Chapter Ten – Naomi
Christmas morning.
Naomi yawned as Joshua opened the door for her to their little cabin. It had been hastily built on the border between Wolf and Bear territory, with plans to make something much nicer once spring came. For now, this cabin was warm and cozy, perfect for the three of them.
"You know," she said as she carried Sapphira into the bedroom, "for being diurnal animals, Bears certainly know how to party at night."
Joshua answered her with a chuckle. The previous night had been the full moon, and they finally had their mating ceremony. It had been strange to Naomi, presenting themselves to both packs and verbally stating that they were mated and would seek no others. After that, they had tied themselves together with a piece of scarlet string and cut their fingers so their blood would mingle.
Once the ceremony was done, it was dancing all night long. Joshua and Naomi had taken Sapphira back to their old house, and they slept the night there while the partying continued. When morning came, however, they decided they wanted to spend Christmas day in their cabin. They had put in a lot of effort to decorate it up nicely, after all.
Naomi settled Sapphira down in the crib and tiptoed out, hoping their little girl didn't wake up. Fortunately, there wasn't so much a peep from the baby.
"Your father didn't come to the ceremony," Joshua said when she settled down on the couch next to him.
A flash of pain went through Naomi's heart at that, but she shook her head. "I know. But I didn't expect him to. He's been living isolated from the pack since I defeated him and became Alpha. Maybe one day I'll forgive him for the way he raised me, but I don't think I'll ever forgive him for the way he treated my sisters just as badly… speaking of them, they want to take bears as their mates, too."
Joshua nodded. "I know. But let's not talk work right now. I want you to open your Christmas present."
Naomi straightened, her eyes growing brighter. "That sounds good to me!"
Joshua grinned at her. He went to the tree and retrieved the box he had placed there several days ago. Naomi savored the moment, stroking the edges of the box lovingly before she unwrapped it. Inside was a pile of papers. Naomi frowned.
"What are these?"
"Sapphira's adoption papers. I spoke with some of the Wolves and found out that her biological parents actually died, and that was one of the reasons she was left in the woods. So I went to my human contacts, and... She's ours. Legally."
Naomi squealed in delight. She threw herself at Joshua, kissing him passionately. She could feel her effects right away and had to hold off a giggle. He was an eager boy this morning. Well, he'd just have to wait. She had her own plans for today, after all. When she pulled back, he groaned.
"Naomi, I know that you didn't have the opportunity to get me a present, what with you taking over responsibilities for your pack, but I have an idea of what you can give me instead."
She shook her head as he went to kiss her again. "I do have a present for you."
"You do?"
"Yes." Naomi detangled herself from his grasp. "But I have to go to the bathroom before I give it to you."
She desperately held in giggles as she ran to the bathroom. There, she stripped off all her clothes and retrieved the extra-wide ribbons that she had had her sisters buy for her. Anne and Heather thought it was for wrapping a present–which it was, in a way.
Naomi circled her hips with the ribbon, just barely covering herself before she wound it up over her stomach and covered her breasts. She finished it off with a bow, then checked out her image in the mirror. A bit hasty, a bit sloppy. But perfect all the same.
Her heart beat fast when she stepped out of the bathroom. Joshua turned. His jaw dropped Naomi brushed her hair back off her shoulder and walked over to him, careful not to dislodge her ribbon.
"So this is my present?" Joshua asked, eyes trailing over her.
"Yes. I didn't have time for real shopping like you said, but I thought—"
Joshua pressed a finger to her lips. He grinned. "Best Christmas ever."
He tugged the loose end of the bow before slowly unwrapping her. His hands coasted along her skin as he did, pupils darkening. Everywhere he touched, Naomi's skin tingled. She would never grow tired of the feel of her mate's hands on her, the look in his eyes as he gazed at her body. His tongue flicked out of his mouth, running along his lips.
Naomi couldn't help herself. She threw herself on her mate, kissing him hard, trying to catch his tongue. Joshua detangled the rest of the ribbon from her body and picked her up, her thighs parting to either side of his hips. Her core tightened. Fireworks began to pop in her brain.
"Couch?" Joshua panted, holding her with one arm while he slipped his fingers between their bodies.
"Too far," Naomi groaned. "Under the Christmas tree."
The couch was only a step further than the tree but Joshua didn't argue. Kissing her deeply once more, he walked to the tree and laid her down on the red velvet skirt. The heady scent of fir filled her nostrils as he continued to work her, making fire run up and down her legs before it pooled in her legs. His mouth moved to her breath, making something snap pleasantly deep inside her. Naomi arched herself to her lover and mate, helping him as he discarded his own clothing.
"So beautiful. So strong," Joshua murmured into her skin.
"Stop talking about yourself and start talking about me," Naomi joked.
Joshua redoubled his efforts, making her gasp. Somewhere in her own bursts and pools of fire, she managed to find him with her hand. They locked eyes as they pleasured one another. Joshua's face was set in determination, jaw locked, burning passion in his eyes. Sweat was already beading the edge of his blond hairline. Naomi grinned. She loved that after only a few weeks, she already knew her mate so well that she could give him exactly what he needed as he did the same for her.
It was soon difficult to keep herself still. Naomi rocked from side to side, grunting with the effort to stay with Joshua, to avoid spiraling into the ocean of her climax. From the strain on his face, he was feeling the same. He gripped her thighs, spreading them further, and entered. Tremors shook up Naomi's body. As her mate laid over her, she clung to him, digging her fingers into his back. He kissed her hard, swallowing her whimpers.
The rhythm he set was fast, desperate to bring them higher before they finished. Their hands roamed each other's bodies as though they had never felt anything before. Naomi's core was so tight it was almost painful. She flung her head back, writhing. His mouth dropped to her neck, sucking hard, and it sent her over the edge. Her hands clenched on her arms and her whole body tensed, bringing him with her.
Joshua kept moving desperately for several more moments before he gave up and went still. They lay there for a long time, panting. Naomi closed her eyes, savoring the sweet feeling of their bodies still joined together.
"Is it just me, or does that get better every time we do it?" Naomi asked, stretching lazily under her mate's body.
Joshua grunted, nuzzling her neck. "Eventually we're going to find a peak. I hope you're not disappointed when we do."
"Disappointed? No, I think we need to reach that peak soon. I don't think I'll survive if it gets better than that." Naomi laughed. "But maybe we can make this a tradition. Every year."
"I'd like that." Joshua chuckled and kissed her, but broke off with a groan when Sapphira started crying from the bedroom. "I'll see if I can get her back to sleep so we can continue in with Christmas celebrations."
Naomi sighed as Joshua rolled off her. He stood and tugged on his pants, but she wasn't sure her legs were strong enough to carry her just yet to follow. She stretched, smiling. A mate and a child, and Alpha of her pack. All within a month. It was overwhelming, how quickly it happened. But she wouldn't have it any other way.
"She's hungry," Joshua called from the bedroom. "Can you get her a bottle?"
"Sure." Naomi got to her feet as Joshua brought Sapphira out. She quickly made up a bottle before retrieving Joshua's shirt from the floor and pulled it over her head. As her mate began feeding their child, she grinned.
"What are you smiling about?"
She shook her head, unsure if she could explain herself properly.
"Tell me."
Her grin widened. "It's just that this is the best Christmas ever."
Joshua grinned back at her. "I agree. Here's looking at many more to come."
Naomi nodded. Yes, she was very much looking forward to what the future held in store for the two of them.
*****
THE END