by C. W. Gray
Leo’s mouth dropped open. “Rosemarie, that’s big. Do you really think she’s your mate?”
His sister flushed, then shrugged. “Maybe. I haven’t spent a lot of time with her, and you know my nose is a bit funny.”
“What do mean?” Sonny asked, frowning.
“Had a birth defect,” Rosemarie said gruffly. “My nose is about as good as yours. Shifters sense their mates through scent.”
Sonny moved to the bed and set Flufflepuff in Rosemarie’s lap. “When we’re back in town, I’ll do a scrying for you. I’ll need something that belongs to her. A hair would be best.”
“Thanks, Sonny.” Rosemarie stroked Flufflepuff’s back. “Leo, Dad wanted me to tell you we’re hunting the tree in about thirty minutes.”
Sonny looked delighted. “We’re actually going to hunt a Christmas trees in the woods?”
Niels snorted. “No. They all get drunk and go to the Christmas tree farm down the road to get a tree. Rosemarie gets to be one of the three designated drivers this year.”
Sonny looked a little nervous. “Is there a gnome village nearby? Will the Christmas tree farm be safe?”
Rosemarie turned her laugh into a cough. “There is a small gnome village north of here. Please tell me you aren’t afraid of gnomes. They’re sweet and adorable.”
Sonny shuddered and Leo hugged him again, doing his best to hide his laughter.
Niels grinned. “You should stay with me and make Christmas cookies. No gnomes here.”
Sonny smiled shyly. “Okay.”
“Now, about turning people green?”
“What exactly did Thorwald do to you?” Sonny asked, raising a brow. “There are a lot of things we can do that may be better revenge than just turning him green.”
Rosemarie grinned. “On that note, Leo and I are going to start preparing for the hunt.”
“By that, she means start in on Grandma’s eggnog.” Leo kissed Sonny’s cheek. “You sure you’re okay staying behind?”
“Of course.” Sonny looked down his nose. “I’m an adult and perfectly capable of making some cookies with your brother.”
Leo followed Rosemarie out the door. “Niels will watch out for him, right?”
Rosemarie blew her bangs out of her eyes. “You worry too much. He’s really nice, Leo. You shouldn’t be jerking him around. What are you going to do when you meet that perfect omega bear and mate? Sonny has the feels for ya. I can tell.”
Leo frowned. He needed to tell them that Sonny was his mate, but he hadn’t even talked about it with Sonny. It didn’t seem right.
“That’s my worry too.” Katrin waited for them at the bottom of the stairs, arms crossed. “You haven’t told us anything about this person, Leo.”
“Bah, you worry too much Katrin.” Ronald waved her away and handed Leo a large glass of eggnog. “We need to go get the tree. Your grandma is itching to decorate it tonight.”
A few eggnogs later and Leo wasn’t worrying too much. Several Rocchi family members wandered the Christmas tree farm, looking for the perfect one. Loud laughter and mock fights drew the glares of the owners, but Grandpa smoothed things over as usual.
“Bro, your witch is so hot,” Thorwald said, swaying slightly. “Damn, those legs of his go on for miles. He’s short, but still manages to have long legs. How is that possible?”
Leo gritted his teeth and forced back his growl. He propped himself up against one of the trees, dizzy for a moment.
Burkhart hugged one of the other trees. “This tree is too skinny. I like some padding on my trees.”
Thorwald hugged the tree next. “Yeah, way too skinny.” He looked at Leo. “Your witch has some nice, lean muscles on him too, but that ass? Damn, that ass is perfectly plump.”
Burkhart shoved Thorwald out of the way and hugged the next tree. “This is it. This is our tree!”
Thorwald hugged the tree too. “Oh yeah. These are some nice branches.”
“Dad,” Burkhart yelled. “We found our tree.”
Jesse, Ronald, and a few of Leo’s uncles came through the trees. “What are you boys doing?” Jesse asked, shaking his head.
“This is our tree, Dad.” Burkhart hugged it again. “I can feel it.”
A bear walked past them, grumbling softly. Another one, smaller than the first, pranced past, shaking his head.
“Damn it, Ronald. There are six bears wandering around.” The owner shook his fist at them. “I told you before. If any of you break one of the trees rubbing your back on it, you have to buy it. I wish y’all hibernated in the winter.”
Rosemarie jogged over. “We may have already broken three.”
“We’ll round everyone up,” Ronald said, slapping his friend on the back. “We’ll take this tree that my grandsons are hugging and the three we ruined.”
The owner shook his head. “You are annoying as hell, but you do make me money. Move your drunk asses to the empty plot next door while I ring you up.”
“Snowball fight,” Burkhart yelled and started stumbling toward the field. “Grandpa, I’m kicking your ass.”
“I’d love to see you try, boy,” Ronald said and ran after Burkhart.
“I’d love to see Sonny naked,” Thorwald said, stumbling into Leo. “You’re a lucky bear, bro.”
Leo pushed him away, frowning.
Jesse wrapped his arm around Leo’s shoulders and steered him toward the field. “I’ve been meaning to ask. That man you brought, he dresses a little strange, doesn’t he? I know you boys are gay, but that doesn’t mean you gotta wear girly clothes and jewelry.”
Leo’s face went hot, and he shoved his dad away. A cold snowball hit Jesse in the face, startling both of them.
“That’s just stupid talk, Jesse,” Ronald said. “Sonny’s genderfluid and wears whatever he feels like wearing. Nothing wrong with that.”
“Huh.” Jesse wiped snow from his face. “I’ve heard of that. Does that mean I shouldn’t call him him? Damn it, I already messed it up.”
“Janine says he uses male pronouns,” Ronald said, then looked at Leo. “That’s right, isn’t it?” He stumbled into his son and stuffed a handful of snow down the back of his coat.
Jesse yelped and danced around.
Leo smothered his laughter. “Yeah, Grandpa. He says male pronouns are usually easier for people to remember so he goes by them.”
Ronald frowned. “But is that what he wants?” He rubbed his eyes. “I think I drank too much.”
“I’ll remember, son,” Jesse said, shaking the snow out of his coat. “I’ll ogle it.”
Rosemarie pushed their cousins toward the field. “You mean google it, Dad.”
“I’m gonna ogle Sonny when we get home,” Thorwald said, smirking.
Burkhart tackled him, and the two rolled around in the snow.
Rosemarie gave Leo a wide-eyed look. “You okay there, Leo? I’ve never heard you growl like that before. You’re the most laid back of us.”
“I’m fine,” he said through gritted teeth. “When are we going home?”
“Looks like the trees have been loaded,” Ronald said. “Let’s get you back to your witch.”
Chapter 11
Sonny wiggled in his chair, uncomfortable with the stares Katrin and Coleen aimed at him. Their expressions were almost identical even though the two women looked very different. He could only describe it as icy empathy. I should have braved the gnomes and gone drunken Christmas tree hunting.
Flufflepuff curled in his lap, a warm weight of support.
Janine and several other Rocchi family members worked in the kitchen, cooking a feast for the evening. Apparently, this week was about eating and sharing time with family—a family he wasn’t really a part of.
“You work in a potion shop, huh?” Niels gave him a strained smile, then mouthed, I’m so sorry.
Sonny cleared his throat. “Yes. My mentor and I run the place.”
“Your spelled spaghetti was good,” Katrin said, mouth curving in a half smile.
Coleen winced, then shuddered. “Don’t remind us of that, Mom.” Her gaze sharpened on Sonny. “Leo is the type to want to settle down, Sonny. You seem nice, but you two aren’t mates. He’s a bear shifter, and one day, his mate is going to show up. What will you do then?”
Turn them into a donut and flush them down the toilet. Wait, we are mates, so I don’t have to worry about that. I think. Leo sure hadn’t acted like they were mates.
He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. “That’s between Leo and me.”
“Is it though?” Katrin asked. “This is a family gathering and he invited you. Like Coleen said, you seem nice, but you aren’t family. He shouldn’t have brought you.”
“Mom,” Niels said, eyes shocked.
Flufflepuff poked her head over the table and hissed at Katrin.
Sonny blinked away tears, a hard knot forming in his stomach. He knew he wasn’t family. No matter what Leo said, Sonny would never be his family. Maybe they were right. Maybe we’re not mates.
Katrin gave Fluff a wary look. “I promise I’m not trying to be cruel, Sonny, but I know my son and his heart gets involved too quickly. Please understand. He’s not for you.”
“Damn it, Katrin,” Janine said, stomping to the table. “I leave for five minutes and you break Sonny’s heart. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I’m just being honest.” Katrin winced. “You’re far better than that awful Dillion, but you’re a witch. You can’t be Leo’s mate. He certainly doesn’t act all that protective or possessive of you, and you haven’t been claimed.”
Flufflepuff hopped on the table, hair standing on end, and hissed loudly.
Sonny covered his mouth, stifling his cry. She was right. We’re not mates. We can’t be. What was I thinking? Why didn’t I listen to Aaron?
Janine held her hands up, worn face full of anger. “Enough, Katrin. You truly don’t know a thing about Leo and Sonny’s relationship.” She pulled Sonny out of the chair. “Grab your cat, sweetheart. I can see those thoughts churning in your head. We need some air.”
Katrin sat up straight, face red. “Janine, I’m just—”
“I said enough,” Janine interrupted. “Keep your mouth shut for five fucking minutes.”
Coleen glared at Flufflepuff when the cat swatted at her. “Grandma—”
“You too, Coleen.” Janine shook her head. “I’ve never been more disappointed in my family than I am right now.”
Niels squeaked and covered his mouth while Katrin and Coleen looked devastated at Janine’s words.
Sonny wiped his eyes and picked up Flufflepuff, burying his face against her fur. “Settle down, girl. I know the truth can hurt.”
Janine pulled him toward the backdoor. “Sonny and I are going to milk the cows.”
Sonny told his heart to stop thumping so loudly and his eyes to quit leaking, but it didn’t work. I love him. I love Leo and want us to be mates. Goddess, why does this have to hurt so much?
Janine grabbed their coats and pushed him through the door. “Oh, sweetheart, that look on your face just about kills me. I’m glad Leo isn’t here right now. He’d have some choice words for his mama, and those words would be hard to forgive.”
She tugged her coat on and wrapped his around his shoulders, making him slip his arms through one at a time before zipping it up to cover Flufflepuff. Then she pulled a warm knitted cap over his head and down to cover his ears. After donning her own mittens, she patted his cheeks. “Things will work out like they should as soon as Leo gets back, sweetheart. Let’s go milk the girls. They’re good producers so we milk them three times a day.”
He followed behind her, mind muddled and vision still blurry from the damn eye leakage. He was happy that he’d worn his low-heeled boots since he’d have to hike through snow and cow poo.
The walkway leading to the large red barn was paved and clear of snow. Janine noticed his surprise and shook her head. “Have you ever milked a cow, Sonny?”
Sonny wrinkled his nose. “No. We get our milk in jugs like the Goddess intended.”
Janine chuckled. “City witches. What can you do with them?”
They slipped into the warmth of the barn and Sonny looked around, surprised at the cleanliness. He didn’t see cow poo anywhere. He let Flufflepuff out and his familiar went to sniff around.
“Our girls are over here.” Janine walked toward the back. “Now, the first thing you need to do is say hello.”
Sonny followed behind her and stared into the first cow’s liquid eyes. The brown lady was in a stall filled with straw and looked fairly standard for a cow.
“Moo,” she lowed deeply.
“Moo to you too, ma’am,” Sonny said, nodding.
Janine smiled. “Since you and Daisy get along so well, I’ll let you milk her.”
She went on to explain the milking process, but Sonny only heard about half of what she said. He had found the cow poo. There was a big pile of it in the corner of Daisy’s stall.
Janine patted his shoulder, then pushed him through Daisy’s gate. “Let me know if you need any help. Remember to use lube.”
He yelped. What the hell am I doing? “I don’t know her that well!”
Janine laughed. “For your hands. Dear lord, I’m going to have fun with you, sweetie.” She tossed him a pair of latex gloves. “Just wear gloves if you don’t want to lube up. Holler if you need me.”
She went to the next stall, and Sonny slipped his gloves on while contemplating Daisy. “Your boobies, my darling Daisy, are too far down. Normally, I would kneel, but don’t think I’ve forgotten that huge pile of poo I spotted earlier.”
He waved a hand and mumbled a simple incantation to levitate Daisy. Why kneel when Daisy can float?
“Moo!” Daisy’s legs started kicking in panic as she rose in the air.
“Whoa, calm down, Daisy.” Sonny tried to steady her, but she was too scared.
Daisy kicked out, striking him in the shoulder, and he fell back, butt landing in the huge pile of cow poo. Sonny’s lip trembled and he squeezed his eyes closed. He could feel the warmth of the shit seeping through his favorite jeans. A whine escaped him, then like a dam breaking, his tears came, hard and ugly.
“Moo!” Daisy kicked and kicked, floating through the air like a demented bird.
“What the hell?” Janine stared at him, then at Daisy. “What did you do, Sonny?”
Daisy quieted down as she floated around the barn, brown eyes darting around with interest.
“My cow’s flying,” Janine said in wonder.
Sonny covered his face and cried harder. I’m a fucked-up failure of a witch. No wonder fate wouldn’t give me Leo for a mate. He’s not my honey bear.
The barn door opened and Katrin and Coleen walked in, bringing a cold blast of air with them.
“We’re sorry, Sonny,” Katrin said. “We didn’t mean to upset… Daisy’s floating. What the hell?”
The two women watched as the cow floated out of the barn and into the yard.
Janine rolled her eyes. “Don’t just stand there. Catch Daisy before she floats to the neighbor’s house. You know they’ve been trying to buy her.”
Katrin and Coleen ran outside, and Janine knelt beside him. “Sweetheart, I know you’re upset, but I need your help with Daisy.”
He mumbled something, not even sure what he was trying to say, and took her hand, letting her help him stand.
She spun him around and winced when she saw his backside. “You’re a mess, but we’ll get you clean.” She put an arm around his shoulders and walked him out of the barn.
Katrin and Coleen each had one of Daisy’s hoofs. Other family members were trying to help too, but Daisy kept floating higher.
Niels saw him and winced. “I can smell you from here.”
“Damn it, witch,” Coleen said, scowling. “Look at the mess you’ve made. Why couldn’t Leo have found a nice bear?”
An image of Leo with someone else popped into h
is head and anger shot through him. Sonny’s eyes narrowed and he growled, snapping his fingers. Coleen’s head shimmered for a moment before shifting into a pecan pie. The other Rocchi family members scrambled back in surprise.
Katrin kept a hand on Daisy’s hoof, but her feet started to rise from the ground. “Coleen, keep your mouth shut. Oh shit, you don’t have a mouth.”
“Sonny.” Janine looked horrified. “I hate pecan pie. Why didn’t you give her a pumpkin pie head instead?”
Several vehicles pulled into the driveway, and in seconds, the rest of the Rocchi family was filling the yard. Sonny sniffed and wiped his nose, eyeing the Christmas trees. I see they were successful. Good for fucking them.
Rosemarie went to her sister and studied Coleen. “I like this new look of yours.”
“She deserved it,” Niels said, nodding. “It does suit her well, don’t you think?”
Leo looked at Katrin, Daisy, and Coleen. “Sunshine, what did they do?”
Sonny’s eyes watered again and the tears were back. Leo took one look at him and opened his arms. Sonny ran to him and sobbed against his chest.
“I’m not family,” he said, pushing his head into Leo’s jacket and mumbling. “I hate your sister and cows stink.”
“Okay,” Leo said simply. “Do you want to go home? We can grab our bags and be on the road in five minutes.”
“Leo, it’s Christmas,” Jesse said, grabbing at Katrin as she floated higher. “You can’t just leave your family.”
Leo’s growl rumbled deep in his chest. “Sonny is my family.”
Thorwald pushed through the crowd and waved his hand in front of his nose. “Bro, your witch seriously smells, but I’d still do him.”
Sonny leaned back when Leo began to shift. He watched in amazement as Leo growled, eyes glaring at his brother.
“My mate!” Leo yelled, voice deepened by the shift. Then it was done and he was a large brown bear chasing his brother around the yard with death in his eyes.