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Annabelle glanced at Gabriel’s profile. Where was he taking her?

They’d been driving for nearly two hours, the last half hour with their headlights cutting through the darkness.

It was Christmas Eve. Gabriel had declined the invitation from her family for their traditional Christmas dinner, and they’d left Stefanie at the Ritz-Carlton.

“Almost there, bebe .”

She peered out of the window. Nothing but forest as far as the eye could see. “Almost where?”

“ Non . It’s a surprise.” The car slowed, and he flicked the indicator on. “Now, close your eyes for me.”

“Really?”

He chuckled. “Come on, Annabelle. Humor me.”

“All right.” She grinned, then wagged her finger at him. “But this better be worth it.”

She closed her eyes as they turned off the blacktop with a crunch of the tires on gravel. They were somewhere near Lake Berryessa, if her sense of direction didn’t betray her.

They pulled up and he switched off the car. The icy air hit her briefly as he got out, then he was at her door helping her from the car. The engine tick ticked as it cooled, the scent of pine hung heavy in the air and branches creaked in the wintery night breeze.

He took her arm and led her from the car. “Careful now, there’s three steps.”

Annabelle clomped up wooden stairs, trusting Gabriel to guide her and not let her trip up.

Another three steps, crossing a timber porch.

A key grated in a lock, a door swung open, then she was walking into a cocoon of warmth and light.

The door closed behind them with a squeak of hinges.

A fire crackled, and music, Christmas carols, played softly in the background.

Gabriel stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “Remember when I said we needed time and some place private for your turning?”

Electricity zipped up Annabelle’s spine, and it was all she could do not to open her eyes. “Yes?”

“Well, I’ve cleared it with your boss. As of now, we are officially on our three-month honeymoon.”

She did an excited little jig in his arms. This was happening, really happening.

She’d been on edge ever since he’d stepped back into her life.

Despite the last few days they’d spent together, rarely more than two feet apart from each other, and numerous declarations that he was never leaving her again, there was still a niggling doubt in the back of her mind.

It’d been like this in Paris, too, and still he’d left her.

This, him staking his claim, turning her was, as far as wolf shifters went, the ultimate declaration. He’d never leave his claimed mate.

He chuckled against her ear. “I know you need this, bebe , but first, I owe you a Christmas, Annabelle Jackson-Rodríguez.” He nuzzled her cheek. “Open your eyes, Belle.”

Annabelle’s eyelids fluttered open and she gasped.

They were in a cozy cabin with a log fire burning in the fireplace.

Tucked behind a half wall was a cute little kitchenette, a large bed with a quilted throw faced a window with a moonlit view over the lake, and in the corner, the most beautifully decorated Christmas tree she’d ever seen. She peered closer. “Are they…?”

“ Oui. ”

Dotted amongst the brightly colored baubles were the hand-carved ornaments they’d bought in Paris. Tears pricked her eyes. He’d remembered.

“I, ah, had Isobella help me with this.” He cleared his throat. “Decorating Christmas trees isn’t exactly the forte of the chief of security of a werewolf pack.”

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered. She brushed at her eyes, wiping away unshed tears. “But there is one thing missing.”

He looked crestfallen.

“I’ll be right back.”

She dashed out of the door, down the porch to the car, and grabbed her bag.

Returning to the warmth of the cabin, she dug through her things and pulled out a box.

Ever since Paris, it had sat in the very depths of her closet.

Too precious to give away, but too heartbreaking to look at. She handed the box to him.

“What’s this?” He frowned. “You bought me a present?”

She shook her head. “No. I think you may have bought me one. Back in Paris. I found it amongst all our purchases from the Christmas markets. Open it.”

He opened the box and withdrew the item, peeling away the wadding to reveal a hand-blown glass star. It twinkled gold with reflected firelight.

His Adam’s apple bobbed, his dark eyes full of emotion. “You kept it?”

She laid a hand on his arm. “Of course I did. You bought it for me. It was one of the few things I had left of you.” Annabelle picked up her bag. “Why don’t you put it on the tree, and I’ll get changed into something more comfortable.”

She slipped into the bathroom and stripped out of her clothes.

She’d brought a few pieces of sexy lingerie, but she discarded those for something else.

The gold tinsel tickled, as she threw it around her neck like a scarf, letting the end trail between her naked breasts, finishing below her belly button.

Christmas in Paris had held all the promise of their burgeoning relationship.

Until he’d broken her heart by leaving her.

Now here they were again on Christmas Eve, but this time Gabriel wasn’t going to leave.

Instead, he was handing her forever. With him.

Nerves fluttered in her stomach. He was going to turn her.

He’d have to sedate her, and there were risks, but Annabelle didn’t care.

She wanted this. Oh, God, how she wanted it.

To be claimed by him. The years ahead, with him by her side, ruling her coven.

They would make up for those three years they’d lost in the years ahead.

Tonight, they would have the Christmas she’d dreamed of in Paris.

No longer would it be a holiday she would dread, but a reminder of her claiming.

She opened the door and leaned against the door frame. Gabriel turned, and his nostrils flared as he raked his gaze over her. A low growl rumbled in his chest.

“Merry Christmas, Gabriel.”

* * * *

“Are you ready, bebe ?”

Was she ready? On the bed, on her hands and knees, with Gabriel’s big body tucked behind her and the length of tinsel long discarded, she was more than ready.

Ready for his cock, and ready for his claiming.

On the bedside table, there were three full syringes and a leather cuff with a silver wolf motif.

Gabriel’s cock nudged her entrance. “Annabelle? Are you ready?”

“Yes.” God, yes.

He stretched her, filling her like only Gabriel could, taking her as he knew she liked it. Hard and fast. His hands firm on her hips, he held her in place as he pounded her eager pussy.

As her orgasm rocketed through her, he flicked her hair over one shoulder and leaned his big body over her, nuzzling her neck. “Trust me, mon amour .”

Then he bit her, large canines digging deep into her muscle. Pain and pleasure ripped through her, sending her orgasm spiraling into the stratosphere.

He released her and they collapsed onto the mattress in a sweaty, spent bundle. He pulled her close, licking the wound, sending shivers through her whole body.

“Mine. Forever,” he whispered against her neck.

A deep calm settled in his chest at his words. “Yours.”

It started as a tingle, radiating from his bite. Within minutes the tingle was a burn, and it was spreading, spearing deep. “Gabriel?”

Gabriel was off the bed and prepping her vein. “I’ve got you, bebe .”

A sluggishness settled in her veins, and darkness tugged at the edge of her vision as Gabriel set the used syringe aside and climbed back into bed with her.

“I love you, Annabelle Jackson.” He dropped a kiss on her nose. “I’ll see you in three days.”

Annabelle let the darkness consume her.