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.”

teeth and claws. I can tear a man limb from limb

be alone.” He was so relentless on the issue. “Please, for

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

“Fair enough.”

I’m going to go shower, and then we can

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

you lost

“I did.”

Rosa’s Table a bit out of

about that.

room and stripped away her work clothes. She hopped into the shower and washed the day off her. When she was washed, Aster dressed for her evening. She fixed her hair and makeup. Looking herself over in the mirror, she

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 never believed she would ever be able to form

striking.” Tyler smiled at

look

“Shall we go?”

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,

is a lovely place.” She smiled. “I’ve never been here

He seemed uneasy.

up on

quickly, “well yeah, but that’s not bothering

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

please don’t, she thought with

He asked, waiting hopefully

desire to turn tail and run for the hill. She cared for Tyler, but she didn’t want to get married. She

in his seat

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

***

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

a game. 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 his pocket and looked at it. Out of anger, he tossed it across the

He was

***

Katelyn’s voice drew her from her thoughts. “Aster.” She turned to

why do you ask?”

modelling chocolate for over an

chime from the front door rang, and Aster groaned. She didn’t want to deal with customers today. Aster turned to Katelyn. “Would you please deal with that? I’m just not up to dealing

work. Moments later, Katelyn came back, and she wasn’t alone. Right behind her was Tyler. Tyler looked at Katelyn. “Would you give

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

I would be here with