Corey looked around the room and took in the large plastic tree he and Ethan had decorated together. Presents wrapped in a multitude of coloured paper lay stacked haphazardly under the tree's branches. They were guarded by Gizmo, the cute, fluffy little gremlin in a Santa hat. Corey had gotten him as a child, as he loved the movie. Every year he set him out to stand watch over the tree, and thankfully Ethan didn't have an issue with his quirky little tradition.
He loved Christmas. It was his favourite time of year. This year was going to be even more special for the pair of them.
The doorbell rang, but there was no way Corey was getting his ass out of his comfortable chair to answer it.
"Come in," he called out.
Ethan was still in the shower, having stayed late at work with Ben today. There had been more and more late nights with the Alpha in the year since shifters had been revealed to the general population. Corey understood, but with the birth of their child drawing ever nearer, he'd prefer his mate to be home with him.
The front door creaked slightly as it was pushed open. Corey had meant to oil the hinges for weeks now, but every time he thought about it, it was an inconvenient time. Then he'd completely forget all about it. Being pregnant was really screwing with his mind. He now completely understood what women were on about when they talked about baby brain.
Samual and Bradley stepped through the door, their grins huge when they spotted Corey sitting in his seat.
"How's things?" Bradley asked.
"My ankles are swollen, my back is killing me, and I swear to god this child is dancing a damn jig in there. I wouldn't be surprised if my ribs were bruised, the number of times it's kicked me."
"Oh, quit your bitching," Samual teased. "You're loving every minute of this. Admit it."
"Will not!" Of course, Samual was right. Corey really was loving this. When they'd found out Corey was pregnant, he'd been terrified. He'd never once thought that he'd be the one in the relationship to carry their child. Now that he was, Corey wouldn't change it for anything in the world. Feeling his child grow within him was truly something special.
Samual coughed, and Corey could have sworn he heard the word liar in the middle of the coughs but chose not to call him on it.
"Where's Ethan?" Bradley asked as they took a seat on the couch, their feet going up on the coffee table.
Just then the shower turned off, and Corey could hear Ethan puttering around in the bathroom.
"Ahhh, nevermind," Bradley said.
Before any of them could say anything else, the door opened again. This time it was Liam and Declan carrying trays of food.
Now for this, Corey would get out of his chair. The scents that followed Declan and Liam as they strode past on their way to the kitchen had Corey's mouth watering.
"Evening guys," Liam called out from the kitchen.
Corey's stomach rumbled loudly, immediately followed by a sharp kick to his ribs.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm moving as fast as I can," he protested at his child as he struggled to get himself out of his comfortable chair.
Bradley and Samual looked on with growing mirth.
"Would you just help me the fuck up?" Corey bitched.
Bradley laughed but jumped to his feet. He grabbed Corey's hands, hauling Corey from his sitting position. As soon as Bradley let him go, Corey wrapped his hands around his belly.
"Thanks, man. That's getting harder and harder."
"Don't mention it."
Corey grinned, then slowly made his way into the kitchen. His smile got even wider when Declan handed him a plate piled high with goodies.
"Hey, no fair," Samual bitched. "Where's ours?"
"Are you pregnant?" Declan asked.
"Well… no."
"Then you can wait like the rest of us."
Corey grinned evilly at Samual as he bit into one of the mini-quiches, then moaned loudly.
"Fucker," Samual bitched at Corey.
"Yeah, but I'm a fucker with food." Corey winked at his friend before taking another massive bite and moaning like he was in a porn film.
The food was excellent. The whole group looked forward to Mondays, especially since Declan had started catering the event.
Corey wondered how Liam stayed so thin sometimes, being Declan's mate. He got that the werewolf genes had a lot to do with it. But Corey had a feeling if Ethan cooked the way Declan did, Corey would be stretching his werewolf genes to the limit.
"I take it you approve?' Declan asked him, his eyes crinkling in mirth at Corey's antics.
Corey finished his mouthful before replying. "Seriously, dude, I reckon you could make three-day-old roadkill taste like heaven."
Declan wrinkled his nose. "Ewww. Was that supposed to be a compliment?"
Corey nodded as he took another bite of the pastry.
"Thanks, but we won't be testing that theory."
"If you say so." Corey winked at Declan before he turned, plate in hand, and waddled back to the living room. He was just in time to spot Ethan stepping out of the bathroom, a cloud of steam surrounding him as he opened the door.
Corey's mouth went dry as he stared at his nearly naked mate. The man looked delicious. Even better than the plate of Declan's goodies he held.
A dark-blue towel was wrapped around his hips, the only thing blocking Corey's gaze from one of his favourite views. Ethan's hair was damp, and his cheeks clean shaven. Corey loved to feel Ethan's smooth skin against his own.
His dick twitched in his pants, and Corey was seconds away from saying, "Fuck it" and following Ethan into their room.
Ethan must have felt Corey's eyes on him as he turned, saw Corey watching him, mouth hanging open, and winked. He then disappeared into the bedroom.
"Dude, cut it out. You're pregnant, for crying out loud," Bradley complained.
Corey had to shake himself to snap out of his lust-filled haze. He turned, glared at Bradley, then placed his plate on the small side table before sitting once more in his comfy chair.
"So what if I'm pregnant?" Corey asked as he picked a small party pie off the plate. "I have a very healthy sexual appetite, I'll have you know!"
"TMI, mate. TMI!" Liam complained, his face scrunching up as he walked in the room. "What the hell kind of discussion did I just walk in on?"
"Plus, my mate is hot! How could I not want to jump his bones?" Corey continued, ignoring Liam's comment.
"I doubt you've been doing any jumping with the condition you're in," Bradley chuckled.
"Okay, you have me there."
"Seriously, can we stop talking about sex lives?" Liam asked, and he took a seat opposite Corey.
Just then the door opened, and the last four stragglers of their little group walked in.
Kieran and Damon were holding hands. They both looked extremely happy. It had been a hell of a transition for Damon, from big-city cop to small-town life as a police liaison to shifter kind. But he'd made it work, and Corey couldn't remember ever seeing his friend so happy.
Ben held an almost eighteen-month-old Joseph on his hip. The little boy was growing like a weed. Every time Corey saw him, he'd grown bigger, his long legs attesting to the fact that he'd inherited Ben's height. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that he was Ben's son. Joseph looked like a miniature version of his Alpha dad. Dark hair and piercing blue eyes went right along with the chubby cheeks and the wicked smile the little boy sported.
Corey wondered if their son or daughter would look like Ethan or him. He could just imagine a girl or boy with Ethan's strawberry-blonde locks and stunning jade-green eyes. Corey hoped to Christ they didn't have dimples though. He was a goner if his kid had Ethan's dimples. Corey's boring, plain brown hair and dark eyes were nothing special, but Corey could just picture a little boy the spitting image of himself. His heart melted at the thought.
They'd decided they didn't want to know the gender, preferring to be surprised when their baby was born.
Joseph wore a romper outfit, looking like he was all ready for bed. Ben placed him on the ground.
"Go give everyone hugs and kisses. It's time for a bottle and bed."
Joseph took off like a machine, running to the first person he saw, who happened to be Ethan, who was standing at the end of the passage, now dressed in his skinny jeans and an old, well-worn shirt.
Joseph's arms went up, and Ethan happily bent and swung the boy up into his arms, giving him a big hug and kiss before placing him on the ground and letting him work his way around the room.
Corey couldn't believe how steady the little guy was on his feet. It seemed like only yesterday he'd started crawling. Now he was running all over the place.
"You sure you don't mind us using your nursery?" Tommy asked.
"Not at all. It's there, so you may as well use it. Plus, it saves you from having to cart around a port-a-cot."
"Thanks, we appreciate it," Ben said.
"Come on Joseph. Bottle and bed for you," Tommy said as he waited for Joseph to say his last goodnights.
Joseph was one social boy. He loved being surrounded by people and didn't seem to care who held him. Of course, he loved his dads best but didn't scream and throw a fit if someone else wanted to cuddle him. He just soaked it all in. Corey thought the boy would make an excellent Alpha when the time came.
Tommy rummaged in the bag slung over his shoulder and pulled out a pre-made bottle. He then leaned over and pecked Ben on the cheek. "Be back in a few. Save me some food?"
"Anything you want." Ben picked up his son and said goodnight before handing him to Tommy.
"Come on. I'll show you where everything is." Ethan turned and headed back down the passage, with Tommy and Joseph following.
Ben clapped his hands together. "Right, let's get this poker night started, shall we?"
Ethan wandered back down the passage and made his way over to Corey. He positioned his hands on the chair's armrest and leaned down, placing a soft, tender kiss to Corey's lips.
He pulled back, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "I know exactly what you were thinking earlier."
Corey's breath hitched, and his dick twitched again.
"Oh yeah?" he asked a little breathlessly.
"Yeah," Ethan leaned down and kissed Corey, this one full of heat and the promise of things to come. "Don't worry. Just as soon as everyone leaves, I'll take care of you. Your ass is mine!" Ethan slipped his hand between Corey's legs and palmed his dick, giving it a hard squeeze.
Corey groaned.
"Bastard," he hissed as Ethan stood back up.
The heat in his eyes made Corey's heart rate pick up, and his breathing became heavy as lust coursed through his body. Corey gave serious thought to canceling poker night when Ethan winked at him and stood back up.
"You can wait, horny man." Ethan chuckled, then held out his hands for Corey. "Come on, let's go play some poker."
Corey groaned again but took Ethan's hands and allowed his mate to help him to stand. Ethan knew Corey too well, it seemed, as he danced out of the way when Corey tried to grab Ethan as soon as he was on his feet.
Ethan laughed. Corey smiled every time he heard it. Corey hadn't ever wanted to meet his mate. But ever since Ethan came into his life and refused to let Corey go, his life had changed in ways he'd never thought possible. And he was happy. God, Corey was happy. He couldn't wait till their baby arrived and they got to start their next adventure together as parents.
Corey didn't doubt this was going to be the hardest thing he'd ever done in his life, but he couldn't wait. With Ethan by his side, they'd be able to get through anything.
Corey grabbed his now-empty plate from the side table and made his way through to the dining room, where everyone else had congregated around the large table. Liam sat shuffling the cards, Declan passed out small plates for everyone, and Ben divvied up the chips to all the players.
Declan soon started making his way around the table, offering trays of his delicious food for everyone to pick from. The man did love to cook and entertain.
His bakery was doing really well. Corey missed going in there. For the last few weeks, he'd been stuck at home, when his belly had gotten too large for him to cover it up with a laptop bag or shopping bags.
Ben had made the decision not to share this ability with the government quite yet, which meant Corey had to hide. Hiding was made difficult by the fact the government was always asking questions and wanting to know what was going on every other day.
Corey didn't know how Ben did his job, having to deal with the government bureaucrats on a daily basis. Corey would have lost his shit at them a long time ago if he was in charge.
When the chips were all handed out, Corey grabbed his two for the ante and threw them into the pot in the centre of the table. Liam dealt the cards, and Corey leaned over to pick his two up.
A queen and a six. Nothing special, but he would wait and see what the flop held for him. When the betting got round to him, he threw in an extra two chips to match the bet and waited.
Declan made it to Corey's side of the table with the trays of food, and Corey placed his cards face down. He rubbed his hands together. "Great, I'm starving."
Declan laughed but didn't comment as Corey filled his plate sky high with food.
The baby gave a sharp kick to Corey's ribs. Corey rubbed his stomach. "Yeah, yeah. Hold your damn horses; the food is coming."
Corey bit into the sausage roll, the flaky pastry crumbling and sprinkling his top. Corey dusted his front off and continued to eat, not caring about anything in that moment except filling his belly.
Liam dealt the flop, and Corey folded his cards at his turn before popping a meatball in his mouth.
The games continued, Ethan's hand resting high on Corey's thigh as they played and ate. Tommy rejoined them, taking a seat on Ben's lap.
They played a couple more rounds before Ben cleared his throat.
Everyone at the table stopped what they were doing to look at the man.
"It's Christmas in a couple of weeks," Ben started.
"Noooo…" Liam stated in a very mock horror tone. "What gave it away?" He motioned around the room at the Christmas tree in the corner with lights twinkling like stars and tinsel draped across every curtain rod in view.
"Thank you, Mr. Smartass. Now shut up," Ben said. Everyone chuckled, then turned back to Ben and what he'd been about to say.
"Every year the Atherton Square shopping centre does photos with Santa."
Corey had a really bad feeling as to where Ben was heading with this.
"We've been asked this year to play Santa and the elves."
"What?" Liam asked.
"You've got to be kidding me?" Kieran commented.
Bradley burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" Ben asked, eyebrow raised.
"I'm just picturing you as Santa. You'd scare the kids shitless," Bradley said before dissolving into laughter again.
"I'm not going to play Santa."
Corey glanced at Tommy. The man was trying hard to hold back his laughter. His eyes twinkled, and his lips were losing the fight to smile.
"What is it, Tommy?" Corey asked.
"Ben's going to be an elf!" Tommy's laughter burst forth. Corey couldn't help it. He laughed right along with Tommy, as did everyone else at the table at the image of their six-foot-six Alpha in green felt shorts, suspenders, red-and-white striped socks, and pointed shoes.
"Yeah, yeah, get it all out now," Ben told them indulgently.
Corey had met a few Alphas in his time as Ben's Beta, and he could count on one hand how many would participate in a stunt like the one Ben was suggesting or sit there and let their pack laugh at them.
"It's part of the community engagement the government is pushing. Even though we've lived here all our lives, apparently we have to show the people that we're just like them and not fearsome beasts to be scared of."
Damon was the first to recover. He held his hand up and stared at the Alpha. "If you're not playing Santa, then who is?" he asked, apprehension in his voice.
Ben turned in Corey's direction, and Corey didn't like the look on his friend's face. Before he could say a word, Ben announced, "Corey is."
"No way in hell," Ethan shouted beside him, squeezing Corey's thigh.
"Yes, way."
"And just how the hell is he supposed to get away with that? Have you forgotten my mate is nearly sixteen weeks pregnant?" Ethan asked, his face stoney. Corey reached down and squeezed Ethan's hand, where it rested on his leg.
"Think about it. I've been getting questions about where Corey is and why no one has seen him recently. We need to keep up as much of a normal life as possible. The public and the government need to lay eyes on him. Him playing Santa is a perfect way. We dress him up before he leaves the house, and no one is the wiser."
"Santa's fat, he's not pregnant. The bellies look completely different!" Ethan argued.
Ben waved Ethan's comment away. "We get a small cushion and place it on top of Corey's belly and strap it in place. It'll round Corey out more, so it's not so obvious he's pregnant. It'll be fine. You'll see."
"Do I even get a choice in this?" Corey asked.
"I'm afraid not," Ben said.
"Sucks to be you, man," Kieran said, a smirk on his stupid face. Corey wanted to wipe it right off. Before he could, Ben did it for him.
Ben turned to Kieran then. "You're not getting out of it. There are three elves in total that are needed. Plus, I thought it might not be a bad idea to have someone in shifted form so we can show the public that we're not dangerous; plus, the kids will love it. This means there's three more positions requiring filling, and you guys are the perfect men for the job."
Everyone gaped at Ben like he'd lost his damn marbles.
Ben ignored their looks and continued. "I've already spoken to Melissa Edwards, and she's agreed to take the pictures."
Melissa was a new member of their pack who moonlighted as a wedding photographer in her spare time.
"I've also enlisted a dozen others who are all shopping for small presents for the kids. They're currently out buying and wrapping hundreds of gifts. Every kid that sits on Santa's lap will get a present. If there's any left over, then we'll donate them to the children's ward at the Cairns hospital."
"That's very generous," Samual said.
Ben shrugged.
Corey sighed. He didn't like the idea of going out and exposing himself this late in his pregnancy, but the idea of playing Santa was starting to grow on him.
"How are you planning on deciding who gets to be your fellow elves?" Kieran asked.
"As I see it, you've got two choices." Ben grinned evilly at the rest of them.
"And those are…?" Bradley asked.
"Rock, Paper, Scissors or high-card draw."
Everyone started calling out their preferences at once. The noise level rose quickly.
Ben held up his hands for quiet, and everyone shut up.
"Rock, Paper, Scissors it is!"
Kieran, Samual, and Tommy groaned.
"Sorry, sweetheart, but you were outvoted," Ben said as he patted his mate on the butt.
"Everyone ready?" Ben asked.
Everybody around the table except Ben and Corey placed a clenched fist in towards the centre of the table.
"One, two, three," Ben counted. Everyone moved their fists in time to the counting. On three, they all made their selections.
Everyone started cheering. Then the arguments started as to who beat whom. The noise once again escalated.
Ben whistled loudly to get everyone's attention. "Okay, so obviously that didn't work properly. Everyone pair up."
Ethan paired with Tommy, Declan with Liam, Kieran with Damon, and Bradley with Samual.
"The winners from each group are safe. The losers will then pair up and play again. Of those, the two winners will face each other last. The winner of the last match is safe. The other three, you're with Corey and me for the next two weekends!"
Ben counted down again, and the room once again filled with shouts of joy and groans of despair.
Kieran, Declan, Bradley, and Tommy all won the first round, meaning they were safe. Ethan paired up with Damon, and Liam battled against Samual.
Ben counted down once again, and Ethan whooped for joy beside him as Damon went down to the power of the rock.
Samual groaned as Liam wrapped his rock in paper.
Liam stared across the table at Ethan. His eyes narrowed. "You're going down, Davies!"
Ethan threaded his fingers together before turning his hands around and stretching his arms out, his knuckles making loud popping sounds. "Bring it on, Anderson!"
Ethan cracked his neck from side to side, shrugging his shoulders.
"Get ready to cry like a little baby!" Liam smack-talked as he placed his fist in towards the centre of the table, their poker game long since forgotten.
Ethan placed his fist in as well and then waited for the countdown.
"Now gentlemen, we want a clean fight, nothing below the belt. Fighters ready?" Ben said in a serious tone.
Corey didn't know if he wanted Ethan to win or lose.
"Ready," they both chorused at the same time.
Ben counted them down. Seconds later Ethan burst from his seat, crowing in victory as he mimicked his scissors cutting Liam's paper.
Liam groaned and collapsed back in his chair, Declan consoling him in his defeat.
Ben chuckled. "Thank you to Liam, Damon, and Samual for volunteering to help Corey and I for the next two weekends."
"Yeah, don't mention it," Damon said in a deadpan voice. "My pleasure."
The table erupted in laughter.
"As I see it, there are four of us and four days of photos. We rotate who shifts every day, so we all take a turn."
The three conscripted elves all nodded reluctantly.
Corey had to admit to being glad it wasn't him. He'd need a bath as soon as he got home. All those little kids with their sticky fingers patting his fur. He shuddered at the thought.
"Right, now that's all sorted, how about we get back to some poker," Ben said as he picked up the deck and started shuffling it.
Declan disappeared into the kitchen, which usually meant it was time for dessert. Corey's mouth started to water. He couldn't wait.
They quickly picked up the game, and the night devolved in a flurry of cards, friends, and good food. Corey felt truly blessed to be a part of such a wonderful group of friends.