Lunar Bonds: In Quarantine

Meeting Nick

*Pilar*

We drive up a long dirt path, past various rustic buildings, and park in front of a modest yet cozy looking house. "Hey Matty, didn't you say this guy is like a famous Alpha, and rich? Where's the mansion and the gold-inlaid pool?"

"Well, he is, but according to Nick, they prefer a minimalist lifestyle. Well, minimalist for people who could easily afford more. There is a pool and a hot tub, just not gold-inlaid," Matt says, grinning.

"Aw, I had hoped for some pampering," I say, opening the door. I'm joking, of course. I'm actually pretty minimalist myself, not that I can afford anything else either … but I guess I expected something different from a real Alpha, considering what I hear about wolves.

I step out and take a deep breath, with Nina doing the same, surveying the surroundings. "Wow, it's actually really beautiful here, in a rugged sort of way."

"It's a lovely place," I agree. It has a calming quality that's hard to deny.

"Hey Matt, Emmy," a voice calls out, and I turn to see a somewhat short guy with fluffy light brown hair and a beard, wearing only sweatpants, cruising toward us on some strange board with a wheel underneath.

Matt shakes his head. "Hey Zay, what on earth is that?"

The guy jumps off, stumbling a bit. "Uh, a wheelie board, I guess. It's super awesome for getting around. Just don't fall... and welcome."

"Thanks, man." Matt hugs the guy, then Emilia. "Around here, it's LZ. You know, because we are two Zayden, and were both called Zay. So, I'm the youngest and the smallest, which makes me Little Z or LZ. Also he is the Alpha, so ...."

"Alright then, LZ," Matt smiles. "You know my beautiful Emmy, of course, and these are her almost-as-beautiful cousins, Nina and Pilar."

LZ approaches Nina first, as she's closer, offering his hand. "Welcome, Nina, right? I hope you enjoy your stay, and feel free to ask if you need anything."

"Yeah, Nina. Nice to meet you too, LZ." She shakes his hand, smiling at him.

"So, you must be Pilar. Welcome." He shakes my hand, then looks at me, then Nina. "Uh, if you're both Emmy's cousins, does that make you sisters?"

I shake my head. "No, we're cousins too, from different sides of the family."

"Ahh, that explains it," he grins. "Nick's down by the lake, just down that slope and a couple hundred meters to the left."

"Thanks, man. See you later," Matt says, and we all start walking down the slope.

Emilia is smiling. "That's Zay, or LZ, apparently. I promise you will love him. He's just the most adorable guy ever. I want to put him in my pocket and keep him as a pet."

"Poor guy... so he's like… eternally friend-zoned," I shake my head. "But he did seem nice."

"Oh, wow," Nina says, grinning. "When Pilar says you are nice, then you really are a good guy. Hey, maybe you shouldn't friend-zone him then."

I shake my head. "I said nice. I'm not looking for a man, and he isn't my type. Too pale."

"No one's your type anymore," she shakes her head, but I choose to ignore her.

“I hope it’s not … rude or something.” I say, glancing at Matt. “Is he like the runt of the litter?”

Nina groans. “Pilar!”

“What?” I say. “I just thought werewolves was all like, big and muscular.”

“That is a hurtful stereotype.” Matt says. But then he grins. “Nah, most of us are I guess, but like humans we do come in different sizes.”

*Nina*

As we get closer to the lake, I spot someone paddling toward us … a tall guy standing on a paddleboard, a white and tan dog sitting at his feet, and a blue and white one pacing the shoreline. The guy is only wearing surfer shorts, showing off an impressive, sculpted physique.

He has slightly tousled dark sandy hair, and his short beard has a slight reddish tint to it. His face is handsome in a traditional way… strong and masculine. His broad chest has a nice covering of dark hair. So, this is cousin Nick... Well, hello handsome.

"Hey, Nicky!" Matt waves at the attractive man, who waves back and starts paddling toward us.

The dog jumps off first, joining its friend on the shore. Then, Nick pulls the paddleboard onto land and comes over. "Hey there, sorry, I had no idea when you guys would arrive."

"No problem, Zay... LZ was there. He told us where to find you," Matt says, hugging his cousin. "Nice place."

"Thanks, it's our little slice of paradise," Nick hugs Emilia. "It's great to see you again, Emmy. You look stunning, darling."

She giggles and smiles at him. "Stop it, you charmer. You look happy and in great shape."

"Hey, you two, no flirting," Matt laughs, but there's no tension or fear in his voice. Matt trusts both of them, which makes me happy for my cousin. I know she really likes Matt and isn't interested in anyone else.

"Then introduce me to these lovely ladies," Nick gives Matt a cheeky grin, and I worry Pilar will say something snarky. But honestly, I think Nick is just being flirty in a sweet way… it doesn't come off as disrespectful.

Matt turns to Pilar first, his eyes showing he fears an outburst too. "Well, this little lady is Pilar... Pilar, this is my cousin Nick. He means no harm."

"Why are you saying it like I'm a rabid dog?" Nick scrunches up his forehead. "Hi Pilar, welcome to Wyldwood. I promise I won't bite… neither do the dogs. Zay might slobber a bit, and I would watch out for Marshall."

"I will be sure to keep my distance... but I think I'm the rabid dog in this equation," Pilar smiles and shakes his hand. "Nice to meet you, Nick. I promise not to bite either."

He turns and holds out his hand to me. "Hi there, I'm Nick, and you are? Well, stunning, obviously... but what do I call you?"

I want to say he can call me anything he wants, but I stop myself. "My name's Nina. It's a pleasure to meet you. Do you happen to teach that paddling thing? I would love to try."

"I'm sure we can work something out," he says, still holding my hand and smiling at me.

"I'd love that." I can feel the others watching us. "Cute dogs, are they yours?"

He shakes his head and pad his leg with his free hand. "Blue ! Shed ! Place boys." The white and tan dog is instantly by his foot. "Blue! Place!" He says a little higher and the blue and white one comes sprinting with a stick in its mouth and lay it on his feet before sitting down.

"Aww can I pet them?" Both dogs are looking curiously at me with their heads c****d and ears pointing at me.

"Sure... this is Shed, he is very well behaved and sweet, he belongs to Marshall." He reaches to scratch the white and tan dog behind the ear. "And that's Zay's dog Blue... he is... very much like his owner."

I gently pull my hand from Nick's grasp and squat down. "Hi boys. Shed... Blue, an honor to meet you.”

Both dogs come over and I reach out to scratch them behind the ears. Pilar is instantly beside me reaching out to caress Blue. "Aww ain't you just precious."

"They are good boys." Nick says, sounding almost proud. "Come on, I'll show you the tents."