delivering toys to kids the world over. Let’s get some hoof stomping going on, and a little snorting wouldn’t hurt, either.”
“How’s this? Is this getting into character enough?” Costin raised his leg to the side, looking very much like a wolf marking his territory.
“Wrong animal again.” Bethany shook her head. “Reindeer don’t hike a leg up to pee. You’re in mutt mode.”
“Regardless, thank you, Costin.” Jen wasn’t a bit deterred. “I got that. It was perfect. It’ll look amazing hanging on the reindeer wall.”
Costin dropped his leg and let out a string of curses.
Through the whole thing, Jacque’s mate stood stoic, on all fours, attempting to look as dignified as an alpha wolf dressed up in a Rudolph costume could possibly look.
After Jen had gotten as many pictures as she felt necessary, she said, “Okay, now I need some live action. Start pulling the slei—” She didn’t get very far into her instructions when Fane snarled. “Perizada!”
“Oh, dear,” Peri muttered. “I think the alpha is done.”
“Stick a fork in him,” Crina muttered.
“Sorry, Jen, but you just got outranked.” Peri snapped her fingers. All nine males were upright and dressed in regular clothes. Well, sort of regular. They had on jeans, but each of them was wearing a Christmas sweater. Not the ugly ones, just Christmas plaids.
Jen glared at Peri. “Chicken.”
The fae chuckled. “I could make you look like Mrs. Claus, complete with the plumpness that comes from her cookie and hot chocolate diet.”
“That’s a wrap,” Jen said quickly. She wound a finger in the air and then gathered up Thia.
Jacque grinned and picked up Slate. “I think you should do it,” Jacque told Peri.
Sally smiled while she helped Titus from the sleigh. “Agreed.”
Peri sighed. “I’ll think about it, but I have to weigh the consequences of listening to her gripe for the next three centuries.”
“You think she’ll make it three centuries?” Jacque’s brow raised.
“Seriously.” Sally shook her head as they walked toward the front door. “I love Jen, but one day she’s going to piss off the wrong supernatural and her ass is going to be grass.”
“Technically, it’s already been grass a couple of times. But she’s like a weed. She just keeps coming back,” Jacque noted.
Peri nodded. “Exactly. Three centuries is probably not generous enough.”
As they stepped inside the mansion, Jacque sat Slate down. The boy took off crawling like his butt was on fire. Thankfully, Titus loved chasing the little guy, so Jacque didn’t have to run after him. “You do realize she’s going to ask you to develop those photos now, don’t you?” Sally asked Peri.
“That’s okay. I’ll let it slide this time, simply because I know those pictures are going to be hilarious.”
Jacque felt arms come around her from behind. Her mate’s scent enveloped her, along with his irritation. “You owe me,” he whispered in her ear.
“Me?” Jacque turned her head so she could look up at him. “I didn’t force you to wear the Rudolph costume.”
“You laughed at me.” He huffed.
Jacque smiled up at him. “Would it help if I told you that you’re the sexiest Rudolph I’ve ever seen?”
“So, reindeer are your thing?” he asked, a slight smirk on his handsome face.
“They totally do it for me.”
“Well, I hope you got enough of a kick out of that because I’m never wearing it again.”
Jacque’s lips turned up slightly, and she ran her nails across his forearm. “What if I make it worth your while?”
“You’re sexy as hell, Luna. But I don’t need a Rudolph costume to get you on your back.” He pressed a kiss to her neck and then released her.
Jacque was left standing there with her jaw hanging open while she watched her mate swagger off as if he hadn't just been decked out with the rest of his pack in silly reindeer costumes.
“Why do you look like you’re about to jump your man’s bones?” Bethany stepped up next to Jacque.
“Because even after looking like that”—she motioned over her shoulder back toward where the sleigh was sitting outside—“he’s still as confident as a male who hadn’t just been dressed up like Santa’s nightlight.”
Bethany snorted. “You can put the wolf in a reindeer costume, but you can’t take the alpha out of him.”
Jacque laughed. “That made no sense.”
“I’m pregnant. I don’t have to make sense.”
Jacque held up her hand for a high five. “True.”
“Let’s go see if Peri’s got the pictures. Jen will want them up on a wall ASAP.” Jacque grabbed Bethany’s hand and pulled her toward the voices filling the kitchen.
As