Page 23 of Claiming the Shifter's Heart

He nodded and kept pace beside her, touching her back now and then, taking her hand to help her over an icy patch, laughing and smiling, and just being awesome.

The jerk!

By the time they joined Samantha and her family a few minutes later, Della was practically panting.

“How you doin’?” Kris said, shaking Michael’s hand and nodding at Samantha and the rest of the group.

“We’re gonna get some cookies and meet you at the line for Santa!” Aunt Eileen called out. She and Maya started walking, the latter took over pulling the wagon with Sean safely buckled inside.

“Let me get this over to the guys to trim the base and prep the tree. I’ll get it tied up after shift, but I wanna get changed so the kids don’t have to wait long in the cold,” Kris said to Della.

“Okay. Um, I’ll see you there,” she said, watching him turn.

He nodded his face unreadable as he waited a moment before turning to walk off. Almost like he was reluctant to leave her.

“Kris?”

“Yeah?” he asked, turning back to face her.

“Thank you.”

“It’s a privilege and a pleasure, Sweet Girl,” he whispered, smiling at her before turning away once more.

Della stood watching him walk and dammit, she practically swooned.

“Good God, woman, that is one fine man,” Sam whispered, oblivious to Michael’s growling.

Or maybe not so oblivious since she turned and kissed him, patting his cheek as he followed Kris to where the trees were prepped for travel.

“You shouldn’t say things like that in front of him,” Della chided gently.

“Please, he knows no one holds a candle to him as far as I’m concerned. But for you? That big Viking Santa looks pretty perfect, Della. I have one question, though.”

“No, I am not telling you the size of his dick,” Della whispered.

“Not that,” Sam replied with a grin.

“Okay then, what?”

“Well, I was wondering if you like him as much as I think you do, and if he likes you like I definitely know he does after the way he’s been following you around for forty-five minutes through snow and mud like a puppy dog, then, what are you waiting for?”

Sam raised her eyebrows and pursed her lips before following after her mate. Normally, Della ignored her nosy neighbor’s commentaries, even though they were hilarious. But this time, Della wasn’t so sure that would work.

Because for the first time, Sam made a good point.

Chapter 14

Kris had been so amped up after last night, he did not sleep a wink. After standing sentinel in the woods outside her place for most of the night and morning, he went home to grab a bite, shower, and change.

His apartment was okay for now, but he longed for the day he could be with Della and the kids in her house. The old house had plenty of woodwork that needed repairing. It called to his artistic nature, and he’d already started planning what projects he would assume first, with her approval first.

His Wolf was just as obsessed as he was with the idea of protecting what he saw as his family. Fixing their house was just one way he could do that.

Christmas carols started playing through the speakers as he took his place on Santa’s throne, waving at the children in line as he walked past them. It didn’t miss his attention that Della’s perfect brood were first.

Emotion flooded Kris’ system as Della approached, pretty as a picture in her First Elf getup, Sean, and Janie in tow. His throat constricted, and it was hard to swallow.

God, they were perfect. The perfect little family. His Wolf had already staked a claim, the beast already bonded. He could deny it all he wanted, but why would he ever want that? Kris had nothing to hide. He was head over heels for Della and he loved her children so much already.

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