Beautiful Creatures Series

Aster walked into the house and was met by a delicious smell. She knew Tyler was here. She saw his car outside. Aster made her way to the kitchen to find Tyler frying something in a pan. “Something smells good. What is that?”

“Frybread.” He said, pointing to a plate where a few were cooling. “Try it.”

Aster picked up a piece and took a bite. It was really good. “This is delicious. Where did you learn to make this?” Tyler gave her a funny look. Like he couldn’t believe she had asked him such a foolish question. “Right,” she blushed, “I just thought assuming you could make frybread because you are Indigenous would be racist.”

“It is.” He snarled. Aster was surprised. He seemed mad at her. Suddenly he smiled. “I’m just messing with you. Although it is racist to assume every Indigenous person in the world can make frybread, I can. My mother taught me, and her mother taught her and so on.”

“Well, it’s very yummy, and I’m a baker. I know, yummy.” She kissed him. She said, opening the fridge to find a drink.

“How was your day?”

“It was alright. I got a lot done. It got a little weird at the end of the day. I had this one guy come.”

Suddenly Tyler’s undivided attention was fixated on Aster. “Guy, what guy?”

“Some guy came in for an anniversary cake. I got a really creepy vibe from him.”

“What did he look like?”

“Tall, bald, tattooed….”

“Offensive tattoos?”

“Yeah, how did you know that?” She asked

“Lucky guess.” He said, coming to the table to sit with her. “I’m sure there is nothing to be worried about, but all the same, maybe I should go to work with you. Just for a few days.”

“I told you….”

“I know, there is not much room in the bakery, but I take up very little space, I promise. I’ll just sit in a corner out of the way.”

“What are you not telling me?” She asked. She could tell he was keeping something from her.

“Nothing.”

“Do you think I’m an idiot? Something is going on here. I know it is, and I demand that you tell me what is going on.”

He was reluctant at first. “The reason I got fired was that I attacked a perp. A skinhead that beat his wife. I lost my cool when he threatened to hurt…” It was like he didn’t want to worry her, “he threatened to hurt you. I believe the guy you met was the man I assaulted. I’m worried about your safety.”

Well, that answered a lot of questions. She thought it cute that he felt the need to protect her, but it was unfounded. Aster didn’t need Tyler to protect her. She was a Lycan. It didn’t matter how big and bad a man was. She would always be the stronger one in the fight. She didn’t need his protection.

“Tyler, I swear I am fine. I can handle this. I don’t need you to protect me.”

“You don’t understand. This dude is a really bad guy.”

doll. If you remember, I have teeth and claws. I can tear a man limb

don’t want you to be alone.” He was so

the first time you get in my way, I’m kicking you out of

“Fair enough.”

to go shower, and then we can decide what to do

would go into Aspin and have dinner at Rosa’s Table.” Rosa’s Table was a popular Italian restaurant that catered to wealthy tourists. Its menu was

you lost your

“I did.”

Rosa’s Table a bit out of

about that.

washed the day off her. When she was washed, Aster dressed for her evening. She fixed her hair and makeup. Looking

dress shirt. Aster was unaware that he had clothes like that here. He had probably stopped at home and picked them up just for this evening’s plans. He looked stunning. Tyler was such a beautiful man inside and out. He was surprisingly

day, and if she were, to be honest with herself, it scared her. She did not exactly grow up with a healthy representation of a functional relationship between men and women. Her mother had scared her on so many levels. Aster never believed she would ever be able to form a healthy, lasting relationship with anyone. At some point, things with

striking.” Tyler smiled

look bad yourself.”

“Shall we go?”

the restaurant. Aster had never been to Rosa’s Table, but it was everything she had hoped it would be. The walls were dark warm colours, and the tables were small and intimate with white linen table cloths and candle centrepieces. Tyler pulled

lovely place.” She smiled. “I’ve never been here before, but I have always

too.” He

still hung up on what

said quickly, “well yeah, but that’s not bothering me right now. This moment is

starting to get a very bad feeling. She watched as Tyler

don’t, she thought with despair.

me?” He asked, waiting hopefully

to turn tail and run for the hill. She cared for Tyler, but she didn’t want to get married. She never wanted to get married. After watching her

his seat and sighed. “You’re going to say no,

you must understand. It is not that I am not crazy about you because I am. It’s just that I don’t want to get married to anyone. I don’t believe in marriage. I’m sorry, Tyler. I hope you can understand.” She said as she got up and walked out. She was certain he needed some time to think about whether or not he felt continuing their relationship was still worth pursuing. She wouldn’t blame him

***

him. He tucked the ring back into his pocket and drove home to his place. As he walked through the door,

thoughts kept drifting off to Aster and her refusal to marry him. He didn’t understand why. He had been so sure she cared for him. Why wouldn’t she want to be with him? His heart was broken.

it. He was getting

***

from her thoughts. “Aster.” She turned to look at her friend. “Are

why do

you have been staring at that modelling chocolate for over an hour and haven’t

modelling chocolate and began sculpting the topper for the cake they were working on. The chime from the front door rang, and Aster groaned. She didn’t want to deal with customers today.

house. Aster returned her attention to her work. Moments later, Katelyn came back, and she wasn’t alone. Right behind her was Tyler. Tyler looked at Katelyn.

break

said I would