Unknown Wolf

Christmas Eve

********** Lucy's POV

It had become late as I had spent the rest of the evening in my room. I had started out by reading, but it seems I had fallen asleep with my book falling out of my hand upon the floor. I stretched out, and sitting up, I noticed a package had been brought in the room for me. It was wrapped in a white paper with beautiful green trees upon it in a pattern. The wistful trees were adorned with shiny gold babbles. It was topped off with a green and gold bow. After the ring set and necklace, I was a bit weary on more gifts at this point, but it would also be rude to ignore it.

I pulled the ribbon off and easily ripped the paper. Inside, it seemed to be more like a Christmas care package, and harmless enough. I found a pajama set with red and green plaid bottoms and a green shirt. A Christmas sweater with a tree knitted into the front covered in pom poms that made me giggle. Popcorn, hot cocoa, cookie mix, sprinkles, candies, a santa hat, Christmas socks with gingerbread men and candy canes on them, reindeer slippers, and a Christmas mug that said "All I want to do is bake cookies, drink hot cocoa, and watch Christmas movies." Finally, I found a letter addressed to me.

Merry Christmas Eve to my beautiful Lindsey,

I know this is all new and overwhelming for you, and that we have been through a lot in such a short amount of time. Please meet me in the great room so we can enjoy some normality for a bit and create a happy evening. There is no one I would rather spend Christmas with than you.

Love,

Ryan

I smiled at the simplicity and thoughtfulness of it all. Just a regular normal Christmas, what more could a girl ask for. I quickly slipped into the pjs and put on the goofy sweater, slippers, and santa hat. I looked at the sweet note again and went to place it on the dresser. Doing so, I noticed the silver picture frames again, and they weren't empty. Shock took ahold of me for a moment as I looked at them.

There was a picture of my parents and I that was always kept on my bedside table at home. A picture of my father and I at my birthday ball. One of my Aunt Rose, Isabelle, and I that I faintly remember Issy forcing us to take. One of me and Rowen dancing at the party, and the last one was one of our dinner date at Arthur's with the sunset in the background. Arthur must have snuck that one. In fact, the only person that could have gotten all these pictures and gotten them here had to have been Arthur, and his thoughtfulness in making this feel more like home for me was touching. I smiled as I gently sat up the letter from Rowen next to all the pictures. I needed to add one of me with Wesley and Jordan, and one with Arthur. I made a mental note as I turned to collect the box of Christmas fun to take out to the great room.

When I arrived, I noticed stockings had been hung on the mantle of the huge stone fireplace, each with our names, well our fake names, Ryan, Lindsey, Wyatt, and Justin. A well-made fire was burning inside it. I placed the large box down and turned to see Rowen dressed to match me. He had matching red and green plaid bottoms and a green sweater to my red one with Santa knitted in the front, and he wore a matching Santa hat. My hand shot to my mouth to cover my laugh as I took in the sight of him. Someone normally so stern, serious, and reserved dressed like that, I couldn't help but laugh.

He tilted his head and c****d his eyebrow as the corners of his mouth began to curl at my reaction.

"Mrs. Benson, are you laughing at me?" he questioned, which only made me laugh harder, grabbing my stomach.

He swiftly came towards me, twirling me in his arms and stopping, so I was leaned backward as if he was dipping me while we danced. My laughter stopped, and I felt my cheeks heat up as I knew I must be blushing.

He stared intently into my eyes and then pulled close to whisper in my ear, "You have the most beautiful laugh."

He kissed my cheek softly before we heard someone clear their throat. Like a spooked horse, I jumped back away from Rowen at the sound and turned to take in Wesley and Jordan. They smiled harmlessly towards us as Rowen had a large smirk on his face. I knew I must have been beet red in that moment.

They wore blue and green plaid bottoms with Christmas sweaters, too. Jordan's was blue with a snowman on the front, while Wesley's was green with a reindeer. Rowen must have put a lot of thought into this, and how in the world he pulled it all together was beyond me.

************* Rowen's POV

She was the cutest little thing popping into the room dressed in her Christmas attire. Then she turned to me laughing. I couldn't help but want to be close to her and hold her. Her eyes sparkled like emeralds as she giggled. This was going to be a perfect Christmas. I had never much got to enjoy these simple things, especially after losing my mom, and I thought what would be more perfect than to enjoy them with her.

After she jumped back from me embarrassed in front of the company, I couldn't even be mad. Her features and expression were adorable as she blushed. I just grinned and went to grab the hot cocoa and cookie mix from the box.

"So, are we going to get started on these cookies or what?" I said, breaking the awkwardness and momentary silence.

Even Wesley and Jordan seemed to think the situation was cute. They sweetly smiled at her while she stood red-faced and shy. I pulled out more items as I had asked Mrs. Davis to get us things to make sugar cookies and gingerbread men. She had gotten everything needed, including cookie cutters, icing, more sprinkles, and all the ingredients we would need. She even got extra marshmallows for the hot cocoa and a jug of eggnog.

Soon, everyone joined in to start making them. Then we all jumped as a loud crack sounded in the room. Arthur appeared before us.

"You would really start on Christmas cookies without us," he said. I noticed he was not alone but had brought Jason with him. I gave him a concerned and questioning look. He smiled and shot me, and I'll tell you later look back.

Lucy jumped up and ran to them in excitement, hugging them both tightly. I became slightly jealous at how she could easily show them public affection, but not me. Arthur seemed to understand the look on my face and took a step back from Lucy clapping his hands. Two more stockings appeared over the fireplace reading Jack and Arthur. I c****d my head to the side, staring at him.

"I'm not changing my name. Get over it." He rolled his eyes. "Jason ran into some trouble, so he's gonna have to stay here with you all in hiding too. They tried tracking him down to get to you."

Frustrated and angry, I growled accidentally, breaking a small glass bowl. Lucy instinctively ran up to me, caring for my hand and cleaning up the mess. My eyes softened, staring at her for a moment. Then Arthur caught my attention again.

"I collected him before they could. We bounced around a few times, and I think Jason's a little sick from it. I would not bring him here unless I was sure it was safe. They have no way to follow or track me, Rowen. I would not put you all in jeopardy."

I stared at him for a minute before nodding.

"Plus, how can you have Christmas without me?" Arthur smiled brightly.

He clapped his hands again magically, putting himself in a ridiculous Christmas onesie, and Jason in red and black buffalo plaid bottoms and black shirt. Jason looked at his changed clothes, pulling at his shirt in disapproval, but shrugged.

Lucy bounced up again, "Do we have a camera? Can we get a few pictures of everyone, please?"

I smiled at her and her simple request, then looked to Arthur, who immediately pulled his out. We all grouped together in front of the Christmas tree, and Arthur snapped his fingers for the camera to go off. He then took one of Lucy, Wesley, and Jordan. One of just Wesley and Jordan. Lucy took one of Arthur and me, and then Arthur demanded one of Lucy and I together.

"Okay," I huffed, not used to so many pictures. "Are we good now?"

Arthur chuckled, "For now."

I rolled my eyes and then walked over to the kitchen area. The six of us finished the cookies. Mrs. Davis had made us a large chicken casserole for dinner, which everyone enjoyed, and then we went downstairs to watch a number of Christmas movie classics. None of which Lucy had seen, which took everyone by surprise. Slowly, everyone began to drift off towards their rooms. Jason and Arthur had decided to take rooms on this floor. Everyone leaving the hall Lucy and I were on alone, which I was thankful.

Arthur was the last one with us in the game room as Lucy slept with her head on my lap. He watched me tentatively play with the light strands of her hair staring lovingly at her.

"Ryker is getting desperate to find you. His jealousy is beyond anything I have ever seen. It's like it's consuming him." Arthur whispered sadly.

"He can't have her. I've never asked them for anything, but I just wish they could just let me have this. I would walk away from everything if it meant they left us alone to be happy here." I replied.

"Rowen, she would never leave her loved ones and people to suffer, and you know that. Your father and brother are corrupted by greed and power. Now your brother is taken over by jealousy. You know this will only end one way."

"I know.... death..."

"I know all that they are, but I just worry how it will affect you if you have to kill your father and brother." Arthur stated concerned.

"They leave me no other choice, Arthur. I can have no life like this, and I can't let them touch her. She is everything. As wrong as it might sound, I don't care about anything else, but her safety."

Arthur nodded, looking down at Lucy in my arms, and dropped the subject. The movie finished, and as the credits rolled, Arthur got up, and we said goodnight. I watched him walk down the hall as I clicked off the tv.

Scooping Lucy up into my arms, she barely stirred and snuggled more into my chest, making me feel warm inside. I carried her upstairs, turning out the lights behind us. Coming up to the great room, Wesley or Jordan seemed to have dealt with the fire, so I continued down to Lucy's room.

I placed her on her bed and slipped off her slippers, placing them at the bedside. Carefully removed her sweater so she wouldn't get too hot in her sleep. She barely noticed. I stared down at her, laying peacefully. More than anything wanting to snuggle in next to her, but she had stated this morning she thought we should sleep separately.

I felt the need to respect her wishes and leaned down, kissing her softly on the forehead before leaving for my room.

Upon entering my room, it felt empty and lonely. I thought about what Arthur had said downstairs. This wasn't just any enemy I had to defeat. This was my own brother that I had grown up my entire life with. Though Ryker was definitely flawed and twisted by our father, would I really have the strength to kill him if that's what it came to?