“All done,” Mack said as he and Hawk came back into the living room.

  “And I hate to rush,” Hawk said, “but I promised Johnny we could do some last-minute shopping.”

  As if on cue, Johnny stuck his head in the front door and gave his mate an impatient glare. “We only have ten hours to shop. Chop, chop.” Johnny smiled at Kyle and then was gone before Kyle could say thanks and bye.

  “I better get going before he lays on the horn,” Hawk said as he shook Mack’s hand.

  A horn started blaring.

  Hawk growled and walked out the front door, shouting, “I’m coming, pretty baby. Get off the horn!”

  Kyle looked around the living room. The lights were dim, and the fireplace held a warm fire. The decorations made everything feel festive and homey. He glanced under the tree and frowned. “I didn’t get you anything for Christmas.”

  Mack folded Kyle into his strong, comforting arms. “It’s not as though we’ve had time to shop, hon.”

  Kyle knew that, but he still wanted to get Mack something to show how much he appreciated everything his mate had done for him. He’d given Kyle a home and a family, and although Kyle knew nothing he could buy for Mack would show how much he loved his mate, he still wanted to do something for him.

  They turned when a loud thump sounded from down the hallway. Mack took off running, racing toward the nursery, Kyle hot on his heels. Kyle cried out before he slapped a hand over his mouth. “No!”

  The nursery window was wide open, and Joshua was gone. Mack snarled as he shifted and then leaped through the window.

  Kyle wasn’t gonna stand around and do nothing.

  He ran from the nursery and went into their bedroom, rushing to the closet and looked around inside, his heart thumping wildly when he spotted what he’d hoped Mack had. Once Kyle retrieved it, he grabbed his coat and ran out the door, shouting for Joshua, although he knew the baby wouldn’t answer him.

  Kyle rounded the house and followed the footprints. They led off into the woods. He had a feeling if they didn’t catch the guy before he reached his car, they’d never see Joshua again. His grandparents had money and would be able to hide him anywhere in the world.

  The thought of never seeing Joshua again made Kyle’s stomach twist into knots. He cared about the infant as if Joshua were his own.

  “I have to save him.” Kyle was determined to find his stepson, and then he would unleash Mack’s wolf on the asshole.

  * * * *

  Mack threw his head back and howled as he followed the scent. Erupting howls were returned, and he knew he had help. There were still timber wolves patrolling the town, keeping a lookout for the shooter.

  He thought for sure it would’ve been Craig to come after Joshua. He did whatever his parents told him to do, regardless of the consequences. If they’d hired someone to kidnap Joshua, that meant they weren’t fucking around. They would ship Mack’s son off somewhere so he could never find him.

  The thought spurred Mack on, making him race even faster. He spotted two wolves about one hundred yards to his right. Then another appeared to Mack’s left.

  They were closing in on him.

  Mack’s heart seized when he heard Joshua crying somewhere in the distant. The cries turned into a low, wolf-like whine that told him his son had shifted. The Piersons didn’t know Mack was a shifter. They didn’t know their grandson was, too.

  There was no telling what the kidnapper might do now. Mack’s paws slapped the snow as he flat-out ran. The wolves on either side of him moved just as fast, keeping pace as Mack went after his son.

  It felt as though a lifetime had stretched out in front of him before Mack finally spotted the stranger. He wasn’t running, though. The guy was walking with one hand curled into Joshua’s scruff. His son dangled in the guy’s grip, whimpering as he swung haphazardly.

  When he caught up to them, he saw some kind of device around Joshua’s neck. His son looked at him with wide, frightened eyes, making Mack want to slowly kill the bastard holding him.

  “Nuh-uh.” He wiggled some kind of controller in his hand. “Any closer and this mutt gets a painful jolt…or”—he tilted his head to the side, a sinister smile curving his lips—“I keep pressing the button and short circuit his little brain.”

  The other wolves surrounded the stranger, but Mack was certain they’d heard the threat because they didn’t get too close.

  “I’ve been doing this far too long, and I know your kind exists, so I always pack a little extra when taking a contract. Just in case.” The guy held the controller up for all to see. “You’re gonna let me get to my car and drive away. Got that?”

  Mack gave a low, vibrating growl. How could anyone this evil exist? He had no idea what to do. Mack was terrified the guy would make good on his promise and hurt Joshua. On the other hand, there was no fucking way he was letting him walk away with his son.

  The guy backed up, his gaze swinging from one wolf to the other until his attention was back on Mack. “Make sure you stay the fuck back, or I’ll melt his brain. I was paid to bring him to the Piersons, but they never said anything about him being whole.”

  Mack might’ve cared deeply for Belinda, but her parents had just signed their death warrant. They’d paid this lunatic to go after Joshua, and no matter the court battles they’d gone through, this transgression he could never forgive.

  Fuck gathering proof of their involvement. They wouldn’t live long enough to see another courtroom. After the holidays, Mack was paying them a visit. He might be a mild-mannered doctor, a family man, and kind at heart, but he was also a wolf shifter who protected what was his, and anyone who threatened what he cherished would pay the ultimate price.

  Mack heard footsteps in the snow, but he didn’t dare look away from Joshua. His son dangled there, shivering as he continued to whimper. It was gutting him not to go to Joshua and soothe his worries.

  The stranger turned, hurrying away, the controller still gripped in his hand. Mack had started to go after him when a gunshot blast echoed in the woods. His entire world flashed before his eyes as the stranger went down, the snow all around him turning red.

  Mack threw his head back and howled as he raced toward them. He shifted midstride and grabbed Joshua from the man’s clutches, removing the collar and throwing it aside as the pup licked his face, whining as he tried to get closer.

  When he pivoted on his heel, he spotted Kyle heading their way, his eyes wide, his jaw dropped. He released the shotgun and then covered his mouth before he fell to his knees and vomited.

  Mack hurried to him and hunched down beside him, sliding his hand down Kyle’s back. “It’s okay, hon.”

  “But I killed a man,” Kyle said as he sobbed. “I-I couldn’t let him take Joshua, but…I killed him.” Tears spilled down his cheeks as he clenched his eyes shut, pressing his hands over his face as he continued to cry.

  “No, you didn’t,” Cody said as he shifted. “He’s down, but not dead.”

  Kyle lowered his hands. “H-He’s not dead?”

  Mack handed Joshua over. “Get him back to the house and warmed up.”

  Kyle rose to his feet and pulled Joshua into his arms, nuzzling his fur before he took off.

  Mack spun and walked over to the stranger. “You’re gonna wish Kyle had killed you. For threatening my pup and shooting my mate, you’re about to die.”

  * * * *

  “Don’t you dare come in here,” Kyle hollered at the closed bedroom door. After they’d gotten Joshua back and the sheriff had shown up and then left, Kyle, Mack, and Joshua had headed to the mall. They’d had very few hours to shop, but Kyle was excited to give Mack his gift come morning.

  Kyle hadn’t had the money to go all out. He’d stuck with something simple. Inside the tiny box he was wrapping were matching wedding bands. They might be mated, but Kyle wanted to see the ring on Mack’s finger, and he wanted everyone to know that the sexy doctor was taken.

  “Not even a hint?” Mack asked from the other side of the door.

  “What’re you, five?” Kyle asked. “Stop trying to spoil my gift to you.”

  “Fine,” Mack huffed. “I’ll go make some hot chocolate.”

  Joshua gave a baby bark and scratched at the wood, making Kyle chuckle. “I’ll be out in a second, buddy.”

  That didn’t seem to satisfy the pup. He kept scratching and barking until Kyle finally opened the door and bent, picking Joshua up and petting him. “You’re as impatient as your daddy.”

  He walked into the living room and groaned as he set Joshua down. Mack was in black jeans and a dark gray V-neck sweater with a white T-shirt underneath. He looked fine as hell. The sweater hugged his body, showing off his amazing biceps, and the jeans cupped his ass so nicely that Kyle couldn’t resist moving in behind him and squeezing the delicious globes.

  Mack slapped at Kyle’s hands. “Hands off the merchandise until the pup goes to sleep.”

  “You’re no fun.” Kyle slid his bottom lip out. “I can’t help it that I can’t keep my hands off you.”

  Mack turned and pinned Kyle to the counter. His smile was breathtaking, his light laugh heart-pounding, and his masculine scent intoxicating. His mate kissed his neck and then nipped his earlobe. “I love you, Kyle Harrison.”

  Kyle’s heart did somersaults, and he couldn’t stop grinning. “I love you, too, Dr. Mack Fargo.”

  Mack rubbed his cheek over Kyle’s. “How about we play doctor later? I’ll give you a full-body checkup…with my tongue.”

  Kyle shivered as his face heated with a deep blush. “And your cock,” he whispered. He knew Joshua didn’t understand a word they were saying, but Kyle still felt weird talking sex around him. He wasn’t even sure the baby heard them, but still…

  “We can start after our hot cocoa.” Mack nodded toward the living room.

  When Kyle turned, he saw Joshua curled on the carpet in front of the fire, passed out. Poor baby. He’d had a helluva day, and his trip to the mall had been exciting. The little one was tuckered out.

  Kyle ducked and moved away from Mack. He scooped Joshua from the floor and took him to his nursery, this time ensuring his window was locked, though the guy hired by Joshua’s grandparents was no longer a threat to them.

  He had asked what happened after he’d left with the baby, but all Mack would tell him was that the problem was dealt with. Kyle had a feeling he knew what that meant but was perfectly happy to be blissfully ignorant. His conscience would rest easier without any details.

  He had too much on his mind, anyway. His parents would be there tomorrow, and Kyle would tell them about the preternatural world. He was confident they would handle the news, but that didn’t mean he was any less nervous. Kyle was glad they hadn’t decided to shut him out of their lives. He loved his parents dearly, but if they’d decided to stay away, that would’ve hurt Kyle’s heart, but he had his own family now, and he wouldn’t trade Mack and Joshua for the world.

  Kyle stepped out of the nursery and closed the door. He stood there with his hand on the knob, smiling. He had a son. How cool was that? He adored children but never thought to have one of his own, but now he was mated with a baby crawling around.

  As he turned to head down the hallway, his phone rang. Kyle slipped it from his pocket and walked into his bedroom. “Hi, Mom.”

  “We might be a little late tomorrow,” she said.

  “It’s her fault,” his father hollered in the background. “She insisted we do some last-minute shopping, and now we have a mound of things to wrap.”

  Kyle chuckled.

  “Don’t pay your father any attention,” she said, and then Kyle could tell she pulled the phone away from her ear. “You weren’t supposed to say anything. Now you’ve spoiled the surprise.”

  “You didn’t have to get me anything,” Kyle said.

  “Oh, the mounds of gifts aren’t for you dear. I went shopping for a toy for my grandson, and I might have gone a little crazy.”

  “A little?” his father said in the background. “Try a lot.”

  She huffed. “Anyway, we’ll see you tomorrow. I love you.”

  Kyle couldn’t stop the grin from spreading across his face. “I love you, too, Mom.”

  After ending the call, Kyle went back to the kitchen and grabbed his cup of cocoa before settling on the couch next to Mack, who was flipping through the channels. The fire was lit, the decorations shimmered in the low light, and he was seated next to the man who meant the world to him. Kyle finally felt as though he had a home, not just a place to live as he cuddled close and Mack slipped his arm around Kyle’s shoulders.

  “Not one hint?” Mack asked as he sipped his cocoa.

  Kyle rolled his eyes. In truth, he was just as excited to give Mack the ring as Mack was to know what Kyle was giving him.

  He got up and went to the bedroom, retrieving the wrapped box from his underwear drawer. When he came back into the living room, Kyle had his hand tucked behind him. “Close your eyes.”

  Mack grinned as he did as Kyle asked. The guy looked adorable, and Kyle loved that Mack was celebrating his first Christmas with him. That made Christmas all the more special for Kyle.

  “Now hold out your hand.”

  Again, Mack did as Kyle asked. He set the box in his mate’s palm. “Okay, you can open it.”

  Mack looked the box over. “It’s a nice gift.”

  Kyle groaned. “The gift is inside the box, moron.”

  His mate winked at him before he tore the paper away. When he opened the box, his eyes misted. He looked up at Kyle before pulling him down to sit next to him. Mack handed the box back and then held out his hand.

  His hands shaking, Kyle slipped the ring onto Mack’s finger. It was a perfect fit. Mack grabbed the other rind and slipped the band onto Kyle’s finger, and then held their hands side by side. Mack cupped Kyle’s face and kissed him with such passion that Kyle found it hard to breathe.

  “I guess we’re official now,” Mack said.

  “And you let anyone who flirts with you know that.”

  Mack wiggled his brows. “Ready to play doctor?”

  “Nope.” Kyle jumped up from the couch. “I’m ready for Santa to spank me for being on his naughty list.”

  With a deep laugh, Mack chased him down the hallway, peals of laughter floating behind Kyle as he raced to his new life.

  THE END

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  www.SirenPublishing.com

 

 

  Lynn Hagen, Once Upon a Christmas

 

 

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