“I don’t know,” Kade interrupted. “We start off as human and are reborn vampire. But maybe all we’ve been taught isn’t exactly correct.”
“Leo or Quint would damn well kick your ass for suggesting that,” Luca told him.
“No,” Kade shook his head. “First of all. Nobody is kicking my ass in my town. And second,” he paused, his eyes meeting Luca’s, “The Alpha’s correct. Getting married is a very human tradition. But perhaps so are the desires that burn in our soul. There may be only a miniscule amount of our humanity still within us, but it persists. Look at you. You’re a father. Soon to be a husband. You’ve never been happier. All those things are very much human. We seek the family that is stolen from us.” Kade raised his mug and clinked it with Tristan’s. “Cheers.”
“Samantha is more than family. She’s my life,” Luca told them. “I’m unapologetically in love with the high priestess and my beautiful daughter.”
“Well then. Now that we’ve established Luca is more like a human than he thinks…” Tristan clapped his hands together. “What do you say we get this show on the road? It ain’t every day I get to participate in human activities. It’s bachelor time. Cocktails?”
“Bourbon Street,” Kade suggested.
“It’s Christmastime.” Luca peered over the rim of his mug. “I should be home listening to Christmas carols, tending the fire.”
“Decking the halls?” Tristan laughed.
“He’ll be decking the halls for the rest of his life.” Kade smiled.
“Dude. Bro. Ya gotta go with the flow on this one.”
“Did you just call him dude? You been hanging out with Jake, haven’t you? Next thing you know you’ll be movin’ to California.” Luca shot Tristan an unimpressed glare.
“Philly’s home now. But yeah. I’m comin’ off a sweet vacay in San Diego. Got in some swells.”
“Do you hear this shit?” Luca snorted. “Wolves.”
“I have Samantha’s permission for us to go out,” Kade told him. “A few hours on the town. A little time with the boys will be good for you.”
“He’s gonna say yes.” Tristan smiled at Luca. “You know you want to, big guy. Just the three of us.”
“Logan?” Kade asked.
“Four of us.” Tristan shrugged.
“Dimitri?” Kade pressed.
“Yeah, maybe. I dunno. Whoever can get free can come for a drink. Say yes.” Tristan raised his cup to the cantankerous vampire and smiled. “It’s a beautiful day.”
“I’m good.”
“A drink is all. Jesus, he really is a married man,” Tristan teased.
“We’re all happily mated and it’s Christmas.” Kade shrugged. “Now if I could just get Sydney to…”
“What’s going on?” Tristan asked, his smile fading.
“I was just telling Luca. Syd has had a rough time of it this past year. You know what happened with me turning her. Then the whole Pat Scurlock business. Things seemed to finally be back on track, and then Zach came along. It’s not like we expected something like this to happen. We should have known better than to get so attached. It’s just…I’ve never had a son. We thought we had a chance at adopting but…you know how it is. You’re an Alpha. No one claimed him and then out of the blue an out-of-town wolf shows up. It was really hard giving him back to his birth mother.”
“She’ll come round,” Luca told him.
“Sydney’s tough but she’s always had a soft heart. She’s human,” Tristan said, giving a sympathetic smile.
“She’s a vampire,” Luca countered. “You’ll adopt eventually. Time is on your side. As far as marrying you? Ah, well.” He turned to Tristan. “He needs to woo her. I’m not talking about the sex. Doesn’t seem like the two of you have any worries there.”
“Technically she’s vampire but she’s still kinda human. I mean it hasn’t been that long. You’ve got to give her time. Luca’s right. You’ll adopt eventually. It’s hard but not impossible.” The Alpha crossed the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, staring inside it.
“Hungry wolf?” Kade asked.
“I want some beignets. Can’t get em’ up in Philly like you can at home.” He shut the door. “Cheesesteaks? Got ya covered. Soft pretzels. Scrapple.”
“Scrapple?” Luca released an audible sigh. “Yeah, no.”
“Don’t knock scrapple, man. It’s the bomb.”
“Hardly.” Luca’s mouth tightened in disgust.
“It’s unique.” Kade laughed. “All right gentlemen. It’s time for me to get ready. You’re welcome to use the entertainment room. Get in some HALO before we go. I can tell that Luca is ripe with anticipation to have some fun and…”
Kade’s words trailed off as he sensed Sydney. A proud smile bloomed on his face as his beautiful fiancée shook her wild blonde mane, and put her hands on her hips, commanding the attention of all three males.
“Did I hear you say you’re going to get beignets without me? What the hell?” she joked.
“Sydney!” Tristan called, his arms wide open to her.
Kade exercised restraint as the Alpha lifted Sydney into the air and spun her around in a circle before setting her back onto her feet.
“Easy with my woman,” Kade warned.
“Tris.” Sydney cupped his cheek and smiled up at him. “It isn’t fair. You know I love beignets. And I love you even more.”
“Ah, cher. Sorry I didn’t stop. I can bring you some back tonight,” he offered.
“Just kidding, wolf. But you owe me a raincheck before you leave. You’re staying for the holidays? Kalli too?” she asked, her eyes bright with excitement.
“Of course.” Tristan slapped his hand onto Luca’s shoulder and the vampire swatted it away. “So, can you believe our Luca is getting married? I never thought he would be tying the knot with anyone. Or should I say, I never thought his lovely witch would ever agree to marry a grumpy vampire like him.”
“Piss off,” Luca shot back at Tristan.
“He’s not the same Luca,” Sydney assured him. “The high priestess keeps him busy. Baby Kate…” Although a broad smile crossed her face, sadness shone in her eyes. “She’s the cutest little girl ever.”
“Don’t let Logan hear you saying that.” Kade laughed and reached for Sydney’s hand, pulling her to his side.
“Hey.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. Leaning in close, she whispered in his ear. “Maybe we need to work on the tree later.”
Kade fought his arousal as she grazed her lips over his neck. “I’m thinking we need to decorate in every room.”
Sydney laughed, giving him a sexy smile. “Ah…sounds perfect. Although we probably should finish the tree we started.”
“Don’t worry about the tree. Just go have fun.”
“It’s just that it has to be special…It’s Christmas.”