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.”

***

go to this party.” Aster

“Why not?” Tyler asked.

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

forget I’m a homicide detective. I have seen some terrible shit. There is not much that rattles me anymore.”

park. They had chairs and a bonfire. They had a radio which filled the park with music. They enjoyed snacks and drank beer. As the

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

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

and it still leaves me breathless and awed,”

when he wondered if he were cut out for a life with Aster. Her world

Aster. He reached into his pocket and took out

asleep on the couch, waiting for Aster to return.

“Did you enjoy your

said, sitting down next

you guys do out there

need to sleep before I go to work.” She would be up

want to ask you

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

bed and lay next

***

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

none of your

officer. How can you release him without telling me

you were removed from this case.

the wall. “Why is he

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

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 I buy you a

fuck yourself.” Tyler

girlfriend.” Tyler grabbed Dennis by the collar. “Careful Detective,

his C.O. Bellow from his office door.

“Hear me now if you go anywhere

is a crime,

not a threat. It is a fact.

and headed for the door, whistling to

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

of control.” His

“You don’t understand….”

you here if you are going to be

“I know. I’m suspended.”

are fired.” He hissed. “Get out

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

sitting with potential customers, going over the desires of their wedding cake. She looked up at him and gestured

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

to

three hours ago.” She reminded

feels like a lifetime

“What’s gotten into you?”

want to be