Merry Christmas, V, sighed Roth, trying so hard not to feel disappointed. Guess, it's not so merry, really…

Vince sighed along with his wolf and just stayed buried under his bed covers. There was no use in getting up if it's just gonna be another cold Christmas for him and his wolf. He tried not to think of what happened back there at his mate's house, but that was all that kept playing and replaying in his head.

"OH MY GOD! NO, STAY AWAY! SHIT PLEASE! DON'T HURT ME! PLEEEEAAASSE!"

"Elena, it's still me, V. I would never think of hurting you… you're my mate… I told you before I transformed, right?"

V's heart broke as he saw her cringing and shaking as she curled into a fetal position in one of the corners of her babies' room, where they chose to talk. It was truly, emotionally torturing to see the one and only love of his life run away from him in fear and terror.

How other men would choose that reaction over caring and devotion is beyond me…

Have we lost her V? Should we just give up now?

"I hope not, Roth, but I'm not giving up. Just giving her space. I just wish she would still give us a chance after knowing what we really are."

The doorbell rang. And V groaned into one of his soft, lofty down pillows, refusing to face the day without his mate. He didn't even want to go back to the packhouse. That's why he chose to stay locked up in solitary confinement in his condo penthouse for the holidays, to be honest…

And then he smelled something familiar in the air…

No, it can't be! Am I still asleep? Am I dreaming…

Then Roth howled inside his head. It wasn't a howl of grief but of longing…

And rejoicing!

He jumped out of bed… almost bounding out his bedroom suite's double doors, before realizing that he's completely naked.

V tugged at the coat stand beside the door to get to a dark blue long silk robe that reached his knees then put it on slowly.

He might rip it in his eagerness to answer the door…

"Wait a second. I'm coming!"

I certainly hope we will… snickered Roth in his mind.

With a full smile on his face, and his heart dancing a jig, he opened his ornate white double doors with both hands in preparation to welcome his visitors.

"Elena… James… Rose…" he breathed…

And his welcome speech ended there as the twins barreled into him with arms wide open and loud eager squealing!

As he kneeled and hugged them tightly, and as their small chubby arms encircled his shoulders and neck, he was so surprised as he finally understood what they were trying to say in the midst of their giggling…

"Daddy V! Daddy V!"

Vince's head automatically rose, so he could look at his mate's sparkling eyes and happy smile. He was too shocked to ask the question, but she read it in his face immediately.

"Yes, they learned it on their own. They were looking for you, and I didn't have the heart to deny their request. So yes, we're here now, and Merry Christmas, V.

* * *

As the kids slept in one of the guest rooms, sharing a large and luxurious queen size, after Mommy and Daddy V put them to sleep with full tummies, a lot of rocking, and a bedtime story… the Alpha and his Luna finally had a chance to be on their own.

V, still being a gentleman, had insisted on cuddling on his large ornate sofa instead of on his bed as Roth had suggested. It may be his imagination, but his mate seemed a little disappointed with his choice, but she now happily hugged him close while his arm hugged her shoulders.

A few minutes of intense kissing and necking later, V had to pause because he was afraid of overstepping his boundaries in a different way this time.

Did she just pout… Ok V, stop it, that's all in your mind, ask her the question…

"So, what changed your mind, love?" V asked, reaching for his neglected mug of now lukewarm not-so-hot choco.

"Di…"

"Oh my God… she turned in front of you? Did you know that she hated shifting to her wolf form?"

"She told me, even the reason behind it. And she asked me to consider who is the true monster between you and Jonah. That really got me thinking. But the last straw was when the kids started asking for you…"

V nuzzled her hair and started nibbling an ear, smelling her heat as he continued to tease and arouse her since she was doing the same to him, naturally and without any effort, "Are those the ONLY reasons why you're here, Elena?"

He felt her smile through the tingling of his skin and was overwhelmed with the sensations once again. Her answer was soft but heavy with emotion…

"No, I need to be here with you. As you explained, before you first transformed in front of me, that I'm your mate. And that said a lot… the urges to see you, the longing to be with you, the joy I feel when you're near… even the… desire…" she ended her admissions by biting her lip and blushing slightly.

It was his turn to smile hungrily at her. "Do you really and truly understand that need, my love? Because if you don't, I understand… You're not a wolf, so I won't force it on you…"

"But… what if I… force it… on you?"

Roth growled in his head, and it echoed his low groan upon hearing her question. She seemed to hear them both because she was soon sitting on his lap and kissing him deeply, her embrace competing with his own arms to find the perfect spot to keep each other very close…

"Happy Mommy! Happy Daddy V!" exclaimed two cute baby voices that canceled out the sound of their pattering feet and grabbing arms. From their bedroom, they ran straight to the lounge seat and started to climb it.

V and Siel, though a little disappointed, couldn't help but laugh as they straightened themselves out to sit subdued on the sofa and keep one child each in their arms.

"I just realized I haven't bought them a puppy yet. Sorry about that, but, got so depressed at what happened when we last met…"

"It's ok. There's still tomorrow…"

"But it won't be Christmas then. I still have half an hour to midnight. And I think I know just the thing."

In just a few moments, the twins were squealing excitedly and laughing delightedly at the gigantic black "puppy" that was willing to play, romp and give them piggyback rides.

Finally, all the twins' wishes for Christmas were now complete.

Merry Christmas, dear reader… See you this New Year!