Once Upon A Time (7 page)

"No, I'm ok,
just bad day at work. Too many people … and … well that's because I
am alone. In all the sense of the word alone." I nodded but
shrugged at the same time, not really willing to explain to a total
stranger about losing my parents, and quickly put the glass to my
lips taking another sip from it, a slightly more generous sip was
more than before.

My eyes fell
on the snack bowl and when he made the slight joke I laughed. At
least some people knew how to make someone laugh without knowing
them well. "Well, this will have to suffice but for next time
please remember you will owe me more than just that snack mix. " I
joked back trying to let my funny friendly side out. I didn't want
to scare him off. I actually enjoyed his company so far.

"I've seen you
around when I came before. Mostly your back ... but yeah." I
chuckled a bit and smiled. He had a nice back too, his shirt often
hugged his body perfectly, and just after that thought I felt my
cheeks burn with a blush. And for the first time in a long time I
was glad he couldn't read minds or anyone around for that matter. I
quickly cleared my throat and spoke. "Uhm, so, tell me about you
now. How has your day been?"

I smiled at
the human's deft attempt to deflect the questions away from her own
situation. "I like that plan." I commented. "Providing you with a
proper meal, I mean. This time of year? It's a rough time to be
alone."

I watched her
take a slightly larger sip of her drink than before, and again
offered the snack bowl. "You might want some food in your stomach,
with that drink."

Her comments
about my back made my smile wider, particularly as I could read her
surface thoughts that she hoped I couldn't do just that. So, she
thought I had a nice back?

"My day? It's
been busy. My foster brother is taking part in a big ... sporting
contest. Winter endurance, and that sort of thing, so the whole
family has been helping him prepare." It was stretching the truth a
little, but how would you explain something like a Goddess-ordained
Mating to a human, or that said Mating had to be confirmed by
Challenge? "Working here is a bit of relief, to be honest."

Pouring myself
a long glass of one of Angharad's herbal teas, I came to sit beside
her. "So, what's your idea of a good night out? I notice you never
stay for the whole evening, despite saying you are alone." I was
seized with a sudden inspiration.

"Look, we are
having a bit of a do, as they say, at my eldest brother's place,
tomorrow evening. Snowball fight in the afternoon, and food and
drinks afterwards. How about you come as my 'plus one', you know,
my guest. Like I said, it's the wrong time of year to be
alone."

I took the
bowl, and then took a pretzel, biting in to it, its crunchy
saltiness it was good. "I bet sports in winter must be something
... not that easy, I mean with the snow and all." I watched him sit
at my side, deciding that the company was enjoyable, good company
was always a plus. "Well, we think alike about work. I don't really
like my work at the store, but it keeps my mind busy. It’s supposed
to be part-time, but at this time of year, things just seem to go
crazy. Restocking things over and over again when people change the
items and make a mess can be fun … at times."

I glanced at
his drink, then back at him . There was something intriguing about
him. "Well, I don't go out much so call me silly but, I actually
enjoy tranquillity, open spaces, normal amount of people … that's
why I don't stay much here. I like it, but it is small, too closed
for my liking. I'm more of a fresh air kind of girl." I relaxed my
shoulders some and took one more look around as I spoke.

Was he
inviting me out .... that's new ... should I accept ... what if he
is a psycho ... like in those movies .... all my thoughts running
at a fast pace, but my mouth acted suddenly and accepted. "Sure,
sounds like fun. It wouldn't be nice to spend it alone. Especially
if someone like you is around, would be a waste if I didn't accept
...." Blinking a few times, I think I've spoken enough, suddenly
conscious that it sounded like I was babbling.

I had taken a
deep breath and held it in before I let it out and took another go
at my drink. I played with one of the pretzels before I looked at
it ..."The irony of pretzels … they have a heart shape, they are
salty, and breaks easily...." I chuckled and then smiled at my
words. "I mean ... I see a resemblance .... at times .... not all
the time .... anyway, what's your idea of a good night out?"

I smiled as
the human accepted my invitation to the party planned for the
weekend. The smile was also because of her bubbling thoughts as she
decided whether or not it was safe to accept my invitation. It
would have been interesting to see her reaction if I admitted to
being able to read her thoughts, but it was also better if, as a
human, she remained unaware that 60% of the 'people' in the bar had
the ability to shift to a variety of the 'pawed and furry'
brigade.

"You know you
haven't actually told me your name." I pointed out to her. I smiled
again. "It will be a bit difficult to introduce you to my brother
and sister-in-law, as ‘the really nice girl who comes into the
Hunter's Arrow’. It would be easier to have a name." I pointed out,
with a laugh in my voice.

Picking up a
handful of pretzels, I contemplated them for a moment. "I have
never really thought of pretzels that way." Popping the
aforementioned objects in my mouth, I finished it. "I think of them
more as something to satisfy my somewhat large appetite, to be
honest. "So, my idea of a good night out?" I looked thoughtful for
a moment. I was the joint Beta. I didn't actually have much
opportunity for a night out, in that way, since either Bran or I
had to be 'on call' for any emergencies It was a habit from the
days of WW2, when villagers might need our assistance at short
notice.

"I suppose, if
I am not working? I would say, I like to go for a run." Again, the
human was not to know that by 'run', I meant, shift to wolf and run
and hunt in the Catskill Mountains around our home. "Even now, with
the snow on the ground, it is still enjoyable. Night time is my
favourite time, because the world changes so much. Animals that you
wouldn't see during the day come out, when they think the predators
can't catch them. Only the predators know this, so they are lying
in wait." I popped another handful of pretzels in my mouth.
"Daytime is also fascinating. The forests around here, and
elsewhere are so completely different to the area in which I grew
up, that I don't think I could tire of them."

Taking a sip
of my tea, I tipped my head at the human. "So, would you like me to
pick you up tomorrow? I know you walked here, as your shoes had
snow on them when you arrived. My brother's place is a bit out of
town, but I can come give you a lift, if you don't want to
drive."

"Well my name
is Merida, but I wouldn't mind to be introduced as the nice girl."
I smile to him, my voice softer than before due to the alcohol
already running through my system. I am not used to drink a lot,
usually two beers or one strong drink. "I couldn't agree with you
more. you seem like built to have a big appetite. You have the body
for it."

After
finishing my drink my eyes stare into his, two pool of chocolate
and gosh I like chocolate .... I wonder what is he thinking about,
he seems like the kind of guy who is most of the time thinking,
most of the time deep in thought maybe? My thoughts were
interrupted by his question about picking me up. That's when I
realize he was being real about taking me with him as his plus one.
"Uh, sure .... sounds good, we can meet here or at my home I don't
live far from here. "

My shoes
hadn’t been covered with snow, just a sprinkling, yet he was
attentive, always looking at what was happening around him, even
the smallest thing ... I wonder what else he had noticed? While I
was thinking again my eyes fell on his facial features, his carved
nose, his jawline and his lips. I find myself swallowing then, my
eyes move to his chest then, a broad chest, and his arms .... hmmm
... I chew the insides of my cheek and then look away. "You know
what, I think I need a shot and then call it a night." I nodded to
reassure myself before i look at him again.

Watching the
human stare at me, coupled with her comments about my body and the
swallowing as her eyes take in my features, I suppress my smile.
Damn, but I think I put too much rum in that drink I served her, or
not enough juice. Either way, the poor thing was well on her way to
being more than a bit tipsy.

She nodded,
commenting that maybe she would just have another drink, before
calling it a night. Gently, I took the glass from her.

"I think,
perhaps, I put a bit too much rum in that first drink, Merida."
Lovely name, I thought to myself. It rolled off the tongue. "It
would be a shame if you felt rough before tomorrow's get-together."
On purpose, I was avoiding any words which implied big crowds or
noisy gatherings. Given how she had jumped at the noise earlier, I
had a suspicion that noise might be an issue for her. The Goddess
knew that, as a Pack, particularly when the younglings became
excited, as they would with a snowball fight planned, we were a
noisy bunch. And somehow, I didn't want her put off by that first
encounter with us.

"How about I
give you a lift home, or at least walk you home, if it is not too
far? That way I will know from where I need to collect you
tomorrow." I forestalled any refusal, by nodding at the Pack member
sharing bar duties, and telling them, via mind link where I was
going.

''Oh, I am
fine … I don't think that drink had too much ... I'm just a light
weight .... hehe.'' I smile and look at him as he spoke. I felt
something I hadn't felt in a long time. Butterflies. It tingled in
my stomach making me wonder why. ''Get-together … I like that it
sounds simple. Though I must say I am bad at sports so I might fail
if I play snowball fight.''

A lift home
sounded good, but walking sounded much better, because I know if I
stay too much time sitting, I won't be able to get up, so to not
make a fool of myself I just nodded, plus, he was sure about it, so
there would be no refusing. ''I actually think walking is better, I
am just a few blocks away. Two to be exact; plus we have a good
night.''

As I spoke, I
started to stand up, making sure to not do it abruptly so I don't
fall, though I was sure I could walk perfectly. Just in case, I
grab some more pretzels and pop three in my mouth, taking in the
saltiness and the texture. ''Oh gosh have you tried pretzels and
peanut butter. It's a good treat, if you haven't you should.'' I
smiled as I walked to the door and looked back, just to see him
walk behind me.

Making my way
out, the cold breeze hit my face and I breathed through my teeth. A
shiver ran down my body and I wrapped my arms around my torso and
took a glance at him. '' I love cold ... but this breeze ....
geez.''

As a Cŵn
Annwn, I don't need to wear the usual heavy clothing that humans
use for winter, but for effect, I had shrugged on a down jacket,
along with a scarf and hat. Seeing someone walk down a snow-bound
road in shirt-sleeves would just raise more questions than would be
needed.

Of course, it
gave me a fantastic opportunity for another one of those
interesting human habits I had observed over the years: the sight
of a male with his arm around a female, protecting her from the
elements. Yes, I had seen Gavril and Aaleahya out walking the same
way, but it wasn't something I did. The lack of a partner was the
main reason.

So, smiling, I
extended my arm to Merida. "There are advantages to my being built
like the proverbial outhouse, you know. How about I use some of
this bulk as a wind-break." I suggested. "No pressure." I hurry to
reassure her.

As I came
downstairs, I had to stand to one side, as another group of Pack
younglings came squealing down the stairs, muffled up in hats,
coats and gloves. Their destination was the rear grounds of
Negrescu Hall, as they and other groups prepared piles of snowballs
for the forthcoming snowball battle.

Their school
lessons for the day had finished an hour earlier just so that they
could prepare, with Bran and Alix supervising preparations. In the
kitchens, mountains of food had been prepared, and large vats of
mulled wine had been simmering. A spiced fruit punch had been
prepared for those who didn't wish to have any alcoholic
drinks.

As much as
Zarek, Owain and Bran had planned tonight's party as a surprise for
Aaleahya and me, as Alpha, it would have been a bit difficult for
me to not be aware of a party involving the whole Pack, in my own
home. Still, I like a good party as much as anyone, and we had the
added interest that Owain was bringing a human to the event. Other
guests were also expected.

It would be an
interesting evening, without a doubt.

Angharad Lloyd
I love the sound of happy children and handed them all my homemade
peppermint sticks as they ran by. “No running with them in your
mouth.” I have no idea if they heard me so I just shook my head and
went back to the kitchen. “Tell me what to do Eira, I’m too antsy
to sit still and wait for Owain to get back with his mystery date.
Can you believe it?”

“
Ah Angharad, there is hope for everyone if that one finds a
mate.” Eira’s laugh was full and rather loud so I peered around her
shoulder to see half of the Ginger Brandy gone from her bottle.
“Celebrating early aren’t we Eira?” I scooted out of the way as she
snapped a dish towel my way and then pointed to a tray of
sandwiches. “Now get that tray out to the guest’s healer and leave
my celebraten alone.”