SURPRISE, SURPRISE! XD

A special bonus chapter- Christmas Edition!

My Christmas gift to you all! I hope you like it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Although this chapter takes place after the completion of the first book, and before the beginning of the second, it doesn't really have anything to do with the plot or story-line of the Unconditionally Series. When the second book begins, the events in this chapter may not necessarily have taken place. It's just a fun bonus chapter to celebrate the end of the year, so enjoy!

PLEASE DO NOT COPY MY WORK!

This chapter is unedited, so please excuse the grammatical errors

____

Suzzanah's POV

"An invitation to visit your relative for Christmas?"

Rino grinned and nodded at me, twirling the letter that had just arrived for him in the mail, between his fingers.

I smiled, "Sounds like fun!" I said.

"It is!" he said, getting off the table on which he was seated and walking up to me, "But you know what the best part is?"

I looked at him expectantly from the couch and he grinned before handing me the letter.

"Read it, you'll see", he said, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

I stared at the letter, surprised, "A-Are you sure? Isn't this personal?"

"Rino doesn't know what that word means", Marco said, walking into the room with Mr. Talon in tow.

Rino's face lit up, "Yuko! Bacon!"

Both Marco and Mr. Talon stopped dead in their tracks and even looked around the room to see if he was referring to someone else before it sunk in.

"Its Marco!"

"And Talon!"

They both corrected him vehemently while I burst out laughing at what Rino had just called them.

"Oh! Really?" Rino said, wide eyed.

"How the hell does Marco become Yuko exactly?!" Marco asked irritably as he walked up to us.

Rino shrugged, "They sound so similar"

"In which galaxy?!" Marco cried out in aggravation, "With that mix up you just turned a hot blooded American male into a pretty Japanese female!"

"At least you only changed genders, Alpha Marco", Mr. Talon said wiping his glasses irritably, "I went from being a werewolf to a pig. A dead pig!"

"Hey don't feel bad. I love bacon!" Rino said cheerfully, as though that just made everything better.

Mr. Talon and Marco sighed in defeat before slumping into the couch opposite to mine.

"Oh Queen! Its you?!" Marco exclaimed in surprise when he saw me. Mr. Talon's eyes shot open at the same time and he adjusted his glasses on his nose, looking at me wide-eyed.

Pushing back my woolen beanie, I smiled, "Of course it's me, why?" I asked.

Marco and Talon exchanged glances, "Well, given the way you're dressed, I really thought that you were Prophecy for a second", Marco said, giving me a once over.

I pulled my topmost sweater closer around myself, "Well some of the articles I'm wearing were made by her", I told him.

"Wow, you must be really cold if you decided to even put on Prophecy's handiwork", Marco said, before tugging on his shirt as if to get in some air, "And why is it so damn hot in this room?"

"Zuerien turned up the heat before he left", I replied, "Because I was practically turning into a frozen fossil"

"Oh child, should I get you another coat?" Mr. Talon asked.

I shook my head, "I'm already wearing three sweaters, 2 scarfs, two woolen leggings and a beanie", I told him, "On top of thermal wear"

All three men gawked at me as if I was a species of alien they had never seen before.

"Gee, it must be hard being human if you get that cold", Rino said.

"Oh not all humans get this cold", I told him, "Karina's quite comfortable even in the coldest of winters. Its just me. I've been severely cold intolerant all my life. And this is my first time seeing a winter this cold, with snow!"

I slumped on the couch in disappointment. I had been extremely excited to go out and enjoy the snow seeing as this was my first time seeing it in real life, but I could hardly even stick a toe outside the insulated walls of this large mansion without turning into a snowman myself, minus the carrot nose of course.

Despite all the warm clothing I was currently drowning in, I was still a little cold. I didn't even know how that was possible!

"But really, choosing to wear Prophecy's hand-stitched sweaters?!" Marco said cringing.

"They're actually pretty warm", I told him, "I like them"

"And I'm glad I can't see them underneath that black sweater you're wearing on top of them", Marco said leaning back against the cushions, "Because they'll probably be far more blinding than they are warm"

"Where is the Alpha King?" Mr. Talon asked.

"Wolfa left with Cole and John to go do something important, about half an hour ago", Rino said.

"Where's Prophecy?" I asked Marco.

"In her room, mastering a new magic skill", Marco replied, shuddering as he said it, "I feel sorry for John. Regardless of whether she perfects her magic or not, that room she is in will probably never be inhabitable again"

Zuerien, Cole, Rino, Marco, Mr. Talon, Prophecy and I were currently guests in Alpha Penson's Mansion in woods, at his invitation. It was a large and beautiful structure with a posh exterior and luxurious interiors. With more rooms than I could count and more hallways than I could comprehend, it was easily one of the biggest houses I had ever been in. If I were to be left alone in this place, I would be lost even before you could say the word 'Burrito'.

"Oh come on! Give Prophecy some credit here", I said, "She's actually practicing magic even in her time off"

"Well she shouldn't be! Its dangerous to those in the vicinity!", he retorted.

"Oh do be quiet Marco! I'm sure she isn't even that bad"

"Oh dear, I'm afraid I'll have to disagree with you on that child", Mr. Talon said looking uncomfortable, "The last time Luna Prophecy practiced a new magic skill, they were picking out gum from the walls for weeks!"

"Gum?!" I cried out bewildered.

"Mm-hm", Marco said, "Everyone wondered why it had to be gum of all things, but to this day it is a mystery to us all, because the spell she had been practicing had actually been one to convert fire-wood into bread"

Eh???

"But why would she-"

"Don't ask me", Marco said, raising his eyes in surrender, "Prophecy doesn't need a reason to do ridiculous things. My cousin is insane on a whole different level. Compared to her, Rino may even be considered normal"

Rino grinned widely, apparently having taken that as a huge compliment.

"Did I just hear someone say 'Rino may be considered normal?"

All of us turned to the door and my heart immediately skipped a beat at the sight of Zuerien walking into the room, looking as regal as ever, followed by Cole and Alpha Penson.

"Wolfa!" Rino said happily, "And John and Cole, good timing!"

"Why?" Cole asked, him and Alpha Penson taking their seats next to Marco and Mr. Talon, while Zuerien walking up to me and removing his black jacket.

He draped it over my shoulders and I smiled at him gratefully as he bent to kiss my temple, making a pleasant heat rush through me, warming me up from the inside. He sat down next to me and draped an arm over the back of my seat, before turning his attention to Rino.

"Anna was actually about to read a letter I received this morning", Rino said merrily and everyone, including myself, looked down at the pretty white envelope with classic red and green borders, perfect for this time of the year.

"From home?" Marco asked Rino and Rino shook his head.

"It's from a relative", Rino replied, "He's asked me to go visit him and his family for Christmas"

"Oh, so you're going to leave then?" Alpha Penson asked.

Rino smiled and nodded, "Yup! We all are!"

All our heads shot up, "WHAT?!"

Rino's smile widened, "Go on, read the letter Anna"

My eyes immediately shot back to the envelope in my hand. I quickly opened it and pulled out the letter inside, gasping in surprise when a strange green sparkly dust came fluttered out of the envelope with it before disappearing into thin air.

My eyes went wide, "Magic?" I asked Rino and he nodded excitedly.

"Any relative of a pure breed Elemental wizard like Rino's is bound to be a wizard himself", Alpha Penson said as everyone leaned in to look at the letter, "I sense some pretty incredible magic encased in this letter"

I shivered, having sensed it too, although I hadn't realized that it had been magic I was sensing.

"Nothing dangerous I hope", Marco said wearily, "Because I don't know about Rino but I personally have never enjoyed receiving letters from any of my witchy-wizardly relatives"

"Oh no, nothing to worry about", Rino assured.

Taking his word, I opened the folded letter. I was greeted by beautiful cursive calligraphy written in pitch black ink, the same red and green border framing the margins of the white paper.

My eyes immediately found the top of the letter.

Dearest Rin-ho

Huh?

"Read it out, Anna", Rino said excitedly and I nodded, clearing my throat.

"Dearest, Rin-ho", I read out, wondering why his name had been written like that, "I ho-hope you are swell"

The questioning tone in my voice was not lost on anyone.

"Why is it written like that?" Marco asked, his features contorting in puzzlement.

"Its his style of writing", Rino replied.

I went on, "I have heard that you have spent a lot of time this year with our dear Werewolf friends. And although-ho I'm aware that you must be planning to spend Christmas with them this year, I will be greatly pleased if you will change your plans and come visit me for Christmas tomorrow.

"Not just you, but all your friends are invited too, for I know-ho they have all been good this year. So let's spend this Christmas in the heart of snow-ho, where jingle-bells glow-ho and where reindeer go-ho"

All of us exchanged tense glances as things started to sound suspiciously familiar.

Uh...

"Expecting a speedy reply, sonny boy. If you do decide to come, I'll have transportation arranged right away. My love to your Oompa and the rest of your family. Hope to see you tomorrow-ho. As I have granted the wishes of many, so I ho-hope you will grant mine. Merry Christmas! Yours unconditionally-"

All our eyes fell to the signature at the bottom of the letter.

Uncle S. Claus

Our jaws hit the ground together as we all shouted.

"SANTA CLAUS?!"

"YES!" Rino shouted happily, throwing his hands in the air.

All our heads jerked rapidly at we looked at each other for answers before settling on Alpha Penson, who to our shock, looked quite surprised himself.

"Rino", he said, more calmly than any of us could have managed, "You're related to Santa Claus?"

"Uh-huh", Rino nodded, grinning, "On my mum's side"

"The Santa Claus?" Marco asked and Rino nodded, "The one and only", he replied.

"Santa Claus is real?!" I cried out making everyone look at me surprised.

"Oh that's right. Most humans don't believe that anymore, do they?" Mr. Talon said making my eyes bulge out of their sockets.

"Hold up!" I said, not even feeling that cold anymore, "You mean the old man with the red and white attire, thick white beard and reindeer sleigh...is real?"

"He's as real as any other Supernatural out there", Cole replied.

"And as Rino already mentioned, he's a wizard", Alpha Penson said.

If I wasn't already sitting down, I would definitely have collapsed to the floor by now, in shock.

"But-but-but- does that mean that the presents kids receive every year really are from Santa?!"

"The presents Supernatural children receive are", Alpha Penson told me, "But seeing as humans don't believe in him, they choose to buy presents for their children and friends themselves, so he doesn't really visit them on Christmas"

WHAAAT?!

"But I have to say, I had no idea that he was your relative Rino", Alpha Penson said, "But I guess it does make sense, seeing as he is a Water Elemental wizard like yourself"

"He's a Water Elemental?!" I cried out in shock, feeling like all my flabbergasted shouting would soon start to crack the wooden floors.

"That's right", Alpha Penson replied, "Snow is a form of water after all"

My gaze shot back to the letter that was surprisingly still clutched in my hand, "S-So...when he says we should all go see him..."

I looked at Zuerien who nodded at me uncomfortably.

"We've all been invited to go visit the North Pole"

****

"Is this really going to work?" Marco asked skeptically.

"Sure it will", Rino replied, adding more snow to the large snowball already in his hand, "It always does!"

"So I take it you've done this before then?" Zuerien said.

Rino shook his head, "I've never done it myself before, but I've seen my family members do it, and it always works for them! Besides, its not really a complicated procedure. Its easy!"

Receiving an invitation from the Santa Claus was apparently a really big deal. Supposedly, he was one of the strongest wizards in the world, something akin to the 'Magic World's' Royalty, like Zuerien in the Werewolf kingdom.

So we decided to go pay him a visit, not just because refusing his kind invitation when we obviously didn't have anything better to do, would be rude, but also because some of us, me included, were quite excited about it.

We were all currently standing in the snow covered front yard of the Penson Mansion, waiting for Rino to carry out the official 'procedure' to let Santa Claus know we had accepted. Well, all the others were standing. I on the other hand was doing a weird jerky-shaky dance that made me look like I was being electrocuted.

Aka I was freezing!

At the sight of my seizure-like predicament, Zuerien quickly wrapped his arms around me from behind, and pulled me into him, my back flush against his hard chest.

I almost gasped out loud at how warm he was just dressed in one thin black sweater and black jeans. It was like sitting next to the biggest, hottest bonfire in the world and I readily welcomed the comforting feeling of warmth and protection.

The feeling of home.

"Maybe you should wait inside, heart", Zuerien said, rubbing my arms up and down and I smiled up at him and shook my head.

"N-nah, I-I want t-to see i-it h-h-happen", I stammered making him hug me closer.

"Its ready!" Rino exclaimed, raising his hand to display the impressive large shiny ball of snow.

"Wonderful! Now we're only a few more snowballs short of starting a snow ball fight", Marco said sarcastically.

"So what exactly is the procedure to let him know we've accepted, Rino?" Cole asked.

Rino bounced the snowball in his hand grinning, "Oh, we simply call for his transportation of course!" he replied.

"Call for it?" Mr. Talon asked and Rino nodded.

"Like this!" he said.

Pulling his arm back, he threw the snowball into the air as hard as he could and shouted,

"RILEYYYY"

All our faces turned utterly gobsmacked once more.

Did he just say Riley?

We watched as the snowball flew skyward, going much higher than I would have imagined before it promptly disappeared into the pale cloud covered winter sky.

Excitement flooded my body as we waited for whatever was to happen, each second tickling by at a painfully slow pace.

We waited.

And waited.

And waited some more.

But nothing happened.

And our gazes returned to Rino.

"Are you sure it always works?" Marco asked while Rino stared at the sky, utterly puzzled.

"Yeah! It's never failed before", he said, picking up more snow from the ground, "I'll try again"

He threw yet another snowball into the air, this time shouting,

"RICKYYYYY"

So it was Ricky now and not Riley?!

This time again, nothing happened making Rino scratch his head in confusion.

"Maybe Santa decided to withdraw his invitation or something", Marco said.

"Nah, that's not it", Rino said, making a third snowball, "I wonder if I'm doing something wrong here"

"Weren't you the one who said its an easy procedure?" Zuerien asked.

"It is!" Rino replied, "All we gotta do is infuse a snowball with some of our Elemental magic throw it skyward before calling out the name of Uncle Claus' Head of Transportation"

"Head of Transportation?" Alpha Penson asked and he nodded.

"Head and not Heads", Cole asked and Rino nodded again.

"So there is only one head of transportation?" Mr. Talon asked.

"Of course!" Rino replied, "Calling out his name always works. I wonder what's wrong this time around"

Rino may have been wondering, but the rest of us already knew what was wrong. It was one four lettered word.

N-A-M-E

Rino threw the third snowball into the air and shouted,

"ROMEOOOOO!"

Everyone facepalmed in unison.

Rino...

"Why won't it work?!" Rino wondered out loud.

"Rino!" Zuerien said irritably, "You're getting his name wrong, you fool!"

Rino's head whipped towards him, "I am?!" he asked flabbergasted.

"Unless he goes by the names Riley, Ricky, Romeo and whatever else you plan to call him today, Yes!" Marco replied and Rino cringe sheepishly.

"Oops", he said, "Oh darn! It won't work if I don't get the right name"

"You might as well have stopped at 'it won't work', Rino", Marco said.

"I-if y-you can't remember i-it then it obviously h-has more than 4 l-letters", I said.

"And since all the names he used started with an 'R', the head's name must start with an 'R' too"

"It does!" Rino said, "Don't any of you guys know his name?"

"How exactly would we know, young master?" Mr. Talon asked.

"It's a very well-known name!" Rino replied, "The Claus family even had a song made about him so people would never forget his name! How does that song go... something the red-nosed reindeer-"

"RUDOLPH?!" we all shouted in unison and Rino's face lit up.

"Oh yeah! Rudolph! That's the name!" Rino cried out and half the men looked about ready to slam their heads into the trees nearby in aggravation.

"You mean the head of Mr. Santa Claus' transportation is a reindeer?" Mr. Talon asked and Rino nodded.

"Of course, his trusty head reindeer!" he replied, Its been him for centuries now! Alrighty! Let's try this again!" he said, making another snowball, "Just gotta say his name right. Rudolpha!"

"Rudolph", we all corrected and he nodded, "Oh right!"

"Ugh, this is going to take all day", Marco groaned, "It's a good thing we decided to tell Prophecy about this only after the transportation arrived, or that crazy cow would have tried to use a spell of her own to get us to the north pole and we would all have ended up anywhere from the bottom of the ocean in the middle of outer space!"

"Don't worry, its going to work this time Trunco!"

"Marcooo!" Marco corrected aggravatedly making Rino bite his tongue and smile apologetically at him.

"Well, here goes nothing", Rino said, bounding the snow ball in his hand.

"RUDOLPH", we all told him in unison and he nodded.

Pulling his arm back, he then flung it forward, sending the large snowball tearing through air, right up to the clouds, and shouted,

"RUDOLPHHHHH!"

We watched with unwavering eyes as the snowball reached the zenith of its flight before bursting like a firework, lighting up the grey sky with its red and green glittering colors.

And the next thing we knew, the air around us was filled with the loud sound of bells ringing and strong hooves hitting invisible ground. We all watched mesmerized as the clouds parted making way for three huge sleighs being pulled by humongous majestic reindeer speeding down the sky and right at us.

Awe and exhilaration flooded my body as they made their way towards us, landing on the snow gracefully before coming to a silent halt a few feet away from us. Although every single one of the massive animals was just as regal, my eyes were immediately drawn to the one leading the troop. The largest of the reindeer. The one with the red nose.

Rudolph!

"Holy! It worked!" Marco breathed out in awe as Rino ran up to the Rudolph.

"Hey buddy!" Rino said happily, "Long time no see Rupert!"

Rudolph's beautiful eyes immediately flashed with irritation and he poked Rino's belly with one large horn.

"What?" Rino asked puzzled.

"Only you can manage to annoy even a deer, Rino", Zuerien said as we walked up to him.

At the sight of Zuerien, the colossal animal immediately bowed its head and I watched in absolute wonder as the rest of the deer did the same.

"Uh...thank you for coming", Zuerien replied stiffly, obviously not being used to speaking to the reindeer.

Rudolph grunted in reply before looking at me, the bells around his neck jingling softly with his every movement. My smile immediately grew wider and I slowly waved at it, "Hi", I said softly.

He stared at me for a few seconds longer before licking my chin making me cry out in surprise and laugh.

"He likes you, Anna!" Rino said happily making me grin.

"Well he can like her from a distance", Zuerien said pulling me closer into him. I looked up at him to find him glaring at the poor animal that immediately bowed its head.

I rolled my eyes, "And only you can manage to be jealous of an animal, Zuerien", I told him making him look back at me.

We can't help it, we are part animal too after all, Kai replied, Part carnivorous animal. Red nose here better remember that.

I exhaled a laugh before turning back to Rudolph who was being unwillingly hugged by an excited Rino. The others were staring at awe at the rest of the reindeer.

"So what's the seating arrangement?" I asked, no longer feeling as cold as I did before. The excitement had probably warmed up every cell in my body.

"Since Rino is the main invitee, he'll probably rise with Rudolph", Zuerien replied.

Just then Rudolph managed to wiggle himself out of Rino's bear hug and grunted, gently pushing me and Zuerien towards his sleigh as well.

I chuckled, "I guess he has chosen the rest of his riders as well", I replied before patting the large reindeer's head, "Thanks", I said before looking at Zuerien, "Shall we go?"

Zuerien nodded, silently eyeing the reindeer suspiciously making me slap his chest.

"Hey", I said, making him return his attention to me. Turning my head to the side, I pulled down the scarfs and patted his mark on my neck.

"Yours, remember?" I said softly and his brown eyes immediately filled with warmth, a small smile making its way to his face as he nodded.

"All mine", he said before pulling me close and pressing a kiss against my mark making electric tingles and heat shoot across my body.

When he pulled away, I knew my face was probably just as red as Rudolph's nose, if not more and it only grew worse when Cole and Marco whistled in the background.

Ai yai yai

Zuerien took my hand, looking smug, "Let's go", he said.

With my heart still beating in a staccato rhythm, I let him lead me around Rudolph's large body to where the sleigh was.

"Come on bud!" I called to Rino who was unknowingly torturing Rudolph by trying to get on his back.

Rino turned to look at us and his eyes widened, "Oh! So we ride the sleigh. I get it!"

Rudolph hurriedly shook Rino off his body before pushing him towards the sleigh. Zuerien helped me into the beautiful sledge as I sat on the soft cushiony seats, my heart thundering with excitement and joy. I couldn't believe this was happening!

If only Karina could have seen it too!

The thought of my sister saddened me slightly. This would be the very first Christmas that I wouldn't even be able to speak to her on. I couldn't call her with her being in enemy territory, and despite how hard I tried, I still couldn't reach her via mind-link. It was like that one mind-link with her had been a one-time thing, and it was extremely upsetting to know that I wouldn't be able to see her or speak to her this year.

Shaking my head, I forced myself to not feel too bad about that. Karina's safety was far more important than my wish to communicate with her, and that safety would certainly be compromised if I did try to.

Sighing dejectedly, I turned around to see Alpha Penson, Cole and Mr. Talon seated in the sleigh behind us.

"Ugh, I guess that means I'll have to ride alone with my crazy cousin", Marco said, walking towards the mansion to get Prophecy, "I guess it is better that only the two of us ride in it, since that cow weighs enough for 3 people"

All of us rolled our eyes simultaneously at his grumbling. Prophecy and Marco shared a very different sibling relationship than me and Karina, but it was a beautiful and refreshing one nonetheless. Because even through their constant bickering and aggravation towards each other, it was obvious, not just to me but to everyone, that they cared deeply for each other.

An loud explosion sounded in the far side of the mansion making all of us jump in seats before our gazes shot toward the mansion. There was smoke coming out of one of the windows and it wouldn't take a genius to guess that that room probably belonged to Prophecy.

"Oh dear", Mr. Talon said worriedly while Cole cringed and Alpha Penson shook his head knowingly.

"Will they be okay?" I asked nervously and Zuerien nodded.

"They're fine. Don't worry", he said, "This is the usual routine whenever Prophecy decides to try new magic"

A few seconds later Marco emerged from the front door, covered in black soot tugging along a very pissed off looking Luna Prophecy.

"Thanks to you, I'll have to reimburse John for the damages he has incurred!" Marco shouted.

"Well you should know better than to disturb me when I'm practicing!" Prophecy shouted back, "I even drew a skull symbol and stuck it on my door saying DO-NOT-ENTER!"

"You call that a skull?!" Marco asked in shock, "It looked like a freakin llama!"

"Why the hell would I stick a bloody llama on my door?!" Prophecy retorted.

"Their bickering won't end anytime soon", Zuerien said, "Let's go"

Rino nodded, taking the seat opposite to me and Zuerien, before closing the door of the sleigh excitedly.

"Alrighty! Take it away Randolph!" he shouted and the animal turned to glare at Rino before thinking, much like me and Zuerien, that it was no use even bothering to set things straight for Rino.

Rudolph started to move and I immediately clutched the railing on the side with one hand and Zuerien's shirt with the other. As the reindeer began to trot, I was surprised at how easily it was pulling our weight and the reindeers behind us started to move as well, following Rudolph.

Slowly Rudolph increased his pace, racing across the snow faster and faster, and before we knew it, with one powerful heave, the reindeer took off into the air, pulling the heavy sledge behind him.

I gasped at the sudden feeling of weightlessness as the sleigh left the ground. My body was flooded with awe and exhilaration as I watched the ground get further and further away from us as we flew higher, closer to the clouds with each step that Rudolph took.

"This is so cool!" I cried out ecstatically and Rino laughed, "I know right?!"

Zuerien also looked quite pleased by the ride but obviously managed to contain his feelings better than the two of us did. Soon we were soaring through the clouds, the sound of bells echoing everywhere as the sleighs left a trail of glittering, disappearing magic behind us.

We were so high up in the air that I couldn't even see the ground anymore, only thick clouds everywhere. Funnily enough, it didn't get colder or harder to breathe as we attained greater altitude. The Supernaturals sure did do everything with style. This beat traveling via airplane any day!

"If you lean out any further, you'll fall off the sleigh, heart", Zuerien said, gently pulling me closer to him.

I grinned up at him elatedly, "I love this! Its just awesome!"

He smiled, "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself", he said gently before turning to Rino, "So Rino, tell us a little about your uncle. What is he like?"

"He's pretty cool", Rino replied cheerfully, "He's a little bit like John, but more eccentric"

"That eccentric part was pretty obvious from the way he worded his letter", Zuerien said and I laughed.

"I'm really looking forward to meeting him", I said, "Its too bad we didn't have any time to buy him a gift as a thank you for inviting us"

Rino chuckled, "Are you kidding Anna? He's Santa Claus! Producer, shipper and deliverer of the biggest gift organization in the universe! He neither needs nor expects gifts from his guests. I doubt he'd even accept any gifts we took for him"

I smiled and nodded, "So does he look exactly how they say. The costume and the beard and the giant sack of presents over his shoulder?"

Rino nodded, "That's his signature look for Christmas when he goes around the world to distribute presents", he said, "But that's not how he looks in real life. Like any other supernatural, he looks way younger than he is, and take my word for it, he's pretty dang old"

"I can imagine", I said, my eyes widening as I thought about it, "So he has a family too?"

"Of course!" Rino replied, "He has a wife and two kids who overlook the business. Once he retires, his son will take over being Santa as he took over after his father, while his daughter will be co-head of the factory with her brother, overlooking all the work. And of course their family also includes hundreds and thousands of gnomes and pixies and other supernatural beings who help in the manufacturing of the presents!"

"Gnomes and pixies?!" I shrieked in joy, "This day just keeps getting better and better and better!"

"I hope he lets us have a look at his factory", Rino said, "Its too big to tour in one day but hopefully we'll be able to see at least some part of it"

I nodded before a thought occurred to me, "What about the children's families though?" I asked, "Wouldn't they want to fall in love and start families of their own?"

"Sure they will!"

"But how will they meet their future husbands and wives if they never leave the North Pole?"

"Who ever said anything about never leaving the North Pole?" Zuerien asked me amusedly making my head shoot towards him.

"You mean..."

He nodded, "Of course they leave. They have mansions in other parts of the world which they visit anytime they like"

"That's right Anna", Rino replied, "The Mansion at the North Pole is only meant specifically for the month of December when it is the busiest time of the year for the Claus family! But once Christmas is over, they go back to their homes elsewhere and continue their very successful business"

"Business?"

"You must have heard of Claus Enterprises, right?" Zuerien asked and my eyes went wide.

I had heard of it of course! It was one of the biggest gift manufacturing companies in the world. Their shops sold every kind of gift item there was - kids toys, romantic articles, wedding presents, decorative items and the list went on endlessly.

"Oh wow! The name 'Claus Enterprises' had to me always just seemed like something that had obviously been inspired from the fable of Santa Claus' job of giving presents to everyone around the world", I said, "I had no idea that it was actually Santa Claus' own company!"

"Not many humans do, except ones like you who already know of the existence of Supernaturals", Zuerien replied.

Rino nodded, "So you see. They can find their lovers and futures mates just as easily as anyone else here"

I smiled, "That's good to know", I said, "But I can imagine the shock their partners would feel on finding out about their lineage"

Rino chuckled, "Yeah! That's always the most hilarious part about their pairings"

"So if a human really believed in Santa Claus, despite what the others said, would Santa give them what they wanted for Christmas regardless?" I asked.

"Yes, they would", Rino replied, "But Uncle Claus and his company have a strange way of working. Many a times, they don't give you exactly what you ask for, but whatever you do get is always more than enough to satisfy you"

"I see", I replied, "So do you have something you want for Christmas this year?"

Rino grinned, "Of course! And I really hope it happens too!"

I nodded before looking at Zuerien, "And what about you Zuerien? Is there anything you really, really want this Christmas?"

Zuerien smiled tenderly at me, "I already got the one thing I wanted more than anything else", he said, kissing my forehead.

I exhaled a laugh and gave him a side-hug, "But isn't there anything else you want?" I asked looking up at him.

He inhaled deeply, thinking about my question. Just as I thought he was about to say he didn't want anything else, a strange, unknown emotion flashed in his eyes followed by a spark of what looked like pain before his eyes hardened and he quickly closed them.

"No", he replied quietly, "I don't"

I knew he was lying but I also knew that he had a reason for doing so. And if he didn't want to say what it was then I wouldn't push him. Because if he asked me what it is I wanted, I wouldn't tell him either, knowing that if he found out that it was to see and speak to Karina, he would feel extremely guilty about not being able to fulfill my wish.

I turned to Rino to find him watching Zuerien with knowing eyes. He looked at me and smiled encouragingly before pulling out his phone.

"Lets take selfies!" he announced all of a sudden making both me and Zuerien gape at him in alarm.

The next few seconds were spent trying to keep Rino from falling out of the sleigh while simultaneously working hard to stay in the sleigh ourselves. It was only when a loud grunt sounded from Rudolph that all three of us directed our attention to what was ahead of us.

"We're here!" Rino announced excitedly while I and Zuerien took in the sight of the enormous wall that stretched out in front of us, decorated with beautiful lights and bells and surrounded by tall pine trees.

We flew over the giant thick fortifying wall before the mini-city it protected came into view. And to say that it left me breathless would be putting it far too lightly. It was spectacular!

There were little buildings everywhere littered across the snowy ground, decorated beautifully and festively just like the wall had been. We were too high up to see any people or other Supernaturals down there but I was certainly looking forward to seeing more of the place while we were there.

I let out a little cry of joy when a large mansion came into view, and judging by the imposing size of the structure, there was no doubt that that was Santa Claus' residence. But the more all three of us waited for Rudolph to start his descent, the higher the reindeer climbed making me wonder if we were to enter through the window or something.

It was only when he descended smoothly and gracefully onto the thick and wide roof of the building did we exchange utterly flabbergasted looks.

"What's going on?" I asked.

Rudolph simply grunted and sat down, as though his job was done.

"Is it some kind of weird Claus family tradition to land on the roof?" Zuerien asked and Rino's eyes went wide.

"Oh shoot!" Rino cried out alarmed, "That's right! I totally forgot about their tradition!"

Zuerien exhaled a sigh of aggravation while I watched the second sleigh pull closer to the roof, Alpha Penson, Cole and Mr. Talon looking just as puzzled as we did when we landed.

"So", Zuerien said looking at Rino expectantly, "Where is the ladder?"

"Ladder?" Rino asked absently, staring at something over Zuerien's back.

"The ladder, Rino", Zuerien repeatedly, "Or stairs or whatever the hell it is these people use to get down and then inside the house"

Rino cringed as Cole and the others walked up to us wearing puzzled glances.

"Well..." Rino said scratching his head, "The way to getting both down and inside the house...is the same", he said.

"Really? So, where is it?" Cole asked looking around.

Smiling sheepishly, Rino pointed to the large pillar like structure at the far end of the roof. And when I realized exactly what it was, my heart nearly stopped.

A chimney.

****

"Why do I have to go first?!" Cole asked bewildered as Zuerien pushed him towards the chimney.

"Because I don't trust Rino to go first", Zuerien replied, "The kid will probably end up getting stuck in the chimney or something and then we'll all be stranded on the roof"

"Hey! I'm not that fat!" Rino said, "Am I?"

I shook my head. He wasn't fat at all, but even he had been I was quite sure he would be able to get through the ginormous chimney before us. It was big enough to fit even Kai!

At least you won't feel claustrophobic in there...

"That still doesn't explain why I have to go first!"

"I would go first but I don't want to leave Suzzanah here alone so I'll probably descend with her on my back", Zuerien told Cole, "And if whatever is in there is dangerous then I don't want her to be exposed to it first"

"Wow, really feeling the love Alpha", Cole replied trying to dig his feet into the tiled roof and stop himself from being pushed forward.

"Stop being a child Cole!"

"I don't like chimneys!" he replied, "What if they have a fire burning down there? I'll get roasted! You're the fire Elemental, you go! I'll bring the Luna down on my back"

"No chance!" Zuerien growled out, "Besides, if they had a fire going down there then there would be smoke coming out of the chimney!"

"Where is Marco's sleigh anyway?" Alpha Penson thought out loud next to me.

I turned to look in the distance wondering the same thing. It had been a good five minutes since we had landed but Marco and Prophecy were still nowhere in sight.

"They will be okay, won't they?" I asked.

"Rudolph doesn't look worried", Alpha Penson replied, "And neither does the other reindeer. So they should be okay"

"Alright, alright, I'll go! Stop pushing!" I heard Cole say, making me return my attention to them.

Cole was now warily putting one leg into the chimney, looking pale and gulping repeatedly as he did so.

"So what do you want me to do, just let myself fall to my death?" Cole asked Zuerien.

"Since when are you so dramatic Cole?" Zuerien asked.

"Hey, I'm a werewolf. When I jump, I like to know where exactly I'm jumping. Same goes for falling too! Its pitch black down there!"

Zuerien peered into the chimney, "I would light the way for you with a flame but I have a feeling it would do more damage that good seeing as I don't know what's in or down there"

He turned to Rino, "Rino, throw a block of ice down the chimney so we can estimate the distance we'll be falling"

"Right!"

Rino climbed onto the wall of the chimney, sitting on his haunches before creating a block of solid ice as big as his fist between both his hands. It never failed to amaze me when he did that, or when Zuerien used his fire Elemental abilities.

I wonder what it would be like to see the Earth and Air Elementals in action...

Rino threw the solid block down the chimney and all of us leaned in to listen. With my measly human hearing, I couldn't hear it hit the ground at all but I was surprised when none of the werewolves heard it either.

"Dangnamit, this thing is freakin endless!" Cole cried out.

"Rino, are you sure this is the only way in?" Zuerien asked again and Rino nodded.

"No wonder they're so desperate for guests", Mr. Talon said, wiping his brow nervously, "They must get next to none whatsoever if this is how they entertain them"

"Cole", Zuerien said.

"I'm going, give me a second!"

"Rino! Stop bending over so much you fool!" Zuerien said, grabbing the back of Rino's shirt hurriedly as Rino spoke random words into the chimney, listening to them echo.

"Perhaps...I could suggest a better idea"

Alpha Penson's voice caught our attention the minute he started to speak and the eagerness in our faces was not lost on him.

"Rino", he said, "Why not create a vine that we can use as a rope to climb down?"

What?!

The shock painted across Zuerien, Cole and Rino's faces was priceless. The very next second, everyone's eyes lit up in joy.

"PERFECT!" Cole cried out.

"That's brilliant John!" Zuerien exclaimed.

"That's right! I can totally do that!" Rino said excitedly, "Here goes noth- OHHH!"

The minute Rino shifted his position, his footing slipped and his entire body fell forward, right into the gaping darkness of the chimney.

My heart nearly stopped as all of us cried out, "RINOOO!"

"AAHHHH!" as he fell, he grabbed onto Cole's leg which was dangling inside the chimney and Cole let out an alarmed cry and he too was pulled into chimney under Rino's weight.

Zuerien dashed forward and grabbed Cole's hand, his upper torso bent over chimney from the weight.

"DAMN IT RINO!" Zuerien shouted and from somewhere inside the chimney Rino replied.

"Sorryyyyy"

"Ugh! What now, Alpha?" Cole asked, looking up at Zuerien.

"Wait, I'm pulling you both up", Zuerien replied, "DON'T let go Rino!"

"Right!"

I watched incredulously as he pulled them both up quite effortlessly. But just as Cole had almost reached the top of the chimney, Rino's alarmed cry echoed out of the chimney.

"GAH! Something's got my leg! Something's got my leg!"

"WHAT?!" Cole cried out, "What is it?"

"RINO?! ARE YOU OKAY?!" I shouted, my heart racing in my chest.

"An-AAAHHH!" Rino shouted and the next thing I knew Cole's body was sucked right back into the chimney along with half of Zuerien.

Alpha Penson, Mr. Talon and I jumped and grabbed onto Zuerien's waist trying to keep him from falling too.

"Bloody hell, what is that force?!" Zuerien yelled, his voice sounding strained as he continued trying to fight against whatever was pulling them all in.

"Its magic!" Alpha Penson replied, "Its drawing you in!"

"Why didn't you tell us this was dangerous Rino?!" Cole shouted.

"I didn't know!" Rino replied from somewhere in the darkness.

"Hold on!" Zuerien called out to them before his eyes turned gold.

Once they did, his Alpha of Power abilities kicked in and he started to win against whatever was pulling them in, slowly pulling Cole back up again.

Amidst all this chaos, in the distance I heard yet another familiar voice shouting,

"You idiot! Get back in the sleigh right now!"

My head whipped to the side and my eyes nearly popped out of my skull when I found the last sleigh approaching the roof, with Marco bent over the door, trying to reach an object flying haphazardly next to him.

Prophecy.

An alarmed cry escaped my lips and I almost let go of Zuerien's waist in shock. What the heck is she doing?!

Zuerien's body tensed, "Suzzanah, are you okay?!" I heard him shout anxiously while still pulling Cole and Rino out of the blasted black-hole of a chimney.

I wanted to reply but I was too stunned and preoccupied wondering what the heck Luna Prophecy was riding, since it obviously wasn't the sleigh.

And as they got closer my jaw dropped when I saw what she was sitting on.

Is that...a broom?!

"SUZZANAH! LOOK OUT!"

I turned back just in time to see Rudolph charging at us wildly. An alarmed yelp escaped my lips as Alpha Penson pushed me out of the way just as Rudolph bent his head and pushed Zuerien hard, making him lose his balance and slip into the chimney.

"ZUERIENNN!" I cried out in absolute horror as I heard his, Cole's and Rino's shout disappear into the chimney.

Before I even had time to worry about them, the other reindeer pushed Mr. Talon over while the Rudolph dashed towards me. My back pressed into the chimney in terror before my upper body was sucked into it by the same force that had sucked in Zuerien, Cole, Rino and Mr. Talon.

"SUZZANAH!" I heard Alpha Penson cry out before Rudolph bent his head under my legs and pushed the rest of my body into the chimney as well.

As I fell, I caught once glimpse of Alpha Penson's horrified face and heard Marco and Prophecy cry out in unison,

"QUEEEEEN!"

And then I saw the blue-grey cloud covered sky, before that too disappeared into the distance and everything went dark.

The force pulling me in was so strong that I felt like I was falling at the speed of a thousand miles per hour. I didn't even know if I screamed, but I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't because that was how shocked I was.

Adrenaline surged through my veins and a mixture of turbulent emotions flooded my veins as I unconsciously prepared myself for a painful landing, or worse, death!

At some point of time in my fall, I felt my body change course, turn, shift and start to fall with my legs underneath me not head-first like I had been falling earlier. I felt weightless, my hair hitting my face, before flying over my head and my eyes squeezing shut all on their own.

I felt myself pass through a plethora of magical fields which felt almost like going through several portholes. So much supernatural energy bombarded my body that it knocked all air out of my lungs. I felt like I had fallen off the roof of a skyscraper but I couldn't see myself getting closer to the ground as I fell.

And just when I felt like this chimney really would never end, it suddenly did.

I landed fast and hard against the softest of surfaces, feeling myself plunge deeply, almost painfully into the fluffy surface underneath me before I was propelled back up again and I bounced several times before coming to a halt.

It took several seconds before I was ready to even open my eyes and take in my surroundings. Part of me was worried that it would be heaven or hell, and I would never see Zuerien or my friends again. But when my raging senses calmed down slightly, and the sound of my blood rushing through my ears dimmed, I finally let myself breathe in deeply.

I was immediately greeted by the smell of fresh linen washed with something that gave off an unfamiliar scent, intermixed with something else that smelt intensely familiar. And even though the unfamiliar scent overpowered the familiar one, the latter was so well known to me that there was no way I wouldn't recognize it.

I had known that scent all my life.

The heartwarmingly familiar scent of my older sister.

Karina?!

My eyes shot open just as fast as I sat up, only to realize that I was seated on top of a giant bed in a room that I vaguely remembered from somewhere.

And from where, came to me almost instantly at the sight of a large wardrobe on my right, pushed against a ceiling, across from a doorway that led to a large balcony.

A wardrobe I had once hidden for my life in and a balcony my sister had almost lost hers falling off. And that meant...

I'm in Canada?!

Oh sweet Luna of all Werewolves! I'm in trouble!

The very next second I heard shuffling outside the room, my heart leapt to my throat.

Hide Suzzanah! Hide!

Thoughtlessly jumping out of the bed, I dashed towards the wardrobe again only to stop dead in my tracks when painful memories of being locked in a tiny dingy wardrobe flooded my mind.

No, not in there. Not in the wardrobe.

I heard more noises in the outer room and I sucked in a sharp breath before looking towards the balcony that was hidden behind the thick curtains across from me. Gulping, I dashed towards the curtains and started to shove them aside hurriedly.

But just as I grabbed the handle of the large French windows that led into the balcony, I heard something that made my heart clench so painfully and joyously at the same time, that I almost forgot how to breathe.

"Elryon I swear if that's you, I'll kick your shadowy ass!"

Karina's voice!

My head whipped to side, my eyes shooting towards the door that led out of the bedroom. Warmth and disbelief flooded my body simultaneously as my hand fell away from the handle and I involuntarily turned towards the other door.

"How am I supposed to reach the top?" Karina's aggravated voice sounded once again and before I knew it, I was walking towards it.

My throat felt dry and my body felt strangely numb as I walked across the lavish bedroom, stopping only for a second at the door that could possibly lead me to my sister.

I swallowed hard, lifting a trembling hand and pressing it against my chest before stepping out of the bedroom into the even bigger living room next to it. The room was beautifully and festively decorated in a style that screamed Karina's name. Feeling my spirit warm with each step I took, I walked around a large pillar and my heart nearly burst at the sight before me.

There she was across the room, dressed in a lovely baby pink sweater and dark jeans and vans. Her long hair was tied at the top of her head in a high ponytail and it swung from side to side with every labored step she took as she carried what looked like a heavy chair towards her latest project.

Setting the chair down with a heavy sigh, she turned to inspect the ginormous Christmas tree that was decorated even more spectacularly than the rest of the room. Grabbing a decorative star from the table next to her, she climbed onto the chair, before pushing herself up on her toes to try and reach the top of the tree.

The sight of her doing so brought back so many memories that my vision blurred with tears faster than I could even blink. My feet carried me towards her of their own accord until before I knew it, I was standing right behind her chair.

She wheezed and groaned, struggling to get the star to sit upright on top of the tree and I smiled, letting the tears flow down my cheeks.

With one final effort, she managed to perfectly place the star on the tree before pulling away to let out a cry of delight.

"Perfect!" she said to herself happily before promptly turning to get off the chair only to freeze mid-movement when her gaze met mine and her eyes went wide in disbelief.

Unlike the pure joy I had expected her face to be taken over by, I watched as her features contorted in absolute shock before she screamed, lost her footing and started to fall with the chair that tumbled underneath her.

Panic struck me like lightening and my hands shot forward to steady her somehow, but to my absolute alarm, she fell right on top of me pushing me down so that we both landed hard on the floor next to the giant Christmas tree.

Pain flooded my body and I heard myself groan at the same time that I heard Karina groan, and both of us stopped almost instantly, just as simultaneously. My eyes shot open and head whipped to the side to be met with a pair of familiar brown eyes that belonged to my sister.

She was staring at me with eyes so wide that she could have passed for one of those adorable Japanese chibi characters. She shot off the ground first, sitting up next to me, her gaze never leaving mine. And then her lips parted and she breathed out,

"Vodka...!"

The smile that had been threatening to break across my face died instantly and I shot up as well, staring at her in incredulously.

"Vodka?" I repeated in confusion and her eyes got even wider, something I didn't think could happen, "Honestly Rina! Of all the things to say at a time like this you choose-"

"ANNA!"

I was thrown backwards as she lunged at me, her arms going around me, pulling me into the tightest embrace she had ever given me. My hands pressed into the ground behind me to keep my back and head from hitting the floor.

"Oh my God! I don't believe it. You're really here!" Karina shouted excitedly, "AH! If I'm dreaming, this better be a long ass dream!"

I chuckled before putting an arm around my sister. Her intense and overwhelming feelings of love and joy washed over me, mingling beautifully with my own identical emotions.

I had no idea how this had happened. I didn't really even care. Even if this wasn't real, I was happy to live it as long as I could, here, with my sister, as this was the only thing I had wanted for Christmas.

Karina pulled away and grabbed my shoulders, "But- I don't understand, how?!" she asked, her eyes wide as they searched my face for answers.

"I have no idea", I told her sitting up, "Rina, are you okay?"

"Me?! I'm perfectly alright! In fact this is the best I've felt in ages!" she exclaimed grinning excitedly, "And even if that means that I've finally lost my head and gone insane, I don't care, you're here! My baby sister is here! Oh my God-"

"Shh! Shh, Karina someone will hear you!" I said, motioning for her to keep it down.

She gasped, covering her mouth with one hand before getting off the ground and giving me a hand. I took it and stood up.

I was a few inches taller than my sister, which always made people think that I was older than her. But between the both of us, Karina had always been the more mature and confident one. And given the way she was hovering over me, scanning every inch of me to make sure I was alright immediately gave away her protective older sibling-ly nature.

"Anna, how the heck did you get here?!" Karina asked again, "And what in God's name are you wearing?!"

I looked down at the several layers of multicolored clothing now visible under Zuerien's large unbuttoned black coat.

"Oh this?" I asked, "This is-"

She gasped, her face paling instantly, "Shit! Don't tell me, that bloody Shadow Lord brought you here?!"

"No-"

"Did that bastard force dress you up as well?!"

"Of course not Rin- wait....what do you mean 'as well'?"

She stopped talking, her eyes going wide before she shook her head quickly, "Forget that. Anna, is that why you're here, is he holding you captive here too?!"

"RINA!" I quickly grabbed her shoulders and shook her slightly, "Calm down. I wasn't brought here forcefully...well...actually I was...but its not like I'm being held captive...well...if I get caught I may be...but I wasn't brought here by Terrence...well...at least I don't think I was-"

"Ann!" this time it was Karina who shook me, "Which is it?!"

"Honestly, I'm not sure", I told her, "I was on the roof with my friends and a reindeer attacked me and I fell into a chimney and-"

"Hold up, hold up...chimney?" she asked, her face contorting in confusion.

"Yeah", I nodded.

"You fell into a chimney?!"

"I did!"

"And you were attacked by a Reindeer?"

"That's right!"

"On someone's roof?!"

"Uh-huh!"

Karina was now staring at me as though I had just told her that bathing with vinegar and brushing with onions was my daily morning routine.

"Anna..."

"Its true!" I told her.

"But...whose roof was this exactly?!"

"Santa Claus' house"

Despite it all being true, I felt like a complete idiot saying that to my sister. But it wasn't like there was an easier or more feasible way of approaching this topic.

"Anna, are you listening to yourself?!" Karina cried out.

"It really happened!"

"You were pushed into Santa Claus' mansion's chimney by his reindeer?"

"YES!"

"Oh God, did these Shadow People drug you or something?!" she asked, worriedly.

"RINA!" I cried out in exasperation, "I'm not lying, I swear! All this really happened!"

"But...But...then, maybe you had a dream about all this"

I sighed, "If that's true then you have to pinch me right now"

She frowned, "What, why?"

"Because I haven't woken up from the dream yet", I replied, looking around the giant room.

How had I gotten here? And where were Zuerien and the others?!

A painful sting in my arm made me yelp, "OW! KARINAAA!"

"What? You told me to pinch you!"

I blinked at her, rubbing my arm, "See! This isn't a dream! I got here after falling into Santa Claus' chimney!"

Karina fisted her hair in aggravation, "If that's true then why were you on top of his house anyway?!"

"He invited us", I replied, "His relative is my friend"

"You're friends with Santa Claus' kin?!"

"Yeah! And you've spoken to him!" I told her, "Remember that guy whose voice you heard in your head along with mine?"

"Rino?"

"EXACTLY!" I exclaimed.

Karina's scratched her head, looking around the room helplessly, obviously torn between wanting to believe me and take me to a psychiatrist.

"Rina", I said softly, taking her hands in mine, "I know this sounds crazy and unbelievable, but look around! You're being held captive by Supernatural Shadow creatures and I'm working for Werewolves! Both of which are far more far-fetched than the concept of Santa Claus"

She looked me dead in the eye and I knew that she was starting to believe me.

"So...you weren't brought here by Terrence?"

"No", I shook my head, "I don't know who brought me here or why, but in all honesty, I'm grateful to whoever that was because they gave me a chance to see you", I said, squeezing her hands, "Because that's all I wanted"

Karina's features immediately softened, affection filling her eyes, "Oh love, that's all I wanted too!" she told me cupping my cheek, "To see you and make sure you're alright. It was my one and only Christmas wish this year and I can't believe its come true!"

Her words struck something inside of me and like a sudden explosion, realization bombarded my mind.

Christmas wish come true

Oh my gosh...

"That's what this is", I breathed out, my face painted with shock and wonder, "Our Christmas wish come true! Santa Claus! He did this!"

Karina's features scrunched up in confusion once again, "Anna-"

"Rina, did you see anyone else here before me? Anyone you don't know?" I asked, "People who...possibly aren't supposed to be here?"

"Not really", she said uncertainly, "Not that I know of"

"Did you by any chance see a super tall, super handsome, brown haired, brown eyed man dressed in all black?"

"Are you describing your crush to me right now?"

"RINA! Concentrate!"

"No Ann, I didn't", she told me, "The only people I've seen since morning are you, some friends of mine and that son of a shadow, Terrence!"

I took a deep breath, letting it sink in, "So its true", I said, "Even though all of us fell into the same chimney, we all ended up in different places! Places where our individual Christmas wishes would come true!"

"You lost me again, Anna"

"But then...how am I supposed to get back?" I wondered out loud, looking around the giant room.

"That's right!" Karina said, "How will you-"

The sound of footsteps approaching Karina's door made both of us go stiff and a wave of fear and dread washed over me.

Oh now!

"Anna, quick, this way!" Karina said, grabbing my hand and running back into the bedroom I had come from.

Once inside, she hurriedly locked the door and stuffed a towel in the slight gap underneath the door.

"Safety precautions", she told me, "Those damn Shadows can come in through the smallest of crevices"

I gulped at her words and she turned to face me.

"Anna, right now there is only one thing I know for certain", she said, "And that is that if Terrence Magnifis wasn't the one who brought you here then you can't be seen by anyone else. You have to get out of here before someone finds you!"

"But how?!"

Where exactly did you arrive?"

"On top of your bed", I replied, pointing to it.

Then both of us ran to the bed and jumped on top of it, searching under it, around it and above it for a possible portal back to the North Pole, but found nothing. We then went around searching the rest of the room, but our search was all for naught.

"We all know that Santa gets into the house through the chimney, but how exactly does he get out?" I asked as I searched behind a bedside table.

"I have no clue", she replied, closing the doors to her wardrobe, "Maybe he climbs back up the chimney"

"Maybe I should try that. Or maybe I should try jumping into another chimney", I suggested.

"On any other day, I would have shaken the living insanity out of you for suggesting something like that", she replied, "But today, I can't help but agree"

"Do you know if this place has a chimney?"

"I'm sure it does, but I have no idea how we're supposed to get to it", she said, "Its not even like I can just waltz around the place with you in tow"

"Dang, what do I do?!" I wondered, "Do you know anyone who can help?"

"Like who?"

"A wizard of some sort?"

"Wizard?" she thought hard, "I don't think I know any wizards but...I may just have the next best option", she said, her eyes lighting up, "I need to make a call. Wait here"

She rushed to the door, kicking aside the towel and pulling it open. I turned to stare up at the ceiling above her bed. It was pretty high up. Could I have fallen on her bed after shooting out of a magical hole in that ceiling?

Just as I was about to climb on top of her bed again, I heard Karina let out an alarmed shriek from the other room.

"E-E-E-ELRYON!" she shouted and my blood ran cold.

Elryon was Terrence Magnifis' Shadow! OH NOOO!

"What are you doing here?!" Karina's voice sounded high pitched and panicked and I knew she was deliberately speaking as loudly so that I could hear her.

My head whipped from side to side as I tried to find a hiding spot. My gaze found the same French windows I had been about to run out of earlier and I dashed towards them, grabbing the handle and pulling the door open.

"W-where is Terrence?" I heard Karina cry out, her voice sounding closer to the bedroom door.

"He has company", I heard a raspy yet dangerously deep voice reply, "Unexpected company"

I stopped mid-step.

Unexpected company?

"I-Is that right?" Karina said, "Who is it?"

"An old acquaintance"

Elryon's voice was dangerously close to the door now, but somehow I could get my body to move. Who was he talking about?!

"So a friend is visiting then?" Karina asked, trying to sound unperturbed.

"Not a friend"

"No?"

"No...not a friend...not anymore..."

What?

The faint sound of bells ringing somewhere outside in the balcony, caught my attention for a split second and turned to look out the french windows only to be met with a glowing door-like frame that I immediately recognized.

A magic portal!

"Y-you don't have to g-go into my bedroom. Its a mess!" I heard Karina say making my head whip back towards the door of the bedroom.

I could feel a strange pull coming through the magical portal, beckoning me in, almost as though telling me that my time here was up and I needed to leave.

Karina...!

I didn't want to leave without telling her, but when a familiar force started to pull me into the portal, I knew that I didn't have much of a choice anymore.

Karina!

"NO!"

Karina pulled the door open and ran inside and slammed it shut before I could get a glimpse of Elryon. She shoved the towel underneath the door before turning around only to cry out in alarm at the sight of me clinging to the door handle and frame to keep myself from being sucked into the portal.

"Oh no!" she shouted before rushing towards me and grabbing my arm and tugging me towards her, "Anna, what's happening?!"

"Rina! This is it!" I told her making her eyes shoot towards me, "This is my way back home"

A mixture of several emotions flashed in her eyes all at once - relief and pain the most predominant of them all.

"You mean..."

I nodded, "I have to go", I replied before tugging on her hand, "Come with me!"

"I-"

Her hand accidentally touched the glowing magic of the portal and immediately it repelled her, creating a wall that only I could get through. My spirit sank.

I couldn't take her with me...

"Rina-"

A raspy sound filled the room and both of us turned to find a dark shadow slowly spilling into the bedroom through the keyhole of the door.

Oh shoot!

"Damn it El-"

Without wasting another second, I grabbed my sister and pulled her into a tight hug.

"I love you", I told her, putting all my heart and soul into those words, "I love you forever, Rina"

She exhaled a broken cry before hugging back, "I love you too, always, always"

We pulled away to look into each others eyes and said together,

"Unconditionally"

The glowing magical pull grew irresistibly strong and my hands were wrenched out of Karina's. Just the last of Elryon's shadowy form spilled into room, I looked into Karina's eyes and smiled.

"Merry Christmas"

She smiled back, her eyes gleaming with unshed tears.

"Merry Christmas, Ann"

Etching the memory of her warm and loving smile into my mind, I let myself be pulled into the magical portal and closed my eyes. A surge of intense and powerful energy shot through my body as I flew threw an abyss of darkness once again, coiling and winding several ways before a beam of blinding light hit my face, making me squeeze my eyes shut.

I landed with a loud 'Oomph' onto yet another soft yet sturdy surface. A few tiny pebbles hit the top of my head before tumbling down my shoulders and falling around me. I sucked in deeply before promptly going into a coughing fit as I inhaled a cloud of dust. And through the incessant sound of my coughing, I heard several voices cry out to me.

Familiar voices.

"HEART!"

"LUNA!"

"ANNA!"

"CHILD!"

Before I could even open my eyes, I was lifted into strong arms and pressed into a warm chest that made my skin tingle deliciously.

"Heart! Suzzanah! Are you alright?!"

I squinted up at my mate, before rubbing my eyes, "Zuerien?"

"Are you hurt?" he asked and as as my eyes adjusted to the light, I could see his features contorted in worry.

I shook my head, "I'm okay", I told him, before looking around to find Cole, Rino and Mr. Talon gathered around us as well, "What about you guys?"

"We're fine!" they replied and I let out a breath of relief.

"Where are we?" I asked.

"In my humble abo-hode"

A deep, unfamiliar voice replied making me look over Zuerien shoulder and gasp.

"Santa Claus?!"

"Ho Ho Ho!"

The man before me was nothing like how Santa Claus was usually portrayed. He was a tall, well built man with salt-pepper colored hair and a well trimmed beard. He wore an elegant grey suit with shiny black shoes and stood with his hands crossed behind his back.

He gave off an authoritative air but not one that was intimidating. And the sight of him somehow gave me a rather homey and warm feel.

"So I suppo-hose this is the New Luna Queen?" the man said in his characteristic manner as Zuerien turned around with me in his arms.

"She is", he replied, and I didn't miss how his voice was laced with disapproval.

"Ho ho, you sound like you want to murder me", the man who was apparently Santa Claus said, looking amused.

"If anything had happened to my mate, you can bet I would have", Zuerien replied making me gape at him in shock.

It was obviously not a good idea to threaten this man in his own house! Especially given how powerful a wizard he apparently was.

"P-put me down Zuerien", I said, struggling in his arms, but my mate didn't make any move to do so.

"You may all want to move away from the chimney though", Santa said, "We'll have incoming soon"

Instantly everyone moved away from the chimney, at the bottom of which there was a giant fluffy mattress on which I had landed a few seconds ago. The very next second a loud thud sounded and Marco crashed onto the mattress coughing and wheezing, much like me.

"Damn, what the hell is happening?!" he choked out as Cole and Mr. Talon ran to help him.

I looked around the room, "Prophecy and Alpha Penson aren't here?" I asked.

"They will arrive in the order that they entered the chimney", Santa replied.

"I don't think enter is the appropriate word", Zuerien replied.

Santa Claus shrugged, "It had to be done. Wish fulfillment is no-ho easy thing, son"

I sucked in a sharp breath at the same time that Zuerien's body stiffened against me.

"So it is true!" I breathed out, "That chimney sent us all to places where our Christmas wishes would be fulfilled!"

The older man nodded smiling, "Indeed it did", he replied.

I turned to find everyone staring at the old wizard, looking shaken yet awed at the same time. Memories of my sister and the little time I had spent with her flooded my mind and warmth flooded my body.

I turned back to the wizard and smiled wholeheartedly, "Thank you", I told him genuinely, "Thank you so much"

"Ho ho! You are welcome, Luna Suzzanah"

"Can you cut it out with all the laughing?" Zuerien said and the man looked at him bewildered.

"Whose laughing?" he asked.

"Then what's with all the 'ho-hos'?" Marco asked wearily.

"What does it look like? I'm coughing! It's pretty cold you know-ho"

WHA-?!

While most of us gave him incredulous stares, Cole spoke up, "But how did you even know what all our wishes were?" he asked softly.

"I don't", Santa Claus replied making all of us frown in confusion.

"You don't?" Mr. Talon asked and the wizard shook his head.

"My job is to grant the Christmas wishes of everyone who believes in the spirit of Christmas", he replied, "Not to know what the wishes are. Your wishes are your own. They are personal and no-ho one need know them, but yourselves"

He looked towards the chimney with proud eyes, "My magical portals were built to teleport you to the exact places where your wishes would be fulfilled. But I do not know-ho where you were teleported to nor do I intend to find out"

So that's how it worked...

Smiling gratefully at the wise elderly wizard, I turned to look at my friends, all of whom had different expressions on their faces. Unlike me who was absolutely ecstatic about having received my wish, I realized that Cole had a more awed and hopeful look on his face and Mr. Talon had a nostalgic gleam in his eyes while Marco and Zuerien looked completely shaken up, almost distressed.

I wonder what all of their wishes were...

I looked up at Zuerien and he swallowed hard, exhaling heavily. I cupped his cheek making his gaze flicker down to mine.

"You okay?" I asked gently and the same pain that had flashed in his eyes earlier in the sleigh, flooded his dark orbs.

Sometimes...its better to not be aware of what you want most, Kai's quiet voice filled my mind, Because knowing...is painful...

My heart clenched at his words as he slowly set me down on my feet again. Zuerien closed his eyes, cupping my hand on his cheek with his and breathing deeply. It was then that I realized that not all wishes when fulfilled brought joy. And whatever it was that Zuerien had wished for, had done just that. It had caused him pain.

Before I could say anything to him, Prophecy came shooting through the chimney and we all snapped out of our trances. Unlike all of us, when Prophecy landed on the mattress, she was fast asleep, which somehow didn't come as a surprise to anyone.

Shortly afterwards, Alpha Penson also landed on the mattress, and as expected, he had figured out everything that had happened way before Santa Claus even explained anything to him.

Once we all got over the dazed state of having our wishes granted, I found out that apparently Rino's was the only wish that had not been granted yet and he had been the only one who had landed on the mattress without having been teleported anywhere else.

But strangely enough he didn't seem bothered by that. Apparently his was a long-term wish and only time would tell whether or not it would be granted. Regardless, he remained the happiest and merriest of us all, as always.

Once the initial introductions had ended, we were invited to have lunch with Santa's family. Apparently Santa was the common middle name of all male first-borns of the Claus clan who were to take on the job of being Santa in the future. The real name of the present Santa Claus was Edmond.

He had a very pleasant family, with a cheerful wife, handsome son and lovely daughter, none of whom were sporting the funny cough-like accent, thankfully. After lunch, on Rino's persistent requesting, Edmond- as he had requested we call him- took us on a tour of his factory. It was actually far more sophisticated than I had imagined, but incredibly awesome at the same time.

We even saw a few gnomes and pixies and I almost fainted in shock and wonder. It was the one of the most exciting things that had happened to me all year. But then again, ever since I joined the Royale Industries, there had never been one boring second in my life.

We had to cut short the tour because tomorrow was Christmas and Christmas eve was the busiest time of the year for the Claus family. As night fell, sacks after sacks were stocked onto Santa's sleigh and Edmond put on his Santa Claus costume before getting on the sleigh and riding away.

He asked us to stay till the end of Christmas and promised to spend more time showing us around tomorrow and we of course, agreed gratefully, including Zuerien who had finally grown over his initial dislike towards the man.

Prophecy came to later in the night and what followed her awakening was a whole lot of chaos. She kept going on and on and on about apparently having met 'her' again. And meeting this 'mystery woman' was also supposedly what Prophecy had wished for this Christmas.

Before leaving, Santa had handed Alpha Penson a gift-wrapped package, telling him it was part of his Christmas wish fulfillment and we had all been extremely delighted to see that it was a portrait of his daughter Emily. One that was identical to the one that had been burnt down in the orphanage after the rogue attack.

As the clock hitched closer to striking 12:00 am we all retired to our own rooms, promising to meet again at 12:00 am and wish each other Merry Christmas. When it was close to midnight, I got out of my room and started walking down the corridor. But instead of making my way downstairs, my feet involuntarily carried me to Zuerien's, having obviously acted on my deep desire to see him and make sure he was alright.

When I received no reply on knocking, I gently opened the door and stepped in. Almost instantly I found him standing outside in the balcony and gazing up at the sky.

"Hey"

His body whipped around and he stared at me wide-eyed, obviously caught off guard by my appearance.

"Suzzanah", he said, relaxing at the sight of me, "I didn't even hear you come"

He extended his hand towards me and I took it, walking into his embrace. He encircled his arms around my waist and looked down at me lovingly.

"Its almost 12 'o clock", I told him and he nodded but neither of us made a move to go downstairs to the living room, where everyone was to assemble at midnight.

"Did you enjoy our visit here?" he asked me and I grinned, "I did, very much!" I told him honestly.

He hesitated before asking, "Did you...get your wish?"

I nodded, "I did"

"And it made you happy?"

I smiled at his question before wrapping my arms around his waist as well, "It made me happy and sad and uncertain of the future", I told him and he exhaled slowly.

"Same with me", he told me softly, "If I asked you what your wish was, would you tell me?"

"Would you?" I asked and he swallowed hard, looking away and not replying.

I smiled, "Its okay, you know", I told him, taking his face in my hands and turning it so that his gaze met mine again, "Whatever you wished for, its okay"

He shook his head, "Its not", he replied gently, "Some things...aren't meant to happen. And wishing for them is just...wrong"

"No", I replied gently, "At some point of time in our lives we all find ourselves wishing for things which may not seem attainable, things that may not truly belong to us and things that we can never have. But that's okay"

"Suzzanah-"

"Whatever it is you wished for today has already been granted", I said, "And there is no point worrying about something you can't change as it is already in the past. But if you really want to get over this wish so badly, then the first step is to accept that you do indeed want it"

Pain flashed in his eyes once again and I cupped his cheek fondly, "Once you have accepted it, you can move forward as you choose. And whatever else will be, will be. All we can do is hope for the best, right?"

His eyes bore deeply into mine, one chocolaty brown and one pitch black and nodded quietly.

"No matter what happens from here on forward, I will be here", I told him, "Whatever you have to face, we'll face it together. And in the end, everything will be okay"

Cupping his face with both hands, I smiled at him lovingly.

"Tonight, lets accept that there are things we want that we may acquire, and there are also things we want, that we may never have", I said, "Let's motivate ourselves for the good and forgive ourselves for the bad, and regardless of what happens, we'll make it through this one way or the other"

His eyes almost turned misty as I spoke these words, and his grip around my waist tightened. Gazing into his eyes with all the love I had for him, I rose up on my toes.

"This Christmas", I gently pulled his head down towards me, "Let's hope", I told him gently, "Let's hope for the best"

Closing my eyes, I pressed my lips to his forehead hoping that he would feel the intensity of my emotions for him through it. When I descended onto my heels again and looked into his eyes, I saw a warmth and reassurance in them that made my heart beat with satisfaction.

"Thank you, heart", he said, caressing my face lovingly, "Thank you so much, for being mine"

"There is no one else's I'd rather be", I told him wholeheartedly, "Because, Zuerien Kai Royale, I love you"

His lips pulled into a breathtaking smile that filled my body with joy and affection. I knew that the feelings I had had for him would truly never change, not in a thousand years.

I love you...

As I repeated those words via mind-link, a chilly winter breeze blew across the balcony, ruffling our hair and clothes as it went, yet I felt nothing but the warmth that was radiating from my dearest mate.

When he bent down towards me, the first flake of snow, fell from the sky as though heralding the new day. And on that cold, silent, winter night, as the clock struck 12 and the cheers broke out from the lower room, Zuerien's lips molded into mine and I added,

Unconditionally

****

A/N

Hi my darlings,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Are you happy with this little surprise I came up with for you all? Well, its not exactly little I guess, it is a pretty long chapter lololol.

I hope this made up for my long hiatus. Unfortunately I still have plenty more exams to go so my hiatus will continue again from here on forward, but thank you for being patient with me.

And I'm so glad you're all excited for book 2!

Also, thank you for the phenomenal response that 'Unconditionally's Dose Of Humor' has been receiving on Facebook! I'm so glad you're enjoying the interactions between our dear characters from Unconditionally.

Once again, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and advanced wishes for the New Year.

Until next time,

All my love,

Angel