Page 17 of Howling Holidays

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We stand there in each other’s arms for a while just enjoying the others peaceful presence. Emily catches me gazing at her while we continue watching the festivities.

“What is it?” she turns and asks.

“Nothing, I’m just happy to be here with you. Christmas has always brought memories I’d rather forget, but I’m starting to feel the holiday spirit everyone talks about.”

“I’m glad you’re here with me,” I continue. “Seriously, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m not sure how I got so lucky,” I smile.

Emily’s cheeks glow a rosy color again. “I’m thankful to be here with you too. I came to Everwood dreading my grandmother’s funeral and while that was hard, being with you is so easy and comforting. You’ve made this difficult time much easier to bear. I never thought I’d meet the man of my dreams here,” she smiles, and I pull her in for a kiss just as the tree lights glow over the crowd.

Everwood's families watch breathlessly as the star shines brightly atop the tree, illuminating their upturned faces with magic that needs no supernatural origin. I wrap my arms around Emily from behind, laying my cheek against her hair. Her gloved hands cover mine where they clasp over her heart. In this perfect moment, I understand the true meaning of peace. The rest of the world falls away until only this quiet joy exists. I wish I could live in this moment forever.

Reluctantly, we begin the walk back to the truck as falling snow shrouds the streets in hushed beauty. We head down the empty alley toward the parking lot and I am drunk on how right this feels, my grin reflected in her glowing cheeks. But our steps slow gradually as the air begins to feel ominous and heavy. I feel unseen eyes tracking our movement, dampening the holiday spirit. My senses heighten, sending a chill down my spine, detecting the now familiar taint of danger poisoning the pristine air. Not here, not now. This night has been so perfect, and now there is a pit of dread in my stomach.

Emily clutches my arm, no longer flushed with wonder. "You feel it too," she whispers. "The darkness is back." My gut twists at her matter-of-fact words. She sounds too accustomed already to the danger haunting Everwood's edges. This secret world is not hers to defend, and yet still she stands with me against the gathering threats. Her selfless courage further ignites my protective instincts. Whatever horrors are unleashed upon us, I will not let them hurt what ismine.

I quickly move in front of Emily as the biting wind shifts, carrying whispers of evil. My instincts kick into overdrive, urging protection of my vulnerable mate. Though I know her bravery could match my own if pressed, the alpha wolf in my blood recognizes Emily as our future. She must be protected at all costs.

From the writhing shadows, a rasping voice slices the silence. "You court demise in waking what should slumber. Blissful ignorance cannot be reclaimed once lost." The riddled words echo and seethe around us, rife with raw power barely leashed.

Emily's fingers twist in my coat, but she remains still. "We seek only the truth, and freedom from your chains," she calls back, voice ringing with startling authority. "Leave us alone! We will not bow to these faceless threats."

My chest constricts with fury and pride. In this moonlit street I suddenly glimpse the goddess my fated mate will become when she fully ascends. I need to shift and fight for her honor with tooth and nail. But the beast is too unpredictable here in the open. My human intellect must dominate despite these instincts.

The hissing shadows surge at us and I pull Emily into a desperate run toward the truck.

“Emily, run! Now! I’ll be right behind you!” I toss her the keys out of the front pocket of my jeans, but they land on the ground beside her.

“Logan!” she calls out as she turns to see me shift for the first time right in front of her eyes.

She lets out a gasp at the sight, taking a moment to process what she’s just seen. She picks up the keys off the ground and turns to keep running.

Safety lies ahead in the refuge of light and hearth if we can get to the truck and make it back to the cabin. We speed up our steps as we race for sanctuary. Cloaked feet whisper inches behind us, hungering for triumph.

Emily races ahead while I follow behind her, protecting her flank.

The shadows grow in intensity and close in on us just as Emily slams the passenger door shut and locks it. Fear grips us both, but I will not let them intimidate me. I stand my ground, ready to fight to protect Emily and our future together.

The shadows around me shift as my attackers reveal themselves. Three strange-looking men in black hooded cloaks are closing in on me. Their faces are twisted with malice, and they wield sharp knives, glinting under the moonlight. I know that these men are not human. They are monsters, just like me. My instincts take over, and I let out a howl that echoes through the night sky to call for my pack. The men hesitate, their eyes wide with fear and awe.

I take advantage of their momentary lapse and make my move. I launch myself at the nearest attacker, my claws extended and razor-sharp. He tries to dodge, but I catch him with a glancing blow, tearing through his thin black cloak and leaving deep gouges on his flesh. The other two attackers swarm around me, but I am too quick for them. My years of training have honed my senses and instincts, and I dodge their blows with ease.

I land a solid hit on the second attacker, sending him reeling. Just then, a sharp howl is heard off in the distance, a member of my pack heeding my call for help. In an instant, the three men shift into shadows again and dissipate into thin air.

With the immediate threat seemingly gone, I transform back into my human form and quickly get in the truck. I start the engine, throw it in drive, and peel out.

“Are you okay?!” Emily asks, breathing frantically.

“I’m fine,” I growl. “Are you alright?”

She nods, still lost for words as she processes the sequence of events.

“We need to get to my cabin, we’ll stay there for the night.” I look over my shoulder to make sure we aren’t followed and then punch the gas.

“Who…what..were those guys?” she asks, her eyes widening.

“I’m guessing they’re the keepers of the curse. I revealed myself to a human, and now I think they’re after us.”

“Oh. Me.” she replies sharply at her revelation.