~Avery's POV~
"Jingle bells Jingle bells Jingle all the way-"
I was skipping down the stairs and on my way to the kitchen to make some hot chocolate while singing Christmas tunes, as much as I knew anyways.
It was December 23rd and Christmas Day was tomorrow. If there was any time of the year that all my problems magically disappeared, it was around Christmas. The only emotions allowed inside the doors were happiness, relief, gratitude and love. All other problems, issues, frustrations and disputes would have to wait until the 25th.
On the 1st of December my Christmas mode was already on and I asked James how they celebrated here. His answer, however deeply I felt for him was not acceptable.
" We decorate a little and on the 24th everyone celebrates with their families. Me, Alex and Amber haven't celebrated since our parents died."
So I made it my mission to bring the Christmas spirit back into the lives of some of my favorite werewolves.
Me and Amber went to the down and did a little Christmas shopping along with one of the pack guards named Emilio. However, Amber more or less used him as a bag holder and each bag she put on his arm I removed and put on my own.
We bought everything you could imagine from Christmas carpets, drapes, snow globes, Santas both big and small, snowmen, Christmas lights, Christmas bows, Christmas tree decorations, small trees, Christmas cups and so, so much more. The funny thing was, I wasn't done.
I had put up two thin trees on each side of the entrance and decorated them with red bows and lights, nothing to much since I wanted to leave the rest for the main room.
I and a few of the Omegas had changed the curtains in every room on the downstairs floor and put beautiful red drapes with small snowflakes on them. In the main room which was where there was a huge U-shaped couch along with other seating areas, along with an open fire place. We had put up the big red Christmas carpet with green stripes on either end.
Above the fireplace were four stockings hanging waiting to be filled. We also bought the most magnificent tree we could find. It was twelve feet tall and smelled like cinnamon and roasted apples. Or that may be the candle I bought. Anyhow,the tree was decorated with bells, bows, glitter, Christmas balls and lots of lighting. The whole nine. And on top of this beautiful tree was the most enchanting full moon. I thought it would be a fun little touch instead of the classic star that went on top.
As I made it to the kitchen I saw that the only ones there were Alice and three Omegas whose names I had yet to remember. I remembered that the others all had practice. I asked James once before if I could join them and learn a littleself defense. However, he said he liked me better alive than dead and thereafter that conversation dropped.
Alice was preparing breakfast for the pack members so after greeting everyone there I took the liberty to prepare some hot chocolate for everyone. When I was done I poured it into five thermoses and put some canned whipped cream and marshmallows on the kitchen island for everyone to make their own.
After I had made mine I decided to take my cup and go sit outside on the bench for a while. It was snowing and right this second, everything just felt so right.
After Natasha put up the barrier in my mind there had been no altercations and I was in complete control of myself.
I put on a jacket and then wrapped a blanket around myself before grabbing my cup and heading out. I sat down on the bench right outside the main entrance and watched the snow twinkle down from the sky. There was something so calming about the way snowflakes fell. So gracious.
James and I were still sleeping in separate rooms while I was figuring out how I felt and coming to terms with all that had happened. Some nights we slept together but when we didn't, I barely slept, I just couldn't find peace when he wasn't beside me. I preferred having him close all the time.
Perhaps it was time to take the next step with him.
"Hey. What are you thinking so hard about?" I jumped when I heard his voice from behind me and quickly turned around.
"Hey. Nothing really, just admiring the view." I said as I flicked my head to the big apple tree in front of us that was covered in snow and frost.
"Isn't it beautiful?" I asked
" Yes, it really is beautiful." I looked up at him and noticed how he was looking down on me. I felt my cheeks heat up despite the cold wether conditions.
" You must be hungry, let's eat." I stood up and grabbed his hand. Leading him back to the house and into the kitchen.
He thinks I am beautiful.
"Wow there, cupcake. You shouldn't be out in the cold so much. Your face looks like a tomato."
I took my free hand up to my face and covered it as much as possible. I heard James chuckle beside me, making me close my eyes in shame.
"Cupcake?" No one had ever called me cupcake before. I couldn't say that I appreciated the nickname either.
" Yeah. Cupcake."
"Why?"
"Because you're sweet and ..." He looked over at James who was pursing his lips together to keep himself from laughing.
"And what?" I put my free hand on my hip and glared at Alex, sensing I already knew what he meant.
"And...you know...innocent." He said the last word as if he had won the jackpot. Clearly thinking of it right on the spot.
"That's not what you were going to say." My glare intensified as I pierced through his eyes with my own.
" Oh shoot, breakfast gonna get cold, gotta go!" He scurried away into the dining hall.
"The food is in the heat containers!" I yelled after him but to no avail.
James put his arm around my shoulders which I quickly shook off.
He answered by grabbing my hand and spinning me around making me bump into his chest.
He leaned his face down, dangerously close. How badly I wanted to kiss him right now, or always for that matter.
"Don't be mad. And don't ever push me away again. Alex is the dickhead, not me."
"You laughed." I tried sounding strong and annoyed but my voice betrayed me when it sounded like I was out of breath. Which he probably noticed seeing as a smirk crept up on his lips.
" I laughed because you're cute when you get mad. I'm sorry. Now let's get you some food..."
" Don' you dare!" I lifted my finger pointing it to his nose. He pursed his lips again so he couldn't speak. He was going to call me cupcake and it would not have ended well.
I didn't want to get annoyed, not when I could prevent it.
I turned around and started walking with James' hand on my lower back doing crazy things to my body.
I turned to look at him and again, he was already looking at me. However now there was something different in his eyes. They were dark with lust. That did not make it easier.
We grabbed our plates and filled them. On my plate there were pancakes with syrup, berries and bacon. On James' plate it was the same as mine along with sausages, hash browns, fruit, two sandwiches and two bagels.
We went to our table and sat down before I said hi to everybody.
" Hi again, cupcake." Alex greeted so kindly with an annoying smile, making everyone at the table laugh.
"You know what, it's Christmas so I'm going to let it pass. I don't want to be annoyed or angry and I will not waste energy on such insignificant things." I straightened my back and held my head up, sticking out my chin, feeling very confident.
"Sounds like a good plan, cupcake."
A growl left my mouth and a frown felt permanently stuck on my face. And again everyone started laughing. I poutedstabbing my pancake with my fork.