Monsters Under Mistletoe

1. Marissa

Chapter 1

Marissa

“ I feel like I’m naked. Are you sure this costume isn’t too much?” I asked as I did another turn in front of the mirror. As a producer on the shifter dating reality show The Mating Game —and star of one of the most controversial episodes—I didn’t think it was possible to be scandalized anymore. But this nude body stocking, with a strategically placed mistletoe boa wrapped around my body, made my cheeks as red as the little berries that dotted the design.

“It’s absolutely perfect,” Hannah exclaimed. She was dressed as a gothic frost queen in a metallic silver mini dress, a long white fuzzy coat, and a sparkly crown perched on top of her purple hair. “Our boss is a fairy dragmother. There’s no way we can show up in boring little black dresses. This won’t be like any other company party we’ve ever been to. Bibi insisted that we wear costumes. She’s counting on us being over the top.”

“You’re right.” I took a deep sip of my cranberry Aperol spritz, which managed to sugarcoat some of my nerves. “I’m just nervous because the first part of the evening is kid focused.”

Which was why my mate, Bjorn was already there. He’d gone early to give guidance to the camera crew and had volunteered to play Santa.

“That outfit is all about a different kind of play, which is exactly why we decided to arrive fashionably late and have glam time with these delicious drinks.” Hannah finished off her cocktail, leaving a berry red lipstick tattoo on the side of her martini glass. “Although I can’t lie, I feel guilty leaving Lars to fend for himself with the littles. But he’s trying to get more comfortable being around humans, and what better way than to have the littles tugging on your fur for a few hours?”

Lars was better known as Bigfoot, and he’d decided to come out of hiding to claim Hannah on her episode of the show. He was a true mountain man and an absolute delight. And he was a good sport, because he hadn’t been familiar with what a Krampus was when we asked him to play the role for the party. It would never cease to amaze me that he was older than time itself, and had somehow managed to live a completely separate life from humans.

“I shouldn’t have skipped the first part of the party. I’m a producer.” The next sip of my spritz did nothing to remedy that. “I should’ve been there, helping Bibi with all the kids’ stuff.”

“There are enough parents in that room to handle it, and it will be good for a second shift to arrive fashionably late to kick off the adult wave of the party.” She traced her lips with liner and blew herself in the mirror before turning to me. “Are you and Bjorn planning on having kids?”

“We’ve talked about it. To be honest, I never thought I’d be able to fit it into the show schedule.”

Hannah gave me a look that said bullshit .

“Okay, it’s a weak excuse. But I spent a long time fighting to get where I am…and I like the thrill of the chase.”

“The way the two of you disappear in the production van while you’re supposed to be filming tells me you’re better at mixing business with pleasure than you give yourself credit for.” She laughed.

“Not my best moment.” I groaned. Bjorn and I had a rocky history as coworkers. For a long time, I couldn’t even look at him without feeling red hot rage. The Mating Game was our second time working together, and the first one ended because he went public with a scandal that got our boss—my mom—canceled. So when I arrived at our very first production meeting to find the polar bear sitting at the table with a smug smile on his face like he belonged there—I almost quit on the spot. How could I expected to work with this giant, infuriating, absolutely gorgeous man?

It was touch and go for the first two episodes. But after I fell under the spell of an ancient fertility relic known as the Hudaknocker, I couldn’t keep my hands him.

Of course, Bjorn would chuckle in that infuriating way that made my lady parts sing and say it was simply fate that I could no longer resist his charms.

That disagreement was what had led to what would forever be known as the incident in the back of the production van.

“Um, I totally disagree,” Hannah said. “Definitely your best moment. Not only did you reach legend status in The Mating Game forums, but you also managed to snag that gorgeous bear, and star in your own episode. Tell me again how that indiscretion didn’t completely improve all aspects of your life.”

“You’re right.” I finished my drink and set the martini glass down on the counter of our brand-new cabin. With the crazy production schedule, Bjorn and I barely had a chance to unpack. But I’d picked up one of those cute, retro ceramic Christmas trees that I set on a table in the corner. Every day, a new present appeared underneath it. A fair amount were from me, but Bjorn had bought way more, even marking some of them from Santa Bear.

Sweet moon, did that ever conjure some scandalous visions that made the muscles deep in my core pulse.

The Village was bustling with the Colorado Ranch wolf pack preparing for Christmas. In the ultimate plot twist, I found out I was a wolf during my episode of the show. I didn’t consider myself part of the pack, but they’d welcomed me into their lives, and this was my first Christmas as a wolf. My bio mom was coming to spend the holiday with us. I was so excited—not only to see her, but the pack had organized a Christmas day run in the mountains, and I couldn’t wait to run with everyone.

My wolf side still felt unfamiliar. The part of me that would feel comfortable shifting in public, or being nearly naked in this body stocking…still had a way to go. But Bjorn would surely lose his mind when he saw this outfit, and my bravery was sure to be rewarded.

“You didn’t answer my question about babies.” Hannah brought me back from my naughty Santa bear thoughts.

“So I never pictured myself as a mom, but I know my heart is gonna melt when we walk into the party and see Bjorn in his Santa costume. He’s amazing with kids. And his family is building those cute cabins up in the mountains. We plan to spend time up there once The Mating Game season is over.” It wasn’t the answer she wanted, but it was the most honest one I could give her. “What about you and Lars? Have you talked about it?”

“We’re not sure if it’s possible.” She lowered her sparkly lashes, and I wanted to give her a hug. Whether I was possible or not, it was no denying she wanted to be a mom. “But it would be nice if Lars wasn’t the only sasquatch anymore. And there’s something about those big guys that melts your heart when you see them with kids, isn’t there?”

Hannah’s face brightened when there was a knock at the door. We’d been waiting for Wendy and Gabe to pick us up.

“You both look adorable,” Hannah gasped enthusiastically and held her arm out to usher them into the cabin. We’d been spoiled with giant, gorgeous shifters on this show, and Gabe was no exception. Tonight he wore a red and white striped top and matching pants. The curved hat that completed his candy cane costume brushed the ceiling. Wendy also wore a tall hat, along with a double-breasted blazer, pantaloons, and boots that laced up to her knees.

“I’m not quite sure what you are.” I frowned, hating to admit I didn’t get it right away. “Are you the little drummer boy?”

“No.” Her red lips spread into the mischievous smile I’d come to know and love during her episode. “I’m a nutcracker.”

Hannah whooped. “Someone better be on their best behavior tonight. Do you want anything to drink before we head over to the party? Well, one of you…someone needs to be our designated driver.”

Wendy and Gabe shared a supercharged look.

“We’re staying sober tonight,” Gabe finally said. “Because—”

“We’re pregnant!” Wendy announced, her cheeks flushing with excitement.

“That’s amazing. Congratulations!” I wrapped Wendy in a hug, and Hannah did the same to Gabe before we switched.

“Do you have any details yet?” Hannah asked.

“A few.” Gabe pulled his phone from his pocket and swiped the screen to reveal the ultrasound picture. He glowed as we oohed over the little black-and-white image.

“I’m about six weeks along. Too early to know the sex. We’re watching everything closely because I’m a considered a geriatric pregnancy.” Wendy rolled her eyes. She was in was in her early forties and far from old. “And because our little one is a half- shifter. Soon we’ll know how fast they develop, and then we’ll be able to determine a due date.”

“I’m so excited for both of you.” Something unfamiliar panged inside me, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. “Wait until Bibi hears about this. I bet she gives you a mini episode to document everything. Maybe we can make it web exclusive, like a bonus.”

“Someone’s in producer mode.” Hannah laughed. “Bibi will start shopping for the nursery the minute she gets home from the party. If she can beat me to it. Prepare for that baby to be spoiled rotten.”

“No doubt she’ll be on the hunt for sparkly over-the-top onesies,” Wendy said, then motioned to my bodysuit. “Speaking of over-the -top, this is a hot little number.”

Gabe whistled low in agreement.

“Do you think I should wear something else?” I turned my body so they could see the whole costume.

My question was met with a chorus of “no.”

Wendy waggled her brows. “I know you planned to keep this a secret from Bjorn. Did you pull it off?”

“I almost slipped so many times. He kept asking me who I got in the Secret Santa exchange.” My cheeks reddened. “Unfortunately, he won’t be able to unwrap his present at the party.”

“He’s gonna lose his mind when he sees you. I say we all place bets on how long you keep that bodystocking on. We’ll place bets on the ride there.” Wendy put her hand on Gabe’s arm and headed toward the door.

“I’m not gonna do anything scandalous at a work function,” I called after them.

Everyone turned, and I racked up my second bullshit look of the night. Wendy and Gabe were aware of my history since the Hudaknocker incident happened at their mating ceremony. Hannah’s cheeks puffed out, but finally, she gave in and let out the laugh.

“Fine.” I sighed. “Put me down for it stays on until I get home.”

Gabe grinned as he held the door open. “My bet is that thing is in shreds soon as we’re done the Secret Santa exchange.”

“I say the two of them disappear as soon as we get there,” Hannah nudged me on the way to the car. “And for your sake, I really hope I win.”

“Is there a prize for whoever comes closest to the actual time the bear rips that off your body?” Wendy asked.

“There totally should be,” Hannah added.

“I’ll treat the winner to a burlesque show at the Orchid Lounge,” I said as I slid into the backseat of Gabe’s car. “Can you blast the heat back here? Mistletoe bodysuits and winter jackets don’t go together.”

Gabe smirked as he cranked the heat to high. “That should do it. Your seat is heated, and you’ve got the controls back there.”

Hannah waggled her brows. “Soon you’ll have a bear to keep you warm.”

“I should’ve picked a costume with a fur coat like you did.” I laughed, but I was doubting my decision. I almost asked Gabe to turn around. I had a cute red dress that would do the trick for this party. It hugged my curves, and it was already bear approved, but I could already hear Bibi tsking at it.

Darling , she’d say, a costume is simply part of the story.

I couldn’t get outfit shamed by a drag queen wolf shifter. I needed to woman up and get comfortable with this outfit being the center of attention.

It didn’t take us long to get to The Mating Game headquarters. Gabe waved to the guard as he drove into the employee lot. We often had fans waiting for us outside of the building, and tonight they were out in full force. No surprise, with the big barrel searchlights announcing a party was in full swing. Bibi had rolled out the red carpet for us, but it wasn’t just any red carpet. There were pillars with pine sprayed with snow, silver ornament balls, and multicolored string lights.

“Marissa!” someone called out. “You look amazing.”

That was better than I hoped for. “Thank you,” I called back.

“She looks naked,” someone else said.

Ugh.

“That’s what’s so amazing about it,” another person added.

Hannah hooked her fuzzy arm in mine, like she knew I was a flight risk, and ushered me into the building.

The winter wonderland theme continued inside The Mating Game headquarters. Everything had been decorated silver and white, soft and metallic, and somehow, it was snowing.

“Wow,” I said softly. “This hardly looks like the office.”

Laughter rang out at the end of the hallway. Our filming studio was party central, and the festivities were underway. Members of the local wolf pack nodded as they passed us, with their littles zonked out on their shoulders. Their mates juggled gift bags and treat plates as they headed home for the night.

“Darlings, you look spectacular!” Bibi le Bonnet sauntered over to us the moment we entered the room and gave us both cheek kisses. “Your timing is absolutely perfect, Lars and Bjorn are just finishing up on their naughty and nice thrones, and then it will be time for the adult festivities to begin!”

“Sweet moon, Bibi, you’ve outdone yourself,” Hannah exclaimed. “That’s an accomplishment, even for you.”

Bibi waved her hand. “This old thing?”

Her green latex catsuit lit up like a Christmas tree, complete with alternating rows of lights. She’d complimented her outfit with long, red ornament ball earrings, and a gold beehive wig with a star fastened to the top.

“You all look amazing. This is going to be so much fun,” she added. And like that, she fluttered over to Hugo. He was our head of security, and probably Bibi’s mate, if she ever let herself be claimed. He was as understated as Bibi was over the top, and completely adorable in his light-up ugly Christmas sweater.

A few little boys were still gathered around Lars. He was in his natural form—he spent the colder months as a sasquatch—and tonight his brown fur had been tipped with silver, and he’d fasted horns to the top of his head.

His eyes lit up as Hannah approached him.

They were the cutest couple. I wouldn’t be surprised if she had some naughty moves for him buried under that fuzzy coat.

I took a deep breath and readied myself to surprise my mate. I marched over to his ‘Nice’ throne, and stopped short.

Bjorn had shifted into his polar bear form.

He was huge, covered in snowy white fur, and the only thing that said Santa was his red hat. He’d just invited a little boy to sit on his lap and tell him what he wanted for Christmas.

Every time I picked up a present from Santa Bear, I pictured him as a human, with his long blond hair flowing over his bare shoulders, thin braids thrown in for good measure, that bear claw tattoo proudly on display, the little trail of hair that started at his belly button disappearing into his red Santa pants.

But seeing him like this? So raw and primal and somehow so gentle and loving…had me so turned on I couldn’t see straight.