GAMMA LANCASTER

PART 12 - CHRISTMAS IN THE CABIN

KATE

Biting my lip in order not to burst out laughing I'm sitting in my usual window seat that overlooks the frozen lake pretending to read Wuthering Heights from the cabin's stack of books, when really I'm watching Jenson get more riled up before he groans out with frustration.

He's fucking clueless that I'm tricking him.

"How are you doing this?" He growls as I look up from my book feigning innocence with a small shrug before his brows crease up tight and he looks back to the quiz book he has open on the table shaking his head.

It's been nearly a week since the bear attack and we've finally fallen into some sort of a weird harmony all living together under one roof. It's now Christmas eve and I have begged Jenson on a daily if not almost hourly basis to allow us to put up a tree in the cabin but for a wolf that doesn't celebrate the season he just finds the whole Idea absurd.

So now I must resort to sneaky-as-fuck methods to get what I want.

"Come on, next question. You agreed to the terms and from my calculations I'm just three questions away from turning this place into a Santa's grotto." I smirk as Jenson runs a hand over his neck looking agitated at the idea.

"Ok, here-we-fucking-go." He says looking determined as he holds up the book then clears his throat. "Who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1970, but was unable to accept it for five years?"

"Gosh, I thought you said these quiz books of your brothers were hard, Jenson? That he was some genius level wolf. Surely you know this?" I say rolling my eyes trying not to laugh. "It's easy, the answer is..."

I flick my eyes down to the cheat sheet I have hidden in my book.

"... of course... Alexander Solzhenitsyn."

I totally butcher the pronunciation of the poor Russians name but as Jenson's face goes red with rage, I have to lift my book up in front of my face so he can't see the huge grin on my face. Especially when I hear him throw the quiz book down on the table for what must be the millionth time since we started playing. I'm not sure if he's more pissed at the idea of having a Christmas tree up in here or that he thinks I'm now as smart as his brother who apparently owns this place.

"This is bullshit." He mutters as I peer over my book and watch him yet again pick up the quiz book stubbornly refusing to give in as I stifle a laugh.

"Right here. This one. At what temperature are Celsius and Fahrenheit equal?"

"Minus forty." I reply as I flick over my page as if bored as Jenson scowls at me. "Jesus, are you even trying to get me out anymore?" I say as if exasperated but quickly hold my book up again when the wolf starts cursing and Tilly tells him off.

Unfortunately, I'm so busy laughing I don't see the angry wolf pace over to where I'm sitting and come stand over me with his arms crossed over until it's too late.

"Good book, that? Huh?" He says quietly, making me jump and snap the book closed.

"Yes." I gulp as Jenson's eyes drop to Wuthering Heights.

"Let me see what you're reading?" He smirks as I see a little flicker of gold cross his eyes.

He knows.

"No, this wouldn't interest you at all." I say quickly, holding the book to my chest as an evil grin curls upon Jenson's lips.

"Oh, I think I would." He says, stepping closer, as I get to my feet and shuffle away to the side.

"No, this is about love and... betrayal ... and horses... It wouldn't interest you." I laugh as Jenson starts to prowl after me.

"Come here." He growls, but fuck is it sexy.