“Works for me,” Enid agreed with a grin. “And I love that color on you. Matches the streak in your hair,” Enid observed, nodding toward Felicia’s dusky purple, slinky dress that didn’t leave much to the imagination. If she didn’t have all the bachelors drooling over her before the night was over, Enid would be surprised.
“That was the plan,” Felicia replied, smoothing the soft fabric over her generous curves with a pleased smile.
Enid put on her cloak as they went downstairs together. Felicia just had a light sweater, but then, shifters didn’t feel the cold the way Enid did. They went out of the B&B together, to the waiting vehicle, which was already running and warm inside. Miss Felicity, Felicia’s great-grandmother, sat in the back with her little white Westie dog, Angus, perched on her lap. They exchanged greetings, and Miss Felicity thanked Enid for agreeing to officiate at the solstice ceremony and made small talk as Felicia drove them to the Pack house.
When they got there, Felicia pulled up right in front so her gran wouldn’t have to walk too far in the cold. Enid helped the older woman out and saw her safely up the steps while Felicia gave the car to one of the Pack’s youngsters who was acting as a valet. Felicia caught up with them inside and took over from Enid, seeing to her gran’s every need as Enid went over to check that everything was as she’d left it when she’d finished setting up for the ceremony.
There wasn’t much to it—just a few candles and herbs—but it was important to Enid to get this right. She wanted to make a good showing for Joe and his Pack. They were such good people, and he was such an amazing Alpha. An amazing man. An amazing lover.
She hadn’t seen him all day, and she realized she…missed him. They’d only known each other a short time, but he’d become very special to her. So special, in fact, she was very much afraid she was in love with the heart-broken wolf. She knew it was hopeless. Shifters mated and stayed true forevermore. Joe had lost his mate. He would never mate again.
He would always be broken up about losing Tess, and he could never reciprocate the feelings Enid had discovered inside her heart for him. It was tragic. Really tragic. Enid had never felt so strongly drawn to anyone before and feared she never would again. If she’d been a shifter, she might almost think he was her mate, but that was impossible. She wasn’t a shifter, and her magic must be going haywire to lead her into this situation, but there it was. Everything inside her said Joe was special, but circumstances being what they were…
It was truly impossible.
Enid carefully laid the candles out in the pattern she wanted. She stood just in front of the massive Christmas tree, finding it a comforting presence. A reminder of joy and rebirth. It didn’t matter what religions believed what. When it came to celebrating the solstice, all beliefs in the goodness of the return of the Light were welcome, no matter what names man gave them.
Enid had set up the small altar in front of the tree. The Pack house had kept the table in storage, and one of the elders had brought it out when he heard Enid was going to do a real ceremony. It had been used by this Pack for generations when they had priestesses in residence, and the oak and brass that made up the ceremonial table showed their antiquity in a lovely, antique way. Enid could feel the strength of the consecrated wood and metal. It had a steadfastness about it that matched the steadfastness of the Alpha’s presence.
Enid turned to find Joe watching her from just inside the front door. Even though the wide room separated them, she felt the impact of his gentle smile across the distance. She found herself smiling back, and then, realizing the whole Pack was watching, she waved and turned away, busying herself with her preparations once more. She kept her head down, trying to hide the heat that she knew was flushing her cheeks.
A moment later, a shadow fell over her from behind. She knew without looking that Joe had snuck up behind her, silent as always.
“Do you need anything?” he asked in that low, sexy growl that she’d last heard in bed, late last night.
Her blush deepened. He probably didn’t realize what a loaded question he’d just asked. She definitely needed something, but if she told him she needed him, he’d probably back off. That was the very last thing she wanted. No, she was going to enjoy being with him while it lasted and vowed not to do anything that might chase him away prematurely. Being too needy might just do that, so she shook her head and concentrated on placing her candles just so.
“I got everything this afternoon,” she told him. “Just making sure nothing moved since I left this all here.”
“You haven’t even taken off your coat,” Joe said, his strong hands going to her shoulders.
Enid enjoyed the feel of his hands on her, even through the thick layer of wool. He was right. She’d been so intent on making sure everything was where she’d left it, she hadn’t yet taken off the new cloak. She undid the clasp at her throat and allowed Joe to help relieve her of the swath of heavy fabric.
He folded the cloak over one arm then stepped around to face her. His gaze was warm and appreciative, those blue eyes nearly lighting her on fire.
“You’re gorgeous, Enid,” he said softly, and she felt the compliment down to her toes as she got her first good look at him. He was wearing dress pants and a crisp button-down white shirt. He looked good enough to eat.
“You clean up pretty well, yourself, Alpha,” she returned the compliment, ignoring the fact that her voice was a little hoarse and breathless.
Two of the elders came over and required their attention, breaking the moment. One of the ladies wanted Enid’s game plan spelled out again, while the other took Joe off to see to a minor quarrel among the pups where the Alpha’s judgment would settle things quickly.
The place filled up rapidly, and before Enid knew it, the time was at hand for the ceremony. She positioned herself in front of the tree, which was in front of the giant windows, and waited for everyone to settle. Smiling, she welcomed them to the solstice celebration and thanked the Pack, and the Alpha, for inviting her to officiate. That out of the way, she began lighting the candles and chanting the ancient words.
She could feel them all watching, from the elders to the youngest pup held in its mother’s arms. They followed the flames as they danced on top of the candles, and recited the parts of the sacred chant that invited their participation. The elders knew when and how to respond, and the little ones soon learned, picking up on the ancient rhythms.
Someone had dimmed the lights to a very low glow, allowing the candlelight to dominate the scene. The Christmas tree behind her was not lit, though it would be later. For now, only the candles shed light on the turning of the year from darkness to Light.
Enid began the prayer part of the chant, invoking the power of the Goddess in all her forms, and that’s when something strange began to happen. The branches of the tree behind her began to rustle. Enid tried to ignore it, suspecting someone’s child had crawled away and begun exploring, but as the motion picked up and the people around her began to gasp, Enid knew something was amiss.
She turned her head to the side, shocked at the ethereal form standing beside her. She knew that face.
“Tess?” The name left Enid’s lips as her form became clearer. Tess had been taller than Enid in life, and more muscular. She turned her ghostly head toward Enid and smiled.