My Protector

I lay relaxed in a canvas knit hammock, just beyond the porch of my Hawaiian beach house. The sun was setting, and the word beautiful didn’t quite do the playful colors justice. The shadow from my sun shade, was growing smaller as the sky slowly darkened. Citrus tinged the air, you could nearly taste the heavy sent of pineapple in the breeze. Hugo, my extremely large, extremely fluffy, white dog lay beneath my hammock, on a king sized dog bed. This is the moment, that I wish I could live in for eternity. Before everything became so complicated. Before my life was tipped upside down. I truly wish I could live in my memories, of this particular vacation forever. One could only be so lucky. my right hand hung from my hammock, rubbing coconut oil in Hugo's fur. I started to drift off to the sound of the gentle wave breaks, cashing on the white sand shore. Hugo grabbed my hand in his long snout, and gave a small whine. I sat up straight. “Is it time for bed, bud?” I yawned, while drying his dog spit on My swim suit's, silk wrap cover. Hugo gave another whine in response. I slid from the hammock, and onto the back of Hugo’s enormous frame. Resting my head against his soft fur, I feel him lift from the sand, and gracefully strut towards the open sliding glass door adjacent to my bedroom. With a swift hop, Hugo rolled me onto the bed. He turned in a doggy circle, and pawed at the blanket on his own bed. Hugo’s giant head lay half out, half in the sliding door. I like to think he must be watching the end of the sun set over the horizon. I watched him, as he watched the moon rise, until my eye lids fell heavy, and closed for the night. My protector. -- I awoke to a voice inside my head. Good morning Tabitha. I’ve been anticipating meeting you. My name is Jeda. Jeda, you must be my wolf! I am so excited to meet you. No time like the present. I am sorry I am late. It's normal in my pack, to be a little late. I figured I would hear from you soon. 21 years is a long time to be patient, though. Oh, Tabitha. I promise, I was well worth the wait. My heart pounded with joy, and I sat straight up. The sunrise created an orange hue across my room. I could still smell the citrus, mixed with the salty smell of the beach. I caught a glimpse of myself in the vanity mirror directly across the room from my bed. I felt a warm, and secure feeling wash over me. I felt like a little kid, getting the gift they obsessed about for months. It showed. My long, dark auburn hair, sat in a disgruntled messy bun atop my head. My thick lips spread into a huge, s**t eating grin across my face. Makeup from the night Before was smudged around the edges of my wide, dark brown eyes. My small button nose, was slightly burned, extenuating the freckles on my newly tanned cheeks. I am thrilled to share our journey together. Happy birthday, Tabitha. Thank you, Jeda. The feeling is totally mutual. I can’t wait to shift with you. I could feel Jeda’s anticipation to stretch her legs, and wag her tail. Suddenly, my conversation with myself was cut unpleasantly short, by an ear shattering scream. and a crash from the living room. My smile fell and my eyes widened. No time to fix my fashion flaws. I scarreded quickly from my bed. “Hugo?” I called in a shrill panicked half scream. Hugo was not where he fell asleep, or in my room at all. He must have wondered out for breakfast. I lunged toward the door, and threw it open. Darting from the room with an unfamiliar speed. My ivory nightgown flowing behind me. “Mom?! Dad?! Hugo?!” I called worried. I burst through the entryway to the open floor plan of the beach house living/dining room. That’s when it hit me full force. The sweet citrus smell from before. Only much stronger, and tinged with the smell of Hugo's Coconut oil. Standing in front of me, in the center of the room, was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. His hair was long, shaggy, and white. His eyes a deep sea green, and... he was buck naked. The stranger had a completely shocked expression upon his handsome, boy like features, covering himself with a sailboat throw pillow. He had the chiseled chest of a damn god. That six pack trailed just past his belly button. I embarrassingly noticed myself arousing, as my eyes trailed down, discovering the very edge of his "V" shaped hips. I can only imagine what might be hidden beneath that stupid pillow. Jeda stirred from within me, and my core heated up immediately. Jeda spun in circles in my head. Panting and wagging her tail. Before I could control myself I opened my mouth. “Mate.” We gasped in unison. I leaped over the couch, and straight up to the gorgeous naked stranger in my living room. I was nose to nose with this not so strange stranger, when I heard my father clear his throat. “Wait. Wait! Hold on!” I hadn’t even noticed my mother, who was pinned in shock against the beach house door. Or my father who had been knocked backwards out of his leather recliner. “Your mate… is Hugo?!” My father shouted stunned. "Hugo?" I exclaimed quizzically. “Hugo is a man!” my mother squealed, pointing her glamorous nail at the stranger. Before we go much further. I believe you deserve a little bit of background. On the night I was born, 21 years ago to the date, a neighboring pack of 400 was attacked, and slaughtered by rough vampires. The only survivor, was a small white puppy, whom my father found amongst the wreckage. He took pity on the little dog, and brought him home, assuming as he got older, that he must be a husky mixed with mastiff. My mother named him Hugo, and he took to me from the very beginning. I suffered from colic as an infant and as a result my parents were loosing their minds from lack of sleep. On the third night after my birth, Hugo made his way into my nursery, and as soon as his snout touched my hand, my ailment was cured. As a puppy he fit, with me, in my bassinet. Hugo, and I did absolutely everything together from that day forward. Even as the beta of Final Sky Pack, my father, nor anyone else, ever sensed that Hugo could be a wolf. It is extremely rare for a wolf to shift before puberty. It is even more rare, for a mother to give birth while in wolf form. In Hugo’s case, there was no way to tell why or how, he was stuck in a Shifted form. “Hugo?” I whispered, reaching for him. “I… My… Tabitha?” He seemed to be just as confused as the rest of us. I reached out and touched his chest softly with my hand. My fingers tingled with the mate bond as I traced his left pec. His heart beat radically under my fingertips. I resisted the urge to throw myself at him in that very moment. Instead I peered up into the pools of bright green, that was Hugo’s eyes. I snapped my head toward my father. He was currently picking his recliner off the floor, not taking his eyes off of Hugo, who was still starring at me with desire, and confusion. “ How is this possible, Gregory?” my mother asked in a hushed tone, as my father made his way slowly to my mother. “My guess is as good as yours, darling.” He whispered in response. “I will need to contact the alpha… and the elders.” My mother reached her hand out to him, and he pulled her protectively to his side. All the while, Hugo and I remain frozen in place. My gaze locked with my father's, our chins hitting the floor in mutual disbelief. “B-but first, we should pr-probably get Hugo, some pants “ My mother stuttered. “Alastair.” Hugo mumbled. “Excuse me?” I gasp, my attention snapping back to my new mate. “gesundheit.” My father replied. “My name.” The naked man, in my living room answered. “My mother called me Alastair.” My mother made a strange noise from beside my father. “Heather? Your… your mother was Heather? Of Green River pack?” she asked gently. “I… yeah.” Hugo/Alastair replied. “I.. don’t remember much. My mom, my father… I was very young.” “I understand sweet heart.” Mom whispered with tears in her eyes. “Heather was my best friend. I remember when she found out she was pregnant. You would have been three years old when the attack happened…. We thought you were lost.. We assumed you had been killed, with the rest of your family.” “I have been here the whole time. Trapped within Hugo.” Alastair replied honestly. “Umm… pants?” “Of course. Yeah. Come with me.” My dad sighed as he passed us, heading down the hallway. Alastair hesitated, and then, using a second pillow to cover his rear, he followed my father down the hallway. “Mom?” I cried softly. She just stood there shaking her head. Tears started to form in the corners of her eyes. My daughterly instinct kicked in, and I rushed to her, wrapping her in a hug. “I don’t know what’s happening, but I know that it will be okay.” I tried to assure her. “Our family dog, just shifted into a full grown man… whom turns out to be, my Heather’s sweet little boy.” She said in a daze. “I don’t know weather to scream, cry, or jump for joy.” “How about a cup of coffee?” I whispered to her. “That… yeah. Coffee good.” Keeping he grip on me she turned towards the kitchen, and dragged me along behind the island. I kept our arms linked as she filled the coffee maker with water. Mom added coffee grounds and closed the lid. “your dog turned into your mate.” She whispered to me. “That was terrifying.” “I bet.” I chuckled. “Rebecca?” My father called from the hall. “are you going to be alright, my love?” “I will be fine… Is Hu- I mean… is Alistair alright?” “I am alright. It feels good to be in human form again. Especially considering,” I cut him off. “Considering your best friend is your mate?” I asked. Alastair grinned, and shook his head yes. He looked good in my father’s white button down, and dark jeans. They were roughly the same height and build, and my father’s fashion came straight from 90’s grunge ages. “Dose this mean you accept me?” He exclaimed excited. “you had better.” My mother said from beside me. Looking from her to my father, my face flushed bright red. I moved from my mother’s arms, and approached Alastair slowly. “I, Tabitha Melody Malking, of the Finale Sky pack, Daughter of Beta Gregory Malking, accept you Alastair.. or Hugo… or both… I accept you always as my mate.” I placed an open palm on his cheek, and he took my other hand in his. Then… he leaned towards me. When Alistair’s lips met my own, we were instantly locked in a passionate, lasting kiss. “This is much cuter, now that he is dressed.” My Father sighed. “I agree.” Mom giggled. Over the nearly overwhelming smell of citrus, I could smell the coffee brewing. Best. Birthday. Ever. Oh yes, Jeda. It is. Confusing for sure, but definitely the best.