The Ruthless Lycan King's Virgin Mate

#Chapter 17 You're So Good To Me, Dylan!

Harper’s POV

It’s Christmas Day!

And well, it's the same as the last really. My family has completely forgotten I exist since they are so busy catering to guests. And I haven’t received any gifts. Dylan also disappeared for the day, saying that he has something to deal with. Trying not to dampen the Christmas spirit, I decide that I’ll head to the business district to entertain myself.

I put on my only, but favorite pair of bright green winter boots. They're extremely worn out, but I can’t afford another pair. And I love these tremendously. I throw on a wooly jacket, grab my bag and head out.

It really didn’t matter that I hadn’t received any gifts, couldn’t buy any, or wouldn’t get to spend the day with family. Just arriving in the business district, I’m surrounded by all things festive! And that's more than enough to make my day.

The air is joyous and spectacular, as snow graces every rooftop and every pathway. Snowflakes trickle down from the sky, as festive music warms my soul. I smile, rubbing my mittens together, and breathing into the air, loving the condensation I create.

I walk along a path illuminated by lights blinking at me in red, gold and green. And they lead to the massive Christmas tree that's been placed in the center of town. I stand beneath its glory, admiring it, while people bustle past me. Many families walk past, their children playing about in the snow, while couples stroll hand in hand.

It truly is a magical day.

“Oh, look who it is.”

It was a magical day.

The snickering coming from behind me tells me enough. I let out a sigh, before turning to face Erin and her mean spirited friends. They're all dressed fashionably with expensive Christmas jumpers, mini skirts and high stockings. My clothes pale miserably in comparison.

They're all carrying a bunch of shopping bags, clearly flaunting their ability to spend as much as they like. Erin grins at me maliciously, “Aw, how sad. The pathetic orphan is all alone for Christmas…”

“I’m not an orphan.”

Her friends only laugh at my retaliation. “Well you seem like one,” Erin giggles. “It’s only with luck that you’ve lasted this long. And the same goes for the competition. I have no doubt that comes the second round, you won't be so lucky.”

That's when one of her ghouls speaks with a patronizing tone, “Erin, isn’t it important to give donations to orphans at Christmas?”

“Oh you're so right!” Erin sneers, she digs her hand into the bottom of a bag, before fishing out the oldest, most worn-out pair of gloves I’ve ever seen. “Father asked me to pick up a Christmas gift for the butler. But here, I think you need it more. They suit you better!”

I frown deeply as she hands it to me. But just as the gloves are about to be delivered to me, Erin suddenly drops the gloves. Eyes blinking at me and then down at them, smugly expecting me to pick them up in further humiliation.

However, Erin’s humiliation plan is interrupted. “Look! It’s Santa Claus!” A kid's excited scream pierces through the square. And all eyes turn to witness four massive reindeer pulling a massive red sleigh. And in the driver’s seat, is Santa!

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Dean’s POV

Unfucking believable.

I can’t believe I’m doing this. How Tyler managed to get a bunch of reindeer, I don’t even know! He was equally astounded when I ordered to have them brought in with a sleigh. All my strength and dignity as the strongest Lycan King has gone down the drain.

I feel like a monkey in a circus. Now I much rather prefer disobeying Harper’s wishes and losing all my power, than putting on this stupid show.

Sigh…

‘Well, if you really didn’t want to fulfill Harper’s wishes, why did you put on the Santa costume that we bought from the store this morning?’ says Elliot in a tease.

I curse beneath the long, thick gray beard that covers my face. With the correlating gray mustache making my upper lip itch. The disguise is quite good in all honesty. Along with the facial hair, I’m dressed in the iconic red hat and suit, with a massive cushion sewn underneath the shirt so it looks like I’ve got a belly.

‘It is just a precautionary measure. Plan B, in case I encounter a situation that leaves me no choice but to wear the costume.’ I grumble back at Elliot.

That’s when I see Harper being ridiculed and made fun of by her half-sister. I cannot help but stand up and stride towards the sleigh.

‘So is this a critical moment that requires you to wear the costume?’ he enquires innocently.

‘Yep.’

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The sleigh makes an annoying jingle tune as I round the corner. I’ve stuck a massive boombox at the back of the sleigh, and it plays the corniest tune I’ve ever heard. Just hearing it makes me want to vomit. But Elliot said we had to put that one on.

The reindeer canter me into the main town square, and all the ruckus catches people's attention as I launch myself out of the sleigh when it comes to a skidding stop. I fish out the microphone from my Santa bag, and brace myself.

‘Don’t worry man. I got this!’ Says Elliot confidently, and that's when I sense that my wolf has taken over the controls. My body starts moving and grooving to the beat in a weird yet cool way. I’m mortified that Elliot can actually dance! Well!

“Last Christmas, I gave you my heart! But the very next day, you gave it away…” he bellows in a soothing deep voice in accordance with the backing track.

‘When did you learn to sing?’ I wonder loudly in my head.

‘Shush’ says Elliot, ‘we got to put on a good show!’

“This year, to save me from tears… I’ll give it to someone special…”

Elliot bobs us back and forth across the cobblestone square, just under the Christmas tree. We sway elegantly to the beat, my feet stepping with eloquent ease as I turn and twist under the dazzling Christmas lights.

The surrounding people are awed by my moves and Elliot’s singing. Throughout my number, I unveil the gifts in my massive sack, handing them out to the little kids amongst the crowd while I continue to move to the beat.

Eventually the song comes to an end. And the crowd applauds and cheers with great excitement. My attention then turns to Harper, who's standing in awe at all that's just occurred. I go ahead to take out the Christmas gifts, and hand them to her.

“Merry Christmas Harper! Ho ho ho!” says Elliot comically.

Her giggles amplify. But before she can give me her full attention, her gaze darts to Erin and her friends, who look utterly appalled by the whole scene. Erin’s fixing to leave, till Harper speaks up. “Don’t forget your present.” Her gaze slips to the gloves Erin had purposefully dropped in the snow.

Erin can only huff angrily in flabbergasted frustration. She snatches up the pair and stuffs them into her bag angrily before storming off with her and her mean girl group.

That's when Harper finally turns back to me. Her eyes gloss over with admiration before she whispers to me. “I know that actually Santa doesn't really exist. He’s just created by adults to trick children for fun. I know it’s you, Dylan.”

I blink at her, till I realize she’s trying to undo my mustache and beard! “I’m so touched that you were willing to do this for me to fulfill my one and only wish for Christmas!”

I struggle against her, desperate to avoid having her reveal my identity to the rest of the town! I don’t need people knowing that I’d stoop so low. My dignity is already in shambles.

But Harper remains undeterred. I must’ve made her really happy, because she is determined to unveil me. And with rough force, she rips off my beard and mustache with a loud rip!

Fuck….

Satisfied that she can now fully see my face, Harper bear hugs me tightly, wrapping her dainty arms around my fake belly. Resting her head against my pillowy chest. She beams so brightly that all I can do is sigh, lightly patting her on the head, in half acceptance of my predicament.

“You're so good to me Dylan. You're too good to me. Honestly, you're just like…” I wait silently, curious as to what she’s about to say. My heart suddenly and uncontrollably begins to speed up in pace.

“You're just like my daddy!”

What?!

I’m astounded. Dumbfounded. Lost in a sea -no- an ocean of confusion!

“You treat me the same as I’d imagine the father of my dreams would treat his daughter. It’s so nice!”

I’m left speechless. Rolling my eyes at a complete loss at the gaping gap between what I have been expecting, and the true reality…