<h4>Chapter 647: Christmas</h4>


    <strong>Evaline:</strong>


    Snow had been falling since morning - soft, silent.


    Endless white covered the world outside our mansion. But inside... everything felt warm, alive, and full ofughter.


    This was my second Christmas with my mates.


    And my first Christmas with my son.


    That thought alone made my chest feel so full it almost hurt.


    I stood near the living room ss wall with Lioren in my arms, gently bouncing him as he stared outside at the falling snow with wide curious eyes.


    These days, everything fascinated him.


    Especially snow.


    His tiny hand pressed against the ss as if he could grab the falling kes. A small giggle bubbled from his lips, melting my heart instantly.


    "Careful there, little wolf," River’s deep voice came from behind me.


    And then strong arms wrapped around my waist a momentter as he leaned down to kiss the top of Lioren’s head.


    "And what exactly are you two doing here all alone?"


    I leaned back into his chest as I answered, "Showing him snow."


    River chuckled softly.


    "I think he likes it."


    Almost as if on cue, Lioren squealed happily.


    Barely amomentter, a dramatic groan echoed across the room.


    "You two are being unfair," Oscarined from the couch.


    I turned my head.


    He was sprawled across the sofa beside Kieran, both of them surrounded by half-opened gift boxes.


    Oscar crossed his arms and pouted. "Mother and son bonding time while we are ignored?"


    Kieran snorted before calling out his younger brother. "You say that like you weren’t just trying to eat Lio’s cookies five minutes ago."


    "They were my cookies."


    "They were shaped like wolves," Kieran said tly. "They were obviously for the pup."


    Riverughed quietly behind me.


    Lioren twisted in my arms, spotting his fathers across the room and squealed while trying to p.


    His tiny voice came out excited and loud, and Oscar immediately jumped up from the couch.


    "He’s trying to get my attention."


    Kieran shook his head but didn’t bother saying anything.


    Oscar made his way to us and scooped Lioren from my arms, and our son grabbed his father’s hair immediately.


    Hard.


    "OW- okay maybe not."


    Kieran chuckled, clearly pleased. Even I couldn’t help smiling.


    This... this was the life I had once thought I would never have.


    A family.


    A home.


    Warmth.


    River wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer as we watched Oscar attempt to negotiate with our very determined son.


    "Let go, little monster."


    "Da!"


    "That’s not a negotiation."


    Kieran stood and walked over, rescuing Lioren before Oscar could lose more hair.


    "Come here, menace."


    Lioren squealed happily again as Kieran lifted him into the air.


    I leaned into River’s chest, watching them with a soft smile. Everything was perfect this Christmas... except for the absence of one important person.


    But not for long.


    River might have sensed the slight shift in my emotions because he tilted my head up to look at him and kissed me softly.


    "You alright?" He asked, pulling back from the kiss.


    I smiled at him and nodded my head. "Definitely."


    - - -


    By evening, the mansion had grown even livelier.


    The doorbell rang just after sunset.


    Lioren was sitting on the floor surrounded by colorful wrapping paper when Jasper walked in carrying several bags.


    Right behind him came Mallory.


    And between them-


    "EVA!"


    A small whirlwindunched toward me.


    I barely had time to kneel before Lily threw her arms around my neck.


    "Merry Christmas!"


    "Merry Christmas, sweetheart," Iughed, hugging her back.


    Lily pulled away excitedly.


    "Look! I brought cookies!"


    Mallory raised an eyebrow behind her.


    "You helped decorate them."


    "That counts."


    Jasper chuckled while shaking snow off his coat.


    "She couldn’t wait toe over and challenge Alpha Oscar in whatever board games they y."


    Kieran leaned over the couch as he exined the reason. "That’s because she has found a way to beat him in every single one of those games."


    Oscar scoffed, quickly defending himself. "That was strategic mercy."


    "Sure it was."


    Within minutes the house got filled with even more chatter andughter.


    Mallory joined me in the kitchen while the men entertained Lily and Lioren in the living room.


    "So," she said with a grin, "how was your day?"


    I smiled softly as I answered, "Full of love andughter."


    Her expression softened and she pulled me into a side hug. "You deserve this happiness."


    My throat tightened slightly.


    "Thank you."


    From the living room came Lily’s loud voice.


    "NO OSCAR THAT’S CHEATING!"


    Oscar shouted back defensively.


    "It’s called creative strategy!"


    Mallory and I burst outughing.


    By the time everyone leftter that night, the house had grown quiet again.


    Lioren had fallen asleep hours earlier after exhausting himself ying with Lily.


    I tucked the nket more securely around him in his crib before kissing his forehead.


    "Goodnight, sweetheart."


    River, Kieran, and Oscar were still downstairs cleaning up wrapping paper and dishes as the staff was on holiday today.


    I would have joined them, but here was one more thing I needed to do.


    I picked up the small gift box from my dresser and left the room.


    The hallway felt colder as I walked toward the staircase leading down. I headed straight to the basement... where Draven was.


    Each step felt heavier.


    But I kept going.


    The door opened with a quiet creak and I was greeted with the familiar scent of herbs, nothing like the sweet scent that was filling the house above.


    Draveny exactly where he always did - still, silent, unchanged.


    Nearly half a year had passed since the Great Evil had stolen his wolf... and left him unconscious.


    I walked closer and sat beside him.


    For a moment, I just watched his peaceful face.


    "You are missing our first Christmas with your son," I whispered softly, brushing his hair away from his forehead. "You would haveined about the decorations."


    A small smile tugged at my lips.


    "And stolen Lioren’s cookies just like Oscar."


    I ced the gift box on the bed. Then slowly opened it.


    Insidey a silver charm bracelet. It was simple, but beautiful - just like the one I had given himst year.


    I got him another one because I knew just how much he loved charm bracelets. He used to wear them all the time.


    "I got you another one," I murmured as I carefully lifted his wrist and sped the metal around his wrist.


    The small charms clinked softly.


    "There."


    My hand lingered over his.


    "Merry Christmas, Draven."


    For a moment the room stayedpletely still. Silent. But I didn’t move away.


    Because somewhere deep inside me...


    I still believed he could hear me.