Winter's Guardian

by G. Bailey

  "Hello, I finally get to meet the famous Winter," she says kindly as a face lights up. She drops the food on one of the sides and walking over to me. I'm surprised when she pulls me into a strong hug, for someone her size, and when she pulls away. I see the small bump on her stomach as she is closer. She is clearly pregnant, Fergus kisses her cheek as he walks past. I watch in amusement as he tries to take a cookie of the plate of them on the side and Anna says,

  “None of that, dinner is nearly ready.” she scolds Fergus, who looks at her for a second before putting the cookie back with a long sigh.

  "Hello, you must be Anna," I say with a friendly smile, getting her attention. It doesn’t escape my attention that there is an age gap between Anna and Fergus but they seem so in love that it doesn’t matter. One look at Fergus’ face as he watches Anna, tells me as much.

  "Yes I am and you’re far more beautiful than Jaxson let me believe. Now are you joining us for dinner?" she asks.

  "I am if that's alright?" I ask her.

  "Yes it's perfect," she beams and I find myself instantly liking her. She has that motherly feel to her, which reminds me of my mum.

  "Come on, I will find you some clothes." She says linking her arm with mine.

  "I can check on the food for you," Fergus says happily behind me, as we leave.

  "You keep your grubby hands away from our dinner Fergus! Alpha or not, you don’t get to touch it." She shouts over her shoulder and I hear the loud laughter float from the kitchen.

  "He thinks I'm joking but withholding sex from that man, will make him regret touching my food." she laughs and I can't help but join in.

  "Anyway, how are you? It must be a lot to handle finding out about all this," she waves a hand around the empty hallway we walk down, after she leads me up the stairs, past the living room I saw before. The stairs are the back of the house and there’s another empty corridor at the top of them with stairs at the end, leading to the third floor I imagine.

  "I'm dealing. Honestly, it doesn't shock me as much as it should. I feel safe around Jaxson and Freddy, so I never felt any fear." I tell her and she gives me a slightly wide-eyed look.

  "That's unusual." She finally says, looking over at me before opening a door in the hallway, to a large bedroom.

  “Why is it?” I ask as she shuts the door.

  “Most humans can’t cope with the fact that there is so much out there.” she says.

  “I read a lot of books; I always thought that maybe some of it was true. I guess I might be a little stupid for not caring.” I mutter.

  “Not stupid, I think you’re pretty incredible actually.” she says and gives me a side hug.

  "This is my room I share with Fergus. I will get you a dress; I have lots of pre-pregnancy dresses that I won't be able to wear for a long time. They should fit you." she comments in a friendly manner.

  "Thanks. Congratulations how far gone are you?" I ask.

  "About five months. This is my first and an alpha too. Fergus has practically locked me in the house since he scented the pregnancy, so I’m glad to have someone else to talk to." She beams as she rubs her little bump.

  "Scented?" I ask loudly so she can hear me, as she goes through her wardrobe.

  "Oh wolves have heightened smells, fear, desire and so a new baby isn't anything to us," she comments. I sit in the small red chair in the corner of the room as she shouts,

  "Found it."

  Before coming back to me with a tight looking, pale nude dress. It has a sweetheart neckline and its looks way too expensive for me to be okay with wearing it.

  "I can't borrow this, it's too nice," I say shaking my head. I look over the room, it has another large fireplace and a large four poster bed made of dark wood. The bed sheets are red and match the red curtains. There are two large paintings of packs of wolves on the walls. I want to look closer at them but maybe another time. There are pretty flowers on the window and chest of drawers, with many little bottles of things on top.

  "You can and you will." Anna pleads with me, distracting me from the room and I give in, with a nod.

  "There's a shower in there if you want to clean up." she says with a smile.

  "Thanks, I won't be long," I say recognising her mother like tone. It’s that one where you know you won’t win the argument, so it’s best to just nod.

  "Come down when you’re ready." she replies.

  I wave goodbye to her and before going to the bathroom. I keep my hair out of the water, as I quickly shower and dry off. I slip on the dress and let my hair down, running my fingers through it a few times, so it's a little better than a fizzy mess.

  I'm glad I didn't wear any makeup today, as it would have been a massive mistake.

  I leave my pile of clothes in a neat pile on the counter. I can change back into them before I leave tonight. I slip on my trainers, I’m lucky they are small ones and black so they don’t look too weird.

  I shut the bedroom door behind me as I leave; I make a mental note to thank Anna again when I see my outfit in the full-length mirror in the hallway. The dress hugs my curves and pushes up my chest, making me look a lot hotter than I am. I shake my head at myself as I walk down the corridor. It’s a pretty empty corridor with about five doors leading off it; there are a few pictures on the walls of people I don’t know.

  I stop when the door in front of me opens, and a freshly showered Jaxson walks out. His eyes widen as he looks at me, his eyes go from the bottom of my legs to my eyes before moving to shut the door behind him.

  "You look, beautiful lass," he says like a dark warning, as he walks towards me. I feel like I'm the prey and he is a hunter as my heartbeat picks up. My back hits a wall as he cages me in, with his face hovering close to mine.

  Jaxson moves my hair to the side, as he starts running his hand down my neck. I move my head to the side to give him more access and he growls at me. I don't move as he lowers his head to land a kiss on my neck, the feel of his lips on my neck makes me feel weak in the knees. The feel of his hot breath and soft lips make me release a soft sigh as his lips move slowly up my neck. Jaxson’s chest makes a louder growl, before he sniffs me. I mean, I really kind of forgot about his wolf side until then.

  "Jesus Winter, I need to go," he says in a deep growling voice, as he quickly pushes away from me and starts storming down the corridor. The muscles in his back look tight and I just watch as he leaves.

  I rest my head back on the wall for a second, wondering what I'm feeling for the wolfman, that I know is off-limits. My thoughts flash to Wyatt for a second, but my mind doesn't have the ability to stay away from Jaxson for long after being so close to him. I run my hand to my neck where he kissed me; I don't think I've ever felt anything that amazing. Well, maybe when Wyatt kissed me, that kiss was something else too. How bad does that make me sound?

  "Winter, are you ready?" Anna’s voice floats from the nearby kitchen, shaking me out of my thoughts. I walk in a daze a little until I find her in the kitchen, running around.

  "Do you want any help?" I ask.

  "Wow, you look amazing, you’re keeping that dress. I never suited it like you do," she tells me as she waves a spoon around.

  I go to reply but she cuts me off, clearing not let me argue with her.

  "Can you take that dish of vegetables to the table? It's just through there. You can sit, we all will be in soon." she says with a small smile, pointing to the door next to the fireplace.

  "Sure," I say taking the dish she points at, before using one arm to open the door and let myself into the dining room.

  It's a simple room with dark brown walls and a huge fireplace with red brickwork. It looks really old and makes me wonder if it was the oldest thing in the house. The table is massive with over ten dark wooden chairs and a matching table. There is a wolf statue in the middle of the table. It's made of wood and stone. It looks beautiful, with the wolf looking like it’s howling at the moon.

  "My great-grandfather made it; I like it, do you?" Fergus a
sks startling me a little as he sits at the end of the table. I notice he is carrying two bowls of potatoes which he puts down. The table is already set with glasses and plates.

  I place the vegetables down next the statue in the middle before taking a seat next to Fergus on his right.

  "Is it ok to sit here?" I ask before actually sitting down.

  "Yes." he comments waving a hand.

  "The statue is lovely," I say, in answer to his question, after I sit down.

  "We don’t like to hide who we are here, that why there are wolves all around." He says looking away from me at the table.

  “I don’t see anything wrong with that,” I tell him.

  "Would you like a drink? We have wine or water." He asks, not replying to what I said.

  "Wine would be lovely," I say and Fergus pours two glasses. Jaxson comes into the room followed by Freddy.

  Jaxson scowl’s at Fergus a second before taking the seat next to me. Freddy takes the one opposite leaving the space in front of me for Anna, I am guessing.

  "Hello," I say with a smile, trying to not stare at Jaxson’s lips.

  "Hello ,Winter," Freddy says with such happiness in his voice, I can't help but smile a little at him.

  Anna comes in with a dish with a large cooked piece of beef in it. She places in front of Fergus before kissing his cheek and sitting in front of me.

  "Dig in before it gets cold," Anna says, passing me a spoon for the potatoes in front of me.

  We all share the food around before starting to eat before anyone says anything,

  "Tell us about your family Winter," Fergus asks. Jaxson hand tightens on his fork in reaction.

  "She doesn't have to answer any questions." Jaxson says warningly.

  "I'm only being friendly brother," Fergus says as I see Jaxson whole body tense up, I decide to intervene.

  "It's alright; I grew up with my mother and best friend Alex. I now share an apartment with her."

  "No siblings or father around?" Fergus asks as I tense a little.

  "Nope." I draw out the word as I take a sip of my wine needing it.

  "A boyfriend?" He asks a little rudely but I ignore it.

  "No again," I say and I can’t help but flicker to Wyatt in my head. He isn’t my boyfriend but somehow it feels wrong to say I’m not involved with anyone.

  "You’re lying, well slightly." Fergus comments.

  "She doesn't have to answer everything you say, brother. She isn't one of your wolves." Jaxson growls.

  "I guess I did a lie a little, how did you know?" I ask.

  “It is a gift from the Goddess.” Fergus answers.

  “It’s like Uncle J’s ability to control the earth or Anna's ability to see relationships between people. Some of us have extra gifts but I don’t know if I'll have any. They don’t show until you get older." Freddy tells me and Fergus looks annoyed. I smile at him.

  "You can control the earth?" I ask turning to Jaxson with wide eyes.

  "Are you asking me or requesting I show you? I won't do either for someone like you. So don't waste your time asking.” Jaxson replies curtly.

  “Jax,” Anna scolds but he ignores her as his eyes lock with mine. The pressure to turn and run out the room is overwhelming but I can’t back away. You can thank my mother for my stubbornness.

  “You would be better of leaving with me and going back to your human life. You’re not wanted here." Jaxson says coldly, it’s like a wall has gone up and he is back to the asshole I know.

  "You’re a total bastard at times, you know that right?" I tell him.

  "No, I'm just honest about unfortunate truths." He replies with cold eyes.

  "Just a cold jackass then. What flew up your ass today?" I ask and I hear Freddy little laugh in the background.

  "You can call me whatever lass, not like it matters in the long run. Your opinion of me, that is." He says with a shrug.

  "No because the great Jaxson wouldn't care what a stupid, silly little human thinks huh. You know what; stay the fuck away from me." I shout at him as I slam my hands on the table. I push my chair away and walk out the room before I end up throwing the nice wolf statue at his head. I don’t know why he affects me so much but something has cracked and I can’t fix it.

  I stop in the living room, realising that I can't even get home on my own, as he brought me here today. Maybe I can find Harris and Katy’s cabin, and then I can get them to take me home. The two wolves at the door growl at me as I walk past before I actually growl back.

  "Fucking bite me if you’re going to, I literally don’t give a crap," I say to them, and start walking away; I don’t have it in me to care anymore if they follow. I feel like I have a heavy weight on my heart and I don’t know how to remove it. The trees and paths blur as I jog though the woods. I pass a few cabins but from the look at the cars outside, I know it’s not Harris’s home. A few people stop to stare at me but I ignore them. I know it would be smart to ask for help but I feel so angry, I’m scared I'll just burst into tears.

  "Lass, wait," Jaxson shouts behind me. The sound of his heavy boots slamming across the leaves is the only sound I hear as I run away. Some part of me knows running is pointless when he is a lot faster than me.

  "No, I will find Harris and beg for a lift home, I meant what I said. Stay away from me." I shout over my shoulder, as I run faster through the trees. I see another cabin coming up and I’m sure that its Harris truck outside.

  A hand snakes around my waist before I'm pulled over a shoulder. I smack my wrists against his back and try to wriggle off. The mountain of a man just chuckles and wraps an arm around the back of my legs to stop me kicking him.

  "Put me down now Jaxson!" I shout in a frustrated growl.

  "Fine but hear me out." I kick him one last one time before muttering,

  "Fine," I say and I hear him chuckle but at least he is smart enough to not outright laugh at me.

  Jaxson puts me down gently before standing close to me. The freshly cut wood like scent of him surrounds me as I look up into his bright green eyes. His hair is slightly messy on top, where he has been running his fingers through it and his shirt has mud from my trainers all over it. I want to say the messy look doesn’t suit him but it does, it does way too much.

  "I'm sorry, look things are complicated and it's not your fault," he tells me gently. I’ve never heard him be gentle with me; it throws me off my game for a second.

  “I’ve never met anyone like you. I don’t like humans and,” he says and I cut him off.

  "I want to leave." I cross my arms and backing away from him a little. Jaxson raises his eyes to look at me and we stare at each other, something changing in his gaze. There’s a vulnerability I thought I’d never see in his eyes. I’ve never been good at hiding my feelings, I’m sure he is reading me like a book now.

  "Can I show you something first?" He asks carefully and holding out his hand for me to take.

  "Why?" I ask, eyeing his hand.

  "Because for some reason, I need to show you I'm not a jackass all the time," he says looking down the ground like it holds all the answers. Against my better judgement, I whisper,

  "Okay."

  Jaxson head snaps up with his beautiful eyes lit up like a green forest, a small smile on the corner of his lips.

  "Let’s go, lass," he extends his hand towards me further and I hesitate a little, before slipping my hand in his. Jaxson interlaces our fingers, not looking my way as he leads me back to the house and around the back. We walk past the training cabin into the woods behind. I try to ignore the rough feel of his fingers against mine or the way my tiny hand seems to fit into his perfectively.

  "Can I ask you something?" I ask, pushing my luck a little, while he is in a good mood.

  "You can ask me anything you like, I may not choose to answer you but go on." He squeezes my hand gently. I guess it’s the best I can ask for.

  "Why do you have a slight Scottish accent but Fergus and Freddy don't?" I ask him carefully, Jaxson
tenses slightly at my question but he exhales before answering.

  "Fergus is my half-brother. We have different mum’s and Freddy’s mum was my half-sister too," he tells me.

  "Oh." Is all I say, as I process it.

  "My father was, well you could say, he was broken when my mother died. He had relationships with a lot of women before his death a few years ago. I grew up with my mother’s family in Scotland and Fergus was sent to us when he was fourteen after his own mother passed away." He explains as we go around a large rock. There is a small dirt path that wasn’t here before and we walk up to it. I’m glad it’s not too cold because wearing this dress is not ideal for a late night walk. The sun is just setting in the sky and the large trees are starting to look a little scary now as they cast shadows.

  "And your sister?" I ask, keeping my eyes on Jaxson instead of where we are.

  "I didn't know about her until about nine years ago lass, and she wasn’t in a good place." He says sadly.

  “What happened?” I ask quietly, the forest seems silent as it waits for an answer with me.

  “Someone saved her and Freddy, who she was pregnant with at the time. Her own mother had sold her and she basically lived her whole life as a slave for vampires. I owe one vampire a debt because he found a way to get her out.” He says, a brief flicker of pain crosses his features.

  “What was she like?” I ask him.

  “Striking. She was also very feisty and somehow, even after all those years of how she was brought up, it didn’t control her. She lived for Freddy and once she got to know me and Fergus, she was happy.” He smiles as he talks.

  “How did she die?” I ask. I see how hard it is for him to talk to me about her but he does answer to my shock.

  “She went out, she didn’t tell anyone and by the time we found her. It was too late, the vampires took her life,” he growls.

  "When did your mother pass away?" I ask gently after we walk in silence for a while. Both of us are walking slowly. I’m enjoying just being near him and I hope he is feeling the same way.