Novel & Cerita Coming Home For Christmas

When Noah Levine came back, Christmas had already passed. I'd thrown that reindeer lingerie into a street trash bin. "Babe, I left in such a rush last night that I forgot to give you your Christmas present." He pulled out a sapphire necklace and swept my hair aside to fasten it around my neck. Because he leaned in so close, I could clearly see the red marks on his neck and smell the sickly sweet perfume that obviously wasn't his. Knowing the scent belonged to my own sister made my stomach turn.

During winter break, Margaret kept calling me nonstop. "Christmas is coming and we always spend the holidays together. When are you coming home?" I really did not want to go back, but Adrian's parents had raised me. I could not bring myself to be completely heartless. After thinking it over for a long time, I finally bought a train ticket and headed back to White Moon Pack with a bag full of local souvenirs. The moment I walked through the mansion's front door, I heard Sophia's shrill screaming.

Before I could figure out what was going on, a tall and slender woman approached Dylan and me. She locked arms with Dylan and shot me an irritated look, asking, "Who's this?" Dylan answered before I could even say a word, speaking in a tone that made it seem like we had coincidentally run into each other. "She's Blake's girlfriend. She came to look for him." The woman immediately dropped her guard and curiously gave me a once-over. She smiled sweetly and introduced herself as Trixie Ashford. She was Dylan's girlfriend, and she had returned to the country specifically to celebrate Christmas with him.

I did not have much, so I left the villa quickly. Walking alone on the street, I felt so lonely. Today was my birthday. It should have been a happy day with my family. However, I did not have a home anymore. I walked into the night with nowhere to go. The winter night was long and cold. The snow hit my face, making me shiver. The pain in my head grew sharper, and my vision started to blur. Half-asleep, I saw a shadow appear before me. That shadow had not shown up since I became mates with Evan. Now that my mate bond was gone, the shadow returned.

“His girlfriend is visiting her parents in Vancouver. He’d like to spend Christmas here. With us.” I looked at him. “Here.” “He doesn’t have anywhere else. My father’s house has been sold.” He said this without inflection, the way you’d say the store is closed. “He usually spends it at mine, but this year — “ A pause. “He wants to see us. Together. Christmas is — specific, for families.” “Yes,” I said. “He should come.” He nodded. Something in his shoulders settled. “I’ll tell him.” I picked up my mug. “Is Christmas usually hard for you?”

Dark Lands: Homecoming Authors Note: This story is a side note to The Charmer, meant for those of you who wanted to know Wiley’s story. It’s not meant to stand alone, so if you don’t already know how her story ends, you’ll have to read TC. She hated parties. Parties were full of happy, smiling people. Wiley James had never fit into that crowd, so she ditched her boss’s birthday bash and ran off to the hills. Literally. Sometimes a girl had to go AWOL.

Maybe soon, I can tell him the truth about the baby. “Here, drink this.” I was sitting on the couch when Pierce appeared beside me carrying a mug of hot chocolate. I accepted it without hesitation and he sat beside me, putting a blanket on my legs. We’re in the living area, watching a movie. Christmas is coming in three days and the weather is cold but because of him, I feel so warm and comforted. “Aren’t you going home for Christmas?” I asked curiously while his eyes were on the television. “This is my home, Kels.”

**Homecoming** The familiar scent of home—the faint aroma of Claire’s lavender candles, the comforting smell of old wood, and the lingering hint of last night’s rain—filled the air as the Hayes family finally stepped through their front door. Despite the exhaustion from the relentless chase and the constant threat looming over them, the warmth of their home brought a fleeting sense of safety. For the first time in what felt like ages, they were back where they belonged. But the sanctuary of their home was tempered by the reality of the battles still ahead.

Conners smiled at me and did something unexpected, she hugged me. "It is so wonderful to finally meet you, Winter. You are as beautiful as your mom described." Mrs. Conners voice was so smooth like fine wine. "Welcome to our home." These people were so nice. I hope they let me move here. "The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Conners. I was just thanking Mr. Conners for allowing me into your community to spend Christmas with my mother. And to also be here for her wedding." I expected these people to be weird because my mother told me they don't like outsiders, but I can tell they are genuine.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite Coming Home by AM Sams follows the story of two neighboring families in Wyoming whose lives become intertwined under extraordinary circumstances. Cortland is one of the four Carter brothers overseeing the large Carter family ranch. He is determined to get back his family's mineral and water rights that his grandfather lost in a poker game to his neighbor, Mr. Mowery. Meanwhile, Mowery's granddaughter, Austin, is back in Wyoming, eager to rectify her family's mistakes and return the water rights of the original owners. When Cortland meets Austin, both feel an intense mutual attraction that develops into a full-blown love affair. But Cortland's tr