The Shadows of Christmas Past

world."
    "It's not our world," Alison asserted. "We left because everything's messed up with werefolk.
    All werefolk do is hide from the humans. We're told we can't mate with humans, that we can't bring humans into the breeds. They don't even like us to associate with breeds other than our own. That's not living!"
    "I agree with a lot of your complaints," Harry said.
    "But you can't change a world by hiding from it," Marj said. "And your parents and grandparents aren't always going to be the ones who make the rules. If you really want to change the system, work to get the power to do what you think is right."
    "You don't know anything about it!" Alison shouted.

    Marj calmly faced the young werewolf female without a flicker of annoyance or intimidation.
    Though she didn't realize it, Harry knew that Marj was asserting that she was the alpha female.
    "You're right," she said. "But I do know that Phil's family misses him. And so do all the other families you've left. Even if you don't go home immediately, you could at least let them know you're safe. And while you're thinking over what you want to do, why don't you come stay at my house?"
    "What?" Phil asked, with a betraying eagerness in his voice. He looked around hopefully at the others. Even though he'd been the one arguing for living off the land when Harry and Marj came up to the shack, a taste of home had quickly changed his mind. "Could we do that?"
    "I've got plenty of spare bedrooms," Marj said before anyone could call for a vote. "And plenty of work if you're looking for jobs. So don't feel like you're being offered charity."
    "And there's the Christmas tree," Harry said. "And decorations and lights, and music, and a big, warm fireplace." Get them off this mountain first; then work to get them home. "And you'll love Marj's cooking," he persuaded. "You probably miss decent food."
    "Christmas," Heather said, looking pleadingly at Clark. "We could at least stay at Dr. Piper's for Christmas." She placed her hand protectively on her abdomen.
    "I'd be delighted to have you," Marj told them.
    Harry had known Heather was pregnant the moment she appeared at Marj's door. And Marj wasn't at all surprised by the girl's revealing gesture. Smart woman, his Marjorie.
    So smart that she came to him, took his hand, and said, "Why don't we leave them alone to talk it over?"
    He nodded. "The decision is yours," he told them. He took the dog from the kid's arms, and they turned to leave.
    They hadn't even gotten to the door when Alison called, "Wait. Maybe we could come down to your house. For a night or two."

chapter 13
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    "It's a beautiful evening," Marj said, when she heard the kitchen door open.
    She was gazing up at the sky from the back porch as purple dusk faded, and the stars came out, but she was more aware of Harry coming up behind her than of anything else.

    She wanted his company. She wanted it more than anything in the world, but she'd deliberately walked out of the kitchen to be alone while the kids cleaned up after supper. She needed to be alone, to prepare herself for his leaving.
    She'd known Harry only a few days, but it seemed like a lifetime, and everything had changed and…
    "Your job's over," she told him.
    "Not quite yet," he said. He came up beside her and put his arm around her shoulders. She automatically leaned into his warmth and strength. "But it's a good sign that Clara called her family the minute we got back. And that Phil trotted off to visit his folks."
    "He did?"
    "Yep. He changed to fox form and snuck off a few minutes ago. I don't think he wants Alison to know how homesick he's been. Not that that crush can ever come to anything."
    "Why not?"
    "She's a wolf, he's a fox."
    "And it's forbidden for them to—"
    "Not as long as they stay in human form. But we can't stay in human form—not permanently.
    Besides, Alison hasn't even noticed his interest."
    "Poor Phil. Then again, he's sixteen," she added. "Very few people find true love at sixteen."
    And what about those who found true love in their thirties? A love as impossible as a fox falling for a wolf? With the death of each parent a bit more feeling had been drained from her, but since meeting Harry, feeling had rushed back. She was fighting not to drown in the flood.
    She wasn't prepared for the desire that shot through her when he leaned down and kissed her cheek. It was a simple, affectionate gesture, yet it ruined her.
    "You're a good woman, Marjorie Piper."
    Marj made