Beautiful Creatures Series

Aster walked into the party with Tyler at her side. There were tables and chairs set up out in the backyard, and all her friends were there. Katelyn and Darrel’s new son was a half breed, and there were lots of members of the pact that didn’t agree with breeding with humans. While the pack stood as one unit against the outside world within, there was a rift between those who had taken human lovers and those that supported them. Then there were those who believed doing so was a clear and present threat to their entire existence. But since both her father and Darrel had half-bred spawn, those who objected would not stand against them. Being an Alpha had its perks.

Aster could see that Tyler was nervous, and he probably wished he still had his gun for security, but he openly held her hand as she led him over to the table where Aurora, Mackenzie, and Katelyn sat with their boys. Aster said hello to each of them and then introduced Tyler. Aster was explaining to Tyler how her baby brother Preston and Katelyn’s new son Byron were the first and only half breeds in existence.

“I bet that sits well with the rest of the pack.” Tyler snickered. Everyone stared at him. “Sorry, that was inappropriate.” He apologized.

“You’re not wrong,” Aurora told him. “There is a large majority of the pack that is not in love with the idea of breeding with humans.”

“Is your son also…?” Tyler asked, wanting to know if Aurora’s boy Dayton were also a half-breed.

“A half-breed? No, my son is a pureblood.”

Tyler looked at the three women. “So your husband is in prison?” He asked Mackenzie. She nodded yes. “And yours is the cowboy working the grill of there?” He clarified with Katelyn. “And your husband is…?” He asked Aurora.

“Me,” Stanton growled, sneaking up on Tyler.

Tyler turned to look at the man who spoke, and he quickly backed away in fear. “Holy shit!” Everyone laughed at Tyler’s initial reaction to seeing Stanton for the first time. Stanton was a big and horrific-looking man who had been maimed in a fight a little over a year ago, which only made him all the more terrifying.

“Tyler, meet Stanton.” Aster introduced him.

“Hi.” Stanton smiled, and Tyler took another step-in retreat making everyone laugh once more.

“Play nice, Big Daddy. You are scaring him.” Aurora scolded with an amused smile.

“Anything you say, Hummingbird.” Stanton offered Tyler his hand in friendship. “Don’t worry, Small-Fry. I don’t bite unless my Hummingbird tells me to.”

Tyler took a step forward and shook Stanton’s massing mitt. “Sorry, my reaction was….”

“Accurate.” Stanton snickered.

“I was going to say offensive, but I won’t argue with you,” Tyler said, shaking his hand. Tyler looked Stanton over and then Aurora. He then looked Stanton over again as if perplexed by what Aurora saw in her husband. “You two are married?” Stanton nodded. Tyler looked at Aurora again and then smiled at Stanton and put up his fist. “Way to go.”

Stanton snickered and bumped his fist against Tyler’s. “I like him.” Stanton grinned. “The man’s got guts.”

“A man needs guts when he’s surrounded by wolves,” Darrel said as he brought a platter of freshly cooked BBQ ribs to the table. Placing the platter down, he offered Tyler his hand. Tyler took his hand and shook it. “I’m Darrel, don’t let this handsome face fool you.” His eyes began to glow. “I’m more dangerous than he is.” He nodded to Stanton. His eyes returned to normal. “Pull up a seat and grab yourself some grub.”

As they took their seats, Aster went down the line introducing their other friends.

“So Tyler, we hear you survived heat?” their buddy Lewis teased.

“Yeah,” Tyler laughed, “That was eh… interesting. There were nights I thought she would….”

to death?” Darrel

a way to go.” Stanton

through. I didn’t think a human would have the stamina or capability to

fine.” Aster leaned in and kissed Tyler in

you do

the middle of considering a change of vocation.” He

“Why?” Stanton asked.

is I don’t

did you do?” Aurora

a hush fell over the

have to understand,” Darrel began, “cops

I do. I’m a cop. That fact alone makes everybody nervous, guilty and innocent. I’m not here to make trouble. I know your pack has done some things, and some people have gone missing, but I also understand sometimes you got to do questionable things to survive. I believe in justice. Sometimes the law and justice aren’t always on

want to do?”

don’t have a

couldn’t you? You just landed that huge

“What do you know

thought for a moment and then shrugged his shoulders. “Measure twice. Cut

you want, I can use a hand on a job I just got. If you prove yourself useful, maybe I could sponsor you on

Tyler’s face. She knew it was hard on him to let go of his calling. “Might

Darrel nodded, “Sure.”

welcoming him into the fold. As the sun went down, Darrel built up a bonfire, and they sat around the fire drinking beer and roasting marshmallows. They started talking about the upcoming full moon and the party they usually threw. Because of her isolation, Aster had not attended the last one, but she was looking forward to the one coming

a full moon

to control the beast,” Darrel explained. So we embrace it. During a full moon, the pack gets together. There is music, drinks, and food. Then as the night grows late, we make

“change like

“Not quite.” She answered.

this guy for two months, and he hasn’t

me teeter.” She

one thing, but you need to see the change.”

is teetering?” Tyler

between human and wolf,” Aurora

Aster.

lycanthropes at the table were nagging her to

Aster, show me the change.” Giving in, Aster stood up from her seat and began to undress.

what you

are you getting

If I change dressed, it will ruin my