Page 27 of A Cursed Noel
Asweres,ourbeasts protect us spiritually as well as physically. They offer uscomfort during our harshest trials, and give us strength when we’retoo weak to function. It’s the only reason me and Mom are stillalive.
Celia doesn’t havethat comfort. While her tigress can protect her from physicaldangers, Celia’s heart is all human. This world is brutal onsomeone with her love.
“Odin will do what hemust to ensure his pack succeeds,” I answer truthfully.
Celia looks down thewhite-coated highway, barren save for the few cars cautiously movingforward. Guilt tightens her voice. I don’t have to know her like Ido to hear it. “I take it that’s a yes?”
“We’re Guardians ofthe Earth.” I don’t intend to sound so callous when she’dbenefit from kindness, and I’m uncertain why I don’t use morecare. “We’re here to protect the world from evil, not advance thedemise of man by supporting addiction.”
She glances up at me.“Your duties are admirable. But your justice is as ferocious asyour beasts.”
“What do you expect?”I ask. “We are what we are.”
I’m being a prick. Myposture alone would send lesserweresbolting. Celia doesn’tdemonstrate the fear another preternatural would. She glides herfingertips down my arm, a gesture meant to ease my anger and comfortme.
My bones tense,threatening to crack. Even at my harshest, Celia breaks me down torubble. She tilts her head, scrutinizing me closely. “What is it?”
I jerk my chin ahead,rebuffing the gentleness she offers. “This the way back to yourplace?” I ask.
“Yes,” she answerscarefully.
“Then we should go,shouldn’t we?” Man, I hate this stone-cold demeanor I assume.Against my enemies it serves me well. Around her it’s wrong. Shedeserves better.
“We should,” sheagrees quietly. “Try to keep up.
Charged by what awaits,or what she sees in me, Celia leaps over the mound separating us fromthe highway and jets away. Beneath the snow’s cushioned layer is afrozen sheet of ice. Celia, more human than beast, should skid atleast once or twice. She doesn’t. Her tigress keeping her pace andbalance and offering the protection she’ll need when I’m gone.
To the lowly driversstill in drudges and trying to reach home we’re mere blurs. Thedistance and darkness are enough to keep us camouflaged.
Celia continues tofavor her side. It’s barely perceptible as she pushes through thepain. That doesn’t mean I’m not worried.
It’s not until wecross the highway and disappear into a small section of trees that Iattempt to ask her if she’s all right. She beats me to anything Icould possibly say.
She whirls on me, hermovements graceful and unusually fast. “Aric, as an alpha whooversees the packs in Colorado, will you be charged with makingdecisions like Odin?”
“If I’m really incharge, the alphas in the smaller packs will lead according to ourlaws and see to those who break them. Alphas who oversee other packsaddress problems that are too much for their subordinates to handlealone.”
“Ifyou’rereally in charge?” Celia asks.
I shrug. “That’sright.”
“My present is yourfuture,” she says. “I realize you’re still young in my reality,probably twenty-two, but you appear a little too surprised to learnyou’ve assumed such a role.”
“That’s because Iam,” I tell her flatly.
“Why?” shequestions. “Surely, your father trained and guided you to take onsuch a respected position?”
“Sure,” I say.
Celia crosses her arms.Instead of meeting me with the anger I deserve, she appears worried.“Why are you acting this way?” she presses. Again, I shut mytrap. “Given your familial legacy and the regard you’re held in,does it seem like such an impossibility that you would oversee halftheweresin Colorado?”
“Yeah, it does.”
I don’t move exceptfor the harsh intakes of breath I take. This isn’t the time to lashout or to take out the misery I’ve endured for the last two yearson the closest tree.
She studies me closely.“Why?” she asks. “What exactly happened?”
What hasn’t happenedis more like it. And maybe what haven’t I done? The pain I’veinflicted, the nightmares I’ve awoken to, where do I begin? Hell,should I begin at all?