A Lion for Christmas Read online

  “Me too, I’m glad you liked it. I plan on us doing it often,” Crispin replied, chuckling.

  “I’m all yours, Alpha,” Chase said, laughing as well.

  “I like the sound of that,” Crispin said, pulling out of him with a groan.

  “So what now?” Chase asked.

  “Now? Simple now, you wake up and realize this was not a dream. You projected to me in your sleep, so part of this is both of our imaginations. I think I am gonna like this mating thing,” Crispin laughed.

  “What?” Chase yelled.

  “It is part of the bond we already established, when a Shifter finds his mate, they have the initial bond that allows each of them to project feelings and emotions. I didn’t think we had started since you were kinda avoiding me. I guess that maybe I was wrong. Man, I can't believe you thought of this!” Crispin whispered.

  “Shit, get out of my head,” Chase groaned and then opened his eyes.

  “Fuckin’ A,” Chase swore when he sat up. He grabbed his neck and there was no mark. Great, now he had to go sit across from the man he just had a wet dream about and act as if everything was normal.

  Crispin waited nervously in the hall for his mate to show up. He really hoped things would go well for this lunch. He was more than ready to make sure he and his mate were on the same wavelength. At least that is what Sabrina told him to say.

  He turned and watched as his mate walked into the hallway. Wow, he was hot. “Lunch in the main dining hall?”

  Chase nodded and walked slowly to the man who he had begun thinking of as his mate. It had been slow in coming, but Chase knew he would give in. It was just a matter of time; he was too attracted to the man.

  Together they walked into the large room where the Wizards set up a dining hall for everyone. This way everyone could socialize and not remain in their rooms all the time.

  Once seated and they had ordered, Chase looked up at Crispin who was staring at him intently. “So the gift?” Chase said.

  Crispin smiled at his mate and then said, “Of course, the gift. How did you like it?”

  “It was a communicator,” Chase said warily.

  Crispin frowned. “It was not just a communicator, it was special. When we return to the Shifter Stratum, you will be able to make calls to Blake. It allows contact between Stratums.”

  Chase opened and closed his mouth. Should he be touched at the gift, or be pissed at the presumptuous attitude about thinking Chase was going to be his Consort. “Uh, thanks?”

  “You don’t like it?” Crispin asked.

  “No it’s not that, it’s just your assumption that we will be mated,” Chase said softly.

  Crispin grimaced, of course, how to dig himself out of this. “Well, how about this. The gift is in hopes of our future, as are the rest of the gifts I have planned. The game as they say is on, I plan on convincing you that we are made to be together.”

  Chase shook his head, leaned back, and listened as Crispin began to explain what his home was like.

  Chapter Four

  Every day for the last week things had been the same. Chase would wake up and a new present would be waiting. Crispin had been relentless. The communicator had been cool; it was the newest technology the Shifters had. It had the ability to be used in any of the Stratums. Blake ordered it to be replicated for his Stratum.

  Then there was the lunch dates. Every afternoon they met in the foyer and went to lunch in the dining hall together. They talked and got to know one another. Chase had to admit he was wrong about his impressions of the Shifter. Crispin explained about his past, and the rumors that surrounded him.

  The King admitted he was not saint. However, many of the conquests he supposedly had were much exaggerated. Mostly the rumors were from the news, and Crispin admitted that he never thought to actually deny them.

  They talked about their likes and dislikes; surprisingly enough the two men had a lot in common. Chase relaxed more and more around the Shifter. Soon, they were laughing and teasing one another as if they had been together forever.

  The gifts were thoughtful and Chase thanked him repeatedly for them. The one thing they hadn’t done was kiss. Crispin could feel his lion pushing him every single time they said goodbye. It was frustrating. He knew the other man wanted him, he could feel it.

  The Alpha stood in the foyer looking outside; the Guards had been increased, as they grew closer to the time when they would have the Ball. The meetings had become increasingly intense as Dion and his ‘band of dipshits’ continued to attack various places in the Stratum. The Ball was announced, so Blake knew Dion would try something, they had even heard some grumblings about it.

  “Hey,” Chase said behind him.

  Crispin turned and he smiled. His mate was in his relaxed attire. Jeans and a t-shirt, he was devastatingly handsome.

  “Hey yourself,” Crispin said and walked to the man. He was just about ready to lead the way to the dining hall when Chase put his hand out and stopped him. Crispin frowned, was Chase going to break their date? It seemed like they had been getting along well.

  “I, uh, well that is, I was thinking,” Chase said, rolled his eyes and continued, “Shit, sorry, I sound like an idiot. Would you like to eat lunch in my suite?”

  Crispin laughed, “Of course, lead the way.” Finally, they were going to be alone. Crispin could have paused and thought about his decision, but he was not about to look a gift horse in the mouth. His mate finally wanted to spend alone time with him.

  Chase led the way back to his suite. Since growing up with the Royal family, and being the Second to the King, Chase had a huge suite in the Palace.

  Crispin looked around curiously, as they walked. His suite of rooms was in a completely different wing of the Palace. As far as Crispin knew, none of the other Kings had been allowed into the Royals wing. It was like an unwritten rule.

  Crispin had just as large a castle in his Stratum. And like Chase, his parents had died. He was the only child of the Royal line in the Shifter Stratum. Chase had his Pride, Zade, and his other lead Enforcers. They were like family. Hopefully, they would get along with Chase as well.

  Chase opened the door to his suite and Crispin stepped in. Of course, he had been in here before, but those times he was brought through another way. Since Chase was on the ground floor, he had a garden exit with patio doors as well.

  He liked his mate’s home. It was tastefully decorated in light greys and black. Very masculine, the furniture black leather, from the kitchen to the bedroom. Crispin paused; he wondered if his mate was going to like his bedchamber. It was dark blue and grey. Possibly, he would have to have it changed before they went home.

  “I made Stir-fry,” Chase said nervously.

  Crispin nodded and said, “Great.”

  There was a pause, and both men could feel the tension in the room. It was like they had met for the first time, all of their closeness they established when they were in the dining hall vanished, and in its place was a tense and uncomfortable silence.

  Chase walked stiffly into the kitchen and began to put out the plates. Crispin could smell the lunch the other man prepared. He refused to take steps backwards but he couldn’t do anything that would startle his mate, hell he had been tortured. So far, Chase spoke little of what he went through to Crispin. It was a bone of contention between the two, for which they both ignored.

  Crispin tried to talk to Chase about it a few days ago during their after lunch walk in the garden. Chase laughed it off, and Crispin was angry his mate would not talk to him. He spoke to Bria about it, and she told him that Chase would talk when he was ready.

  “Lunch is ready,” Chase called and Crispin went into the dining area and paused.

  Crispin stood at the entrance to the dining room. Chase was grinning, and he said, “I won’t guarantee how it tastes. I’m not very good with cooking for more than just myself. I usually just eat whatever Bria cooks for the family.”

  “It looks awesome,” Crispin said and l
aughed. The meal on the table was strange. There was pasta with a cream sauce, veggies, bread, some kind of potatoes, along with small steaks and chicken.

  Chase waited until he sat down and then pulled up a chair next to him. Crispin was pleasantly surprised with the show of affection when Chase began to fill his plate.

  They chatted about silly subjects while they ate. Crispin could feel the sexual tension in the room. Hopefully, they would finally deal with what they were feeling. When they were finished with their meal, Crispin began to help him clean up.

  Chase was at the sink, rinsing the plates and putting them in the cleaning machine. He turned suddenly after Crispin put the glasses on the counter and with his wet hands, he pulled Crispin close and laid a kiss on him.

  Crispin was stunned at first, and was not sure how to respond, so he stood there frozen as Chase controlled the kiss. Soft and sweet, their first kiss would be something to remember, especially since there was water dripping on the floor from Chase’s hands.

  Chase pulled back and smiled, “Wow, tension reliever. Sorry, I have been dying to do that for a few days. I just felt like we had to get the whole first kiss out of the way.”

  Crispin paused and then said, “Well, then maybe we should get the second out of the way, too.”

  Crispin pulled Chase closer, wrapped his arms around the man, while one hand held him close, with the other he reached up and wrapped it in his mate’s hair, pulled his head close and ravaged his mouth.

  He slowly teased his mouth open, and proceeded to taste and feel every inch of his mate’s mouth. A few times he pulled back and nipped at his lips, making sure he knew who was boss. It was electrifying, the feel of his mate’s lips. The mating urge slammed into Chase and Crispin.

  Chase moaned and ran his hands up Crispin’s back, touching and feeling his mate’s muscles slowly.

  Crispin reveled in his mates touch, his lion was purring in his head, finally content with the fact they were touching.

  When Crispin pulled back from the kiss, he leaned his forehead against his mates and closed his eyes, waiting for his heart to stop racing.

  “Shit, that was so much better than the dream,” Chase murmured.

  Crispin laughed and kissed his mate lightly, “Yes it was.”

  Christmas Eve was strictly for family. Crispin planned to spend it with his men in their suite. However, Bria invited them all to theirs in order to have the family night there. He was hesitant to agree, bringing the Wizards and Shifters all together could make for an interesting night. However, Bria and Ryker insisted, saying that they would be family now. So his close friends were going to be included. Zade and a few of the others agreed to attend. He was a little tense about the whole situation.

  Bria and Ryker welcomed them with open arms and Crispin relaxed marginally. He wanted this to go smoothly. Even though he was a King, and Chase would hopefully be his Consort after tomorrow, this was important to his mate. He wanted to make sure he knew that when push came to shove, when it involved Chase’s family, Royalty did not matter.

  “Boys, we have lots of food, make yourself at home,” Bria announced and pushed them to the largest table full of food.

  Chase and Crispin laughed when Blake and Ian threw them a beer. Crispin had developed a taste for the Human beverage, even though it really didn’t do much for him.

  They ate and mingled with everyone and Crispin finally felt like his mate had accepted him. During the evening, Chase would touch his back or ask his opinion, always including him in the conversation. It was nice.

  Crispin watched his men, and became curious when Zade, his Second, began to act strangely. Crispin excused himself and walked over to where his Beta was standing in a corner looking like he was going to vomit.

  “What’s wrong?” Crispin asked. “Do I need to get Bria?”

  Zade had been limited in his exposure around the Palace. Since they arrived, his Beta had made sure that everything was under control and ran without a hitch. However, he had remained confined to their suites.

  “I am feeling strange, I am not sure why,” Zade admitted through gritted teeth.

  “Let me get Bria,” Crispin said and turned ready to call their host.

  “No, I am going to go back to the rooms. Who is that though? Every time I get close is when I feel weird.” His Beta motioned with his head.

  Crispin frowned and turned around, his Beta was pointing to Blake and Logan’s sister. “Sasha? She is the Transport Head, haven’t you met her?”

  “No, I always dealt with someone else, we can deal with this later, maybe I am allergic to her perfume,” Zade said and slipped out the patio doors quietly.

  Crispin frowned and thought it had to be something like that, his Beta was gay, there was no way he would be attracted to Sasha. He went and rejoined his mate and they celebrated as Christmas Eve turned to Christmas morning.”

  Chapter Five

  Christmas morning dawn bright with sunshine blazing through the windows of the Palace and it lit up the large hall where the family was meeting for the morning’s festivities.

  Bria was bustling around; making sure that everyone ate their fill of breakfast. They made a huge meal, since most of them wouldn’t eat until the formal dinner this afternoon before the Ball. All of the Kings were meeting in the dining room for a celebration of each of their holidays.

  Ian’s mother, Sabrina Westerfield, and father, Brent Westerfield, a Human Senator and his wife joining in on the fun. Crispin laughed when they asked Trent to change a few days ago, because they wanted to see the wolf. They were like kids in a candy store, asking questions and trying to get as much information as they could. Ian laughed because he explained they didn’t want to make an error at the formal dinner.

  Crispin felt a little out of place at first, until his mate grabbed his hand and led him into the room. Everyone greeted him joyfully, Bria made him a huge plate, and they sat down at the table.

  “Breakfast before presents,” Bria announced and Crispin laughed.

  “Good Tradition!” Crispin said and looked at Chase. He told is mate yesterday that he would not receive his gift first thing in the morning. Although he had the one for this evening, he also had a few others under the large tree. Trent and Ian helped him pick out some things they knew his mate would like.

  The mood was jovial as they ate. Blake and his mate were teasing everyone about what their gifts were. The parents’ all looking on with an indulgent smile. Finally, they were finished with their meal, and Sabrina explained to them their tradition. Each opened one present at a time, so everyone could see what they received.

  Crispin looked at the tree and raised his eyebrows, it was stuffed with presents, they may or may not make it to the formal dinner. The family moved to sit on the large furniture surrounding the tree. Ryker played, ‘Santa’, he began with the oldest and handed out presents one at a time. While they watched their friends open their gifts, Chase grabbed Crispin’s hand. A warm feeling ran through him and he squeezed his mate’s hand.

  Crispin was surprised when Ryker called out his name and handed him a large gift. He read the tag; it was from Ryker and Bria. “Thank you.” Crispin smiled. Thank goodness, he had given them a gift also.

  As he ripped open the box, he smiled. It was a tailor made black leather jacket. Chase teased him about looking rugged and handsome in black leather.

  Then Chase opened a gift from them and it was a matching jacket, Crispin grinned and nodded to Bria.

  Presents continued to be opened and they were all having a great time. Crispin and Chase laughed with the others over the funny gifts, it was a special morning.

  Crispin smiled when Chase gave him a shirt and some other small things. Chase loved his gifts, which included cologne and a jogging suit. Just when they were about to end, they agreed on a time to meet again later before the large meal. Chase and Crispin gathered their things and wandered off to Chase’s suite.

  “That was nice,” Crispin said as they entered
his suite.

  “I love this tradition,” Chase teased and laughed. “I am gonna go and get these put away.”

  Crispin nodded and then raised an eyebrow when his mate put his presents away also. It seemed maybe they were making more progress. At a meeting yesterday, they discussed the length of time the Kings were all going to be in this Stratum. The Security was tight, so no one wanted to chance them leaving. All of them agreed they would fight in this Stratum. Chase had commented that Crispin may be more comfortable moving to his suite, but they'd been interrupted and hadn't been able to finish the conversation. Apparently, his mate was thinking they decided. Crispin picked up a box and helped him put it away.

  When they were done, Crispin turned to him, looked at him with passion in his eyes, and said, "How about we go and watch a little television?"

  Chase shrugged and followed the other man into the living room. The couch was huge and plush with a lot of pillows all over it. Crispin sat in the middle leaving him a choice of either side to sit, or move to the large chair that was off to the side.

  Chase decided he wanted to be close to the man and sat down next to him, touching his thigh as he sat. Chase felt the tingle of awareness at being this close to Crispin. If this is what it felt like to be with mates, then he was all for it, the feelings were getting more and more strong as they continued to be together.

  Crispin had the remote in his hand and turned on the television. He flipped through the channels until they agreed to watch the sports channel. They talked about the teams and were both surprised they liked the same ones and the same sports. Football season is going to be fun, Chase thought.

  Crispin let his hand drift over and hold Chase's hand as they talked. Crispin touching him seemed natural.

  "So, you said you wanted to claim me tonight if I agreed?” Chase said, clearing his throat a little.

  "That’s just claiming. It has nothing to do with sex. We can have sex whenever we want,” Crispin laughed.