Page 84 of This Mate Thing

"For me?"

Ira nods, and I accept the present.It doesn't take me more than a second to rip the paper off the..."Fuzzy socks!Amazing."

Simon smiles and shakes his head.

"Thank you."I blow Simon a kiss.

"It's from Santa."Ira gives me an unimpressed look.

"Yes, of course."

Then he hands me another present, which I tear open and stare at the hot pink jar of slime tumbling out into my hand.I grin."Yes!"

Soon, all presents are opened.Both Simon and I have gotten what was listed in our letters to Santa, apart from Simon getting a gift card to the shoe store instead of winter boots.Ira got art supplies, a book on how to draw animals with a wolf on the cover, and some clothes.

Everyone is happy, and Simon snuggles close to me on the couch as we drink our cocoa."You shouldn't have.Those blenders are expensive."

I kiss his temple."Nothing's too expensive for you."

He snorts but smiles at me.

"I have one present for you, Ira."I untangle myself from Simon, step into my shoes, and run across the street to my house.

I think I'll be selling it shortly.I tried to get Simon to move in with me instead of me moving in with them, since I already own my house, but he did not want to pack an entire household.I get it.I've only lived there for three months.It's easier for me to move my stuff over to him, and I have no emotional attachment to the house.I moved there to be close to Simon.It wouldn't have mattered what it looked like, I'd have bought it anyway.

I unlock the front door and reach inside for the enlarged photo Zahrah wrapped for me.It's of me in wolf form sitting next to Mom in her human form.It's not the kind of photo Zahrah can sell.No one would believe a wolf sitting as close to a human without there being something weird going on, but for us to have in our home, it's perfect.

I walk back to Simon's house, where Ira is waiting for me in the hallway.I hand over the framed photo, and he opens it with way more care than he did the presents underneath the tree, most likely feeling the glass through the paper.

When he reveals it, he gasps."Zahrah took this?"

I nod.

"It's the wolf that's her best friend."

I nod again, and Simon comes closer to look at it.His eyes widen."It's...eh...gorgeous."

I preen since we both know I'm what makes it gorgeous.Simon rolls his eyes."Maia looks amazing."

Ira nods, but his focus is on the wolf--on me.

I pull Simon close and nuzzle him."I can give you a photo too."I wiggle my eyebrows.

All he does is sigh.He loves me.

As if he can read my mind, he leans closer and kisses me."I like the real version better."

"Oh, I'll give you the real version all night long."

He groans, and I knead his ass.Ira is occupied studying the photo anyway.

"I can't wait."

He hums."Me either, but first we have to visit your mom."

Right, Christmas celebrations first, then make love to my mate."It'll be a long wait."

The grin he gives me makes my heart swell and my jeans shrink.I love my life.

THE END