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Christmas Day came quick, and I was glad that I was spending it with my family. It would've been really weird if I had been away, and everyone had told me that they had felt the same way.

Wolves from the community came popping in, to check if I was still there and congratulating me on becoming a Horse. They told me their names, and I instantly remembered them, wanting to make each one of them to feel special.

A couple of the pups, that were new to the pack, had drawn me a pic of my wolf and horse side by side with a person, which was supposed to be me, next to them. The person was a stick figure, but I still loved it because it had showed me that they did care. I had given them each a cookie and told them not to tell my mother or theirs. The pups instantly agreed and ran out into the backyard when Mom came into the kitchen, causing me to laugh.

I was stuck on cookie duty after that, but I didn't really care because I did love making cookies. However, I did it after I placed the picture on the wall above my headboard and inviting Lobo, Tupac, Faolon, the Lone's family, Jason's family, and Coach Pine and her family. When Mom saw my list, she just grumble something about not liking this, but she went with it.

And so, here I was in the kitchen watching as both the Wolves and the Horses glared at each other. Faolon and Lobo did have some respect to the others, but I could tell that they would snap if one of their pack members were hurt.

I huffed and rolled my eyes when I heard Dad growl at Mrs. Lone, causing Coach Pine's husband to glare at him. This lead to more growling and glaring as each member from one clan glared at the other. "Ok, enough!" I bellowed, causing all of them to stop what they were doing and look at me. I knew that my eyes were a darker blue as my anger started to spike. "You all are acting like immature children right now, and I'm sick and tired of it." I bared my teeth at them.

"But she-"

"I don't care who started it. I'm finishing it. The next person to growl, glare, or mutter inappropriate words to the other clan will fight me." I looked each of them in the eye, not backing down. "You are acting like children while you all are suppose to be adults here. The war is not between the clans. It is between us as a whole and the Dark Forces." I turned my wrist, so they could see my mark. "We are united. We can not stand apart any longer. Do you all understand me?"

"Bu-"

"No buts," I interrupted whomever was speaking. "There will be no but's, and's, or's, or if's. If there is a problem, then take it to me and not lash out at the other clan. You all are supposed to be setting an example for us kids and not being the problem." I shoved the connector that connected the kitchen to the dining room and glanced out to see that the kids from both clans were actually getting along, better than the adults. "See that?" I asked, glancing at them all. "That is the future generation of Halftons. They are all getting along together, so why can't ya'll? It is not their fault nor is it ya'lls fault. It's the damn Dark Forces fault that family's, from both sides are, dead." I took a deep breath through my nose, trying to control my anger. "Now, act like civilized beings and actually get along with each other. If I see one mark on either group, then I will personally see to the end, no matter what rank." I glanced at Faolon and Lobo, because they were the highest rank in the group.

Everyone bowed their head to me. "Yes, Almair," they chorused, causing me to smirk.

"Good, now I need to get outside. If you'll excuse me." With that, I walked out of the kitchen and went to the front. I smiled when John smiled at me and bowed his head in respect. I knew that he had heard what I had said, and he was proud of me.

***

I leaned against the rail of the front porch and shivered, cold. I was wearing Matt's hoodie, and I could smell his musky scent, even though it was fading slightly. My heart clenched while I glanced at the road, wondering if he would come or not.

A car door slammed, making me look around for where it came from. A frown appeared on my face when I saw that it was Mia and James, probably coming from whereever they had went for Christmas lunch.

Both probably sensed me looking at them, because they both stopped and stared. None of us said anything, nor moved. It was as if the world stood still. Finally, Mia and James broke eye contact with me first when a rusty old truck pulled up to my driveway.

A smile appeared on my face when I saw Matt getting out of the driver's seat while Carter and Mrs. Kathy got out of the truck with him.

"Excuse me?" Matt asked, spying me. A small smile appeared on his face when he saw me. "Does this house belong to the Johnson's, and if so, do you know where I can find a Martha Johnson?"

"Depends," I replied. "Who's asking for her?"

"Me!" Carter said, interrupting whatever Matt had to say. He ran over to me and hugged me, even though he didn't reach me that high. "Pucker up, he used cologne."

"Carter," Mrs. Kathy scowled, her son, causing him to grin. She pulled me into a side hug, holding a dish. "I brought pudding, and Colt says Merry Christmas," she said. She smiled and glanced at Matt who was still at the bottom of the steps with a dopey grin on his face. "Can we go on in?"

"Ya, sure. All the adults are in the kitchen. Also, there is no fighting." I gritted my teeth together, causing Mrs. Kathy to nod.

"Of course. Come on Carter, let's go see this dog of Martha's." She gave Carter a look, who instantly understood that she meant brother.

"All right." Carter followed his mother into the house. He turned towards us and made a kissy face before going in when I glared at him.

I turned to look at Matt, who looked at me still with a dopey grin on his face. "Well?" I asked, raising an eyebrow while I hopped onto the railing. "Are you going to come on up?"

Matt blinked and cleared his throat. "O-of course," he said. He walked up, his hands behind his back. "Would you like your Christmas gift now or later?"

I cocked my head. "Depends on what it is," I said, reaching into the hoodie to see if I still had his gift. My whole body relaxed when I felt the soft bracelet that I had made from his and my horse form manes.

He pushed himself so that he was between my legs and looked at me. "You'll love it," he said. "Me first or you?"

"Me," I replied, not knowing if he'll love it or not. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly before I pulled out the bracelet I had made for him. Chestnut stood against the white part of the bracelet. "Umm, I made it from both yours and mine manes," I said, feeling slightly stupid that I didn't just buy him something. I looked down, my face turning slightly red.

Matt sighed and lifted my chin so that I was looking at him. There was a smile on his face while he leaned his forehead on mine. "No one has ever done that for me. Thank you," he said, sincerity in his voice.

I smiled, glad that he liked it. My heart pounded in my chest, and I wanted so badly to kiss him.

However, Matt pulled away, causing me to pout. Matt smirked at my face and held out his wrist. "Can you put it on me?" he asked.

I huffed and nodded my head before putting it on him. I smacked him on the chest when he laughed at me, since I was looking like a two year old. "Now, your turn," I said, causing him to stop laughing.

"Well.... since you had given me your necklace-" he took the necklace from underneath his shirt to show the howling wolf. "-I thought I should return the favor." He handed me a small black box and opened. It revealed a horse head as well as a wolf head howling. They both were connected with a small gem in the middle. "Well?" he asked, seeing my shocked face.

I didn't say anything while I grabbed his head and pulled his face closer to mine. All I could think about was kissing him, and so that was what I did.

Matt stiffened slightly before he relaxed and placed his arms around my back while I placed mine around his neck. The kiss was filled with love and passion, and I could feel his little friend poking my inner thigh.

"Get a room!" a voice yelled, breaking us apart. "Ow, Mr. Johnson," the same voice said.

Both of us looked to see Mal rubbing the back of his head while my father was glaring at him. We had a crowd of my family and friends looking at us and probably saw us kissing.

"That is my baby girl," Dad said, through gritted teeth. "Don't get her pregnant until she is out of college." This caused my mother to smack him, making me chuckle when he pouted.

Matt turned to look at me and raised an eyebrow. "So, shall we give them something to talk about?" he asked.

I grinned and nodded my head, wanting to kiss him again. I smashed my lips against his and the kiss was deep.

My father grumbled and walked away, but I paid no heed to it because I wanted to feel the love that Matt had for me.

After a few minutes, both of us pulled away, breathing hard. Matt laid his forehead on mine, gasping for breath. "That was awesome," he said, causing me to laugh. He kissed me one last time before pulling me off of the railing.

I chuckled and nodded my head. I turned around and moved my hair away while he placed the necklace around me.

After that, Matt turned me around and kissed me one last time before we walked into the house, surrounded by mirth and good cheer.

I knew that the Dark Forces were gathering their forces, but while I looked around at everyone getting along, I couldn't help but smile. I knew that I would be able to get through it because of the friends and the family that I had.

And that would make me stronger than whomever I had to face in the end.

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A/N: Sound the trumpets, I am done. xD Anyways, how'd ya'll like the book? Did it meet ya'lls expecations. Anyways, the next book is called 'The Year of the Tiger'. It will be up some time. I still have 8 books in the first set. (One which I'm almost done with.)

Thank you to those who've read the book and put up with my odd schedule of working. (Math sucks.)

Anyways, don't forget to vote/comment.

Peace

~Rissa