Page 33 of Naughty

Chapter9

Kris

I pace the floor,glancing at the clock every few seconds. Where could they be? Turning to pace in a different direction, I spot Noel at the table, her face serene. My heart glows as I watch my mate sitting there, her face free of stress and guilt.

Unfortunately, it takes every bit of willpower to keep my own stress from crossing over our bond. I don't want anything to bother her again, including me. Footsteps echo in the corridor, drawing my gaze over to the door. Asmon and Caitlin saunter in, their faces a mix of happy and guilty. Caitlin flushes as I frown at her, revealing exactly why they both were late. Asmon stands tall and proud like a preening peacock. Rolling my eyes, I motion for them to sit at the table.

"You're late, you peed-on snowman."

Asmon raises his eyebrow and crosses his arms. Caitlin's face turns red as she chokes back a laugh. Ducking my head, I hold my hands in defeat. As much as I'm trying to extend the olive branch, old habits die hard.

"What, no shifter squad to make sure I don't pummel you into the New Year?"

I give a dry laugh and join Noel at the table, motioning for Asmon and Caitlin to sit.

"Can't I start having dinner again with my cousin?"

He eyes the table with suspicion. "No."

I sigh and stand again, fingers pressed against the dark wood.

"I know we've made some progress, and I know we're not there yet, but I really want us to start trying. We can't go on being enemies."

He rubs his chin for a moment before pulling out Caitlin's chair and getting her situated. After sitting himself, he looks about the room.

"Where are all the elves?"

"Well, I'm trying to take a page from your book. The ones that wanted to spend time with their families before the big day were allowed to do so. There's been so much upheaval that I felt I owed them at least that much."

A grin crosses his face, and I force myself not to scowl. Just because he's right doesn't mean he can gloat about it. One by one, the elves that decided to stay brought in steaming piles of food. Asmon peers at each one, ensuring it's an elf he knows personally before leaning to sniff both his and Caitlin's food.

"If you act weird again, I don't care what you say, I'm dragging you back home and tearing into your ass."

Caitlin giggles and lays a hand on his arm.

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Sir."

With a firm nod, he starts to dig in. I turn and watch Noel for a moment before clearing my throat.

"I asked you here -."

"Here we go." Asmon tosses his fork down onto his plate.

I wince as the metal clinks against the fancy plate. Why did I bring out the good dishes for him? Fathers know he's never been one to stand on ceremony.

"I knew it wasn't this cousins-should-be-friends-bullshit. Out with it," he continues, wiping his mouth with his napkin.

Sighing, I glance over at Noel, her guileless expression gutting me for a moment. Fear rips through me, but I catch it before it can transfer over to her. I take her hand in mine and rub my thumb along her soft skin.

"This is my first solo sleigh ride. As much as I want Noel with me, I can't fathom the idea of something happening to her out there." I pause and kiss her knuckles. "I don't want her home by herself either."

Her fingers start to wiggle out of my grasp. Looking over, I spy her drawn brows and smirk, imagining all the ways I'll punish her if she shows any defiance. I sober and drop her hand.

"It's not that I don't trust you. I trust you with my life. But I can't see me without you."

I drop my head in my hands and sigh.

"We're short one shifter. That's already going to put a strain on everyone. I'll need as much of my wits about me as possible. I can't do that if I'm worrying about you. It won't be like this every Christmas."