Here we go again. Holiday Harbor, with its twinkling lights and endless cheer, is gearing up for Christmas, and I'm gearing up to be as grumpy as ever.I'm Maelthor Nightsong, shadow elf, brewery owner, and the guy cursed with the knowledge that Callie Evans, the woman with a bakery that smells like heaven and a smile that could light up the darkest winter night, is my mate. The catch? Thanks to a curse and a kingdom's laws, she can never know.Every day, she's there, at her Nautical Nibbles Bakery, spreading joy with her confections and unknowingly tormenting me with what I can't have. As if her being human wasn't problem enough, my past is a shadowed labyrinth of secrets and regrets, making our union more forbidden than a fruitcake at a gluten-free party.This Christmas, though, Callie's up to something. She's whisking around, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, bringing me goodies she's poured her soul into. Little does she know, every gingerbread man and sugar cookie she bakes stirs something in me that's better left untouched.But the universe has a cruel sense of humor. Just when I think I can maintain this facade, the shadows of my past rear their ugly heads, threatening not just our unspoken bond but the entire town we both love. It's more than just about keeping secrets now. It's about survival, breaking curses, and facing fears that lurk in the darkest corners.So, dive into our story where the Christmas lights aren't the only things getting tangled. I'm about to unwrap the messiest, most forbidden gift of all - and no, it's not another ugly sweater.