Page 13 of Saved By Her Guardian (Yuletide Shifters #4)

Maverick hadn’t ever planned a date night before.

He’d gone on dates when he was younger, but they’d always been on the fly, choosing something to do as they went along, not him entirely in charge of things.

But he was excited to plan his first date with his mate.

They’d been living together since Monday, and she was still getting used to Northernmost and all the magical people.

She’d only ever been around reapers and humans and was getting to know about all the different magical people who not only called the North Pole home but also came to visit to replenish their magic.

As he finished getting ready, his phone buzzed and he saw his grandma’s name flash on the screen.

He answered, and Eleanor’s familiar face filled the screen. Her face, lined with wrinkles from laughing and smiling so much over the years, made warmth spread through his chest. “Hi, Grandma.”

“Hello, honey, you look happy.”

“I am,” he said with a grin.

“Finding your truemate will do that to a person.”

“Indeed,” he said.

“I can’t wait to meet her on Christmas Day, after everyone is safe in Northernmost, of course.”

“She’s looking forward to it too. It’s been crazy here this week since she started her assignment and is settling into it.

She’s usually traveling in the evenings for her job, so I’m working the same shift as her and we’re checking in frequently throughout the night.

She still gets sad about it all, but I’m doing my best to be there for her. ”

“That’s love, honey,” she said with a knowing smile. “It’s about being there for people when things aren’t easy, not just when it’s all flowers and chocolates.”

Something tightened in Maverick’s chest and he nodded without saying anything. He was definitely crazy about his mate. They’d been through hell and back shortly after meeting, and he’d almost lost her. He never wanted to know what that was like again.

“I’m lucky to have her in my life.”

“She’s lucky to have you too. And so am I.”

“Thanks, Grandma. I’m thankful you’re by my side.”

“Of course I am! Now, give my love to your mate and have fun tonight.” She blew him a kiss and he nodded and waved, and then the screen went blank.

He walked out of the bathroom, fixing the cuff of his dress shirt, and stopped when he saw Aralyn. She wore a deep red sweater dress that hugged her curves, with black tights and knee high boots. Her hair was curled loosely around her shoulders and her eyes gleamed with excitement.

“Damn,” he murmured.

She turned in a circle and smiled like a vixen. “See something you like?”

He grabbed her close, her sweet scent wrapping around him. “You have no idea. I’m very tempted to skip the date and just feast on you for the evening.”

Her cheeks pinked and her eyes darkened, then she chuckled and gave him a playful shove. “It’s our first date! We can have fun later.”

“We definitely will.”

“Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise, but you’ll love it.”

“As long as we’re together, I know I will.”

* * *

The Northernmost Winter Festival was in full swing when they walked out of the building and into the center of the magical town.

The streets had been transformed into a glittering wonderland.

The air smelled of roasted chestnuts, cinnamon, and the crispness of freshly fallen snow as enchanted snowflakes swirled in the air like little, icy fireflies.

Despite the frigid temperatures, pleasant warmth radiated from the cobblestones beneath their feet.

Ancient runes, carved into the stone by Santa, glowed a faint red as they passed, keeping the streets free of snow and providing warmth from the ground up.

Overhead, lanterns enchanted with magical fire bobbed gently from ivy-draped posts, casting both light and heat.

“Oh my,” she said, her voice filled with awe. “It’s incredible.”

“A perfect backdrop for our first date.”

They started the night with hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and crushed mints, warming their hands on the mugs as they walked through the decorated streets, which were set up like an amusement park, complete with rides for the kids, games, and food.

As they played games and ate amazing food, they talked about the holidays and how different things were now that they were mated. They were both only children, and each had only one other living family member, but they got to start a family of their own. And he really couldn’t wait.

They made their way to the frozen lake, which was set up like a skating rink, the ice shimmering under the Northern Lights like a magic mirror.

He’d skated occasionally over the years since he’d come to Northernmost, but she hadn’t been since she was a kid.

Once she got her skates on, she had no trouble hitting the ice with him.

As they skated around, they talked to the other Guardians and security team members and the elves he’d introduced her to as he’d shown her around the town of Northernmost.

“This is the best first date,” she said. “I’ve had so much fun.”

“I’m glad, sweetheart.” He swung her around and into his arms, their skates scraping on the ice. “You are so precious to me.”

She stared up at him and he thought he’d never seen a more beautiful female in his life. He was the luckiest male in the world.

“Sweetheart,” he said, his voice going gruff and growly. “I love you.”

She sucked in a breath, her eyes going soft with emotion, and said, “Oh Maverick, I love you too.”

Their lips met and he felt like it was just the two of them under the shimmering, swirling Northern Lights.

“I’ve got one more stop on our date,” he said when they’d returned their skates and put on their boots.

“Back to the apartment?” she asked, wiggling her brows.

“Uh, after this one other thing.”

“Oh, okay,” she said with a laugh.

He took her hand and they walked to the reindeer barn, where a bright red sleigh, smaller than Santa’s sleigh he used on Christmas, waited with two reindeer hooked up to it. Chase sat in the driver’s seat, holding the reins that had bells attached to them.

“Hey,” he said with a grin.

“Hi, Chase,” Aralyn said. “Is this for us?”

“It is,” Maverick said. He held her hand and helped her into the sleigh, then joined her. “I thought a midnight sleigh ride under the stars and Northern Lights was the perfect way to end our first date.”

“Oh, how freaking romantic.”

They snuggled together on the thick leather seats beneath battery powered electric blankets.

“We’re ready, Chase,” he said.

“You got it.” Chase snapped the reins and the bells jingled, the sleigh gliding effortlessly over the snow.

Above them, the lights danced in the sky as the reindeer carried them around the perimeter of the town just inside the magical protective barrier.

“This is so cool,” she said, tilting her face to his for a kiss.

“I’m glad you like it,” he said, giving her a kiss. “Being a Guardian has its perks.”

She laughed softly and rested her head against his chest as they listened to the rhythmic crunch of snow beneath the reindeer’s hooves.

When they’d circled the town a few times, they returned to the barn and helped Chase take care of the reindeer. Aralyn was tickled to pieces to get to feed them carrots and pet them. Her smile was so big and sweet, and he could feel how happy she was through their connection as mates.

They’d only known each other for a week, but he felt like he’d known her his whole life. Falling asleep with her warm scent in his nose and waking up with her in his arms was something he hadn’t known he’d enjoy so much, but he couldn’t imagine his life without her.

“Ready for part two?” he asked as they left the barn.

“Does part two take place in the apartment?”

“One hundred percent,” he said.

“Then I’m ready, Maverick, I’m so ready to get you alone.”

He couldn’t wait, either. The night stretched ahead of them, full of endless possibilities.