Page 128 of Moonlight & Mayhem

“Then how did you know?” Chris stared at the box with its red paper, silver ribbon, and perfect bow. A small white card rested on top, with her name written across it.

CHRISTMAS

Chrome swore, and Tempest looked at Chris. “Know anything about that?”

“No,” Chris said. Chrome did—Chris saw it on his face. She turned. “What is it?”

“Don't open it,” Chrome said.

“Why?” she asked.

“Because I said so,” he growled.

“That's not a reason,” she insisted. Chrome reached for the box, and Chris grabbed his wrist. “No.”

His eyes met hers. “Christmas.”

“My name is on it,” she said.

“Exactly,” he growled. She picked up the card, and Chrome swore again.

Chris opened it. Four words were written inside.

Come home for Christmas.

Beneath them were three black claw marks cut through a silver crown. Chris's wolf growled as Chrome stared at the card.

Moon whispered, “Holly Ridge.”

Chris looked at Chrome. He wasn't looking at the card anymore. He was looking at her. And suddenly she understood something she'd been too distracted by his flirting and sarcasm to notice. Chrome wasn't afraid of Holly Ridge; he hated it. Whatever waited in those mountains wasn't just connected to his past; it was his past.

Chris folded the card. “When do we leave?”

“No,” he said. She smiled, and Chrome's eyes narrowed at her. “Christmas.”

“You really should know better by now,” she warned.

“You're not going,” he insisted.

“I'm the one they invited,” she said.

“That's exactly why you're not going,” Chrome said.

Chris slipped the card into her pocket. “You don't make my decisions.”

His jaw flexed. “No, I don’t.”

“Glad we agree,” she said.

“But I'm going with you.” Chris blinked at him, and Chrome stepped closer. His voice dropped. “If Holly Ridge wants Christmas—” His eyes flashed wolf-gold. “They're getting Chrome too.” Her wolf went very still. Chris should have been annoyed. She should have told him she didn't need protection. Should have reminded him she was Dark Chaos VP and perfectly capable of handling herself. Instead, something warm curled low in her stomach. Damn him.

Chris stepped around him. “Fine.”

Chrome frowned. “Fine?”

“You can come,” she agreed.

His eyebrows rose. “You're giving me permission?”