Falk Clan Tales - Chapter 26: Chapter 26

He shook the snow off his leather shoes and wandered the hall until he reached the ballroom. Piles of mouth-watering food were beautifully arranged on long silver trays. Mini quiches, croquettes, sliced fruit, a wide variety of cheeses and crackers, cocktail sausages, tiny little finger sandwiches, and so much more. His mouth watered, but he bypassed the trays looking for something else to satisfy him.
A crystal bowl full of sparkling cranberry punch sat on a cheerfully decorated table with dozens of little crystal glasses surrounding it. It looked tempting and sweet. Sander smiled as he automatically associated it with Noelle. She was sweet alright, and he longed to taste her again. There were smaller tables set with comfortable looking chairs surrounding a space that had been cleared for a dance floor.
Playing cards and board games were arranged on small shelves for easy access around the room, as well as ornament and cookie decorating stations. The teens from the outreach program were going to love it. She’d really thought of everything.
If he didn’t know anything at all about Christmas, that room with all its beautiful décor was enough to get him and anyone else in the holiday spirit. Christmas music played softly in the background, and twinkle lights glittered everywhere. But what struck him from the second he came into the room was the enormous Christmas tree.
It sat opposite the marble fireplace that was glowing with soft flames. She’d used a single-color theme on the enormous fir tree, big and beautiful enough to rival any department store version. Dozens of white ornaments graced the branches. There were snowflakes, feathered birds, balls, sprigs of holly, presents, bows, and strings of silver and white beads with tiny crystal stars hanging from every limb.
His eyes stopped and went wide when they reached the top. He sucked in a breath. Sander couldn’t look away. Atop the twelve-foot, blue spruce sat something he never imagined he’d see on a Christmas tree. His face broke out in a wide smile. That little minx.
He turned suddenly and looked for Noelle, but she was nowhere to be found. He went from room to room calling out her name, but she managed to evade him. Some Dragon you are. People began to arrive, a mix of adults and teens. The crowd grew thicker as did his frustration.
Thankfully employees from Present Tastes were there to greet them and take their coats, because Sander had no time for such niceties. He ignored them in his search. Where the devil was she? It was as if she’d simply disappeared.
He returned to the beautifully decorated tree and stood there. His eyes were riveted to the white Dragon who sat atop the boughs. He stuck his hands in the pockets of his black slacks and frowned.
He’d dressed up for the occasion. For her. It felt right and proper as he donned the expensive suit that was perfectly tailored to his body. He hoped Noelle would approve.
Sander growled deep in his throat as he thought of her. Noelle, where are you? One corner of his mouth lifted, and he shook his head. It was hopeless. He was a goner. She was incredible. Sigh. Only his little minx would put a Dragon on top of a Christmas tree.
“Do you like it?” A soft, familiar voice tickled his ear. Sander tensed then exhaled, relief making his shoulders drop as he turned to face her. Thank the gods. She is still here.
His eyes widened as he took in the sight before him. Holy Shit. For the second time that day, Sander’s breath was stolen from him.
Noelle was wearing a blood red dress with long, sheer sleeves. The fabric clung tightly to her shapely curves and the bodice dipped slightly in front. Just enough to make him want to pull it all the way down to free those magnificent breasts of hers. His mouth went dry and his cock twitched as he took in every inch of her, devouring her with his eyes.
Her long, dark locks floated around her shoulders. Like a sheet of silk, one he wouldn’t mind seeing spread across his bed. Her blue eyes sparkled like sapphires as he continued his thorough perusal. Noelle’s lips were painted the same blood red color of her dress, the contrast against her ivory skin stark and stunning. Beautiful.
“I asked if you liked it?” She nodded her head towards the tree, but Sander couldn’t look away from her.
“Yes,” his voice came out deep and growly. He liked it alright. He’d never liked anything more.
“I had Paul run into town, there’s a shop there with all sorts of treasures, I saw it there before and, well, after today it made me think of you.”
“Noelle, I-” Sander took a step towards her, but she backed up. He frowned, disliking her retreat. He moved again, but before he could speak a short, dark whirlwind interrupted them.
“Hi, Noe. Kisses. So, who is this?” The woman with the dark, curly hair was obviously a friend of hers.
The stranger wore loud, vibrant colors over her curvaceous frame that oddly enough didn’t clash with her dark olive skin tone and tightly curled hair. She had a certain charisma about her that was hard to ignore, though Sander would have preferred doing just that. However, ignoring the woman was not an option as she headed straight towards them and embraced Noelle.
“Joselyn. Hi. I am so glad you made it. This is Sander Falk. He’s, um, Callius’ brother. This is my friend, Joselyn.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Joselyn,” he said.
“Yeah, well, just so you know, you hurt her, you deal with me,” the shorter woman glared at him, a warning flashing in her eyes. Sander inhaled as he took in the obvious threat. Ah. A Witch in our midst. He smiled and arched an eyebrow.
“I have no intention of hurting anyone, augura Joselyn,” he added the common term for her kind in his language wondering if she’d notice. The sudden flare of her nostrils told him that she did. Her eyes darted to Noelle’s puzzled ones and she forced a smile.
“Listen Noe, you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes, Joss, sheesh. Will you please greet the guests while Sander and I talk a moment?”
“Yeah, sure,” she walked away, but not before she returned Sander’s smile with one of her own. Any other time, he’d enjoy the challenge, but not right then.
His heart was pounding, and his head was roaring. Every time he tried to speak to Noelle, they were interrupted by another guest. Patience was not one of his strong suits, especially not when he was so close.
“Noelle, may I have a moment?”
“Yeah, sure, just let me check on things. Okay, everyone seems okay.”
They almost made it out of the room when a pleasant looking, brown-haired man with a wicked grin walked up to Sander with his hand outstretched. Werewolf. Sander wanted to roar, but he understood from his brother he was in Werewolf territory and needed to remain cordial.
“Hello. You must be another Falk brother? My name is Seff McAllister, I uh, work for Rafe Maccon. He wanted to tell you he was sorry he couldn’t be here, new baby and all that. Anyway, thank you for hosting this event it means a lot to us. The Macconwood-Nighthawk Teen Outreach Program really appreciate the gesture. Ah, Noelle, darling, you look gorgeous,” he leaned in and kissed her cheek and, that time, Sander did growl. The Werewolf looked up. The slightly amused grin on his affable face did not warm him to Sander in any way, shape or form.
“What a wonderful job you’ve done here. Your father would be proud.”
“Thank you, that means a lot to me,” she smiled at the Werewolf and it was all Sander could do not to shift and swallow the man whole. Merry Christmas indeed.
As if sensing he was on the menu, the Wolf said his goodbyes and moved through the crowd. Sander didn’t stop watching him until he sided up to a woman with a mane of wild red hair and eyes that kept changing colors. Another Witch. The town seemed full of them.
“Oh my God, that’s Seff McAllister, he’s the Beta for the Macconwood Pack. He’s taller than I expected, cuter too-” before she could finish her sentence Sander was dragging her into the hallway.
“Sander?.”
“Did you just call that dog cute?”
“Sander. Where are you dragging me?”
“I’ve been waiting to tell you this, Noelle. I know I lack the tact, but about what I said before,” he pulled her up the staircase that led to his quarters and locked the door with a swipe of his hand.
“Sander, let’s just-”
“Please, hear me out, love.”
He turned her to face him and grasped both her hands in his. Nothing had ever been as important as that moment.
“Noelle, I’m a fool.”