A Very Mystic Christmas (The Mystic Wolves) by Belinda Boring Page A

members and Jasmine standing beside the photographer. I also caught a glance at Daniel bent over listening to something Santa was whispering in his ear. Mason was nowhere. Disappointed, I decided to wait with Devlin. Maybe it was time to put him out of his misery and help him fend off Woodside Hollow’s single women.
    “Can I get everyone’s attention?” Cupping his hands, Daniel called the room to a somewhat quieter rumble. “It seems we’re missing someone. Maybe you can all help?”
    Tears filled my eyes and I wondered if Wade had gone to Daniel for help. He must’ve found out his friend was missing and was making an announcement. Pausing mid-step, I waited impatiently.
    “Yes, yes. We want to help Santa!” The children cried out in response.
    “Thank you, just for that, you’ll all receive an extra piece of candy in your stockings! Now, it seems someone special to Santa hasn’t come forward to tell him their Christmas wish. You wouldn’t want him to leave without hearing it, would you?”
    “ No!” Daniel had them eating out of his hands.
    “Then help me find her. Can we all call out for Darcy?”
    Suddenly my name filled the air, everybody turned around in hopes of spotting me. I was shell shocked, unable to move. There had been no warning and no time to prepare for that moment I became the sole focus of an entire community of partygoers.
    “There she is!”
    “I see her, Santa!”
    “Darcy, Santa wants you!”
    “Good job, everyone! How about we give her a round of applause while she comes forward?” My face flushed a hundred shades of red, my skin the temperature of molten lava. I was going to kill Daniel for this. There was no way I was going to let him get away with this kind of embarrassment unscathed.
    “No,” I waved, ducking my head. “It’s okay, I promise.”
    “You have to, Darcy. You can’t say no,” a little boy begged out, his eyes full of worry that I wasn’t going to help Santa.
    “Young Trevor is right. Don’t be shy. Come tell Santa your wish,” Daniel added with a mischievous grin—a grin I was tempted to wipe off his face with the palm of my hand. I still hadn’t moved from the spot I was rooted to; but when Santa, himself, stood up and gestured for me to approach, I took in a deep breath and began to move forward.
    Who was I to ignore him?
    The crowds parted as I walked through, children grabbing my hand excitedly as they wished me good luck. As embarrassed as I was, there was no hiding the childlike giddiness I’d felt all my life toward Santa. If St. Nick wanted to hear what I wanted for Christmas, I would tell him what was in my heart.
    Patting his knee for me to sit down, the girls in the front line giggled as I obeyed. Daniel winked at me when I threw him a murderous glare, a silent promise that when this was all over, I’d make him wish he’d never been born. A warm hand pressed against the small of my back, causing me to turn away from the incorrigible elf man and to the jolly man on whose lap I was currently sitting.
    “I’m sorry about this,” I mumbled.
    Santa placed his hand on my knee lightly and squeezed, reassuringly.
    “So, what can I bring you for Christmas, sweetheart?”
    That voice. Those startling blue eyes. Suddenly, everything made sense and I felt silly for worrying. Behind the full, white beard, hid Mason.
    “Surprise !” He chuckled low, enjoying the way he’d rendered me completely speechless. I should’ve suspected something like this when he was gone for so long. I don’t know why I hadn’t, especially with Daniel as the sidekick. But, looking into his loving eyes, all my worry evaporated. For me, this one moment made the entire party and event just perfect.
    “Don’t tell me you’re shy,” he teased.
    “No,” I stammered.
    “Then what’s going on in that pretty head of yours?”
    “How much I wish I could kiss you right now. I love you,” I confessed.
    “You know Santa has to ask: Have you been good this