12. Xin
Xin
I rush in search of Santa to get some more painkillers for Zara.
She’s still in pain and I am eager to get back to her.
It’s crazy that in the short time I've been here, I have accepted my new life with ease. I mean how can I not? Yes, it took me a little bit to get used to the idea of changing from human to reindeer. Or that I’ll soon be preparing to fly through the air as one of Santa's engines.
Bringing toys to children all over this world.
Damn! I shake my head at how surreal it all sounds.
What didn’t take much time to sink in, was the melanated beauty upstairs that is meant to be mine.
The longer I am with her, the stronger my feelings and need for her becomes.
She still isn’t one hundred percent about the whole fated-mates thing, but I can tell the longer she is with me that she is warming to the idea.
We’ve done the kissing thing loads, and she reaches for me in her sleep but nothing more.
My body reacts to her every touch, but I made her a promise and I will stick to my word. No matter what.
The closer I get to the lounge the more I pick up on my brother's chit-chat. Santa has said that my sense of sound seems to be more acute than the others. Which I tend to agree with. How else did I hear the call of my mate when no one else could? If I concentrate really hard, I can pick up sounds from the majority of the ranch. I’m still learning how to tune out the sound of the elves though. Annoying little shits.
I followed their voices once and it was a big mistake. When those mini fuckers aren’t with Santa, they are very mischievous and rambunctious, and I’d rather not be apart of their schemes. Especially when they leave a trail of drunken destruction.
My ears perk up when I hear Zara’s name mentioned. They shouldn’t even utter her name. I clench my hands irritated but remember to breathe through the rage.
“Three days Zara’s been here and they haven’t mated. Don’t you find that strange?” Rudy speculates.
“What makes you so sure they haven’t?” Comet counters
“If they had, we would all know it. Every time one of us finds and mates with our partners, we all feel an extra boost. Like we are united and complete. Don’t act like I'm the only one who doesn’t feel one hundred percent,” Rudy continues
They are weaker because we haven’t mated?
I uncurl my fingers, feeling guilty that they are affected by me. Should I tell Zara what’s happening? Or will she take it as a ploy?
I keep listening as I turn a corner. The closer I get the more I wonder if they can sense me, but by their conversation I can assume they don't.
“Should we tell Zara? She’s clearly the one delaying everything. She needs to know what she’s doing to him. To us.”
“No. Santa said leave them be, and let them come together when they are ready?” Dan reasons
“When they are ready? He needs to mate or he runs the risk of not being able to fucking fly. And we can’t fucking fly without him, can we?” Rudy—Rudolph's rising voice cuts through me like a heated blade.
“I see the look on your face Rudy,” Dash warns. “Heed Santa’s instructions, and fucking stay out of it.”
“Yeah. But what if it’s something else completely?”
I find myself sprinting towards the living area, foam collecting at the corners of my mouth.
“What if she isn’t even his fucking mate. What if his super hearing just heard a woman, and he assumed? Surely she would want him by now if she was his?”
Blood whooshes to my ears and my eyes mist over for a split second. My heart hammers against my chest, threatening to escape with every violent bang on its cage. The door slams open when I kick it. All eyes widen and look in my direction. All apart from him. Fucking Rudolph! He looks almost happy.
Did he hear me coming?
I don’t manage to say anything, when I try, a roar escapes instead. Before I can stop myself I am running across the room and my fist flies, making contact with his smug face. When others try to pull me off, I fight against their hold, furious.
“Disrespect my mate?! Fucking let me go.”
He spits blood on the floor and sneers at me, “She’s not your mate.”
“Shut up Rudy.” Dash says but it’s too late.
I roar again, and shake them off my body. They fall off me, hitting furniture on their way down. I turn to take in the sound of them crashing, and realise I'm taller than anticipated.
Crap, I’ve shifted!
I try to breathe. To calm down, but the defiant look on Rudy’s face goads me. Before I know it, I'm charging at him. Only he’s ready for me this time, and shifts to match me antler for antlers.
We both lower our heads and drive forward, bashing into one another with a large crack. We spin, locked together and we kick with our front hooves, determined to get the upper hand. Others shout and holler around us, begging us to stop. While someone leaves, calling for Santa.
Let’s see any of them stop me! I shove back, eyeing Rudy down as our hot breath brushes off our muzzles. He jerks his head, sending a jolt of pain through my neck as I’m forced to follow his movements.
He snickers, proud at the thought of besting me. Not today, I grit my teeth and push with all my might, sending him stumbling backwards. He trips over his back feet, giving me the advantage.
Blinded by fury, I raise up, aiming for his knees as I go to slam down, but something stops me. A hand.
It doesn’t touch me. It’s across the room, outstretched from a mortified Santa.
"That's enough!” He proclaims, settling the room. “Both of you, shift back, now!”
Rudy does as commanded. I, however, don’t have the same control.
I'm too angry. Too inexperienced to do it.
“I-I can’t,” I admit, lowering my head.
Santa begins to close the gap, shaking his head. “The black mist of rage is heavier until you mate. It will get easier afterwards though.”
Before I can even reply, Rudy just has to poke fun.
“Pathetic. No control over shifting, or his so-called mate.”
“Shut your damn mouth!” I snap, charging at him again.
This time we don’t make contact. Instead, Santa's hand grazes my side as I whoosh past, and then nothing. I’m out like a light.