by Leyla Hunt
“What can I make for you? Would you like a bag of cookies? Proceeds go to disadvantaged shifters in neighboring communities.”
“Sure,” I said, absentmindedly taking a bag of cookies from him. “How about some crepes, too? What do you recommend? My mom here would love to try one.”
“Our most popular one is filled with Nutella, bananas, and hazelnut flakes.”
“Yes, two of those, please.” I could hardly wait. I looked over the crowd while he prepared our order.
Were my eyes playing tricks on me?
“Nico?” I said. “Nico!” I called out, louder this time. My mom’s gaze followed mine and she raised a brow.
“Oh, a friend of yours?” she asked.
I felt my cheeks burn and hoped the lighting camouflaged my obviously emotional reaction to seeing Nico.
He stopped and looked around, puzzled. I waved my hand up high. He finally spotted me and covered the distance between us, dodging other patrons on his way.
“Hey.” He smiled shyly, his cheeks pink from the chill in the air.
It had only been a day since I’d last seen him, but damn it, I’d started to miss him already. Having him beside me again sent a jolt to my heart.
“Come, have a crepe! They’re so good.” I made space for him at the stand. “I’m having one with Nutella. Want the same?”
He nodded. Mom gave me a curious look so I introduced them.
“Very nice to meet you, Mrs. Bisset. It’s a beautiful time of year here, I see.”
Mom’s eyes sparkled as she observed Nico. There was no doubt she saw a potential son-in-law in him. “Yes, it is. Call me Margaret, please. But yes, I haven’t missed a weekend, yet. And there’ll be fireworks later, isn’t that great?”
“Wow, fireworks? This place keeps surprising me. Can’t wait.”
Ren handed us our crepes and I took an eager first bite. “Mm, this is ace stuff. We’ll have to go to his café. It’s unbelievable.” I grabbed a couple of napkins. “We were going to have a date there. I haven’t forgotten. Hope you haven’t, either,” I added quietly.
Mom noticed us chatting and turned to us.
“It was so nice to meet you, Nico, but my friends are over there, and I must say hello. Have a great time, Son.”
I frowned. “Where are your friends?”
“Wendy’s right there, don’t you see her?” She waved me away. “Oh, never mind, you’re blind. I’ll see you later!”
It dawned on me she was only trying to make herself scarce, and I grinned. Mom always had something up her sleeve. She walked off into the crowd, leaving me alone with Nico.
“Let’s see the tree,” said Nico.
“Sure.” I was ready to do anything this sweet omega wanted. “How was your day? What did you do?” We strolled slowly in the direction of the humungous Christmas tree.
“It was fine. After the hospital, I went home and did some work on my latest scent—”
“Wait. What? Hospital?” I stopped and turned to him. “What were you doing there? Is everything okay?”
Nico’s jaw slackened and he became tongue-tied. Obviously, that bit of news had slipped out against his will.
He looked hesitant to get into it, but once he started talking, he couldn’t stop. He told me the story of his drive to the next town and about how he’d found the little boy. My heart sank lower with each passing second. I couldn’t believe there was so much cruelty in the world. For better or worse, living in Vale Valley had shielded me from most of life’s cruelties.
“If he has no guardians, who’s going to pay his medical bills?”
“Luckily, the hospital has a special fund that will cover the surgery and hospital treatment. But—” He took a deep breath. “But he’ll need extensive physiotherapy, and that’s not covered.”
“Oh, shit, I’m sorry. Did you promise to pay it?”
“Yes, sort of. And I don’t regret it for a minute. He needs it in order to make a full recovery, and he literally has no one. Even getting his name out was a colossal task.”
“I assume it’s going to be a bit difficult, no?”
“Well, let’s just say that unless a major fashion house picks up my next perfume, I’m toast. I make enough through sales to live on, but there’s no room for extras. Certainly not for unexpected medical bills.”
I fell deep into thought. An announcement informed us the fireworks would begin in fifteen minutes.
An idea occurred to me. “I know! What about a fundraiser?”
Nico’s expression was the picture of puzzlement. “A fundraiser?”
“Yeah!” My excitement grew as I pieced the plan together in my mind.
“You mean asking for donations online?” He looked at me skeptically.
“Not exactly. I mean, you could do that. Plenty of people do. But I was thinking something more original, more interactive. How about at my bar?” The words flowed out without being properly processed. I had no idea what I was talking about or how it would work, but I vowed to figure it out. For Nico and the boy’s sake.
“Hmm. Not a bad idea. What would that involve?”
We stopped in front of the tree and I gazed at it absentmindedly as I worked out the details in my head. “Well, I could donate a portion of proceeds from the fundraiser night. And people can donate either money or items that we could then sell off. What do you think?” I smiled widely, because I knew it was an awesome idea.
“Wow, I love it!” His eyes were bright and clear; his excitement was palpable. “I can’t wait. When can we do it? When do you think is the best time?”
“No better time than the next few weeks! Everyone’s in the Christmas spirit, and Vale Valley folks love to give to a good cause. We’ll advertise and spread the word for a week or two beforehand and hopefully we’ll have a packed house. How about two weekends from now?”
I must have been crazy. My business was doing worse than ever, and we’d probably have trouble getting bodies through the door. But what the hell—I had to try. I’d do anything for Nico and his little friend.
“Sure!”
Suddenly, his arms were around my neck, so I hugged him tight, breathing in his scent. I looked around and, confident that we were safe from prying eyes, I looked him in the eyes. I didn’t have to ask him whether he wanted a kiss—it was clear he was dying for one.
I bent down and kissed him, relishing his taste.
A loud pop startled me, and I turned to see a cavalcade of lights in the sky.
“It’s the fireworks!” Nico clasped his hands together and gazed up at the heavens.
I put an arm around him, which he didn’t resist, and we watched the show until the very last explosion.
Nico
The night was so magical, I didn’t want it to end. I wasn’t ready to let him go, so I invited Will over to my house when the market closed for the night. His mom had accepted a ride home with her friend, so it was just us, and we strolled through the quiet night streets. There was no rush—we knew we had the whole night with each other.
After finishing off the Glogg we’d bought at the market, we made out like a couple of teenagers, as if it was our first time all over again.
“Did you like that crepe?”
I drew my brows together as I watched Will walk to the kitchen. What a strange question to ask in the middle of foreplay.
“Yes, of course. It was finger-licking-good.”
After rummaging around in his cabinet and his fridge, he came back holding something in each hand.
“What do you have there? Are you going to start cooking now? I thought we were—”
“I’m not cooking. But I will eat something fucking delicious.”
He placed the Nutella and whipped cream on the coffee table and turned to me.
The spark was there, and his first touch was the fuel that lit the fire. We became a whirr of limbs and flying clothes, until we were both buck naked, our hot bodies rubbing together, desperate to become one.
He gu
ided me onto all fours with my butt in the air and out of the corner of my eye I saw him reach for the Nutella and whipped cream.
“What are you doing?”
“I told you, I’m gonna devour something delicious. Hopefully, you’ll like it too.”
He smeared the Nutella all over my asshole and crack, followed by a healthy squirt of whipped cream.
A chuckle erupted from my lips. I couldn’t resist. “I won’t ever look at those crepes the same again. Hey, what about the nuts?”
“I’ve got those right here,” he said.
I felt him grab and cup my balls right before he swiped his tongue from their base right across my asshole, lapping up the toppings. Each lick made me moan and squirm. His strong hand held on to my thighs, and he was really getting in there, making sure I felt his tongue in all the right places.
When I couldn’t take it anymore, he took me like a beast. I bounced from the impact of his thrusts, my chest pressed against the back of the couch. His incredible power made me quiver with desire and all I could remember thinking was that I didn’t want it to ever end. We came together, with visceral groans bouncing off the walls and echoing throughout my living room.
We cuddled on the couch, his knot keeping us glued to each other. I didn’t speak other than to tell him how phenomenal his love-making had been. I was content to lie in his arms, feeling his chest rise against my back over and over again.
I’d lied on this couch so many times, binge watching my favorite movies and shows, but never had I felt as content as I did tonight, in the silence, with Will by my side.
When his knot dissipated, he didn’t let me go. He kissed me and ran his hand up and down my side, leaving a trail of heat with his fingers.
I’d had attentive lovers in the past, back in France, but they couldn’t compare to Will. The future was up in the air and I had no idea what it would bring. Surprisingly, I wasn’t bothered by that. I felt safe and secure, and I was happy to let things go on as they may.
Also, my pangs of homesickness weren’t as vivid as they’d been just a week ago. I thought back to my hometown, Grasse, with its quaint cobblestone laneways and adorable cafes. As a child, I used to run through those narrow streets and meet my friends in the fields on the outskirts of town, where we’d play in the tall grass and climb trees, dreaming of our future.
Only a few of them had known I came from a shifter family and it wasn’t something you spoke about openly.
My life there had been ideal. I’d had a happy family, with loving parents. They were devastated when I told them I was emigrating. My mother hadn’t known that I could hear her cry late at night.
It had been hard to leave them behind, but I had to try for a better life, especially once it became clear that keeping my secret was going to be a Herculean task due to my uncontrolled shifts. I’d heard there were larger shifter populations in the U.S., and even some towns where it was accepted. So, I’d spread my wings and got on a plane one day, hoping for a better future.
So far, so good. I made a mental note to call my parents in the morning and shifted on the couch so I could see Will’s handsome face.
“How are things at the bar? Are they okay without you?” I asked.
“Yeah, unfortunately they’re not very busy. And it’s even worse with the Christmas market going on. Not that I don’t love the market, but it takes away from business for sure. But I’ll forgive the market, because I had a great time with you tonight.”
His words warmed my soul. I smiled and craned my neck to give him a kiss.
“Maybe the fundraiser will help,” I said.
“That would be nice. But I’m happy just to help the little boy. What’s his name?”
“It’s Lupo.”
“And how is he doing?”
“A lot better. The surgery went well, and now he’s under observation. His physiotherapy will start soon.”
“Which means you’ll have to start paying.”
“Yeah, I guess.” I sighed. Although his recovery was my main concern, it would’ve been a lie to say the financial aspects weren’t on my mind.
We lay in silence for a minute, and then Will spoke. “I’ve thought about it. I have some savings and can help out if you need the cash before the fundraiser.”
I was shocked. That was such a sweet offer.
“What? No, don’t worry about it. I’m sure they have a payment plan.”
“Don’t be silly. I don’t want this hanging over your head.”
We went back-and-forth for a while, but I finally agreed to accept his help as long as he let me pay him back from the fundraising proceeds.
I gave him a huge kiss. It was incredible that a man I’d only just met would be so generous with a little boy he’d never even laid eyes on. It was becoming clear that there was no one quite like him.
“Can you spend the night?” I asked timidly, biting my lip.
“Of course. I wasn’t planning to leave.” He chuckled and squeezed my hip.
“Good. I don’t want to be alone tonight.”
The next morning, I woke up bright and early, leaving Will to sleep in, and began making breakfast. I sliced a baguette I’d picked up at the bakery the previous day, and set out jam, honey, and butter. That would be my typical French breakfast. I tapped a finger against my chin as I surveyed the table. No, that wouldn’t do. Will was no lithe man. The wolf in him would need some meat and eggs.
I got out my pan and prepared a couple of thick sausages, and pulled some eggs out of the fridge that I planned to fry after he got up.
I made my tea and sat by the window, watching the squirrels as they crawled on the trees.
“Honey?”
Will’s voice jolted me out of my zen zone.
“Bonjour,” I said with a wide smile as I watched him come down the stairs.
I went to him and snuggled into his arms.
“Wow, what do we have here?” He gazed at the table with ravenous eyes.
“Just a simple breakfast. But I still have to make the eggs. I didn’t want them to get cold while you slept.”
“You didn’t have to, but thanks so much. I could get used to this, so don’t spoil me.”
My stomach flip-flopped. It sounded like there may be more breakfasts in our future. I chuckled. Don’t let yourself get carried away, I told myself. His words could mean anything.
He asked me about my childhood over breakfast, and I relished telling him story after story about life in small-town France.
He listened attentively, laughing at the cutest parts.
“Do you ever plan to go back?”
My fork stopped mid-air as I considered his question. Finally, I shook my head.
“Only to visit. My life is here now, you know? I do miss my parents and friends, so I want to see them soon, but there’s no place like Vale Valley. Here, I could be myself. Back home, I had to hide my cat side. It’s really quite sad.”
He gulped. “I can’t imagine. I mean, I can, because we couldn’t be ourselves outside Vale Valley even here, but at least this town is open and accepting. And best of all, it’s a secret.”
I nodded. How right he was. My mind wandered back to Lupo.
“I’ll visit Lupo today and ask the doctor for an update.” A thought occurred to me and I frowned. “He’ll be discharged eventually, and we haven’t discussed where he’ll stay after that.”
“Good point. He can’t stay in the hospital forever.”
“Right. And I wouldn’t want him to. It’s no place for a kid long term. I wonder if he can stay here with me. What do you think? Will they let him?”
Will shrugged and took a sip of his tea. “I don’t know. We should talk to someone at city hall. They have a children’s welfare division, I suppose. And there’s a family court as well, though they don’t see much action in town.”
“Good idea! I’ll go down there tomorrow as soon as they open.”
The thought of adopting Lupo, even temporarily, was exhilarating. H
e needed somewhere to stay when he was released, and I had more than enough room at my home. Townsfolk were kind and welcoming and I had no doubt that one of the inns would give him a room, but he needed more than a roof over his head. He needed care, good food, and company. I could give him all that. I worked from home, so I was here most of the time, and I could take him to his appointments.
Sure, I didn’t know much about six-year-olds, but I was more than willing to learn. The more I thought about the possibility of taking him in, the clearer it became that it was the best solution for everyone. I was ready to love a child, and here he was, in need of love and a home.
When we finished breakfast, I changed with lightning speed, eager to get to the hospital as soon as possible.
“Can I come with you to meet him?” Will asked.
“Of course.” I smiled from ear to ear and grabbed his hand. “Let’s go see how my little Lupo’s doing.”
Will
I liked to consider myself a tough guy, but my heart melted as soon as I saw Lupo’s chubby little face. His cheeks were a little ruddy and he looked exhausted, but also appeared clean and well cared for.
“Lupo,” Nico said to him, sitting by his side. “Are you feeling okay?”
Lupo glanced at me, then trained his gaze on Nico.
“This is Will, my friend, in case you were wondering,” Nico said when he noticed Lupo looking at me.
Lupo glanced at me again curiously and without a word and then turned his attention to Nico again.
“I’m okay. I feel hot, though.”
Nico placed his hand on Lupo’s forehead.
Crap. Hopefully he didn’t have a fever. I put a chair beside Nico and sat down. Although Nico was the one who’d found and helped him, I felt invested. For the first time, I felt responsible for caring for another being that wasn’t a member of my pack.
They chatted for a while longer. I tried to interject every now and then, but Lupo wasn’t very talkative with me. I didn’t take it personally—he’d gone through incredible trauma, more than a small child could be expected to bear, so it made sense that he’d gravitate to those he felt closest to. Right now, that was Nico.
