Pack Council

Kurt glanced around the room and caught Savannah's gaze. She looked up from the punch she was pouring and grinned at him. It was a good night. All their friends were there celebrating Christmas Eve in the house that was now his and Savannah's home. Since she had been renting, it had been easy for her to move in with Kurt. She'd wanted to wait until the weather cleared, but Kurt had been determined to get her moved in completely before Christmas. With the help of their friends, he'd been able to. That was all he'd asked for when questioned what gifts he wanted to receive for Christmas. Savannah was all he ever needed. Clint had organized their fellow shifters to get Savannah packed and moved in only a matter of days. Her head had almost been spinning, but Kurt wasn't going to apologize. Once she'd confessed her love to him in his office that night, Kurt wasn't going to let her go. Ever. It might be too soon to discuss mating, but, as he peered around his house, he knew it wouldn't be long before he'd be unable to hold back.

This was just the first of many Christmases they'd be spending together.

The house was decorated beautifully. Red, blue and silver garlands and adornments were placed artfully around. Savannah had even hung mistletoe in the doorway of the living room. The light on the six-foot tree in the corner twinkled bright with the seasonal music playing low. It was a great party. He slipped away from where he'd been talking with Tony and Colt to make his way across the room to Savannah. She passed out two glasses then, seeing him, slid his way. She looked gorgeous in a long black dress with silver lining. Silver hung from her ears and swung as she walked. Her long blonde hair fell in small curls down her back and over her shoulder. God, he wanted to slip away from the others and start the personal celebration.

Kurt growled low as she sidled up to his side. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. "You smell good," he whispered in her ear before nibbling down her neck.

She laughed happily. "I smell like you," she teased.

It was true, but since she liked him marking her with his scent just as much as he did, Kurt knew she wasn't complaining. "Can't help it," he told her. "Have to make sure all the men know who you belong to."

Savannah tilted her head back. "Trust me, everyone knows."

He chuckled. So they did. He didn't make any secret of his relationship with Savannah. He'd been working hard to get the new Shifter Coalition started. That was the name that had been decided for the agency that would be made up of shifters and police shifters. There were so many objectives for the Coalition agents that Kurt had high hopes for the service they'd provide. Savannah had been right there helping him every step of the way. She brought a steady and unbiased look to the agency.

His plan to have an alliance for all the shifters to help one another was coming together and had even grown more than he'd imagined. It seemed like every shifter they'd contacted had thought it was a brilliant idea. His outline had been picked up and expanded on. Governmental backing and Federal assistance would fund the United States Shifter Coalition.

There was still a lot of work to do, but he was happy with the progress they'd made in just over three and a half weeks. Positions had already been filled and local divisions were being built. Their shifter friends from Colt's rescue-Zak, Cody and Jamie had all been offered jobs. The three shifters would actually be the first in the field for them.

It was a start in the right direction and Kurt was proud to be involved.

"What are you smiling about?" Savannah asked.

Realizing his attention had gone to his work, he shook his thoughts away. "You," he said smoothly. "I always smile when I think about you."

She slapped his chest, obviously not buying it. "No thinking about work." Savannah kissed his cheek. "This is our first Christmas together," she said, cuddling into his arms. "Why don't you think about that?"

He cupped her face. "I have been. We'll have many more Christmases together."

She hummed in pleasure. Savannah peered into the empty hallway behind him.

Kurt knew what she was thinking about, but they really couldn't sneak away. Something major was in the works. "Look." He nodded toward Clint. "He's going to do it." Kurt watched as Clint rubbed his hands nervously on his slacks. Clint was looking over at Sara, who was laughing with Alpha Babcock and his wife, Jennie. Kurt didn't have to guess how Clint was feeling. He'd had a long talk with his best friend half an hour ago as he'd tried to calm Clint down. Kurt had no doubt that Sara was going to be beyond pleased with his proposal, but Clint was still nervous. Kurt couldn't see any reason why Sara would turn down the man she loved.

"Are you sure she doesn't know?" Kurt questioned Savannah. He'd gone with Clint to pick out the ring and had sworn Savannah to secrecy.

"No, she really doesn't," Savannah said excitedly. "This is going to be great."

Kurt agreed. He turned them toward where the activity would be and Savannah laid her head against his chest. He brought his hand up to caress the soft curls of her hair. Just being able to hold her gave him so much peace. Sheriff Webb stepped into the middle of the room and held a hand up for silence. The room hushed around him and Kurt reached over to turn the music off.

"I want to thank everyone for coming tonight," Sheriff Webb stated. "I know this is not my house, but I asked Kurt if I could have a few minutes." He tipped his beer in Kurt's direction and Kurt nodded in appreciation. "The last few months have changed this town and all the residents. Everything that we've been through was worth it, though. I look around the room at the new friends I've made and know I'm blessed." He paused before holding a hand out to his daughter. Sara smiled questioningly but walked to him when he motioned her forward. He took her hand in his.

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"I've also seen some beautiful relationships grow. I'm proud my daughter has found the man she was always meant to be with."

Clint stepped up and the sheriff transferred her hand into Clint's.

"What...?" Sara started to ask but gasped when Clint went down on one knee. "Oh, my God!"

"Sara Webb," Clint started but had to clear his throat. "I love you, Sara. From the first time I saw you standing behind that coffee bar, I knew you were the only woman for me." Sara's eyes filled and Kurt gripped Savannah tighter against him.

"I'm asking you here tonight, in front of our friends and family, if you will marry me, and mate with me in the way of my people." Clint held out the ring he'd purchased the week before with Kurt by his side. "Clint!" Sara sobbed his name.

"Will you be mine?"

"Yes!" Sara cried. "Yes, yes, yes!"

Everyone clapped as Clint rose and kissed Sara passionately.

"That was beautiful," Savannah sniffed..

Kurt agreed, knowing that when he asked Savannah he'd have to outdo his best friend. Because he would ask Savannah the same question one day.

One day not too far in the future.

He turned Savannah in his arms and kissed her tears away.

"I love you," he said quietly.

"I love you, too," she responded and kissed him.

"Now, let's go congratulate our friends." Kurt led Savannah through the gathered crowd to Clint and Sara's sides.

"You knew!" Sara accused. "You had to."

Savannah laughed as she embraced Sara. "I couldn't ruin the surprise!"

"I told you everything would be okay," Kurt told Clint, hugging him.

Clint nodded. "Shit, man, that was worse than going up against a dozen hostiles while bullets fly by my head."

Kurt chuckled but pounded Clint on the back. It had taken a lot of sacrifice and time for the two of them to be where they were.

They'd finally found a town that accepted them, the love they needed, and the future was bright. There might still be opposition from humans, but Kurt had faith that there were more good humans than bad. Savannah was proof of that. She was human, and kind, and wonderful. He loved her. They were stronger together.

More of their friends came to Sara and Clint so Kurt pulled Savannah away from the crowd. They passed the guests of the party until they stood in the dark hallway. Kurt ran his hands down Savannah's slender back while holding her against his body at the same time.

"Merry Christmas, love," he whispered against her lips.

"Merry Christmas. Thanks for making all my wishes come true."

Kurt caressed her softly. "Always," he promised right before he kissed her passionately.