The Blossom of Moon

Warm Meal

With the falling of the sun came the drop of temperature. What she wouldn’t give for a hot tropical day. The fire was set before sundown to give a head start to the permeating cold weather. She needed new walls. The insulation in these were so old that they offered such scant protection. She’d patched the roof and tried to block any leaking windows. This helped some, but she could still feel the frost biting the heat she nurtured. Tossing on a few more logs, she gave in for the night and settled in on her couch to finish work. 

The howl of the wind could be heard between the houses. So loud that the knock at her door seemed imagined. Moon stared at it as if that would tell her if she’d heard right. The worn wood rattled against its frame as the knock came harder. She unfolded herself from the couch and throw to answer the door. 

Cymru stood with two thermoses. One was tucked into his left arm and the other dangling by its handle in his left hand. “Someone mentioned how cold your home is. I didn’t believe it. I thought surely with such a caring and active Alpha, no one would ever be without.”

“Don’t you even think to blame the state of my living on Shad. I’ll leave your hide out in the cold to walk back to your residence.” The audacity he had to be making assumptions so soon. 

“Ah, just as I figured, willfully stubborn.” Cymru pushed his way inside without touching his body to hers but coming close enough for her to feel the wonderful heat he put off. The ghost of a memory had her body yearning. Moon quickly shoved the feeling away. Those sorts of distractions were not what she needed right now.

“Your home is rather quaint.”

“I didn’t even invite you in.” Moon grumbled watching him give himself a tour. 

“You weren’t going to invite me in. We would have spared in the cold until I gave up. I like your place, by the way. I wasn’t being coy.”

“Then why did you bother coming if you knew I wouldn’t welcome you?”

Cymru held up the thermoses, one in each hand, “I bring liquid warmth to take the bite of cold away.”

“There better not be any alcohol. I’m not getting drunk with some strange man.” Oh, but she would if it meant sharing a warm bed with him. She mentally kicked herself for the thought. 

“Soup and tea,” he indicated each by lifting the containers of question. He was in her kitchen looking through cabinets. He grabbed two bowls, spoons and mugs before settling on her couch. She still stood by the door watching in disbelief at him making himself at home.

“Are you going to come join me or keep watching me? Unless you have some better offer.” He lifted his brow on the last. 

“No, I don’t entertain offers.” Moon gave in and took a seat next to him. She examined the soup he poured, chicken dumplings. The tea smelled of chamomile with jasmine. He was going to put her to sleep.

“And what’s that?” he asked as she took a tentative taste of the dumplings. 

“I’m sorry, why’s what? This is really good, thank you.”

“You’re most welcome. Why do you not entertain any offers?”

“I haven’t the time for games, or spending the time to get to know someone. Or deal with drama. Or start my life over again.”

“Hmm.” He finished off his dumplings as if he hadn’t just triggered her defense with that hmm.

She continued to stare at him, not touching her tea or dumplings. He settled back into the couch with eyes shut. Moon picked up the throw pillow behind her and swung it at him. He caught it right before it hit his face.

“That’s not very nice.” He slit a glance at her without turning his head. She shivered under that glance. 

“What do you mean ‘hmm’?” She shouted at him. Trying to maintain composure but her wolf was ready to show teeth. 

“Nothing as nefarious as you seem to think, I’m sure.” He nonchalantly dismissed her protests.

“Don’t presume to know anything of what I am thinking,” she growled. 

“Easy, girl.  Put those teeth away, no need to bite. I simply wonder who or what damaged that lovely heart to put those tall walls up around it.” She bristled at how easily he read her. “Don’t stress it. Enjoy the food and the tea. I won’t keep you from your work.” 

She’d nearly forgotten about the work she’d intended to do. She wasn’t sure she could even focus on it now.

“You’re leaving after I eat?” she almost let the disappointment saturate her words. 

“It sure wouldn’t be proper for me to stay in your home all night and let the whole community see the new comer leave in the morning. I’m sure you don’t want that sort of attention.” He was right. She didn’t want that sort of attention. She didn’t want that sort of distraction. But then why was she hoping so hard that he would stay?

“Thank you for the meal.” She humbled herself enough to finish the meal while he relaxed quietly on her couch next to him. He didn’t talk, didn’t push for answers, didn’t do anything she’d have expected. She couldn’t get a read on his intentions and started to wonder what was in it for him. 

“I don’t want anything. Stop worrying your lip like that.” His eyes had been closed the whole time. How the hell did he know?

“Excuse me?”

“I can feel the tension running off you in waves and I can smell the blood you’ve managed to draw by biting your lip so hard.” Moon licked her lip to find a welt that tasted of bitter copper. His senses were astounding considering he was still in human form when their senses were supposed to be muted. But if this was muted, what were they like when he shifted?

“How-”

“I think I better head out. I hope you get a better night sleep tonight. You should really consider accepting help with things. Not everyone wants something in return. Good night, Moon, it was a pleasure.” He kissed her hand and took both thermoses and left. She stared at the door for what felt like ages. Her eyes were stinging from not blinking but she just kept expecting him to come back in and blinking might not let that happen. 

When her breath seemed to find her again, and let her gaze shift to her work. Sleep felt heavy in her head but she had to get the work done.