A Very Alpha Christmas

by Anthology

  He was the stuff of legend, of holiday fairy tales, of myths. He was part of something bigger than him and something grand.

  He was part of childhood, Santa, and stockings filled with goodies. Part of cookies left out with large glasses of milk. The cookies Blix baked. The magic in them helped Santa get from one place to the next.

  He loved those cookies. She’d sent some with Tomas. She cared.

  Too bad the magic she baked into those cookies wouldn’t help Rand.

  Truth was, Rand had always known she cared. But she never knew he did.

  If he had regrets, that would be one of them. A big one.

  The thought spurred him on. He ran faster, darted around the foliage, took leaps over fallen trunks.

  For the first time in longer than he could remember, he was somewhat whole. At peace. Alive.

  He didn’t know how far he’d run when he came upon a stream that hadn’t frozen over yet. No other animals seemed to be around and for a moment, he let his guard down, lowered his head, and lapped at the water.

  It was icy going down his throat and quickly cooled his skin beneath his fur.

  The crisp, clean air. The snow. The forest. It was a part of the world, not far from home, but far enough that it was completely different than anything he’d ever known.

  When he had his fill of water, he turned and slowly made his way back to the cabin, taking in the sights and sounds. He knew there were creatures around, knew there were eyes on him. He felt everything, sensed everything,

  It was as though blinders had been lifted and he could see again. He was no longer existing in a fog. He was experiencing. Feeling more than he remembered ever feeling before.

  Snow still fell as he stopped in front of the cabin. He put his front legs on the bottom step of the porch and waited for his breathing to slow, waited for his heart rate to calm, waited for the shift to take place.

  His knees buckled with exhaustion as soon as he was human again. He crawled up, and pulled his sweats back on before the cold took hold. He needed to start a fire, get a hot shower. He needed to get warm.

  The cold in the Yukon was a different, more wet kind of cold than what he was used to at the North Pole and it would take time for him to get used to it.

  And he still couldn’t believe he’d been dumped in the middle of the woods.

  What else did you expect? They don’t like questions. You’ve known that your whole life.

  “I don’t know what I expected.”

  Now, he was talking to himself. Was that to be the way his life went? That he’d talk to himself until he was nuts? What about when his memories were gone? Was that even a reality? Tomas told him that his memories would eventually disappear, that his magic would, too, and that all he’d be left with was the ability to shift.

  He didn’t know anyone who’d been banished before. Was he being made an example of? A player like him, a destined leader like him? If he could fall, then anyone could?

  “What a crock.” Of course he wasn’t sure he if he was referring to the rules or to himself. It probably wouldn’t do any good to dwell on it, either.

  He grabbed a cookie from the basket Tomas had left on the counter. The wreath shaped chocolate cookie made him smile. It looked like the ones Blix had been putting out for display when Rand saw her last. She’d fallen into his arms from the display window and he’d forced his hands to let go of her.

  He should’ve told her how he felt, he thought to himself as he tore into the cellophane wrapper holding the cookie. It was decorated with frosting and sparkling sugars. He sniffed it and could swear he smelled Blix.

  She’d always smelled like sugar and cinnamon. Sweet with a hint of spice. “I should’ve told her how I felt,” he said to the empty room. “I should’ve told her.” He took a bite and headed for the shower.

  He should’ve asked her out, dated her, opened up to her, taken her to bed and not let her out until she’d agreed to marry him. He should’ve talked to her about his doubts, about the difference he wasn’t sure they made in the world anymore. Maybe if he’d confided in her, she’d have been able to help him before things got to this point.

  Instead, you played it cool, dumbass.

  Rand finished off the cookie and stepped into the shower, letting the water cascade across his body. As soon as the water heated his skin, he was fully erect. Humans saw elves and the creatures of the North Pole as cute and cuddly and wholesome and for the most part, they were. But there were other, more primal and animalistic urges that ran through them, too. Erotic desires. They weren’t so innocent. No more than humans were.

  And his desire for Blix was all too real.

  He gripped his cock in his hand, leaned back against the stone wall of the shower enclosure, and began stroking. He closed his eyes, seeing the elf in his mind. She was smiling at him, her dark hair flowing over her shoulders, her petite, curvy body bared to his gaze, her eyes sparkling up into his.

  Just the vision floating in his head and he was lost, giving himself over to the pleasurable sensations coursing through him. His fist tightened, the tips of his fingers barely touching the edge of his palm. His length and width nothing special for his size. What he wouldn’t give now for just one night with Blix, just once in the heat between her legs, just once…

  Rand came all over his hand, imagining Blix waiting for him in the bed that was now his, in the cabin that was now his home.

  For long moments, he stayed where he was, leaning against the wall. He didn’t move. He didn’t open his eyes. His mind, blank.

  Until the water started to cool.

  Rand soaped his hair and body quickly, then rinsed, turned the water off, and dried himself. After getting dressed and starting a fire with some wood and kindling he found near the fireplace, he grabbed another cookie from the basket and settled on the couch.

  He was tired and he was relaxed. His reindeer was calm for the moment. He could rest. He would locate the nearest town first thing in the morning and head out for some supplies. He wouldn’t last long on the sweet treats Blix had sent along. He would need much more to sustain him for the long haul. He would need much more if he was going to keep himself from going stir crazy.

  4

  Turned out, the walk into the nearest town hadn’t taken more than an hour for Rand. He’d slept on the couch the whole night and woken up feeling lighter and happier than he could ever remember feeling. He felt hopeful, too. That his life wasn’t over or destined for boredom, but that there was still purpose and still things for him to do.

  He chalked it up to being free to run through the woods again. Yesterday had been the first time he’d been able to do it since before he hit mating age, years before. He hadn’t been allowed outside the borders of the North Pole.

  His missed home, but it wasn’t a melancholy feeling. He couldn’t explain it, and he didn’t understand it. He only knew it was there, inside him.

  Rand climbed the steps to The General Store. He’d never been inside one before, but he hoped they carried food. He needed some in a near desperate way. Food and water.

  Bells jangled overhead as he entered the warm and fragrant building.

  Cinnamon. He smiled.

  “Hello there.”

  Rand looked in the direction of the voice. An older woman with silver streaked hair and a red sweatshirt emblazoned with a garishly decorated Christmas tree sat behind a class topped counter. “Hello.”

  “You new around here?”

  “Yes. Just moved in.” Rand grabbed a small crate with handles. It would be easier to put his haul in that, than to carry an armful.

  “Where?”

  “Cabin in the woods, about an hour away on foot.”

  “You walked from there to here?”

  “Yes. Got a little cabin fever. Thought a walk might do me some good.”

  “I see.” She gave him a skeptical look. “And where are you from?”

  “Up north, a few hundred miles.”

  “Wasn’t aw
are too many people lived up that way. It’s pretty far out. Thought we were at the top of the world.”

  “No. There’s a small population. Tell me, do you have any lettuce or cabbage? Fresh mushrooms?”

  “Not too much, but I do have a little. No fresh mushrooms though. We only get the basics this time of year. What else are you looking for?”

  “Some bottled water, maybe. I just need a few things.”

  “Are you one of those vegetarians?”

  “For the most part, I am. I don’t care for meat, but I love a good salad.”

  He wandered through the store, humming along as Elvis sang from somewhere inside the building. Rand picked up small items here and there. In the basket Tomas had brought, there’d been an envelope with cash. He’d never used any, but he knew the etiquette and proper use of it. One of the required courses he’d gone through was in how to deal with humans, dress, and the use of money. There wasn’t much, but he imagined a job would come in handy if he wanted to continue eating. He how to work telephones and operate cars. He didn’t know what he’d be qualified for, though. He was going to have to figure something out once the holidays were over.

  “You have a Christmas tree yet?”

  “Um, no. I don’t. I hadn’t even thought about getting one.” Which was true. He hadn’t thought about having a tree. Should he get one? Would it be weird if he said he didn’t want one? And why would he do that? He needed to fit in.

  “When you walk out of the store, to the left of the building is a small tree lot. Bernie should have a few good looking trees left.

  “Bernie?”

  “He’s the mayor of our little town. He also runs a little Christmas tree farm a few miles outside town. It’s the craziest thing.”

  “What is?” Rand asked.

  “That Bernie can get trees to grow with us being so far north and it being pretty darn cold through the year. Guess with that global warming thing, we’ll be able to grow lots of things in the future.” She gave a little shrug and all Rand could do was nod. He knew about global warming. He knew about the melting ice caps and the rising sea levels and the lack of snow the way it used to be.

  Everyone at the North Pole was keenly aware of the effects on the planet and the adaptation that the inhabitants of the arctic circle were going to soon be having to make. People everywhere, really. It was one of those situations that didn’t have a happy ending in the long run.

  “You know if he’s hiring?” Outside in nature would be the perfect job for Rand, though. He’d been craving it and while he’d felt it, until he shifted and took a run through the forest, he hadn’t realized exactly how true the feelings had been.

  “I think he’s done looking for help for this season being it’s so close to Christmas, but he’s always looking for help when it comes to planting in the spring and early summer.”

  “I’ll definitely keep that in mind and check with him after the first of the year. Thank you.”

  “Name’s Heidi, by the way.”

  “Rand,” he said, holding his hand out across the counter. Heidi took it and gave him a quick, but firm shake. “So, what do you have for decorations? That is, if Bernie has any good trees left. I am pretty particular about my trees.”

  Heidi’s smile widened. “Well, let me see. Do you like lights on yours or no?”

  “No. Not this year. I think I’ll go without and stick with natural ornaments.”

  “Popcorn strands?”

  “Definitely.”

  “Candy Canes?”

  “Wouldn’t consider decorating a tree without them. And I need the red and white striped ones, not any of the new fruit or chocolate flavored ones.”

  “Okay. Cranberries? Oranges and cloves?”

  “Yes. Some cider, too, if you have any. Of course, I don’t know how I’m going to carry all of this back to the cabin.”

  “That’s right. You didn’t drive.”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll figure something out.”

  “Tell you what, Rand. If Bernie has something you like, when he’s done with work tonight, he can come out and drop off the tree and all your trimmings.”

  “It’s a very kind offer, but I couldn’t ask him to do that.

  “It won’t be a problem at all.”

  And who was Rand to argue? He had no other way to get anything home with him, except for the small amount of vegetables and cabin essentials he was in the process of purchasing. Unless, of course, he made two trips. He could. It wasn’t as though he had anything else to do with his time, but Heidi seemed adamant that Bernie outside in the tree lot wouldn’t mind.

  “All right, then. I’ll take a look when I leave to see if there’s anything that would fit what I like.”

  “You won’t be disappointed.”

  “I’m sure I won’t be. Who would be disappointed at getting a Christmas tree?”

  “Exactly. Now, don’t forget to give Bernie your address.”

  Rand smiled, excited about having a tree. He missed the decorated trees he’d grown up seeing almost daily. He missed the tinsel and the lights and the sparklers and the brightly colored glass balls.

  He missed everything and everyone.

  He laid out cash while Heidi bagged up his food. “You know I should’ve asked this before, but what do one Bernie’s nice trees usually cost?”

  “Oh, don’t you worry your handsome head about it. We’ve got you covered. The tree is on the house.”

  “No, I can’t let you do that. You already volunteered to have Bernie deliver things. I can’t let you eat the cost, too.”

  “Why ever not? Call it goodwill and paying it forward. Or just call it being neighborly and a welcome to the new guy.”

  Rand stared at Heidi. Goodwill and paying it forward? He’d never done anything like that before. He wasn’t even sure he knew what paying it forward meant, but he liked the sound of it.

  “You’re not going to expect anything in return?”

  “Nope.”

  Goodwill. He hadn’t experienced it in a long time. Even those at the North Pole became cynical and jaded over time. He was the one who chose to voice it and it got him a one way trip into the wilderness.

  Heidi hadn’t been the type of human he’d expected to run into when he left the cabin. His views had been clouded by news reports and greedy lists that were mailed in. Even the Naughty List was larger than the Nice List.

  Rand smiled and took his bags. “Okay, if Bernie agrees, to bring out the tree and the decorations too, that would be great.”

  “Consider it done, Rand.”

  5

  The tingling in her fingers wouldn’t stop. Blix flexed her hands, fisted them, rubbed her palms together. It had been the first time in fifty years that she had had to leave work early. She couldn’t hold the rolling pin or grip the pastry bag of frosting.

  She’d gone to see her doctor, but he couldn’t find anything wrong. He told her to rest, but she didn’t want to rest. She wanted to work. She didn’t want to let anyone down, but if she couldn’t get the strange feelings in her hands to stop, she didn’t know if she’d be able to continue, but that had been yesterday.

  This morning she’d woken up with the same tingling in her toes and it had moved up her legs.

  Worry was an understatement.

  Laying down on the loveseat with one of her guilty pleasure, a holiday romance novel, she attempted to hold the book, but failed. She couldn’t feel it enough to grip it. Fear joined worry. What was happening to her? What was her body doing to her?

  She wasn’t more than middle age for an elf and she was confused at what could be happening.

  Blix stood, determined that whatever was going on wasn’t going to beat her, but the feeling intensified, dropping her to her knees. She was on the verge of tears when space and time shifted and she was no longer in her living room. Instead, she was on her knees on a wooden porch outside a small cabin with trees all around. Light flickered through the w
indows and she stood, slowly, pulling herself using a railing.

  The tingling was gone.

  Where was she and what was going on? She was more confused than ever when lights from behind her illuminated everything in front of her. She turned and shielded her eyes from the brightness.

  It was a truck.

  “Hi there, young lady. You lost?” The male voice was warm and concerned and as Blix started to speak, the door behind her opened.

  “Blix?”

  She spun around. “Rand?”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I… I don’t know. I don’t know what happened. I don’t… This is where they sent you?”

  “You two know each other?”

  “Hey there, Bernie. Yeah, we do. This is Blix, my girlfriend. Blix? Bernie, here, brought a Christmas tree.” Girlfriend? Rand just said she was his girlfriend. She really didn’t understand anything that was going on.

  “Nice to meet you, Miss Blix,” Bernie said, stepping up onto the porch. “My, you’re a tiny thing. Cute, too.” He looked at Rand. “Where do you want these bags?”

  “Oh. Sorry about that. She caught me by surprise. Over by the fireplace should be good.”

  “N-nice to meet you, Bernie,” Blix called after him as he disappeared inside the cabin.

  Rand took her by the hand and tugged her into his side, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as though she belonged there. “Why are you here?” he murmured into her hair.

  “I don’t know.”

  “How did you get here?”

  “I don’t know that either. One minute I was at home and feeling unusual and the next minute I was here.”

  “Unusual? What’s wrong?”

  “No, idea. Really. Rand, I have no explanations.”

  “How do you feel now?”

  “I don’t feel any of the things from earlier. I feel normal again, but I don’t understand how or why I’m standing outside on your porch.”

  “I see. And, is that bag yours?”