“I already am,” she promised.

  Noam moved to the couch, sitting down beside her, and he pulled Heather into his arms. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead as she nuzzled against him, and he was once again overwhelmed with contentment.

  “I’m glad you came over for dinner,” she whispered.

  As if on cue, his stomach rumbled, and Heather laughed.

  “I have a feeling the food is cold now,” she laughed. “Maybe we should just order a pizza.”

  Noam laughed. He wasn’t about to argue with that.

  “Pizza’s on me,” he murmured, kissing her again. He couldn’t wait to spend the rest of his life with this sweet, wonderful woman who made his heart sing. She truly was a Christmas treasure.

  Chapter 10

  On Christmas Eve, everyone went to the school. The Christmas marketplace was every bit as wonderful as Noam had promised Heather that it would be. Rory was jumping up and down with excitement as they explored the different tables. There were vendors selling cookies, treats, candies, and even holiday drinks.

  Heather and Rory got some cocoa, and then they walked around looking at the little crafts and toys for sale.

  “Look at this!” Rory held up a little dragon ornament. It was made out of clay, and it was a deep purple color. “It’s purple, just like me!”

  “Well, then, we have to get it, don’t we?” Heather chuckled and paid for the ornament. Rory didn’t even want a bag for it. He just held it carefully as they walked around.

  Heather was transfixed by a huge cookie display that had every single type of cookie she’d ever dreamed of. There were chocolate dipped cookies and homemade cookies and even cookies decorated with homemade icing. She licked her lips, staring at all of the choices. She needed to be careful. She could practically feel her blood sugar levels increasing as she looked at the treats.

  “Fancy meeting you here,” a familiar voice said.

  She spun around and smiled.

  “Noam.”

  “Heather.”

  “Hey, Mr. King!” Rory ran over and hugged Noam.

  “Hey, Rory. Are you having fun?”

  “Yeah! Look what I got!” Rory held up the dragon figurine, and Noam admired it kindly. They talked about the dragon for a few minutes, but then Noam said it was almost time for the play. He offered to let Heather keep shopping and to accompany Rory over to the auditorium, but Heather was finished. She didn’t need to buy any cookies.

  Together, the three of them headed over to where the play would take place. Even though it was an indoor play, Heather was still chilly. She wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing her shoulders as they headed into the auditorium.

  “Cold?”

  “A little.”

  “Well, I know just how to warm you up,” Noam said.

  “You do?” Heather wiggled her eyebrows.

  “I think so,” Noam cupped her face, and then he pressed his lips to hers. Oh, she needed to be careful or she was going to lose herself in him. Then again, that was kind of the whole point, wasn’t it? They were mates. They both knew it. She knew that he was the man she was destined to be with.

  Most people were lucky to find true love once in their lifetime, but Heather had somehow managed to find it twice. She knew without a doubt that Weston would approve of someone like Noam. He was a kind, gentle man who knew exactly how to take care of her, and he loved her son, too. She was so wildly happy that she’d managed to meet him when she had.

  Rory snickered, drawing them back into reality. Heather blushed, but Noam just shrugged.

  “I love your mom, buddy. Hope that’s okay.”

  There it was. He was blunt, and he was honest, and he didn’t try to hide. That was perhaps the thing she liked the most about Noam. He was just unapologetically himself. He didn’t mind what other people thought.

  “She’s smiling,” Rory pointed out. Then he shrugged. “So, it’s okay.”

  Noam smiled and took Rory’s hand. He led him backstage to meet with Sally and to get ready for the production, and then he came back to Heather. Together, the two of them sat in the very front row to watch the performance. Heather leaned her head against Noam’s shoulder, and she sighed.

  It really was wonderful to spend Christmas with the dragon.

  Her dragon.

  Her mate.

  Epilogue

  A year passed in Rawr County.

  An entire year of birthdays and holidays and special events.

  An entire year with him.

  Heather hadn’t known she was going to fall in love this year. She’d only been looking for a way to make sure that Rory was safe. She’d been trying to find a way to take care of her child so that he could grow up happy and comfortable with who he was.

  They’d found peace in Rawr County. They’d found a life. Rory had really come out of his shell since moving, and Heather had quickly realized the difference being around other shifter families could have on her child. Rory and his new best friends spent all of their time together, and when they weren’t busy playing imaginary games, they were playing with the new cat they’d adopted from the animal shelter.

  “He’s cute, isn’t he, Mom?” Rory was sitting on the couch holding Mr. Mittens.

  “Very cute,” Heather agreed easily. Mr. Mittens was an old cat. Nobody really knew exactly how old he was. His owner had passed away just last month, and as soon as he’d arrived at the shelter, Heather had known she needed to bring him home. Both she and Noam volunteered on the weekends, and it had been an easy choice.

  “I think Edgar likes him,” Rory continued. Heather looked over to see Edgar sitting nervously on the edge of his cat tree.

  She wasn’t so sure that Edgar actually approved of the new addition to their family, but she was a firm believer that anyone could change. You just had to give them some time. She suspected that in a few weeks, Edgar and Mr. Mittens would be fast friends. They’d probably be inseparable.

  “He needs some time to warm up,” Noam said, walking into the room. He leaned down and kissed Heather’s forehead. She looked up at him and smiled.

  They’d been living together for months now, and he was every bit the gentleman he’d been when they first met. She hadn’t known just how wonderful getting a second chance was actually going to feel, but she knew now.

  “Sometimes it takes old cats a little while to get used to a new friend.”

  “Mr. Mittens is a good friend,” Rory told Edgar.

  Edgar just meowed, and everyone chuckled.

  “Give him some time. Hey,” Noam turned to Heather. “I want to show you something.” Noam took Heather’s hand and led her from the room. They slipped their slippers on and stepped out onto the front porch.

  “Snow,” Heather whispered looking outside.

  “First snow of the season,” he agreed.

  “I can’t believe it’s been an entire year since I came here,” she murmured.

  “I can’t believe I’ve been given the chance to love you for a whole year,” he countered.

  Noam reached for Heather and brought his lips to hers, and in that moment, she felt like flying. She’d been given a rare opportunity in life. Not only had she been allowed to love one dragon man, but two.

  “I love you,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around Noam.

  “I love you, too.”

  She’d always loved Christmas, but now it was even more magical. Christmas was a time to spend with your family, and it was a time to celebrate, and apparently, it was a time to fall madly in love with a wonderful dragon who made her feel like dreams did come true.

  The End

  Author

  Sophie Stern writes vampires, cowboys, werewolves, dragons, and fairy tales. Her books feature deliciously wonderful characters and deliciously naughty adventures. If you enjoyed The Dragon’s Christmas Treasure, you may like one of her other romances, such as Dark Favors or The Feisty Librarian.

  Of course, you’ll also want to check out another story that takes place in Rawr County: The Polar Bear’s Fake Mate.

  Please make sure you subscribe to Sophie’s mailing list here.

  You can also follow her on Facebook for frequent updates.

  Thank you so much for reading.

  Books

  Other books by Sophie Stern

  HONEYPOT DARLINGS

  HONEYPOT BABIES

  DRAGON ISLE

  THE FABLESTONE CLAN

  THE FEISTY DRAGONS

  DRAGON ENCHANTED

  DON’T DATE DEMONS

  POLAR BEARS OF THE AIR FORCE

  DARK FAVORS

  SAVORED

  Sophie’s books are available wherever eBooks are sold.

  Make sure you check out the other HOWLS HOLIDAYS romance stories here!

  https://howlsromance.com/howls-holidays/

  If you enjoyed this story, check out these other books!

  CONQUERED (The Hidden Planet)

  Abducted.

  Taken.

  Locked away.

  Fiona doesn't know true fear until she is whisked away from her loving family and doting boyfriend. When she finds herself on an alien ship with only a gHankt beast for company, her fear turns to anger when she realizes her loved ones have betrayed her.

  Quinn doesn't know what to do with the squirrely little human aboard his ship. Yeah, he bought her, but only to save her from a worse fate. She has no idea what could have happened to her if he hadn't found her. She has no idea what could have happened on Dreagle. But now she's on his ship and somehow, she's wormed her way into his heart. Can he ever let her go?

  CONQUERED is available wherever eBooks are sold.

  ALIEN BEAST

  He's a war hero.

  She's a virgin.

  He's broken.

  She's perfect.

  When he finds her in the midst of an alien war, Luke takes Willow for himself. He can't help himself. He's never taken a prisoner alive before, but Willow is different. He needs her. He wants her. Most of all, he craves her.

  Willow is a human who has the worst luck in the world. When the tour ship she's on malfunctions and crash-lands on the wrong planet, she's thrust into the middle of a war: one she has no desire to be in.

  Then everything changes.

  She's captured by an alien beast unlike anything she's ever seen before.

  And the worst part is that after awhile, she's not so sure she wants him to let her go.

  ALIEN BEAST is available wherever eBooks are sold.

  STARBOARD

  Christina hasn't had a regular Dom since her husband died in Afghanistan. She's a war widow with a daughter: she doesn't have time for relationships, but she does make time to play.

  Christina goes to Anchored to unwind and to have her submissive needs met. Whether she's playing with a Dom or Domme, Christina's partners all know one thing: she's there to serve, not to find love.

  It's all fun and games for the Damsel of the Dungeon until a new Dom arrives and he sets his sights on her.

  Only, he's not just interested in scening with Christina.

  He's interested in everything.

  Zack has always considered himself a good lawyer, a loyal friend, and an observant Dominant. When his business partner and best friend, Tony, invites him to visit a local sex club, Zack's ready for anything.

  Except the feisty brunette who doesn't want to be taken care of.

  After the third time he sees Christina refusing aftercare, Zack decides to do something about it, only Christina isn't like other subs.

  It's a good thing he loves a challenge.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Christina

  “ARE YOU READY?” ODESSA’S shoes click loudly as she makes her way across the locker room floor. She’s wearing five-inch bright-red stilettos tonight and honestly, I have no idea how the hell she manages to walk in those things. I prefer to be barefoot, myself, but that’s probably just because I don’t have half the grace Odessa has.

  “Just about,” I tell her. “Let me finish my mascara.” I twirl the mascara brush over my eyelashes one last time. I really should invest in falsies, but I’m just not confident enough in my ability to put them on. Besides, the double-dark mascara I’m wearing tonight makes me look incredible.

  Kissable.

  Fuckable.

  It makes me look unstoppable.

  “You look great, love,” Odessa kisses me on the cheek and manages to pry me away from the vanity mirror. “But it’s time. The night is in full swing and if I’m not mistaken, you have a date with Destiny tonight.”

  “Her name is Mistress D,” I smile, but Odessa is right. We both know Destiny from outside the club. It should make playing together a little weird, but somehow, it doesn’t. Somehow, playing with Mistress D is different than working with Destiny.

  Odessa just rolls her eyes and gives me a once over. She reaches out and adjusts the corset I’m wearing, pushing my breasts up just a little higher. Then she walks around me, smoothing out the miniskirt I’m wearing and making sure each part of my outfit looks good, perfect. She makes sure I look complete, and for that, I am grateful.

  I’ve been playing at Anchored for months now, but sometimes, I still get nervous. Tonight isn’t my first night playing with Mistress D and it certainly won’t be my last, but sometimes I still worry that I’m not going to be good enough to please my partners. Sometimes I worry that I’m not going to be good enough to make this fun for them.

  “Stop over-thinking,” Odessa warns me sternly. “Stay focused on the scene. Remember, Christina: stay focused.”

  “I will.”

  She grabs my chin and turns me toward her. Odessa’s bright brown eyes practically glow as she gazes at me.

  “You are not a mother tonight. You are not a widow. You are not a childcare provider. You are not anything but a submissive. Do you understand?”

  “I understand.”

  “Say it for me, love.”

  “I am only a submissive tonight.”

  “That’s right,” Odessa nods, seemingly satisfied. “Don’t make the mistake of spacing off during your scene, okay?”

  I blush, embarrassed she remembers the debacle from a few weeks ago. I had been playing with someone new and just couldn’t really get into the submissive mindset. As a result, I was spacing off, thinking about grocery lists and errands, and the scene fell short.

  Really short.

  “I won’t space off tonight,” I tell her. Odessa is a submissive, too, and she’s going to be playing with her regular Dom tonight. Theodore is a kind-hearted tax-attorney who is seriously cut. He’s huge, and if I was at the end of his whip, I’d be terrified. Odessa isn’t, though. She loves it, takes it in stride. She’s a perfect fit for him and sometimes, I wonder why the two of them aren’t dating.

  “Good girl,” Odessa says, pressing a kiss to my cheek. I give her the same once-over she gave me, fixing her top and adjusting her boy-shorts to make sure every part of her looks perfect. We each take one last look in the mirror, but then it’s time.

  It’s time to leave the safety of the locker room.

  It’s time to go to Anchored.

  Odessa takes my hand and we leave the room together. Instantly, the sound of the heavy music hits our ears, reminding us where we are. Tonight is about fun and excitement. It’s about relaxing. It’s about unwinding, but it’s about more than that, too: it’s about submission.

  Tonight is about giving ourselves to our partners, and in return, they’ll give us a little bit of themselves, as well. That’s the true beauty of submission. In giving of myself, I get something in return. The feeling of offering myself to my partner is satisfying in and of itself, but knowing that it meets my partner’s needs, as well, is even more fantastic.

  I like knowing that my Dom or Domme feels good about themselves when we’re through playing together.

  I like knowing that they’re having just as much fun as me.

  And I like that at the end of the night, when I walk out of Anchored, I’m leaving them at the door.

  It’s fucked up, but I don’t really care.

  Anchored is my release. It’s my safe space. It’s my haven. Anchored is where I go because I have nowhere else to go. Anchored is the only time I get to myself, and I take it. It’s the only time I have away from my daughter. It’s the only time I can be me.

  I’m not the best mother in the world. I certainly wasn’t the best wife. When Cameron died, he left me alone. He left me without anyone in the world. Even now, I don’t have anyone. It’s been two damn years since he died and I have no one.

  No one.

  But I have Anchored.

  I have this place where I can forget, for just a couple of hours, that I’ve lost my true love.

  I have this place where I can forget, for just a little while, that my life fell apart and I’m only starting to rebuild it.

  I have this place where I can forget, for just a tiny bit of time, that I am completely alone in this world.

  I have this place.

  And I’m not giving it up.

  I’m not going to get in a relationship with one of my play partners only to have us break up. Then coming to the club would be awkward, weird, and uncomfortable. I’m not going to get into a relationship where we have a fight, and then neither one of us goes to the club. I’m not interested in that.

  I don’t want to sacrifice my safe space for the temporary satisfaction of being someone’s romantic partner. That’s not what I want and it’s certainly not what I need. That’s not for me.

  So at the end of the night, after I play with Mistress D, I’ll spend some time crying in the locker room showers. I’ll wash my hair. I’ll clean my face. And then I’ll get dressed, get in my car, and go back to the real world, where I am a mother, and a childcare worker, and a widow.

  I’ll go back to the real world where everything hurts.