Charlaine Harris: Wolfsbane and Mistletoe

He was feeling pretty damned good until Brian said, “Now, about your punishment.”

Jake nodded. Whatever it was, he could take it.

But Brian flashed a grin. “It can wait until after Christmas. You better head on up to your room and get what sleep you can. Ruby will be dragging us all out of bed in an hour or two to see what Santa brought her.”

“No problem,” Jake said. “I don’t want to mess up Christmas any more than I already have.”

“You haven’t messed up anything, Jake. We’re lucky to have you around—especially that little girl,” Felicia said, then actually kissed him on the cheek. At his surprised look, she pointed upward. “Mistletoe.”

He grinned. “But I’m still not kissing Brian.”

“Thank the Lord for small favors,” Brian said. “Now go to bed.”

Just before he headed upstairs, Jake stopped at the manger scene and looked at the figure of the dog or wolf or whatever it was. Then he reached over and moved him closer to the baby Jesus, where he could keep a better eye on him. Just let Herod’s men or anybody else try to mess with that kid, and they were going to get themselves one big, hairy, scary Christmas surprise. Nobody messed with kids while his pack was around.