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.”

not exactly a china doll. If you remember, I have teeth and claws. I

don’t want you to be alone.” He was so relentless on the issue. “Please,

first time you get in my way, I’m

“Fair enough.”

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

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

thought you lost your

“I did.”

Table a bit out of

worry about that.

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

that here. He had probably stopped at home and picked them up just for this evening’s

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 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

striking.” Tyler smiled at

look

“Shall we go?”

head to 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

never been here before, but I have always wanted

He

still hung up on

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

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

don’t, she thought

marry me?” He asked,

desire 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 parent’s horrid marriage,

sat back in his seat and sighed. “You’re going

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.

***

pocket and drove home to his place. As he walked through the door,

in the cabinets and headed for the couch. Tyler sat down and put on 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

it. He was getting

***

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

why do you ask?”

chocolate for over an

cake they were working on. The 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

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

to take her half-hour break in the coffee house down the street. “I’m surprised

would be here