Kierra

I've caught Bastion looking at some of the larger puzzles that I'd glued together and have hanging on the walls at home, so while I pick up some new supplies, I'm going to have him pick out a few puzzles for himself. Kind of sad that anymore, you have to go to special stores or have to order online something that used to be so common. In regular stores anymore it's rare to see a well-made puzzle that is over 500 pieces.

One I have up in the hallway at home is 15,000 pieces. Good luck trying to find one anymore. Most I've come across that are smaller are made so cheaply and they're either water damaged right out of the box, or so thin that they fall apart.

Walking around inside, I'm relieved to see everyone is human...relatively. A couple I wonder about, they may just be aliens, who knows. Leaving Bastion in the aisle with puzzles, I head off to get more canvas and paints.

While looking over some of the newer products, he comes towards me with his hands full, looking unsure but hopeful. I can't help but look over them with pride. All are very colorful and challenging. Three being 500 piece, while two others are 1,000 pieces.

He's all smiles as we check out. I point to the charcoal pencils and craft paper I grabbed, telling him that I'd like to see what he can do with them. I don't think his face can light up anymore. Even the cashier sees it and smiles.

When we head out is when we see it's started snowing. Just small poofy flakes that fly around lazily, having already made a thin layer on the ground. After putting the bags and stack of canvases into the back, I see him on the other side of the car looking up.

Going over to him, I'm about to ask what's wrong, but then realize the look on his closed-eyed face is one of peace. I look up and do the same, just reveling in the moment. After all, that's all life is; just a series of moments built on one another.

I open my eyes and look at him, his face goes roguish before telling me my eyes are yellow again.

"Again?"

"Yeah, when we were at the hardware place, they turned yellow there when you glared at that one guy."

Whoops. No wonder he kept staring then. Bastion grabs my hands and pulls me into swinging in circles with him. Both of us laugh as we spin and look up, carefree and careless. I have to stop when I get dizzy, but by then his face is flushed and pink with cold anyway.

We've managed to move a few feet from the car, so I sweep him up and toss him over my shoulder. He squeals in laughter as I rush towards the jeep. He may be twelve years old, but he's missed much of being a child, so I hope I provide him with a few chances every now and then to feel like one.

Setting him down so he can get in, I catch a glimpse of black leather out of the corner of my eye. Turning towards it, there's a very, very tall man walking several feet in front of my jeep. Huddled in a biker's short leather coat, black Tripp pants with a couple of straps crisscrossing the backs of his legs, and black boots; that's what makes up his ensemble. Hmm.

His long black hair is blending in with his clothes, so I can't be sure just how long it is, even more so since it doesn't appear to be all the same length. Rings glitter at his hands as he pulls his coat closer to him. A gust of wind picks up right at that moment and blows his scent right into my nose.

Animal.

Amber eyes catch mine. He hadn't been walking towards me, just in the process of walking right by when our eyes happen to meet. His widen a bit as he stops and just looks at me for a moment. I don't know why, but I can't get myself to turn away from this one.

Canine, don't know what flavor. Walking closer, I can tell he doesn't have a shirt on under the jacket. Still doesn't explain why he's huddling in it, unless it's to blend in. Something about him seems very familiar, but I can't place him. My eyes narrow as he keeps coming closer.

"That's far enough. What do you want?"

I don't sound very friendly, don't intend to, but he smiles anyway as he stops. His tanned face looks almost boyish, even with the black goatee gracing his chin. Bared ears are full of piercings, he doesn't seem the type to originally be from here, maybe somewhere a lot sunnier with higher temperatures.

"Not very nice are ya?"

He has to practice that voice in front of the mirror. Not really all that deep, but still sinful. Flirty. His question is asked as if he's amused. Amber orbs glint with suppressed mirth, jaw reminding me of Brad Pitt on a good day. Oh boy.

"I'm very nice, to those who deserve it. Your breed, however, has not been so reciprocating."

His eyebrow shoots up as he smirks. Keeping my eyes on him, I open the door and push for Bastion to get in out of the cold. The wind is picking up, but that could be from this area being at a higher elevation than the rest of the block.

"My breed? Do you know what my breed is?"

"Not specifically, but every canine I've come across has been an ass."

He laughs, thumb rubbing over his bottom lip. Have I mentioned I have a thing about seriously tall people? They irk me. Just on principle.

Repeatedly keep telling myself to walk away, but my feet won't move. I'm sure Bastion is also wondering why I won't move away.

"I can see that, but not all canines are made that way. Some are asses, others are lovers."

Don't think I like where this is going. One of my brows rise, my face going to one of scorn.

"Let me guess, you're a lover?"

"Some may say that, yes. But I prefer to keep an open mind."

"So you're a dog."

He laughs again, hands lowering from his lapels to slide into his pants pockets. My eyes follow the movement, the way he'd moved causes his coat to gap open.

Oh, dear Lord, save me now.

Wider shoulders, but they lead down into a lean, hard cut frame. Very nicely defined. A dark trail of hair leads from his navel south into a very low cut waistband. My eyes jump back up, heat touching my face as I glower into his.

The dog's eyes are glittering in laughter as they take in my expression, his tongue slipping out to play along his lip. Oh, hell. He's one of those. I scowl and try for disgust, not sure I quite manage though while blushing.

"Yep, a dog. You can go now Mr. Pooch. Your goods have been seen and admired. You are God's gift to women everywhere. Absolutely drool-worthy. Happy now?"

Eyes widen as he looks at me, a little stunned. I move around the front of the jeep to my door. Not feeling any threat except to possible fantasies later, I pull open my door as he calls out to me.

"Wait. I think we're getting off on the wrong paw here. I'm not from around here, and I need to get here..."

He pulls a piece of paper from his pants pocket and holds it out to me.

"I was dropped in this area by the bus, but I don't know where-is-where here. Can you point me in the right direction? Please?"

When he's not being a playboy, he doesn't sound half bad. The address on the paper is to the music shop...right next to my publisher's office...and not at all near here.

Well, ain't that the darndest thing.

Eyes dart back up to his, he draws a quick inhale, so I'm guessing my green gaze just flashed back to yellow.

"I'm going right near there actually. Strange, don't you think?"

The corner of his mouth quirks up, not looking at all surprised in the least. Something in me is telling me this man is important, but not willing to reveal why. What the hell.

"Hop in the back, I'll take you."

Both he and Bastion have similar looks of amazement, yet I ignore them both. Going to be a tight fit back there with all the bags, but I'm not about to tell my little Imp that he has to move. The stranger shakes himself, putting his hands together as if praying and bows to me. Dork. I turn the heat on and point the vents at the kid.

"What's your name?"

Nudging some of the bags over, he better be glad he's not as wide all the way down as his shoulders are, while he shimmies deeper into the seat.

"Xavier."

"Where are you from? How do you not dress for this weather?"

He looks amused as he meets my eyes in the rearview mirror, bright green once more. It doesn't escape my notice that he doesn't give a last name.

"I was born in the south, but I've been going from place to place. I didn't realize it would get this cold this fast, it wasn't that bad when I had first left my hotel room."

I look back to him from the road, giving him a droll look.

"Might help if, you know, you use your coat like it's supposed to be used?"

He chuckles and shrugs, looking out his window. I look over at Bastion who just mirrors the movement. We have a few miles to go, and small talk is made throughout, him asking where the good clubs are, the bars, where's good to eat, and if I know any of the local animal groups.

"I don't go anywhere near any of them if I can help it."

"So you're a Lone Wolf?"

"Could say that I guess."

Xavier inclines his head, looking like he's thinking hard on something.

"You haven't been a Werewolf long, have you?"

Shaking my head, I turn on to the road we're wanting. Pulling up to the curb in front of a large brick building, the large sign on the front advertising the company's name gets ignored. 'Rhodes Publishing' is full of cranky people who need to get laid.

"The place you want is right there."

I point at it absently as I look for the bookshop that's also on this road. Across the street and two doors down, it's a cross between a bookstore and coffee shop, as they all seem to be nowadays. Convenient that Mr. Rhodes would be so close to one, I think.

We all get out, I have to watch for cars coming up next to me since Gary is too cheap to buy the lot next door for parking. Gary is my publisher, Gary Rhodes. Jackass Extraordinaire. Once on the sidewalk, I wave Xavier to the small shop next door. At some point he even buttoned his coat.

He smiles and gives a salute before entering, Bastion and I go for the glass door that's advertising all the 'good' stuff about coming here to publish your work. Right. I have a light windbreaker on, undone, and I'm blasted with hot air as soon as I set foot inside.

My eyes dry out instantly, almost stepping on the kid as I close them. I rub at them as I move him over to some chairs that count as a waiting area.

"Not sure how long this will take, but I'll try to be quick."

"Alright."

T'would appear the receptionist is at lunch, as no one is at the front desk. Already annoyed, I go down the short hallway to the offices in the back. Finding Gary's door without too much trouble, having been here several dozen times before, I don't even bother knocking. He keeps calling me, well, he's gonna get me.