by M, Jessie
“That's a nasty cut,” he remarked, attempting to start a conversation. He wanted to make some headway with the other men, as he wasn't doing too well with Tank.
“It happens. I've got a great one on my back. Take a gander.” He dropped his vest on the floor, and lifting his black Iron Maiden tee, flashed him his broad back. The scar was white and wide, and at least six inches long.
“How the hell did you get that?”
“I think I sliced myself on the metal gates at a turkey farm in Norfolk.”
“I had to sew you up, didn't I love?” Angel reminded him with an evil little grin.
“Don't remind me honey. It wasn't a high point in my life.”
“Avoid hospitals and doctors, do you?” Kyle asked with interest. He kind of guessed they might.
“We try and steer clear, for obvious reasons. I'm having a home birth, you know, just to be on the safe side. I don't know what kind of faces I'll pull in the throes of a painful labour, do I...?” Saffy explained from her seat on the sofa, with a trace of nervous tension in her voice..
“That's really brave of you, and sensible,” Kyle replied. He could imagine, from her point of view this could be quite a worry. He was damn glad he wasn't a woman, in all honesty.
“I'm not that brave... I've already got some pethidine and a gas and air canister ready. You wouldn't have any midwife experience, would 'ya Kyle?” she added. Obviously she was getting desperately worried, to consider asking him for help...
“'Fraid not. But I can boil water, supply towels, and mop your fevered brow. Maybe you can swear at me and thump me to give Max a rest here and there...”
“Yeah, I might be grateful for that mate...” Max replied with a warm smile and a thankful look.
“I helped my dog with her litter, a few years back. It must be something similar to that in some ways, eh?” They all had a good laugh after that, even though they were all pretty sure a dog and werewolf labour were definitely not the same experience.
He noticed Tank giving him evil glares from across the room. He didn't like him mingling in this overly friendly fashion at all. That was clear.
Not with his pack.
But fuck Tank.
And he'd made a little headway with the guys and gals, he hoped.
“See if you can change of your own free will,” She said as they lay snuggled up together on their bed.
“I'm kinda nervous about doing the whole thing.”
“Why?”
“Don't know really.”
“Oh come on. Let's both do it. We can admire each other, have a wolf moment and change back, okay?”
“I'll try. Here goes then...” He got off the bed and onto the floor and started to concentrate on racing fast through the woods, watching for a sign... a few hairs began sprouting on the back of his hand and that spurred him on. His face started tingling and he concentrated hard on bringing his wolf out. It was an exhilarating experience. A stinging, aching, stretching, and all over slightly painful sensation that swamped him. He watched Roxy changing so effortlessly. Her ugly snout emerging quickly. He was strangely finding her very appealing, even half changed. He knew her animal side would appeal to his, it was natural after all. He pushed himself, forcing his facial characteristics out as his shoulders and back reformed with a creaking of bones.
He growled with the effort... a rumbling, snarl of a sound, which satisfied him deeply. He was so enjoying this animal state. More than he ever realised he would.
She stood before him, fully changed, sleek and long nosed and dark grey. He whimpered at her and she nudged him with her nose, sniffing at him, scenting him. His transformation was finally complete, and they moved together, intimately rubbing faces and licking each other’s nose and ears. He ran his nostrils all around her body, breathing in the smoky scent and the underlying smell he knew so well. Her human perfume.
And the she spoke to him, in a strange way. In his mind. He knew what she was saying. He tried to say it back, but he couldn't. Just one word. “Beautiful...”
He stood and stared into her amber eyes as she stared back, unblinking. Then she broke the spell and began to transform, back to her human self. He began his visualisation and it all slowly shrunk back. Returning to human form seemed to be less traumatic than the wolf transformation. It was faster and less uncomfortable.
“You spoke to me, called me beautiful.”
“I did, because you are. I have the gift of communication, with all the pack.”
“Can they all do it?”
“No, only me.”
“How come?”
“Some of us have special abilities as a wolf. It took a year to come out in me... You might find something in time. Angel can feel your moods and pain, if she touches you. She's receptively telepathic, I'm dynamically telepathic.”
“This is amazing Roxy.”
“I know,” she smiled, with obvious pleasure.
Was there any end to her wonderful talents?
Red hot lover. Very able guitar player. A good singer. Skilled biker. Telepathic. Caring, sweet, and kind. The most gorgeous sexiest thing on two legs, or four for that matter.
He might just be in love with her.
A little...
Or maybe a lot?
No, no, no.... way too soon.
He put that thought out of his head.
“Roxy, got any jeans?” he asked hopefully. He didn't think teeny leather shorts and a denim Hells Angels vest were quite his mother's idea of good dress sense.
“Yeah, why?”
“Want to meet my folks?”
“I'd really love to!” Her face lit up in a big beaming smile.
“You might want to cover up in that case, all over preferably. My mum's lovely, but she's a touch old fashioned and a real clothes snob.”
“I can do posh and demure. I've got the perfect gear.”
“This I've gotta see...”
She picked out a lacy sleeved, white, high necked blouse and a pair of black cord pants and held them up for his inspection.
“Oh, and these...” She opened the lower drawer and retrieved a pair of cute high heeled black pumps with white bows on the toes.
“These can't be yours surely?” he asked her with a cheeky little flash of his eyes.
“I have another side to my character. I'm not just Little Miss Naughty. I'm Little Miss Nice too...” she sniggered.
They arrived at Brandon Manor, both of them on his bike, just before five. Roxy was looking very parent friendly and doused in her delicious perfume. He was really looking forward to showing her off.
He unlocked the front door and followed her inside.
Martha came out of the living room to see who was home, shaking herself awake from a snooze by the look of her. She took one quick look at the pair of them and scurried back again with a whimper. Kyle was quite upset she was so scared of him now. She must know he wouldn't hurt her, surely? No matter what he was.
He popped his head inside the study. He noticed the door had been repainted. His mother was very organised with things like that. No sign of his mum, but his dad was there, on the phone. He stuck his finger up at him in a 'wait a minute' sign, and Kyle went outside to wait for him to finish. A moment later he concluded his conversation and arrived through the door.
“Aha, so the prodigal returns....” Then he caught sight of Roxy standing self consciously next to him. “And not alone, it would seem... Who is this beautiful young thing, Kyle?”
“Dad, meet Roxanne Watson. She's a friend of mine.”
“Delighted my dear. What beautiful hair, and so much of it!” he said as he took her hand and shook it gently, cupping it with his two palms. Obviously smitten already.
“Oh thank you, and pleased to meet you too, Lord Brandon,” she said sweetly, with a tiny flutter of her eyelashes and a special girly, come hither smile.
What a flirt...
He could see his dad melting before his eyes. He had a glazed look on his face.
> “Where's mum?”
“In the kitchen with Edna, I believe,” his dad replied, finally pulling himself together and trying not to stare too hard at his girlfriend.
“Speak later okay? I've got something I want to tell you both.”
“Nothing I need to prepare myself mentally for, is it?” his dad asked, with a look of concern, as his eyes swung between Roxy and himself.
“Maybe a little,” he replied in warning.
He found his mum in the kitchen having her usual chat with Mrs Higgins.
“Hi Mum, Higgy...” Kyle said cheerfully.
“Kyle my pet, missed 'avin yer 'bout,” Mrs Higgins said with a warm tone. “The 'ouse 'as never feeled so empty, love...”
“And I love you too, Higgy,” Kyle replied with a satisfied grin. He was pretty sure Chris didn't get the kind of verbal attention that Higgy lavished on him.
“Sweetie, I've been getting more than a little concerned. Disappearing so suddenly like that! We're off to Mauritius from the day after tomorrow. I'm so glad you're back,” his mother gushed while staring at Roxanne openly.
“Well, I am, but not for long,” he replied, standing to one side to introduce her properly. “Mum, this is Roxanne, a very good friend of mine. Can you spare us both a moment?”
“Of course and hello Roxanne,” his mother said pleasantly, getting up from the table and approaching them both for a quick handshake with her.
“Nice to meet you, Lady Brandon,” Roxy replied sweetly, her eyes downcast as she smiled shyly. He could see his mother's eyes were twinkling with curiosity.
What a complete charmer Roxy was!
Then his mother gave Kyle a look. It was a definite 'what about Melanie?' look.
He led his mother back to the study, and once Roxy was inside, he began his carefully thought out future life explanation. It all went a lot easier than he imagined.
His parents were very understanding of his need to see a little piece of the world, and with such a charming companion at his side too. They were both captivated, he could tell. They asked her lots of questions which she'd already been primed for, by him. He smiled to himself. He knew his parents inside out.
“Will you be staying for dinner Roxanne?” his mother asked. And before he had the opportunity to say they needed to do some things and get away, she replied on their behalf.
“Oh yes please, I'd love to!”
He gave her a dark look.
Just great...
They went upstairs to his room for a while. He turned on his computer and his phone. She flitted around, taking it all in, and she poked about nosily in all the cupboards and drawers.
“Got a search warrant?” he joked.
“Just looking at your things, that's all...” She opened his wardrobe. “You might have to leave some of this behind, babe,” she said with wide eyes, examining his bursting wardrobe of clothes and bits and pieces.
“Not a problem at all. Don't need clothes much do we...?”
“Mmmm, you may be right. How long till dinner?” she asked, staring at his bed.
“An hour and a half maybe...” he replied, looking at the time on the computer monitor.
“... Kyle... babe... what about a ...” she began in a sexy drawl... But he was way ahead of her. He swept her off her feet and they landed in a tangle of limbs on the bed. He took her face in his hands possessively and brushed his lips across hers with a deep sigh.
“What about a what...?” he asked her hotly, his hand snaking its way up her blouse as his other hand undid the zip of her pants.
The job and Mel could wait a little while, or a long while, even.
He finished a long conversation with the head of customer services at Quadweb. It was agreed he would work flexi hours, as and when it suited. He was overwhelmed by their generosity and adaptability. He explained he'd be a few weeks offline and took some unpaid leave until communications were arranged. He had to sort out an encrypted line for his work access, for reasons of security, and that could take time to set up.
After that he was in a buoyant mood and sent Melanie a text. It was a simple explanation of fact. But he invited her to call him.
“Mel, so sorry about my absence. Met up with an old GF and have decided to give it another go. Travelling abroad with her soon. Sorry if I misled you, or you were hoping for more. Please call me when you are free. ”
He pressed send with a touch of anxiety creeping in. Of course he knew she wanted a lot more, and he did too, not that long ago.
But that was before.
Things were different now.
He smiled at his beautiful little life changer as she picked up his weights and examined them. Almost immediately his phone rang.
“Hi Mel...” he answered.
“Are you home?”
“Yes.”
“I'm coming over. Now!”
He'd rather this wasn't happening. Not with Roxy around. He pressed end call and stood staring into space, trying to think straight.
“What's up babe?” Roxy asked, making her way over to his side.
“Unhappy one night stand... On her way over, right now.”
“Oh... right... Want me to make myself scarce?”
“No, stay... you're my girlfriend, my old flame remember?... Just act the part.”
Ten minutes later the doorbell buzzed loudly, as usual, and he opened his bedroom door to see Mrs Higgins letting Melanie inside the door and into the hallway. His mother stood at the foot of the stairs, having come out from wherever, to see who it was.
“Hello Mrs Brandon,” Melanie said politely.
“Hello Melanie,” his mother replied, equally politely.
“Come up will you,” he called down, leaning over the stair balcony.
She strode towards the stairs, across the black and white chequered floor, like the queen on a chess board going for checkmate.
His mother looked up at him as if to say... 'hmmm, this could be interesting...'
Melanie flew up the stairs and into his room, whirling to face him.
“What is going on?” she demanded, her cheeks pink with anger.
“As I explained. I'm seeing an old friend.”
“But Kyle? What about us?... What did I do wrong? Why did you need to take up with an old girlfriend?” she appealed. She moved forward and held him around the waist and pulled him close, nuzzling his neck and trying to kiss some reaction out of him. He pushed her hands down and stepped back.
Roxy cleared her throat behind her and she turned and glared, noticing her for the first time as she sat on his bed.
“Is this her?” she ground out in disgust.
“Yep. Roxy this is Mel, Mel, Roxy...” he introduced them awkwardly.
They stared at each other.
“So pleased to meet you,” Roxy finally said, a touch sarcastically.
“If I knew you liked mousey brown, I'd have dyed mine that colour,” Mel said bitchily.
He laughed at that comment. If there was one thing Roxy wasn't, it was mousey.
“Mel, there's no point getting upset about what never was. We hardly knew one another except in the physical sense, did we?”
“But I thought we were going places Kyle?”
“Perhaps we might have, it was always a possibility, but then Roxy came back.”
“You're a prize bastard. You know that?” she spat at him.
“Hey, hang on... I never promised you anything, did I?”
“But all that stuff outside and on your bed... You took advantage of me...”
“Oh no, if I remember correctly, you started it. You had your hand down my pants on the bike for crissakes...!”
“What's going on?” Chris appeared at the open door...
“You may well ask...” Mel snapped, crossing her arms.
“Kyle...?” he prompted.
“I was explaining to Mel that I already have a girlfriend, Roxanne,” he nodded in her direction. “And now she is somewhat pissed off with me.”
<
br /> “Well she has a right to be, considering you persuaded her into having sex with you!” Chris added hotly.
“What? I never persuaded her, not in any way Chris. She came on to me from the word go,” he protested, glaring at her. He was beginning to get a new sense of Melanie's character and it wasn't pleasant.
“That's not what she told me.” Chris glared at her as well.
“Well I'm telling you now. She hit on me and pushed it. Although I must admit I didn't resist very hard. Actually, not at all. She also told me you're a sex maniac and you wouldn't leave her alone.”
She had the good grace to look sheepish and embarrassed at this revelation.
“Ha ha... that's rich! Mind explaining that Mel?” he regarded her coldly.
“I'm not saying anything. You'll twist my words, like Kyle just did.”
“Twist your words? Who exactly is the sex maniac here? You jump my bones all the time and apparently my brother's too. I think you should go. We're so done here!” Chris blurted out in anger.
“Chris, can't we work something out? Begin again? I've been so stupid … I must have lost my mind...” She stepped forward and reached out to him with tears in her eyes.
“No, I lost mine. Over you. And God alone know's why,” Chris said heatedly. He ran his hands through his hair and shook his head in disappointment as he stared at her. “What's the matter Mel? Have your two chances of marrying into the upper classes dropped to none...? Are your future plans to live a life of luxury in ruins? Get out, you make me sick.”
“I'm no golddigger... Don't say that!” she sobbed
“I don't know and no longer care what you are. Please leave.”
She managed to leave the room with her head held high.
Kyle didn't know what to think, about any of it. He knew Mel was a liar and obviously had a high sex drive, but why she played the two of them like that he really didn't understand.