A Kategan Alphas Christmas Special: Featuring Vane and Sarina (The Kategan Alphas Book 7) Read Free

It’s not like much could surprise
her. But, she didn’t know he’d bought her a gift, so this was a surprise.
    She
lifted the lid—and froze.
    A picture in a silver frame. Of her, Vane, and baby Vince. Tears sprang to her eyes only this time for a
multitude of reasons. It was a good picture; she remembered when it’d been taken only a few months ago by Roman . Vane had his
arm across her shoulders and she had hers tucked around his waist. Vince sat at
her waist as she held him. They all smiled at the camera.
    She
didn’t mean to cry. Not even a little bit. But a stray tear escape down her
cheek. Almost at once, Vane stiffened which captured the attention of everyone
in the room, who in turn, looked at Sarina.
    “What’s
wrong?” Alicia asked, rushing over. She saw the picture in the frame and smiled.
    “Aww,
what a wonderful gift, Vane! Don’t worry, everyone, it’s only emotional, happy tears!” She laughed and Sarina gave her a tight-lipped
smile.
    Yes,
happy tears, she nodded. But it was a lie.
    But
as she looked at the picture all she could see was the imaginary baby that
could be sitting in Vane’s arms.
    If
only he’d allow it….
    Several
moments passed and to Sarina’s surprise Vane came up beside her.
    “What
do you think?” he asked.
    Muscles
in her face twitched as she tried to keep the holiday cheer high, but it was
becoming increasingly more difficult. How was she supposed to keep pretending
she was happy when all she wanted to do was scream?
    “What
do I think?” she repeated.
    Vane’s
warm hand landed on her shoulder. Very slowly Sarina turned to stare at his act
of comfort. The hand withdrew.
    “I
think…” Something in her voice made him frown. “I think that now is not the
time to discuss this.”
    Ire
flashed behind his forest green eyes. “Sarina…” he cautioned in that deep voice
of his.
    “Sarina what? ”
    She
was all-too familiar with the fact that the family sat close by eavesdropping
as the tension elevated in the room. This was not how she wanted this
conversation to happen. The family didn’t need to know about their troubles. About her troubles.
    “Don’t
you like your Christmas gift?” Vane hunched down in front of her. His powerful
build of sinew and strength spread that silly sweater he wore tightly across
his shoulders.
    “Why
yes, husband, I do like it,” she answered ever so politely.
    His
brow furrowed. “Then why don’t I believe you?”
    Sarina
glared at the man she loved, finally at a point where she did not care who
heard their struggles. If he wanted to have this conversation now, then by
golly, she’d let him have it!
    “Maybe
because a photo of our family is nice and all, but it’s not what I wanted for
Christmas.”
    His
lips flattened and she watched as indecision flitted over his expression. He
seemed determined not to ask any questions, and yet, finally, like music to her
ears, the question rumbled out. “And just what did you want for Christmas, lumara? ”
    There
it was.
    The
one question he’d been avoiding for weeks leading up to Christmas. Because he knew what she wanted. He knew badly, likely sensing her need for a new young rolling
off her in waves, but he didn’t want her to have it. So although their love
life was as active as ever, he continuously refused to plant his seed inside
her.
    Whatever
reason could he have for not wanting another child? Vince was their perfect,
beautiful little boy. A darling girl would only make the family complete. How
could he be so incapable of seeing the obvious?
    So,
naturally, Sarina’s chin cocked as she looked away and answered as many women did
in times of stress. “Nothing.”
    Dumbfounded,
her mate looked ready to laugh. “Nothing is wrong?” he asked in disbelief.
    “Exactly.”
Sarina stood and avoided her mate’s gaze. “Vince has fallen asleep. I’m going
to go tuck him in.”
    Alicia,
Cassie, Vanessa and Vera made their rounds kissing Vince’s soft head while
cooing their