The Wolf of Christmas Future: Three Wolves for Christmas, #3

By Kristen Strassel

Connor Rudina plays football for the Alaska Bloodhounds, and he's hired me to take care of his daughter. I might have a crush on the wolf, but he keeps things strictly professional.

Until he asks me to go with them to Sawtooth Forest for Christmas.

It will be a tough trip for both of us—Connor lost his mate and it will be his first time home, and I got rejected by my pack. If it wasn't for this invitation, I would've spent the holiday alone.

I know I'm just there to help with his daughter, but when get snowed in on a layover before we get to Sawtooth, everything changes.

This holiday season, the wolf of Christmas future will show me what forever really means.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kristen Strassel
• Release date: Dec 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215051245

Book preview

Chapter

One

Connor

Are you going home for Christmas? Matteo Shaw, one of the premiere linebackers in the Continental Football Association, my Alaska Bloodhounds teammate, and recent addition to the Sawtooth Pack was spotting me in the gym after practice. But none of these weights packed as much of a punch as his question.

Luna hit you up, too? I growled, setting the bar on its holder and sitting up. This workout was over. Didn’t need to explain why I didn’t want to go back to Sawtooth.

Running again, my wolf sniffed. Typical.

Matteo furrowed his brow. Don’t know what you’re talking about. I might be new to the pack, but I know Luna’s a pretty fierce she-wolf, and if she wants something, I’d at least consider it.

No. I’m not going home for Christmas.

The email from my cousin had landed in my inbox in the middle of the night, waiting for me when I woke up. And I couldn’t stop thinking about it. 

How my pack used to be my sanctuary.

How much my nana, who’d raised me, had been so excited about my daughter Ava being born.

And how I’d lost everything there. 

Football, I had mastered. Every game, every practice, I left everything on the field since I joined the Alaska Bloodhounds. But today I was playing with an opponent bigger than myself, and it showed. 

Coach called me into his office after practice. The game this week was the most important of the season. The last game before Christmas break would determine our seeding in the playoffs. If I didn’t get my shit together, I’d be watching the game from the bench. 

Ava knew something was off. Three-year-olds had finely tuned bullshit detectors. She didn’t ask me what was wrong, but she insisted I take her favorite stuffed donkey to work with me. He was sitting in my car, looking so innocent and hopeful.

And I’d snapped at our nanny before I left the house this morning. I owed Noelle an apology. It wasn’t her fault that email had gotten under my skin, or that Luna tore open a wound that would never heal simply by going back home. If it wasn’t for Noelle, I wouldn’t be able to live this life. Ava and I had gone through our share of nannies that didn’t work out, and I was on the verge of having to quit the team if we hadn’t found her. The last thing I needed was for her to hand in her resignation because I’d been a dick. 

So Luna’s the one who had you missing tackles and letting touchdowns slip by you today? Matteo shook his head as he grabbed his jacket. I know Sawtooth’s a heavy place for you. But it won’t get better if you never go back.

Are you going? I asked as we headed out of the practice facility. Night had fallen long before we finished this time of year, and the crisp, cold air made my wolf feel alive. 

But how did he feel about going home?

Damn straight I am—Jessica would have my balls in a jar if I said no. Not that I have any reason to. Her sister is hosting Christmas this year, so Coach Williams and Tessa will be there too. If you change your mind and decide to go, your Bloodhounds family will have your back. We’re a team, no matter where we are. We have your back, Connor. Matteo stopped in front of his car. I’m not one to tell somebody what to do—

But you’re gonna now.

Touché. He grinned. You’re not only a teammate, you’re pack. A lot of the guys on the team are headed home. If you stay here, you and Ava will be alone. It will be all too easy for those demons, those bad thoughts to come back. Not saying going back to Sawtooth will be easy, but at least you’ll be surrounded by people who want the best for you.

That’s true. 

His face lit up. So you’re doing it?

Not sure yet. 

Do what’s best for Ava. This will probably be the first Christmas she remembers. Make it a good one. He clapped his hand on my arm. And I hear the pack is planning one hell of a party at The Redheaded Stepchild. You know how legendary that place can be. Might be a good idea for you to go and have some fun.

I got into my car, turned it on, but didn’t pull out of the spot right away. Luna’s email came out of nowhere. I hadn’t been home in almost three years, since Matteo and Coach Williams had arranged for me to try out for the Alaska Bloodhounds. Never thought in a million years they’d ask me to join the practice squad. I’d been content coaching football at Granger Falls High. Thought I’d spend the rest of my career there with my mate.

Everything changed when Jen didn’t make it through