Falling For Her Guardian (Yuletide Shifters #1)

Chapter 15

Seren was nervous about going to Storm’s clan. It wasn’t just because she was meeting his family for the first time, but because of the portal.

She touched the place on her hip where Santa had removed the tracker. The little white star was pretty neat, but she hated knowing that Jack Frost had been tracking her without her knowledge.

“It’ll be okay, sweetheart,” Storm said as they stepped out of the barracks and walked toward the waiting vehicle that would take them to the Entrance so they didn’t have to walk. “The tracker’s gone. There haven’t been any more attacks on portals.”

It had been two days since the bomb. Everything was back to normal except that there were a lot more guards around, and even though they’d been taking time off for their mating and getting to know each other, Storm had needed to be in a few meetings for the changes to security around Northernmost.

“I know,” she said. She climbed into the vehicle, which looked like a big snowmobile with a cab. “Hi, thanks for taking us to the Entrance.”

“Sure thing,” the elf said. “I’m Alder. There’s a team waiting to escort us all through, so even though you’re a Guardian, Storm, you need to hang back until we get the all clear on the other side.”

“Will do.”

They bumped along the snow-covered ground to the portal, where a handful of men stood around the bone structure. She recognized Hunter and Winter, as well as Maverick and another snow leopard named Chase. When they got out of the vehicle, Storm introduced her to Hawthorne, an elf security guard.

“Thanks for coming with us,” Storm said. “We’re going to spend the night with my family at the clan, and then we’ll be back after breakfast.”

Chase nodded with a smile. “Going to meet the parents. Are you nervous?”

Seren chuckled. “A little bit.”

“Our mom is an angel,” Winter said. “She’s going to love you, and she’ll definitely ask when you’re planning to have kids because she can’t wait to have grandcubs.”

“Not until we’re ready,” Storm said.

“I’ll be the favorite uncle, by the way,” Winter said as they walked toward the portal.

Hunter slugged him in the shoulder. “No chance of that little brother.”

“Ow, shit,” Winter said. “You’re just jealous because you know it’s true.”

“You’ve got time to argue about it,” Storm said. “We’re not having kids for a while, we just met four days ago.”

She and Storm were in the center of the six men, three in front, one on either side of them, and Hunter bringing up the rear.

While there were no guns in Northernmost, the men had batons and knives strapped to their bodies, and Storm told her there was extensive combat training once someone decided to become a Guardian. He and his brothers had grown up learning how to fight in their animal forms and human forms as well, and she felt very well protected by her sexy mate and the others surrounding them.

She was still a little nervous, though.

She kept hearing that Jack Frost wasn’t going to give up trying to get control of the Well of Magic, that her abduction, the tracker, and the bomb were just the beginning, and he was going to try more things, worse things, to get into the protected town.

Storm gave her hand a squeeze and she smiled at him.

“First group, let’s go,” Hawthorne said, “we’ll come back for the rest of you.”

The Entrance was already humming and glowing. Being so close to the magic made her skin tingle and her eyes sting, but it was fascinating to watch. The three men disappeared through the portal. It was a tense few minutes as they ensured things were safe on the other side.

Winter appeared through the portal. “All clear.”

They walked through the portal, and from one moment to the next, they were suddenly no longer in the North Pole but were now in the mountains of Pennsylvania. Snow was falling, and the late afternoon sunlight warmed the chilled air.

“Welcome to Arctic Springs,” Storm said.

She inhaled deeply, drinking in the sweet, crisp scent of fresh snow and mountains, picking up the scent of pine and smoke from the chimneys of the cabins in front of them.

He turned to the guards who’d come with them. “The plan is to leave tomorrow around ten. I’ll reach out if that time changes, but otherwise we’ll see you all tomorrow. Thanks for coming with us.”

“Thanks, guys, have a nice night,” Seren said.

“Say hi to our folks for us,” Winter said.

The guards left and the portal closed as if it had never been there. The only evidence that more people had been there besides her and Storm was the mass number of footprints in the fresh snow.

“Well, well, well, look who’s come home with someone special,” a voice boomed out into the quiet.

A big, burly man stood on a porch with a wide smile. He was clearly Storm’s father because they had the same features, down to the icy blue eyes.

“Hi, Dad,” Storm said. He gave a little tug on Seren’s hand and they walked together to the wooden steps that had been recently swept free of snow.

He greeted his dad with a one-armed hug and said, “This is my mate, Seren Winters. Sweetheart, this is my dad Lucius.”

His dad gave her a big hug and chuckled. “You’re not nervous, are you? I promise we’re wonderful people.”

“I’m trying not to be,” she promised.

“Come on inside before you freeze your mate. Your mom would never forgive me if something happened to Seren before she even met her.”

He held the door for them and they stepped inside a foyer, shedding their boots, coats, hats, and gloves before following him down the hall to the kitchen. A woman with strands of silver in her dark hair turned from the sink and dried her hands on a towel.

“Oh, it’s so good to see you, Storm.” She crossed the kitchen and hugged him. Then smiled warmly at Seren. “You must be Seren. I’m Raya. It’s so nice to meet you, and welcome to the family.” She hugged Seren and immediately all her nerves washed away. Yes, his parents were polar bear shifters, but they were also incredibly kind and welcoming. She could still be nervous about Jack Frost, but there was no way he was messing around with the polar bear clan, so she was safe here with her mate.

A fire crackled in the hearth of the great room as they gathered on comfortable couches to talk and get to know each other. Raya made pot roast for dinner, and Seren had never had such wonderful food, even though she thought the elves did a pretty dang good job in the cafeteria.

After dinner, she and Storm bundled up and took a walk around the clan’s territory.

“It’s a lot warmer here than in Northernmost,” she said. The snow crunched under their boots as they meandered through the territory.

“Yeah, it’s all relative, you know? Even though I’m not as affected by cold temperatures, I used to think it was freezing here, but then I went to Northernmost and realized that’s what true cold really is. You get used to the cold here after a while, though, and then it feels really, really cold at the Well.”

“That makes sense.”

He pointed out the home belonging to Alpha Klaus. The polar bear clan was run by the alpha, but he had a council of elders that helped keep things fair and ensured everyone followed the laws.

“The council makes sure that the good of the clan is always the priority, and that keeps the alpha from getting out of control.”

“Could they take him out of being alpha?”

“It would have to be a grievous error in judgment, but yes. And they’d have to be unanimous in the decision, all five of them wanting him gone.”

She hummed. It was like a big family with the father in charge of the kids and the grandparents helping to keep everyone in check.

Once they reached his parents’ home, they had warm apple dumplings with fresh churned vanilla bean ice cream and watched a movie before heading to bed. As she drifted off to sleep in Storm’s childhood bedroom, complete with the sports memorabilia of his favorite NFL team still tacked to the walls, she thought that Arctic Springs was a pretty cool place.

Storm was drinking coffee in the four-season room with his dad while his mate helped his mom make breakfast. His favorite aunt and uncle had come over, and they were in the kitchen laughing and talking. He loved to hear Seren’s laughter, loved to know that she was comfortable with his family.

“It feels so damn good to be here,” he said, scrubbing a hand through his hair.

“You miss it.”

“Yeah. I love Northernmost, it’s cool as hell up there and I’ve been doing it for a decade. But I miss the mountains and the clan.”

“You already mated Seren, so when do you want to do the ceremony?”

“I want to ask her to marry me. I was thinking we could do the mating ceremony on New Year’s Eve and also have someone perform marriage vows at the same time.”

“Her family will come?”

“Absolutely.”

“Good. Sometimes you hear about humans not liking shifters.”

He told his dad how Seren had been hurt by a male wolf and had sworn off shifters, and her family had hated them on her behalf. “But they warmed up to me, especially after hearing that I rescued her from Frost’s lair.”

Lucius chuckled. “It’s a shame she was abducted, but it’s good that you were able to get her to safety and prove to her family that you have good intentions. I’ll let Alpha Klaus know you want to do a joint mating and marriage ceremony on New Year’s Eve. I think it’s the perfect time.” His dad paused and then said, “Do you think you’ll come back here to live or move to Ohio? Because I happen to know that nearby is a cabin that was recently finished, and it would be perfect for a new couple.”

His brows winged up. “Really? When did that happen?”

“Alpha Klaus wanted to keep the construction company busy this fall after a big contract fell through and they were left with the supplies and nothing to do with them. I offered the land near us because I figured it was only a matter of time before one of you three found your mate.”

“I’ll talk to Seren and let you know,” he said.

“There’s plenty of work available for both of you, plus your mom would love it if you were back home. And I would too.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

After breakfast, he and Seren went for another walk, and he showed her the cabin, which was just minutes from his parents’ home. The three-bedroom cabin had exposed-beam ceilings, hardwood floors, and a fireplace mantel made from the trunk of an old tree.

“It’s beautiful,” she said, standing in the kitchen and looking out the bay window at the snow-covered trees. “I really like it here.”

“I do too.” He pulled her close and kissed her. “We don’t have to make any decisions about where we’ll live right now, but I did want to ask you a question.”

“Oh?”

He dropped to one knee and pulled out the ring that had belonged to his great-grandmother. It was a simple gold band engraved with bear paw prints. His mom had happily given it to him that morning when he’d asked for it.

Seren’s eyes widened and she gasped.

“Sweetheart, you’re the best thing that ever happened to me. I can’t believe I get to wake up with you every day and go to sleep with you every night. Finding you in Northernmost was the highlight of my life. I love you from the bottom of my heart, and I want to spend the rest of my life not only as your mate, but also your husband. Will you marry me?”

Her eyes sparkled with tears. “Yes!”

He put the ring on her finger and rose to his feet, kissing her and tasting the salt of her tears. He lifted her off her feet in a big bear hug and she clung tightly to him.

“Oh, Storm,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “I love you too.”

They explored the house and talked some more and made plans to have the mating and wedding ceremony on New Year’s Eve. Her whole family would be invited, not just her parents and sister, and he was sure the mountains would ring out with the celebration.

As ten o’clock rolled around, his parents walked them to where the portal would open. The temperature had dropped overnight into the single digits, but it was still warmer than in Northernmost.

The portal opened and Hunter stepped through, followed by Winter. They greeted their parents and cheered when they saw the ring and congratulated them on their engagement.

“When’s the date?” Winter asked.

“New Year’s Eve,” Storm said.

“Perfect, what a great way to start the new year.”

“Are you guys ready to get home?” Hunter asked.

Seren looked at their parents and smiled. “I don’t think it’s going to be home for long. Maybe just until New Year’s.”

His mom laughed and gave her a hug. “Sweet girl, I can’t wait for you to officially be part of our family. Be safe. We’ll see you on New Year’s Eve.”

After all the goodbyes and I-love-yous were said, they followed his brothers through the portal and back to Northernmost.

Seren gasped and pressed her hand to her chest as the Entrance closed behind them. “Holy crap, it’s cold!”

“It felt downright balmy in Pennsylvania,” Storm said. They hurried into the waiting snow vehicle with his brothers and headed to the barracks.

“Alpha Knox joined us while you were gone,” Hunter said. “It was nice not having to train someone just to fill in for a while.”

“Does anyone know how long Asher will be gone?” Storm asked.

“No clue,” Hunter answered. “Apparently his grandma is fairly elderly and frail and they feel she’s going to pass on soon. Santa told him he could stay with his family as long as he needed.”

“Doesn’t Alpha Knox have to be with his people to lead them?” Seren asked.

“Yes and no,” Storm said. “He’s still the alpha even if he’s not around, but the snow leopards have a tight hierarchy where his second-hand male would fill in while he’s gone. All the males are ranked from alpha down to the lowest omega. They’re a lot like wolf packs in that way. As opposed to clans where only the alpha is ranked and no one else is, outside of the authority given to the elder council.”

She hummed. “Are any of the other Guardians alphas?”

“Just Knox,” Winter said. “The Guardians don’t have a hierarchy. Santa is the boss of us, just like he’s the boss of the elves. He makes the schedule and handles staffing issues.”

“Sounds like he could use an assistant,” she said.

“He has an assistant named Ivy, but she doesn’t handle anything related to the Guardians or security. He could probably use help with that,” Storm said. “Maybe you could help out in his main office until Christmas if you’d like.”

“Oh, really? I’d love to have something to do besides wait for you to return to the apartment after work every day, since I’m sure you won’t let me help with the security stuff.”

“Hell no,” he said, his bear letting out a gruff snarl at the thought of her potentially being in danger. “The main office is staffed with a few elves. You met Ivy when we were in the cafeteria the other night.”

“The one with the pink highlights in her hair?”

“Yep. She’s always busy. She makes tons of trips down to North America for toy-making supplies, as well as managing the deliveries for those who live here. For example, if I wanted to order clothes for you, she would fill that order and bring it to us.”

“She doesn’t go by herself, I hope? That sounds dangerous with Frost running around this time of year,” she said.

“No, she has a team of elves that go with her for security. I’ll see if she can meet with you and me tomorrow afternoon. It’s our last day before I have to go back to work.”

She whispered, “Boo.”

He grinned.

“Want to have dinner in the cafeteria?” Winter asked as they climbed from the vehicle in front of the barracks.

“Sure,” he said. “We’ll meet you at five in the gathering room.”

“Make that six,” Seren said, her voice dropping and her words laced with a sultry tone that his bear one hundred percent loved.

“Ew,” Winter said. “But you got it.”

Storm laughed and lifted his mate into his arms, carrying her into the barracks and down to their room.

“Sweetheart, we definitely need to celebrate our engagement. Did you have any thoughts about that?”

“Pleasure,” she said, tilting her face to his for a kiss as he kicked the door to their apartment closed behind him. “Lots and lots of pleasure.”

He was just the bear for the job.

Thank you so much for reading Book One in my brand new series, Yuletide Shifters! I hope you enjoyed Falling For Her Guardian as much as I did writing it! Book One is part of a trilogy, and Book Two— Rescued By Her Guardian —is available for preorder and will be out October 18th.

Alpha snow leopard Knox volunteers to fill in for one of his leap members at the Well of Magic at the North Pole for a few weeks. He gladly joins the ranks of the other shifters to protect Santa and the Well from Jack Frost and his dark-magic followers.

Elf Ivy has been too busy preparing for Christmas Eve to replenish her magic at the Well. When she requests an escort from one of the Guardians, she’s surprised to find herself face-to-face with a handsome shifter she’s never seen before.

When Knox and Ivy meet, sparks fly, but Knox has a problem. According to their laws, only shifters are allowed in the pride. He’ll have to change the laws so he can mate Ivy and stay alpha.

But not everyone in the pride is happy with the changes, and soon Knox and Ivy find themselves in grave danger. When Knox sends Ivy away for her safety, Jack Frost seizes the opportunity to capture her and steal her magic for his own dark purposes.

Will Knox be able to save Ivy from Jack’s clutches, or will she be lost to him forever?