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.”

***

you really want to go to

“Why not?” Tyler asked.

see the whole pack wolf out at the same time and be stack dead center might be more than you can handle the first time

homicide detective. I have seen

the hub. The pack gathered in the park. They had chairs and a bonfire. They

their ears tilted back, staring up at the moon like its glow offered some form of euphoria. Then just like in the wild, Darrel (acting pack alpha) howled, and a chain reaction of howls swept through the pack. Seconds later, wolves stood where people had. Huge wolves, terrifying yet mystical. They only lingered a moment then the entire pack took off into the woods, disappearing

He could honestly say he had 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

a number of times, and it still leaves me breathless and awed,” Mackenzie added. “Honestly, I don’t know if

was moments like this when he wondered if he were cut out for a life with Aster. Her world

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

door open. He had fallen asleep on the couch, waiting for Aster to

said. “Did you

She said, sitting down next to

exactly do you guys do

and she didn’t seem willing to elaborate. “I’m exhausted.” She said. “I need to sleep before I go to work.” She

I want to

wait until morning?” She groaned, clearly too tired to deal with

up off the couch and turned the TV off. He followed Aster to bed and lay next to her, his arms folded behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling

***

said goodbye in the early morning. Aster went to work, and Tyler took a shower before heading to work. As he was walking into the station, he noticed Dennis Wallace was being processed for release. Tyler stormed over to his C.O. “Why the hell is he being released? He

of your

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

have forgotten, you were removed from this case. I don’t have to consult

the wall. “Why

off me before I charge you with assaulting a superior officer.” Tyler took a step back. “Look, I don’t like

as Dennis’ things were returned to him, and he was free to go. Dennis walked up to Tyler with a cocky grin. “No hard feelings, Detective Winthrop. Why don’t

fuck yourself.” Tyler

girlfriend.” Tyler grabbed Dennis by

heard his C.O. Bellow from

you go anywhere

threats is a

a fact. I

just smiled and headed for the door, whistling to

“Look, I know what you are

are completely out of control.” His

“You don’t understand….”

can’t have you here if you

“I know. I’m suspended.”

He hissed. “Get

what to say. Fuck it. He didn’t need this. He turned around and walked

car and headed across town to the bakery. He walked in to find Aster sitting with potential customers, going over the desires of their wedding cake. She looked up at him and gestured for him to wait. She took a moment to excuse herself for a moment. Aster stood up, and they

front of the bakery, Tyler took her in his arms and kissed her. Aster giggled and placed her hands on his

had to

me three hours ago.”

feels like a

“What’s gotten into you?”

guy just want