by E A Price
“Smells great.” Carrie perched on a chair and folded her arms on the table. “So, I heard you had an eventful evening yesterday.”
“Yes,” admitted Ariel reluctantly.
She wouldn’t exactly say eventful, more like mortifying. Ariel had thought about her behavior over and over, and she honestly wondered whether she had done anything wrong. Maybe she should have been firmer with Hollis that she wasn’t interested in him. But none of her family considered she had misbehaved, they were supportive and pissed at Hollis. Though, her brothers were somewhat uncertain about how to deal with the idea that their sister was going to get mated some day. Honestly, she doubted they had ever thought about her in terms of mating and having babies – probably because she’d always just been their nerdy, baby, asexual sister.
People always had trouble when it came to thinking of her as sexual. She didn’t really care what her brothers felt, but she’d rather Mal could see her as something else. The only person who ever had was Hollis, and she was starting to think he was a little odd… or maybe a lot odd.
“It was just a misunderstanding,” she added. “Branch is going to smooth things over with the stag alpha.”
Or possibly just shout at the other alpha; Branch could be pretty harsh when he wanted. Ariel had voiced her worries over offending the other herd, but Branch didn’t care. He was of the opinion that if the other herd was unhappy, they could suck it – which were actually Harlan’s words. They weren’t going to bend over backward in apology or hand over Ariel just because Hollis’ antlers were out of joint.
She was just glad Mal didn’t think she was some kind of shameless flirt. Her reindeer huffed. No, why would he? He probably thought of Ariel in the same way her brothers did – as less sexual than a piece of furniture.
“So, he’s not your type then? The stag shifter.”
“Not at all,” she said with feeling. Though so far in her life her ‘type’ had exclusively only included Mal.
Carrie seemed to be a little smug about that, and Ariel decided a change of subject was in order – it was getting too close to Mal for her liking, and she didn’t want to admit to Carrie how besotted she was with Carrie’s brother.
“So, where’s Mikey tonight?”
“With Mal,” she said with what seemed to be forced nonchalance. “When I told him where I was going he insisted.”
“Oh?” Yep, apparently, they couldn’t help but circle back to Mal, though the idea of the enormous, rugged reindeer shifter taking care of his adorable nephew was both heartwarming and deliriously arousing. Oh, Mal would make such a good dad.
“Maybe he wants to spend as much time as he can with Mikey, given that he’s probably leaving in a few weeks.”
“What?!” Hoot!
Ariel flinched at her own surprise, and her reindeer’s surprise, and dropped three naans to the floor.
“Oh no!” She scrambled to pick up the overly hot naans and tossed them on the counter. “Crud!”
“What’s wrong?” asked Teena as she sashayed into the kitchen.
Carrie gave Ariel a level look. “Ariel was a little startled and dropped the naans.”
Ariel blew on her fingers. “I have some more in the oven, it’s fine; I’ll toss these in the trash.”
“No, don’t bother, we’ll eat them,” said Teena cheerfully.
Ariel frowned. “They’ve been on the floor.”
“And when I’m a reindeer I eat gross green stuff that grows on trees.”
“I suppose that’s true,” admitted Ariel, slightly unenthusiastically. Though as a reindeer, she wouldn’t eat floor naans either.
“Guys, I’ve got some naan bread!” called Teena as she rejoined her sisters.
Ariel shook her head. “Umm, where were we?”
“I was just telling you that Mal might be going back to the hunters,” said Carrie. “They ended his suspension, and they want him back.”
“Right.” Ah yes, that was a nice kick to the stomach – or should that be, kick to the heart? “So ah, when is he leaving?”
Carrie’s eyebrows rose. “Are you okay? Your voice is a little squeaky.”
“I’m fine, just so… happy for Mal.” Oh boy, it was painful to get that word out. “But when exactly is he leaving?”
Her reindeer was clamoring at her to do something – to stop him from leaving, but what could she do? What could she say to stop him? Hunting was his job, and he had been clear that he was going to return to it just as soon as he could. Why would he stay only because he would hurt Ariel’s feelings by leaving?
“I don’t know. He hasn’t said. I’m really going to miss him.”
Ariel sagged. “Of course, you are. I’m sorry.”
She had only been thinking of her own feelings – of course, Carrie would be upset too. Boy, being in love really made her selfish.
“But I’m not the only one who will, right?”
Carrie gave her a calculating look, and heat spread through her body faster than Superman trying to turn back time.
“Well, ah, Mal’s very important…”
Carrie placed a hand over hers and gave her puppy-dog pleading eyes. “Ariel, would you ask him to stay?”
“Me? But why would he listen to me?” she stammered.
Carrie canted her head. The expression on her face said, ‘c’mon.’ “Don’t pretend you don’t like him. I wasn’t certain until you dropped those naans, but I can tell you at least have as big of a crush on him as he does on you.”
“What?!” Hoot! Luckily, she wasn’t holding anything for this flinch.
“He does, Ariel, and I don’t want him to leave again. I hate him being away so much. Please, please, tell him you want him to stay too.”
“I…”
“Come on, you two,” called Teena from the living room, “it’s time for Speed.”
That set off a new argument between the sisters.
Carrie squeezed her hand and grabbed one of the trays of food. Seconds later she could be heard weighing in on the argument. It sounded like every woman wanted her own movie. Undoubtedly they would ask Ariel to choose. Well, if she was picking, they were watching George of the Jungle.
Was Carrie right? Could he really like her? Surely not… Hoot?
*
Mal sensed her the moment he opened the door. He dropped the bag of trash and followed the instincts of his rumbling beast as he strode toward his car.
“Ariel?”
She jumped up and let out a soft squeal. “I'm not weird!” she denied hotly.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded.
“Out… for a run.” She smiled awkwardly.
She was wearing her running shoes, a sweatshirt and those oh so tight leggings that left far too little to his overactive imagination, so yeah, he figured that. But he wasn’t entirely sure what she was doing hiding behind his car.
“It’s late, and dark, you shouldn’t be out here alone,” he scolded automatically.
Carrie returned an hour ago from their movie night. He assumed that by now Ariel would be in bed, probably wearing a tiny, flimsy, little negligee as she tossed and turned under the covers. Oh boy.
“It’s a safe neighborhood,” she retorted mildly.
“No neighborhood is truly safe.”
Men were lurking everywhere just waiting to grab a beautiful, young creature like Ariel… he assumed. If he had less control and fewer morals he’d probably be one of them.
“Well, now that I’m here is it true that you’re leaving in a few weeks?” she blurted.
Mal paused, “Carrie told you.”
Ariel nodded. Her ponytail bounced up and down with force. She looked a little like a frightened rabbit at that moment.
“My bosses want me back,” he said ambiguously.
“Oh.” She rubbed her lips together, and he sighed inwardly. “But are you going?”
Honestly, he wasn’t entirely sure. “Hunting’s my life,” he answered.
Which was true, an
d it had always been the thing that gave him the most pleasure. He’d grown up with a father who thought nothing of taking his belt to him, or his mother. He had felt trapped and useless and pathetic, and hunting made him feel powerful and free. Hunting had been something he had needed and wanted for a long time.
“I don’t want you to go. Please stay.” Even in the dark, he could see her blush.
His reindeer swelled to hear her say those words, but Mal wasn’t sure how to respond.
“Mal?” called Carrie, “what are you doing out there? Are you okay?”
He turned for a moment to tell her he was fine, but when he turned back, Ariel was already gone. All that running sure had made her fast – even for a shifter.
Crap. He darted back to the house and pulled on his running shoes, shouting to Carrie that he would be back soon. With a wince, he realized he had woken Mikey, but he didn’t have time to worry. He was going to make sure Ariel got home safely. Yes, he was doing some light stalking, but it was for his own good – or Ariel’s own good. He wasn’t about to let her run through a negligibly safe neighborhood on her own. That’s what he thought as he vaulted over two kids out on their bikes – the fact that they still had training wheels and pigtails didn’t give him any pause.
Chapter Twelve
Mal’s phone chirruped at 5 am. He answered it on the second ring, only mildly disappointed to find Tank on the other end of the line.
He swung his legs out of bed and rubbed his forehead. He hadn’t slept a wink all night. Mikey had been fussy all night, but that wasn’t why he hadn’t slept. Nope, too busy thinking about Ariel.
“What’s up?”
“I’m at the hospital,” boomed Tank.
Mal straightened immediately. “What’s happening? Marion and the kids okay?”
Tank’s mate was pregnant and his kids a little too young to have developed their shifter healing abilities.
“They’re okay,” he said gruffly. “Some shithead ran a light and bumped Marion’s car last night. She’s fine, but a little shaky. They wanted to keep her in for a night because of the baby.”
“I’m sorry, what do you need? You need an enforcer with Marion or the kids?”
“No, the girls are fine with my mom, and I’m here with Marion.” His voice softened a little. “I’m taking her home later today, but I want to stay with her, so I can’t make the camping trip. Penny doesn’t want to go either.”
“Of course.”
“Teena’s still going; I made sure of that. But can you find someone to replace me last minute? They’re leaving at seven. I should have called earlier I wasn’t thinking.”
“Don’t worry; I’ll handle it. Make sure Marion takes it easy.”
“I’ll try,” he said, a tiny sliver of amusement entering his tired voice, “but she’s a little dynamo. Ah…” He hesitated. “Also, I’d appreciate it if you could make sure Burke didn’t get too… too… fresh with Teena.” He hesitated again. “Or vice versa.”
Mal grunted in agreement and hung up. He strode to the bathroom, tearing his pajamas off. He didn’t even have to think twice about who was going. He just had half a dozen things he needed to do first.
*
“What are you doing here?” squeaked Ariel, almost dropping her clipboard.
Five years she’d known Mal, and he seemed to go out of his way to avoid her, but the last few days, she could barely turn around without him being there. Though, her gloomy reindeer cheered a little at his presence.
Mal dropped his backpack to the ground. “Tank can’t make it.” He looked at the two SUVs, already packed to the gills with sleeping bags, food and shifter kids who were arguing and pulling faces.
Ariel cringed guiltily. “Yes, I heard – poor Marion and poor Tank. Completely understandable.”
Teena had already arrived, a muted version of her usual self, and told her. She was concerned for her sister-in-law, but sure she would be okay. Burke had already taken it upon himself to console her. He did it by gargling the alphabet – but it seemed to work on Teena, who had always had strange tastes when it came to male company.
“I just meant what are you, in particular, doing here. I assumed Dozer would be coming.”
Mal’s eyes hooded. “You’d prefer Dozer was here?”
“No, but I just assumed that... that you’d be too busy.”
That was partially true; she assumed that he had lots of work to do before he left. Also, she hoped he would feel as embarrassed about last night as she did. Clearly, he didn’t. He hadn’t laughed out loud at her. He hadn’t actually said or done anything. He was his usual, quiet, stony self. Obviously, Carrie had been mistaken about his feelings.
“Dozer already has assignments for the next few days. If any of the enforcers need anything, they can ask Tank or Harlan.”
“Yes, I suppose they ought to get used to you not being here,” she muttered.
“What?” His brow furrowed.
Ariel gasped. She really hadn’t meant to say that out loud. “I said we ought to get going.”
Mal snorted at her blatant lie. “That’s not what you said.”
“Well, if you knew what I said why did you say ‘what’?” she argued grumpily.
It was so unlike her to be grumpy that she managed to stun him into silence.
“The kids are all here, so we really should get going,” she said quickly before the stun wore off. “Teena knows the way, so she’ll drive the first vehicle, and you follow in the second. Just don’t lose us and you’ll be fine.”
“Us? What do you mean…”
“Teena, let’s go, go go!” she called as she ran to hop into the passenger seat of the first SUV.
She was probably worrying over nothing. It wasn’t like the two of them were going to be completely alone – there were eight kids, one big kid (Burke) and a woman who adored practical jokes (Teena) accompanying them. It wasn’t like they were going to be stuck in the woods together – and it was only for two nights. She could handle two nights.
Chapter Thirteen
“Looks like you’re riding with me,” said Mal, trying not to sound too pleased by that fact.
The journey so far had been hellish. He considered that to be an apt description. There were probably a lot worse places to be in the world, but cooped up in a vehicle with Burke on a long car ride had to be pretty high up on the list of terrible places. When he wasn’t loudly munching on a never-ending supply of chips, he was determinedly fiddling with the radio – never once finding a radio station he liked for more than seventeen seconds, or he was involved in some kind of argument with one of the four shifter kids in the back seat. The kids, for the most part, were loud and endlessly playing on loud handheld game stations, but once an argument started with Burke… ugh. He’d never heard the phrase ‘no, you are,’ so many times in his life.
Mal had subtly, or blatantly, suggested that Burke would prefer to ride with Teena. He suggested that when they made a bathroom break, Burke should make sure he got the passenger seat in the other car. Burke obviously wanted to spend more time trying to romance Teena – which although that sounded pretty horrific to Mal, he was all for it if he got to talk to Ariel. She was embarrassed about what happened the previous evening, but for Mal, it was what he needed to hear.
Ariel gaped as she realized Burke was in the first vehicle, the male was smiling smugly, and he had locked the door so Ariel couldn’t do anything rash like try and pull him out by his hair. She took on an almost hunted look, and Mal’s reindeer stirred excitedly. He’d always loved hunting, but the idea of hunting Ariel – now that was thrilling.
“But… um…”
“There really should be an enforcer in each vehicle,” said Mal reasonably, and in a tone that suggested that was the reason why Burke had taken her spot, rather than each male’s ulterior motives.
“I suppose,” she admitted unenthusiastically.
Mal took a moment to consider how the times were a-changing. For the past five yea
rs, it had been Ariel who sought him out, wanted to spend time with him, and now it was him seeking her out.
He smiled, ingratiatingly he thought, but it didn’t put her at ease. He held open the door and waited for her to hop in.
Before they even started, Ariel turned to the four monsters in the back seat and got them interested in a car game with the promise of a Twinky reward. It was a much better tactic than just arguing with them.
When they were on their way, Ariel half-turned to him. “I’m sorry.”
“What for?” he asked immediately on alert. Was she sorry she asked him to stay?
Ariel glanced over her shoulder to make sure the kids were occupied. “I was a little… flustered after last night,” she said quietly, “and I didn’t say thank you for coming last minute. I was… rude.”
“You don’t have to apologize or say thank you.”
“You’re just doing your job, right?” she sighed.
“No, I meant that it’s my pleasure.”
Ariel flicked a look at him.
“You don’t have to be flustered,” he added.
“Oh, I think I do!” she muttered with a forced laugh.
“I’m… glad you said it.”
“Oh.”
Mal glanced at her, and their eyes met. Ariel licked her lips. The air between them seemed to crackle.
“Mal?” she breathed, her cheeks turning pink.
“Ariel!”
Ariel squeaked as one of the kids – whom Mal had utterly forgotten about at that moment – shouted her name, demanding attention.
“What’s wrong?” she croaked.
“I saw a bear! I saw a bear!” squealed one of the kids, bouncing up and down.
“It was just a tree,” huffed one of the other kids.
“It was not!”
A spirited argument started between the children, and Ariel broke it up with another car game that lasted until they reached the cabin.
*
When they arrived, the kids were all a little annoyed from being cooped up in the SUVs for so long. They were young shifters who liked nothing more than getting to run around like the wild, little creatures they were.