Chapter 16
Greyson’s home was like something out of a holiday dream.
The dining room was warm and inviting, bathed in the soft glow of twinkling Christmas lights strung along the walls and woven through a garland draped over the mantel.
The centerpiece of the table was a stunning evergreen arrangement, dotted with pinecones and red berries, the faint scent of cedar mixing with the aroma of roasted lamb and buttery mashed potatoes.
It was… perfect. Almost too perfect for someone like me, who usually spent Christmas cleaning up supernatural disasters or avoiding tinsel entirely.
As we ate, I couldn’t help but admire how every detail of the night seemed meticulously thought out.
Greyson always had this way of making things feel effortless and grand at the same time, and tonight was no exception.
The food was delicious, the wine perfectly paired, and the company? Well, he was the best part.
“What do you want for Christmas?” he asked, leaning back in his chair with that easy smile that always made my heart skip a beat.
I laughed softly, setting down my fork. “Christmas is tomorrow, Grey. If you’re planning some last-minute shopping, you’re in for a real treat.”
He chuckled, shaking his head, then raised his hand and snapped his fingers. In an instant, a shiny new crossbow appeared on the table between us, its sleek black frame catching the light. My breath hitched as I took it in, my eyes immediately drawn to the triple-action release mechanism.
“Oh my god,” I said, reaching for it. Its weight felt perfect in my hands, balanced and sturdy. I ran my fingers over the grip, marveling at the craftsmanship. “It’s perfect.”
Greyson leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand as he watched me with amusement. “You’re the only woman I know who gets this excited about a weapon.”
I winked at him, still inspecting the crossbow. “I guarantee Nishi would love one of these, too.”
He chuckled. “Nishi isn’t mine to spoil, but I’ll pass that along to Alex. Though I doubt he’ll want me stepping on his gift-giving game.”
I gently set the crossbow on the table, but excitement still buzzed. My shifter side stirred, and I felt my eyes begin to glow. Greyson noticed immediately, his expression softening.
“You know,” he said, his voice dropping to that rich, velvety tone that always sent shivers down my spine, “I love those eyes.”
I smiled, the cougar in me purring at his words. “She’s as infatuated with you as I am.”
“That’s good,” he said, leaning closer. “Because the feeling is mutual.” He paused, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my breath catch.
“What do you want for Christmas? I haven’t exactly done my shopping either,” I asked.
Before he answered, he closed the distance between us, his lips brushing mine in a kiss that was as soft as it was electric. When he pulled back, his voice was a whisper. “Just you. Living with me.”
I nodded, my heart pounding. “I’ll move in,” I said softly. “But I want to keep my apartment. With Liam knowing about the supernatural world now, I think he’ll be spending more time here. It’ll be good to have a space for him.”
Greyson smiled, nodding thoughtfully. “Then we’ll keep it. I’d rather him visit more so you don’t miss out on any more time with him.”
He hesitated for a moment, then said, “I told Mattias about Liam. Now that your son knows about our world, Matt hopes they can spend time together.”
“Wait, is Matt back?” I asked, raising a brow.
He grinned, leaning back in his chair. “He is. He met a girl while visiting Salem. He’s driving up in the morning. From what I gather, it’s serious. He didn’t even tell me about her until last night. He’s never asked to bring someone home before.”
I wiggled my brows at him. “Sounds like somebody might be a granddaddy soon.”
“Bite your tongue,” he said, laughing despite himself. “Let’s hope he gives that a few years.”
I laughed with him, then reached into my pocket and pulled out a small key. My dressy jeans paired with the soft black cashmere sweater I’d chosen felt much more refined than my usual style.
I placed it on the table between us. “Here’s the key to my apartment,” I said. “We’ll keep it for the boys and nights when we want to have drinks at the club and don’t feel like driving. But,” I added, leveling him with a look, “you are making a new safe for Baby Cal before I officially move in.”
Greyson’s smile widened, his expression warm. “I already did. It’s in the bedroom.”
My heart flipped, and I leaned toward him. “Thank you.”
He leaned in too, but his voice dropped to a low, intimate murmur just before our lips met. “Merry Christmas, Faith. I hope you know, as powerful as I am, nothing in my life has ever been more magical than you.”