Creature Comforts

by Creature Comforts (lit)

  “And you,” India returned with a squeeze. “Were only talking to a guy you thought was attractive.”

  “I should have known.” Tamara protested. “I’m so dumb when it comes to men.” Again she turned to Karen for guidance. “Why aren’t they killing him?” Her confusion turned to personal horror. “You don’t think Adam’s going to let him stay? Become one of us?”

  India didn’t think any female, whatever species wanted a long term personal relationship with the one who used her. Made all the special feelings she’d experienced turn out to be a lie. And yet, the Alpha had not been particularly angry at Carter Hunter. India herself didn’t see the core of perverse evil in him that she’d seen in the Hunter she’d killed. She didn’t want to admit to the female that’s she’d been the one to beg for the Hunter to be spared. That at the time she didn’t want any more undeserved bloodshed on her conscience.

  Karen saved the day, heaving herself from her seat. “I think you need to dig in the big bag of clothes. We’re going make you so hot you torture the jerk for being such a…a…”

  “Dumbass,” India provided when Karen’s mommy-speak got the better of her. Karen gestured to the bag in the tub that she’d pulled the leather outfit from, making India turn to begin pulling women’s clothing of various sizes out. All India could imagine was that the female was prepared for anything. It appeared that the Anderson County pack was ready for the worst, but tried to enjoy what peace they could. India herself had never interacted with the females of her old pack so intimately friendly. She felt a part of the whole, accepted for herself. Before, everyone was too interested in making sure their station in the order of things was secure. Friendships were lukewarm with clear lines of dominance established. This was a type of bonding that made her crave more.

  Karen pulled Tamara to her feet in the small confines. “Come on. No more sulking. Strip down and let us release your inner hottie.” She pushed aside Tamara’s reluctance with the wave of a brush while India pulled out a pair of jeans, tossing them aside when they appeared too short for the long legged blonde. Her third choice appeared just right. She held them up. “Yes, those.” Karen agreed. “The lace on the pockets is feminine, while the laces up the leg say bad girl all the way. That jerk—.”

  “Dumbass.” India and Tamara corrected.

  “Won’t know what hit him.” Karen finished, brandishing a makeup brush. India urged a rich silk wrap the same color of Tamara’s eyes on the woman. Tying the edges in a knot at her hip, Tamara lifted her chin and squared her shoulders. After just little jiggling and jostling to get just the right effect and the three of them smiled in perfect understanding. No matter the species, nothing lifted a girl’s spirits like looking like a million bucks and rubbing it in the face of the idiot who hurt her.

  In the mirror, beside India’s darker skin and straight black hair, Tamara’s complexion and hair almost sparkled. Karen looked clean and wholesome, like an overgrown cheerleader. She was the essence of a woman sure of her mate’s feelings. Never one to obsess over her own appearance, India took critical inventory of her high cheekbones and full wide lips. A niggling doubt made her wonder if she could have secured Chase as her mate on her own merits. Yes, he wanted her now. She doubted he’d have picked her out of a crowd to ask out before.

  Following them out of the bathroom, India squeaked as her mate’s arms came around her. His nose buried in the curve of her neck. “I like this.” Chase breathed against her ear, hot and moist, sending a shiver down her spine. He nudged the matebond, making her feel more a part of the whole, a connection that she treasured. When he acted like this, she felt as if they were destined for one another. With a nip against her skin that sent a shiver of goosebumps over her body, he growled. “Baby, I am going to get you back for giving away my pants.”

  “Your pants?” Unfocused, the meaning went over her.

  “Yeah.” He nudged her from behind, the meaningful bulge against the curve of her rear made her press back. “I think I’m going to take yours in recompense.”

  The basement door opened, drawing everyone’s attention. Out of the corner of her eye, India noted Karen and Brandon’s similar couple’s clutch. Tamara cuddled into one of the plain black functional futon couches with the lower ranking males. In the other room, she could hear Diana soothing the youngsters. Of Bradley or Mark, she saw no evidence. Adam emerged from behind the door, leaving it open for the Hunter-turned-wolven to follow him out. Chase and Brandon issued stereo warning growls that made the Hunter stop. India could almost see the struggle for control under the Hunter’s veneer. Instead of prodding the newcomer, Chase pulled India to the door leading outside, throwing a look at the Alpha over his shoulder. “I think we’ll check on my little friends.”

  India sucked in a lungful of clean air. The mid-morning air was pleasantly damp. The lovely trees bore no indication of the horrors from last night. Her eyes widened as six bright lights flitted into view. Each became a doll-sized man. The brightest blue flew to hover in front of Chase, bobbing in greeting.

  “Good morn, wolf.”

  “And you, pixie.” Chase answered, his eyes roving the area.

  “Chase! You hairy traitor!” following the voice to the eve of the building, India was startled to see the small red-haired female from a few days ago. Two squirrels chattered obscenities, waving tiny fists beside her. “Trolls or goblins, I’d understand. But pixies!” The tiny woman was hard to see. She screamed and jumped. “Come a little closer you winged bastards!” From somewhere, a small red pistol appeared in the brownie’s hands. “I’ll give you the what for!” Oversized for her, but small—a child’s toy lifted and put to her own purposes. India wondered what damage a brownie could do with a cheap squirt gun. The pixies eyed Ember with extreme caution, a couple of them buzzed backward a few feet, making India wonder what was loaded in that squirt gun and how long the brownie and the pixies had been at a standoff.

  Chase ignored the screaming brownie, holding out a hand for a blue haired pixie to land on. That elicited another round of screaming insults from the eves of the building. “Wren.” Chase nodded, his golden hair falling around his shoulders in a glorious mane that India wanted to sink her fingers in. With reluctance, she focused on the interaction between the two, curious what her mate had to do with pixies. “Thank you for your aid in getting my packbrother help.”

  Wren, shrugged. For a little guy, he was built. Wide shoulders were in great shape due to the double dragonfly wings. The loincloth left the defined muscles of his body on display. For some pixie female, he’d be a good catch. India gave the eves where Ember sulked a small glance before returning to the small male. Wren’s voice was high without being feminine. “Thanks are not necessary. That is a human trait. The wolf is also one of fairykind. Aid to Morgan’s wolf is as to our lord. Yours and mine can be a negotiation of respect as well as one of give and take.” The words sounded faintly formal.

  “True,” Chase agreed. “What do you have in mind?”

  “You need scouts, eyes and ears, in your territory.” Chase nodded. This was true. They’d been hindered from the beginning because they did not have enough people to maintain vigilance. They supplemented some with fairies, but only so far. Over the years, neither group was willing to commit to a solid treaty to combine forces. Wren’s purple eyes glowed with sincerity. “We need territory for a new hive. The time to halve draws nigh. We require a safe place to build before winter makes food gathering difficult.”

  “I don’t know.” Chase glanced at the empty eves where the rest of the pixies watched with concern. “We’ve already got a brownie.”

  Wren leaned forward earnestly. His wings thrummed, propelling him forward so that he was level with Chase’s face. “Yes, but you have only one land-bound house brownie. My warrior swarm numbers ten. In five full seasons, a new hive will come full strength, bringing five times that many. Many seasons more before another halve is needed.” The pixie buzzed backward, giving Chase a bit of space. “In ou
r own territory, pixies are diligent, knowledgeable of every creature, animal, human, and supernatural that we share territory with.”

  “What? You do sweeps that can pick up psychics fast?” Chase’s question brought a calculated expression, telling that was just the conclusion Wren wanted the wolven to come to. “How quick could it be done?”

  “That would depend on how many descendant hives were spread over an area.” Wren said. “We are far overfull. Our hive can handle a three way split. I’m sure a secondary hive would be happy to negotiate for territory as well.”

  “So, you’re spearheading this move? You have the right to negotiate for your hive?” Chase rubbed thoughtfully at his chin.

  “It is my right.” Wren said with pride. “I am my queen’s own.”

  Ah, the crown prince, thought Chase. Or one of them. “Could you find the ones who attacked our pack? There’s not much to go on scent-wise.” Chase said, as if he didn’t believe the pixies could do what Wren boasted.

  Wren’s dragon-fly wings clattered in agitation. His flight wobbled a bit, but not uncontrollably. A pink flush stained his skin, his eyes narrowed to purple pin heads. He shook with a fine tremor of anger. “Think you we cannot wolf?” He thumped his small, but magnificent chest. “I am the queen’s own.” He flew up, whistling to the others to gather round and pointed a finger at Chase. “I will find your enemies. If I do, you will promise protected territory to us. Yes?”

  “Sure. I’ll do it.” Chase drawled, crossing his arms. Behind him, a thin scream echoed from the trees. The pixies jumped, save for Wren, looking around for a brownie attack.

  “Damn you for a dust sucking worm, Chase.” Ember screamed. “I’ll pox you with fleas!”

  “Done and done!” Shouted Wren. He threw a triumphant look in the brownie’s direction.

  “One thing.” Chase interrupted, holding up one finger and drawing Wren’s frowning purple eyes. “You’ve got to get along with the brownie.”

  The tiny man growled, fit for a wolven. A male look of anticipation wreathed his good looks. “Done and done.” His wings rubbed, making him drop as he issued a high hollow sound. And order of some kind that the others responded to by flying into formation. “We will be back with what you need before the sun hits the ground.” The pixies flew away in a buzz, sounding of angry bees.

  “You will not do this!” Ember ran from her hiding place among the leaves to the end of the nearest tree branch. The tip of her craft knife spear pointed in his direction. “This is my territory. You have no right to invite pixies.” Already tired of the argument, Chase turned away. Inside his Alpha waited, and the damned Hunter he knew Adam wanted him to make nice with. He didn’t fault India for facing off with the bastard. She’d already been through enough, his own asinine behavior notwithstanding.

  “When the Hunters are done with the pack, what makes you think they’ll leave?” India’s voice pulled him back around. She stood straight and proud, her lithe tan body packaged in sexy leather. Her shiny black hair flowed down her back. Her small heart shaped face turned up to the irate brownie. “They’ll stay to eradicate every supernatural element here. They’ve got people who can make us and the humans believe what they want. It’s going to take everyone helping to stand up to them.” You included. She didn’t say the words, but the meaning was there in India’s stance. In her daring speech.

  Ember stared down, her small face flushed almost as bright as her hair. The tip of her knife quivered from her grip. Chattering quietly, the squirrels backed up until they were no longer visible. “That’s it. You want a piece of me wolf bitch?” Ember swung the knife up into both hands, pointing the tip at India. “You got it.” She leapt from the branch.

  * * * *

  India went into an immediate crouch at the attack. Forfeiting her already injured arm, she knocked away the brownie. Stinging pain swept in a line down her arm where the sharp stainless steel knife opened her skin. Her blood scented the air. She turned to follow the brownie’s tumble into the weeds. Sensing her mate’s intent, she snarled. “No. This is my fight.” She meant it too.

  Searching her mind for any bits of information she had on fairies, brownies in particular, India came up with almost nothing. Small, indigenous and pretty much everywhere, brownies preferred to coexist with human families. They were territorial of their chosen people and foiled robberies in scarily inventive ways. Popular TV mixed up brownies with elves. That was all she came up with as the brownie regained her feet. India growled a warning, as the hair crept up her skin and the small burst fairy magic.

  Glancing down, she noticed a flurry of movement. Small brown spiders tickled over her bare feet. India snarled and jumped to another spot, brushing the creatures off her toes. She’d never been scared of spiders before. This had definite creep out quality though. Ember smirked, and propped one tiny hand on her thrust out hip. “Oh, come on. Give it up. This is what I do best.”

  Thinking fast, India stripped herself of the leather pants. She hopped to the side, avoiding more insects. Her human skin was vulnerable to bites. While she figured she could handle it better than a null human, she didn’t know if enough poison in her system would affect her. She jumped again, noting the tiny prick on her ankle. Hardly a bite, the site itched. India tore open the vest, the snaps giving easily. Jumping once more she Changed.

  The rush of fur slid luxuriously over her body. Her limbs stretched into a more efficient shape. Her shoulders pulled down and in as her head elongated, vision dulled to the flat monochrome grays even as the rest of her senses came more fully alive. She welcomed the thrust of sharp teeth and claw, snapping, even as she shook the last bit of tingling energy from her body.

  A small bird screeched and flew at her. India ducked her head to protect her eyes as it fluttered uselessly against her thick fur. Its claws tickled against her until she turned and snapped at it. The bird fell to the ground and swarmed over with insects. India jumped again, shaking her fur free of the things. Aggravated, she scanned the ground until she found her real quarry and burst into a run.

  Ember set her knife like a lance waiting for the right moment to thrust into her enemy. India snapped, earning a slash across the nose as Ember tumbled to the ground. Changing direction, India jumped before the brownie could grab her weapon. India’s paw fell flat over the knife. The other she used to knock over the brownie. Snapping and snarling she advanced on the retreating ignoring the small bumps and flutters of attacking small animals.

  In burst of fear, Ember twisted to dodge. India darted in and carefully snatched a mouthful of brownie. Ember screamed, the taste of her fear causing India to drool slightly. Gently, she shook the brownie with a growl.

  “Le-m-m-mme go-o-o!” Another shake made Ember cry out. The small animals scampered away, their control given back to them. “O-kay! I-I” Another wet wolf growl made the brownie moan. “Give. I give. O-kay?” India spat the brownie out, standing over her, a big paw on each side. Her ruff stood out in intimidation, her tail an angry fluff. She barely flinched a muscle as her mate’s hand smoothed over her dark head.

  “Spiders and bugs too, Ember.” Chase’s deep voice held a quiet menace that made the brownie wince. With a relief, the subtle tickle left her fur. His comforting hand stayed behind with an assurance that told her he’d have backed her up all the way. India backed up a pace, watching warily as she let the brownie regain her feet. Chase moved away, picking up each of India’s discarded garments. He held them up. “All the insects, Ember.”

  India watched as a few more creatures, probably the more nasty ones, dropped from her clothes. She didn’t know if she could make herself put them on again. A glance at the defiant brownie made her change her mind. India let the Change flow over her, pulling her upright into human form. Her fur washed away, taking the extra charge of power with it as bright color returned to the world. She lifted a lip, showing fang as it receded and held out her hand for her clothes. Staring down the brownie, India turned her pants right side out before p
ulling them on. She didn’t show the relief of finding not one wiggle inside. Discreetly, she checked for bugs before sliding the vest on. On another level, she noticed Chase’s warm look as he followed the progress of the vest over her bare breasts. Heat flashed between them as she took her time snapping the buttons.

  A slight sound made her glance at the full audience at the building’s door. Reggie and Eddie stood in wide eyed amazement while Brandon cocked an interested eyebrow. India pushed down a shiver of unease at the obvious displeasure Diana Weis displayed. Karen crossed her arms, her expression somewhat dark as she backed up her mother. Amazingly, Chase’s hand slid under India’s hair, his attention all on the brownie. “Next time you attack my mate,” he growled, “you’ll feel my teeth. And I won’t be so gentle.” He snapped his white teeth in Ember’s direction, making her fair complexion paler under the damp tangle of her fiery hair. His fingers slipped loose as he left, catching the other warden’s eye as he went inside. Brandon slapped at the shoulder of the other two males, drawing them behind him without a word.

  All that was left was the females. India waited, watching as Ember glanced at the pack leader and her daughter, then with a sly eye at her enemy. “You’re not good enough for him.” The brownie sneered. “He’ll figure it out eventually, you know. And then you’ll be out on your ass.”

  “You never think anyone is good enough.” Karen’s voice pulled the brownie in a half-circle. Ember frowned at Brandon’s mate as the human female edged past the Alpha. The stone of her wedding band twinkled in the light as she rubbed over the pronounced bulge of her pregnancy. “No one is good enough and the rest of our allies stay away because in the fairy world, the pack belongs to you.” She shook her head as Ember opened her mouth to reply. The rapid cut of the be-ringed hand across the air stopped the brownie’s words. “No. I’ve already been through this song and dance with you. I won’t have you abusing our females of this because of your petty jealousy.