Chapter 2: HOMECOMING

Let’s get back to the present…

Christmas had arrived, bringing joy and love to two new couples who had finally found their long-awaited mates.

There was Vincent “V” Reigel - the Alpha and CEO of the Silvercrest Pack - spending his Christmas season with his beloved Siel and her twin three-year-olds, James and Rose. Although he preferred to call his newfound mate Elena intimately, he gladly referred to himself as her Christmas wolf.

And their story was quite a worthy tale to tell, as well…

Meanwhile, Diwa and Aaron were in the middle of their own whirlwind romance. They found out that they were mates while helping V and Siel - who happened to be Diwa’s closest friend - finally get together.

The two werewolves have been spending time together, taking advantage of Di’s Christmas vacation. This came as a bonus to her, for being the mate of the Silvercrest pack’s Beta and the new division manager of Silvercrest Enterprises’ IT department.

“Hope you like my place,” Aaron smilingly stated while driving his Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet in Dolomite Silver Metallic. This car had been his baby, partner, and sidekick all throughout his single life. It was a good thing that its black leather luxury seats didn’t talk about the many things that had happened inside the said sports car in the past.

Well now, his snazzy ride would see only one lady… Diwa Denar.

“I don’t think I’ll pay much attention to your apartment, to be honest,” she tried a seductive smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“What’s happening?” Aaron said, noticing at once. “Something wrong?”

“No… it’s just been a while since I went to the packhouse. I’m not sure I like the place that much anymore,” she said.

“Oh, but that was before we knew you were my mate, right?” The auburn-haired Beta replied, his charming, wide grin making her feel safe and comfortable.

“Yes. You’re right. I’m sure everything will be fine,” Diwa said, echoing her mate’s enchanting smile with a softer and more tender version of her own.

The packhouse, at that time of the year, was very lively, with plenty of decorations and activities, starting from the Yule Ball, on the day of the Winter Solstice, and until two days after the New Year’s night. It included story contests, storytelling, and big bonfires right after Christmas and the night of New Year.

“Why is it again that the Bonfire is not celebrated exactly during Christmas Eve?” Di asked. “I can barely remember being so far away from the pack for more than a decade.”

“Because Christmas is meant to be celebrated in private, with family, mates and close friends. The bonfire is for the whole pack.”

“True… I remember now. The pack ways…” The now 5 foot seven redhead sighed, not really wanting to remember.

“Well, this year will be special. First, because I found you, and we have time to be together. Then, during the bonfire, the Alpha will be announcing that he has finally found his mate. And so will I. So, all three of us, including your brother, the Gamma, are finally with our mates. Everyone at the house will be so excited about that news.”

“Oh, really? I don’t believe all the she-wolves will be so “excited” to meet the Beta’s mate,” Di said, raising one eyebrow. “I mean, you did say that some of those you had ‘dallied’ with before finding me, right?”

“Cherry tart, come on. They really are happy for us, believe it or not. Our story was even submitted to our bonfire celebration storytelling contest.”

“Oh, really? Why?” she asked with a cross but adorable pout as her slim curvy arms crossed over her busty chest.

“It’s a story of pure love and transformation. I mean, look at me, I’m a changed man because of you,” he crooned, putting on his most innocent and angelic look.

“Whoever sees you now would really think that you’re harmless and innocent,” Diwa laughed.

“I am! Well, now I am…”

“Sure you are, my love, of course,” the light brown-eyed lady interrupted, still giggling.

When they finally arrived at the packhouse, it was already dark. He took her hand in his then raised it to his mouth and kissed her fingers without breaking eye contact. He let her see the passion in his hazel eyes and in how his cupid bowed-lips lingered on her smooth knuckles…

The tickling sensation that the contact produced and the way he was behaving made her giggle again. She was completely happy, without any worries, and felt truly protected.

Such a contrast to how she felt the last time she was at the packhouse…

It was a feeling that she kept burying by concentrating on how her mate made her feel. But no, it kept peeking out despite Diwa trying to ignore it.

They took the lift to the upper floors of the packhouse, where the apartments of the higher ranks were. As soon as the elevator doors closed, he attacked her. Pinned against one of the mirror walls of the small metallic box, she hungrily returned the kisses that the Beta was impatiently saving all throughout their long drive.

Her wine-colored dress, shorter in front, and long in the back, covered the masculine hands that were now about to remove the small thong that she was wearing. Nothing would have stopped him, not even the bell that indicated that the elevator had arrived at their floor.

“Isn’t this our stop?” she said, almost laughing, between hungry kisses.

“It is,” he replied without stopping.

“Then, shouldn’t we go?”

“In a minute…”

The elevator closed, and his hands continued teasing her weak spots, making her moan and writhe against him. He had already released his own hardness from his pants when the lift’s doors slid open again…

A guy and a girl, seemingly friends, stood right outside the elevator.

Nudity was no problem for wolves, nor public displays of affection, lovemaking included. Yet, it was still uncomfortable to be watched while you were in the middle of so intimate a moment.

That went double for Di, and it had nothing to do with the fact that the pack knows that she’s the Gamma’s sister…

“Excuse us,” Aaron said, rearranging his clothing and trying to hide his hard-on from sight.

Too late, though. The lady who had boarded the lift with her male friend had a hard time looking away. Unfortunately, for the guy by her side, he didn’t seem to be able to look away, either. Obviously, the young lad was totally uncomfortable with his reasons for staring.

The two mates finally arrived at their floor again and were swift to leave the staring and curious couple behind.

Aaron used his key first to open his front door. After he pushed the door wide open, he placed an arm around Di’s shoulders and the other behind her knees. In one smooth, unexpected movement, he took the lightweight curvy girl in his arms.

Di squealed and buried her head into her mate’s shirt, her moist lips and warm breath, raising Aaron’s passion several levels higher. Expertly and carefully, he managed to bring her through the doorway despite her putting up a fuss.

“Aaron, wait… Oh my gosh, don’t drop me…”

The door closed behind them as he silenced her with a hungry kiss while still holding her in his arms.

“Never, my sweet lollipop… I will never let you go…”