Category: Flash Fic Friday

Flash Fic Friday, Serial

Flash Fic Friday

Kristbethke

**It’s been a bit but let’s see what our protection dog is doing! One more after this. Enjoy!**

“You could come inside, you know? You don’t have to spend the night on the back porch..”

The big white head turned to me, and I didn’t know if it was something all dogs did, or if it was because Ian was a shifter, but he gave me an epic side eye. I had to stifle my amusement because I did actually feel bad about him staying out there.

Three days. Or nights, I should say. Three nights of a Ian taking up residency on my porch, not moving, keeping watch. Mack had said that the trail Davy—and it was Davy because I’d shifted and scented it out—had left wasn’t old, with multiple trails overlapping. I wasn’t nearly as good a tracker as the bear shifter was, so while I could tell he’d been there several times, I had no idea how old they were.

Ian wanted to know why I hadn’t scented it before. Truth was I hadn’t looked for it, and hardly ever shifted when I was at home. My sense of smell as a human was crap. Not as terrible as a regular human, but nowhere near someone who’d practiced the ability. I shifted with my pack, when we ran, and that was about it. I didn’t have a reason to do it at home. And I was a mid-pack wolf, so my abilities mirrored that. I was no one special and that’s how I liked it.

For some reason, Ian had looked angry when I mentioned that, and every night for the past three days, he’d shown up at my house, shifted, and taken up residency. I’d put out a big fluffy pillow to make him more comfortable, but he remained sitting and alert. I didn’t know when, or if, he actually slept. Considering he was dealing with his goat farm during the day, or the herd on the adjacent land, and then spending his nights with me.

I narrowed my eyes at the back of his big head and opened my mouth to ask when he suddenly went completely alert. Up on all fours, his body rigid. I expected that huge booming bark, the warning sound I’d heard from his actual dogs, but it never came. He just took off, paws pounding the ground, and pounced halfway across the yard. I took off after him to see what he’d caught.

When I was closer, I heard the weird chirping of a stoat. That was the only way I could think to describe the sound.  I’d know it anywhere, the amount of times I’d been around Davy’s caravan when they shifted. They’d never really liked me, predator that I was, so it was familiar. And even though one of Ian’s paws kept the stoat pinned, it was wiggling madly and chirping like crazy.  

The stoat started shifting when it was clear he couldn’t get away from Ian. Ian remained as he was though, on high alert and ready to pounce. I realized it was, in fact, Davy about halfway through the shift and the petty part of me wanted Ian to scare Davy enough that he’d pee himself or something equally as embarrassing.

“What the hell, Davy?” I hissed, anger making my tone sharp.

Davy hunched over, hands over his naked crouch, and let out a squeak when Ian gave a warning growl. I didn’t think the little weasel was going to run now that he’d been caught, but I was secretly a little pleased Ian was keeping him in check.

“I was just looking out for you.” Davy’s voice had always been on the higher pitched side, but he was downright soprano right now. He really was scared. I didn’t know Ian well enough to say for sure that he wouldn’t attack, but I didn’t think so. Davy, clearly, wasn’t convinced.

“We’ve been done for a long time now,” I responded with patience I didn’t feel. “There’s no reason for you to be sneaking around my house and I certainly don’t need looking after.”

“Not even if the goats came into your yard?”

I narrowed my gaze. He seemed so confused, as though that made perfect sense to him when it actually didn’t make any sense at all. It took me a second to put the pieces together, because I had to put myself in his brain. Sometimes he was really dumb.

“Did you…” I had to take breathe to get the incredulity out of my tone. “Did you think that if the goats swarmed my yard I’d call you for help?”

Davy nodded so earnestly I couldn’t help the eyeroll.

Ian took a menacing step forward, his posture threatening. Davy yelped and retreated a few steps. I took a chance and placed my hand on Ian’s head. Ian relaxed, just a fraction, but he maneuvered until he was between me and Davy. Not that Davy was a threat. At all. But a warmth spread in my stomach at Ian’s actions.

“Why would I ever call you for a goat problem?” I didn’t both to try to check the disbelief this time. “If Ian hadn’t shown up himself, I would have figured out who owned the goats and called them for help.”

Davy’s mouth dropped open, staring at me with open surprise. After a minute or so, where I let him work things out, he snapped his jaw closed. “Yeah, that, um, actually makes sense.”

I sighed and then rolled my eyes. “We’re done, Davy. We’ve been done. Just stop, okay? We aren’t getting back together. I’m not going to take you back and you need to stop coming around. If I catch you again, I’m reporting you to the Council and having you sanctioned for stalking and harassment. You got me?”

He wanted to argue. I could see it all over his face. But then his gaze dropped to Ian, he took another small step back, and then looked at me again. His shoulders slumped. “Yeah. Okay. Fine.”

Davy dropped to his knees and I knew he was going to shift back. But just before he started, I remembered something. “Wait. How’d you cut the fence and not leave your scent?”

Davy waved that away, crouching low. “Oh I had Rob do that.”

And before I could say anything else, he shifted and scampered away. From the tension in Ian’s body, I knew he wanted to chase, but he stayed by my side and we watched until the little stoat body was gone from sight. I sighed, and Ian huffed a breath. A moment later, he shifted to human.

“What a tool,” Ian ground out, his voice rough from the shift.

“Yeah.” I sighed again. “Come on inside, would you?”

Ian nodded and rose. I purposely kept my gaze pinned to his face so as not to take in any of his glorious body. Now was not the time to perv on his beautiful form. Maybe later, but not now.

“Who’s this Rob he mentioned?”

“Red fox shifter.”

Ian nodded, and I got the impression he was thinking what I was. Foxes were stealthy as hell, and some of them could mask their scents completely. I didn’t know Rob was one who could, but clearly he had, considering the lack of scent at the fence.

As we walked toward the back door, I glanced sideways and ogled Ian’s shoulders, because they were just that magnificent. He caught me looking and gave me a smirk.

“So, I, uh, I bet you’ll be glad to sleep in a real bed tonight huh?”

Ian’s smirk grew. “Yours?”

I flushed hot, blood rushing at the implication. I wanted to say yes, because he was beautiful and kind, and I really liked his protective streak. But I didn’t want him to think that I was only doing it because he’d helped me. More than that, I didn’t want him, or me, to think that sex between us was some sort of payment for services rendered.

“Not tonight.” I laughed when he gave an exaggerated pout. “I’m not that easy. You need to wine and dine me first.”

Ian’s smile was radiant and my breath caught. He leaned it close just as we reached the porch. “I can do that.”

Flash Fic Friday, Serial

Flash Fic Friday-Saturday Edition

Kristbethke

**Another Saturday edition! Because there was….stuff this week. I’ll talk about it soon! In the meantime, let’s check in with Jace and Ian and see what’s going on with the goats. And what Mack found out. Enjoy!**

“Stoat.” Mack was shoveling pancakes in as fast as he could chew and swallow. I indeed didn’t have any fish or berries, but I figured that the carb load of pancakes, plus sugar from the maple syrup, would go a long way to restoring Mack’s calories. He seemed appreciative at least.

“Stoat?” Ian’s tone was all confusion, his brow creasing.

“Stoat?” On the other hand, I broke out in a cold sweat. To hide my reaction, I turned back to the griddle and ladled out more batter. I was pretty sure Mack could eat more, and even if he couldn’t, perhaps Ian would want some. I’d been intending to eat some as well but I’d suddenly lost my appetite.

Mack slurped some coffee and gave a single nod. “Stoat. Definitely. But not near the fence, which was weird. All around the house though.”

I cleared my throat. “But that could have probably been there for a while, right? If it wasn’t by the fence and just—”

“Nope.” Mack didn’t seem to think anything of his casual dismissal as he swiped his last bite of pancake through the dregs of syrup on his plate. “Scent trail was less than a day old.”

My knees buckled. I would have sagged right to the floor if Ian hadn’t moved as quickly as he did, catching me around the waist and holding me up. He gently took the spatula from my hand and set it on the counter, then got a better grip on me and helped me to stand. Once I had my feet under me, he didn’t let go though. Instead he tilted my chin with a gentle hand and peered into my eyes.

“Jace?” It was a question, but at the same time not. Something in his tone spoke of command, and there was no denying that he wanted me to tell him exactly what was going on. The question was should I?

I’d only met the man this morning, but we’d been thrown together because of the goats. And there was no denying there was something between us already, though I wouldn’t even begin to label it. He was attractive, sure. And he’d definitely been flirting. There’d been a vague promise of talking about things. But would that really go anywhere?

“Did you, uh, I mean, was there any scent by the fence?”

Mack squinted at me, then glanced at Ian. When Ian gave a nod, Mack answered. “No. But it was strange because it was almost as if there was an absence of scent. I can’t even explain it but when I was sniffing around, it was like something was missing.”

“That’s good information,” Ian murmured, not taking his gaze off me. “And we’ll puzzle out what that means in a moment. Thank you, Mack.”

“Sure. But what’s all this?” Mack gestured with is fork, and a stray bit of syrup flew off and landed on the floor. Mack huffed and rolled his eyes, grabbing a napkin to wipe it off.

My laugh was a little unhinged. Ian narrowed his eyes.

“Tell me.”

“It’s n-nothing.” I stopped and took a breath, in and out. “Just…an ex-boyfriend. Or one of his caravan. No big deal.”

I didn’t know what it was about Ian, what exactly changed, but suddenly it did. He straightened and pulled his shoulders back, maybe. A light changed in his eyes or his micro expression changed. I couldn’t put my finger on it but from one moment to the next he changed from concerned to protective.

“You have a stalker?”

I gently pulled away and turned back to the griddle. I flipped the pancakes just in time—they were a little too dark but they hadn’t burned—and gave them all a pat just so I would have something to do.

“No, of course not.”

Ian crowded my space, getting almost too close. “That’s what it sounds like. Looks like. You panicked when you heard it, like you didn’t even know it was going on. And if someone is skulking around and hiding themselves, that’s stalker behavior.”

I tried for a smile, pretty sure it didn’t work, and patted his chest with the hand not holding a spatula. “You don’t have to worry about it.”

I scooped the pancakes into a stack then balanced them on the spatula to carry them the three feet to the table and deposited them on Mack’s plate. He gave me a quick smile of thanks and then focused completely on his breakfast, very studiously ignoring Ian and me.

Ian caught my arm when I turned back around, drawing me to the other side of the room. It wasn’t far enough for Mack not to hear, but I didn’t think that’s what Ian intended. He clearly trusted Mack completely. It was just a semblance of privacy.

“I’m a protection dog. That’s what I do. And now I have to worry about this. So tell me what’s going on.”

I studied him for a long moment, weighing my options. The thing was, I really did want to have that promised conversation with him. See if there was anything more to the attraction than a little flirting. I might never have expected this—because who expected goats and their handsome as sin owner who also happened to shift into a Great Pyrenees—but I wasn’t one to ignore who fate put in my path.

“It didn’t end well. Davy, that’s my ex, he just didn’t want to let things go. We weren’t compatible and I ended things before it got serious. He kept trying to ‘win’ me back. But I thought he got over it. I haven’t heard from him in months.”

Ian’s gaze went dark. “Because he’s been slithering his weaselly little body around your house instead.”

“I’m sure that’s not—”

“Let me help you.”

I looked up into those deep brown eyes, saw the sincerity and the concern and the protectiveness. It was all the things I wanted, rolled into a pretty package. Could I trust him? I felt like I could. And unless the whole thing with the fence, goats, and Mack was an elaborate ruse, he’d been honest from the start. My gut was telling me he didn’t have that in him.

I blew out a breath. “Okay. Thanks.”

Ian’s brilliant smile was almost worth the inner turmoil.

Flash Fic Friday, Serial

Flash Fic Friday

Kristbethke

**Here’s another episode with Jace and Ian. Because why not? I’m not entirely sure where this is going. But enjoy!**

The goats had been herded back to the other property, and then didn’t seem inclined to come back on my land. Probably because Ian and I were standing exactly where the fend had come down. He was dressed again, which was a shame really, and examining the fencing as we waited for Mack to return. Mack was who he had called from my house, and though we’d been introduced, I didn’t really know who he was. I surmised he must work with Ian on his goat rental business.

Goat rental. Really. He had a whole huge ass herd of goats he rented out to clear brush from overgrown properties. I had never heard of such a thing, but it certainly was an environmentally friendly way to get the job done. The polo Ian was now wearing had logo on the breast, and while he fidgeted with the fencing, I searched the company. The “about” section was sparse but it contained enough information to let me know it was a family business that had been around for decades. Considering he was a dog shifter—which reminded me I needed to look up what kind of dog he turned into and a quick second later I was confident he was a Great Pyrenees—that made sense. Between his ability and the pack of actual dogs he cared for, the goats would be well protected.

“Jace?”

“Hmm?” I quickly locked my phone and tried not to look guilty. Though to be fair, I didn’t have anything to feel guilty over. I was accessing publicly available information after all.

“You got any enemies?”

“What?” I sputtered. “No! Of course not.”

Ian shrugged, and glanced up. I followed his eyeline to see Mack loping back to us, carrying a large back. He was still some distance away though. When Ian turned his attention back to me, he squinted as though he was assessing me.

“I don’t,” I said, and didn’t even care that I sounded defensive.

Ian held his hands up. “I’m trying to figure out motive. Were they trying to cause trouble for me? Considering this is the only occupied land that borders where we were working, having my goats come in here could make you mad, right? You could sue. Or you could shift and eat the goats.”

I sucked in a breath. “I would never!”

“Really?” Ian’s mouth quirked, and damn if it didn’t look sexy. I wasn’t sure if it was the smirk or his stupidly handsome face. Either way, I bristled. Both at the insinuation and that he was so attractive.

“I don’t hunt domesticated animals. I’m not a monster. I’m just a wolf.”

Ian’s expression instantly softened and he took a step closer to me. He reached toward me, but then dropped his hand before he made contact. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply…” He huffed out a breath. “The other option is they were trying to cause trouble for you. And inconvenience at least. Destroying your property at worst.”

I frowned. “Are you sure it wasn’t just an ill conceived prank?”

“The fence was cut here.” Ian pointed as though I didn’t know exactly where the fence had come down. “Not at the road, or either of the other two borders. It was purposefully cut right at this spot, with easiest access to your property. I think it’s pretty clear this was a deliberate choice.”

I saw his logic. But still. “That doesn’t preclude the prank theory.”

“He’s right, boss.” Mack was long and lanky, with a bright smile and fire red hair. I liked him already. And not just because he was agreeing with me. “It’s unlikely, but it needs to be considered as well.”

Ian seemed to mull that over for a few moments, then he nodded once. “Okay, fine. We can’t rule it out. But it does seem like the least likely scenario. Mack, did you scent anything?”

So Mack was a shifter too. I shuffled closer, trying to make it look like I was just shifting position. I slowly and deliberately scented the air. He definitely wasn’t a Great Pyrenees shifter like Ian. But his scent wasn’t one I was familiar with, so it was hard to deduce Mack’s other half.

Mack set down his bag and started pulling out tools before he answered. “Goats, the dogs, and you. That’s it. I didn’t even smell any humans.”

“Wait. Before you get started, take a sniff around Jace’s yard,” Ian directed.

Mack froze for a moment, then set the zip ties and snips back in the bag. He looked directly at me. “That okay with you?”

“Sure.”

Ian did touch me then, grabbing hold of my arm and gently tugging me a few feet away. “Let’s give him some space.”

I turned my back for good measure, allowing Mack all the privacy he needed. Ian kept his gaze locked on mine.

“Mack’s got one of the best noses I’ve ever seen in action,” Ian said conversationally, raising his voice just a little to be heard over the snaps, groans, and pops of Mack’s shift. I winced at a particularly loud crack. I knew from experience that shifting didn’t hurt in the least since pain receptors were the first thing to turn off, but it did sound terrible from the outside. “I hope it won’t be too much to ask of you to feed him when he shifts back, though. A shift like his burns a lot of calories.”

I was about to open my mouth and ask why, but when I caught movement from the corner of my eye, it was all I could do not to jump back. Where once a lanky man had been now stood a ginormous brown bear. He swung his big head toward me, but then clicked his tongue and lumbered off, nose to the ground.

“Holy crap.”

“Yeah.” Ian chuckled. “He smells better than me. Better than a bloodhound. He’ll let us know if he finds anything. And we don’t have to worry about the goats coming back through here while Mack is in his bear skin. They don’t like him much when he’s this way, even though he doesn’t even eat goat. Can’t tell the goat that though.”

“He probably prefers fish and berries,” I said absently, watching the bear meander around my yard. Wolves were a more insular than other types of shifters, and I hadn’t spent much time around other shifters when they were in their animal form. It was fascinating to me, watching a thousand pound bear amble around.

“That he does.” The amusement was clear in Ian’s tone. “Got any of that in your house?”

I finally laughed too. “No, but I’m sure I can rustle up a fitting me. Come on inside.”

Ian followed me and then crowded up against me when we got to the back door. I went still when he dropped his face so he could tuck his nose against my neck. He inhaled sharply, and then let out a contented sigh.

“You smell so damn good.” A second later, he went tense and then immediately backed away. “Oh damn. I’m so sorry. That was inappropriate and I—”

“It’s okay. I get it.” I kept my tone gentle. “You’re fine. Come in.”

Ian closed his eyes for a second and took a deep breath before letting it out slowly. “I have to figure out what’s going on with the whole fence thing. But after that, maybe we can talk?”

I couldn’t help the playful tone when I asked, “Just talk?”

“Jesus,” Ian muttered, then scrubbed a hand down his face. “To start with, yes.”

I winked. “Can’t wait.”

Flash Fic Friday, Serial

Flash Fic Friday

Kristbethke

*After taking last week off with the conclusion of the last serial, here we are with a new flash fic! It’s slightly NSFW though, so beware. What do you think? Want to see more of these guys? Lemme know! But in the meantime, enjoy!”

Goats.

Goats everywhere. Eating my grass and shrubs. Bleating and pooping and tussling and climbing all over each other. There had to be at least twenty. No wait, here came some more. Running in from the acreage behind my property to join their friends. More noise and more chomping. 

I stood on my back porch just staring. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Last time I checked, the acreage was nothing but wilderness and was owned by an older gentleman who had no plans to develop it. Had that changed? Had he suddenly taken up goat farming?

The predator in me wanted to shift and chase. To run down one of those tasty morsels and gorge until I was full. Then maybe drag the carcass home to snack on later. But I was more than my wolfy instincts and though my fangs prickled at my gums, I didn’t change. 

I still wanted to know how the goats appeared though. And what to do about them.

I set down my coffee on the railing, gave it a mournful look because I knew it would be cold by the time I got back, and set off toward the herd. The bleating got louder, panicked, most likely because they could sense I was more. Dangerous. The scramble they did to get away from me would be amusing if it didn’t create more chaos.

A thundering boom of a bark snagged my attention. It was quickly followed by two more, and before I realized it, three large white dogs came barreling through a fence—that hadn’t been there before—and took up a guard position between me and the herd. I froze, recognizing the livestock protection dogs for what they were even if I didn’t know the breed. I made a mental note to look later to see if I could figure it out, just to assuage my curiosity, and focused all my attention on the one who was clearly the leader. 

I didn’t think the dogs would attack me as long as I didn’t go after their goats. Was that something I’d learned somewhere or just instinct? It didn’t matter. I just knew it was better to stay still, not make a move toward the goats that were still running around and screaming, and hope that a solution presented itself.

A fourth dog came tearing into my yard, expertly maneuvering around the goats without losing speed. It was bigger than the other three, taller and heavier, and they gave ground for the newcomer. The new dog skidded to a halt right in front of me. I probably should have stepped back. Probably should have gone inside and figured out who to call. But the wolf in me wouldn’t back down and so I stayed, staring down the dogs. Peripherally I was aware the goats were calming enough to go back to eating my foliage, but I couldn’t worry about that right now.

The new dog hunched and then shifted. I blinked. How had I not scent him? I chalked it up to the goats—because that was a distinctive and overpowering smell—and waited patiently for him to finish his shift. When he did, I sucked it a breath. He was huge, several inches over six feet and as broad as a barn, with defined muscles, a chiseled jaw, and hair so blond it was almost white. He cocked his head, looking far more like a dog than a human, and then narrowed his gaze.

“Wolf?”

I shrugged because there was no denying it. “I’m Jace. These your goats?”

“Yeah. Sorry. We’re clearing the land over there,” he gestured behind him, “because it’s so overgrown.”

“Okay. But this is my backyard?” I hadn’t meant for it to sound like a question, but he was utterly distracting. His voice was a deep rumble, like the barks from the dogs, and I wanted to push closer so that I could touch, and that was weird for me. It was not an impulse I usually had.

“Looks like the fence is down. Which is strange, because we build them to keep the goats in the acreage they’re supposed to stay in.” Without a word, he turned, pushing through the herd without care for his dangling bits. The dogs walked at his side and the goats moved out of his way. I followed along behind him because I didn’t know what else to do.

He crouched and examined the fence. My gaze zeroed in on his ass, which was literal perfection. I told myself to stop staring but my body didn’t cooperate. I wanted to bite it. To touch it. Hell, I just wanted to be up close and personal with it, I didn’t even care how.

He was speaking, but I was so focused on his skin I didn’t notice until he said my name. I jerked my gaze to his.

“Hmm?”

“Were you staring at my ass?” the quirk of his lips told me he wasn’t mad. Besides, it’s not like I could lie. I’d been caught.

“Yep. It’s great. What were you saying?”

“This is had been cut.” He motioned to the fence where, now that I was looking, I could see where it had been snipped through cleanly.

“Why?”

“I don’t know. But I’ll find out. Don’t suppose you have any cameras or anything back here?”

I shook my head. “We’re in the middle of nowhere and this is the backyard that butts up to acres of unused land. It didn’t seem necessary.”

He blew out a breath. “Okay. Well, first order of business is to get the goats back where they belong and to fix this fence. Then we’ll have to figure out why it happened. I’ll need to shift and run back to my truck where I left my phone and clothes. I’d only just arrived when I heard Boomer, Gracie, and Tornado bark.”

“You can, uh…” I coughed, feeling silly before reminding myself we were a dozen yards from my backdoor and I was just being hospitable to offer assistance. “You can use my phone, if you want.”

He studied me for a long moment, gaze narrowed and assessing. Eventually he nodded. He ordered the dogs to stay—and it was then that I got confirmation that while he was a shifter, the others were just dogs—and followed me into my house. I handed over my cell and got him a bottle of water while he made his call.

“It’s Ian. Yeah, we’ve got a problem.” Ian took the bottle from me with a thankful smile, and then his gaze raked from my head to my toes. The smile turned into a smirk. “Though maybe it’s only half a problem.”

Flash Fic Friday, Serial

Flash Fic Friday

Kristbethke

**Let’s see what Nico and Sean are up to in episode 3! (and thanks to a wonderful, kind tweet from Duncandahusky, I realized I have two Sean’s up on here. They aren’t the same! I just apparently like the name😊) Enjoy!**

Nico was quiet. Far, far too quiet. In a way that I had never seen from him since the moment we moved in. What was worse, he still couldn’t look at me. Even though we were eating, I still usually had his focus. But now it was a glance and gone again. And though, in the past, his intense concentration when we were together could be unsettling on occasion, now I missed it. And I really didn’t like they way it made me feel, telegraphing just how uncomfortable he was.

“Why are you so upset?” I made sure my tone was soft and non-accusatory.

“I don’t…I mean, I’m not sure…” He blew out a breath and pushed his plate away. He was mostly done with his food, so I wasn’t worried about him not having enough calories. If he was hungry again later, I’d make sure he ate. But right now it was obvious we needed to clear the air between us. I turned my chair to face him more fully and waited for him to get his thoughts together.

After several minutes of silence, which weren’t exactly comfortable, I could tell he had no idea what to say. It was up to me to get things moving. Things had gone a little sideways, and my normally self-assured, take charge wolf was at a loss. I needed to help.

“What do you know about human dating?”

Nico shrugged one shoulder, a quick motion. “Nothing.

“Okay.” I tapped my fingers on the table, then realizing I was fidgeting, reached out to him. Nico took my hand so fast I didn’t even register his movement. I smiled. “Usually, when a person is interested in someone, they make those intentions known by flirting. Suggestive comments maybe. Or sultry looks. Asking them out. Sometimes its subtle, sometimes it’s more blatant. Those would be the kinds of things that I would have been looking for.”

“Wolves don’t…I mean, I guess we do. Sort of.” Nico had to take a breath, but he finally was able to look me in the eye. And now that I knew to look for it, I don’t know how I missed it before. The warmth and affection in his gaze was clear. “But most of the time, with us, it’s another wolf. Scents inform so much for us that it’s easy to tell if there’s attraction. And when we meet someone who could be mate, we know right away.”

“Scents don’t lie,” I murmured, remembering back to the beginning. I scooted a little closer. “So you caught my scent and knew I was mate.”

“You smell like home.” His voice was so soft, I almost missed it. would have if I hadn’t been sitting so close to him. I was utterly charmed by his words, pleased down to my toes that I could be that for him.. But I filed that away for the moment because there was more to discuss.

“So all this time, all the things we’ve been doing together, the way you are with me, it’s because you knew I was your mate?”

Nico cocked his head to the side, all confused puppy. I loved it when he did that. He was so adorable and it always made me grin. But I tried not to let that sneak out right now because under no circumstance did I want him to think I was laughing at him. Instead, I knew I had to explain.

“See, I thought we were just friends. Roommates that got along really well in each other’s space.”

Nico’s scowl was quick and surprising. “So you just cuddle with all your friends? You let them touch you whenever they want? And hug them all the time?”

“I thought that was a wolf thing!” How was I supposed to know any differently? He’d always been tactile, and I chalked it up to him being a wolf shifter.

“It’s a you and me thing!” He sounded so indignant.

“Why are we yelling?”

Nico opened his mouth and then shut it again. After a second, he shook his head. “Okay, fine. I don’t understand humans all that well. And your rituals and customs or whatever. So I’m just gonna say it. I hate it when you’re not here. I worry about you all the time and I want you where I can touch you whenever I want. It soothes me to have you close and to snuggle into you and I hate when you go to bed and I have to sleep alone. So let’s just stop that, and just be together and I can cuddle you and love you and just take care of you.”

“Okay.”

“I know that for humans—what?”

I stood, walked the three steps to his chair, and touched the back of his neck. Nico immediately went still. When I nudged his knee he instantly spread them to make room for me and then wrapped his arms around my waist.

“Okay.” I repeated, stroking the short hairs on the back of his head. “That all sounds really good to me. Thank you for telling me what you want. I want it too. I’m gonna need more conversation, and you’re going to have to talk to me if I do something you don’t understand. But absolutely yes.”

Nico let out a long, slow breath and then gave a sharp tug so that I lost my balance. But he caught me and helped me settle on his lap. I wasn’t worried about being too heavy. He was a wolf shifter and far stronger than the average human. He could hold me with no problem. His warm brown eyes studied mine, and then a huge smile lit his face.

“Can we get distracted now?”

Instead of answering, I kissed him.

Flash Fic Friday, Serial

Flash Fic Friday

Kristbethke

**Okay episode 2! To say Sean was surprised by Nico’s slip of the tongue… Let’s see what happens next. Enjoy!**

“Nico?”

The fact that he refused to look at me was concerning. Ever since the day we met, he always gave me his full attention—including eye contact—when I was speaking. But right now, he was doing everything he could to avoid me short of walking out of the room. When he finally opened his eyes, he kept his gaze fixed on the far wall. And when I moved so I was in his line of sight, he dodged. It was so unlike him I started to get worried.

I took a breath. “I don’t understand what’s going on. I need you to talk to me please.”

It took Nico a few minutes, but I was nothing if not patient. I tried not to let my anxiety get the better of me, because it would just set Nico off. But then I realized that maybe that was exactly what needed to happen. If he knew how much this was freaking me out, and he held to his usual pattern, he would do anything he could to soothe me. So I stopped trying to regulate my breathing and letting a calmer head prevail. The instant I gave myself the permission to freak out, I could almost feel my blood pressure rise.

Nico jerked his head up and then narrowed his eyes while taking a deep breath. A second later he was at my side, reaching for me. He stopped short of actually touching me, probably unsure of whether I would allow it now that he’d dropped his revelation. But I wanted snuggles, so I leaned in, and he quickly wrapped his arms around me.

I let out a shaky breath and gave him more of my weight. “So. Um.” I cleared my throat. “Mate?”

Nico didn’t reply in words. I didn’t know if it was because his wolf was still close to the surface, or if he just didn’t want to talk. But he let out a grumbly sort of growl that sounded like agreement to me. After a year of living together, I liked to think I knew his sounds as well as he knew my scents.

I kept my voice soft as I asked, “Were you going to tell me?”

“No. Yes. Maybe?” Nico shoved his nose against my skin, where my neck met my shoulder, and breathed deeply. That seemed to calm him some and he snuggled me tighter against him. “Probably. Eventually.”

That was a lot of words but I would have to trust that he was being honest. He’d never given me an indication that he would lie, so it was easy to do. Keeping this from me was a pretty big thing though, and if we had any hope of a future, we would have to sort this out between us before we could move on.

“And you haven’t told me yet because…” I lifted his head with a gentle grip on his hair so I could look into his warm brown eyes. Nico looked scared. I made sure there was no judgement him my tone as I added, “We’ve been living together for a year, you know?”

Nico huffed out a breath. “But you’re human.”

Oh. Oh goddess. Of course. My heart sank as I understood. I started to pull away.

“And you don’t want a human—”

“No!” His voice rang out, echoing in the kitchen. He could be really loud when he wanted to and I couldn’t help the flinch. Nico immediately shushed me, soothed me, not letting me go but no longer hanging on for dear life. “No, that’s not it at all. But you don’t feel the pull the way I do. You don’t know down to your marrow that I’m the right one for you. Not like a wolf. So I wanted to give you time.”

“Okay. But time for what?”

“To fall in love with me first.” The way he said it, so matter-of-fact, clued me in that he thought that was obvious.

I sighed, but it was more in exasperation than anything else. When the little crease between his brows appeared, I couldn’t help the chuckle.

“But Nico, dear, sweetie…you haven’t given me any indication that you were interested in me.”

The confusion only seemed to grow, his expression pinching further. “Uh, yes. I have.”

I thought back over our usual interactions. About the way he was constantly in my personal space and how he was always interested in my day to day life, the goings on, my mood and my emotions. About how intently he listened when I spoke and how helped me problem solve and vent when I needed to. About how he bought things he knew would make me happy. Could that be it? Did he think he was conveying his interest in me when I’d been looking for something else entirely?

“Okay. We clearly need to talk.”

The whine that escaped Nico was so distressed my heart dropped into my stomach. “What’s wrong?”

“When humans say that, it’s bad.”

It wasn’t funny, because he was clearly genuinely upset. But the absolutely pitiful way he whined that almost made me laugh. Instead, I pulled him in and did the cuddling for a change. He resisted, but only for a split second, before he let out a long breath that reminded me of a dog settling down.

“No, it’s not bad. Not this time. I just think we’ve had unintentional miscommunication. Because my human brain expects certain things, and clearly wolf shifter’s do things differently. Or maybe just you. And we just need to sit down and communicate clearly about things because Nico?” I stroked the back of his neck, and he turned his head just enough to peer at me with one eye. “I honestly had no idea that you wanted anything more than friendship, and I’ve been shoving my own thoughts and feelings way down deep.”

“Really?” he asked in a small voice.

“Really really.” I took a chance and kissed he cheek, and the satisfied rumble that rolled out of him made me grin. “But first, I need to feed you, because you need to replenish those calories.”

“Okay,” he said happily, snuggling in again. Which, to be honest, was a little awkward standing in the kitchen with him having a good six inches on me. And also he was still naked.

“And pants. You need to put on pants.” I gave him a little shake when he harrumphed. “Yes, put on the pants. I know you’d rather just prance around naked but there will be no distractions until after we communicate.”

“But then we can get distracted.” It was a declaration and Nico didn’t even give me a chance to respond as he loped off to go get dressed.

I watched him go, and then when he disappeared into his room, I allowed myself to simply breathe for a moment. Today had taken a turn I’d never expected. I’d honestly thought that Nico was nothing more than a good friend and excellent roommate, and I’d been so conscious not to do anything to jeopardize that. Now everything had shifted and I needed to get my head on straight.

Because I’d always wanted Nico. Deep down where I hadn’t let myself acknowledge it. Now things were different. Good different. At least I hoped so.

I heard Nico’s door open and I shook myself out of my thoughts. First, feed the wolf. Then we would talk. After that? Well we’d see.

Flash Fic Friday, Serial

Flash Fic Friday

Kristbethke

**Finally a flash for you. It’s only been a month. I’ve been…the muse, when she appears, has had only very specific things to say. But I think she’s shown up for today, and we’ll see where this goes… Enjoy!**

It took me a surprisingly short amount of time to get used to living with a wolf shifter. I’d thought it would have been taken a lot, be a big transition, take time. I was purely human after all, not a magical cell in my entire body. And before I answered the ad looking for a roommate and moved in with Nico, I’d had very little contact with the paranormal world. Sure I knew, logically, that they were everywhere and probably dealt with them on a daily basis and never realized it. But in my personal life, everybody was human.

Nico changed all that, and now I was more entrenched in that community more than I ever thought possible. But living with him had been a dream. We got along great, we respected each other’s space and needs, and had very few problems. Nico’s house was big enough for the both of us and though he insisted he needed the help with the mortgage, which was why he’d gone looking for a roommate in the first place, I was pretty certain he just liked having another person around. He was ultimately a pack animal. Having someone else in his space made him feel connected or whatever.

We’d never actually discussed it. Not once in the year since I’d moved in. At first it had seemed to personal, especially when we didn’t know each other that well. But after a while, it didn’t even matter. I got a cheap place to live and a roommate who respected me, and he got what he needed as well. The only thing I’d ever asked him was why he’d so readily invited me to move in, after just a few minutes of meeting.

Nico had simply tapped his nose, given me a wink, and said, “Scents don’t lie.”

Which was how I learned just how sensitive a shifter’s sense of smell was, and how everyone gave off scents that clued shifters in to emotions and feelings. Apparently, the better a shifter knew someone, the better they could figure them out. All by smelling them. I’d gotten used to Nico sussing out my moods just with a big inhale. And the nosy way he’d press until he got me to talk.

Which was why I was desperately trying to calm down and get on an even keel before the Nico got back from his run and a big, gray wolf walked through the back door to smell me and start asking questions.

It turned out, I didn’t have as much time as I thought.

Nico had installed lever handles on all the doors so his big paws could get him in and out. When the back door bounced open, I squeaked and jumped up, all but racing over to the fridge to pull out ingredients. Maybe I could cover up my scent with garlic and onions?

“How about burgers?” I said, speaking far too quickly. I took a breath and pasted on a smile. “Big juicy ones with all the stuff you like? Won’t take but a few minutes to get them going.”

Wolf Nico huffed a breath and stalked forward. I wasn’t scared anymore, and that was a shame, because fear would have definitely drowned out whatever else he could pick up.

“No on the burgers? Beef stroganoff instead? I know how much you like that. We have the—Nico!”

Having a cold wolf nose pressed to the small of your back would startle anyone. He’s gotten his muzzle under the hem of  my t-shirt and was sniffing furiously, his breath wafting across my skin. It made me shiver. Nico ignored me and my attempts to push him away, snuffling and sniffing all over me. I finally managed to side step him and put some distance between us.

I ignored the fact that I’d only been able to do it because he allowed it.

Nico shifted back into his human skin, easy as anything, right there on the kitchen floor. Naked and panting, he took a second and shook himself, then stood. I’d long ago gotten over my human hangups about nudity, so it didn’t even phase me. Though I had to keep my eyes on his, because there was no doubt Nico was one hell of a beautiful man. That I would love to get my hands on sometime. Though I always did my best to keep those thoughts in check because I didn’t want to ruin what we had by getting any sort of romance involved. In this case, though, maybe I could use it to my advantage. Maybe arousal would cover up the other scents.

“Sean?” Nico’s voice was rough from the shift. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I assured him quickly. Too quickly, probably. I cleared my throat.

“Oh, so you’re lying to me now. Is that the thing we’re doing now?”

I scowled, because the droll tone was uncalled for.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m okay. I promise.”

Nico stalked toward me, even measured steps eating up the floor between us, until he was right in my space. He wrapped a hand around the back of my neck, then slid his thumb forward enough to get it under the edge of my jaw. He used that to tilt my head up so his gaze met mine.

“What. Happened.” He bit out the words, all growly wolf and I probably shouldn’t find that hot. Probably shouldn’t be touched that he was so ready to defend and protect me. He was my roommate and nothing more.

But I couldn’t lie to him and he knew I was upset. Hurt, but not physically. Stressed and sad. He could smell it all and I should haven’t started cooking before he even came home, something pungent like that curry he liked or maybe 40 clove garlic chicken or—

Nico gave me a little shake, just enough to get me out of my head, and stared at me with his implacable brown eyes.

I sighed heavily, a gust of breath that came from my toes. “Cathy.”

That’s it. Just one name. And I didn’t need to say anything more. He knew about my impossible coworker who made my life so much harder. Of the way she tried to undermine and micromanage. Of how she gatekept knowledge and blew up when I made an honest mistake but if she did the same it was no big deal. Of how it made my work day stressful and made me anxious, since I was always walking on eggshells.

Nico growled, low and menacing. “I’ll kill her.”

I chuckled at that, though it was weak. “You can’t. You wouldn’t look good in orange.”

He squinted at me and pulled me even closer. I barely stifled the gasp. I loved it when he cuddled me.

“Quit that fucking job.”

I laughed again, this time a little more real. “I need a job, Nico. I have to be able to, you know, afford to live.”

“I’ll take care of you.”

Goddess, if only. I patted his chest and tried to pull away. I didn’t get far. So I smiled up at him. “That’s sweet. And I appreciate the thought. But I can handle it. It’s just frustrating. It’s not like I can actually live off you but it’s a lovely thought.”

“Of course you can. I can take care of you. You’re my mate.”

Nico went still.

I stared at him.

He stared back.

Neither of us spoke. Barely even breathed. Nico shut his eyes.

“Fuck.”

Flash Fic Friday

Flash Fic Friday

Kristbethke

**Let’s see what Ryder and Bryce are up to. Considering how things started for them last week, they probably deserve it. Enjoy!**

The best part about being a wolf shifter was running in fur. Not that I knew what it was like to be truly human. I always had the heightened senses, the extra strength, the sense of community and pack. But when I left my human shape behind, embracing the wolf part of me, and ran on four legs, there was not a better feeling in the world.

Until today.

Because running in fur, with my mate at my side? That was the best thing I’d ever experienced. I didn’t think it would be any different than running with my pack. I hadn’t expected the sense of connection I’d feel with Bryce right beside me. He was bigger than I was, more muscular and faster, because he was an alpha. But he didn’t use it to intimidate or coerce, to bully or push. No, Bryce was all caretaker and protector. He ran slightly ahead of me to make sure the path was safe. He caught a rabbit, and while he took the first few bites, he nudge the majority of it, with the choicest parts, toward me. He watched my back while I drank from the creek.

I was more care for by this man I barely knew and had only been mated to for a day, than I had my entire life.

When Bryce steered me toward the house, I went willingly enough. We’d gone farther than I’d thought, and though it was harder to tell time in my wolf shape, I knew it took us a while to get back. I didn’t really think of it as home yet. I wasn’t sure when that would change. I hoped it was sooner rather than later. But I had to believe that once our scents were thoroughly intermingled, that my things were just as prevalent as his things, once we used that great big bed of his for something other than sleeping…

I shook that thought off because we’d made it back and Bryce shifted the moment we hit the deck. We’d been too exhausted last night to do anything other than fall into bed, barely even having the energy to change out of the wedding clothes and into sleepwear. I hadn’t even had problems sleeping, which was usually a problem for me when I wasn’t in my own bed. And in the light of day, with an exhilarating and head clearing run behind me, I didn’t know if that had been because I’d been so tired, or because I knew, already and without a doubt, I was safe with Bryce.

Maybe both.

But now I was admiring his body as he shifted into his skin and it was glorious. He was a stunning man, all hard lines and tight muscles and broad shoulders. Physically, he was exactly my type. I didn’t want to rush into the physical side of our relationship, and I was more than happy to take things slowly. It felt right and I was glad that Bryce was seemingly on board. That was something we would have to talk about, I supposed. Probably something we should have discussed in those few conversations before the actual wedding.

“You okay?” Bryce’s voice was a deeper rumble than normal, his vocal cords still adjusting to human shape. I tilted my head in question, and liked that Bryce chuckled. “You’re staring at me instead of shifting back.”

Oh. Right. I was supposed to shift too, because we needed to eat and replenish calories. And talk. Not necessarily about where my thoughts had been going earlier but just in general. Otherwise, we’d never get to know each other.

“Want me to go inside? Give you privacy?” Bryce said softly.

I immediately started shifting. That was silly. We’d changed to wolf together, and there was no reason to hide the reverse. It took me a little longer than it had him, but within a minute, I was crouched on the boards, panting as the last of the tingles faded away. When I looked up, Bryce’s gaze was fixed on me, pupils dilated.

That was nice to see. But not something I was ready to act on at the moment.

“Food?” I croaked, my voice not yet ready to work.

Bryce shook himself and then smiled. “Yeah. Of course. Let me just…I’ll go make food.”

I opened my mouth but before I could say anything, he was in the house. I shook my head, a little amused and a lot surprised. Usually, alphas didn’t cook. Even if they were good at it or liked it. It was the responsibility of lower pack members to prepare meals. Bryce was proving to be an atypical alpha in multiple ways.

By the time I got inside and pulled on a pair of sweats, Bryce had done the same and was at the stove. Ingredients were lined up on the counter, and he turned when I walked into the kitchen to give me a half smile.

“I wasn’t sure what you wanted, or what you like, so I have hamburgers here, but I can do steak too. And fries, but if you prefer I can do mashed potatoes or roasted—”

“Bryce.”

“I can do other sides too,” he continued as thought I hadn’t interrupted. “Whatever you like. Just tell me. I can order something if—”

“Alpha.” I made my voice firm and I stepped into his space as I said it. All that combined was enough to make him stop and actually look at me. I touched his chest, feeling how fast his heart was beating, and smiled. “Relax. Burgers and fries are great. Can I have two please?”

“Yeah.” His voice dropped and he licked his lips. He cleared his throat. “Whatever you want.”

I stretched up on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. I appreciate that.” I patted his chest as I lowered back onto my heels.

“I just want you to be happy,” he said softly. “I don’t ever want you to think you made a mistake by agreeing to mate me.”

He was absolutely proving that I didn’t need to worry about that at all. As long as he kept doing exactly what he was, listening to me and taking care of me, I couldn’t imagine that would change. As long as he let me do the same in return.

“I am happy and I don’t regret it,” I assured him, knowing we’d have to talk more about it. But that was for later, as we settled into our new relationship. “But I want you to be happy too. And not regret it either.”

His grin was blinding. “Trust me. I am and I don’t.”

I returned the smile. “Then we’re going to be just fine.”

Flash Fic Friday, Serial

Flash Fic Friday

Kristbethke

**Finally! A flash for you. What do you think, wanna see more of these guys next time? Enjoy!**

“Are you sure about this?”

I met my best friend’s eyes in the full-length mirror where, a moment before, I was on my third attempt to tie the bowtie, despite having practiced for the past week. It could have done with the nerves currently swirling in my gut and making my hands shake. I gave her a small smile.

“Yeah.”

Saoirse bit her lip, her brown eyes wide in her pale face. “But are you sure sure?”

I turned then, to face her full on, and took the jacket from her hands before she could crush the collar with her tight grip. She let it go without a fight and took several steps closer to me. Her hands trembled a little as she reached out and straightened out the tie.

“It’s not like I have a choice,” I said softly.

She squeezed her eyes closed for a moment, then took a shaky breath and opened them again. “We could run away.”

I chuckled and shook my head. “And what would your husband and child say about that?”

Saoirse wrinkled her nose. “Don’t be silly. They’re coming, too.”

I laughed then, a real laugh, and it broke the tension in the room. I cupped Saoirse’s cheek in my hand and then tilted her gaze up to mine. “I’m going to be fine. Really.”

“But you don’t even know him.”

“I know enough.” And that was true. Perhaps I’d only been promised to the Alpha of the West pack a month ago, and maybe we only had had a handful of conversations, but it was clear we’d get along fine. It wasn’t the marriage I’d dreamed about when I was young, but it wasn’t a bad match. And though I didn’t know Bryce Young well, I could tell he was a good man at his heart. I didn’t bother to say it out loud because she and I had that conversation before. Multiple times.

“I just worry.” Saoirse finished with my tie and then smoothed her hands down my shirt before taking one step back. She took the tuxedo jacket from me and then motioned for me to turn so she could help me slip it on. She brushed her hands along the shoulders, tugged on the hem, and then walked around me to fix the front. “You look very handsome, Ryder.”

“Thanks.” My voice came out a little scratchy and I cleared my throat. “It’s going to be fine. Bryce will be a good mate. He’s a good man. His pack is kind. And it’s not far. We’ll still see each other.”

“We better.” Saoirse tipped her head back and breathed hard through her nose to keep the tears at bay. “Let’s go get you married.”

I nodded but my feet seemed rooted to the floor. “Give me two minutes.”

She opened her mouth, but then closed it and nodded. “I’ll wait outside.”

I watched her go and only when the door was closed did I let out a harsh breath. I was a mid-pack wolf with no real prospects. Becoming an alpha mate would be a definitely step up. Not that that was the primary motivation for me to agreeing to the mating. My alpha had arranged the set up to forge an alliance between our packs. Bryce had made multiple visits to our pack, met with everyone, before he asked me, directly, if I’d be willing to accept his hand.

To be fair, arranged matings were archaic, but there were parts of wolf shifter culture that hadn’t yet gone away. The most sure fire way to align packs and create alliances was to intermingle members by mating. Like all wolves, Bryce was pansexual. But the fact that he’d chosen to mate with a cis male was rare. I couldn’t give him biological children, and most alpha’s wanted to that. We hadn’t discussed it, mostly because we hadn’t had a lot of time to talk, but I was sure that he’d use a surrogate if he was the type to want biological children.

A soft knock on the door interrupted my thought spiral. I wasn’t sure how I’d fallen down that path and it took me a second to get my mouth to work.

“Yes?”

“Ryder, darlin,” Bryce’s voice rumbled right through the wood and into my chest, despite the five feet separating me from the door. “Can I come in?”

“Uh…sure?”

The door creaked open and Bryce stuck his head in, smiling at me, before he slid in and shut the door behind him. He was tall, wide shouldered, and fit, which wasn’t a surprise given his status in the pack. He was handsome too, at least by my estimation, which definitely helped. I found him attractive, and knew that wasn’t going to be a problem between us. I really liked his smile, and the way it lit up his face. The way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he really meant it.

But most of all, I liked the sincerity in his voice when he talked about taking care of his pack. I liked that he was determined to see to the needs of his wolve above all else, and that when he told me of his plans, he asked what I thought and really listened to my answers. I liked that he wanted to include me in things and not just dictate how things would go.

“I wanted to check on you. You all right?”

Once again, my mind had wandered off. I smiled and I didn’t even need to force it. When Bryce stepped in close and slowly reached out, telegraphing his actions, I let him take my hand. The warmth strength there was somehow reassuring.

“Yes.” I squeezed his hand. “You look amazing.”

He didn’t preen, as most alphas I knew would, but his gaze brightened. “It’s you who looks amazing. You’re so beautiful. I noticed it right away. It drew me to you.”

“Oh,” I said, on an exhale. Really? How did I not know that?

Bryce’s grin turned a little wry. “Did I not tell you that?”

“Not in words.” My voice was soft, and I unconsciously stepped closer to him, until there was barely an inch between us. “It’s good to hear.”

“Well.” Bryce grinned, and cupped my cheek. “I’ll make sure to tell you more often then. You should know, without a doubt. But it’s not just your looks though. You know that right? Talking with you is a treat. I think, together, we’re going to have a great life.”

My heart cracked, but not in a bad way. More like it was expanding, making room for this man standing in front of me. It might not an ideal situation, or the one that I dreamed of, but everything seemed to be lining up just as it was supposed to.

I lifted his hand and kissed the back of it.

“I think so, too. Let’s go get married.”

Flash Fic Friday

Flash Fic Friday

Kristbethke

**Happy holidays and Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate. Here’s a little story for you. Enjoy!**

When you were raised like I was you ended up one of two ways. Either you got sucked into the chaos and continued to make bad decisions or you got yourself out and created your own stability. I’d done the latter. It had taken a lot of work, a lot of help, a lot of years, and ultimately going completely no contact before I’d managed it. But I was long separated from the boy I’d been.

A side effect of that, though, was my need for routine. For traditions of my own making. And when those things were challenged, it sent my world into a tailspin. It didn’t matter that logically I knew everything would be okay. That it would all work out and it didn’t matter if I didn’t have the right thing. I could make do and survive and it would all be fine. Anxiety didn’t care about logic. Panic disorder didn’t either.

After years of hard work and therapy, I’d very carefully cultivated my life. The people in it were my family, even if we weren’t related by blood. There wasn’t a lot of them, though the circle was growing as they found significant others and some of them started families. They all loved me just as much as I loved them, and they knew that I needed certain things to be a certain way in order to feel safe and happy.

The holidays were my thing. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, I was the one in charge. The rest of the year, I was fine to sit back and enjoy my friends. Let them do what they wanted. But the end of the year was mine. Those six weeks were my time to plan and celebrate. I didn’t have any sort of holiday growing up, and now I did everything possible to make it as picture perfect as possible.

Thanksgiving had been a smashing success, just as it always was, all my friends crammed into my tiny home, laughing and eating. I always planned my meal for noon so that those who had other families to visit had the time to do so. Everyone had been able to make it this year, so my heart had been filled. And it had set the tone for the season. The day after, I’d spent hours transforming my house into something that would make a Hallmark Christmas Movie proud.

My Christmas celebration was always on the Eve, a sort of open house party that lasted from five in the evening till the wee hours. Some of my friends had other obligations, but they stopped in for a bit at least to make merry. I’d been meticulously planning and preparing, because that one day brought me more joy alone then the rest of the year combined.

I’d been out doing some last minute grocery shopping. I needed to get the pies made tonight and get started on the cookies. Tomorrow, Christmas Eve, there would be more baking, and a pot of mulled cider on the stove, and all sorts of hor d’oeuvres made, so that people could snack and drink and enjoy themselves before we opened the White Elephant gifts, which were always nice and never a joke because I couldn’t handle embarrassment.

I put away the groceries, leaving out the cinnamon, flour, and Crisco and hand just pulled my apron over my head when my phone rang. Glad I wasn’t elbow deep in dough yet, I smiled as I answered my friend Jeremy’s call.

“Hey. What’s up?” I put it on speaker so I could get started and still talk to him. “If you’re calling to make sure I’m making the—”

“Anna’s in the hospital,” he interrupted and the bottom dropped out of my world. He was quick to continue. “She’s okay, but its her appendix, and she’s already out of surgery and doing fine but they aren’t going to release her till the morning and we won’t make it tomorrow.”

For a split second, I was disappointed that they wouldn’t be here, but it was so much more important that Anna was okay. “Of course, Jer. I’m so glad Anna’s okay. But she needs to rest and you need to take care of your wife.”

Jeremy blew out a breath. “Yes. Thank you. But I know how important—”

It was my turn to cut him off. “It is, but Anna is more important. I’ll make sure to pack up goodies, especially some of the apple pie for you, and someone will run them by your house tomorrow night. So you don’t miss out on the festivities and can just rest and relax and Anna can get better.”

“You’re the best.” Jer had sounded shaken when he first started talking but was better now, more calm. He took a deep breath.

“Don’t worry about a thing. And if you need anything else, you let me know okay? Give Anna a squeeze for me.”

“Will do. On both accounts. Talk to you later.”

The line went dead and I had to take a minute and just breathe. I was so glad that Anna was fine, but they’d never missed one of my parties. Not since I’d known them, having worked with Jeremy ten years ago and finding a kindred spirit. Even after we both moved on to different careers, we’d stayed in touch. So missing them tomorrow had put me off kilter, but it wasn’t the end of the world. Anna would make a full recovery and it would all be fine.

I had barely got my head back in the game when I heard an ominous creaking sound. I carefully set the mixer on the counter, then turned to look, trying to find where it was coming from. Another creak had me rounding the counter and heading into the living room. Everything looked fine. Just as I turned to head back, a loud snap and then I screamed as a limb from the oak in my backyard crashed through my bay window and toppled my Christmas tree.

My heart pounding, my breathing fast, I took in the damage. The obliterated window, the snow swirling inside, and the beautiful tree I’d spent two hours decorating lying in shambles on the hardwood. My vision went dark at the edges, and I couldn’t move air through my lungs. Somewhere in my hindbrain screamed panic attack but knowing what was happening didn’t help. I couldn’t breathe. Christmas was ruined. First Anna getting sick and now this and everything I had worked so hard…

The front door banged open but I couldn’t even move, paralyzed and panicking.

“Are you hurt?” I dimly recognized Bray’s voice. My next door neighbor, who usually had my complete attention whenever I saw him, had burst through. Normally, I hung on his every word. But now I couldn’t tear my eyes from the damage, and couldn’t move air through my lungs.

“Max!” Bray’s shout sounded panic, and then his big hands grabbed me and turned me. “Are. You. Hurt?”

I managed a shake of my head. “N-n-no. I was far enough…my house…Christmas…”

“Breathe, baby.” He pulled me in, squeezing me hard, so tight I almost couldn’t expand my chest to do was he instructed. But the deep tissue pressure was exactly what I needed to start regulating myself. “That’s it. Nice breaths. You’re okay. I got you.”

It took a while and then I was shivering. I didn’t know if it was from shock or from the cold air billowing in, but at least I was breathing. And though the panic was still hovering under the surface, it was no longer taking over.

“I heard it come down and when I looked, I saw what happened. But you’re okay, and we’re going to fix this. I’m not going to let your Christmas party get ruined. I know how important it is.” Bray’s voice was deep and soothing, and he smelled woodsy and clean, and his body was big and strong, surrounding me, keeping me safe.

“I can’t…I don’t…” I made myself take another breath, hold it, then let it out slowly. “Sometimes I…”

“I know. I know you better than you think I do. But we’ll fix this. You’re going to let me clean this up while you go back to baking, and get plywood up on the window, and I’ll get your tree put to rights. It’s going to be okay. You hear me?”

“Yeah. Thank you for coming to my rescue.”

“Always.” Bray gave me another squeeze and then slowly pulled back, making sure I was okay to stand on my own before he let me go completely. “I’m going to run back over to my place and get the plywood and my tools.”

“Okay.”

“Then I’ll clean up the tree, get it standing again, and we can assess the damage and figure out what needs to be replaced.”

“Okay.” It was weird that I appreciated how much he was repeating himself. It reassured me that we had a plan.

“Do we have a plan?”

I managed a smile at that, considering it was exactly what I just thought. “Yes.”

“Good.”

Bray gave me one more assessing look, then sprinted out the door. He was back five minutes later, plywood and drill in hand, and it was only then that I realized something.

“Uh. Bray? You called me baby.”

He went still for a split second, but then continued on. “I did, yes.”

“There a reason for that?” Because we were friendly, and always talked when we saw each other. Even flirted a bit. But I was under the impression, from the few women I’d seen walking out of his house in the early hours, that he was straight. So I’d always thought it was harmless fun, even though I’d have jumped his bones in a second if he’d given me any real indication.

“There is, yes.”

Huh. Not what I expected. I’d thought he’d say it just slipped out in a the heat of the moment or something. Or say it was an accident. But that was not the case.

“And that reason is?”

“I need to fix your window and get your decorations put back together.” He took a breath. “But after that, maybe I can help you bake and we can talk about how I’m bisexual though I’ve never been with a man, and I have an adorable neighbor who makes my heart speed and my stomach flutter and really loves Christmas.”

I smiled then. “Yeah, we can do that.”

Bray grunted and got to work, and I left him to it so I could make pie crust. I was no longer on the verge of panic, because Bray was here to fix it and keep me from flying off into the ether. Maybe Christmas wasn’t ruined after all.