Not So Silent Night

by Sheri Velarde

  "As to my abilities, think of me as just being more in tune to the natural forces of the world, for nature is where all of my power comes from. They are as natural as you and every other shifter. I don't think of as any of us as being supernatural; in fact, I feel more natural actually."

  Alexander nodded. "It makes perfect sense. My mother holds similar beliefs. She contends we are closer to nature than regular humans, and that is why we can take the form of animals."

  "Exactly! I like your mom already."

  "Then you should meet her. Tomorrow. You can meet my entire family, as my father and brother are here as well."

  "You want me to meet your family?" Anna stammered a little bit.

  "Of course. This is not going to be some one-night stand. I like you. A lot. We are here for a couple of weeks on vacation. Then, remember, I do not live in Russia as my family does; I am a train ride away in Washington, D.C. This is the start of something between us. Just accept it." He gently kissed her. "Now tell me why you are so scared of relationship talk. Is that what has been wrong with your powers? Did a relationship go wrong? Did someone hurt you?"

  Feeling uncomfortable by his keen insights into her, she began to physically pull away from Alexander, but he placed a strong arm around her and held her tightly. "Trust me, please, Anna. Trust me enough to tell me everything. I am not here to judge you or your past. I just want to know and understand you better."

  She looked into his deep blue and believing eyes, and something in her began to melt a little. She could trust this man. Maybe sharing her burden would somehow allow her to finally heal from the Justin ordeal. "Okay, I will tell you everything." She took a deep breath to gather her thoughts. "You are the first person I have spoken to about this. I never even told my grandmother, although I am sure she guessed a lot of it, even in her sickened state. She had always been so good at reading me, and her mind always sharp as a tack."

  Alexander smiled. "I think that is something all grandmothers are."

  This brought a small tear to Anna's eye. "Yes, grandmothers are a special breed." She paused, trying to think of how to continue. "You wanted to know about my relationship issues. I suppose I am skittish about relationships partly because I have never been good at them. Humans always seem to sense there is something different about me and leave me, usually calling me a freak on their way out. I scare them even when I try to be as normal as possible."

  "You are too special to be with a mere human. You are meant for someone more," Alexander interjected with complete confidence as he squeezed her hand.

  "You keep distracting me," she murmured before continuing. "I've tried dating the shifters in this area, but they have never really been my type. Some have been nice guys, not all are like the wolves roaming here now, but there was never any sort of real connection."

  "You must have been very lonely." Alexander stroked her hair. He just seemed unable to keep from touching and comforting her, making her story all the harder to get out.

  "I was, so I decided to move to New York. I figured I had to fit in somewhere with so many people about." She paused again and stared off, reminiscing about the great city where she had actually found peace for a short amount of time.

  "That's where I met Justin. He was like me, a witch, or warlock, if you want to be specific. He was the most powerful being that I have ever met. Seriously, I felt his pull at least a mile away. It scared and fascinated me at the same time. We fell into a relationship almost immediately. I spent a blissful couple of years with him. But just because we are magical does not mean we are immortal or invincible. He was shot and killed in a senseless act of violence by being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

  She sat there quietly, waiting for the tears, though they did not come this time. She felt sad, yes, but it also felt like something was finally healing inside of her, and she no longer lost it when thinking about Justin and all that had been taken from her. And she felt Alexander's presence had more than a little something to do with her newfound strength and calm.

  As she became lost in her thoughts, Alexander interrupted her. "And your powers diminished? From the sadness of losing your lover?" He continued to gently stroke her hand, all compassion and understanding, which made what she had to say next all the more excruciating.

  "No, not exactly. I went insane with rage after his death. There is no other way to put it. I used all my powers to track down those who took him from me. Then I killed them, like some sort of evil monster with no remorse." She stopped, afraid to even look at Alexander.

  "No, like a woman who had lost someone she loved," Alexander said gently.

  "I lost most of my powers after. Some of it because of all the power I expended. Part of it due to the fact that after my anger was spent, so was I, and I think part of it because the evil I used my powers for used up the good I had as well. I never felt like the same sweet girl again. Then my grandmother became sick, and my powers grew weaker. They have been gaining ever so slightly lately, but not until tonight did I truly feel strength flowing through me for the first time in years."

  They sat there in silence for a while, Alexander just holding her, not shying away from her even though she had admitted to being a murderer. "Aren't you appalled that I used dark magic to seek revenge and kill people without a fair trial or thought to what I was doing?"

  Alexander sat up and looked her straight in the eyes. "No, you did nothing that I would not do myself. You avenged your loved one. I find it commendable. You are not evil; you sought justice when no other justice could have been found. Your powers let you know that these people were guilty, yet that is not something you could take to law enforcement. You are a strong and brave woman to do what you did." He caressed her cheek and kissed her briefly on the lips. "You are the type of woman that I could easily see myself falling in love with." He kissed her deeply before pulling back and lightening the tone of the conversation. "Now, I believe you had some questions for me? Ask whatever you like."

  Anna sat there stunned for a few moments, still in shock from the fact that he really did not consider her a murderer, and by what he said about falling in love. Finally, she realized he stared at her expectantly, and she tried to get her brain working again. After all, there was a lot about her new lover she truly did want to know about.

  "I just want to know about you, everything about you. About Russia, about what your family is like, about why you live in D.C. What brought you so far from home? America and Russia are so different; I can only imagine the culture shock."

  "I loved growing up in Russia. My family lives right outside of Moscow, so I had the best of both worlds, a large city nearby but the beauty of the countryside surrounding us. My family, well, I love them. We have a compound where the entire extended family lives."

  "Are you all weres?" Anna interrupted.

  "Yes, there are not really many of us. Weres do not always marry weres and sometimes our children come out human even when both parents are. The bears are dying out in Russia. Not enough female bears are being born, it seems. My parents were so lucky to find each other. As for why I moved here to Washington, I work for the embassy. I like it here. I do miss my family, and sometimes it is hard not having other shifters around for friends. Any I come across are usually smaller animals and scared of me. And I don't like packs. So much politics in shifter circles."

  Unable to contain herself and her curiosity, she had to ask. "Can I watch you shift? I mean, I have seen a wolf shift before, but a bear would be amazing. I know you retain your human awareness, so I won't be in danger, right? You are just so huge as a man; I can't help but want to see you as a bear."

  Alexander chuckled. "This is certainly a strange request, but if you want to see me shift, I will need more room; I am quite large when I change."

  She bounced off the bed. "Goody, let's go downstairs! There is a loading area in the back of the shop for storage. It's huge and not being used. It's cold though."

  He just laughed as he stood up besi
de her. "I am Russian and a bear. Cold does not bother me."

  Anna practically bounced down the stairs. "Shifting has always fascinated me. I don't know why, but it does. Maybe because it is a power more natural than mine."

  "Well we are even, because I have always wanted to meet a real live witch. Someone with your powers is truly something of legends in my country. I am not joking when I say that." He walked to the middle of the large and empty room. "Okay, stand back."

  He began to shimmer just as he had when he climaxed, but more intensely. Anna stared in wonder. As she watched, her lover began to blur, and a bundle of energy seemed to grow and grow and grow. The shimmering started to diminish, and then suddenly, a giant brown bear stood in Alexander's place. He walked over to her, and she ran her fingers through the long, thick hair. The sheer size of him awed her. He was huge. She nuzzled the bear that was her lover. "Wow, well this can certainly make a girl feel safe. And to think that I was worried about what the wolves might do to you. But now, I think you will be just fine."

  Bear Alexander growled a comforting growl. Then the shimmering started again, and soon, Alexander stood there in all his naked human glory. "I promise to keep you safe whether in human or bear form."

  He then swept her up in his powerful arms and carried her back upstairs. There was more she wanted to ask. She started, but he placed his lips on hers. "We have plenty of time to talk. I think I am ready for another round of not talking. How about you?" He was right; she certainly did not really feel like talking with his arms wrapped around her.

  ****

  The next morning, Anna awoke from a night free of nightmares, for the first time since New York. She snuggled next to Alexander, his arms still encircling her. He remained asleep, and she just lay there, staring at him, a lightness filling her soul, replacing the ever present darkness that had nested in her for so long. Something had clicked with this man. She felt at home with him, like she belonged with him. She didn't even know if her connection to Justin had been this deep this quickly.

  Anna thought of what her grandmother had kept telling her right before she passed, about something special headed her way. Anna just needed to be open when it arrived. Now she thought her grandmother had to have been talking about Alexander and how he was going to affect her. For the first time in years, she felt at peace and actually filled with hope.

  Alexander opened his eyes and smiled at her. "Good morning. What are you grinning about?" He kissed her gently on the lips.

  "You make me happy. And I can't wait to get to know you. And meet your family today as you promised."

  "Yes, I told them before I left last night that we would meet them at the lodge for brunch."

  "You told them you would bring a girl you just met to brunch? They know you are here and have been here all night, and I am just supposed to go meet them? Gosh, I must look like a harlot in their eyes!"

  Alexander just chuckled. "Does anyone still use the word harlot? And don't worry. First, I am a grown man who can sleep wherever and with whomever he likes, and my parents completely understand. Second, they are going to find you as charming as I do!" He looked at the clock and then smiled. "We still have a little time before I said we would meet them. Please tell me that you don't have to open the shop this morning."

  "As it is Christmas Eve, I am only planning on being open noon to six. I figure most people have their flowers and decorations by now, and I am ready for this holiday to be over already."

  "Oh, that's right, it is your Christmas Eve. What are your plans for tonight and tomorrow? I had been planning on monopolizing your time as much as possible, well, and maybe letting you get to know my family when we came up for air."

  "What do you mean my Christmas Eve? Doesn't it belong to everyone?" Suddenly something occurred to her. "Don't you celebrate Christmas?"

  Alexander smiled. "My family and I are Russian Orthodox. We celebrate Christmas, but we do so later than you. Our Christmas is on January 5th. But tell me of your plans? I will work around them."

  Anna shrugged. "I am going to work today. Nothing else planned. I'm a witch, so I don't exactly attend midnight mass. As for tomorrow, I suppose Kev and Rach were thinking of kidnapping me and forcing me to have dinner at their place so I wouldn't sit here all alone with a frozen meal. I guess I just don't like the holidays that much, which means I never make plans."

  He sat up. "I noticed you have none of the decorations in your personal space like the ones in your shop."

  Again, she shrugged. "Decorations are good for business. I just don't see the point of having them for myself. I guess that is why I don't like the holidays. They remind me how alone I truly am in this world. Though even when my grandmother was around, I still always felt kind of lonely and apart during this time of year. I usually shut down the shop after Christmas and hide away from the world until after the New Year arrives."

  "You will not be alone this holiday." Alexander took her in his arms and kissed her gently. "I will make sure you enjoy your Christmas as well as mine. Twelve days of Christmas is exactly what you need, I think, at least the twelve days that I can provide for you. I will bring joy back into this time of year for you. "

  "You are going to be in Vermont that long?"

  "Not originally, but now we are." He kissed her again. "I told you this is no vacation time fling. This is the start of something special. I feel that I am right in this."

  This time when he kissed her, Anna could certainly feel a lot more than lust behind it. And she felt something much more than the physical stir in her as well. She again remembered what her grandmother had said. She thought about how her instincts all told her this man was something special. He could be her second chance at love and happiness. She knew it then; she was falling in love with her curious Russian werebear, and she felt whole again at last. It had been less than a day, but sometimes things just fell into place, and you knew. She knew this was meant to be right then and there. Her mind finally stopped coming up with excuses and let her healed heart take control.

  As they kissed and explored each other's bodies once again, Anna's newfound trust and acceptance of Alexander and their connection made the experience even more intimate. They took their time, really letting the fire between them build. When Alexander entered her this time, it was like he pushed more than his physical body into her. It felt like part of his being entered her and mingled with her being. She raised her hips with each of his measured thrusts, letting the tension grow.

  Just when Anna thought she couldn't take any more pleasure, Alexander began to quicken his pace, his need overcoming him. They both came at the exact same time, shouting their climaxes. Alexander shimmered so much, that for a moment, he became nothing but a blur above her. She came so hard, she swore she might have shimmered as well. There was definitely something different about their lovemaking this time.

  "Wow, did you feel that?" she panted, hoping that he felt as connected as she did, that they were indeed bonding in a way she had never thought possible.

  Alexander's eyes were wide in shock. "You shimmered with me. Is that even possible?"

  Anna just laughed. "Apparently. It's never happened to me before. I told you some witches can shift. Maybe I can shimmer when you make me blissfully happy." She kissed him sweetly. "But I think instead of wondering about my shimmering, for it was something good no matter what it was, we better get ready to go see your family. I refuse to meet your parents smelling like sex. Especially since they are shifters with good noses. Let's get showered and go meet them."

  They showered together, of course taking time to make out and help each other wash those hard to reach spots, but Anna kept catching Alexander staring at her in wonder. She smiled to herself, knowing he was just as enchanted with her as she was with him. It felt so good to be with this man, to feel cared for, and yes, even loved, after all this time. She had abandoned any hope of happiness long ago. Now, she could see a bright and happy future, and she was not going to let it go for anythin
g.

  ****

  As Alexander drove them the short distance across town to the hotel where his parents were staying, Anna could not help but feel nervous. She was falling for Alexander, and he had already admitted he had similar feelings, but what if his family hated her? He seemed close to them. Could it be a deal breaker if they said she was trash? She became so wrapped up in her own thoughts, she wasn't paying attention to what he did or said. Before she knew it, they had pulled into the parking lot of the town's small luxury hotel.

  Alexander got out and opened her door, but she found herself unable to move for a moment. Her body had gone rigid as her eyes fluttered back and forth, visions too quick for her to make sense of flashed before her eyes. The next second they were gone, only a sense of unease left in their place. As she continued to sit there, Alexander spoke up, bringing her back to reality.

  "Are you getting out? I think we would all prefer brunch inside as opposed to here in the car," he joked as if to try to calm her nerves.

  She nodded and took his hand to get out of the car, even though she started to shake all over. Evidently he noticed. "It's okay; they are going to love you. There is no need to be this nervous. I promise. They may be bears, but they don’t bite."

  The apprehension from her vision still making her tense, Anna answered, "I just feel uneasy. Something is not right; something is going to happen. I can just feel it. I don't know if it has to do with your family or something else, but something is definitely wrong here. I was taught to never ignore these types of feelings. We need to be on the lookout. I just don't know for what."

  He believed her in an instant. She could feel Alexander tense up beside her and use his extra senses to scan the area. "I don't detect anything. However, let's get inside and check with my family and make sure everything is okay on that front."