An Alpha for Christmas

Chapter 9: Dashing Through the Snow

Chapter 9: Dashing Through the Snow

Dolly

Shit! I was her doula! Her delivery day was Christmas! How the hell had I forgotten that?

You’ve had a lot on your mind! Said my wolf.

“I’m coming!” I said, without thinking.

I ran outside and shifted, ripping out of my Christmas pyjamas. I had never run so fast in my life. I actually knocked down three snowmen on my way out the yard. I skin on the icy road and then caught myself. I got off the road. I dashed through the snow.

Dashing through the snow… sang my wolf.

NOT NOW, I yelled at her.

I needed all my brain power and wolf power for this. I was a lot faster than I remembered. I made it to the pack house in five minutes if so much even though it was a half-hour drive away.

You’re fated to an Alpha now remember? You are stronger now, literally, said my wolf.

I burst into the room. The Christmas Carnival was underway. Where was Fern?!

I heard an ear-splitting scream.

There she is! Said my wolf.

I found her near Uncle Frosty’s ice ring toss sitting on a rug on the floor.

“Come on,” I said after I shifted back, motioning for Christian to help me.

“You’re naked,” said Christian.

“We’re all born naked,” I announced. “And your baby is coming now!” 

Christian helped me move Fern into the ice ring toss stall for some privacy. He then threw a Christmas rug over me.

“Give her your sweater,” said Fern breathlessly.

She was huffing and puffing, doing her breathing exercises. Christian struggled to take off his sweater and got tangled in it.

“Here,” said a deep voice.

I felt someone put a huge warm soft sweater over me. I pulled it on. I knew that smell anywhere. I looked up. Nick. We locked eyes.

“What do you need?” He asked. “They said you were her doula right?”

I nodded. I sent Nick to get me some supplies and to call the pack house doctors just in case anything went wrong. We put Fern in a kiddie pool filled with water. The kiddie pool was supposed to have been a prize for one of the stalls.

“Just keep breathing okay,” I said, putting on some gloves.

Fern was kneeling down in the water. Nick kept adding warm water to it with a kettle.

“Thanks,” I said.

He nodded.

“She’s dilated enough to start pushing,” I said. “Are you feeling the urge to push?”

“Yeah,” said Fern breathlessly.

Ginger and Klaus came running over to us. Nick had pulled the curtain of the stall so Fern had some privacy back here. Fern shrieked so loudly a lot of pack members approached the curtain.

“Not to worry, not to worry,” I heard Alpha Nicholas saying to the crowd behind the curtain. “Please return to your games! Almost time for the Holidate Auction!” Chuckled Alpha Nicholas.

“RETURN TO YOUR GAMES!” He yelled in his Alpha Voice when they didn’t listen the first time.

I jumped. Mom and Dad came running behind the curtain.

“Hey,” said Alpha Nicholas.

“That’s my daughter,” said Mom, elbowing him out of the way.

Dad and Mom came and knelt outside the kiddie pool. Alpha Nicholas poked his head inside the curtain just as Nick poured some more warm water in the pool.

“You!” Hissed Alpha Nicholas, recognising me. “I banned you…”

“Dad!” Snapped Nick. “She’s delivering her sister’s baby! And you can’t ban her from the pack house,” said Nick.

“Oh can’t I?” Laughed Alpha Nicholas.

“Because she’s the new Luna,” announced Nick. “If she’ll have me.”

Alpha Nicholas was floored. A woman who must be Nick’s Mom, the current Luna, cooed, “Ohh Nicky, congrats.”

“If she ever forgives me,” said Nick looking at me, just as Joy and Nole arrived behind the curtain.

“What did you do to her?” Demanded Nole.

Joy put her hand on Nole’s chest. It was getting really crowded and chaotic in here.

“I have to focus, Nick,” I said.

“Oh right. Sorry,” he said.

“You’re doing so well, Fern. I can feel a head! He’s crowning!” I squealed.

“How do you know it’s a he?” Asked Christian.

“I don’t yet,” I admitted. “Maybe, she’s crowning. Come on, Fern. Push!”

Fern screamed and pushed with all her might. I grabbed the babe’s shoulders as it came out. I lifted the baby up. Mom gave me a towel to wrap the baby in.

“It’s a girl,” I said, feeling overwhelmed.

I showed Christian how to clamp and cut the cord with some sterile scissors. The pack house had a great deal of medical supplies. The baby started to cry.

“Congratulations, Fern and Christian,” I said, sniffling, handing the baby to my sister.

My sister put the baby on her chest with Christian’s help. Everyone was in awe of the baby.

“She’s latching,” said Fern.

“Yeah, she’s hungry,” I said, laughing.

“You’re amazing, Dolly, thank you,” said Fern.

“Nah, you’re amazing,” I said. “What’re you naming her?”

“I’m thinking…Winter,” said Fern.

“I love it,” I said.

“Dolly,” said Nick, nodding towards beyond the curtain.

“One second,” I said.

I followed Nick outside the super crowded ice ring toss stall. Uncle Bill was waiting outside the curtain. We had kicked him out of his booth for room.

“Is she okay?” Asked Uncle Bill.

“Yes, thanks to Dolly,” said Nick.

Uncle Bill hugged me and then went to go see the baby.

“I know you hate me,” said Nick.

“I could never hate you,” I admitted, looking around at all the Christmas decorations.

The Carnival looked great.

“Just listen to this,” he said, taking out his phone and playing a recording.

I heard Gloria’s voice.

“You know you want me,” she said on the recording.

I wanted to vomit.

“You didn’t have to set up this whole ruse to get me. I’ve always regretted you leaving me for that other Alpha,” I heard Nick say on the recording.

“I don’t need to hear this,” I said.

“Wait,” he said grabbing my arm.

“How did you come up with all this?” Asked Nick.

“All what?” Said Gloria. “It was easy! I just used a vacuum cleaner on my shoulder. I got it from the cleaning lady. I knew you just needed an excuse to get rid of Dolly.”

My eyes widened as I looked at Nick who was smiling slightly.

“And by the bathroom, why kiss me there? You caught me off guard It’s not exactly a romantic spot,” said Nick on the recording.

“I heard footsteps and smelt Dolly coming. She always wears too much floral perfume. I was just asserting myself,” admitted Gloria with a laugh.

Nick stopped the recording. I stared at him. He really had been telling the truth! 

“I’m sorry…” I began.

“Stop,” he said putting a finger to my lips.

I smiled,

“Do I really wear too much floral perfume?” I asked.

Nick laughed.

“No, you wear just the right amount,” he said grinning. “You amaze me, Dolly.”

He nodded towards something behind me. I turned to look. There was mistletoe hanging from a wall light. Was I about to get my Christmas wish?

“Who are we to break tradition, right?” Said Nick.

I grinned.

“Merry Christmas, Dolly,” he murmured.

“Merry Christmas, Nick,” I replied.

He pulled me to him and pressed his lips to mine, flooding my whole body with warmth. He kissed me until I was breathless. He parted to say something.

“Oh yeah, my Dad really can’t ban you from the pack house. He handed over the post of Alpha to me officially earlier this morning. It was my gift,” said Nick.

I heard a clink.

“What’s that?” He said.

I looked down. My bracelet had fallen off.

“Magic,” I said as he picked up the bracelet. “It’s my Santa gift from the party.”

“I’ll get you some jewellery that won’t fall off,” said Nick.

I grinned. My Alpha pulled me in for another kiss. This had been the best Christmas I could ask for.

From Joanna J:

Thanks for reading! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! This was meant to be short and sweet! It's meant to be a novella (10,000 words to 40,000 words) or a novelette (7,500 words to 17,500 words).

It's inspired by the warm fuzzy feelings my readers and supporters give me if that's not too cheesy to admit.

Regular updates will resume soon.

Love Joanna J