Chapter 8
Sebastian listened to Emberlin talk to her sister after they’d discussed Christmas Day and their plans for the future.
Like Declan and Winterlyn, Sebastian and Emberlin thought it was a good idea to stay in Northernmost until they had kids and then live with the pack in Southern Ohio so they could be with other shifters and family.
She’d asked about what she could do in Northernmost, and he was certain that Santa would want to utilize her healing magic in the infirmary since they only had two elves who took care of everyone, but she could do a lot with her fire magic too.
His mate was an impressive and powerful female.
He was a lucky male.
Emberlin ended the call and looked at Sebastian. “I don’t understand what’s going on with her.”
“I only really heard your side of the conversation.”
She grimaced. “I asked her about Christmas Day and getting together, and she was being so cagey. She acted like she had to get off the phone and was too busy to talk, but when I pressed her about her conversation with Mother Nature, she told me that I didn’t need to worry about it.
That she was handling things her way and I should just focus on my mating. ”
They sat on the couch and he put his arm on the back cushion behind her and rubbed her neck. “Do you think she’s jealous we found each other?”
“Maybe. I think she’s mad at me because of what happened. You know how guilty I feel that I didn’t get taken and she did, so she’s probably feeling something like that too. Wondering why I got away, but she didn’t.”
“I’m sorry things are stressed between you two. I’m sure once she comes to terms with things, she’ll realize she can’t blame you for what happened, just like I hope you’re not blaming yourself.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m trying not to, but yeah, I do blame myself some. Not for finding you, of course, that’s the most awesome thing ever, but that she lost her magic. She probably feels like a ship without a sail in a storm.”
They sat in silence for a little while, and then she said, “You know what? Tonight is our first date, and you said you wanted to video chat with your parents before we left. I want to put aside the stuff with my sister and focus on the night ahead. You still haven’t told me about our plans for our first date. ”
“It’s a surprise.”
She grinned. “I can’t wait.”
He grabbed his tablet from the side table drawer after sending a text to ask if his parents were free for a video chat. He set up the tablet and opened the video app. Then, once his parents responded they were free, he pressed the contact button for his dad and waited for it to connect.
“I’m nervous,” she whispered.
“Don’t be, they’ll love you.”
“Hello!” his dad, Elias, said, his voice booming as he grinned.
“Hi, sweetie,” his mom, Mari, said. “You caught us just as we came in from a movie. We saw the holiday thriller Sleigh All Day.”
“Was it scary?” he asked.
“Heck no,” his mom said. “But it was a good slasher film regardless. Reminded me of the stuff I used to watch with my parents when I was a kid.”
His dad winked. “Lots of gratuitous nudity too. So you know I liked it.”
Mari elbowed him with a laugh. “Honestly. Now, you’ve got some company there, son. Who is this lovely female at your side?”
“Mom, Dad, this is my truemate, Emberlin. Sweetheart, these are my parents, Elias and Mari.”
“Nice to meet you, hon,” Elias said. “Welcome to the family!”
“Oh, it’s so nice to meet you,” Mari said. “You’re so pretty! Are you a shifter?”
“I’m a phoenix witch,” she said, explaining her dual nature.
“Wow, we have a witch in our family! How exciting!” Mari said. “Tell us how you met! And oh, can we see you on Christmas Day?”
Sebastian and Emberlin took turns telling the story of how they met, including what happened to her sister and their plans to come to the pack on Christmas Day.
“I’m so sorry about your sister,” Mari said. “But if she’d like to join us, she’s more than welcome.”
“Thank you,” Emberlin said. “I hope she’ll come around and want to visit. I miss her already.”
“Of course you do,” Elias said. “She’s your sister and best friend. That matters. My brothers and I are close, and I don’t know what I’d do if one of them wanted to move away from the pack.”
Mari nodded. “Well, congratulations to you both. I’m sure you’ve got plans for tonight.”
“We do,” Sebastian said.
They said goodbye and his parents promised that this Christmas with the pack would be the best one yet since now they had a new family member to celebrate. When the screen went dark, Emberlin sat back with a laugh and said, “I love them. They’re so kind and welcoming.”
“I knew they’d like you.” He rose to his feet and offered her his hand. “Ready for our date?”
“One hundred percent.”
* * *
He’d made arrangements throughout the day with the help of several elves who were happy to be part of making his first date with Emberlin special.
They first stopped at the dining hall, where the grumpiest elf on the planet—Mortimer—had prepared a picnic basket for them.
“Leave it on the table, and I’ll send one of the young elves to pick it up,” he said gruffly, his pointed ears poking out from under his hat.
“Thank you,” he said.
The male snorted and turned with a grumble, and Sebastian chuckled. “He’s one of those guys who looks like he could bite your head off, but he’s really got the kindest heart. He’s just grumpy on the outside.”
“That’s good to know,” she said. “I wondered if he was happy to help at first, but then I saw his eyes twinkle, so I figured he must have liked to be part of things.”
“Morty’s a good male, and he’s a hell of a chef. Now, milady,” he said, offering his arm to her, “your first date awaits.”
They walked through the dining hall and through a heated hallway to the candy factory, which was run by a group of elves who were master chocolatiers and provided candy and sweets for the town. His mom loved the sea salt caramels, and he always made sure to bring a box for her on Christmas Day.
“Oh, it smells amazing in here,” Emberlin said.
The air was heavy with the scent of chocolate and sugar, but the small shop was quiet because the workers had finished their shift and left a special dessert for his date, along with setting a bistro table next to the picture window that overlooked the frozen lake, shimmering with the colors of the Northern Lights above.
She squeezed his arm. “Oh, Sebastian, this is incredible.”
His wolf was prancing like a show pony.
He pulled out her chair for her, then set the basket on the edge of the table and pulled out the meal that Morty had made for them. He’d told him to prepare whatever would make Emberlin fall in love with him, and the gruff elf had said food was powerful, but not quite that powerful.
He set two covered plates on the table and a bottle of cranberry cider with orange peels and cinnamon sticks. After taking off the lids, he set the basket under the table and read the card that Monty had slipped in.
“Lovebirds, your perfect first date starts with caprese salad followed by filet mignon in a red wine reduction and truffle mashed potatoes. Best wishes for a most magical evening, the staff of the dining hall.”
“Oh my gosh, he’s really very sweet,” she said.
When he’d taken his seat, he smiled at her and took her hand. “Happy first date, Emberlin.”
“Happy first date, Sebastian.”
* * *
The amazing meal was finished with a plate of handmade chocolate-covered strawberries courtesy of the chocolatiers.
They sat at the table for a long time after the meal was over, watching the Northern Lights dance in the sky and talking about their lives.
After dropping off the basket in the dining hall, they walked to the apartment.
“Hello, you two,” Santa said, waving from down the hall. “Congratulations on your mating.”
“Thank you,” Sebastian said.
“Thanks,” Emberlin said.
“How is your sister?” he asked.
“I’m not sure, actually. Struggling with what happened of course, and angry. She’s being cagey with me, so I’m trying to give her some space.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine in time,” Santa said. “Thankfully he didn’t turn her evil. There were worse things than what happened. But that doesn’t ease what happened to her.” He paused, then said to Sebastian, “Before I forget, you’re coming back to work tomorrow?”
“Yes, I just took tonight off for our first date.”
“I wish you could take more time off to enjoy your mating, but this time of year, we need all hands on deck.”
“I understand, and it’s really okay. The important thing is that the Well of Magic is safe, and everyone here in Northernmost too,” Emberlin said.
Santa nodded with a smile, his eyes twinkling. “Sebastian, before your shift tomorrow, bring Emberlin to my office. If you’re up for it, I’d like to talk to you about utilizing your unique magical talents to help keep our people safe.”
“I’d be happy to,” she said.
“Absolutely,” Sebastian said.
“Did you talk to Mother Nature about your coven?”
“Not yet,” Emberlin said.
“You can stay in her coven even if your home address changes, such as if you both were going to stay here in Northernmost or eventually move to the wolf pack. The only time we minimize trips out of here is in December for safety reasons, but otherwise, you’re free to join in their ceremonies and gatherings whenever you’d like.
It’s up to you of course, and you two did just meet.
Just something to think about and discuss with her when the time is right. ”
“Thank you, that’s good to know.”
They said goodnight to Santa and continued to the apartment.
He pulled her close as he shut the door.
“Sebastian?”
“Yeah, sweetheart?”
“I think this was the best first date ever. You really set the bar high for my romantic expectations going forward.”
With a laugh, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom. “Challenge accepted.”