Page 28 of Wolf's Winter

My mom grinned at me. “You are a lucky werewolf.”

“You think I don’t know that?” I squeezed Winter’s hand.

Mom pointed up over our heads and smiled at Winter. “I knew that mistletoe was a good idea.”

The rest of the pack and the coven came over to congratulate us, but I barely noticed. Winter, my mate, was right beside me, holding my hand. That was all that mattered. As tacos were consumed and conversations hummed all around us, Winter placed her hand on my thigh underneath the table. I looked over at her and almost pinched myself. How long would it take for me to believe that this amazing, beautiful, magical woman was really my mate?

She leaned closer and whispered, “Can every werewolf in this restaurant hear me, even with the music and all the talking around us?”

“Probably.” I glanced around the restaurant and tried to bite back a smile as I added, “Maybe not Mathias since he’s ancient.”

“Still young enough to tell you to fuck off, Jackson.” Mathias grinned from his seat next to Lillian at the other end of the long table. The two retired leaders of the wolf pack and the Coven of Light. We were lucky to have their guidance.

I looked at Winter. “If you want privacy we probably have to go outside.”

She shrugged. “I can wait. I don’t want to pull you out of the holiday party early.”

Under the table, I put my hand over hers and slid it higher up my leg. “I’m more than ready to get out of here.”

She laughed and I swore I might never be able to wipe the smile off my face. She bumped me with her shoulder. “Fine. Let’s go.”

She didn’t have to tell me twice. I got up and gave my packmates a wave. “Merry Christmas. See you at the farm for the full moon tomorrow night.”

Zeke came over and met us at the door. He clasped my forearm in the traditional pack greeting. “I’m happy for you, man.”

“Thanks. I’m still trying to wrap my head around all of this.”

If anyone could understand me, it was Zeke. He’d recently ascended to be the Alpha of our pack, found his mate, and became a father in less than a year.

Zeke looked at Winter, tipping his head. “Welcome to the Pack.”

She arched a brow. “I’m not a werewolf.”

“You’re Jackson’s mate. You make him whole. That makes you part of the pack.” He held out his hand to her and clasped her forearm. “See you at the full moon.”

“I’ll be there.” She smiled. “Thanks for the welcome.”

“You don’t have to thank me. We’re tighter than family. We’re pack.” He met my eyes with a nod and walked back to Ruby and the babies.

When I looked at Winter, she was wiping a tear from her cheek. I frowned. “Are you all right?”

She nodded and tugged my hand. “Outside.”

We stepped into the cold, and I cursed. “Fuck, it’s freezing. Let’s get in the car first.”

Once we were in my car with the heater blasting, I kissed her forehead. “Talk to me.”

She shrugged. “I’m okay. I’ve just…I grew up in foster care dreaming of a family, you know? I never imagined it would be a werewolf pack but…” Her lips curved into a smile. “Seems perfect for a witch, right?”

“Perfect for me.” I lost myself in her eyes. “I love you, Winter. It’s not instincts or the wolf talking. It’s just a guy who was smitten with you in high school and then got lucky enough to get to know you.”

She ran her finger along my jaw. “When we kissed after the show the other night, I wished I was your mate.” She shook her head slowly. “I guess I was all along.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you after I touched your hand. You don’t have the same instincts as I do, so I worried you’d run off and marry someone else.”

“No chance.” She leaned in her lips caressing my slowly. She hummed as she pulled back. “I love you too.”

My damned heart melted in my chest. “Let’s go back to my place.”

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