take time for the laws to be changed and for leap members to decide whether they’ll stay or choose exile. I don’t think we’ll lose anyone, but you never know. We’ve both made commitments here in Northernmost, so we’ll stay until Christmas Day, then head home in the afternoon.” She’d told him about the Christmas Ball but had said she wasn’t interested in staying for it.

“That gives me time to train someone to take over the list duties,” Ivy said. “And for me to brush up on the leap laws too.”

“Let’s plan to eat dinner together whenever we can for the rest of the time you’re here,” Marcus said. “I know I’m working third shift, but I can take an early break so we can hang out.”

“I’d love that,” Ivy said.

“If you need any time off and I can take a shift, let me know,” Alder said.

“Thanks, man,” Knox said.

“Hey, just take good care of my sister.”

“I swear on my life.”

They talked a little longer about moving Ivy to Wildwood Crossing, the need to speak to Santa about her leaving after the holidays, and what their life together would look like once they took over the leap. There hadn’t been an alpha female since he took over, and he knew that the females missed having someone in authority watching over them. The females weren’t ranked, but they still needed someone to lead them. Ultimately, he was the authority of the leap, but Ivy would be right by his side.

They stopped by Santa’s office to speak to him, because the male was always busy and there was no time like the present. He was happy for them, and said it was amazing that two of his Guardians had found their mates already this month.

“If Asher isn’t ready to come back after the holidays, I’ll send another male up here for training,” Knox said.

“Of course,” Santa said. “Things ease up after the holidays, but we still need all nine of our Guardians.” He looked at Ivy. “We’ll bring Drea up from Wrapping. She’s been looking for something in the office, but we never had a position available.”

Ivy grinned. “She’ll be wonderful with the lists, she’s got great attention to detail.”

“If you’re taking tomorrow off and going to the States,” Santa said.

“Alder is going to take a double shift,” Knox said. “We’ll bring Maverick and Chase with us as guards, and Ivy’s magic will take us through the Entrance. We’ll come back in the evening.”

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