The snow fell over the Shenandoah Valley in a soft haze, covering the ground in a blanket of pure white powder. As Jordan looked out of the window from the living room, she sighed and pressed a hand to her lower back.

“Looks like it will be a white Christmas tomorrow.”

She smiled, though she didn’t turn around. She didn’t have to, as she knew who was behind her. “Looks like it.”

“Feeling achy?” Jackson’s arms encircled her and pulled her up to his hard chest.

“Feeling fat.” She grimaced. “And tired. And impatient. When the heck is this baby coming out of me?”

Jackson chuckled. “Soon, sweetheart. And you. Are. Not. Fat.” He emphasized each word by trailing kisses from her neck to her shoulder.

“I am,” she said glumly. “But that’s nice of you to say otherwise.”

Jackson spun her around, his green eyes piercing into her, making her heart flip-flop. “You are the most beautiful pregnant woman ever,” he said. “You were when you were pregnant with Katie and you still are now.”

She moved into his arms, sighing against his chest. Her wolf rumbled happily, being close to its mate. “And you are the most patient man alive. I’m sorry I’ve been grumpy.”

“And demanding?” he asked.

She laughed. “I did ask you to drive three hours to get me some bubble tea, so yeah, I guess I am.”

“In the snow, Jordan,” he added. “In the snow.”

“But you did it anyway.”

As Jordan looked up at her husband and mate, she remembered her sister-in-law Evie’s words that day back in New York: you never know what this True Mate thing will lead you to. Well, in her case, it led her to becoming the Lupa of the Shenandoah clan, mother to two beautiful children, plus another on the way.

Even after they discovered they were True Mates and pregnant with their first child, Jackson never pressured her to give up her job or move to Shenandoah Valley. They made it work as best they could—with her traveling to West Virginia on the weekends or him coming up when he could. Once in a while, Daric helped them out as he apparently had the power to move people across long distances, so he became their personal transporter.

However, as the due date grew closer, Jordan realized they were being ridiculous and she proposed she move to Shenandoah permanently. Jackson counter-offered with a proposal of his own, and soon they were married. She gave up her position at the Fenrir Corp. lab, but later on, after her daughter was born, continued consulting with Dr. Creed.

The sound of an engine pulling up to the front lawn made her turn her head. “Oh, looks like Mom and Dad are here. We should—”

“You stay inside,” Jackson ordered with a wag of his finger. “I’ll help them get in. I don’t want you slipping on the ice.”

“You know I’m invincible, right?” she asked.

“Like you would ever let me forget.” He kissed her on the nose before proceeding to the front door.

Jordan let out a long sigh, and despite her current disgruntled state, she never thought she would be so happy, living out here in the middle of nowhere. But with Jackson and Austin, she never found her days to be lacking or boring. Hell, her wolf was so damned ecstatic, it hardly gave her any trouble. Out here, it could run and roam as it pleased alongside its mate. Jackson’s theories about Lycans and their need to have freedom to shift proved to be true and their business doing Lycan retreats was booming. They had clients from all over the country and the world, with waiting list for their program up to six months.

It seemed to take forever, but she managed to waddle to the front hall. Moments later, the door opened, and Kazuya and Patricia Matsumoto walked in, Jackson following behind with their luggage.

“Jordan!” Her father embraced her and kissed her forehead. “Ooomph!” He grabbed his stomach when Jordan’s belly knocked into his. “Are you sure you got just one in there?”

“Kaz!” Patricia admonished as she took Jordan aside and hugged her. “Pregnant women are sensitive, don’t you know?” She turned to her daughter. “How are you, sweetie? And the baby? You’re not due for another two weeks, right?”

“Yeah, two more weeks. Ugh.”

“Don’t worry, your little one will be here soon,” Patricia assured her. “How are you feeling otherwise? Still strong? And your allergies?”

“She hasn’t had allergies in years.” Kaz wagged a finger at his daughter. “See, I told you it was all in your head.”

“Or maybe, she just needed to be in the right place,” Patricia said. “By the way—”

A loud thud, crash, and a wail made them all freeze. Jordan rolled her eyes. “I’ll go check on them.”

“Don’t,” Jackson said. “You know they’re fine. Besides, Austin would have heard the car pull in. They’ll be down soon enough.”

As if on cue, the sound of footsteps thundered above them from the second floor, growing louder as the source of said footsteps ran down the stairs.

“Wheee!” Three-year-old Katie cried as she jumped and flew off the steps. Jordan’s heart nearly stopped seeing her daughter airborne, but Kaz easily caught her and then lifted her up high again, much to the toddler’s delight.

“My, you’ve grown so much, Katie.” He handed her to Patricia, who proceeded to smother the girl with kisses. He turned to the figure who trailed behind Katie like a shadow. “And you too, Austin. I heard from your Momma that you had your first shift a few weeks ago? How was it?”

Thirteen-year-old Austin stepped into the older man’s outstretched arms. “It was awesome, Jiisan,” he said. “Ma, Pa and I have gone on a couple of runs together! They said I make a great wolf.”

Kaz had insisted that Austin call him the Japanese word for grandfather if he was going to call Jordan ‘Momma’. “Blood doesn’t make family, you know,” he had said. “Love does.”

“Glad to hear, maybe we can all go for a run in the snow.” Patricia pulled him in for a hug and Austin got his own smothering.

“He did great.” Jordan beamed. “And Jackson’s been out with him almost every day this week, teaching him everything he needs to know.”

“But, did he teach him some good dad jokes?” Kaz asked.

Jordan groaned. “Daaaad.”

“Stop me if you’ve heard this one,” Kaz began. “Where does a werewolf sit in the movie theater?”

“Where?” Katie asked in a gleeful voice. Obviously, she was still very much a fan of Kaz’s jokes.

“Anywhere he wants to!” He elbowed Austin. “Get it? Huh?”

“Oh, Dad.” Jordan slapped a hand to her forehead, but Katie giggled uncontrollably while Austin chuckled politely.

“Where’s Lily?” Patricia asked.

“She picked up Connor, Evie, and the kids from the airport,” Jackson said. “Apparently, even my brother’s patience has its limits, and driving five hours with two kids is a hard no for him. Creed is dropping them off.”

“Why don’t you guys get settled in? Your usual room’s all ready,” Jordan suggested. “Then come down when you’re rested.”

A few hours later, Lily arrived with Connor and his family, and everyone came down to the living room. Since tomorrow was going to be the big meal with everyone in the clan, tonight they all gathered in the living in front of the fireplace for drinks and snacks. Jackson was glad for moments like this, when the house was filled with warmth and cheer during the holidays.

“She’s beautiful,” Patricia said as she played with little Charley, Connor and Evie’s youngest, who was a few months old. “Do you think you’ll want another baby sister or brother, Austin?”

The boy shrugged from where he was sitting cross-legged on the carpet, playing with his cousin, Cliff. “Don’t matter. He or she’ll be my little brother or sister either way.”

Jackson couldn’t help the fierce pride burning through him. Even his wolf was pleased at how their cub was growing into a fine young wolfling, ready to defend their den.

Though Austin hadn’t lost any of his mischievousness over the years, he had stopped misbehaving to get attention. In fact, he’d taken his role as big brother to Katie seriously, and despite the age gap, the two were as thick as thieves. It was often Austin who made sure Katie didn’t get into any trouble. And no, he didn’t mind that he got a little sister first. Jackson had no doubt Austin would love his next sibling just as fiercely.

“You sure have a lot of presents,” Kaz said, eyeing all the packages under the tree. “No doubt Santa’s going to bring more.”

“Santa’s coming tonight!” Katie and Cliff screeched at the top of their lungs.

“By the way, Austin.” Evie began. “That one,” she pointed to a large, red box with a gold bow, “is from Uncle Sebastian and Aunt Jade. I told them you had your first shift and they said they’re looking forward to seeing your wolf in the spring.”

“They did?” Austin’s eyes lit up. “Do you think I’ll be ready by then, Pa? That I can control myself enough?”

“Of course you will be,” Jackson said. “I’m sure you’ll impress them.”

Austin had first met his idol, Sebastian Creed, a few months after Jordan came into their lives. It was his ninth birthday party, and Jordan had said she had a “big surprise” for him. Jackson nearly had a heart attack when he saw the gigantic scaly dragon landing in his backyard. Needless to say, Austin was mighty impressed and when he asked Jordan later how she managed to get Sebastian Creed to come all the way to West Virginia, she had given him a cryptic smile and said that the dragon “owed her one.”

“Anyone want to play charades?” Lily asked. “Or maybe read ’Twas the Night Before Christmas?”

“Actually,” Jordan said as she stood up, “I was thinking—holy sh—sugar plum fairy!” she exclaimed, her eyes widening. “Oh. My. God.”

“Jordan!” Jackson rushed to her side and placed a hand on her belly. “What’s wrong, sweetheart? Is it the baby?”

“Oh, yeah.” She laughed and looked down at her feet. “My water just broke. The baby’s coming.”

“When?” he asked, dumbfounded.

“Next week, around Thursday,” she answered.

“Huh?”

“Now, Jackson.” She was mid-laugh when her face scrunched up in pain, signaling a contraction.

“Pa, don’t forget her this time,” Austin warned.

“You’ll never let me live that down, will ya, kid?” Jackson shook his head.

When it was time for Katie to be born, he had been in such a panic, trying to make sure he got everything in his truck to go to the hospital—Jordan’s suitcase, all the new baby clothes, the infant seat carrier, even Austin—that he left his pregnant mate standing on the porch. He didn’t realize it until he was driving down the road and Austin had asked, “Where’s Ma?”

“Don’t worry,” Jordan groaned. “I don’t think we have time to make it to the hospital.”

“What?”

“When I said this baby’s coming now, I mean now.”

“Oh my,” Lily said. “Let’s get her upstairs to your bedroom.”

A few hours later, sometime after midnight, Jacqueline Hanako Forrest was born. Jackson was there for the birth of his second daughter, and a beaming Lily handed the baby to him. He leaned down and scented her. Sweet and flowery, just like her mother. Right after Katie was born, they all went to Washington D.C. to see the cherry blossoms when he recognized the scent. His wolf howled proudly. Another pup for us to protect, cherish and love.

“She’s beautiful,” he said, as he knelt down beside Jordan. He kissed her forehead and nestled the small bundle in her arms. “Just like her momma.”

“Oh,” she gasped. “Look at her. She’s perfect.”

“That she is.”

He stayed a few more minutes, just to make sure Jordan and Jacqueline were doing okay. He hated to leave them, but there was a roomful of people downstairs waiting to hear the news. He kissed his wife on the forehead and then headed downstairs.

“It’s a girl,” he announced.

“Congratulations, son,” Kaz said, coming up to him and giving him a big hug, then a pat on the back. “And I’m sorry,” he added jokingly.

“Oh, Kaz!” Patricia gave him a playful slap on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry.” Kaz pulled Austin to him. “Big brother will take care of them both, right? He’ll scare off all their boyfriends.”

“It’s a little early for that,” Jackson said, but based on the frown on his son’s face, he knew that Austin was probably having none of that boyfriend business. He was glad, because he had no plans of growing old prematurely once Katie and Jacqueline grew into their teens. The thought had him sweating bullets. “All right, they’re ready for you all to come in.”

They all filed upstairs, but Jackson hung back. Everyone crowded into the bedroom, oohing and aahing over little Jacqueline. Jordan cuddled Katie beside her so the little girl wouldn’t feel like she was being ignored because of the new baby. Austin, on the other hand, was given the honor of being the first to hold Jacqueline after her parents.

“Well, color me wrong,” Connor said as he came up behind Jackson. He had left one of Cliff’s favorite toys in the truck and gone outside to grab it. “Austin’s not going to grow up to be a criminal after all.”

Jackson chuckled. “No thanks to me.” He couldn’t help but wonder how his life would have turned out without his mate.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Connor said.

“You do?”

“Yeah.” His brother’s eyes landed on Evie and there was that look on his face. Jackson knew that look, because he probably wore the same one when Jordan was around. “I don’t know what I’d do without them, either.”

“How lucky could we get? We could never be where we are now without them.” Jordan had been his anchor, the other half of his soul. She was there when his burdens got too heavy, and soothed him when things got rough. But she also didn’t take his shit and matched him in every way.

“I agree, but,” Connor faced him, his expression serious, “It wouldn’t have mattered to you either way. You could have done it. Jackson, you were meant for this. For a family. And to be Alpha. You deserve it.”

“Connor—”

“I’m not done talking.” His brother held up a hand. “I’ve said that to you before, and still you keep doubting yourself. I’m just glad you found someone who made you believe in it.”

Jackson looked over at his family again. Austin was helping Jordan place Jacqueline in Katie’s small arms, cradling the baby’s head as he patiently whispered instructions to his sister. Jordan watched them carefully, then turned to meet his gaze from across the room. She mouthed “I love you” and her smile lit up the entire room.

While he wasn’t sure if he was meant for or deserved this, Connor was right about one thing. With his family, Jackson truly believed he could do anything.