Page 16 of Claiming the Shifter’s Heart (The Macconwood Pack Tales #16)

D ella’s head was reeling. It was the day before Christmas Eve and that douche-canoe decided to make an appearance!

She sat inside the offices of Macconwood Law Associates for two hours before she received the bad news that her ex’s brother, Blayne, and his mate, Cynthia, were in Maccon City, seeking visitation with the children.

Worse than that, the bastards were filing for custody! They claimed she was unfit, and they were better since they were a mated pair.

“They can’t do this! They never bothered to see Sean or Janie when we lived ten minutes away from them,” she sputtered.

“I understand, Della, and I think it’s despicable what they are trying to do,” her lawyer told her.

“So, does their case carry water?” she asked.

“It’s tricky whenever it comes to the safety of a child,” he began.

“Mr. Lowell, I will do anything to keep my babies safe.”

“Good. I am glad to hear it. We’re fortunate they decided to go through the Shifter courts first. Human ones are much more unpredictable. Now, because they haven’t given us much time before the holidays to bring their claims forward, I have to be forward in what I am going to say next.”

“Okay,” she replied, bracing herself for whatever it was he was going to say.

Della’s mind overflowed with images of the past and the Murder.

The cold indifference.

The role females played.

The outright abuse.

“Your brother-in-law and his mate claim they can offer structure and security. What I am asking you, Della, is are you aware of any prospects for a mate for yourself here in Maccon City?”

“What? Why does that matter?”

“Because, if you were mated to someone, let’s say a Wolf, then you and your young would be safe under the protection of the Macconwood Pack. Just think about it. I will keep working on other ways, of course.”

“Thank you,” she said, and left the office in a daze.

There was simply no way her children were going back to that awful, hateful place. Her Crow cawed, the animal desperate to go to the one man she felt safe with.

But how could she bring him into this mess? No, she could not do that to him.

He was so kind, and he deserved much more than her.

It was better for Kris if she ignored his phone calls and messages. Better for him if she just stayed away from the tall, sexy man.

Her Crow pecked at her from where the animal rested in that metaphysical realm until they swapped skin. She was adamant now that Kris was her mate. The crazy Bird had already claimed him when she’d given him her body and clawed his back. But he didn’t know that. And he didn’t know anything about this either.

How could she go to him now and tell him how she felt? He would assume she was using him, and that was something she never wanted.

The Fates really liked to mess with her. After all she’d been through. Now this?

“I’m home!” Della called, having driven like mad to get back in time to have a meal with the kids before work started.

“Mommy! Did you talk to Santa? Is he gonna be here for Christmas?” Sean asked.

She hugged her son and kissed Janie’s cheek, nodding at Aunt Eileen who winked before going back to stir something delicious smelling on the stove.

“Um, I haven’t seen him yet,” she hedged, setting the baby on the floor.

She loved this time of day when the kids wanted to play, and Sean entertained her with adventures from his day at the Pack run daycare in town where she hoped to work one day.

There were plenty of schools for normals, but this was a Pack run private school that offered extra care to supernaturally gifted children who were learning to control their gifts.

To normals it was all aboveboard, which was why she had to finish her college education and teaching certification before she could apply. But Della couldn’t wait for that day.

After dinner, Della dressed quickly, the urgency of the moment pushing her to move faster than usual.

She left earlier than normal, hoping to catch a glimpse of Kris before they had to put their work faces on.

She had promised Sean she’d talk to him about Christmas dinner, and she would never break that promise to her boy.

Della always kept her word to him, no matter what. As she stepped outside, a strange prickling sensation crawled up her spine.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and Della instinctively scanned her surroundings. The road was quiet. Shadows stretched long in the fading light, but there was nothing out of place.

No figures lurking in the corners, no signs of movement from the copse of trees. Everything seemed perfectly normal.

Probably just my nerves, she thought, shaking it off as her mind playing tricks on her. The stress of the holidays, of everything going on, was starting to wear on her.

Della had learned to trust her instincts, and they were as sharp as ever. Something about the stillness didn’t sit right. Just in case, she pulled out her phone and quickly typed out messages to Michael, Eileen, and Samantha.

She instructed them to lock all the doors and make sure the alarm systems were engaged, her fingers moving quickly over the keys. She hated to sound paranoid, but it never hurt to be cautious. Not with everything that had been happening lately.

The wind picked up, slicing through her winter coat like an icy knife. She pulled the collar up around her neck, but the chill seemed to seep into her bones.

The thought of working in her silly costume at Santa’s photo op crossed her mind. Would they even get many visitors tonight, with the cold biting so fiercely?

It was likely people would stay home to escape the chill. Still, she had to push those thoughts aside for now. There were bigger things to worry about—like her promise to Sean, and the conversation she needed to have with Kris.

But as she walked toward her car, the uneasy feeling lingered, like a shadow that wouldn’t let go.

Della’s instincts were driving her hard as she neared the farm. She didn’t stop or talk to anyone. It was an hour till her shift started, but she’d scented him the second she exited her vehicle.

Following her nose to the second barn where the sleigh was kept, Della found Kris inside. He was looking down at something, Santa’s bench, and she could tell he’d been working on repairing it after a mishap the night before.

Her breathing was labored, heart racing as she approached him. It was crazy, feeling this way about someone she barely knew.

We know him. Mate.

Della startled, her Crow rarely spoke so clearly to her, and she was stunned the animal was being so adamant about him. She should run right now.

Della should leave this place. She should pack up the house, take the kids, and go somewhere the Murder would never find her.

But Maccon City was her home now. It had taken time, but Della had come to realize that this place, with its asphalt streets and the familiar hum of life, was where she and her kids truly belonged.

The journey hadn’t been easy—there had been a lot of uncertainty, a lot of challenges along the way—but she had settled in, carving out a space for herself amidst the chaos of her past.

It wasn’t just about finding a roof over their heads anymore. She had started to build a life. Her kids were thriving here—Sean had friends, and Janie was growing by leaps and bounds.

This wasn’t just a temporary place they were staying. Maccon City and the adjoining Pack lands, Macconwood, were one solid community.

It was a safe haven where she and the children were no longer just existing but living, growing, and becoming part of something bigger.

She’d made connections with neighbors, found local places where she could feel at home. There were people here who cared, people who offered a hand, expecting nothing in return.

People like Aunt Eileen and Maya. Like Sam and Michael. Cassie and David. Stephie and her husband Nick. People she would miss. Like him. Like Kristoff.

This was more than just a place to live. And fuck Cade’s horrible brother for trying to take it from her. She shouldn’t let him get away with that. He had no right. No right at all to her babies.

Shifter law was so messed up, though. Her lawyer showed her where they favored mated pairs over single parents. But that was no reason for her to drag some guy she’d only slept with into all her crazy mess.

Dammit. It sounded terrible when she said it like that. And it wasn’t the truth. Her heart squeezed sadly inside her.

But he was more than just some guy she slept with. Kristoff made Della feel seen. Somehow, the big Wolf knew exactly what she needed. He’d silently acknowledged her efforts and her struggles. He didn’t dismiss her and seemed to have a real sense of what she needed.

Lord, he was perfect. Handsome and strong, too.

Everything about him appealed to her. For the first time in a long while, Della didn’t feel alone.

But she was so afraid to take a wrong step. Not because she thought he would hurt her physically. He wasn’t the type of man to do that. She knew that down to her marrow.

Still, Kris could hurt her. This man had that power. All because she’d gone and fallen in love with him.

She stepped forward, bringing his startled sapphire gaze to hers. She could no more stop her progress than she could stop the moon coming out at night.

Need and desire vibrated throughout her entire body. It was like a magnetic pull, dragging her forward, and nothing could make her alter her course.

She wanted him. Plain and simple.

“Della,” he seemed to breathe her name, and her whole body shivered. “I need to apologize?—”

But she didn’t let him finish. Need washed through her, overwhelming all sense of propriety, and Della just about jumped on the man. He was so big, and ready, he caught her easily.

The man growled hungrily when she plastered her mouth to his, licking into him and savoring all his rich forest flavors. Della thanked her lucky stars when he joined in just as enthusiastically.

“Fuck,” he cursed, his chest vibrating with the strength of his Wolf.

Last night he’d taken care of her, cherished her body, and made her feel desired, wanted. She needed that again. Needed to feel the connection only he could bring to her.

It was more than physical, but Della couldn’t acknowledge that right now. She needed this, needed him to make her feel some more of that which only he could deliver.

She needed to feel alive.

“Need you,” she said.

He growled again, his eyes glittering dangerously with his Wolf. Big hands roamed her body, cupping her tits over her clothes as he kissed her deeply, hungrily, lighting fires inside of her.

“Need you, Kristoff,” she begged as he cupped her hot pussy beneath her skirt.

“I got you, Sweet Girl. I got what you need right here,” he grunted, backing her up until she felt the barn door beneath her back.

“Turn around,” he commanded and shocked, Della listened.

His words were short and whispered low as he licked her neck and worked on her fastenings. It felt as though a weight was lifted off her shoulders, a chain unlocked around her heart the more he told her what to do.

“Hands in front of you. Arch your back, Baby. Now, can you be quiet for me?”

She nodded. Della loved the way it felt to simply let go and follow his instruction. Shivers raced through her as clothing got pushed aside. She felt him there, the thick, swollen head of his cock, pushing into her from behind.

“Fuck. So hot and wet for me. So fucking perfect,” he growled softly.

Then he started moving. And all coherent thought left Della’s brain. She couldn’t think. She could only feel.

Kris’ hands were everywhere, cupping, kneading, plucking at her overheated flesh. His cock felt so good, stretching her walls as he rocked into her, stroking her in all her secret, sacred places.

He was so deep. She reached behind her with one hand, clutching at his jean-clad thigh, anchoring him to her. She never wanted him to stop. She wanted to feel just like this. Full of him forever.

“I got you, Sweet Girl. Hold on,” he growled, moving faster and harder, just like she never knew she liked it.

Tension built inside her, rising to impossible levels until she thought she’d explode.

“Fuck,” Kris cursed, and she felt his hand sliding around to her aching clit.

“Come for me, Della. Now,” he grunted, squeezing the tiny nubbin.

Della exploded like a rocket beneath his touch. Stuck in the thrall of her own ecstasy, she felt heat pour into her from his body, felt him roll his hips, dragging out every inch of pleasure for the two of them until she had no strength left.

“I got you, baby,” he murmured, kissing her neck and head as he straightened and used a clean cloth to clean them both up.

She sighed and let him hold her as she tried to make sense of it all.

He said he had her, but he didn’t know. He couldn’t know the truth of that statement. Kristoff had her alright, he held her heart and her future in his hands.

Now she just had to decide if it was right for her to tell him.

Do I drag him into my mess? Or do I let him go?