Page 27 of Cherished By Her Guardian

Even now, Declan was surprised that Frost had found yet another blade to try to take out Santa and that Valeth had been cloaked in a way that made him blend in with the darkness and shadows.

“He’s getting trickier,” Declan said after Winterlyn had gone over what she’d seen and her reaction. “He used a lot more magic this time than before, with the cloak and the blade, whatever kind it was.”

“Pyrite,” Santa said. “Dark magic pyrite, to be exact, which my brother bespelled to kill me. It broke apart when you used it to take out Valeth because he wasn’t the target, and his blood broke the spell.”

They spoke for a little while longer, and then Santa thanked them again and wished them well on their time off. The Guardians, who handled the lion’s share of patrol duties in December, always took the week off between Christmas and New Year’s.

Outside of the conference room, they said goodbye to Ivy and Knox.

“It was so nice to meet you,” Ivy said, giving Winterlyn a hug. “Good luck with the toy makers. It’s a great job and lots of fun.”

“It was nice to meet you too,” Winterlyn said. “Good luck being alpha female.”

Ivy grinned. “I’ve got a lot to learn about shifters, but I’ve got a great teacher.”

Knox wiggled his brows. “Indeed.”

They parted ways, heading to their separate apartments.

“We’re going to Winterlyn’s family first,” Declan said to Sebastian and Gabriel in the main area outside their apartments. “We’ll be down to Howling Creek tomorrow.”

“We’re heading home tonight,” Sebastian said. “Safe travels and see you guys tomorrow.”

After grabbing their bags, they headed to the Entrance, where two elves were waiting to escort them to her home so she could spend the day with her family.

“I’m so freaking tired,” she said as she yawned.

The males disappeared through the portal to look for danger. Declan hugged her. “We’ll find time to rest today.”

“Promise?”

“You bet.”

“You know we didn’t get each other anything for Christmas.”

“We’ve only been together for a week. Plus, I did give you the ring.”

She looked at her finger and smiled. “Okay, then I guess I didn’t giveyouanything.”

“You’re my gift, sweetheart.”

“I love the ring, and I love you. You’re the best gift I could get.”

After spending the day with her family, Winterlyn and Declan drove her car toward Howling Creek. They left that night, stopping at a hotel at the halfway point before picking up the drive in the morning on the day after Christmas.

“Traveling by portal is so much easier,” Winterlyn said as they finally reached Howling Creek around dinnertime.

“Absolutely. But I enjoyed the drive. It gave us a chance to talk.”

She smiled at him before getting out of her car. “I liked that too.”

She stretched the kink out of her back with a squeak. Declan’s parents’ home was in a development that was near the alpha’s home, the street lined with quaint homes and pine trees. The front door opened as they approached, and a male who looked just like Declan grinned at them.

“Welcome, welcome! I’m Declan’s dad, Barron. You must be Winterlyn.”

He gave her a quick hug and smiled down at her. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Come in, it’s cold out! Well, not as cold as up north, I’m sure.”

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