As a young stag-shifter, all Pembroke dreams of is being harnessed to Santa’s sleigh. Yet his world comes crashing down when Santa is slain by the imposter Frost.<br><br>War erupts in the Arctic Circle, pitting elf against reindeer, and Pembroke is sent on a perilous mission. If he fails, his herd will be lost. When the mission goes awry, the stag-shifter must put his trust in an unlikely ally.<br><br>Where does one turn in a land of ice and blood? What happens when the enemy infiltrates your heart? What begins as a wavering alliance just might take Pembroke farther than he ever imagined.

Sugar Plum'd

Before every holiday trip, the Toy-Maker himself used to rub their horns with the thick sugar plum jelly sparkling with dust. As a fawn, Pembroke had always admired how the harnessed fleet’s horns glistened like they were made of silver in the moonlight, prepped for lift-off.


Now Pembroke would never be called upon to lead His almighty sleigh.


The hours of practice teleports and for what?


Pembroke silently wished for a bit to chomp against until he no longer needed to scream. But no bit came.


Pembroke had gotten used to wishes not coming true since the elf coup.


His pelt felt heavy with their blood. At least the camp’s medic could eke some magic from it


Pembroke imagined he looked ferocious in the flickering of the torches hanging low in the trees.


He closed his eyes. This transformation was not for them. Or Kassel. But for Him.


A memorial to what was and what could’ve been.


Chapter 5