Kierra

It’s not like I'm out of earshot from anybody, and I wasn't going for privacy, not exactly anyway. Just don't want to be surrounded by everyone. I give her a small smile to return the one she's giving me but get right to my questions.

"The guy that owns the park, he would be the one I go to to see about looking at any of the houses here, right? Not a regular relator? Do you know if any are empty and up for sale? I need to see prices before I do much, but I'm thinking about getting a place out here may be a good idea if I can convince the guy."

She looks startled, then smiles, looking all giddy. Since she's been wanting me to live out here for a while, I knew she'd be for it, just have to convince the owner. That should be the fun part, never having actually met him before and already not caring for him much.

Ava isn't sure if there are any open, but she can give him a call when she gets back to the house. I have her put it off till I get back. I want to get some of the laundry started and I need to get the paintings to the gallery before they close. Also ask her what she has planned for the upcoming holiday as we watch Xavier and Zypher talk to the smaller kids while Shade talks to Kani. Since my family has been doing quite a bit of squabbling, I don't figure there'll be a gathering at my grandparents’ house this year. Should probably call or drop by just to make sure, but I'm nervous. Not to mention Faline and sunlight.

Not even sure if Faline will be back for the holiday since it's not like she can eat anything. She always liked helping cook everything before. Christmas is going to be even worse. Bad enough I had to remove half her jewelry, all the crosses making her slightly nervous.

Just as she’s said before, Ava invites us wholeheartedly. The rest of her family either not in state or not talking, much like mine. Her mother and sister would be the ones joining her, but last she knew both went off in different directions. I explain to her that I'm not sure if Bastion remembers having a Thanksgiving; not wanting to ask about his mother after Asher leaving and making him more upset. She nods and looks over at him, I look over too, but my eyes land on Maii then Xavier, then to each of the others.

Slipping into her head silently, I tell her I'm not sure if any of them have celebrated a holiday in years, or ever. She cocks her head and smiles, her inner mother coming out for them all. I tell her I'll pitch in for all of the food, but she has to cook it. Her eyes widen and she laughs aloud. The woman loves to cook, so I doubt she'll mind too much. Have to bring up that Xavier and Bastion like cooking as well, and Maii enjoys watching and helping. I'm the odd one of them all, not caring to do much more than nuke it.

Faline had explained how the coyote helped her at the bordello and how he'd watch her too, learning from her the different names and flavors of each thing she made while there. Hasn't shown a want to actually do any of the cooking itself, just help and watch.

Once plans are made for that, I let them all know I'm going to go get clothes started so I can run to the gallery. Kani offers to come help, so I wave for him to follow. While I'd been in the bathroom with Ava, they'd brought it all in. Her washer and dryer are in her basement, something I always disliked since it made it hard to see the stairs when you have clothes in your way. Now it's no problem, having confidence in my stepping and foot placement. Kani stays pretty quiet till I start getting the washer loaded up, then he practically explodes with words.

If I didn't have any good looking males at the house and he never spoke a word, I wouldn't have known he was gay for quite a while. Now, really thinking about it, his voice gives him away almost immediately. Had originally thought it was his voice cracking from age, and that might be part of it, but not all.

"I'm sorry about earlier. Foxes aren't Pack animals, so I don't know how things work in one. I've watched other Weres and even a few Shifters, but each is different. The only time I've ever seen one Alpha strike another, it's always led to heated battles. Seeing that your experience didn‘t escalate came as a real shocker."

He looks almost flustered, so I give the teen a break.

"No worries kid, before I was bitten, I wasn't one you'd peg as a Pack animal either. Also wasn't one for fighting, yet look at me now. But it's just as you said; each is different. I'm learning as I go and dealing with an almost complete shift in lifestyle. There will probably be many things I do differently than other leaders and Alphas, and I will more than likely make many mistakes. We'll all learn as we go."

Biggest shift being that I was basically a 'lone wolf' before actually becoming the animal itself. I still have loner tendencies, but at the end of the day, I look forward to curling up with others and knowing I'm not alone. He looks so relieved I have to laugh.

"One thing you should know, or have figured out by now, is that unless needed, I attempt to stay out of confrontations. Unless it's in play at home or an actual fight elsewhere. If I'm riled enough I may initiate trouble, but there's always a good reason. Never will you see me strike an innocent, never will you see me strike a child. I may strike out at friends though, I'm always up for pummeling Xavier. But if you ever see me really going after him in a deadly manner, something is seriously wrong."

The fox nods, my jab towards the maned wolf making him smile.

"You have a will of steel to keep resisting him, I don't see how anyone can."

I snort out loud but wince mentally.

"One of his passive abilities is 'animal magnetism'. He more or less oozes sex to women and clearly those who favor men."

Kani grins at me unashamedly and I smile back.

"Should see the dirty looks I get from other people when I'm with him in public, especially when he turns on the charm. When we first met, I liked the way he looked, but he was so out there in his flirting that I was completely turned off. Since then he's learned a thing or two about how to push my buttons."

I say the last with almost disgust, unhappy with myself that I showed weakness to his charms. With what happened earlier today, I need to shore up my defenses and back off. Wanting something I can't have is one thing, but when flaunted in front of me every day... It will seriously tempt me. For good or bad.

"I don't get it, why don't you?"

"Why don't I what?"

He gives me a look and I can't help but smile, the heat in his eyes clearly stating he'd be all over that man like butter on toast if allowed. Not really having an answer he'd understand, I shrug and attempt to explain.

"There's too much going on right now. I can't complicate things by sleeping with one of the people I look after. Personal issues aside, it just doesn't feel right."

His head bobs thoughtfully. With the first load started, I leave the rest down there and head back up. Ava and the brothers have come in, Shade is talking to her about different types of inks and needles. I poke my head into the body decorating room where they all are. Seems Shade has made a new friend, his shyness still there but his excitement more pronounced.

"First load's in, I'm gonna head out. Need to drop off the paintings then go to the store."

"May I join you? We can use Shade's truck."

Zypher's offer comes as a surprise, and it shows on my face, both males looking down while turned to me. The truck would be a lot more useful with space, otherwise, I'd have to figure on getting some of the stuff delivered.

"Sure. More room would be extremely helpful."

Ava had looked at me with a raised brow when they bowed their heads, shrugging to her is all I know to do. After I give the okay, they both look up with thankful smiles, relief clear on their faces. Guess my ignoring them really bothered the two of them. Heh.

Looking at Kani, he nods that he would like to go as well. I take it each brother has keys to the other’s vehicles since Z doesn't ask Shade for his. We head out and I get the paintings moved from my jeep into the truck's backseat with Kani.

Feel all sorts of short when I climb in. I don't have a fear of heights, but being this far off the ground while in a car is a bit unsettling. Car, truck. Wheeled machine. Go-go-mobile. Whatever.

Directing the purple-haired wolf Downtown, we get on our way. Since it's getting to be late afternoon the crowds will have thinned a little, but not by much. The real amazing part here? The gallery is only a couple blocks from Alarico's bar, the ‘Howler's Bane Bar & Grill’. Real spooky when you come to realize how close you've been to the monsters this whole time and didn't even know it.