Page 9 of Holiday Surprise

“Well Tom, after you’ve finished your meal, I’d like to personally show you around this place. We have lots of fun activities for all of those who can’t shift,” she said kindly. “You’re safe here.”

He looked at his mom who smiled in encouragement.

“What if I get tired and fall asleep before my mom gets back?”

“I have a sleeping room all set up just for that. You have nothing to worry about,” she told him in a hushed voice like it was their little secret.

The boy finally relaxed and went back to eating. “Thanks, Lily,” he said with a mouthful of pie.

“I thought you were so full you were going to bust?” I teased him, and he laughed and shrugged.

“Luke, it’s pie! There’s always room for pie!” he exclaimed as everyone at the table laughed.

When Lily got up to leave, I rose and followed her.

“Hey, is Thomas okay?”

“Yeah, he’s fine. These type of things always stress him out.”

“Really? But this is supposed to be the fun part.”

Lily snorted. “Try telling my mate that. His biggest problem is that he doesn’t let go of things, so he takes on everything himself. We do these sort of pack runs every month back at Westin, but Kyle doesn’t handle the details at all. There’s a whole team in place for that. Kyle doesn’t have the full weight of the pack on his shoulders. There’s a pack council that assists, plus two betas. Thomas doesn’t have anything like that. He just does it all himself. Anyway, that’s a vent for another day. Tonight is supposed to be fun. Relax, have a drink, and enjoy the night.”

I nodded as she moved on making another pass through the room. I didn’t think there was a single person Lily hadn’t stopped and personally talked to.

As things inside started winding down and the crowd began to thin out, people made their way outside in anticipation for the start of the run, something weird hit me.

My whole body tensed and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. Before I realized what was happening, my canines began to descend as I was assaulted by the most alluring smell I’d ever encountered.

I looked around the room as Lily threw her head back and laughed, drawing my attention, not to her, but to the raven-haired woman next to her. I couldn’t see her face, but there was something about her that was calling to my wolf.

Thomas happened to pass nearby, and I grabbed him by the arm.

“What’s up?” he asked, alarmed by my strange behavior.

As casually as I could I nodded in Lily’s direction. “Who is the woman Lily is talking to?”

Thomas looked in the direction I pointed. “Oh, that’s just Sydney. If she causes any trouble, just let me know. She’s been drinking tonight and that tends to loosen her tongue a little too much at times. Did she say something to offend you?”

“No, nothing like that. I was just curious.”

He was distracted and called away, so he didn’t think anything of my question as he moved on.

I stared at the back of the woman with open curiosity.

Sydney,I thought.

Mate,my wolf exclaimed.

The shock of hearing that in my head had me sitting down and motioning the bartender for a whiskey dry. Ignoring my own command, I shot back the warm liquid and let it burn through my senses.

Excitement mixed with the shock.

Is this really happening?I wondered, half expecting someone to jump out and yell, “Got ya!”

Sydney

Chapter 6

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