Authors: Lyra Daniels
Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Short Stories & Anthologies, #Short Stories, #Romance, #Holidays, #Military, #New Adult & College, #Contemporary Fiction, #Single Authors
“So Luther why don't you just...” Lily's left hand swung down and knocked the gun out of his hand, and she shoved against the ground with her feet, levering her whole body into Luther’s. It shoved him back and he lost his grip on her. She rolled to the right away from him and soon had Red and Tina standing over her with guns. There was a blur of movement and Mike landed on Luther before Crazy Red could fire her sawed off shotgun.
“Damn that boy. He does like to ruin my fun,” she cursed cheerfully.
“And don't you worry about what he said. There is a less than one percent chance Luther can take Mike. If that happens I will blow Luther’s head right of his body. No worries Strawberry Lily,” It was her biker name now.
Mike and Luther slammed into one wall and then Luther pushed Mike across the room into another leaving his body imprinted in the drywall. Mikes hands came up breaking Luther's hold, and with an almighty shove from Mike, Luther was flying across the room. It was then that Lily learned the last secret about her man and her enemy. As he flew backwards Luther's body began to change. It was like a weird movie only it was happening in real life. He morphed and his limbs changed until when he hit the wall he was a Mountain Lion. I cried out in amazement and staggered back. The she saw Mike begin to grow and expand as his limbs seemed to get smaller until he was a huge grizzly bear. His clothes had torn of as if made of paper. Red and Tina dragged Lily behind the kitchen counter with their guns pointed at Luther the cat!
“Hate for you to find out this way Strawberry, but he was nervous about telling you. Screw Luther anyway for forcing it,” Crazy Red said. Lily stared in amazement as the two animals now, squared off with loud deafening snarls and growls. The way the bear moved was amazing and forceful. As if nothing could stop it. There was a beauty she perceived that forestalled her immediate shock of her man being a Grizzly bear. She did not have time to digest it when the Grizzly, Mike rushed the big cat, Luther. Luther came up on his hind legs just in time for Mike to slam into him with tremendous force. It blasted them against and through the wall out into the lawn. Lily screamed and rushed forward with her friends help.
Looking out the whole in the wall she heard the Grizzly scream in pain as Luther's claws raked his back and his teeth bore down on his shoulder. Lily screamed her lovers name and he reared up and turned. Luther was swung within reach of Mike’s claws and they tore into his guts, throwing him fifteen yards away. Lily saw blood and guts dropping out of Luther the cats belly as he tried to stand and fell back down. There was a loud boom and the smoke of gunpowder floating in front of her as multiple gunshots echoed around the house. Luther was not getting up as several bikers walked out of the woods bordering their yard.
“Get me down there,” Lily commanded and her friends helped her down to the yard and she rushed to help Mike. In other circumstances she might have been hesitant about approaching her lover turned bear. But he was injured and needed her. She got to him and he was swaying in place. He leaned his muzzle against her belly and she gripped the soft fur of his neck amazed at the softness. She dropped to her knees and Mike lowered himself down with his head laying on her bulging middle. Tears sprung to her eyes for his pain as she felt the hair shift under her hands and he began changing back. He cried out as he became human again. He still had his head against her belly with an arm around her waist. She could see the fang marks in his shoulder, and the claw marks across his back. She heard him whisper in the silence, and she lowered her head.
“My Princess.”
Epilogue
It was Christmas day and Lily, due to her size, had played Santa for everyone that morning. She had a wonderful time being able to contribute to her friends in some way. Her mobility was much less now. At least she now understood that the size of her child so early had a reason. Baby Angel was going to be a shifter. She stroked her red velvet covered belly that was now much bigger. Mike came over after the friends had left them alone for the afternoon. He sat next to her and kissed her. He put his hand over her on her wide waist.
“You are always so beautiful it is too bad we have to wait to ah, celebrate you always being so beautiful to me,” he said.
She kissed him back with a smile. He was always saying things like that even though she knew she was indeed huge. He never seemed to care, and was generally turned on by her. They had many plans for their future. By next summer she would have a bike, and they were going to take Angel with them all over the country. They and the gang were going to be a mobile family for awhile, coming back here for the fall and winter. Lily would also be taking classes to get her degree. There were many online courses, and others she would have to take in person. She would do that during the fall and winter terms. Everything was coming together perfectly, and she was glad she had decided to give to this amazing man. His being a shifter was not something that concerned her at all. Somehow the way she found out and the pain he endured to protect her made any problem she would have had seem irrelevant. They were living the dream and nothing more needed to be thought about it.
*****
THE END
Chapter One- New Coursework
Jacqueline finished her class on Classical Music for the day and went to see her advisor for a scheduled meeting. She was going for her Masters in music, and the days were often hectic, going from one thing to another. She had a feeling she would be taking on something else big at her advisors meeting. It was the way her life had been going, and she secretly liked the pace. She had always been someone who liked to keep busy and school had always been right up her alley in that respect. She would just smile and nod when other students complained about their workload. She would not mention that she actually liked it.
She waved to some friends as she went up the stairs to the second floor where her advisor, Cindy Lockhart, had her office in the Kennedy Building at the Berkley School of Music in Boston. Seeing her friends reminded her she had dinner going on that night with another friend, Marcy. She always enjoyed hanging with Marcy, and hoped her meeting with her advisor would not take too long. When she got to her office she saw the sign on the door. Cindy was with another student and would be done soon. With a sigh she sat on a bench in the hall and pulled out her phone.
Fifteen minutes later the office door opened and a student she did not recognize came out.
"Thank you Ms. Lockhart, I will get on that. Have a good night," The thin red headed man told Cindy. Cindy followed him out.
"No problem, just stay focused and you will get it completed," she waved as he went down the hall and turned to Jacqueline smiling ruefully.
"I kept you waiting again. Sorry Jacqueline. I can never get these things done on time. There are always more questions to answer. Please come in, how has your day been?" Cindy asked as they went into the office. Cindy shut the door for a private meeting.
"Good, things are all coming together with my classes. I have just about settled on my Master's thesis. At least I have it narrowed down to those two ideas we discussed. I will be writing up my proposal," She told her advisor.
"Right on schedule then Jacqueline. If you can get your thesis proposal in by the end of this term you will be right on schedule. Nice. I have some good news for you. If you are ready for it, I have a tutor job for you. It will fulfill your requirement of teaching for your masters," Jacqueline let out a whoop.
"Yes! That is good news. I did not want to have to wait too long to get started on that. Will it fit into my schedule?" She asked excitedly.
"It does, perfectly, although there is one catch. It is an inner city school outside of Roxbury. Underprivileged kids in a rough neighborhood. If that..." Jacqueline interrupted with a smile.
"I am fine with that. My whole theory about music in schools was based on the need in schools of this kind. I went to an elementary school like the ones in that area. No sweat Cindy," She told her advisor. Cindy smiled relieved.
"I am glad to hear that. This really does fit your needs perfectly. I have had students turn opportunities like this down before." Jacqueline shook her head at the idea.
"That is kind of stupid. I need to teach and they need to learn, perfect fit right?" She asked.
"That is how I see it too. Well, congratulations kid you are another step toward your masters degree." Jacqueline was ecstatic and not at all worried about a bad neighborhood. She had not been lying, her younger days were in what would be called by some, the ghetto. Her parents had taken some job opportunities that had got them out and more upwardly mobile. She still remembered though. It was part of where she got her drive from and had helped her become successful.
Chapter Two- A Weekend to Prepare
Marcy was her college buddy from when they both went to a community college to get their associates degrees. She was a short, plump Hispanic woman who had a sexy air that always drew the guys to her flirty glance. Jacqueline knew she herself was a sexy woman. It was a thing she had been aware of for years but she did not pay much attention to it. Marcy would point it out to her. Jacqueline would dress in ways that she felt looked good, but hardly noticed other people’s notice of her. She was a successful African American woman trying to follow her dream and for her it took most of her attention.
"So you got your tutoring position eh, good for you Jacky, that is exciting," Marcy said and they lifted their drinks in a toast.
"Thanks Marcy, I am excited about it. I have taken all the teaching instruction I am required to and I feel ready for it. Two more years and we will have our Masters. How is your internship going?" Jacqueline asked.
Marcy was going for her Masters in Art Therapy and was as excited as Jacqueline was about her future. They both felt like they were going to go far as long as they kept their eye on the prize. That did not keep Marcy from having other interests as well. Mostly guys. Jacqueline smiled when the topic came up again halfway through dinner.
"So when are you going to get a boyfriend girl? Seriously, it is such a tension relief even if it is a casual friendship," Marcy told her with a grin, Jacqueline laughed.
"You know I don't have time for any of that. Jeez girl I don't know how you do it. Keeping up with myself is a challenge. Trying to keep up with someone else would be a nightmare," she told her friend.
"It is easy Jacky, if you have a self-sufficient guy you don't half to do more than enjoy each other’s company. Easy peasy ya know. I can hook you up with some great prospects if you want. We have a break coming up in a month. It might do you some good," Jacqueline laughed again. She was used to Marcy's schtick.
"Not happening. Between my course load and going to Roxbury to tutor I am not going to have anytime other than weekends to actually study," she pronounced.
"Roxbury huh. That is a tough neighborhood Jacky. You have to be careful ok?" Marcy told her concerned.
"Not a problem honey. It is going to be great and I know how to handle myself. I was one of those kids until I was twelve so I get it," She told Marcy.
"Ok, I won't hassle you about it then. Besides, it is a time to celebrate your position, not worry right? Waiter another drink for the lady," she waved at the waiter and Jacqueline laughed again. She loved Marcy's energy.
The next morning she awoke with a groan. She had a slight hangover from celebrating with her friend. She rolled out of bed and went to use the bathroom. It was a rare night of drinking more than one with dinner. She had four and that was her limit, leaving her a little hung over and she knew she would be tired for the day.
Jacqueline left the bathroom and put a robe over her underwear and went into her kitchen to start coffee. It was a very small apartment that was just perfect for her needs. She drank water while waiting for the coffee. Once the coffee was done she ate some toast and went to sit on the couch. Her work was spread out on the coffee table waiting for her.
As she woke up more and the coffee kicked in she went over a lesson plan, consulting the schedule Cindy and gave her for tutoring. She was very excited to be able to teach at last. Jacqueline had always leaned in that direction and teaching junior high school students would be the perfect starting place. Kids that age were beginning to believe they knew everything, yet could still be enticed by new ideas, if presented properly. She thought she had the right format and temperament to draw the kids in and do a good job teaching them about the importance of classical music. It was after all where all modern music stemmed from.
Marcy called around noon and they chatted about the night before and she was rebuked for not paying more attention to the guys who had been hitting on them and she just laughed at her friend again.
"Look Marcy, one of these days I will fall for some guy and it will make your decade. I am not looking for it, so if or when it happens that will be it. None of those guys last night got my attention so I didn't fall for them. Like you say, easy peasy. None of them got your attention much either did they?" She returned.
"Of course not. But I enjoyed the hunt they were on. It is part of the fun. One of these days I will get you involved in it. I guess until then it is good one of us keeps her wits about her. I had a great time hanging out Jacky. Are we doing dinner again next week? I am finishing a few papers and could use the support," she said.