Page 16 of Howling Holidays

Emily flushes, pressing my palm to her cheek. "Is that allowed? I mean, I'd love that. I can't wait to get to know your family away from the town’s distractions. But I know this is delicate, with the curse and everything."

Her delight at joining my world settles any lingering doubts. We’re crossing into unknown territory from here, but Emily's loving heart and open mind are weapons against the darkness. I no longer fear the path so long as she travels it with me. I know my pack won’t be overly excited at the fact that Emily is human, but surely, they will warm up to the idea in time.

“Of course, it’s allowed, I’m the damn alpha.” I exclaim quietly with a chuckle. “We arefatedmates after all, and you can’t fight fate.”

A large grin flashes across her face at that sentiment. “I guess you really can’t argue with that.” She replies.

We sip our coffee and reminisce about last night. When our food arrives, we both ravenously clear our plates and exchange a laugh. I pay for our food, and we load up in the truck to make our way out to the farm.

As we turn and pull down the familiar drive, a smile warms my face and I reach for Emily’s hand. The tree farm is a sacred place to me as it’s a reminder of my parents’ legacy, and the beautiful scenery of glistening snow-tipped firs and fresh scent of pine always leaves me in awe. And now I get to share this special place with my fated mate. I pull into the lot and park in my usual spot in the front. I can already feel all the eyes staring at us, almost as icy as the cold air that greets us as we both exit the truck.

The pack looks up curiously as I lead Emily through the fragrant pines sheltering our farm. Some faces reflect my own awed joy at finding my fated mate. Others wonder how this will affect the curse that plagues us. But curious eyes also follow Emily's approach. Our elders contain their misgivings for now, but tensions simmer below the cheerful greetings. My wolf ears pick up whispers between other pack members as they watch us. They cannot conceive of me taking a mate that’s human. I pray time and patience shift their skepticism to faith. Emily's impact on me surely would persuade them of destiny's hand on us both.

When we enter the main building filled with smaller plants and festive décor, we’re met with a few shocked gazes and light-hearted smiles. My grandmother Iris approaches and hugs Emily without reservation, ever the intuitive heart who reads truth beneath the surface. She draws us both close, blinking back joyful tears. "I was wondering where you two were off to,” she started with a smile. “At last, our Logan has found his missing piece. I was beginning to think he’d never take a mate! You are most welcome here, dear girl." The pack relax subtly after her unconditional endorsement, willing to follow Iris's lead in accepting Emily, despite their obvious concern. I keep Emily's hand tucked in mine as my beta Ethan and other patrol members gather around to meet their alpha's mate.

“We missed you on patrol last night Logan,” Ethan says as he gives us a coy smile. “Now I see why!” he chuckles as he approvingly looks over Emily’s features. Her cheeks flush as I pull her in closer to put my arm around her waist, and she draws into me.

“Everyone, this is Emily, the girl I helped in the snowstorm a few nights ago. Amelia was her grandmother, and as it turns out, we’re fated mates.”

“Congrats man, you deserve it more than anyone!” Ethan exclaims, while some of the younger, more rowdy guys in the back give their approval with loud howls and chants which make us laugh.

“I know you all have a lot of questions given that Emily is a human, especially with the curse and the threat of unseen evil lurking about lately. We’re working on finding answers about possibly breaking this curse that’s plagued our pack for years. But for now, I ask that you please trust me as your alpha that I will do everything I can to protect us.”

Everyone listening gives a few hopeful claps and cheers of approval before getting back to work. Emily turns to me, her cheeks still flushed.

“So…everyone can sense we’re mates, or how does that work?”

“Yes, in a way. Being fated mates is a really strong bond,” I reply. “But also, I think they can smell my scent all over you,” I tease with a smile, hinting they know what we were up to the night before.

I offer to give Emily an official tour of the place, and Ethan and a few other pack mates join us. Emily listens intently to their stories of rituals and rites long lost to our pack's younger generations. They appreciate her genuine interest and kind spirit despite lingering concerns. Even the dubious elders nod approvingly as Emily expresses hope we can all someday live openly, no longer prisoners of the past. I fall deeper in love witnessing her win over those hardened by centuries of isolation. Bringing our two worlds together will be her legacy long beyond our time.

Soon, the winter sun sinks below the pines, reminding us of the holiday festivities awaiting in town. I fetch Emily's coat reluctantly, not yet ready to share her company with others. But we can’t hide away forever, and I want to take her out on the town like a normal couple. I must embrace this new openness despite old habits urging caution. Things we shied away from must now stand freely in light, whatever unease that brings.

“So, I haven’t officially gotten to take you on a date yet,” I say as I hold up Emily’s coat for her to slip into it.

“I guess you’re right,” she says, pulling on her coat with a smile. “What do you have in mind, handsome?”

“The town’s annual holiday market and Christmas tree lighting is tonight in town square. I was hoping we could go together?”

“I’ll let you take me anywhere,” she says with a giggle and a wink, which makes my wolf go wild. I plant a kiss on her forehead and lead her to the truck.

We arrive at the town square where holiday music fills the air. A high-pitched trill of a new melody mingles with crisp notes from trumpets, bringing a smile to my lips. Christmas carols ring through the shopping area as Emily and I walk around together. A new flurry of snow falls, blanketing the town in a white frosting and decorating the holiday market carts lining the street. The fragrant scent of my favorite gingerbread cookies sold by Henry’s bakery waft through the air, making my stomach growl.

Emily's gloved hand tucked in mine draws curious looks from bundled residents perusing the stalls. For once, their expressions feel welcoming, not hostile. With Emily beside me, I become one of them rather than the wary observer haunting the fringes. Her bright personality and warm smile bridges the divide between shifters and humans that once felt uncrossable. My once closed life of secrecy seems like a distant, faded dream. Each smile freely returned nudges me further into the light. We stop in front of the hot chocolate stand to indulge in a warm drink and share one of the famous gingerbread cookies I’d been craving.

After browsing the shops, we pause on the snow dusted square to admire the towering pine in the center, in awe at its height as it stands well over 20-feet tall. Town residents are busily hanging large ornaments around and putting the finishing touches on the tree, almost ready for the annual tree lighting.

I wrap my arm around Emily’s waist as she rests her head comfortably on my shoulder.

“Is this a tree from your farm?” she asks.

“It is actually, our farm provides the tree for the lighting ceremony every year.”

“But you don’t usually come to the ceremony?” she asks inquisitively, recalling the curse and my previous pact of solitude.

“Not usually, no. I used to come with my parents when I was little, but that sparked painful memories for a long time. And with the curse, it’s best been to stay as far away as possible.”

“I’m so sorry,” she says in an almost whisper, clutching me tighter.

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