Christmas with my Off-Limits Alpha (Feuding Hearts Christmas)

2. Liam Shadds

Liam Shadds

Chapter Two

I stand at the edge of Snowy Pines’ town square, watching the bustling activity unfold before me. The air is thick with the scent of wood smoke, pine and cinnamon. The strings of twinkling lights crisscross overhead, swaying in a cool but gentle breeze, casting a warm glow on the faces of excited townspeople below.

“Liam! Come help us with this wreath, would ya?” Old Charity Potter calls out, her weathered hands struggling with an oversized evergreen circle.

I plaster on a smile and stride over. “Sure thing, Mrs. P.” The wreath is heavier than it looks, and I lift it easily onto the storefront hook. Her eyes crinkle with gratitude as her daughter Hope puts a giant, freshly baked Christmas cookie in my hand. I smile and take a big bite, rubbing my stomach, nodding my head as I chew. But it’s all play-acting at normalcy.

Christmas. Everyone’s favorite time of year. Except for me.

A group of children dash past, their laughter echoing off the storefronts as they chase each other around the massive live Christmas tree in the square’s center. I watch them, remembering a time when the holidays held magic instead of dread.

This time of year always brings trouble. Always.

My eyes scan the perimeter, searching for threats that aren’t there. Not yet, anyway. The Iron Wolves are coming. I’d feel it with an instinct as sharp as my canines, even if I didn’t have concrete intel confirming.

“Earth to Liam!” A hand waves in front of my face, snapping me back to the present. It’s Mayor Jenny Roberts along with Judy Stewart, chair of this year’s festival. “You okay there, boss? You looked a million miles away.”

I force another smile. “Just taking it all in. The square looks great.”

Judy beams. “Wait’ll you see it lit up tonight! It’ll be magical.”

Magical. Right.

I nod, a smile plastered on my face, not trusting myself to speak. The pair move on, swept up in the festive preparations. I retreat to my watchful post, eyes constantly roving.

He would’ve known what to do about the Iron Wolves. He would’ve stopped them before they even thought of showing their faces. The ghost of my father looms large this time of year. I run a hand through my hair and stuff the rest of the cookie into my mouth, barely noticing its sweet taste. The responsibility of being alpha weighs threatens to crush me beneath expectations on days like this.

“Merry Christmas, Liam!” A chorus of voices calls out. It’s the high school choir, decked out in Santa hats and reindeer antlers. They launch into a rendition of Jingle Bells , their youthful voices rising above the general din of the square.

I nod my head in beat, grin and wave my hands like a conductor, and sing along, but inside, I’m screaming. How can they be so carefree? Don’t they understand the danger that’s coming?

But of course, they don’t. And I would not want it any other way.

The smell of hot chocolate wafts from a nearby vendor, and my stomach growls traitorously. Half a cookie only whet my appetite. I ignore it. I need to be here and alert, ready for whatever comes next.

If I can get through this damned holiday, maybe I’ll bring up another beta to spread the work...

But even as I think about it, I know there’s no reprieve coming, no magical solution waiting on the other side of Christmas. The new year will bring more challenges, more threats, more weight on my shoulders.

I clench my fists, and smash one fist into my open palm, wanting to hit… anything. The pain reminds me of what’s at stake. My pack. This town. Everything Kennedy Shadds worked to build and protect. A memory of the Alpha my dad was flashes through my mind. His towering presence, the respect he commanded, the way the pack rallied behind him without question.

Too soon, Dad. You died way too soon. And yet, even though he’s gone, I hear his voice every day, giving me good advice… “Stop being such a Gloomy Gus, Liam. You are too hard on yourself.”

My gaze drifts from the bustling town square to the distant hills beyond Snowy Pines. The sprawling forest looms, dark and imposing, a stark reminder of the wild territory my pack protects.

I relax my clenched jaw, forcing myself to stop overthinking and stay focused. Iron Wolves are out there, circling, waiting. Dad would’ve met them head-on, teeth bared and claws out. But me? I’m playing it safe, watching and waiting. It makes my skin crawl.

“Liam?” Hope’s voice breaks through my brooding. “You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I force a smile, but it feels brittle on my face. “Just thinking.”

She raises an eyebrow. “About the Iron Wolves?”

“Among other things.” I run a hand through my hair. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

Hope’s expression softens. “You know, it’s okay to talk about him. Your dad, I mean. We all miss him.”

The kindness in her voice makes something in my chest constrict. “Thanks, Hope. I appreciate it.”

She nods, understanding in her eyes, and moves back to help her mother with the decorations. I watch her go, feeling the gulf between us widen. They look at me and see him. But I’m not him. I’ll never be him.

The memory of that Christmas two years ago resurfaces. The night we lost him. The night he died protecting us all.

Mayor Jenny’s surprisingly booming voice cuts through the crowd, rescuing me from myself.

“Liam! Can you come here for a moment?”

I push off from the wall I’ve been leaning against, squaring my shoulders. Time to put the alpha face and hat back on. As I make my way through the throng of festive townspeople, their laughter and cheer are a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me.

Jenny’s smile is warm, but I see the worry lines around her eyes. “I wanted to discuss the security measures for the festival. With the Iron Wolves situation...”

I nod, cutting her off. “I’ve got it under control, Jenny. My pack’s on high alert. We won’t let anything happen to the town.” I run a hand through my hair and continue running down our security measures to relieve the Mayor’s worry.

“Sheriff Mooney has deputized my security team, and we’ll be working alongside his officers. We’ve got patrols covering every inch of the festival grounds and the surrounding areas. There are lookouts posted at strategic points throughout town, ready to raise the alarm at the first sign of trouble. We’ve even set up a communication network that’ll allow us to respond within minutes to any disturbance. Trust me, Jenny, we’re prepared for anything the Iron Wolves might try to pull.”

The words come out with more confidence than I feel. If I fail... it will be the whole pack and the town who pays. The thought sends a chill down my spine.

Jenny studies me for a moment, then nods. “I trust you, Liam. You’re doing a great job. Your father would be proud.”

“Thanks, Jenny." The compliment hits like a punch to the gut at first, but then I realize she means it. I decide to take it at face value and wander among the crowd setting up the decorations and booths for the three-week long celebration Snowy Pines hosts every December leading up to Christmas. I find myself relaxing, enjoying speaking to people I’ve known my whole life.

Before long, though, I find myself back at the edge of the square, staring out at the distant hills. The forest beyond town holds secrets, dangers. And it’s also where I feel most alive, most myself. Away from the constant comparisons, and the ghost of my father’s legacy.

The sound of heavy footsteps grabs my attention and I turn to see Frank, my beta, sprinting towards me. His face is flushed, breath coming in short gasps. My muscles tense instinctively.

“Liam!” Frank skids to a stop, gravel crunching under his boots. “We’ve got trouble.”

I straighten, my senses on high alert. “What?”

Frank’s eyes dart around, making sure we’re alone. “The Iron Wolves. They’re here.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Expected, but still unwelcome. My jaw clenches so hard it aches.

“How sure are we?” I demand, my voice low and tight.

“Pack members picked up strange scents in the woods. Tracks that don’t belong to anyone we know.” Frank’s expression is grim. “It’s them, Liam. No doubt about it.”

Shit. This was always going to happen. I should’ve been more prepared. My father’s voice echoes in my head, a constant reminder of how things should have been handled. When you’re the alpha, son, remember to always stay one step ahead.

“Tell me everything,” I growl, already calculating our next move.

Frank nods, his loyalty evident in every line of his body. “We found fresh tracks near the old logging road. The scent... it’s unmistakable. Diggs Fire Claw’s stench is all over it.”

My blood runs cold at the name. Diggs Fireclaw, son of Frostbite, the old alpha. Diggs is the Iron Wolves’ new leader, out for blood and vengeance.

“How many?” I ask, my mind racing through scenarios.

“Hard to say for sure. At least a dozen, maybe more.”

If I don’t act now, they’ll rip through everything we’ve built. “We need to move fast,” I say, more to myself than to Frank. “Get the pack together. Now.”

Frank nods, a fierce determination in his eyes. “Already on it, boss. Everyone’s waiting for your orders.”

I blink, surprised and pleased by his efficiency. For a moment, I see myself through Frank’s eyes—a leader, someone worthy of following.

“Good work, Frank. Let’s go.”

As we stride towards the prearranged meeting place, my mind whirls with plans and contingencies. The Iron Wolves have been gone for years, exiled for breaking every supernatural law in Snowy Pines. Their return can only mean chaos.

Dad, what would you do? I wish desperately for his guidance. But I don’t need him here to know the answer. He’d face this head-on, with the strength and confidence I’m struggling to find.

The festival preparations fade into background noise as we walk. I stride towards the security booth at the edge of the square, Frank close on my heels. My pack members stand at attention as we approach, their eyes fixed on me, waiting for direction.

“Alright, listen up,” I say, my voice low and firm. “The Iron Wolves are here. We need to be ready for anything.”

I begin rattling off orders, my mind racing through every possible scenario. “Double the patrols around the festival perimeter. I want eyes on every entrance and exit. Luca, coordinate with Sheriff Mooney’s deputies. Make sure they’re aware of the situation without causing panic.”

Luca nods sharply and heads off. I turn to Toby. “Activate the communication network. I want updates every fifteen minutes, no matter how small.”

As my pack disperses to carry out their tasks, I feel a momentary pang of pride. They move with purpose, without question. But the feeling is fleeting, replaced by the gnawing worry that’s become my constant companion.

“Frank.” I turn to my beta. “I need you to check on our emergency protocols. Make sure everyone knows the evacuation routes if things go south.”

“On it, boss.” Frank's face is grim but determined.

As he leaves, I take a moment to survey the square once more. The contrast between the festive scene and the tension coiling in my gut is jarring. Families laugh and children chase each other around the massive Christmas tree, their joy a stark reminder of what’s at stake.

They don’t know. They’ll never know until it’s too late. The thought settles like a stone in my stomach. I have to be ready. I won’t let the Iron Wolves destroy the peace of this town. This is a time for action, not self-pity.

I turn back to the security booth, catching sight of Mayor Jenny making her way through the crowd. Her eyes meet mine, and I see the question in them. She knows something’s wrong; has seen my team disperse. I give her a nod and a subtle thumbs up, silently promising to fill her in later.

I have to protect them all—my pack, this town, even those who don’t know they need protection. The Iron Wolves won’t care who gets caught in the crossfire. But I do. And that’s what sets us apart.

With one last look at the oblivious revelers, I turn to leave the square. There’s work to be done, and I’m the only one who can do it.

My mind is racing with plans and strategies, when a scent wafts across my path. Faint, but unmistakable. I stop mid stride, freezing, calling up my wolf senses to decode the minute pheromone. Every muscle tenses as my wolf instincts kick into overdrive. I scan the area, turning slowly, tracking the source.

There. At the edge of the square, beyond the warm glow of the Christmas lights. Three figures, cloaked in shadow. Iron Wolves. My jaw clenches as one of them steps forward, and even before I make out his features, I know exactly who it is.

Diggs Fireclaw.

A cocktail of emotions surges through me—anger, adrenaline, frustration, fear. The pent-up tension of the past weeks explodes in my chest. My wolf howls inside, urging me to attack, to eliminate the threat here and now. But I force it down. This isn’t the time or place.

He’s here. Of course he’s here. I should have known he couldn’t resist making a grand entrance.

“Well, well,” Diggs calls out, his voice carrying across the square. “Quite the party you’ve got going on here, Shadds. Shame we didn’t get an invitation.”

I step forward, positioning myself between Diggs and the oblivious townspeople behind me. “You’re not welcome here, Diggs. Take your pack and leave. Now.”

He laughs, a harsh sound that grates against my ears. “Liam, is this any way to treat old friends? We just want to join in the holiday spirit.”

“Cut the crap,” I growl. “We both know why you’re here.”

Diggs steps further into the light, and I get my first good look at him. He’s changed since I last saw him—harder, more dangerous. His hair is as startling as ever. The shock of bright red stands out even in the twilight. As does the scar on his face, a jagged line in stark relief running from temple to jaw. It’s a reminder of the violence that simmers beneath the surface in his motorcycle club and runs rampant in his Fireclaw shifter pack, the hidden power behind the Iron Wolves MC.

“Maybe I missed the old neighborhood,” he says, spreading his arms wide. “Lots of fond memories here, you know.”

“Yeah, I bet,” I spit back. “Like the time my father ran your sorry asses out of town?”

Diggs’ eyes narrow, and for a moment, I see the rage he’s barely keeping in check. “Ancient history, Shadds. I’m more interested in the future. Our future.”

“There is no ‘our’ future, Diggs. You lost any claim to this town a long time ago.”

He takes another step forward, and I tense, ready for anything. But he stops, a slow smile spreading across his face. “We’ll see about that. The Christmas Thunder Festival race is coming up, isn’t it? Maybe it’s time for some new blood in the race.”

The implication hangs in the air between us. The race has always been more than a friendly competition. It’s a symbol of power, of control over the town. If the Iron Wolves were to win...

“You’re not competing,” I say, my voice low and dangerous.

Diggs’ smile widens. “Try and stop us.”

We stand nose to nose, locked in a silent battle of wills. The sounds of the festival fade. Every instinct screams at me to end this now, to show Diggs and his pack what happens when they threaten what’s mine.

But I hold back. This is the opening move in a bigger game. He’s testing me and we both know it.

Finally, Diggs takes a slow step back, then another, melting into the shadows once more. “See you around, Shadds. It’s going to be one hell of a Christmas.”

And then they’re gone, leaving nothing but the lingering scent of threat in the air.

I stand for a long moment, my fists clenched at my sides. The battle lines have been drawn. The Iron Wolves are back.