“Yes. She is,” Jen snapped. “We’ve got a mansion full of hungry wolves, literally, three weird kids that are obsessed with beheading the cookies, and a prego who can’t keep her paws to herself. Forgive me if I’m just a little irritated.”
“Look on the bright side.” Sally entered behind Bethany. “She could have eaten two dozen.”
“And would have if her mate hadn’t caught her and carried her out of here. All the while, she was pointing at the cookies with her mouth already full. She gave him puppy dog eyes, trying to get him to swipe her some more.” Jen’s lips twitched a bit, as if trying not to smile.
“I imagine that was quite a sight.” Jacque laughed.
“I got pictures,” Zara sang as she strolled into the kitchen, which was quickly filling up with people. The smell of freshly baked cookies was drawing wolves like flies.
Jen glanced up and realized she had an audience of at least forty people. She tossed down the knife and said, “New tradition. Everyone decorates their own headless wolves on Christmas Eve.”
“Head!” Thia yelled as she bit off another one and then held up the body of the wolf. Chuckles filled the room as pack members crowded around the large island where the cookies were resting.
Jacque grabbed some more butter knives and then stepped back, watching as Titus showed different people how to spread the icing. Slate kept trying to grab anyone’s cookie who dared get too close to his little chubby hands, and Thia entertained everyone with her rendition of “Jingle Bells.”
Jen and Sally came up on either side of Jacque and leaned against the counter where she stood.
“Judging by the fact that no one is rolling on the floor yet, I’d wager you haven’t unboxed the cakes?” Jacque asked.
“Or the wall pictures showing the wolf-deers pulling the sleigh,” Sally added.
“One moment at a time, ladies,” Jen said. “This is the headless Christmas cookie moment.” Her voice was full of nostalgia as they watched their pack laugh, talk, and pass around cookies, which were proving to be very popular despite being headless and already bitten by three little wolves.
As pack members continued to retrieve their snacks, Cyn and Thalion appeared in front of the three ladies.
Jen pursed her lips at the fae and elf prince. “If I wasn’t so tired, I’d gripe at you about flashing right in front of my face.”
Cyn simply smiled and then said, “I’ll be right back.” A moment later, she reappeared with Lilly in tow. Then she was gone again. When she returned this time, she had Dillon and Tanya with her. They’d barely showed up when Cyn flashed again and then returned with Cindy and Chris Morgan.
Jacque knew the smile on her face was ridiculously big as she hugged her mom and then her dad. “Thank you,” she said to Cyn as she passed out hugs to the newly arrived guests. “I know y’all might have had your own plans for Christmas, but I’m glad you came tonight.”
“Thank you for inviting us.” Thalion wrapped an arm around Cyn. “We are honored to be a part of the celebrations.
“Also”—Cyn cleared her throat—“Jen’s invitation didn’t leave much room for discussion.”
Jacque glanced at her BFF. “Do I want to even know?”
Jen’s face scrunched up as she shook her head. “Definitely not.”
“The kitchen looks very, well, festive.” Lilly glanced around the flour-covered room. Her eyes lit up when they landed on Slate. She pointed to her grandson. “I’m going to go save that cookie from Slate.”
Jacque laughed at Slate, who was leaning as far as he could, trying to grab a cookie that was just out of his reach.
Chris and Cindy quickly made their way next to Titus, and he immediately handed them cookies and said, “You have to bite their heads off first.”
Jen groaned while Jacque patted her on the back. “You wanted new traditions.”
“You got them,” Sally added with a grin.
An hour later, they gathered as many people as they could into the massive living area, with the rest of the pack and guests overflowing into the halls and rooms nearby. Peri and Lucian stood at the front of the room. To their left was Fane and Jacque, who held Slate in her arms. The boy’s face was stained with red cookie icing, and Jacque was pretty sure he was on a bit of a sugar high … or drunk because his eyes kept rolling back in his head, each time followed by a loud giggle.
Fane took a deep breath and stood a little taller as he looked around the room. Jacque could feel her mate’s pride and love for their pack. He opened the pack bonds, allowing the rest of them to feel it as well. “This year has been one of joy, triumphs, hardships, and great loss,” Fane began. All eyes were on him. Even the kids seemed to be pulled to the power he was emitting. “We experienced deep betrayal, but we’ve experienced amazing loyalty as well.” He paused and glanced at her, then leaned down and pressed a kiss to Slate’s forehead. “We’ve experienced new life, new true mates, and now a new future that the Great Luna has set before us.
“We end this year with joy in our hearts despite our pain because we all know my mother would be standing here in tears right now, so happy to have all of us together in one place. So, we will honor her memory with a joyful celebration instead of mourning. We will make new traditions.” He glanced at Jen and bowed his head to her. She smiled and wiped tears from her eyes. “We will fill this home with laughter.” Fane looked next at Peri and motioned to her with his hand. The huge red curtain fell, revealing a wall of photos showing him and the other pack males in their reindeer outfits. Laughter rang out. When it died, Fane continued speaking. “And we will eat bizarre cakes that will make you blush and guarantee you will never let Jen have a cake made for you for any occasion whatsoever.”
“My cakes rock, Alpha. You’re just upset I didn’t use your family jewels for the inspiration for Bethany’s cake,” Jen called out.
A growl came from Decebel. “Whose did you use?”
“We don’t want to know where you got your inspiration,” Fane continued quickly. “You can keep that secret to yourself.” More laughter spread throughout the room. After a few moments, Fane held out his hand, which had been empty, and a glass appeared. A full wine glass now materialized in Jacque’s as well. She glanced over at Peri, who gave her a smirk.
Fane lifted the glass. “A toast,” he said, and everyone else lifted their own glasses, no doubt many of them provided by the handy high fae. “To our future, our children, our mates, ones discovered, and ones yet to be. I toast to my parents who have left an amazing legacy, and I toast to the Great Luna who has guided us and will continue to guide us as we move forward into the next chapter of the story of the Romania Grey Wolves.” The room filled with cheers of agreement. “Please, enjoy yourselves. Eat, drink, be merry, and know that the pack doors are always open to everyone here.”
The room filled with chatter as people began to move about. Laughter rang out when people began looking at the cakes that had finally been uncovered.
“Can I steal him for a bit?” Lilly asked. Jacque felt Slate being pulled from her arms and realized her mom had walked up beside her.