A Snow moon christmas

A very merry Christmas

*Chester*

"...twenty stitches per inch."

I try to look impressed with my present dance partner's sewing skills, but the truth is that Miss Beatrix's words merely collide together as they bombard my ears and make no sense.

I have heard that Merry has recovered from her ordeal and will be coming to the ballroom before the night is done, so I'm trying to distract myself. A part of me wishes desperately that I had stayed by her side at the castle. It would have ensured she became my wife.

But I don't want her forced into something she might not want. I just don't know where I will find the strength to stay away from her once she marries Lightfoot. But stay away I will, because the last thing I want is her unhappiness.

"Pardon me."

At the tap on my shoulder, I come to an abrupt halt and almost forget to breathe. Merry stands there in a striking red velvet dress with white trim. She smiles at me, and this time my heart nearly forgets to beat. Then she turns her attention to Miss Beatrix.

"Forgive me for interrupting, but a gentleman asked me to give this to you," she says, holding out a slip of paper.

"Oh." Miss Beatrix takes it, unfolds it, and reads it. She blinks her eyes. "Who gave this to you?"

Merida smiles secretly. "He asked me not to say. He wanted to remain a bit mysterious, I think. But I am given to understand that he is quite impressed with your sewing skills."

Miss Beatrix brightens. "Indeed. I knew some gentleman would eventually appreciate them." She looks at me. "If you will excuse me, my Alpha, I must see to this."

"By all means. Who am I to stand in the way of true love?" I say smiling.

Miss Beatrix gives a tiny squeal before hurrying from the room.

I study Merida. "What have you done, Merry?"

"I wanted to dance with you." She says.

"Well, then, allow me the honor." I tell her.

Taking her in my arms, I sweep her over the dance floor. "Who was the note from?"

She smiles. "Me, of course. It said only, 'Meet me in the library.'"

"At least she will be warm." I point out.

Her smile grows. "And not alone. I saw Alpha Wexford going in there on my way here."

I laugh. "Jolly good."

She blushes. "Who knows? Perhaps something will come of it."

Tightening my hold on her, I ask, "And what of us? Will anything come of us?"

"I am not quite sure. It depends on you, I suppose. You should know that within my pocket I have a slip of paper for every Miss you intend to dance with tonight. I want all of your dances." She says.

"You shall have them." I tell her.

She smiles. "You should also be aware that Father threatened to take away my dowry if I didn't marry Lightfoot. I suppose he knew I had reservations and thought to dispense with them. I don't know if he'll carry through on his threat."

"I have told you before that I don't give a damn about your dowry." I tell her truthfully.

She takes a deep breath. "I don't love Lightfoot. I never did, but he seemed a pleasant enough sort, and he made me feel appreciated. I thought I would be content with him, but then I discovered something I wanted more. Just a few moments ago, I cried off with him. He plans to tell everyone about the tryst in the garden. I shall be ruined."

"Lovely chap. I shall introduce him to my fist later. But right this moment, you do know that the best way to stop gossip is to give people something far more interesting to talk about." I say.

She nods. "I never stopped loving you."

My heart contracts, then expands, and I think it might burst through my chest. "That's good because I have loved you from the night we met, and I shall love you until the day I die."

"Then kiss me now." She tells me.

And I do. I stop dancing, fold my arms around her, and lower my mouth to hers. I hear the slowing of feet, a few gasps, some chuckles, a clap or two. Yes, we will be the talk of high pack society. But I'm not quite done.

Breaking off the kiss, I hold her warm gaze for but a moment before going down on bended knee and taking her hand.

All dancing halts. The music stops.

"Merry, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife, my mate, my Luna, the mother of my children? Will you be my love for as long as I draw breath?"

Tears well in her eyes as she presses a trembling hand to her lips. "Oh, Chester, yes, of course."

Taking from my pocket a ring with small emeralds that match her eyes, I slip it onto her finger. At her stunned expression, I can't help but smile. "I told you, Merry, that first night that you were the reason I was here. Happy Christmas, my love."

Standing, I kiss her again as a rousing cheer goes up from those who surround us. As her arms close around my neck, I pull her in against the curve of my body and hold her tighter. It's going to be a very lovely Christmas for us both. The first of many.