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

19. Ava Mooney

Epilogue

T he snow falls in delicate swirls around me as I watch the Christmas Eve festivities from my spot near the old oak tree in the town square. Families bustle past, their laughter mixing with carols drifting from the decorated gazebo. The twinkling lights cast a warm glow across the fresh powder, transforming Snowy Pines into something from a snow globe.

A year ago, I’d stood in this same spot, a stranger in my hometown. The fox tattoo on my wrist tingles at the memory. Back then, I’d kept it hidden under long sleeves, ashamed of what it represented. Now, I roll up my jacket cuff to admire how it shimmers in the festive lights.

“Looking mighty peaceful there, sis.” My brother Joe approaches with two steaming cups. “Hot chocolate?”

I accept the cup, letting the warmth seep into my fingers. “Just thinking about last Christmas. Remember how I flinched every time someone got too close?”

“You mean when you nearly took out poor Mrs. Potter because she tried to hug you?” Joe’s eyes crinkle with amusement.

“She startled me! I wasn’t used to controlling...” I flex my free hand, watching the faint golden shimmer dance between my fingers. No need to hide it anymore. The power flows naturally now, an extension of myself rather than something to fear.

“And now look at you—teaching the kids how to make fox-fire lanterns for the festival.” Joe bumps my shoulder.

I smile into my cup. I don’t need the hot chocolate to warm me, just thinking of the wide-eyed children gathered around as I created glowing orbs of light banks a fire in my center that won’t go out. Their parents had applauded instead of running away in fear, or worse, pretending the magic wasn’t real.

“Dad stopped by the garage earlier.” Joe mentions. “Asked if you and Liam are still coming to Christmas dinner tomorrow.”

A year ago, the invitation would have filled me with dread. Now, I feel only sweet anticipation. “Wouldn’t miss it. Think he’ll let me light the Yule log this year?”

“With your special touch? He specifically requested it. Actually, he said something about our mother used to do it and we should resume the tradition. Can you believe it? He talked about her.” Joe smiles, shaking his head and I realize he’s happy in a way I don’t remember him being since we were kids.

His message settles in my chest like a warm ember. I trace the rim of my cup, remembering tense family dinners spent with me struggling to suppress who I was, terrified of letting my Kitsuné nature show. Now my father asks for it, celebrates it.

I lift my face to the falling snow, letting the flakes kiss my skin. The fox spirit within me stirs contentedly, no longer fighting for dominance but existing in perfect harmony with my human side. This is who I am. Both mortal and magical. And finally, wonderfully, I belong.

A familiar warmth envelops my hand as Liam’s fingers intertwine with mine. His presence beside me feels as natural as breathing. The colorful glow from the Christmas tree bathes the town square in soft light, highlighting the joyful faces of humans and supernatural beings alike.

“Remember when this would’ve caused a riot?” Liam’s thumb traces circles on my palm. His blue eyes reflect the twinkling lights as he nods toward a group near the cocoa stand.

I follow his gaze to where Diggs Fireclaw, leader of the Iron Wolves, shares a laugh with one of the town council members. A year ago, that sight would’ve been unthinkable. Now it makes me smile.

“We’ve come a long way.” I lean into Liam’s solid frame, drawing strength from his steady presence.

“You led the way.” His fingers tighten around mine. “Your courage to be yourself, to show everyone that being different doesn’t mean being dangerous is what brought us here.”

The fox spirit within me stirs at his words, a warm flutter of recognition. Liam’s always seen me—all of me—even when I couldn’t see myself.

“We led the way together.” I turn to face him fully, taking in the strong line of his jaw, the tiny scar above his eyebrow from the day we escaped death by a landslide. “Alpha of the Shadow Claw pack, falling for a Kitsuné? That broke more barriers than anything I did.”

His free hand comes up to brush a strand of hair from my face. “Best decision I ever made.”

The tenderness in his touch spreads through me like honey, sweet and golden. In this moment, with the sound of carols and laughter floating around us, I feel complete.

“Thank you for never asking me to be less than what I am.”

“Thank you for showing me that being alpha doesn’t mean being alone.”

Holiday music wafts across the snow-dusted town square. Families laugh and children chase each other between the decorated stalls, their joy echoing off the storefronts. A year ago, I hid in the shadows, afraid of what I am.

Not anymore.

The fox tattoo on my wrist glimmers as a snowflake lands on it.

This is home. The fox spirit within me purrs in agreement. We’ll protect this peace we’ve built, Liam and I, this future where everyone belongs.

Merry Christmas, Snowy Pines.

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Christmas with My Nemesis by Lily Rae is next…