Page 22 of Naughty Elf: Shimmersnap

I nodded. I was the best elf. And the most sparkly. If there was an award for that, I’d win hands down.

Dancer shrugged and went back to cleaning the leather straps of his harness. “So tell him the truth.”

“I can’t just say to a human that I’m an elf figurine. He’ll think I’m crazy. And how do I even explain about the North Pole and all the Santas and the fact that he is my mate and I was fired for being too glittery?”

“Shimmersnap, you showed up at work with a glittered tie. You leave glitter everywhere you go. He has to have noticed that by now. He’s not going to think you’re crazy. He’s probably going to think that it explains a whole lot about you. And I doubt he’ll be surprised that you got fired for gliterizing toys. I’m surprised you don’t put glitter all over people’s tax paperwork.”

“I compromised and we use glittered paperclips.” That had been a hell of a discussion a few months ago. I considered it a win.

“See? There you go. Your mate will understand.”

I shook my head. “No, Walter’s practical. I’ve been working on getting him to accept the Christmas magic, but he’s not ready.”

“How long have you been together?”

“I’ve been working for him for six months.”

“Right, but how long have you been together in the physical sense?”

Oh. My cherry-red cheeks turned an even darker red. “Um, couple of weeks now.”

“Right. He’s an alpha, you’re an omega.”

I nodded.

“Did they not give you the birds-and-the-bees talk when you were in your elf education classes?”

“No. I mean, yes.” I stomped my foot. “I know where babies come from, Dancer.”

Dancer snorted. “I’m starting to think you don’t.”

“Hey, Shimmersnap, what are you doing here?” one of the other reindeer, not a flyer, just a helper, asked.

“Hi, Ginger. I’m just visiting. I needed some advice from Dancer.”

“Try not to get glitter all over everything, all right? We just cleaned this place, and Santa is doing an inspection in one hour. If he catches you here, well… you might be on the naughty list.” He said that last part in a whispered tone, looking around to make sure no one overheard. The barn was nearly empty.

I winked. “Pretty sure I was already there. I have a permanent spot, inked in sparkles. I’m leaving soon,” I said. I still didn’t know where I was going to go, but now that Walter knew I was missing, it wasn’t like I could just pop back to his mantle.

Ginger walked away, and Dancer gripped my hand. “Come with me.”

“What for?”

“We’re going to the med station.”

“What? I’m fine. Why?”

“You’re not fine, and you’re going to take a pregnancy test.”

That spurred me into action.

It couldn’t be. Could it? I felt fine… But if Walter was truly my mate and the two of us had been together more than once. Even though it had been only a few days ago, when it came to fated mates, these things happened fast.

Inside the medical building, there was a flurry of activity. Dancer somehow weaseled his way into the supply room and grabbed a pregnancy test. Normally, they would have to track and log these sorts of things, but everybody seemed so busy that they just let us go. After all, if I was pregnant, it wasn’t anyone here’s problem. I didn’t work for this Santa.

“Can we do this someplace not here?” The place was so busy. There were elves needing stitches from workplace injuries, fevers and coughs cause it was cold and flu season, people who needed hydration from working too hard.

’Tis the season.

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