Try Me

Chapter 7

Willow's POV

It was my day off and I needed to go shopping for Shade and Desiree. I didn't know where to go shopping since I knew nothing about this place. I also needed to get some supplies to finish up some Solstice gifts, and I needed to buy Jacey's Christmas present. "And where are you going," Jacey asked from where he was stocking the bar for tonight. "I have some shopping I need to do," I shared with him. "The roads aren't good for your bike," he told me. "Well you can't go because you're one of the people I'm shopping for," I told him. "You don't need to get me anything," he told me. "It's Christmas, you're my mate, so yes, I have to get you something," I declared. He raised an eyebrow at me and I smiled at him. He sighed then threw his keys to me, "Be careful." I kissed his cheek, "I will." I then left the bar and got into his Jeep.

I used my phone to look up the closest mall and was happy to see it was only fifteen minutes away. Let the day of shopping begin.

When I got back from my shopping trip, I had several bags in my hands. I got back to my room and saw a box in snow man wrapping paper sitting on my bed. It was my secret Santa gift. I opened it and saw it was a flute. On the bottom of the flute were runes I couldn't read. I easily knew who my secret Santa was, meaning they don't get to get those extra hours of sleep. I wasn't really competing for the hours of sleep. I genuinely want to give Shade and Desiree thoughtful gifts.

I sat my secret Santa gift aside and wrapped my Christmas gifts. Once that was done, I set to making my Solstice Gift for Jacey's nephews. Theirs was easy, but slightly time consuming. When there was a knock on the door, I didn't bother hiding it, since I knew his nephews weren't leaving the cave.

"It's open," I called out. Jacey came in and he eyed what I was working on. "What's that," he asked me. "It's a Solstice gift for your nephews," I told him. "It's a special kind of blanket we make for pups back home since their fur coats aren't thick when first born. This material is amazing at capturing heat and holding it for hours. We usually place them in front of a fire to warm before bed to get warm then the pups lay on it to sleep. Of course since dragons grow to be bigger than pups, I am making theirs bigger." "That's very thoughtful," he said with a soft smile. He then noticed the flute case. "That is my secret santa gift," I said while opening it and showing him the underside of the flute.

"Do you know what this says," I asked him. "It says, I have accepted you as part of the tribe," he read on the underside. "Do you know who gave it to you?" I nodded, "That will be revealed later." He chuckled, "I guess they've lost those extra hours of sleep. Out of curiosity, who did you get?" "My lips are sealed, but I can tell you, I didn't get your name," I shared with him. "Have you gotten your gift yet?" He nodded, "A very expensive art set that I have been eying for a while. Can't figure out who got it for me though."

I gave him a smile, "I'm sure you'll figure it out." "I hope so, I don't feel like waking up at the crack of dawn to assist in preparations," he said with a sigh. "How many tend to show up for the gathering," I asked out of curiosity as he sat on the bed while I began to work on the blanket. "About fifty or so," he answered. "Some should start arriving soon to assist in preparations and will stay to assist in the clean up then leave. How large is your pack?" "About forty or so members," I answered. He nodded, "So you're used to large gatherings." "I am, just not when most are as large as a mansion," I said with a soft smile. He chuckled softly, "You're in luck. Due to the space available in the mountain, most will be in their human forms during our celebration. When it comes to sleeping arrangements, usually those of us who aren't married or mated have to share our room with one of our cousins. However, it maybe late by the time the party settles so you and I may share my cave. As long as you're comfortable with that." I nodded, "That's fine with me." "I usually get stuck with my cousin Alois and I can't stand his snoring," Jacey shared with me. "Consider me your saving grace," I said with a soft laugh. "I will forever be grateful," he said to me.

We then spent the rest of the day and late into the evening talking and spending time together and I enjoyed every second of it. I truly was enjoying our courtship and had hope we would work out.

Jacey's POV

So Willow didn't give me the art set. Who in the world would have known I wanted it? Has one of my siblings been stalking me? No, most are too absorbed with themselves to really notice. So maybe it came from one of my parents. That didn't seem really fitting either since neither have they ever gotten me anything art related. So who in the hell was it? It was honestly amazing that Willow was able to figure out hers rather easy. Then again since she's a wolf she has a heightened sense of smell and could probably tell from the scent on the gift. Maybe she could tell me who had gifted the art set. Would that be cheating? Then again she may not want too because she is competing for the extra hours of sleep as well. Damn this shit sucks.

I turned the carving I was working on in my hand when there was a knock on the door and I went to hide the carving in case it was Willow, then Ethan stuck his head in. "I should've locked it," I muttered as I went back to my carving. "What do you want?" "Mom needs your help in distracting Willow tomorrow," he told me. I raised an eyebrow, "What for?" "Well, mom some how was able to get her hands on Willow's mom's phone number to find out how to have a proper Winter Solstice. It's our mother's way of repaying her," he answered. "For Willow's Christmas gift from mom and dad, they're flying Willow's mom and brothers here for Winter Solstice and Christmas. So we need you to keep her out for the day, take her on a date or something." I nodded, "I can do that." He then eyed the wood carving in my hand, "I thought you stopped carving." "Not entirely," I said. "Besides this is a Solstice gift for Willow. The tradition is that Solstice gifts are either hand made or it's something that person needs." He nodded, "I see." The carving I was working on was a wolf standing on a cliff, howling. I was torn between just doing various shades of stains and polish, or actually painting it. I had to figure it out soon since Solstice was next week.