by Cara Adams
No wonder he had an aura of power. He was the Alpha’s son. But what he said made good sense, which proved he had his father’s brains.
Kyan stayed silent as people batted ideas backward and forward, but none was better than hiring an entire conference center. That way they would be able to enforce the privacy they really needed for this event to be a success.
The women spoke about the series of online workshops prospective attendees would have to complete before their registration was accepted, then Ginnie spoke.
“We’re looking at running some workshops during the day. Not too early in the morning of course, as people may have been up rather late the previous night. But the guests will need something to do during the day or they’ll fight from boredom if nothing else. That’s why a hotel would be good, as it’d have a gym where the wolves could burn off some energy. I’m not sure we’ll find a conference center or a small hotel like that, but it’s something we’ll be considering. Anyway, the type of workshops we thought we might have would be discussing how to cooperate and make a ménage successful, how to massage a loved one’s hands and feet, romance 101 for males, interspecies relationships, the art of listening and so on. We could also arrange something more energetic for midday. Perhaps a shopping tour for the women, and golf or tenpin bowling for the men, and a combined walking tour of interesting historical buildings or to a scenic view or something like that. But a choice of daytime activities that will appeal to at least some of the participants.”
Kyan nodded. That was smart. Give them active choices so they didn’t just sit in the bar all day drinking, then be obnoxious and aggressive by evening.
The meeting continued for another hour, then Josie took over again, and began allocating tasks. People were to research venues, to look at various daytime activities, and nighttime party themes. Kyan and Aragon were told to develop a series of hurdles that the would-be attendees had to complete to show they were genuine about wanting a mate.
“Also, everyone is to be thinking about places to advertise so that human women who understand shape-shifter culture will be aware this event is happening. Finally, we need a name for it. Something both shape-shifters and humans will understand,” she said.
Josie stood up, signaling the meeting was over. Kyan stood, too, but kept his eyes on Bianca. She was so lovely and he wanted her so much. As they left the room, he and Aragon followed Bianca then stood before her.
“Would you reconsider having a meal with us? I’m sure you know now we aren’t worried about what species you belong to. We love and want you for yourself,” he said.
Bianca looked at Taige, Eve, and Ginnie, who all smiled at her.
Cornelian handed Aragon his car keys. “You take my car and I’ll go home with Taige.”
Bianca laughed. “Okay, it looks like it’s all arranged then. Just lunch. Nothing more.”
Hell yes. At last!
* * * *
The last few days had been a whirlwind of things happening for Bianca. At the Wednesday evening meeting with Taige, Eve, and Ginnie, Jasper had appeared and asked her to work for him.
“I’d like to, Jasper, but I don’t have much time. Between my job and making my craft to sell—”
“I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear. I meant as your day job for the next few months. Until say, two months after the event is over and all the bills are paid and debriefings conducted. I’ll pay you your current salary plus an extra ten percent for the inconvenience of having to quit your current job. You’re the obvious person for the job. You’re trained in data entry and you understand both humans and shape-shifters. I’ll also give you a cell phone just for the event so people will only have that number, not your personal cell number.”
Bianca knew she might be doing something dangerous, quitting her job. But it was just a job that paid barely more than minimum wage. It certainly wasn’t a career. And she loved being with these people. Being surrounded by artists was heavenly, and they were all so sweet and kind. It was a way better environment than at her current employer. She’d just have to hope Jasper gave her a really good reference so she could get a better situation when it ended.
“Thank you, Jasper. I accept.”
“Thank you. How much do you earn? I’ll pay you ten percent more.”
When she told him everyone stared at her.
“That’s minimum wage. They’re only paying you minimum wage?” said Eve.
“Actually it’s twenty-five cents an hour above minimum wage. It’s not easy to get a data entry job that pays much higher than that. Every fifteen-year-old kid can type.”
“It’s not good enough for the work I’ll be expecting of you. I’ll pay you twenty percent more.”
“Thank you.” Bianca felt overwhelmed by his kindness. The next few months might be hard work, but they were going to be a lot of fun as well. She really enjoyed spending time with these people.
Her first trip to Wolf Central was very scary. She kept half expecting one of those male wolves to denounce her as a fox and demand she leave their property. But instead, everyone was very focused on the task, and she was comforted by Josie’s very businesslike approach, and by the warm glances of Kyan and Aragon. Every time she looked up, one or the other of them was smiling at her or looking approvingly at her. She wasn’t used to that. They were both so incredibly handsome, it was hard to believe they liked her and wanted to know her better.
She certainly had hated telling them no, back at the craft market, but she’d really believed that they’d be turned right off her once they knew she was a fox. However, it didn’t seem to have had any effect on them at all. Several times she’d asked Taige to check her species was okay, and each time Taige had told her no one cared. The Supreme Alpha for North America had decreed interspecies marriages were permitted and it seemed his word was law. No matter what the species was.
Right now, Kyan was on one side of her and Aragon on the other and already she was sure she was blushing with happiness to be with them. For a moment she cursed her red hair and pale skin, and the freckles that dotted her forehead and nose, but that was all part of being a red fox, so she couldn’t really complain. She should just enjoy the next hour with them both.
“You choose. Where would you like to go?” asked Kyan.
“Is it all right if we sample a number of places? I want to look at the various food places here at Wolf Central. I thought it could be good to have some food bars at the event, kind of like the vendors at the craft markets. And the obvious ones to have would be shape-shifters. Cornelian said all the businesses in this building are owned, managed and staffed by wolves, so the two levels of stores here would be a great place for me to get ideas.”
“My appetite is at your disposal. I’m happy to taste test whatever you’d like me to,” said Aragon.
“Mine, too.”
They turned and led her down the stairs, and then wandered around the hallways on the second level. Having got an idea of what was available she turned to go down to the first level.
“Hey, wait. Don’t you want to try any of these? I thought the spaghetti house looked really inviting,” said Kyan.
“Maybe. But I want to see what other stores there are first.”
“Oh. Okay.”
Bianca supposed they were being very patient with her, but she didn’t have an unlimited amount of money to spend on lunch. Or, if they intended to pay for it, she didn’t want to waste too much of their money. Her aim was to taste the most likely contenders first.
“I expect we’ll ask Nadia to be the coffee barista since she does our craft markets, but I like the idea of the fruit juice bar as well. Let’s go there first.”
At the fruit juice bar the client chose from the mountains of fresh fruit which were juiced into a drink while they watched. Bianca let the men go first while she weighed up the potential for the various flavors, finally deciding on apple, orange, pineapple, strawberry, and watermelon, which tasted delicious. She picked up one of their business card
s and slipped it into her purse. That was a possibility she’d definitely follow up.
“Where to now?” asked Kyan.
“The build-your-own-sandwich café I think, then the chocolatier.”
Bianca watched to see if they complained. It meant walking up and down the stairs twice, but she knew if she ate chocolate first it’d spoil her taste buds for the sandwich. But the men seemed perfectly happy with her plan. It took her even longer to choose her sandwich ingredients than it had for the fruit juice. There were just so many delicious options. Those two vendors would be ideal, as people would come back day after day to try out different mixtures. The chocolatier was pretty much guaranteed, too, even though she hadn’t bought a chocolate yet, simply because so many people liked chocolate.
While they ate, they chatted about the forthcoming week-long party, and started suggesting names for it, using the word week, or mating.
“Remember years ago there used to be a company that ran an annual Valentine’s Day Ball which was only for unattached people? The Desperate and Dateless Ball,” she said.
Aragon shook his head but Kyan looked thoughtful. “That’s right. Then they started calling it just a D&D Ball.”
“But that’s too confusing with Dungeons and Dragons,” objected Aragon.
“Yes. But why don’t we work with the thought of desperate and dateless wolves or something along those lines?”
“The First Annual Desperate and Dateless Inter-Species Week-Long House Party,” suggested Kyan.
“Too long,” said Aragon.
“We could shorten it to FADADISWLHP.”
“Which no one can pronounce.” Aragon was shaking his head.
“DADISP. Short, sharp and not condemnatory. With a brief break between the Da and the Disp for easier pronunciation. Besides, it splits the desperate and dateless up, making it less pointed,” added Bianca. “Let’s go taste the chocolate.”
The men stood up quickly and led her back downstairs to the store. This time they insisted on choosing for her, buying far more items than she’d ever have chosen for herself.
“Are you still hungry? We could stop off at the spaghetti store if you like?” suggested Kyan.
“I can’t eat anything more, but if you’re still hungry we could go there and you can tell me if I need to add it to my list.”
In the end she did taste some pasta and a meatball, both of them truly delicious, so she took the store’s business card, adding it to the pile in her purse. “I want to collect cards from the beauty parlor and the aromatherapy places, too. Women guests might like a place to sit and talk and gets their nails done or a pedicure.”
“Whereas the men will sit in the bar and drink beer and eat pretzels,” said Kyan.
“It’ll still give them a chance to relax. I suppose I ought to ensure there’s a big-screen TV with the sports channel, too, shouldn’t I?”
“Likely there’ll be one in the bar,” said Aragon.
“Okay. I’m ready to go home now. Thank you so much for your company and help,” she said.
“Can we come with you, please?”
“You could show us your origami,” added Aragon with the naughtiest grin on his face.
Suddenly Bianca knew this was what she’d wanted. Her emotions had been on a rollercoaster ride ever since she’d met these men. They were so delightful to look at. And since she’d gotten to know them, they’d proven to have characters as entertaining and attractive as their bodies. When she’d thought she couldn’t have them, she’d held her feelings tightly in check, but as soon as she’d understood that not every wolf was prejudiced against foxes, she’d dared to hope.
She still thought it was too much to expect them to mate her, even though they’d said that was what they wanted. Besides, if they did, sooner or later they would come up against anti-fox prejudice and she couldn’t do that to them. But perhaps, just once, she could spend time alone with them. Maybe some kissing and touching, not necessarily any more than that. This was a first date after all.
Her panties dampened and her nipples hardened. Kissing and touching was starting to sound mighty fine to her.
“All right. You can come home with me just for a little while.”
Chapter Three
Kyan knew she’d only said they could go to her home “for a little while” but he was determined to give her as much pleasure as possible in the time she allowed them. Hopefully she’d be feeling so good that the little while would become a long while. But that left him with a problem. He didn’t carry condoms and he didn’t think Aragon would either. Since Bianca seemed to be celibate it wasn’t guaranteed that she’d have a stash of them in her nightstand just waiting for them to arrive. So, as the Dom, it was his task to be prepared.
Fortunately, in all their walking around the stores, he’d noticed a mini-mart which should sell such an item. Also, as an added bonus, it was Aragon who had Cornelian’s car keys. “I’ll meet you in the parking lot,” he said, turning to run back up the stairs to the mini-mart. Every time, every store they’d wanted had been on the other level. It was like some kind of cosmic game to make him exercise.
Kyan didn’t bother to take the elevator once he was headed back downstairs again. He just kept running until he exited at the bottom level of the parking lot. He walked toward the far wall, where they’d parked their car. Aragon was just opening the passenger door for Bianca, then he walked around to the driver’s side. Kyan jumped in the backseat, his mind already busy thinking up various scenarios where they could progress from a kiss and a hug to the bedroom. Sternly he told himself he was not to try to push Bianca at all. They couldn’t risk rushing her and frightening her away. They were lucky to have been given a second chance. Nonetheless, they could ask. Nicely. Persuasively even, but only ask. But first he had another question.
“We’ll take you to your home if you’d rather go straight there, but would you like to come to our pack lands and see them first?”
“Actually, yes, I would. I’ve heard about them but never been there. Is it okay me being a red fox though?”
“Of course,” said Aragon, starting the engine.
Kyan had so many questions he wanted to ask her. For now, though, he’d really like to know more about her. “Bianca, Aragon and I were brought up in the pack. After high school, I went to college to study to be a paramedic, but apart from those few years I’ve always lived with the pack. What about you? Were brought up in a pack of red foxes?”
She twisted in her seat so she could see both him, sitting in the backseat, and Aragon, who was driving. “My father was part of a very small pack as a child, but apparently it broke up when he was very young. He lived among humans until he was in his early forties, when he met my mother. They were both really surprised to find another red fox and they got married almost immediately. I lived with them in human society until I was eighteen, then Dad retired, and they bought an RV and headed off to travel around America. They only got as far as the Rocky Mountains. They got caught in a blizzard and the RV went over a cliff, killing them both.”
“What a tragedy. However did you cope?” asked Kyan. She must have been terribly upset, so young and alone.
“I had no other option but to cope. I was in my first year at art school, so I had to leave. They’d sold everything to buy the RV. It was a nice one with a proper bathroom and a separate bedroom, because they intended to live in it for a year or more as they traveled. The RV was wrecked, but they’d taken out insurance which paid to fly their bodies home and for their funeral. There was enough left for me to complete a six-week data programmer course and pay the security deposit on my little bungalow. I got a job and the rest you know.”
“Have you always been interested in craft?” asked Aragon.
Kyan nodded to himself. Yes, that was an important part of her personality. He mustn’t ever forget she was a creative artist.
“I suppose you could say I dabble in art. I like to draw and paint. I’ve spent time making pottery and c
eramics. My work is nice, but not outstanding. But once I started origami I knew it was what I wanted to do. I get a real sense of achievement as things come to life just from folding and refolding a flat sheet of paper.”
“You’re very good at paper craft. Those balls you make are amazing,” said Aragon.
“We’re entering pack land now,” said Kyan as Aragon turned down a rutted dirt track. The entry road was left looking neglected deliberately as a bit of camouflage. After a mile or so they came to a boom gate across the track. It, too, was deceptive. The posts and barrier were made of solid steel. Any ordinary truck trying to ram through it would end up with a badly damaged radiator and engine. Kyan jumped out of the car and unlocked the boom, then locked it again behind them after Aragon drove through.
The track wound on through the bush land, meandering through the trees and Bianca said, “A wolf on foot could go faster than the speed a car has to travel because the road is so bumpy and winds back on itself so much. I’m guessing that’s intentional.”
“Yes, it’s a security technique. You’re pretty smart to work it out,” said Kyan.
“It’s rather like paper folding. I fold the craft paper forward and then back, ending up where I was before. Your road does the same thing.”
Yep, she’s smart all right.
“Your place or mine?” asked Aragon.
Kyan had already thought about that. He wanted his own toy box. He had some scenarios in mind, but he’d be happier with his own equipment close at hand. “Mine.”
“Do most people here have a house of their own, or are you two unusual?” Bianca asked.
Kyan sat back and let Aragon answer. He was enjoying just watching her beautiful face and the expressions flitting over it. Her skin was fair and the half dozen freckles across her nose and a small group on her forehead looked really cute. Her hazel eyes changed color, darkening and lightening with her thoughts.
“When the original pack came here each family built their own house. There’s a central grassed square with the main buildings around it, but most of the houses back onto wild land so people can go running whenever they want to, right from their own back porch. After a while some of their original sons and daughters got mated and more homes were built. But then it became obvious there were too many men and too few women and gradually not all the houses were needed. Because the pack owns everything communally, where there were two sons in one family, and another family with no children, the empty house was passed to a second son. Right now there’s still two or three empty homes which we keep for guests or for the future, when some younger sons mate, but I don’t see us needing to build new homes any time soon,” said Aragon.