One Night

Chapter 177

Audrey

I jolted awake, disoriented and stiff from a night of sleeping on the floor.

Blinking against the harsh morning light that was now streaming through the large round window, through which trees were dripping with melted snow and glistening icicles, I realized that we were still in the sewing room. We had gotten so drunk and tired last night that we hadn’t even thought of making it back to bed.

Edwin and I had fallen asleep on the floor, tangled up in each other…

And in lengths of fabric, which were now wrapped around our arms and legs.

“Edwin,” I mumbled groggily, shaking his shoulder. “Wake up.”

He groaned, his eyes fluttering open, and lifted his head from where it had been propped on one forearm. “What… where the hell are we?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his bewildered expression, at the way his hair was sticking up in all directions. “We fell asleep sewing. I said, smoothing the mussed pieces back down.

“Oh, Goddess. My back is going to punish me for this.”

We spent the next few minutes extricating ourselves from the mess of fabric, laughing as we went despite our aching heads and backs. The half-finished skirt was in far worse shape than I remembered it being last night, but I couldn’t really bring myself to care. All that really mattered was the fact that we had finally, blissfully, made something together.

Even if it looked like nothing more than a drunken mess now that the sun was shining.

“Merry Christmas,” I said, wrapping my arms around Edwin’s neck and planting a warm kiss against his stubbled cheek.

“Mm. Merry Christmas,” he replied, smiling softly. His eyes were warm, still heavy with sleep. “Shall we head downstairs and see what Santa brought?”

Downstairs, we found a pile of presents under the tree. The scent of ci**mon and coffee wafted from the kitchen, where Hadley had prepared a Christmas breakfast.

“Presents first or food?” Edwin asked, eyeing the stack of gifts.

“Presents, obviously,” I grinned, already reaching for a box. “I’m not a heathen.”

We tore into our gifts like excited children. Edwin, never one to leave someone out, gave Hadley a brand new sweater and matching pair of socks, which the aging housekeeper immediately put on.

When Edwin opened the pocket watch I’d gotten him, his eyes widened into saucers, a soft gasp escaping his lips.

“Audrey, this is beautiful,” he said, turning it over in his hands and tracing his thumb across the engraving on the back. The silver glinted in the firelight. “Where did you find it?”

I beamed, pleased he liked it. “I found it in an antique store and fixed it up. Do you really like it?”

“I love it,” he assured me, leaning in for a kiss. His lips were soft against mine, tasting of sleep and a hint of cin**on from our coffee. “Thank you. 111 treasure it always.”

1/3

13:13 Sun, Sep 22

Chapter 177

When I opened my gift from Edwin, I nearly screamed. It was a brand new, top-of-the-line sewing machine, sleek and modern and expensive. The little pocket watch I had gotten him suddenly felt too small and insignificant.

“Edwin, this is too much.” I breathed, running my hand over the smooth surface of the new machine.

He shook his head, his eyes tw***kling. “Nothing is too much for thy mate. I can’t wait to see what you create with it.”

819

After presents, we indulged in a syrupy breakfast of wattles and fresh fruit, We ate until our stomachs hurt, and then we lazed on the couch until the afternoon, resting our sore spines anil dozing to make up for a night of sleeping on the hard floor..

After that, we spent the day just enjoying each other’s company, We built a lopsided snowman in the backyard, laughing as we rolled the massive snowballs and shoved a big orange carrot into the face as a nose.

Edwin’s cheeks were flushed from the cold, his breath puffing out in white clouds over the top of his scarf. I resisted the urge to throw a snowball at him, although the warning tug through our bond told me that he could see my fingers itching to do it and if I did. I would get a faceful of cold snow.

Back inside, we read books by the fire, the cr**ling flames warming our chilled bodies as we sipped tea. Edwin taught me how to play chess, his patience never wavering as I struggled to remember how each piece moved.

As evening fell, we snuggled up on the couch, watching the fire dance. Edwin’s arms were warm around me, and I felt more content than I ever had. Even my summer spent with my friends in Betty’s house struggled to compare,

“Audrey.” Edwin said softly, his voice rumbling in his chest. “I need to tell you something.”

I tilted my head to look at him. “What is it?”

He took a deep breath, his eyes serious. “I know I once said that I intended to marry the Silver Star for my pack. But I want you to know, I truly, genuinely love you. I never want to be without you. You’re my starlight, my everything.”

Warmth bloomed in my chest at his words, spreading through my entire body. I turned to face him fully, cupping his face. in my hands. “I love you too, Edwin. And I forgive you for not telling me everything right away.”

I paused, then added with a grin, “But if you ever keep something like that from me again, I might have to bite you.”

Edwin laughed, the sound rich and deep as it vibrated through me. “I’ll try not to cross you ever again, then. You’re scary now that you’ve had a bit of training. And you’ll be even scarier once you learn to fight.”

My eyes widened, my heart **ng a beat. “You’re really going to teach me to fight?” I whispered.

He nodded, his expression turning serious again. “I can’t let my past hold you back. You need to learn to protect yourself. If something were to happen, I could never forgive myself for not leaching you the skills you needed to save yourself. And you were right before; maybe someone can’t always come to your rescue. As painful as that is, I couldn’t bear it if I let you be defenseless.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, I peppered his face with kisses, my lips touching every inch of skin I could reach. “Thank you, Edwin. Thank you for trusting me with this.”

He caught my face in his hands, his eyes intense and burning with tiny yellow fires. “No. Thank you for being here for me. For seeing my dark past and not seeing me as an out-of-control monster. I truly love you, Audrey. More than I ever thought possible.”

Later that night, I decided to fulfill the fantasy I had shown Edwin the other day.

Islipped out of bed while he was in the bathroom, quickly arranging myself. When he came back in, I was sitting on the bed

2/3

13:13 Sun, Sep 22

Chapter 177

87%

Π

+5

wearing nothing but neck.

a big red bow around i

Edwin froze in the doorway, his eyes darkening with desire. A low growl rumbled in his chest as he approached the bed, his movements slow and predatory. Already, I could see the fabric of his pants straining around a sudden erection.

“Merry Christmas to me,” he murmured, reaching out to trace the edge of the bow with a fingertip.

I shivered at his touch, heat pooling in my belly. Without a word, I pushed him onto his back and straddled him. His hands came to rest on my hips as I sank down onto him, both of us groaning at the sensation.

I rode him slowly at first, savoring every inch. Edwin’s eyes never left mine, as I moved, the gray turning into a glowing. burning yellow.

As our passion built, our movements became more frantic. Edwin sat up, wrapping his arms around me and burying his face in my neck.

“Audrey,” he gasped, his voice strained. “I’m close.”

“Me too.” I panted, grinding down harder.

We reached our climax together, crying out each other’s names. Only then, as the aftershocks subsided, did Edwin gently untie the bow from around my neck and press soft kisses to the skin there.

“And to think I thought that the presents were over for the day, he growled.

We settled back beneath the plush blankets, my head resting on Edwin’s chest. I watched the snow falling outside the window, feeling utterly content. The steady beat of Edwin’s heart under my ear was soothing, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my back.

“I love you,” I murmured, already drifting off.

“I love you too, my Silver Star,” Edwin replied, his arms tightening around me.

As sleep claimed me, my last thought was how perfect this moment was, falling asleep in the arms of my mate, my love, my Edwin.

3/3