Beautiful Creatures Series

Darrell slipped his key into the post office box that was his. Because of where Feral was located, mail was not delivered to the homes. Once a day, the US Postal truck drove through the hub delivering mail to the small post office boxes located in a small building, which was no bigger than a large chicken coop.

Opening the door to his box, Darrell took out his mail and flipped through it. Most of it was just monthly bills from the various vendors he used for his business supplies. “Hey,” Aster greeted him as she came to stand next to him, checking her own mail. “How is the girlfriend?” She asked mockingly.

Darrell wanted to snap at her, but he did not. He was pissed off that the pack scared Katelyn off, but he knew she had not been part of those who had been in the woods last night. Even in wolf form, he knew he had been responsible. It was the older members of the pack — Gordon’s friends. Gordon had not been among them, and he would no doubt be livid when he found out what happened. He had granted Katelyn amnesty, and yet members went against his word. Mutiny could not be tolerated. When Darrell got around to telling Gordon the fur was going to hit the fan.

“She went back to Aspen,” he told Aster.

“Oh?”

“There was an incident,” he said, turning to face Aster.

Aster took one look at him, and her smile was instantly gone. “There is something different about you,” she said, looking deep into his eyes. “You have done something?’ When she saw it, Aster gasped, and rage filled her. “You imprinted with a human.”

Darrell said nothing. What could he say? He had gone against Lycanthrope law and imprinted with Katelyn. Imprinting was meant to unite two Lycanthrope mates. It was sacred and not to be shared with a human. Everyone knew that Aster was meant to be his mate, and the fact that he had given away what was rightfully hers to a human was a grave insult to Aster and the pack.

“You went against pack law for her?”

“Aster.”

“No! I have tolerated this long enough. I’m telling my father what you did. You are going to answer to the pack,” she snarled as she slammed her post box shut and stormed off.

Darrell groaned and shut the door to his box. Once the pack heard he had gone against their laws, he was going to face their wrath. He may even end up exiled. Cast back out into the mortal world alone without the protection of the pack forced to fend for himself.

Exile.

Darrell leaned forward and dropped his forehead against the wall of PO Boxes. He was so screwed. He could not understand why he had risked everything for a woman. For a human. He could not explain the way he felt. He was at odds. He wanted to be with Katelyn. He also wanted to remain part of the pack. He could not have both.

He had to make a choice.

Katelyn or the pack.

Darrell pictured Katelyn and smiled.

Katelyn.

Darrell left the post boxes and walked down the street to the Blood Moon Tattoo Studio, where Gordon worked. Gordon was a tattoo artist, and he owned his own shop. It was one of the few businesses that drew outsiders. Gordon was very good at what he did.

Darrell walked into the shop, and the chimes above the door announced his arrival. He spotted Gordon bent over some chick’s leg tattooing a tree. “Hey, what’s up, Darrell?” Gordon greeted him as he continued with his artwork.

“Do you go a moment to talk?”

“Sure, what is on your mind?” He did not stop what he was doing.

“It is community business,” he could not say pack in front of this outsider. Gordon stopped what he was doing and looked up at Darrell. “It is important.”

“Give me a minute,” Gordon wiped the woman’s leg, then cleaned it up and wrapped it up. “We are done for today. Come back tomorrow.”

said you could do it all in one day,”

I finish it, plus I’ll give you a ten percent discount,” the woman’s face lit up, and she took the offer. Once they were alone, Gordon turned to face Darrell. “Ok, what is going on? Is this about what

“You knew about that?”

a closer look at Darrell. “Something is different

to do was look deeper, and he

“With Aster?”

“With Katelyn.”

face became outraged. “You imprinted with a human?” He yelled, advancing on Darrell. “You went against our laws and gave a sacred gift to a human?

in love that fast? Darrell was not sure, but what he knew was he wanted to be

I

listening to yourself? Do you love her?

I’m not blaming Katelyn for the sins of others. She cares about me. She just wants to be included. Only the pack drove her off. So, I

few more years, the pack is going to need a new alpha. You are the only other alpha.

have thought about that before they tried to murder

You have known this woman a week, and you are giving everything up for her. What are you going to do, ask her to marry you? You are not even the same God damned species. How exactly

her to marry me? I’m a hell of

either. You are going to be exposed and

girl, and I’m going

devil’s advocate, let’s say she loves you too. Let’s say she agrees to be your wife. What are you going to tell her when she decided she wants children? Lycanthropes and humans

Gordon was right. If he married Katelyn, then they were both giving up the possibility of children.

her upfront. I’ll give her all the information before

a human is one thing. Making one your mate, it is unheard

mean it won’t work. I’m going to ask Katelyn to marry me

won’t allow it,” Gordon

Darrell said as he turned and walked out the

***

her car with her parents when she had gone home with Nigel last

Last week.

crazy to think that only a week ago, she was engaged to be married and contemplating living with Nigel. So much had changed in seven days. It felt like a lifetime ago. She had thought about Darrell all day. She had developed feelings for

the day in her old room, sitting in the window thinking about Darrell. She wanted to be with him, but she feared the pack. Then again, if she just avoided Feral, the pack might just leave her alone. She did not know if that was true, but she certainly hoped it was because tonight she

follow the directions Darrell had given her. They lead out to Pyramid Lake. She took the side road into the trees until she came to a clearing a good half-mile from the water. Katelyn slowed to a stop and got out of her

to another, basking the small clearing in a soft glow. A large white sheet was hung between two trees pulled taut like some kind of homemade movie screen. Darrell’s truck was parked with the tailgate down and facing the screen. The back of the truck bed was set up with blankets and pillows forming a cozy little bed. Between the truck

jeans and a black button-up dress shirt. He had even cleaned his boots and hat for the occasion. He smiled at her. “Glad you could come.”

she walked toward him. “What is all this?” She asked as

of Netflix and chill.”

it. It was so

must have taken so long to set this up.”

worth it,” he smiled at her. “I hope you are

“Famished,” she smiled.

for her. Looking at the plate, Katelyn was impressed. It was a homemade meal. It was not exactly the five-star restaurant dinner. He had made fried chicken with sweet cornbread, coleslaw, and a loaded baked potato. Instead

than Nigel would have

the memories they had both experienced during the imprinting. It was strange. She had known Darrell for a week, but she felt like she had known him all her life. She knew his deepest memories,

in the bed of his truck. It was all intensely heated kisses and maddening heavy petting, but he never took it