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

16. Liam Shadds

Liam Shadds

Chapter Sixteen

T he sound of the cavern groaning and raining down fresh dirt and stones on us reverberates through the air, solidified by pelting dirt and stone. Adrenaline courses through my veins, enough to drown out the gnawing fear clawing at the edges of my mind.

We pull Diggs up, hopping on one leg, shuffling between us like dead weight, but Ava—always the wild card—exudes an energy that drives me forward. Her determined expression ignites a spark of hope within me. No matter how dire things seem, we still have a chance.

“Let’s move past the bikes. I think the walls are more stable over there.”

“Do you have a plan for when we get out?” Diggs’ voice drips with sarcasm, pain clinging tightly to each word.

“Don’t you worry about that,” I reply, a growl creeping into my tone. “Just focus on getting yourself to the surface.”

Ava’s arm brushes against mine, and my stomach twists with an intoxicating mix of panic and protectiveness. I can’t let anything happen to her. I can’t let this cave become our grave.

Without warning, the ground shakes violently, forcing us to steady ourselves. A fresh shower of dirt cascades down, and I throw my body over Ava and Diggs, shielding them. Debris pummels my back, and I grit my teeth against the pain, my muscles straining.

Finally, the tremor subsides, leaving us momentarily still. I peel myself off them, glancing back at the dark maw of the cave.

“Is everyone okay?” I check, my voice tightly controlled.

Diggs groans, and a quick look shows he’s still conscious, though a flicker of fear dances in his eyes. Looking over at Ava, I find she’s shaken but resolute.

“We can’t stay here, Liam,” her words are urgent, pulling me from my thoughts. “We have to keep moving.”

She’s right. Survival. Collaboration, despite our differences. “Alright, let’s push on. Stick close.”

The chasm narrows as we press forward. The ground beneath us slips, muddy and unstable. Every step feels like a gamble—will this one be safe?

“Liam,” Ava’s breath catches slightly as she stops moving.

“Yeah?” Diggs and I stop as well. “What’s up?”

“It’s a dead end. There’s only stone and water ahead.” I feel the weight of her gaze even in the dim light.

“How do you know that, fox girl?” Diggs is breathing heavily, the pain evident in every labored inhale, but manages to be insulting just the same.

“What part of I’m a Kitsuné did you not understand, Diggs? The earth, the water, the plants, all speak to me.”

I grip his arm tighter, determination fueling my actions. “Let’s take a break. Assess where we are.”

Depositing Diggs leaning against a large rock, I lean against the other side of it.

“I have an idea, Liam.” Ava’s voice is low, hesitant. “I can get us out of here. I think. Maybe…”

“How?”

But before she can explain, another tremor shakes the ground beneath us. Dust dances in the air and a wall of dirt descends on us. Instinctively, I duck down and cover my head, only to realize the dirt is falling around us, not on us.

“What the fuck, Shadds? How is she doing that?” Diggs is clutching at my jacket, and I stand up to see a transparent bubble around us, Diggs and me. The shimmering protective barrier is nearly buried in dirt and stone. As would we be if not for its protection.

I’m as awestruck as Diggs at first, then amazement changes to panic… where is Ava?

“Ava!” I spin around, searching, pushing against the barrier. It feels fragile, shaking and strained under the pressure of the falling debris, but it’s holding.

“There!” Diggs pokes me in the back and I turn to look where he’s pointing. Inches away, sheltered by a rock, a smaller dome surrounds a beautiful white Kitsuné. Ava. Her eyes meet mine and a calmness comes over me. As we watch, her eyes glow and energy fills the globe, protecting her, spilling out and engulfing our larger dome.

A blinding flash engulfs us as Ava’s barrier shatters. The roar of falling rock becomes a distant echo, and then... nothing. The world spins, rights itself, and I find myself standing in a grassy wood, next to Ava’s disabled bike, with Diggs still propped against me.

“Where’s Ava?” The words tear from my throat before I can stop them. My eyes scan the clearing, searching for any sign of auburn streaked hair or golden eyes.

“Your fox girl just pulled off some serious magic.” Diggs pushes away from me, finding his balance against a tree. “Never seen anything like it.”

I ignore him, taking a step forward. The forest feels too quiet, too still. “Ava!”

A shimmer in the air beside her bike transforms into Ava’s form. She stumbles, her face pale, dark circles under her eyes. I cross the space between us in two strides and pull her into my arms. She’s real. Solid. Safe.

“I wasn’t sure that would work.” Her voice comes out raspy, muffled against my chest. “First time trying to move more than just myself.”

“Impressive shit, Foxy.” Diggs says as he awkwardly slides down the tree trunk to plop on the ground, splinted leg outstretched.

I tighten my hold, breathing in her scent—forest and spice and something uniquely Ava. The memory of the cave-in flashes through my mind, how close we came to being crushed. How she saved us.

“You did good.” I brush a strand of hair from her face. “But don’t ever scare me like that again.”

“Can’t make that promise.” She’s trembling and her legs wobble. I steady her, but she pulls gently away, turning to dig into her bike’s side pack, pulling out an oversized rain slicker and wrapping it around herself.

I grin as I realize she’s maintaining an illusion. She has to be naked as a jaybird and freezing. She was in fox form last we saw her. Stripping off my jacket, I hand it to her, quirking an eyebrow to let her know I get it.

“Thanks.” Her grin is sheepish, but grateful.

Looking between Ava and Diggs, something clicks in my mind. Here we stand—wolf, human and Kitsuné. The two strongest pack leaders and the most powerful Kitsuné in generations, and half human. Three pieces of Snowy Pines’ complicated puzzle. Each of us carrying the burden of our people’s expectations, their fears, their hopes.

“We need to talk.” The words come out before I fully process them. “All of us. About what the three of us coming together means for the town and our packs.”

Diggs straightens, his expression guarded. “What makes you think I want to talk or be part of anything with you two clowns?”

“Because we just survived a disaster that should have killed us all.” Ava’s voice carries a strength that belies her exhausted state. “And that’s got fate written all over it.”

The forest around us settles into an uneasy quiet. My mind races with possibilities as I watch Diggs lean against the tree trunk. His injured leg stretched out. Ava stands close by, her rain slicker rustling with each movement. The near-death experience in the cave has shifted the dynamic between us—I feel it.

“Look, what happened down there...” I run a hand through my dirt-covered hair. “That wasn’t luck. That was teamwork.”

Diggs snorts, but there’s less venom in it than usual. “Don’t get sentimental on me, Shadds.”

“I’m serious.” I meet his gaze. “We’ve got three of the most influential supernatural factions represented right here. Shadow Claw, Iron Wolves, and a Kitsuné. When’s the last time that happened without bloodshed?”

“He’s right.” Ava pulls the slicker tighter around herself. “The feud between wolves and Kitsuné has torn this town apart for generations. My own mother...” She trails off, her golden eyes clouding with memory.

“Your pack lost everything because of bad decisions.” I turn back to Diggs. “We’re all paying for decisions made before we were born. When does it end?”

Diggs’ jaw clenches. “You think a near-death experience changes decades of bad blood?”

“No. But maybe it’s a start.” I shift my weight, feeling the ache of bruises forming from the cave-in. “We can keep fighting over old grievances, or we can try something new. Build a future worth having.”

“Pretty words from the alpha who has everything.” Diggs’ eyes narrow, but I catch more—uncertainty, maybe even a flicker of hope.

“I’m not asking for instant trust. Just... consideration. A chance to talk about a truce.”

Ava steps forward, her presence a steady warmth at my side. “Think about it, Diggs. How many more have to suffer before we realize this cycle of banishment, division, and revenge isn’t working?”

The forest holds its breath as Diggs processes our words. I watch the conflict play across his face—the ingrained anger warring with exhaustion, with the possibility of change.

“I’ll think about it,” he finally growls. “No promises. But I’ll think about it.”

It’s more than we had an hour ago. The biggest changes start with the smallest steps.

After breaking off a sturdy branch and stripping it of twigs, I help Diggs test his makeshift crutch. He wobbles, but stays upright.

“Not bad, Shadds.” His voice carries less bite than usual. “Maybe you missed your calling as a boy scout.”

“Save the jokes for when we’re back in town.” I adjust my grip on his arm, ready to catch him if the crutch slips.

The three of us start the trek back to civilization. Ava and I take turns flanking Diggs. It’s slow going, but we’ll get there, eventually.

The crunch of boots on snow and leaves draws our attention. Through the trees, flashlight beams dance, accompanied by calling voices. Sheriff Mooney emerges first, his face tight with concern until he spots us.

“Thank god.” He strides forward, his deputies fanning out behind him. His gaze locks onto Ava, who’s still wrapped in my jacket. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

Diggs tenses beside me, but the Sheriff barely spares him a glance. Two deputies move to take over supporting him, and for once, Diggs doesn’t fight it.

“I’m fine, Dad.” Ava steps forward, chin lifted. “We all are, thanks to each other.”

“Afraid Georgia is in trouble, though.”

“Your bike?”

“Yeah, she gave up the ghost a ways back up this path. I pushed her too hard, looking for these two yahoos. Oh, you’ll want to get a team further up to check out a landslide. Exposed a cavern. I think it is a natural gorge. Might have exposed a natural spring, too. Best get some signs up to warn people away. It’s unstable as hell. Half the hill came down.”

The Sheriff’s expression softens. “Let the medics check you out. That’s an official order, not a parental one.”

He wraps his arms around her and hugs her tight, saying quietly, “The parent says, don’t you ever scare me like this again.”

Stepping back, he waves the medics forward, directing them toward Diggs, back in Sheriff mode in an instant. “And I want a full report later, young lady.” Then turns to coordinate the rescue effort.

Ava smiles, watching her father in action and shaking her head. As everyone bustles around us, Ava drifts back to my side. Without thinking, I pull her close, breathing in her scent—forest and magic uniquely her.

“You were incredible.” My fingers trace her cheek, still amazed she’s real, she’s safe. “I’ve never seen anything like what you did to get us out.”

Her eyes meet mine, gold flecks dancing in the amber depths. “I couldn’t let anything happen to you. Either of you.”

The world narrows to just us, the snow-laden branches creating a private bower. My thumb brushes her lower lip, and she leans into my touch. For the first time since becoming alpha, peace settles over me. Here, with her, I don’t have to be anything but myself.

“We’re going to change things,” I murmur against her hair. “No more hiding what we are, who we want to be with.”

She pulls back just enough to study my face. “You really mean that?”

Instead of answering, I kiss her. Her lips are soft, yielding, then demanding. She tastes like possibility, like the future, like home. When we break apart, her eyes glow with that otherworldly light I’ve come to cherish.

“I mean it.” I rest my forehead against hers. “Whatever comes next, we face it together.”