Page 39 of Moonbeams & Mistletoe

“I’m told there’s a human tradition of giving ugly sweaters.”

Indigo nodded, pulled on the sweater and grabbed agift from under the tree. He giggled as I unwrapped it. My gift was also a sweater, with a wolf pack surrounding a Christmas tree and emblazoned with the words Alpha Daddy in glittering letters.

“It's hideous.” I put it on over my PJs. “And perfect.” But our baby made a face at my outfit.

“Wait until you see Selene’s.” Indigo pulled out a tiny package, unwrapping it to reveal a onesie that matched both our sweaters, with a reindeer on the front. I changed our daughter into her new outfit, and she giggled.

Indigo set his phone on the mantle. Instead of saying “cheese,” my mate and I howled, and Selene waved her fists.

I retrieved a small box from under the tree. Inside lay a clear glass ornament containing a tiny handprint in blue paint. We’d taken Selene’s handprints weeks ago, but I was one who’d arranged to have it placed in glass.

My mate hadn’t seen it yet, and tears filled his eyes as he brushed his fingertips over it. “We can have one done every year and watch her grow.” He flung his arms around me, and we smooched.

I hung the ornament on the tree, and Selene watched as it twinkled in the reflection from the fairy lights. Next I grabbed an envelope from behind the tree.

A letter to Seleneit read.

This was Indigo's idea. We were going to write to our daughter each Christmas, telling her about the year and preserving memories. In the letter we’d described how we met, though we left out our trauma, how excited we were when we discovered she was on the way, how her omegadad was so good at howling, and the milestones she’s achieved since she was born.

“We’ll keep this in a special place.”

I wiped a tear trickling down my cheek as Indigo picked up a small velvet box. Inside was a child’s silver bracelet with a crescent-moon charm attached. We were going to add a charm each year, but we didn’t want her to wear it yet. Instead, we’d wait a few years when she could choose if she wanted it on her wrist.

After exchanging presents, we got ready to go to the lodge where the pack would be gathering. Everyone cooed and oohed over Selene, and Uncle Lionel insisted on taking her from me and parading her around the room.

The Christmas welcome was an ancient tradition, one that had evolved over centuries. Each child born that year was presented to the pack, receiving a blessing for protection and growth in the coming seasons.

As the future Alpha's heir, Selene would go first. Indigo and I stood together at the center of the circle that formed, Selene nestled in my arms. Uncle stepped forward, his voice strong as he spoke.

“May the strength of the pack guide you. May the wisdom of your ancestors protect you. May the moon light your path through all seasons of life.”

One by one, the elders approached, each placing a hand briefly on Selene’s head, adding their own message of good fortune. When the last had finished, Uncle produced a small silver object. It was a tiny wolf charm.

“For the bracelet,” he explained, placing it in Indigo's palm. “A reminder of her heritage.”

“How did you know?” my mate asked. “We haven't shared our charm bracelet tradition with anyone.”

Lionel smiled, a rare expression on his usually stern face.

“A little bird told me of your plan.” He nodded toward Antonia, who grinned from across the room.

Of course, it was her cousin who’d made the bracelet. It was almost impossible keeping a secret from the pack.

“Thank you.” Indigo hugged Uncle Lionel, and he didn’t pull away, but instead held my mate close.

Later, back home with Selene sleeping peacefully in her nursery, my mate and I sat before the fire, still in our ridiculous sweaters, as we sipped mugs of mulled wine.

“Good first Christmas?” I asked.

“The best.” He leaned against my shoulder. “Though I hope Selene appreciates the sweater tradition more than she did today. She wasn’t impressed.”

I laughed, remembering our daughter's face. “She has good taste.”

“Next year she'll be walking.”

“And we'll add another charm, another letter, and another handprint ornament.” I wrapped an arm around him, pulling him closer. “Building our history one Christmas at a time.”

We watched the flames dance. One year ago, I'd spent Christmas separated from my mate by secrets and fear. Now my world was full of love, family, and both new and old traditions.

“Thank you.”

Indigo looked up. “For what?”

“For trusting love.” I pressed a kiss to his temple. “For everything.”

His eyes met mine, taking my breath away because I was so lucky to have him and Selene. “We built this together, Riven.”

Outside, snow began to fall again, adding fresh white to the existing blanket. Inside, wrapped in ugly sweaters and each other's arms, we had everything we needed—a sleeping daughter upstairs, a home filled with love, and the promise of Christmases to come, each building on the traditions we'd begun today.