The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

Jane

I can’t believe this! I can’t believe this is happening!

I take off into the snow, following my pups’ scent and leaving my negligent babysitter behind. What was I thinking? I knew better than to take my eyes off of them, to trust anyone else with their precious lives! Did I not learn my lesson in the Southern Isles! What is wrong with me!

Their scent is leading me towards the horse stables, and suddenly I realize what they must be planning, they must be thinking they can drive one of the sleighs all the way to Santa Claus. I don’t have the faintest idea why they’ve chosen to go to the North Pole when there’s a Santa Claus here in the grotto – unless of course they figured this one isn’t the real Santa Claus. As soon as I think it, I know this must be the case. Oh Goddess, why is this happening?

I’m cursing Ethan as I run. This is his fault. They want him, that’s why they’re so determined to get to Santa. I have half a mind to go back to the NightFang territory and give him a good strong kick in the p*nts. If anything happens to the pups I’ll never forgive him – or myself. As I near the stables I see the barn doors open, and a sleigh hooked up to two huge Clydesdales emerges. The horses set off into the snow, but so far they’re still walking.

“Stop!” I cry, causing the four tiny beings in the driver’s seat to turn around in surprise. They try to lash the reins so that the horses will take off, but they don’t seem to be strong enough. The horses are still moving faster than I am, but I’m still on two legs. I begin r!pping at my scarf and coat, my inner wolf already at the surface amidst the threat to my pups. I chuck my outer layer into the snow, then let my wolf out, shifting mid-run.

On all fours I dart after the sleigh, listening to the anxious cries of my pups as they urge the horses to speed up. “Yah, yah!” Riley cries, while Paisley bounces in the seat next to her. “Come on horsies! Come on horsies!”

I’m growling with anger now, no longer afraid for their lives, but furious with the little angels for running from me like this. The horses hear my growls and realize a predator is behind them, but it’s too late. I speed up, leaping into the back of the sleigh before it can get away.

Shifter back, I climb over the back seat and yank the reins from Riley’s hands, pulling the vehicle to an abrupt stop.

I clamp my eyes shut, gasping in deep breaths of air.

It’s over. I think frantically. It’s over, they’re safe. Well, for now out least. I’m not sure if I’ve ever been angrier with my pups, and this is certainly the first time l’ve ever been cross with Paisley.

“Uh-oh.” Paisley murmurs, looking up at me with wide eyes.

in public. I turn the sleigh around, guiding it back to the stables as naked as the day I was born. I pull it to a stop by my abandoned coat and scarf, wrapping them

sleigh, right now.”l

understand!” Riley protests, her

understand perfectly.” I growl.

from the barn, confusion clear on their faces, l apologize profusely and wait for

if you know what’s good for you, you’ll come

as they’re told, and l’m able to keep a tight

under control. I don’t want to be so angry with them, I know that they were just trying to go see Santa, that don’t understand the danger they were in, but my maternal instincts are only too aware of what might have happened, and it’s getting harder

stand in front of them

to see Santa.” Riley tells me sullenly. “And you ruined

you? Do you have any idea how far away the North Pole is? It would have taken you months to get anywhere close and that’s

have gotten lost in the mountains with nothing to protect you or keep

be so blunt with them, but they have to understand how dangerous their actions were.Looking at their surprised faces, I’m pleased to see the information sinking in. They

Really?”

try something like that, after everything you just went through! What’s more, I can’t believe you were so deceitful. You clearly were planning this from the moment you asked me to go to the farm! You planned on sneaking away from me, on stealing

gonna give it back.”

ran away from me when I explicitly told you to stop! I know you wanted to see Santa and I

interrupts, glaring at me, “You don’ know

firmly. “And I know you miss him but there isn’t a magical solution to this. These grown up

you too! We know you miss

can’t you just tell him you made