Page 5 of Naughty Elf: Shimmersnap

Thankfully it was dark, so I didn’t get an eyeful of things I shouldn’t see.

They let out a yelp when I popped in. The glitter that seemed to follow me everywhere danced in the air and landed on their carpet. Oops. They probably weren’t going to appreciate that.

“What the fuck? Dancer, who the hell is this?” his mate asked. I knew they had a child in the house somewhere. I hoped we didn’t wake them.

“Oops, sorry! I’ll, wait until you’re done.”

I popped into the living room and sat down on their couch. This was the living room of a happy couple. The walls were colorful, the carpet was rather bland, but you couldn’t see much of it thanks to the children’s toys that filled the room.

Christmas must be extra magical when there was a child in the family. I longed to experience that for myself, but if I didn’t secure my alpha before then, I could kiss that future goodbye.

After a moment—or maybe five—I tried not to listen. The shower started, and then ten minutes later, Dancer came out.

“Shimmersnap, is that you?”

“Yes,” I winced. “Sorry. I needed advice.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Well… My situation is a little… different, and I’m not sure what to do.”

“So, it’s true. You were fired?”

I nodded. “Yes. It seems Santa got tired of my glitter.”

He snorted.

I glared. “Everyone loves glitter.”

Dancer shook his head. “Not as much as you do.” He took a seat on the other couch, carefully stepping over the blocks on the floor. “What brings you here...to my bedroom?”

“I need advice. I’ve heard that your mate is grumpy.”

Dancer laughed. “One would describe Milton that way, yes.”

“How did you make him happy?”

“Well, it’s not quite that simple. Milton wasn’t unhappy, exactly. I didn’t need to change him. We bring happiness to each other. I don’t need to change anything about my mate. I love him exactly the way he is.”

I thought that over for a moment. “And he doesn’t mind that you’re not grumpy?”

Dancer snorted. “No, he doesn’t mind. There are times where he gets annoyed with the endless optimism, but we make it work. Shimmersnap, what’s going on?”

“That’s what I’d like to know.”

I jumped at the sound of a voice I didn’t recognize.

Dancer’s mate, Milton, walked into the room. He was shirtless, and I could see the appeal—the man might be grumpy, but he was hot. In his arms was an adorable red-cheeked toddler with bright eyes.

My cheeks flushed. “Sorry to drop in on you. I’m Shimmersnap, one of Santa’s elves. Former elf. Well, I’m still an elf, but I don’t work for Santa anymore. I’m a figurine.”

Milton’s eyebrows raised.

“I’ll explain later,” Dancer said, then he turned to me. “Have you tried introducing yourself to your mate?”

“Like, just appearing in his room?”

Dancer shook his head. “No. Don’t do that. You’ve been observing him, right? You could run into him at his favorite coffee shop or bookstore or whatever. Set up your own meet-cute.”

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