My Alpha Mate's Christmas Gift

Let us celebrate Christmas!

It had never been done before.

The Rockwood pack, no, even the other packs of Oregon woods... None of them had done anything of the sort before.

"We want to celebrate Christmas!" Roxanne declared to Asher.

He looked at her with a stunned look as surprise and confusion were evident on his face.

After Roxanne managed to convince Rita about her idea, she knew that it was only a pipe dream if she couldn't convince the one at the top of the food chain, the person who made all the decisions in the pack.... Asher.

She and Rita quickly went to Asher's place, at the top of the Rockwood cave mountain, where Asher stayed to watch over his people.

He was surprised to see her, his melancholic and brooding face lit up as he made eye contact with her. They hadn't seen each other since... Well, since he rescued her. Asher had been too worried to see her, especially after realising how devastated she would be after the chaos. But here she was, in front of him. She had a smile written all over her face. Was she so happy to see him? He felt the same way, but...

"Why are you here?" He asked

Then he told him the reason she came to see him... Celebrating Christmas!

"W-Wha...?!" Asher said in confusion

It wasn't because she missed him or anything or that she wanted to comfort him, or that she was worried about him, or that she wanted to thank him... It was for Christmas.

"I have this amazing idea, Asher! I know we just went through a great tragedy, but we can't continue like this. If we leave things as they are now, the spirit and morale of everyone will plummet greatly!" Roxanne spoke.

"Roxanne is right, we need something of joy that shows hope. The pack needs now more than ever, a reason to laugh!" Rita added.

"Laugh?! Heh, are you out of your mind? Don't you see the devastation that was caused? Yet, you are looking for laughs, that's unbelievable." Asher shook his head.

"But Asher, do you prefer how things are now? The way everyone is so depressed and miserable. It's okay to mourn, but we need to pull ourselves together. Please, Asher!" She pleaded.

He looked at her with a perplexed expression. He still didn't understand what she was talking about. People had died, his people! Wasn't the natural thing to do at this point mourning and sadness? Yet, she wanted a different reaction. He couldn't comprehend it.

Yet, the look on her face showed seriousness and resolve. She desperately wanted this, for reasons unknown to him. Why?

"I don't understand your logic... You clearly..."

"You don't need to understand! Just permit me to do it, and ask for the cooperation of everyone! You may not get it now, but you will soon! I promise. So please Asher!" Roxanne said.

He wasn't in support of whatever she wanted to pull off, but even he had to admit that he was curious about what she would do.

"Very well, give me time to think about it..." Asher muttered.

"No, there's no time! Christmas Eve is just tomorrow, and there are so many things to prepare before that time. We need to make out moves now!" Roxanne insisted. "Tch, fine..." He let out.

Slowly, he left his position and

moved toward the edge of the cliff, looking down as he witnessed the sight of the village. The snow had

covered the blood that was just net

there yesterday, and the body had been cleared by the warriors. Fortunately, not a lot of destruction had taken place so not many repairs were needed.

He could see his people going about their businesses, looking sad and angry, they weren't happy... He wasn't happy either.

"Awoooooo!!!!" He let out a howl.

The loud sound echoed throughout the peak, and Rita and Roxanne had to cover their eyes because of the intensity of the signal. However, the howl wasn't for them, not for Asher. It was for the people who were below... The members of the pack. The howl he gave was a summoning request, to call for the gathering of everyone present.

The members of the pack immediately responded with their respective howls, each letting out distinct pitches that meshed together, creating a harmonious melody of howls. Roxanne could sense sadness, sorrow, pain, curiosity, confusion... But also hope, in the howls of everyone.

They all gathered at the foot of the mountain, and Asher addressed them from the top. His voice was thunderous, reaching everyone who gathered as he watched them from his height.

"Everyone, I know we are all grieving. The loss that we have experienced is devastating and weighs heavily on us. However, I have received counsel from one whom you know very well. She is your future Luna, Roxanne..." Asher began.

"Future what...?!" Roxanne thought to herself.

"That sly bastard, just what does he think he is saying? I haven't agreed to anything yet" She mumbled silently, though it was clear that she was happy to hear him say that.

Rita watched her from the side and laughed at her obvious pretence. She didn't know when it had happened, but she was sure now that Roxanne had fallen in love with Asher.

"It's about time..." Rita thought to herself.

"Roxanne has proposed that we lay

aside our pain and channel our turbulent emotion into an activity.... For it is the season, according to the calendar of the year... To engage in celebration in anticipation of a hopeful future... This is the proposal té celebrate Christmas!" Asher declared.

Everywhere fell silent. The people didn't let out a single word as Asher's words stunned them.