Page 38 of Claiming the Shifter's Heart

She made him so grateful. Made him feel so much.

“I love you too,” she said, tears of joy streaming down her face, “and well, I just wanted to say Merry Christmas before anyone else could.”

“Merry Christmas, mate. Come here.”

Kristoff pulled her close and kissed her just as a shadow fell across the moon outside the window where they stood. A distinct laugh could be heard, and the jingling of sleigh bells sounded off somewhere in the distance, getting further away by the second.

“Was that?” Della asked, lifting her head, and staring at him with those velvet eyes he adored.

“I don’t know,” he replied honestly, completely smitten with this woman and happy to bask in the magic of the season with her.

The two of them stood there together, looking at snow falling from the night sky. Hope filled them both as promises for a brighter future were already being kept.

Epilogue 2

After the dozens of presents Kris had somehow managed to buy and wrap the night before were opened and Christmas breakfast eaten and served, the new family camped out in the living room, putting toys together and laughing out loud at the silly antics of Sean and Janie.

Della smiled content for the first time in ages when her cell phone buzzed. She frowned, seeing it was from her lawyer.

“Hello?”

“Hello, this is Dib Lowell. Is your mate there?”

“Yes, let me get him,” Della said, but Kris was already there beside her.

“Go head, Dib. I can hear you fine,” Kris said.

“Good. I just thought you should both know, the Murder has dropped all claims to your children. After Cade and Blayne’s demise, the latter’s wife, Cynthia, decided she wanted nothing to do with children. The Crow King immediately withdrew all complaints.”

“That’s great!” Della cheered.

“That it is. Oh, and Rafe said come by next week to sign documents welcoming you and your children as official Pack. Merry Christmas!”

“Are you okay with all of this? Me being part of the family so quickly? Sean calling me Dad?” Kris asked, after she clicked end.

“Of course, why are you even asking me that?”

“Because I want you to be happy, Della. I want you to have everything you have ever wanted,” Kris said.

Sincerity filled his voice, and she hummed, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Looks like you have everything you wanted then,” she replied and smiled.

“Damn right I do. Come here, mate,” he growled low, and claimed her lips just as quickly as he’d claimed her heart.

Della sighed, feeling their matebond pulse around them. Life was so much better now. In fact, it was as close to perfect as it could come.

Oh, she knew there would be skirmishes and silliness that would happen from time to time over stuff like what to make for dinner and what color curtains to buy. Dirty laundry and messy garages to fuss over.

But that was nothing to worry about. Heck. That was the good stuff. That was the stuff that made life interesting and worthwhile. Della knew as long as she lived her heart would belong to Kristoff. No one had ever made her feel quite so loved or special.

Oh, he was a keeper alright. Her very own Christmas miracle. He settled his arms around her, just holding her and letting her bask in the sunshine of their love. The kids chuckled in the background and the sounds of their new toys beeping and making noises played in the background of their home.

Wrapping paper and empty plates were everywhere. The living room was cluttered and loud.

It was perfect.

And very, very cherished.

“Love you.”

“Me too,” she said and believed him with all her soul.

Just like she believed the next line with every inch of her being:

As long as they had each other, they had everything.

The end.

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