Christmas Day. Even today, many premature babies die. Back then, they had no chance of survival. I was devastated.” She took another deep breath and expelled it.
“I used some of the money I received after my parents’ deaths to buy a small child’s coffin and headstone and buried them together, just as the twins had been snuggled next to each other in my womb. A minister spoke last rites for that young girl’s twin babies—that’s how I looked at it. Like I wasn’t even there. And then I buried the recollections as best I could.” She glanced up at him and saw the look of love in his eyes.
“I should have told you earlier, Bjornolf. I’m sorry.”
He pulled her into his embrace and held on tight, kissing her hair and keeping her close. “I’m sorry you had to go through that alone. You know you can tell me anything. I’m always here for you.”
She nodded.
“You’re not worried about what I think, are you?”
She didn’t say anything.
“You thought I wouldn’t still love you? God, Anna, I do love you, no matter what.”
“What… what if we can’t have children?” she asked, softly.
He hugged her. “That’s nothing to worry about. If we have children, that’s great. If we don’t, that’s fine, too. Besides, we’re kind of busy taking care of two nearly grown kids anyway.”
She smiled a little at him. “Yeah, we are.”
He cleared his throat and seemed to want to say something else, but was afraid to.
“What?”
“Is the wolf dead?” he growled. Gone was the soothing, caring Bjornolf. And in his place was a retired SEAL wolf who was ready to mete out justice on her behalf.
“Yeah, he is. The minister’s brother killed the wolf right after I’d buried my babies. I love you, you know?”
“Yeah. And the feeling’s mutual.” He gave her a knowing smile.
They heard more voices in the living room. The open house had begun.
“I’ve got to get dressed,” Anna said, sighing. She was ready to have a new outlook on the holidays. She was ready to truly forget the past. But she knew she couldn’t. Some memories never went away.
“Are you going to be all right?” he asked, concerned, running his hand soothingly over her back.
“Yeah, thanks.”
“Need any help?”
“Dressing? Or undressing?” she asked, moving to the closet. He was good for her.
Bjornolf chuckled. “If I help with either, we’ll miss the party. I’ll just enjoy the show. Are you ready for us to tell Hunter we want to join his pack?”
Anna slipped into her black dress, the back cut low and sexy, and black heels. She smiled when she saw Bjornolf’s tongue practically hang out, and held out her hand to him. “Yeah, I am. Ready to join the party?”
“If we weren’t hoping to join Hunter and Tessa’s pack, I’d skip the party.”
She smiled and kissed him thoroughly, his hands stroking down her naked back and over her buttocks, the silky fabric sliding with his touch. She finally sighed and said, “Let’s go before we decide we don’t need a pack.”
“I’ve been thinking,” Bjornolf said, her hand in his, “it’s time I saw my brother again. It’s been years. I’d… like to take you to meet him.”
She snapped her gaping mouth shut and smiled at him. “I’d like that.”
The decorated homes for the pack’s open-house parade were lovely. Bjornolf kept Anna tucked under his arm for most of the night as they visited one house after another, meeting each of the pack members. Nathan was as proud as could be and kept his arm around Jessica’s waist the whole time.
Bjornolf thought Anna was more beautiful than any sparkly lights or glamorous Christmas decorations. She seemed like a whole new person in the sexy black dress that caught everyone’s eye, along with her long legs, high heels, and low-cut bodice. She smelled sweet and delicious—of oranges and cinnamon, and of the apple cider she’d been drinking. And they had a wonderful time. He couldn’t wait to get her home and spend the rest of the night making love to her if she was up to it.
He managed to walk outside at Tessa and Hunter’s home and sneak a call to Reid while Anna was talking to some of the women.
“Hey, Reid—”
“Bjornolf—”
“I don’t need the information. Okay? Don’t look anymore.”
“Okay. The guy’s dead.”
Angry that a wolf could have done what he did to her, Bjornolf clenched his teeth. Reid had found the information. But like him, that’s the first thing he had wanted to know—
“Thanks,” Bjornolf said. “I owe you—”
“Lots,” Reid said. “Give that little wolf of yours a hug and a kiss for me. Merry Christmas.”
“Yeah, same to you.”
Bjornolf let out his breath, frosty mist in the cold air, and headed back to the house. Everything was going to be all right.
As soon as he walked inside, Anna frowned a little at him. He quickly joined her and said, “Come on, before we chicken out. Let’s tell Hunter and Tessa the good news.”
She smiled. “Maybe they won’t see it that way.”
He chuckled. “His pack will be lucky to get us.”
They found Tessa and Hunter pouring more wassail. Both turned to see what they had to say.
“We’ve got good news,” Bjornolf said. “Well, unless you don’t want us to join your pack.”
Tessa hurried over to hug Anna. “Thank God it worked. Hunter’s been trying to figure out a way to get the two of you together since the last mission here on the Oregon coast.”
Anna and Bjornolf looked at Hunter. He smiled a little, then shook Bjornolf’s hand and gave Anna a hug. “I didn’t know that Meara had the same idea. That was why she sent Bjornolf to watch our backs in the Amazon.”
Bjornolf grinned. “I should have known.”
“This means the two of you are also going to be on the team for missions, right?” Hunter asked.
“Bjornolf told me only if it’s not too dangerous for him,” Anna said, smiling.
Bjornolf slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her tight. “She’s right.”
“Having well-seasoned wolves who could help us with pack issues and on covert missions, too? The scenario couldn’t be better,” Hunter said. “I was worried about Anna being alone, and now…” Hunter breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m glad for you, Anna. And glad for you, Bjornolf. I’m pleased you’re no longer a ghost. That you want to be part of the team. Not just on the outside looking in.” Hunter saluted them with a cup of wassail. “Welcome to the pack.”
When Bjornolf, Anna, Jessica, and Nathan arrived back at the house later that night, Jessica and Nathan wanted to talk to them about future living arrangements. Bjornolf wanted to take Anna to bed, but he knew this was important, too.
They all sat down on the couch, and Jessica started the conversation as they sipped eggnog. “We’ve been thinking. Nathan sold his house, and he’s got money so he could help with the cost. And I could sell the Christmas tree farm…”
“It’s not in your name—yet. Your adoptive parents claim it’s theirs,” Bjornolf warned.
Jessica’s eyes narrowed a little. “But we know it
Anna should have been shocked at Jessica’s revelation, but she wasn’t. She guessed that Jessica was compartmentalizing things. Taking care of one major issue at a time. Jessica had been worried about being
