Welcome back to The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore & Bar. You're probably looking for Sam, werewolf, book nerd, and seer of ghosts. She's great but off with her new husband in England, hunting down that nutter who's been stalking Clive since the Middle Ages. With Sam away, it's my time to shine. Somebody hand me a mic and hit me with a blue spot. Kidding. We've met before but let me formally introduce myself. I'm Owen Wong, Sam's right-hand man and head wicche in charge. George, my gorgeous dragon-shifter boyfriend, and I are planning a nice, calm, battle-free Christmas. Granted, George's family doesn't seem too excited about our relationship, but I doubt they'd actually attack me. All bets are off, though, on his grandmother, the matriarch of the dragon clan. I'm pretty sure the only thing she wants for Christmas is me gone.
I have to admit, I'm a little worried. George has been distant lately and he says we need to talk. I know what 'need to talk' means and I'm not having it. He says he needs to explain something about his childhood, about his family. He looks so damn sad, he's breaking my heart. No matter what it is, though, we're not walking away. Whatever the burden, I'll help him carry it. We deserve that calm, peaceful holiday and I'm going to fight like hell to see we get it.
***This short story was initially shared in Seana's newsletter "TALES FROM THE BOOK NERD" for FREE as a holiday treat for subscribers and also later included as a bonus story in the original release of THE HOB AND HOUND PUB, Sam Quinn Book Four.***