Teeside Christmas

[Maira]

Christmas had once again snuck up on Jezza. With her new life consuming all her attention, she'd barely noticed all the holiday preparations everybody else in the world seemed to be wrapped up in. Between training with Daine and the other members of her Pack, and working on finishing her schooling through correspondance, Jezza barely had time to herself.

So it was that when December 24th rolled around she was completely caught by surprise as a cashier at a local coffee shop wished her a Merry Christmas. Jezza's big blue eyes blinked in confusion for a moment. The cashier, thinking Jezza hadn't heard her said again, not quite so perky this time, "Merry Christmas miss." Mumbling the holiday greeting back, Jezza turned and bolted from the coffee shop, ignoring the strange looks she was getting from the other customers.

Her Chai tea in hand, Jezza made quick work of making her way to the main shopping area in town. As she turned the last corner, she came to a halt. The street was done up for Christmas, there were wreathes and garlands and lights everywhere, how could she have missed this before? Easily, she rarely went anywhere but the gym, Mikhail's home, or Daine's. "Crap, crap, crap," she muttered as she waded into the flood of last minute holiday shoppers.

Nearly four hours later, and well into the afternoon, Jezza called Christine at home from one of the shop's courtesy phones. "Umm, why did nobody tell me it was nearly Christmas?" she asked the older woman, sounding completely drained. When there was silence on the other end, Jezza continued before her Alpha could answer, "Anyway, Daine's working today, could you come pick me up from the shops? I've got too many bags to carry back to his place, not to mention stuff to wrap the presents with."

For all her training, and schooling, Jezza had even managed to get a part time job, waitressing at a little restaurant across town. She'd not had anything to spend her money on, as Daine had paid for all her new clothes when she'd first arrived in Boro, and so after a few months of saving, Jezza had built up a nice enough stash to splurge on her packmates and a couple friends from work. All in all, she was quite pleased with her purchases, she just hoped that everybody would like what she got them.

As she waited for Christine to come pick her up, Jezza kept fidgetting with the new little necklace she'd bought herself. Not only had Christmas snuck up on her but she'd completely missed her own birthday only the day before. She was now 18, and didn't feel any different than she had two days ago.

Life had taken a surprising turn over the past couple years and she'd had to grow up much quicker than she'd ever thought she'd need to. The biggest change in her life wasn't that she was now living in England, nor that she was assumed dead by her family, but that she was Wolven and had been for nearly a full year. In another month she'd be celebrating another birthday of sorts, the anniversary of her first Change. The experience in and of itself had been absolutely terrifying but the end result was totally worth it. She wouldn't change anything about her life now, it was just so different from what she'd pictured for herself.

[Races The Night]

"Why, honey, you've been so busy with your job and everything, we didn't have the heart to tell you a big holiday was coming up - besides, you've been concerntrating on your studies so much, lately there hasn't been much of a chance." Christine replied from home, hoisting Abigail in her arms and onto her hip while she held the phone in her free hand. "Of course I'll pick you up, just wait outside of Gamestation on Linthorpe road. Do you know where that is? You see it just as you walk into town from the main road." She grinned ruefully. "Unfortunately, we'll have Miss Trouble with us, Abigail finished school yesterday and she's been nothing but trouble since!"

***

When Jezza came back that afternoon, she would find that Daine had been visited by the Wolven, Father Christmas. Indeed, the Scrooge was currently sat, pouting petulantly in his leather armchair, a santa’s hat draped over his head, the white pom-pom covering his left eye – after previously being banged off the poor instrument of sight. A streamer now adorned the fireplace…and the TV…and the banister and most other furniture in the living room. Instead of his favoured rock tunes, The Worlds Best Christmas No. 1s was playing through the 5.1 speakers. Daine was currently being subjected to Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas, he was none too happy.

From somewhere in the kitchen, Anthony’s delightful voice sung along to the pop singer as he cooked up some concoction of seasonal bird. Dainiel was wondering about how sensible it had been to give Anthony a set of spare keys – the pup was constantly nagging him and this latest escapade took the biscuit. Grumbling, he was all but strapped into his armchair, daring not to move for fear of touching one of the vile and garish decorations Anthony had brought with him. Now, Daine wasn’t a one to complain about Christmas – indeed he held hopes that Father Christmas would one day bring him a bludgeoning stick with which to put an end to Anthony’s pranks – but the wolven simply could not abide the brightly coloured, out of place paper streamers and tinsel, the santa neon signs and the huge reindeer light ups some people adorned their homes with this time of the season. To him, it made no sense to advertise your home to enemies.

So it was he found himself prisoner to the pup’s idea of a ‘happy get together at Christmas’. Later, they’d all been called over to Alpha Mikhail’s for the annual evening with the rest of the Pack. His presents for them were now stuck under a rather thin, sickly looking, short tree – which, even now, was molting its needles all over his carpet. Dainiel folded his arms across his chest. “I hate Christmas.” He grumbled as the santa’s hat slipped and fell further forwards over his eyes.


***

Christine was as good as her word, pulling up briefly outside of the games store to pick up Jezza and her cargo. Abigail was in the back, playing with her favourite toy - a grey wolf plush Daine had given her two Christmas' back.

"Where to?" She asked, slipping into the drivers seat again. "Daine's? I hear Anthony paid Mr Scrooge a visit this morning after you left." The Alpha woman smiled cheekily at her friend and pulled out of the curb just as a bus beeped her for stopping on a major bus route. "Oops." Christine grinned.


((A Very Merry Wolven Christmas....and to all a good...morning! hehe))

[Maira]

(ooc: you nutter!)

As Christine pulled her car up in front of Daine's, Jezza got a confused look on her face. Turning to her alpha she said, "But he told me he worked today." Then looking from Daine's sports car parked out front, back to the house, she asked nobody in particular, "Why's he home?"

Not that she was dissappointed or miffed, just she had planned on sprawling all the gifts and wrapping stuff all over the living room so she could wrap them all. Now with Daine home, he'd likely be in the living room doing something, so she'd have to try and manage it upstairs in her room.

Giving a small sigh, Jezza turned back to Christine and thanked her for the ride before climbing out of the car, her bags in tow. As she made her way up the walk, Jezza could hear very loud music coming from the house but it was nothing like what Daine listened to normally. Now she was even more confused.

When she reached the front door she didn't bother with her key as it was obvious that Daine was home. Fumbling with the doorknob as she tried not to drop her bags, Jezza finally slipped in shutting the door behind her with her foot. Now that she was inside, it was apparent to Jezza that the music was Christmas hits and when she finally looked up from kicking off her shoes, she saw the living room was totally decorated for Christmas. There was even a tree, if a somewhat pathetic one, with presents under it.

The most amazing thing thing that Jezza had seen all day was slouched and glaring in Daine's chair. Seemingly cringing with ever word of the Christmas song currently blaring over his sound system. Daine was wearing a Santa hat.

That was the last straw, Jezza couldn't keep the smile from her face any longer. Setting down her bags in the entryway she made her way toDaine and stood looking down at him for a moment, smile still in full swing. Then she swooped down on him and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Christine called you Scroog, yet here you sit surrounded by a lovely bunch of Christmas decorations."

As she said this, Jezza ducked out of Daine's reach and headed to the kitchen. There were heavenly smells coming from there and she knew (sadly from experience) that Daine couldn't bake to save his life. The sight she found in the kitchen however was priceless. Anthony, wearing a simple white apron (hers actually) so he wouldn't ruin his nice clothes, was standing surrounded by baking implements with just a smudge of flour on his left cheek.

Just looking at Anthony standing there, baking, singing under his breath (she'd missed the louder moments by mere minutes) her heart skipped a beat. When she realized how she must be looking at him, it skipped yet another. And when she noticed her heart skipping beats while looking at a man who was supposed to be a friend and packmate, her heart skipped even more. *Crap!* she thought to herself when he finally turned and looked her way. Outloud she said sweetly, "Merry Christmas Anthony."

[Races The Night]

Anothony whirled around at the sound of Jezza's voice, wooden spoon in hand, 'Kiss the Chef' painted onto the apron rather crudely with strawberry sauce. He grinned. "A very merry christmas to you too, Jez, how are you my little santa's elf?" He asked airily, disgarding the spoon in favour of a sprig of mistletoe. "I was going to hang this up above scrooge, tosee if we could attract someone to kiss the big lug, but I'd rather subject you to the lesser of the evils." He held the sprig above them and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

"I see you have already met our humbug character out in front. That must have leeched all the christmas spirit out of you, but here I am to give it back to you!" His face was boyishly extatic as he turned back to his mixing bowl. "For I am baking you special christmas cookies in time for this most festive of holidays!"

***

Rather than leave straight away, Christine swiped her digital camera from the glove compartment and followed Jezza into the house, Abigail in tow. Laughing, she snapped pictures of Daine's predicament and bustled into the kitchen to do the same to Anthony. She got one of Anthony kissing Jezza on the cheek. "Anthony, love, what are you doing!? You know your cooking skills are on par with Dainiels!" She teased gently.

"I scored brownie point on your birthday, remember?" He reminded her of last year and the birthday cake he had made....oh what a fiasco that had been.

[Maira]

When Anthony put down his mixing spoon and picked up some mistletoe that she hadn't seen laying on the counter, Jezza couldn't keep her eyebrows from climbing up her forehead with surprise. Especially as he made his way towards her with it. She'd tensed only a little bit and had already forced herself to relax again when she finally felt the man's lips gently brush her cheek. She thought maybe they lingered a little longer than was absolutely necessary but as she already knew her heart was a traitor she didn't give in to those delusions, she'd save that for later...

When Anthony went back to relcaim his spoon and start mixing again Jezza couldn't help but smile. Not to mention his proclamation that he was making her Christmas cookies. Yep, that would be mulled over and over, along with the kiss, later, when she had time.

Jezza was just about to thank him for brightening up the place and the sweet thought of baking cookies when Christine made her presence known. The poor girl nearly jumped out of her skin as she whirled to see the Alpha and her younger sister standing in the kitchen doorway behind her. "Gods Christine, trying to kill me on Christmas?" she tried to ask playfully but as soon as she saw the camera in Christine's hands her tone took on a teensy bit of apprehension. Had Christine gotten a picture of Anthony kissing her? She hadn't seen a flash. If she had she was deffinately getting a copy!

[Races The Night]

Behind Jezza, Christine got a lovely view of Anthony's blush before he wisely turned his back and returned to his cooking.
"Of course not, dear." She replied to Jezza, waving the camera in the air. "Its a tradition, we take photos at all of our festive events. Believe me, nothing has beaten the Halloween of last year and Daine's spandex Devil costume - now thats a long story."

"Yeah." Anthony agreed.

"And Anthony's rather fetching impersonation of...a rabid wolf." Christine added dryly, grinning.

"Please don't tell her the story of that blasted thing." Daine grumbled, surprising everyone by being present in the doorway. "Thank god its stored away somewhere safe from your eager paws."

His Alpha just beamed pleasantly and tweeked his pom pom. "Jezza really doesn;t know what she got herself into the day she agreed to lodge with you, did she. Poor girl, however do you cope!?"

In background of all this, Anthony was pouring out cookie dough mixture onto a baking tray and slid it into the warm oven. He offered the bowl and a desert spoon. "Want to lick the bowl clean? In my experience all women love to do that....and men too." As if having second thoughts he took the bowl back and started at it with fervour.

[Maira]

At the thought of Daine, big strong manly Daine, in a spandex Devil costume Jezza couldn't help but laugh. When Daine then voice his opinion of the thing she stifled her laugher...mostly. Only the barest of snickers slipping out as Christine continued to tease the big man.

Finally, no longer able to resist, she leaned over and gave Daine a one armed hug saying, "Well he's really pretty tame so long as you keep him fed and keep the video and computer games from crashing." For the second time in less than ten minutes, Jezza ducked out of Daines reach.

She had escaped over to Anthony's side of the kitchen with the other man turned and offered her the bowl and spoon. She gladly accepted the spoon and was going to hand the bowl to Christine and Abigail when suddenly he took it back. "Hey!" she squeaked out indignantly. Deciding to win back the bowl for the two other females, she proffered the spoon and said in a sweet pleading tone, "There's one of you and three of us." As she waited for him to acknowledge her, Jezza fixed a playful pouty look on her face, just sticking out her lower lip ever so slightly and tipping her head down just a bit so she had to look up at him through her lashes.

[Races The Night]

Anthony grimaced. "But I'm a growing man!" He complained. There was a pause inwhich he regarded her sullenly, then heaved a sigh of resignation, holding the bowl and spoon out to her. "Here, you look like you need more fat on you anyway." He teased, prodding her in the ribs when she removed the bowl from his hands.

((urgh sorry, can't think of anything else to add to it, gonna go splurge on my LJ I think or a bit, just continue onwards, I'll pick up again tomorrow maybe))

[Maira]

Jezza's playful pout instantly turned into a bright smile, her dark blue eyes shining, as Anthony handed over the bowl. She slipped the spoon back into his hands though, and flashed him a softer smile before turning away to make her way back to Christine and Abigail and Daine. The little girl's eyes had gone wide at the sight of the bowl, still quite lined with cookie batter.

Taking only one swipe of the sugary goodness Jezza then placed the bowl in Abigail's hands saying, "Here Abi, I've got your presents to wrap so you can have my share too if Christine will let you." Looking at her Alpha, Jezza pleaded with her eyes on the girl's behalf. After all, it was Christmas.

Looking at Daine who still seemed to be glowering a bit, Jezza wasn't sure if it was about the blaring Christmas music, the invasion of his house, or the mention of the spandex costume, Jezza scooted past him quickly back out to the entryway to gather up her bags of gifts. Once she had secured all of them she somehow managed to trudge up the stairs to her room to wrap.

~~~~~

The smell of cookies had been pulling at Jezza for the last half hour of her wrapping and with the final bow going on the very last gift, she gave in. Carefully she stored the gifts for her pack mates back in the bags and trudged them back downstairs back to the entryway. Once they were settled, she practically ran into the kitchen.

The instant she entered the kitchen, Jezza spotted the pile of fresh baked cookies and she darted straight for them. She didn't even bother to look to see, nor did she care, if Anthony or Daine were watching her. One of her favorite things in the world was fresh baked cookies.

[Races The Night]

Anthony grinned wryly, leaning over in Jezza's direction. "I take it dieting isn't going to be one of your new years resolutions?" He ducked away before she could hurt him.

Dainiel watched the goings on in his home in a strange, fly-on-the-wall kind of way. Sure, Christmas had always been a social time of year for the pack, Anthony constantly invaded his private sanctum of a home, Christine was always giggling and bubbly. Mikhail was always in his turtleneck jumpers looking everybit the businessman he was. Ever since Jezza had arrived and comfortably set up home here in Boro things had taken on a slightly rosier tinge. Laughter was nearly always present among the pack, even more bubble than normal. Bad things were taken in stride and each member was willing to defend both pack and Jezza against her ghosts. All in all, life was a lot brighter with the girl around.

Daine hated to admit it, but he'd felt more inclined to relax and enjoy himself since the new arrival. He huffed silently.

Christine laughed as she fished a cookie out of Jezza's reach and began to tuck into it. "Well, before they're all gone and Mikhail loses the chance to eat cookies, we best go over to my house, i guess. Everyone should be gathering there soon. Daine,a re you ok to give Anthony a lift?" It was already assumed that Daine would drive Jezza just about anywhere she asked. Christine had noted that the brooding man would no doubt give the girl anything she asked for regardless! Daine could be such a softy on his days off from mood swings and his secret torments. The man was a lot more relaxed since Jezza had arrived on their doorsteps.

Dainiel nodded a brief affirmative scooping a biscuit up and handing it to Abigail, who eagerly took the offering. "C'mon then, get those packed up in a tin - before Miss Piggy eats them all." He said with a faint smile that, for once,r eached his eyes.

***

When they all arrived at Mikhail's residence, just moments after Christine opened the front door with her keys, it was obvious that the Walker-Lawrence household had been decked out and well and truly prepared for the christmas season. The coach and lantern lights were already blinking in the front window, the sky had begun to turn a deeper shade of blue as it was want to do early in the afternoon during this season. Inside, the tree ligths blinked randomly as tinsel glittered in the reflections. When they entered, the scent of fresh bread almost knocked Dainiel off his feet.

Chrisitne glanced back, apologetically. "Mikhail bought me a bread maker for christmas, only I managed to swindle it out of him a bit earlier."

Dainiel exchanged brief greetings with his Alpha before exiting to unload the presents he, Anthony and Jezza had brought with them. This year, the pack was down in numbers somewhat, Elexis had gone home for the holidays, having finished her 1st semester of the year. Nicolai was currently out of town and wouldn't be able to get back until later that evening. So for now, it was just the five of them, plus Abigail.

Dainiel and Anthony placed all the presents in the corner next to the tree and all but fell thankfully into the sofa, Anthony, with the inevitable tin of freshly baked cookies in his lap and a greedy smile plastered over his face as he threatened to open the lid and have them all to himself.

[Maira]

Jezza pretended to ignore Anthony's teasing remark continuing merrily munching on her cookie and didn't strike out at him right away. It was just as he was out of arms reach that she kicked out with the leg closest to him, catching him in the back of the knee. "My legs are longer than my arms Anthony, might wanna remember that next time," she said in the same teasing tone he had used on her a moment before.

Right as she was finishing her first cookie, Daine came over and started packing them all up, she barely had time to snag a second one before he too was teasing her. She would have glared at him for his trouble but when she saw the actual genuine smile on his face and in his eyes she just smiled back happily.

~~~~~

Packing up presents enough for a whole pack from three people into one little sports car and still somehow managing to fit the three people who bought the presents in too, was quite an accomplishment. Luckily, as Jezza was being poked in the ribs by something in bright red and gold paper, the ride was over quickly and the people and presents were taken out of the car in quick order.

Once everybody and everything was inside, Jezza made a bee-line for Mikhail, she had some great news for him. Unfortunately Daine got to him first and she had to wait for him to go flop on the couch before she could spill her secret she'd been holding for two weeks.

As a professor at the University, Mikhail had been adamant that Jezza finish up her schooling and she really hadn't minded. Once she had her chance, she threw her arms around the big Alpha's neck and gave him a tight hug, whispering in his ear, "Merry Christmas Mikhail, I finished school!" Pulling away quickly so she could watch his face when it sunk in, Jezza couldn't help but smile. Pretending to study for two weeks was almost harder than doing the actual thing.

[Races The Night]

Mikhail smiled brightly and hugged her back. "Congratulations, Jezza. Now, have you thought of college and what you would like to do?" The Alpha was in teaching mode, until Christine walked up to him adn swatted him with the oven gloves.

"Don't go pestering the girl about that now, she's on holiday and its Christmas. you say one word of education or lecturing and you're sleeping outside tonight, I'm sure Daine and Anthony would be able to put together a small dog house!" She chided happily, whisking off back to the kitchen to check on her bread.

Mikhail stuck his lower lip out petulantly and winked at her. "Let me know when you've had a chance to think about it, we'll sort you out." He turned into the living room and bellowed, "Get off the remote, I'm watching the news!" Just in the exact second both Daine and Anthony were reaching for the remote on Mikhail's chair. Both loked back at their Alpha with the expressions of naughty school boys and reluctantly backed away.

"Ah, still got it." Mikhail murmured, pleased with himself, and wandered into the living room tot ake up his chair, leaving Jezza in the doorway of the kitchen.

Christine looked up with a womanly smile. "He's been feeling old of late, it does him good to exercise his Alpha status every once in a while." She replied to the unspoken questions. "So, are you havign a good christmas so far? Despite it creeping up on you?"

[Maira]

Jezza smiled mischeviously at Mikhail once Christine had turned and gone back into the kitchen. She wouldn't have told him about it if she didn't want to talk about it after all. Then, when the Alpha hollered at the 'boys' Jezza snickered and watched him stalk back out to the living room to reclaim his remote.

She just decided that after Christine had maybe had a drink or two and was distracted by Abigail opening her presents, Jezza would pull Mikhail aside and pick his brain. He knew the University much better than she did and he also knew her strengths from helping her study periodically, he'd be able to help her decide where to go from here.

At Christine's statement about how Mikhail had been feeling old lately, Jezza's face screwed up with confusion. "Old? Why would he be feeling old?" Sure Mikhail was a teacher at the University and he was surrounded by young people all day long but he was still healthy and active, not to mention Wolven and so more 'hot blooded' than most younger men. Still confused, Jezza looked out into the livingroom, watching the trio of men carefully. The only difference she could see between them was that Anthony was closer to her age, and Daine and Mikhail didn't look much older than he did.

Jezza shrugged and turned back to look at Christine to answer her question about Christmas just in time to see two familiar forms slipping in through the cat flap. "Kate and Natalie are here," she told Christine, nodding in the direction of the two female wolves coming in her back door.

Both women had been over earlier that day to drop off gifts and they still had their clothes stashed in the bathroom. After a quick nod to Christine and Jezza they both headed to the bathroom to get dressed. It wasn't that either of them were shy, they'd been Wolven long enough now, just they knew Jezza was still a bit nervous about it.

While the other two women got dressed Jezza answered, "Aside from the utterly insane people i had to wade through shopping today its been great so far. I've never not had Christmas with my family so its deffinately different but I wouldn't give this up for anything. You guys are my family now." Just as she finished talking, Kate and Natalie walked around the corner and she ran to both of them, wrapping them both in a huge hug. "Merry Christmas you guys!" she said excitedly.

Kate and Natalie both smiled at the enthusiastic teenager and waited for her to dislodge herself before revealing their surprise. "Well," started Kate cryptically, "we went out for a little run and ran into a few people you might like to see for the holidays Jezz." Then Natalie walked to the back door and shoved it open. Confused, Jezza looked at Christine questioningly and made her way to the back door. She was a few steps away from the door when she could see two male forms standing in the light falling into the alley. One was built like Daine, the other more like Anthony. With an excited squeal she ran the last few steps out the door and launched herself off the stairs at Andrew and Jonathan.

Things hadn't always been so great between Andrew and Jezza but a few months ago, shortly after she had come to England, they had worked things out. Before long, Jezza and Andrew were back on friendly terms and Jonathan, Andrew's older brother, was just as friendly. When the pair had left Boro, Jezza had been rather disappointed but they did visit on occassion. With Mikhail's blessing, of course, as he was the local Alpha.

After greeting the two men properly, a sound kiss on the cheek for each as well as a bear hug, Jezza ran back in the house giving the same to a smugly smiling Christine. Then bolting into the living room she tackled Mikhail from the side of his chair. "Thank you so much Mikhail! Thank you thank you thank you!" And then she was gone again, out to talk with Andrew and Jonathan.

Kate and Natalie just watched Jezza with self satisfied smirks on their faces. They may not have been the ones to come up with the idea to invite the other two Wolven but seeing Jezza so completely happy, with no shadows of sadness lurking behind her eyes, was well worth running around on a cold night trying to find the pair.

Quite content with themselves, the two women made their way into the livingroom. Kate plopped next to Anthony, leaning against him companionably. Natalie snagged the another chair, curling her feet up underneath herself.

[Races The Night]

"What did you do...?" Daine stared his Alpha down as Mikhail sat with a smug smile on his face. Daine didn't like it when Mikhail had that smile.

"Nothing, Dainiel, I simply let the women have their way this Christmas. They wanted to give Jezza a surprise and more companions, since we know her real family is all the way back in America."

Daine growled, not liking the sounds of this. Ever since the show down with Jake and the rest of the Four Aces, Daine's untrusting nature hadn't allowed him to relax around the two loner wolves that were all but honorary members of Teesside Howl. "You didn't....tell me you bloody well didn't." He growled, low in his throat.

Mikhail simply smiled beautifically and began flicking channels, ignoring any more comments from Dainiel.

Anthony hugged Kate in welcome and waved at Natalie. "How are you ma cherie?"

Dainiel slunk off the sofa and stalked into the kitchen, glaring at Christine. "Where is she?"

Christine pulled a sour face. "Oh shut your yapping, Daine, stop being such an ogre to the poor lads, Andrew suffered enough during your little spar off! Now just plonk yourself back in the living room and enjoy yourself. God forbid you should let your guard down for just one minute! All holy hell would break loose The world would end because Daniel Hunter let his guard down!"

Mumbling a curse under his breath, Daine ignored Christine and stalked out the back door, to lean against the frame. He caught Anthony's eye. You pose the tinniest of threats and I'll rip your throat out. The gaze he returned seemed to say quite clearly.

From behind him, Christine hit him with a wooden sppon in warning. He growled, but didn't let up on his hard cold gaze.

***

"That boy is useless!" Christine said to the others in the living room. "He's going around like a testosterone bag!"

"Excuse me ladies." Anthony said as he lazily picked himself up off the couch and followed Daine to the back door. Although he agreed with Daine on most things, it was against his nature to outright threaten the poor guys, so he just stood back. If danger appeared, then he'd get mad. For now, if Jezza was happy, then he was content.

"Now, Christine." Mikhail said in his smooth voice. "Dainiel is what? 2? 3 years younger than you? He's hardly a boy anymore."

Christine stook her tongue out at her amte from across the room.

[Maira]

Jezza knew the instant a shadow fell across the alleyway that Daine had come to glare at Jonathan and Andrew. It seemed to be all he could do when the guys were around. Debating whether to turn around and tell her mentor to go jump in a lake or just ignore him, she chose the latter of the two. Pissing him off more than he already was, especially on Christmas, would not be healthy for her come her next training session.

~~~~~

In the livingroom Kate and Natalie watched Anthony go out into the kitchen after Daine. Natalie, feeling rather cheery ignored the dark mood now emanating from the kitchen and turned to Christine asking, "Isn't he always a testosterone bag? Last I checked nothing has changed, he just has a new focus in life, hating Andrew and Jonathan, since we are at peace again."

Kate snickered at Natalie's comment, the other woman was always the logical one. To stir things up a bit Kate debated Natalie's idea, "He may always be a testosterone bag yes, but I don't think we're thinking of the same thing when it comes to his new focus. At least not for the same reasons." Now if she had left it at that, Kate's comment could have been interpretted a couple ways and she realized that so she clarified, "After all, Jezza is like a younger sister to all of us now. I think Daine is just being a good big brother, if way to overbearing."

~~~~~

Having been standing outside talking for a good ten minutes, and having run outside without a jacket Jezza was starting to get cold. She may have been on friendly terms with Andrew again but she wasn't close enough with him to cuddle up to stay warm. Jonathan, though Andrew's older brother, was also out of the question.

Finally, not able to take it anymore Jezza told the guys to wait and she turned and walked up the few steps until she was face to face with Daine. Over the past few months living with him, Jezza had gotten quite comfortable with the surly man and normally wouldn't hesitate to ask him anything. What she was about to ask him though she doubted he'd say yes to. Without any warning she asked him in a soft tone, "Would your Christmas be ruined if I invited them in? That is if Mikhail says they can join us? Its just so cold out here and I haven't seen them in a while. I don't think they'd stay long, just long enough for us to get caught up and for me to give them their gifts."

When he didn't answer right away Jezza's heart began to sink and she wanted so badly to beg. He was her pack now though, her mentor, her flatmate, and most of all (even if he wouldn't admit it) her friend as well. If it would ruin Daine's Christmas to have the two ex-Four Aces join them, she wouldn't even ask Mikhail's permission.

[Races The Night]

Damnit! Damnit damnit damnit! Why did she have to look at him like that! All gooey eyed over a bunch of mangy lap dogs!?

Daine blocked her entrance to the house, arms folded across his chest, looking down at her. He growled low in his throat, Hunter's Bane rising the moment he sensed the tension. He didn't like the fact there were two rival wolven near the pack meeting.

Oh sure! He didn't have a Cristmas to spoil! His idea of the holiday was to give the gifts and run! Affection was not something he craved lightly. But as he looked his flatmate in the eyes, he realised, with horrifying certainty, that perhaps affection wasn't as bad as it was cracked up to be and that, deep down inside, he wanted that acceptance. This made him even more angry - at himself. What he was didn't qualify for affection of any sort.

Grumbling, he turned around and stalked out of the kitchen. Anthony, standing inside the room, moved aside and shrugged in Jezza's direction.

***

"That damn whelp wants her friends to come in!" Daine almost barked when he entered the living room. His whole body emanated tension, it rolled off him in waves.

Christine rolled her eyes as Mikhail lifted his from the newspaper he was reading. He raised an eyebrow. "And why should that be a problem, Dainiel?" The Alpha asked calmly, preparing for one of Daine's hissy fits and a battle. Honestly, the man could be trying at times! His skills in the art of war and, admittedly, his good company - when he was in a decent mood - were nice to be around, but when he had a chip in his shoulder then he was impossible!

Silkily, Mikhail placed the newspaper aside and rose form his armchair. Battles would be fought on even ground. He watched Daine contemplate his chances. They were good, but Daine had no wish to become Alpha of anythng but his own home.

"You've barely given the chaps a chance since all that hastle. For Jezza's sake, make this easier on her." After a lot of spying and taking note of behaviour, he'd come to the conclusion that the best way to reach Daine, was, surprisingly, through Jezza. The younger man would jump to defend her honor - even if he wouldn't admit it to himself. Come to think of it, so would Anthony...but Anthony jumped to any females honor. Still, it was worth keeping in mind while dealing with the two wolven.

Daine's heavy breathing evened out as he struggled with his inner Custoss. "Do I have to like it though?" He growled at last.

"Not at all, you can pout all you want aslong as you're polite and speak when you're spoken to." Mikhail grinned triumphantly. "Go tell Anthony to step aside and let them in, that poor girl must be smothered with the amount of brotherly love coming from you and Anthony."

Daine sank onto the stool and kicked his legs out infront of him. "You've win this round, but I'm damned if I'm gonna say those words which will invite those rats in here."

Mikhail almost spit out, "You're damned anyway." But bringing up Daine's increasingly wavering balance on 'the line'.

Towards he kitchen, Mikhail called to Anthony, "Step aside!"

That was all the notice Anthony needed, smiling faintly at Jezza, he returned to the living room, gesturing for her and her followers to, well, follow.

[Maira]

Kate watched Daine stalk into the livingroom and glared at him as soon as he opened his mouth. Immediately she wanted to jump to Jezza's deffense but the two men in the room didn't leave any time or room for her to squeak a comment in edgewise.

Natalie watched the scene in the livingroom with slight disgust. If Daine was so loyal to Jezza, and most of all Mikhail, then why did he throw fits like this? As soon as Mikhail hollered at Anthony to step aside, Natalie uncurled from her chair and headed for the kitchen. If Daine wasn't going to be pleasant company tonight, at least Jonathan and Andrew would be.

~~~~~

When Daine stalked off into the house propper and Anthony took his place in the doorway, Jezza turned back to her friends. "I'm sorry guys, I wish Daine weren't like this," she apologized to Andrew and Jonathan.

"Don't sweat it Jess, we understand," Andrew answered cheerfully. Jonathan nodded his agreement before adding, "He's protecting you, and your Pack. If he didn't, then we'd have to worry." The smile on both of the brother's faces were warm and understanding.

The bellow the trio heard from the general direction of the front of the house was a very welcome sound to Jezza. As Anthony moved out of the way, she leaned up on tip toes and kissed his cheek in thanks before turning to invite the guys in.

Once they were all three in the kitchen, Jezza held up a hand and said softly, "Wait here. I'll be right back," before running off somewhere else in the house.

~~~~~

Andrew turned to Jonathan as soon as Jezza dissappeared from the kitchen and asked, "Are you sure this isn't sheer stupidity? Daine is acting even more protective of Jezza than normal and after...well after last time I don't really want to get on his bad side again." Just the thought of the showdown between the Four Aces and Teesside Howl made Andrew's skin crawl and old wounds, now healed, ache with memory.

Jonathan just shrugged. He didn't have a chance to answer though because Natalie then let herself out of the bathroom right into the middle of their conversation. "Merry Christmas Jonathan, Andrew. Have you guys eaten tonight?" she asked pleasantly.

The men exchanged glances and then both shook their heads. They couldn't not answer her but they didn't want to overstay their welcome, let alone ruin Christmas dinner.

~~~~~

Jezza had originally planned on snagging a few chairs from the dining room table to take to the kitchen so she, Andrew and Jonathan would at least have something to sit on while they talked. As soon as she left the kitchen though she could see Daine's head rising above the back of the couch.

Gathering what little courage she had left at this point, Jezza padded softly into the living room. Leaning over the couch she placed her mouth next to Daine's right ear and whispered, "Thank you Daine, we'll stay in the kitchen so we don't bother you." Then she gave him a tight hug around the shoulders and a kiss on the cheek before going back to the dining room and snagging the chairs she'd come out to get in the first place.

Somehow she managed to juggle three chairs into the kitchen and smiled at Natalie a she entered. It made Jezza feel better knowing that even if Daine wasn't accepting of her friends that other members of her Pack were.

Andrew rushed to help Jezza with the chairs and once he'd set them down, he went out to the dining room and snagged a fourth one for Natalie as she seemed content to stay and visit with them as well.

[Races The Night]

Anthony stepped aaside with a flurish of his hand. He blushed profusely at the kiss Jezza bestowed on his cheek. "Ur, think nothing of it." He murmured, exchanging a welcoming glance to the newcomers. He had nothing against the two loners, aslong as they didn't cause trouble.

He moved into the house and busied hismelf by helping haul chairs about.

Mikhail heard the clattering and thuds and finally asked, having been disturbed from his paper for the last time, "What are you doing? No guest in my house will sit at my table while the rest of us sit by the fire, bring them in here, Jezza. Anthony, hawl those chairs in here, boy."

Nodding, Anthony did as he was told and started carrying the chairs into the living room. He passed a warning look Daine's way. No hassle, it said. Anthony may have been a lower ranking wolf than Daine, but as a friend to both him and Jezza he felt the need to portray the warning.

"So, what have you guys been up to lately?" He asked brightly to the two newcomers. "I thought you'd flew the roost weeks ago when Four Aces broke down?"

Mikhail looked up from his paper, putting it aside permentantly for the night. "Evening gentlemen, I take it your both well?" He asked Andrew and Johnathan as they entered the house propper.

***

Dainiel grinned darkly, "Don't bother, bring them in, I'd rather snack in the warmth of the living room tahn out in the cold...." His smiel was cruel and feral as he contemplated Mikhail's warning expression from across the room.

[Maira]

Jezza didn't like Daine's tone of voice and so before she headed back to the dining room, she smacked the shoulders she'd just hugged.

~~~~~

Andrew had just gotten the fourth chair into the kitchen when there was a familiar voice shouting from the living room. He watched as Jezza flinched and then blushed before she grabbed the chair she'd just be about to sit in.

Jezza, with Andrew, Jonathan, and Natalie in tow, all made their way out to the livingroom and plunked their chairs down where there was free space. All except Natalie, she put her chair back in the dining room then took up her chair she'd been relaxing in before.

Once the trio was seated, Jezza between the guys and Daine where he sat ont he couch, the questions started. Andrew, more on a level with Anthony fielded those questions, and Jonathan took Mikhail's.

Andrew answered Anthony, "Yeah, we left for a bit but Jezza and I had patched things up so I didn't want to be gone too long." He looked cautiously at Jezza to make sure he wasn't being glared at but all her attention was on the glowering Daine.

To Mikhail, Jonathan said calmly, "Yes, thank you Sir, we are both doing fine." He didn't want to thank him publicly for letting them stay on the outskirts of Boro as that would likely aggrivate Jezza's mentor. Daine had a tricky temper.

~~~~~

Kate, seeing the growing tension in the room, thwacked Daine with a pillow then handed him a small colorfully wrapped gift. "If it'll make you quit glaring at our guests for ten seconds Daine, for goodness sake, open this," she said as she shoved it into his lap since he wouldn't take hold of it himself. Inside was a book titled, "An Idiots Guide to Dealing with Teenage Girls." She'd meant it as a joke as he constantly was griping about living with one so she hoped he'd cheer up a bit.

Seeing what her friend and packmate was doing, Jezza smiled gratefully at Kate before finally turning her attention back to Andrew and Jonathan. Both seemed to be at ease talking to Mikhail and Anthony and that made her happier that she thought it would. Maybe someday.... No, no point hoping that. Daine would never allow it. Even though he wasn't Alpha, he'd never allow Jonathan and Andrew to join Teesside Howl. She had to shake her head once, her black curls bouncing, to clear that unpleasant thought from her mind.

Feeling it safe to finally remove herself as a barrier between Daine and the guys, Jezza made her way over and sat at Christine's feet. She didn't say anything, just wanted to sit there. Christine's presence alone had a great way of calming her and comforting her.

[Races The Night]

Dainiel stared at the present as though it might suddenly grow jaws and bite him. He ripped the paper off and grinned ruefully at the book title. "Oh good, just what I always wanted. Has it got a section on grapple moves to sue on her when she gets angry?"

Meanwhile, Mikhail was busy protecting his territory. "Any sign of Jake? I'm assuming that, since we haven't seen hair nor hide of him that he's gone, but one can't be too sure." Johnathan was a strange lad, a judge no less. Mikahil saw within him the potential for a wise Alpha, but for some reason the boy seemed not inclined to that position. Andrew was a talented scout and would do well in a new Pack, one where he didn't have the oppression of a ruthless Alpha to curb his self-improvement.

Christine watched her mate, reading the thoughts that passed through his mind as she was often want to do. Most times, there was no telepathy in it, she jsut knew him as mates do. She patted Jezza on the shoulders encouragingly, when the girl came to sit by her her. "So, tell us, Andrew, have you had any wild adventures during the time you have been absent?" Christine asked with a genuine smile.

Just then there was a light rapping at the front door. Excusing himself out of the prescence of Pack and loners, Dainiel moved with an animal gait, out of his chair.

Nicolai greeted him with a shy smile that faded as soon as he saw Daine's expression. The two men nodded at each other before Daine moved aside for the shorter man. Nicolai, carrying his bags of presents. bundled his way into the living room and smiled warmly at everyone. His gaze flickered uncertainly over the two newcomers, but he guessed, if Mikhailw asn't growling then everything was alright and turned a welcoming smile on them, pushing the frames of his glasses back onto his nose with the finger of a heavy laden hand.

"I trust everyone is well?" He asked brightly, lifting his bags. "I come baring gifts."