Cassandra lit candles all over the house and opened her front door. Moonlight filtered in, spotlighting the holly and mistletoe hanging in decorative wreaths and garland around her home.

The Yule tree was in place. She had decorated it with ribbons and colorful baubles. The Yule log was in the fireplace, lit with the remnants of last year’s log. She did one quick look around the house, checking that everything was ready for Yuletide celebrations. Once that was done, she looked out the front door again. It was almost time.

A large black dog walked up beside her and sat down. He was a massive dog. His black eyes shone with a faint reddish hue. For a hellhound, he wasn’t a terrible companion, but he’d eaten enough to nearly push her into poverty this past year. He had an appetite to match his unusual size. He had also violently objected to any male within ten feet of Cassandra. She had a few female friends who he tolerated, but any of the men she had been friends with before this past year, her hellhound had scared away.

She’d had no choice but to take care of him. He’d been left in her care when the Wild Hunt passed during the previous Yule, when the Hunt had taken her brother. She’d been obliged to take good care of this brute of a dog if she had any hope of getting her brother back during this year’s Yuletide. She just needed to confront the Wild Hunt.

Cassandra glanced anxiously out the door again. It was her brother’s fault he’d been taken. He didn’t believe in celebrating Yule, and he mocked the idea of the hunt. She’d warned him that her home was in its path and not to go out that night, but he hadn’t listened. The Wild Hunt must have caught up with him as he walked home from the pub.

The only evidence she’d had of what happened was this enormous hellhound she had found sitting on her doorstep the next morning. For lack of a better name, she’d taken to calling him “Beast.” He was good company when he wasn’t scaring people away, and he’d taken to sleeping across her legs at the end of the bed each night. A part of her didn’t want to see the creature go, but she needed this hell-beast as an exchange for her brother when the Wild Hunt came back tonight. 

A flock of crows flew past the windows, circling the house, their screeching caws grating on her ears. Cassandra felt goose bumps rise along her arms and a tingling at the back of her neck and knew it was time. She grabbed her coat and, slipping her arms into the sleeves, stepped out the door to greet Odin and the spirits of the dead who followed him on the hunt.

At first, she couldn’t see anything through the fog that surrounded her, but she could hear dogs barking, the beat of hooves against the road and voices, though she couldn’t make out what the voices were saying.

Gradually, shapes became clearer through the mist until the Wild Hunt drew to a stop before her. Cassandra looked up at the gray-haired, bearded man astride a magnificent black stallion. He was taller and more muscled than most men, and he wore all black.

“I invite you to partake of the food I have prepared to sustain you during the hunt,” Cassandra said in a loud voice, sounding more assured than she felt. 

Wispy shapes moved around Odin, and she could still hear many voices, all speaking at once, none loud enough to drown out Odin’s voice as he accepted her offer. Several mounts behind him held men who were more substantial than the spirits of the dead who surrounded him, but she dared not look away to check if her brother was among them.

Odin signaled the men to enter her house. Three went inside and returned with the platters of food she’d set out on her table earlier. While the food was passed out to the huntsmen, Odin’s gaze rested on the beast of a dog at her side.

“What do you think, Fenrir? Are you ready to come home now?” Odin addressed the hellhound.

Fenrir’s response was a low growl, causing a deep, booming laugh to burst forth from Odin.

“It appears you have enchanted my dear friend, Fenrir,” Odin said to Cassandra. “You have done well, and your brother will be returned to you by morning. I’m afraid you will have to keep Fenrir for longer though. He is refusing to leave your side.”

Cassandra ignored the part about keeping the hellhound and focused on his words about her brother. She was getting him back! Excitement bubbled up inside her.

“I thank you, my lord. May you have a successful hunt this night.” She gave a small curtsy.

Odin gave a smile and a wink as he signaled the hunt onward.

As they disappeared into the distance, Fenrir’s shape began to distort and blur in front of her. Within moments, a thickly muscled, bare-chested man stood before Cassandra. He had black hair that reached to his shoulders in soft waves, bright green eyes and a strong chin. His gaze on her was tender.

“Fenrir?” Cassandra couldn’t help the squeak that snuck into her voice.

“In the flesh,” he said, a slightly wicked smile appearing.

 She turned to lead him back into the house, glancing over her shoulder as she paused. “You’re not sleeping in my bed tonight, Beast,” she huffed. “You can sleep on the couch.”

“As you wish.” His smile never faltered as he followed her into the house.

Cassandra turned back to continue into the house, hiding her smile from him. This was going to be the best Yuletide yet. She was getting her brother back, and the year ahead looked full of promise.