Beautiful Creatures Series

Tyler sat in the visiting room of the prison, waiting for the guards to bring in the prisoners. He had driven out to the prison that afternoon without telling Aster. The doors opened, gaining his attention. Tyler watched as the guards walked the prisoners up against the wall to remove their restraints. Once given the go-ahead, they dispersed to see their visitors. Tyler watched as Gordon Wilder. He looked exactly as Tyler remembered, all wild and intimidating. And now that Tyler knew the truth of what this man really was, he found the ageing alpha extremely threatening.

Gordon stalked up to the table and sat down. “Well, as I live and breath, it’s Detective Winthrop. So nice of you to come and visit me.”

“You can call me Tyler,” Gordon grunted, and Tyler felt awkward. “Can I call you Gordon?”

“Well, lately, I have been answering to Prisoner 328169, but I suppose you can call me whatever you want, Detective, after all, you are the one with the badge.”

“I’m not here on professional business. It’s personal.”

“Personal?”

“I’m sure you know about Aster and me. She’s told you about me.”

“Yeah, she’s mentioned you. Seems strange to me, though, that a cop hooks up with con’s kid.”

“You think I’m using her to trap you?”

“The thought has crossed my mind. I’m already doing five years; I’m not interested in tacking on more time.”

“I’m not interested in what you might have done. I get why you would have done it if you did. You and I have more in common than you think. We both believe in justice, and we both know the law doesn’t always allow for it. But more importantly, we both love your daughter.”

“You love her?” He said with disbelief.

“I do.”

“You have only known her a few months.”

“I feel like I have known her all my life. I want to marry her, and I want your blessing.”

“Asking for her hand… I didn’t think men did that anymore.”

“Well, may marry your daughter?”

“No,” Gordon said flatly. Tyler stared at him blankly. Suddenly Gordon grinned. “I’m just fucking with you, boy. You can marry her.”

Tyler breathed a sigh of relief. “So this whole tough guy disapproving father façade…?”

“Just having some fun with you. There is not a whole lot to do in here.”

“Ok yeah, you got me.” He chuckled. “I was afraid you were going to say no for real given our… differences.”

Gordon was quiet for a moment, then he leaned forward, bracing his arms on the table between them. “A year ago, I would have. It’s difficult to get past that us against them mentality we were all raised with. That deep-rooted hate and mistrust. I have been lucky enough in the past year to meet two wonderful women who have changed how I view your kind. But you have to understand that me allowing this union doesn’t mean it is going to be easy. There are secrets to keep, and a lot of lives depend on your silence. Not a lot of people in Feral are going to trust you, nor will they exactly be excepting of your marriage. So you better be damn sure you are ready to take on the hardship ahead of you because if you can’t cut it, and you put my family, my friends, my pack in jeopardy even once, I will deal with you myself.

“Don’t think these bars and cement walls will stop me. I can kill everyone in this prison and walk out those doors anytime I want. I’m here by choice, not because I can’t get past the gate. So know that if I come for you, there is no stopping me. You have my blessing but make sure that this is what you really truly want because once you are in, there is only one way that I’m letting you out.”

Tyler understood the man’s concern and his warning. He leaned in, mirroring Gordon’s position. “Sir, I never make any life-altering decisions without being damn sure it is something I want.”

“Then we understand each other.”

“Yes, we do.”

Gordon’s hand shot across the table, and Tyler shook it. “Welcome to the pack.”

***

don’t know if you really want to go to this party.” Aster said as

“Why not?” Tyler asked.

see one of us wolf out but to see the whole pack wolf out at the same time and be stack dead center might be more than

have seen some terrible shit. There is not

hub. The pack gathered in the park. They had chairs and a bonfire. They had a radio which filled the park with music. They enjoyed snacks and drank beer.

watched the people around him begin to strip. Was he the only one uncomfortable with public nudity? Every Lycan's eye began to glow as they began to change, their ears tilted back, staring up at the moon like its

never been at a party that cleared out this fast without someone yelling 5-0. Katelyn smiled at him. “It’s a bit much to take in the first time you see

of times, and it still leaves me breathless and awed,” Mackenzie added. “Honestly,

It was moments like this when he wondered if he were cut out for a life with Aster. Her world was so strange. Could he ever get used to

gone for the night, their human counterparts headed home for the rest of the night. Tyler returned to Aster’s house and raided the fridge. He put on a movie and settled onto the couch, and tried to lose himself in the show, but he just kept thinking about Aster. He reached into his pocket and took out the small gold ring he had bought after speaking with her father. It wasn’t much. A thin gold band with a small diamond. He wished he could have gotten something more impressive, but he didn’t have that kind

in the morning when Tyler heard the door open. He had fallen asleep on the couch, waiting for Aster to return. He sat up and saw her come into

“Did you enjoy your

said, sitting down

exactly do you guys

animal side.” He didn’t know what that meant, and she didn’t seem willing to elaborate. “I’m exhausted.” She said. “I need to sleep before I go to work.” She

to ask

morning?” She groaned, clearly too tired

and lay next to her, his arms folded behind

***

Dennis Wallace was being processed

none of

my concern? I was the arresting officer. How can you release him without

forgotten, you were removed from this case. I

the

officer.” Tyler took a step back. “Look, I don’t like this any more than you do, but the wife dropped the charges. Our hands are tied.

Dennis’ things were returned to him, and he was free to go. Dennis walked up to Tyler with

yourself.”

your girlfriend.” Tyler grabbed Dennis by the collar. “Careful Detective, you are walking a

heard his C.O. Bellow from his office

released Dennis. “Hear me now if you go anywhere near her. I

a crime, Detective.” Dennis

a threat. It is a fact. I will

just smiled and headed for the door, whistling to

his way over to his C.O. “Look, I know what you

completely out of control.” His C.O.

“You don’t understand….”

up. I can’t have you here if

“I know. I’m suspended.”

fired.” He hissed. “Get out of my

turned around and walked out but

wedding cake. She looked up at him and gestured for him to wait. She took a moment to excuse

Tyler took her in his arms and kissed her. Aster giggled and placed her hands on his chest, holding him at bay. “Tyler,

to

me three hours ago.” She

feels like

“What’s gotten into you?”

just want to be around