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.”

have teeth and claws. I can tear a man limb

was so relentless on the issue. “Please, for the

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

“Fair enough.”

and then we

thought we 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 amazing but also extremely pricy. “I made a reservation for

you lost your

“I did.”

isn’t dinner at Rosa’s Table a bit out

me worry about that. You go get

the shower and washed the day off her. When she was

she saw Tyler waiting for her. He had changed into a pair of slack and a maroon 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 accepting of things that would confuse and horrify most humans. Aster

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 Tyler would end, but she would enjoy the time she had with him. When the moment passed, as it inevitably would, she would move on with her life. He would be nothing but a pleasant memory. Something to smile about in her old

striking.” Tyler smiled at her.

don’t look

“Shall we go?”

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 out her seat, and Aster sat down. The waiter brought over the wine menu, and they ordered a

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

too.” He

you still hung up on what happened

but that’s not bothering me right now. This moment is

something. She was starting to get a very bad feeling. She watched as Tyler took a small ring from his pocket,

don’t, she thought

me?” He asked, waiting hopefully for

tail and run for the hill. She cared for Tyler, but she didn’t want

she did not answer, Tyler sat back in his seat and sighed. “You’re going

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

***

to stay and eat. He wasn’t going to order a meal now that Aster walked out on him. He tucked the ring back into his pocket and drove home to his place. As he walked through the door, he tossed his keys on the kitchen counter and grabbed a beer from the fridge. He didn’t have much in his fridge. He had been spending all his time at Aster’s

He found it difficult to follow. His 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. Tyler took the ring from

He was getting

***

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

do you ask?”

that modelling chocolate for over an hour and haven’t

topper for the cake they were working on. The chime from the front

as she headed for the front of the house. Aster returned her attention to her work. Moments later, Katelyn came back, and she wasn’t alone. Right behind her

break,” Aster said. Katelyn nodded and left to take her half-hour break in the coffee

would be