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TableofContents
StoriesbyMazzyJ.March
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
ChapterSeventeen
ChapterEighteen
ChapterNineteen
ChapterTwenty
Epilogue
APeekatDelivered to My Wolves
AnExcerptfromDelivered to My Tigers
AboutMazzyJ March
ConnectwithMazzy!
WhenmyfriendAnaiswascalledoutbytheuniversitytofindactualtigershiftersorlosetherighttodefendherthesisaswell asthelucrativegrantshe’dsecured,Ineverdreamedthesamethingcouldhappentome.Afterall,mysubjectofstudywas definitelyonthemythicalside.ButI’mnotgoingtohideitlikeshedid.I’mmakingmyprofileontheMail-OrderMatingsapp clear. Looking for cryptid shifters and crossing my fingers I find one.Shiftersareloyal.Andmytasteforhumanmenis nothinglessthansour
KoaandOrion
Therehavebeenmanythingssaidaboutbigfootsoverthecenturies,butonlyafewhavebeenright.Ournumbersaredwindling becauseofincursionontomoreandmoreopenlandandthelackoffemales.Butabigfootisn’tonthetopofthelistforfemales lookingforashiftermate Becauseofromancenovelsandmovies,theyalllikewolvesandbears So,whenwejointheMailOrderMatingsapp,wedon’tdisclosewhatshifterweare.Afterweeksofnothing,wearealertedtoanewprofilethatmatches us She’sacryptozoologystudent,andshe’slookingforauniqueshifter
Sheprobablythinkswearesomeweirdanimaloramixedbreed Shecouldn’tbemorewrong
Delivered to My Bigfoots is Book 9 in the super sweet with building heat Mail-Order Matings Series Delivered to My Bigfoots features a woman ready to take a step into the unknown in pursuit of knowledge and maybe more, bigfoot shifters ready to take a chance on an arranged mail-order mating, insta-love, and a human caught up in its magic And of course, Mazzy promises a happy ever after. If you like true mates, Fate taking a hand, and bigfoots with a unique twist, one-click Delivered to My Bigfoots today
TheLycanAcademy
FirstHowling SecondGrowl ThirdSnarl JadedLove
ShiftersofConsequence
Survivor Legacy
Triumph
Dominion Torn
Tether
Tremble
Tinsel
AcademyofFireandAsh BetrayedbyDragons
CovetedbyDragons MatedtoDragons
SciathainAcademy VeiledWings SulliedWings DawningWings AcrosstheVeil
MatedinSilence RejectedbyFate RejectedbyBlood RejectedbyBirth
Reaper’sClawWolfPack AbandonedatBirth ForsakenLife EndangeredHeart HeirAlight
RidgewoodRogueWolvesSaga
Mangled
Marred Wounded
Restored
Absolute
ShiftersoftheGoldenFlame DragonSacrifice
Dragon’sDivulgence
Dragon’sVindication
StarsAlignedSeries
Procyon
Nebula
Zenith
AcademyoftheRavens
DarkenedWings AConspiracy AnUnkindness AMurder
UrbanAcademy SemesterOne SemesterTwo SemesterThree SemesterFour SemesterFive SemesterSix SemesterSeven SemesterEight SemesterEightFive SemesterNine
UrbanAcademyRejects Renegade Sedition
Mail-OrderMatings DeliveredtoMyMates DeliveredtoMyPandas DeliveredtoMyAlphas DeliveredtoMyKoalas DeliveredtoMyProtectors DeliveredtoMyPolarBears DeliveredtoMyOrcs DeliveredtoMyTigers DeliveredtoMyBigfoots DeliveredtoMyWolves
ByMazzyJ.MarchandJennaM.Jett
TheConjurerAcademy Enigma Psionic
By MazzyJ.March
ChapterOne Druscilla Mymaster’sdegreehadbeenawalkintheparkcomparedtotheworkIwasdoingtocompletemydoctorate.Untilnow, I’dneverstruggledwithanythingschoolrelated.StraightAsallthewaythroughhighschool,scholarshipswhenIentered collegeatfifteen Butwithmymaster’sundermybeltandmydoctoratejustayearout,Ihadfoundmyselfslowingdown, searchingforrelevantdata,andfeelingcompletelydissatisfiedwithwhatIhadtopresent.
Myadvisorwasfinewithit,andtherewasnoreasontomakeanychanges Except,therewere Cryptozoologywas referredtoasapseudoscience,butwhydidithavetobe?IfIhadn’tbelievedtherewassometruthtothelegendofBigfoot,I wouldhavenevertakenitup AllbecauseIsawonewhenIwasalittlegirl
OrthoughtIhad…
Sittinginmyoffice,Istaredatmycomputerscreenwheremyfinaldraftofmythesiswasloadedinemailreadytosendto myadvisor CouldIreallycallwhatIhaddonehereenough?Itwouldbeapprovedbythecommittee Mydefensewasalso readytogo.ButmyfingerhesitatedoverthebuttonasItriedtodecideifitwasenoughforme?Thiswouldgointheoncampuslibrarywiththeworkofmanydistinguishedprofessorsandothers andithadtobetheverybestIcoulddo
I’dpushedmypersonalexperienceasidebecausenobodywouldbelievemeifIhad.Itmightbea“pseudoscience,”but myprofessorswouldnothaveevenacceptedmeintothegraduateprogramifIappearedtobeoneofthosetheylovedtolaugh at.IhadwrittenmythesisasifBigfootwasamythologicalcreaturewho,ifithadeverexisted,waslongextinct.Notwhatmy heartsaid.ButwhatIbelievedwouldbesuccessfulincompletingmydegree.
IfIadmittedtobeingoneofthe“crackpots”whothoughtthey’dseenmagicalcreatures,Iwouldhaveahardtimebeing takenseriouslyinacademia.
Worsethanseeingone,itwasquitepossibleithadbeentwo
Atsix,whilecampingwithmyfamilyinanationalpark,Iwasawakenedbythesoundsofsomeonewalkingaroundthe forestbetweenusandthelake.Mydadandbrotherhadsaidtheyweregettingupearlytogofishing.MaybeIcouldcatchupto them.SlippingoutofthetentIsharedwithmymom,Itiptoedawaytothetreelineandscannedthedarkness.Thecrunchingof leavesguidingme,Ilistenedformydad’slowtoneormybrother’shigherone,movingfartherawayfromcampandbeforeI knewit,Ihadgottenturnedcompletelyaroundandhadnoideahowtogetback
And,worse,Iheardagrowlthatsentmetomyknees,tearsspurtingfrommyeyesandsplashingontotheground.No DaddyorBobby,justsomethingverytallandhairystompingpastmethendisappearingintothetreesandcomingbackagain Ormaybeitwasn’tthesameone.Icurledintoaballtryingtodisappear,whilethethuddingfootstepscamecloserandcloser.
Myphonebuzzed,bouncingonthedesk,andIjumped,tornfromthememorythatwasneverfarfrommymind.Justthe personIneededtotalkto.“Hi,Anais.Howarethingsinyourperfectworld?”
“Perfect?”Shesnorted.“RockyandThadareamazingineveryway,don’tgetmewrong.Butthatamazingnesscanweara girlout Also,neitherofthemcanhangupatowel”
Twotigershifters…Iftherewasanythingthatcouldpushmylittle-girlmemoriesoutandfillmygrow-upwomanmind withawholeotherkindofimage “Ifyoukeepthisup,I’llbebeggingyouforthenameofapairoftigersofmyown” “Youdon’twanttigers.Thosearemyobsession.Youwantbigfoots.”
Iclosedmyeyesandtriedtoimaginemeetingtheminperson.Again…no,Ihadn’treallyhadthatexperience,orperhaps I’dmisinterpretedwhathappened I’donlytoldonepersonaboutbeingrescuedandreturnedtocampbyalargehairybeast atleastsincemyparentsfreakedoutandtoldmeitwasonlymyimaginationand“don’tberunningaroundtalkingaboutitto anyoneelse”
Orthey’dthinkIwascrazy.
AnaisdidnotthinkI’dlostmymindthough “Dru?Youstillthere?”
“Yes,andIamsogladyoufoundyourmatesandarehappy,buttigershiftersarereal,eveninmoderntimes.Theyarejust rare.Bigfootsarenotaroundnow,iftheyeverwere.”
“Itwasonlytwentyyearsagothatyoumetone,ormaybeeventwo”I’dneverbeensureifthesameonecamebackafter walkingpastmethefirsttimeorifitwasasecond.“Ifyousawthem,andIbelieveyoudid,thenwhywouldtherebenone left?”
“BecauseIwasveryyoungandcouldhavebeenmistaken.”
“Whichyouknowyouwerenot”Anaishuffedoutabreath
“Yourmemoriesareclear,anditiswell-knownthatchildren maynotremembereveryPop-Tart,buttraumaticorshockingexperiencesdon’tgoaway.Yourdescriptionofthecreatureis veryclear.”
“Momsaidmaybeitwasabear”
“UnlessitwasYogiormaybeagrown-upBooBoo,nobearislikelytoguideasmallchildbacktohercampsitewhen she’slostinthewoods Andsinceyounevermentionedhimaskingforapic-a-nicbasket,Ithinkwecanconfidentlysayitwas
notacartoonbear.”
“Butwhat’sthepointofeventalkingaboutthisnow?I’vegonebacktothatexactcampsiteeverysummersinceIturned eighteen,alsoanywheretherehavebeensightingsreported,andI’veseennothing”Themomentschoolletout,Ihadpackedup myoldcampervanandheadedout,searchinguntilitwastimetoreturninthefall.ButIcouldn’tkeepdoingthatforever.
“Well,you’llbewrappingupyourthesissoon,andyoucancontinueresearchwithoutthathangingoveryou” “IjustfeellikeIcouldhavegonefurther,triedharder,likemythesisisnotallitcouldbe.”Astudentpokedherheadinthe half-opendoor,andIheldupafinger Sheduckedoutagain “Ihavetogoandspeaktooneofmycharges,butlet’stalksoon MaybeIcanvisityouorviceversasoon.”
“Thatwouldbenice.”Wehadattendeddifferentgraduateschools,andnowthatAnaiswaswithhertigers,shewasn’t evenonthatcampus “Icanmeetyourmates”
Wedisconnected,andIdealtwiththestudentwhowashavingdifficultyfindingresourcesforsightingsoftheYetiina certainareaoftheHimalayas Shedreamedofvisitingthereoneday,butfornow,Iwasabletoconnectheronlinewithan expertwhohad,andshelefthappy.
AsIwasgatheringmythingstoleavefortheday,myphonechimed,andIcheckedtofindatextfromAnais
Give yourself the chance you deserve. Sign up for Mail-Order Matings and maybe you’ll find your Bigfoots. It worked for my tigers.
ChapterTwo Koa EveryonetriedindifferentwaystofindoutwhatkindofshifterIwas.Whatkindofshifterswewere. Frenchiewasnoexception.
Ihadmadethemistakeoftakingoffmybutton-downflannelafterthesunreacheditsdailypeakinthesky Eventhoughit wasearlyspring,theheatwasalreadygettingtome,andsowastheskiinstructorcurrentlyrunningared-tippedfingerdown mychest Ididn’tevenseehercoming Usually,Iavoidedherandeverythingshehadtosay,butIwaslostinthoughttomyown detriment.
Ihadn’tevenbeenlisteningtowhatshewassaying Myshifterwasmuchlouder,growlingandhuffingouthisutterdisdain ofthefemaleinfrontofus.Hedidn’twanther.Hedidn’twantanyfemaleinthevicinity.Theonlyonehewantedwashismate, andwehadyettomeether.
“So,whatdoyousay,Koa?Takemeforaride?”
Thefuck?
“Takeyouforaride?”Irepeated,soundinglikeanoaf “Yeah,uptothemainlodge.WhatelsedidyouthinkIwastalkingabout?”
Takingherforaridetothetrainstation,soshecouldleavemethehellalone?
No,Icouldn’tberude.
Notyetanyway.
“I’mchoppingwoodhere,Frenchie I’mbusy There’safour-wheelerrightthere Keysareinit Takeyourselftothemain lodge.”
Shepouted,pushingoutherbottomlipandthensmiledrevealingsomelipstickonherfrontteeththatperfectlymatchedthe coloronhernails.“OnedayI’mgoingtowearyoudown,Koa.YouandOrion.Youwillbothrealizethatthepersonyou’ve beenwantingallalongwasstandingrightinfrontofyou.”
“Goonbeforeyou’relate,”Ibarkedoutandraisedtheaxslightly,nottobeintimidatingbuttoshowherIwasmorethan readytogetbacktowork.
OrionandIstartedoutastourguidesforthehumanswhowantedtoexplorethemountainsandtrails,butsoonourbrute strengthandworkethicmadeustheheavylifters.Icouldn’trememberwhenIlastgaveatour. Imissedit
Imissedthefreshairandexplainingallthewildlifeandtreestothetourists.ItgavemeallthefreshairIneededandmy shiftersidecraved.
ResortmanagementassignedOrionandustasksthatrequiredgreatstrength.Littledidtheyknowthatthebeastsweheld withincontainedatleastthreetimesthestrengthourhumansidesdid.
“Whatwasthatabout?”Orion’svoicebrokethroughmygrunts Thinkingabouteverythingsometimesfrustratedme,and mybestfriendhadtoldmeonmorethanoneoccasionthatItendedtogruntwhenangry.Wehadasplitterforthefirewoodfor theguestsattheresortbutitbrokeafewmonthsago OrionandIagreedtodoitbyhanduntilitwasfixedandthenamonth later,wefoundoutthatithadneverbeensenttotheshoptoberepaired.
Amy,theresortdirector,saidthatsomeofthefemaleguestslikedthesightofOrionandIsplittingwood.Therewereeven picturesonsocialmedia
“Takeabreak.Ibroughtlunch.Itwasbrownbagtoday.”Heheldupalargebrownbag.Someofthechefsinthekitchen wereshiftersaswell,andtheyknewourappetitesandgaveusgrocerybags,whiletheguestsgotthesmallerpaperoneslike thosemeantforschoollunches.
Wesatonacoupleoflogs Ididn’trealizehowstarvingIwasuntilthescentsofSwisscheeseandroastbeefhitmynose, enticingme.Ipulledoutalargesubsandwich,alongwithpotatowedgesandbrownies.SomeguestscomplainedaboutsacklunchSundaysbutitwasoneofmyfavoritemealsoftheweek.
“Haveyouconsideredwhatwetalkedabout?”
OrionandIspokeaboutalotofthings,buthewasreferringtoanappwhereshifterscouldfindtheirmates.
Afewofourcoworkershadmetbothshifterandhumanmates
Orionwantedustosignup.Wehadknownforquiteawhilethatwewouldshareamate,butfindingonewhowouldnot onlyshareusbutacceptouruniquekindofshifterwouldn’tbeaneasytask Iknewitwasawalkuphill,andthatwasputtingitmildly.
“Ialreadydownloadedit.Startedbrowsing,”Ianswered,handinghimmyphone.
“Oh!”Hepressedhisthumbontheappbutthenfrowned “Youdidn’tmakeaprofile” “Doyouknowhowmanyquestionsitasked.Iansweredaboutfifteenthousandofthemandthengaveup.Hadtogetback towork”
Orionscrubbedahanddownhisface.Hisskinhadtannedinthesunsinceweweregivenwood-splittingduties,whileI hadremainedthesame.“Allofthequestionsarethereforapurpose,Koa.Theywantyoutobespecificsotheycanfindour mateforus Canyouimagineusnotfindingherbecauseyouweretooimpatientwiththequestions?”
Itoreintomysandwich,takingouthalfofitwhilehefussedatme.Hereallydidfavorhismotherwhenhebitchedabout things “Fine,”Igrumbledaroundthebite “I’lldoittonight AfterIcook” Heshookhishead.“Whatareyoucookinganyway?”Hetookabigbitehimself,alreadythinkingabouthisnextmeal. “Aroastwithallthevegetables ThoughtI’ddoamushroomrisottoalongwithit” Orionsighed.“I’llmakeyouadeal.Youcook,andIwillaskyouallthequestionsandcleanup.Makeiteasyonyou.” Iscoffed.“Aren’tsomeofthosequestionsquiteintimate?” “Dude,we’regoingtoshareamate Ifyou’rekinky,sheneedstoknowbeforehand” Chuckling,Ikickedhimwithmyboot.“I’mnot.Honestly,whothefuckknows.”Thetruthwas,Ihadsavedmyselfformy mate Sexwithanyonebutmymatewouldn’tcomeclosetomatingwithher,soIdidn’tbother Iwouldfindhereventually Oncewefinishedlunch,Orionresumedtakingthesplitlogstothewoodshed,andIreturnedtosplitting. OrionwasmybestfriendbutIfeltmorealonethanever Thetrailsandshowingpeoplethewonderaroundususedto quellsomeofthat,butnowthatIhadbeenshiftedtosplittingwood,thehollownesswasslowlytakingover.
ChapterThree Orion Koaclockedoutlaterthanexpected.Hetextedmethattherewassomekindofemergencywithoneofthehottubs.The resorthadatleasttenand,withtheirconstantuse,theywerealwaysinneedofmaintenance.Wehadmadethemistakeofletting managementseethat,betweenus,wecouldfixjustaboutanything
Nowweweretaskedwithfixingjustabouteverything.
Takingaseatononeoftheplushchairsinfrontoftheroaringfireinthestaffarea,Ipulledoutmyphoneanddecidedto scrollthroughtheMail-OrderMatingsapp.IhadinstalleditonmyphonebeforeeventellingKoa,knowingthatmybestfriend wouldbelessthangung-hoaboutit
Wedidn’tjustneedamate weneeded our mate,ouronefatedfemalethatwouldnotonlyloveusbutwouldkeepour secretclosetoherheart.Shifterswerestillnotacceptedasrealbyallhumans,but,betweenbooksandmovies,ourexistence wasn’tsoscaryanymore Whilemostshiftersstillkepttothemselves,humansweremoreacceptingwhentherewasasighting Becausehumanslovedbearsandwolvesandevendragons.
Bigfoots theylikedtohuntus Forpictures Forevidence Theywantedtoprovetothemselvesandtotheworldthatwe existed.Thatthesightingsweren’tallconfusionandspeculation.
Theywantedtoberight
Wejustwantedtoliveinpeace.
TheMail-OrderMatingsapphadchangedsomeofthatstigmaaroundshifters.Therewereallkindsofpeopleontheapp, alllookingforsomething Humanswantingshiftermates Shifterswantinghumans Femaleswantingmonsters Monsters wantingabreeder.Reverseharemswereonlyadropinthehatofthedifferentkindsofrelationshipsbeingswantedtopartake in,andtheywereallontheapp,wantinglovemorethananything
Except,therewasn’taBigfoottobefound.Atleast,notthatIcouldsee.
Wewereconcernedaboutthat,butwedidn’thavetodisclosealocation,andtheonlypicturesofuswouldbeourhuman sides.
Itwasscaryputtingourselvesoutthere,butevenmorefrighteningwasthethoughtofKoaandIlivingalonefortherestof ourlivesandneverhavingthefamilywesodeeplycraved “Ready?”Koa’svoicesnappedmetoattention.
“Thatwasquick,”Iresponded,standingup “Yeah,well,Ican’tfixacrackedhottub.OnelookandIknewitwasbeyondme.Icovereditup,putonanoutoforder sign,andI’mgoinghome.”
KoaandIwerehomebodies,withtheexceptionofworking.Wehadhobbiesandinterestsandnoneofthemhadanythingto dowiththeresortortourists.Weworkedtolive,nottheotherwayaround.
“Momcalled Shesaidyoudidn’tanswerhertext,”Isaidaswegotintomytruck Weeachhadourowntrucksbut carpoolingmadesense.
Koagruntedandtookhisphoneoutofhispocket “Itwasanhourago IswearifIdon’ttextherbackwithinthirtyminutes, shethinkswediedorsomething.”
Ichuckledwhilemeanderingthroughtheconstantparking-lottraffic.Theytriedtomakeiteasieronthestaffbyspecifying aparkingareajustforusthatconnectedtothemainroad,butitwasn’tlongbeforethegueststookover “Shewantstoknowif wewanttocomeoverSundayfordinner.”
Koagrunted “WegoeverySunday,don’twe?”WhileIdrove,hesentheratext TherewasnoquestionwhenKoa’sparentswerekilledthatwewouldtakehimin.Thedayofhisparents’funeral,Mom hadalreadyputanotherbedinmyroomandaddedadresser KoaandIhadbeenbestfriendsforyears,sohimbeingoverall thetimewasnothingnew.
Koahadahardtimewiththelossofhisparents.Ithoughtthatwasabigreasonwhyhewantedafamilysobadly. Wehadbuiltourhomeonthesideofthemountainandhadthelongroadputin Koawasthecook Koahadlearnedunder mymom’sgaze,whileIhadtakenthewood-sculptinghobbyfrommyfather.
Wepartedwaystoshowerandquicklyfellintoourregularschedule,exceptthistimeinsteadofgoingtomyshoptowork onmylatestcreation,Isatatthetable,forcingKoatokeephisword.
“Firstquestion?”Iasked Koa’sshouldersdrooped,andheshookhishead.“Fine.Shoot.”
WhileIfiredthequestionsathim,hestirredandfussedovertherisottoandthenshreddedthebeef. “Humanorshifter?”Iasked Wehadn’tgottentothedifficultpart,andalreadyhewasgrowly “Doesn’tmatteraslongasshe’sourmate.”
Beforedinnerwasserved,Istokedthefireandsetthetable “Let’sgetthisdone”Thenextquestionsmadehimrollhis
eyesatseveralpoints.
Sexualpreferences.Kinks.Koawasnoprude,buthewasavirgin.Ihadbeenawildchildincollege,buthe’dkept himselfforhismate
Beforethemealwasfinished,wehadhisprofilecompleteandconnectedtomine. “Whatnow?”Koaasked,pickingupthelargeemptybowls “Wewaitforsomeonetobematchedtous.”
Hechuckled “Well,waitinghappenstobesomethingI’mafuckingprofessionalat”
ChapterFour Druscilla AnaisthoughtImightfindaBigfootonthatapp,butIdidn’tthinksoatall.Howridiculouswoulditbeifafterallmy searchingallIhadtodowasfilloutadatingquestionnaireandjustwaitforthemtochatmeup.Still,howfoolishcoulditbeif Ididn’tgiveitatry?
IhadthatargumentwithmyselfallthewayhomefromschoolbutcametonoconclusionthatbythetimeIparkedoutside mybuilding SinceIchosenottoworksummers,spendingthemonmysearches,Ilivedinastudioapartmentinaless-than awesomesectionoftown.ItaffordedmefreedomnottospendeverydimeImadeonlivingexpenses.I’dbeentosomany parksandwildareas,followingleadsandhopingthatthisyearwouldbetheonewhereI’dfindsomethingtoconfirmmy memories.
Iateleftoverspicyramenandtriedtothinkaboutsomethingelse.ButMail-OrderMatingskeptringinginmymind.Maybe IwouldnotbeabletofindaBigfootever,butthatmightbeforthebest MaybeitwastimethatIturnedinmyfinaldraftand lookedaroundforsomeothercreaturetostudy.Becauseitwasnevergoingtobeagreatideatospendmylifeobsessedwith somethingthathappenedwhenIwassuchalittlegirl
OneofthereasonsImanagedtotravelinsummerwasthatInotonlyworkedonmydegreeandtaughtgraduateclasses,but Ialsospentmyeveningsandweekendscheckingoutcustomersandwatchingforshopliftersatalocalgasstationconvenience store.I’dswornthatwouldendonceIhadDr.infrontofmyname,butfornow,itwasofftotheraces.Peoplecouldn’tbuy theirenergydrinksandoverheatedburritoswithoutmethere.
Threehourslater,Iwasstandingbehindthecounterwaitingforsomeonetocomein Earlier,myshifthadbeenbusy,but afterhoursofputtinghotdogsinbunsandhandingoutreceiptsforthecustomersonpump1thatstillhadabrokenprinter,Iwas allbymylonesome Sure,Icouldbestockingshelvesorsweepingorwipingdownthebathroom,andusuallyIwouldhave beendoingthat,butsometimesIgottiredofdoingworkthathadbeenneglectedtheentiredaywhentherewerethreepeople workinghere.
AndsinceIwas,foronce,doingnothing,mymindkickedintohighgear,andIbegantothinkaboutAnais’ssuggestion.The app.IfIweretodoit,whatwouldIevensay?WouldIbeabletojustclicksendmeaBigfootorBigfoot-adjacentcreature?
Itwasamatingapp,andeventhoughAnaishadn’tintendedtoendupwiththesubjectofhermatch,youcouldn’tpryher outoftherenowwitha…aprybar.Shetrulyhadfoundherperfectmates.Theyadoredher,andshethem,andeverytimeI spokewithher,myheartachedalittle Withhappinessformyfriend,ofcourse,butalsothefeelingthatI’dneverbeaslucky Skippingafewgradeshadmealwaysyoungerthantheothersinmyclass,andsomehowoutoftherhythmofsocializingthat alwaysseemedtocomesoeasyforsomany.
AnaiswasthefirstreallygoodfriendI’dmadeinschool,soofcourseIwasthrilledforher.Butitjustemphasizedthefact thatIwasstillalone.IpickedupmyphoneandclickedonthelinkAnaishadsohelpfullytextedme.Idownloadedtheapp.
Ihadtorememberthatthiswasnotgoingtohelpmetofinda“mate”Datingwasn’treallyonmyradar,evennowthatthe agedifferencebetweenmeandthoseImetatworkandschooldidn’tmatterasmuch.Ihadnotime,andthefewtimesIdidgo outwithaguyalwaysfeltsoawkwardandnotworththeeffort MaybeIwasjustoneofthosepeoplewhowouldn’thave relationships.Ihadaprofessorlikethatwhowasveryhappyneverhavinghadanykindofpartner.Ofcourse,shedidhavea reallysolidfriendcircle.
Okay,thiswasnothingtodowithrelationships,evenifitwasadatingapp IwantedtomeetsomeonewhoIcould interviewandmaybesteermyfuturestudiesinaslightlydifferentdirection.
JustastheappshowedasinstalledandIstartedthequestionnaire,Ihadseveralcustomersinarow,oneofwhomwaslost andwantedhelpgettingbacktothehighway.GPSwasusuallythebestidea,butthisoldergentlemanhadoneofthosenot-sosmartphonesandbarelyfeltcomfortableusingitfortexting
“Ifeelliketheworldispassingmeby,girlie,”hesaidafterthankingmeforwritingdownthedirectionsforhim.“Likea fishoutofwater.”
“Igetit,sir”Iaddedacandybartothepieceofpaperandhandedthemover “Ihopethismakesyournightalittle sweeter.”
Asheleft,clutchinghishandwritteninstructionsandalreadyunwrappingthechocolatebar,myphonebeepedandIlooked downatit.AlightflashednexttothequestionIhadbeenabouttoanswer,andIsettledintotelltheappandpresumablyanyone theymatchedtomemoreaboutmyselfthanIevenknewwaspossible Lotsofthingsaboutmylifeingeneralandpreferencesin apartner.Ididn’tfeellikeIwascomingofftoowellandwonderedhowIcouldlivesuchaboringall-work-and-no-play existence.
Thesexquestionswereparticularlyhard,sinceIhadnoexperiencetogoon,butIdidmybestthensatbacktowaitand seewhatwouldhappen.
“Koa,Orion,weneedsomehelpinthelargeballroom.”Amy,thedirectoroftheresortwalkedovertousandtappedme onthearm.Herheadcameupnotfarpastmywaist,soevenmyarmmust’vebeenareachforher.
“Whatdoyouneed?”Orionasked He’donlyhadonecupofcoffeethatmorningafterstayinguplate,workingonhislatest piece.Orionwasameanonewithanythinglessthantwocups.
“Weneedallofthefurnitureclearedout There’sgoingtobeameditationclassinthereinanhour” Isighed.“Sure,Amy.”
Ofcourse Morelaborforthestrongguys Wemovedallthetablesandchairsintostoragewithminimalgrumbling The ballroomoverlookedthemountainsandthetrailhead theoneweusedtowaitateverymorningfortheguestswhowantedto explore.Imissedit,butworkwaswork,andthisphysicallaborhelpedourbeaststoworkoffsomeoftheextraenergy.
Weshould’vespokenup Saidwewantedtogobacktoourformerpositions,butthetruthwas,ourpayneverchanged,and mostoftheguestswhotookthetourswerebusiertakingpicturesandvideosthanbeingpresentandenjoyingtheoutdoors.
Still,Imissedit
“There’swoodtosplitandstoragetofill,”Orionsaidonceweclosedthedoorstotheballroomandturnedoffthelights. Wemadeourwaythroughthebackentranceandtothewood-splittingareawhereItookontherestofthelogsI’dstackedup thedaybefore.
Onceweweredone,wehadtoputthewoodinstorage.Itwasalreadyhalfwaythroughtheday,andIwasgladforit.My reallifewasathome,inmykitchenandinmyreadingchair Thosewerethethingsthatmatteredtome
Thatandfindingamate.
Ifthatwasevenpossibleforashifterlikeme
“Getthewheelbarrows,Orion.”
Hecamebackwithoneandthentheother.Oncetheywerefull,werolledthemtothewoodshed.
ThescentoflustandpassionhitmebeforeIheardanoiseorsawthesceneinthecorneroftheshed.Onlywithmyshifter sightcouldIhaveseenthemanandwoman,aboyyoungerthanmyself,entangledinthecorner.Hishandwasunderneathher skirt Hersweresplayedalonghisnakedback Hissweatshirtwiththeresortlogowasdiscardedontoapileoffirewood “Oh,um,sorry,”thefemalesaid,pullingdownherskirt.Ittookthemaleafewsecondslongertocatchuptotherealization thatthey’dbeencaught
TheybothgiggledwhileOrionandIturnedourbacksonthem,givingthemamomenttogetthemselvestogether.
Weweren’tsurprised.Notintheleast.Thestafftoldallkindsoftalesaboutcatchingcouples,andsometimesgroups, partakinginsexinallpartsoftheplace.Inthehottubs.Inthegondolas.Inthestaffclosets.Inthebathrooms.Therewasn’ta surfaceinthisplaceuntouchedbycouplesinthethrallsofheat.
Gods,Iwasjealousofthem
ItwasstupidtomisssomethingI’dneverexperiencedbuthereIwas,wantingandwishingIhadafemalewhobelongedto me,oneIcouldpushagainstawallandravish Instead,Iwasstackingfuckingfirewood.
Thecouplemovedpastusandoutintothesnow,holdinghands,theirgazeslockedoneachother.
Fuck ThesewerethetimeswhenIwantedtogiveup Fewhumanswantedashifterandallthepossessivenessandmating thatcamealongwithus,butevenfewerwantedabigfootshifter.OrionandIandprobablymostbigfootshiftershadseenthe documentariesand,evenworse,themovies Wewereportrayedasmorecavemanthanhuman Wewerehairyandaggressive Wesoughtouttoscarehumanswithourgruntsandcalls.Theyhaddiscoveredsomeofournestsandplacesweroamed even someofourfootprints,butthoughallsignspointedtothefactthatweweremorehumanthananimal,thestoriesneverstopped Westank.TherewereplaceswherewewereevencalledaSkunkapebecauseofthefoulsmellsthatweputoff.Wewereeven comparedtoYetis.Therewereasmanybigfootshifterspeciesastherewerewolvesorbears,butwewerealllumpedtogether underonebannerofbeing
So,whathumanwouldpurposefullyseekoutaBigfootforamate,muchlesstwo?
IrealizedIhadn’tcheckedmyphoneallday WehadbeensobusyI’dforgotten Atthesametime,Iwantedtobecareful nottogetmyhopesuptoomuch.
Allofthiseffortmight’vebeencompletelyinvain
Onceweweredone,Itookituponmyselftogetonthetrailfortherestoftheafternoon.Orioncamewithme,butwesaid nothingforalongwhileuntilwereachedthepeak.
Fromthispoint,Icouldseeourtinycabin Humanswouldn’tbeabletopinpointitwithoutbinoculars,butIwasableto easily.
“What’sfordinnertonight?”Orionasked Iknewwhathewasdoing tryingtogetmymindoffofwhatIlackedandback
ontowhatwehadandweregratefulfor.
“Enchiladas,”Irespondedquickly.Hell,IknewwhatIwasgoingtomakewiththeleftoverbeefwhenIputtherawmeat intotheCrock-Potthenightbefore “Let’sgethome,then.Haveagooddinner.Cure-allifthereeverwasone.” Ilaughedatmybestfriend Hesoundedmorelikehismomeveryday
ChapterSix Orion Thelonginginmybestfriend’seyesmirroredwhatwasinmyheart.Itwasn’tthesexorthelustwewerejealousof;itwas theconnectiontoanother.Westoppedourselvesfromgettingclosetoanyonebecauseeventuallytheywouldwanttoknow whatkindofshifterwewere,andthatwasn’tsomethingwedivulgedtojustanyone
Koa’sparentshadpaidtheultimatepriceforrevealingthemselvestohumanstheythoughtweretheirfriends.
“Ican’ttakeitanymore,”Koasaid,grunting Hewhippedouthisphoneandthenmadeapretendgestureofputtingthe windowdownandchuckingthethingoutintotheforest.
Isnorted “I’mguessingthatwedon’thaveanymessagesfromfemales?Otherwise,I’mnotsurethewayyoutriedto handleitisthethebest.”
Helaughedandshookhishead.Weneededtomaintainourcoolifweweregoingtogetthroughthis.Otherwise,wewould bebrutish,angrybeastsoncewefoundourmateandwouldprobablyscareherawayinseconds Wouldn’tthatbeabitch “Probablynot.Ihavemademyselfnotcheckalldamnedday,hopingmypatiencewouldpayoff.Itdidn’t.”
“You’renotgivingupyet,areyou?”Iasked,turningontoourlongdrive Myanimalorotherbeingcalmedthemomentwe wereclosetohome.Bigfootswerefamily-orientedpeople.Westayedtogether,muchlikeawolfpack.Myparentslivedabout tenminutesaway,butifyouspoketothem,theywouldactlikewelivedacrossthedamnedcountry
“No.”Buthestaredoutthewindow,deepinthought.“I’mnotgivingup,butthechanceissoslim.Ilookedontheapp, Orion.Idon’tseeanyBigfootsonthere.You’dthinkwithourdwindlingpopulationthattherewouldbemoreofusonthere, lookingforapotentialmate,butthere’snothing”
“Maybetheyhaven’theardofityet.ButIaddedsomeextrathingstoourprofilehopingtobumpupourchances.Cryptid anduniqueshifterspeciesbeingafew Iknowthere’sabeautifulfemaleoutthere,lookingforacoupleofhairygiantsto share.”
Thatmadehimlaugh.Thatnight,weateenchiladastogetherandwatchedamoviethatwehadbeenwaitingfor.
“Wannagoforarun?”heaskedoutoftheblue.Wehadtotimeouroutingswhentherewasnochanceofanyhuntingseason ineffectandnohumanstraipsingaround.Winterwasthebesttime.Humanstendedtostayindoorswhenthesnowblanketedthe ground
Wewentoutsideandshedourclothing.Ourshiftwassodifferentfromotherbeingswhophasedfromanimaltohuman. Therewasnopoppingoftendonsorcrackingofbonesforus Somehow,webecametallerandourstrengthandstaminawasat leasttripleourhumanselves.Meatwaspreferred,butmyanimalhadeatenmoreapplesgrowingontreesthanIeverhad. Berrieswereafavoriteeventhoughinmyhumanform,Ihatedraspberrieswithapassion.
Weranoutintothewoodsontwofeet.Nopawsorhooveslikeothershifters.Oursenseswereheightened,butweretained thoseashumans.
Weplayedinthesnowliketwosmall,well,hugeboysandexertedatonoftheextraenergywecarriedarounddespiteour veryphysicaljobs.
But,oncewewerebackhome,showeredandfed,realitysankbackin
“Areyougoingtocheck?”Koaasked.Asthewordscameoutofhismouth,anotificationonmyphonebeeped.Wehada fewfriendsbutbecauseofourhighlyprivatelives,thatwelikedtokeepthatway,weweren’tassocialasothers.Welikedour smalllife Ourquietlife Hethencursedunderhisbreath “Maybethat’ssomething”
Koadidn’tknowI’dseensomeshiftersontheappwhohadspentmonthsonit,tryingandfailingtofindsomeone. We’donlybeensignedupforafewdays
Hewasexpectingnotonlyamiraclebutalightning-fastone.
Ihadtoadmit,Iwasaswell Ipickedupthephone,swallowingagainsttheboulderinmythroat Relieffloodedmeatthe sametimeanxietyspiked.
Wehadamatch.IsaidthewordstoKoaandheimmediatelycameover,forgettingtheteahewasmakingforbothofus. “Whoisit?”
Iopenedtheappandsawthepicture.ImmediatelymyBigfoottookalikingtoher.Shewasshorterandcurvywithlong brownhair
“What’shername?”Koaasked.
“Druscilla,”Iwhispered IfIsaidittooloudly,shemightgoaway “Whatthehelldowedonow?”IaskedKoaandthe appandtheuniverseandanyonewhowouldanswer.
“Itasksifwewanttoblowherakissorwaveorsendheramessage,”Koareadtheinstructionsfromtheapponhisown phone “Blowingherakisssoundsstupid”
Ihadtoagree.“Wecansendheramessage.Sayhi.What’stheworstthatcouldhappen?”
Hechuckled “Shecouldrunforthehills”
“Andifwedon’t,wemightmissher.I’mdoingit.Notimelikethepresent.” Ittooklessthantwominutestodecideandlessthanthattosendthemessage.Afteritwassent,wesatbackandbothlet outalongbreath “Waitinga-fucking-gain,”Koasaid.
ChapterSeven Druscilla Anothershiftatthegasstationconveniencestorehadmewonderingaboutmylifechoices.Somenights,Ijustwantedto callinmyresignation,lockthestore,andshovethekeysthroughthemailslotinthedoor.Thiswasoneofthosenights.
I’darrivedjustintimetocleanupabrokensix-packofbeersomeonedroppedbythecooler NosoonerhadIsweptand moppeduptheshatteredglassandfarmoreliquidthanitseemedsixbottlescouldcontain,thanoneofthecoffeemachines sprangaleak,sendingboiling-hotliquidtoformalakeonthetiles Andofcourse,acustomercouldn’tfigureouthowtouse thegaspumpandinsistedIcomeoutanddoitforthem.Onethingandanotherandanother…Iwasgettingtoooldforthisand startingtowonderwhyIwasfussingaboutmythesisatall Itwasadonedeal,andallIneededtodowassendthefinaldraft tomyadvisortotriggertherestofthesteps.Iwasfullypreparedtodefendit,butIstillfeltlikeitwasn’tenough,acop-out.
“Excuseme,ma’am?”Theshrilltoneofthecustomerholdinganarmloadofjunkfoodthattheshriekingchildrendarting aroundthestoreandcreatingmayhemdidnotneednearlypushedmeovertheedge Thatandcallingmema’am
ButImademytoneextrasweet.“Hi.Willthatbeall?”Ireachedfortheitemstoringthemup,butshejerkedback.“Are thesetheonlykindsoftortillachipsyouhave?”Shehadabouteighttypes,sowhat
“Yes,Ithinkso.”Acrashasoneofthelittledarlingstookoutadisplayofcookiesonanendcapwasthefinalstraw. “You’llhavetopayforanytheydamaged”
“Well,Inever!”Sheletthechipssheheldfalltothefloorandkickedthemaside.“Comeon,children.Thisladyistrying toripusoff.”
Iknewshewascaughtoncamera,andherpicturewouldgoupinthebackroomsootherstaffmemberswouldknowto watchoutforher.Somenightswerenotlikethis,butothers,well…
AnotherhourofcleanupandIhitablessedlull Outside,customersfilledtheirtanks,butnoneseemedtowanttobuyany snacksorwantedareceiptfrompump1.Ioftenwonderedwhattheywantedwiththescrapsofpaperanyway.Alotofthem endedupblowingaroundthestationwhenpeoplejustdroppedortossedthemaside.
Decidingtocheckmyemail,Ipickedupmyphoneandtappedinthepassword.Andrightthereonthehomescreenwasthe appthatI’dbeentryingnottothinkaboutallnight.Theonethatmighthelpmemakemythesismorepersonal,maybeeven groundbreaking Oratleast,ifIdidn’tfindBigfoots,asIfiguredIwouldnot,Ihopedtoconnectwithsomeonewhocouldteach memoreaboutlivingoutsidetheordinaryhumanrealm.
Thatwouldbekey InchoosingtostudyBigfoots,Ihadpickedthosewhocouldnotspeakforthemselves Notevenin relics,likebonesorothertangibleobjects.IwonderednowhowI’dbeensodaring.
ItouchedtheiconforMail-OrderMatingsandgapedatthenotificationwaitingforme. You have a match!Sosoon?On somelevel,Ihadbeenpositivenothingwouldcomeofmyapplication.IknewIwasn’tuglyoranything,butwhenIreviewed myanswers,IfeltasifIwaslookingatthemostboringpersonintheworld.
Someonewhoworkedtwojobswhilegoingtoschoolanddidn’thaveamomentforsocializing Wouldn’twhoeversaw myprofilewonderwhatIwouldhavelefttobringtoarelationship.True,Iwasn’tlookingforone,buttheydidn’tknowthat yet I’dhavetobesuretotellthemassoonaspossible Oncetheyagreedtomeetwithme,thatwas I’ddeliberatelyleftmy preferenceinatypebroad,preferablysomeonetallandacryptid.IfIcouldn’tfindaBigfoot,maybeitwouldbea…what?
SuddenlyIrealizedhowsillyIwasbeinginstandingherebehindthecounterinaconveniencestoreandwonderingwhat kindofextraordinarypersonmightbematchedtome Whentheanswerlayonlyacoupleofclicksaway “I’llhavetenonpump2.”
Ihadn’tevenheardthemancomein “Allright”Nearlyeveryoneusedcardsatthepumps,butouroutdatedtechnology didn’taccommodateputtingactualcashinthere.Untilweupdated,peoplewhowantedtopaycashhadtocomeinandgiveit tome Butitdidn’ttakelongformetohandletheorderandpickupmyphoneagain Iinhaledadeepbreathandwhispereda wishtotheuniversethattheanswertomyquandarylayinthisapp.ItsurehadbeenforAnais.NotthatIwantedamateor expectedahappyeverafteroranythingsillylikethat.No…
Allright Enough Aswipeofthescreenandmymatchwasrevealed.Ornotjustone,buttwoguyswhowere“uniqueshifters.”Myheart beatsohardIwasafraiditwasgoingtocomeoutofmychest Mythroatwastight,andmyfingerstrembledenough,itwas hardtotypeinareplytotheirmessage.
Unique Special?Whowerethesemen?
AndwouldtheyloseinterestwhenItoldthemwhyIwasdoingthis?
WhateverhopeIhadbuiltupoverDruscilla’sprofileandpicturewasthoroughlysmashedoncewedoveabitdeeper.She wasaresearcherandawriter.Herreasoningforgettingontheappwasn’ttofindloveoramate.No,herreasoningwastoget acryptidtodoaninterviewforher shewantedtostudyus
Shewasn’tlookingforherfated.Shewaslookingtosecureherfinancialandcareerfate.
“Shemessagedusback,”Orionsaid,comingtothetablethenextmorning Itwasourdayoff,andwe’dhadarunthenight beforeandthelongnightscouringDruscilla’sprofile.Heputthephoneonthemiddleofourtableandcametogethiscupof blackcoffee Webothstoodthere,staringatit,sippingourcaffeine
Decidingwhattodo.
Afterrefillingourcupsanddecidingonsomebreakfastburritos,Iaskedthequestionwhilegettingingredientsfromthe fridge “Aboutwhat?Thatshewantstointerviewus?”
Orion’seyesmetmine.Iwassouraboutthewholethingnow,andheknewit.Mygutinstinctwastodeleteourmessage andwishforsomeoneelsetobeourmatch “Yes.”
Istoppedstirringtheeggsandpushedthepanofftheburner “What?”
Orionsatbackandscrubbedhishandsoverhisface.“Yes.”
Itossedthespatuladownandleanedagainstthecounter,armscrossedovermychest.“Itwouldexposeus,Orion.Idon’t havetotellyouwhathappenswhenwetrustanyonewithwhowearebeyondourmatesandourfamily”
Myparentspaidtheultimatepriceforplacingtheirtrustinthewrongpeople.
“Wewouldmakeitclearthatouridentitieswouldneverbedisclosed,andthinkaboutit,Koa,wecouldgiveherthe interviewofalifetime,andshecouldwriteaboutBigfoots…butthistimetheactualtruth.Centuriesofliesandmade-upstories youandIcouldbetheonestotelltherealstory.”
Iwentbacktomakingtheburritos.Thecaffeinehadgonetomybestfriend’shead.Heneededsomethingtoeat.Hewasn’t makinganydamnedsense.Hiswordswerecomingoutclearly,butsomewherealongthewayhe’dlosthissight.“Youneedto eat”
Orionchuckledwhilehegotupandgrabbedthetortillasandcheesefromthefridge.Hedidn’tcookalot,onlyafew thingslikegrilledcheeseandscrambledeggs,buthehelpedasmuchashecould
“Thisdoesn’tmeanshecan’tbeourmate, Koa.”
“No,that’sexactlywhatthismeans.Shewantstointerviewus.Writeaboutus.That’sit.Therewasnothinginherprofile aboutwantingtomatewithashifter.Thisisworkforher.Cutanddry.Blackandwhite.YousawherprofilejustlikeIdid.” Mywordscameoutalittleharsherthannecessary.
“Didn’tyoufeelanythingabouther?Whenyoulookedatherpicture?Iknowyoudid Icertainlydid”
Isighedandfinishedoffallthemakingsofourbreakfastandputthealready-rolledburritosonthetable.“I…Idon’t know”Oriongrowledabit Itcamerightfromhisbeast “Fine Yes Butthatdoesn’tchangeanything What?Youthinkshe’s goingtocomehereundertheguiseofinterviewingusandfallinlove?Givemeafuckingbreak.You’vebeendelvingintothe romancenovelsagain,haven’tyou?”
Orionchuckled “No Okay,maybe,butthathasnothingtodowithit MyBigfootstirredwhenIsawher There’smoreto this.Iknowit.”
“Let’stakeabreatherandthenrespond Ineedtoclearmyhead”
Orion’sgazefellonhisplate,buthesaidnothing,andItookthatasagreement.Wepartedwaysafterbreakfast.Orionwas probablyinhisworkspaceoutside,carvingsomething takingouthisfrustrationontheoakwhileIwentaboutcleaningthe house,eventhoughwebothwereprettytidypeopleinthefirstplace.
Iwantedtositdownwithabook,buttherewastoomuchenergyinsideme,poppingandsizzlingjustbelowthesurfaceto beabletositdownandconcentrate Itookouteverythingforabakingsessionandgottowork Imadedozensofmuffinsand loavesofbreadsofallkindsuntilIrealizedithadgottenlateinthedayandIwasoverduetostartdinner.
Orion’sheavyfootstepsfilledmyearsbeforethebackdoorshut Iknewhisprocess Hehadworkedalldayonsome incredibleprojectandwouldcomein,shower,andpretendhewassimplykillingtimeorplayingaround.Wehadseveralofhis sculpturesaroundthehouse,andhe’dsoldafewtotheresort Oneofthebiggestoneswasondisplayrightatthecheck-in counter.
“Smellsgood.”Hecameintothekitchen,hishairwetfromtheshower,butthescentofwoodshavingsclungtohimno matterwhatsoapheused
“Whatdoes?I’vebeenbakingeverythingIhavearecipefor.”
“Whateveritis,itsmellsgood That’sallIknow”
Overthecourseoftheday,IhadcarefullyconsideredOrion’sideaaboutDruscilla.Itwouldbenicetosetthestory straightaboutourkind.
Andshewasbeautiful
Weatedinnerinnotimeandsatacrossfromeachother,theunknownhangingbetweenus.
“Messageherback,”Istated “Ifwecan’thaveamate,thenmaybewecanhelpher Helpingpeopleisgood,right?” Orionlaughedandfinishedoffhismilk.Nomatterhowoldhegot,healwayshadmilkfordinner.“Areyousure?You weresingingadifferentsongthismorning”
Iwas.Hewasright.Somewhereinbetweenbakingandoverthinking,I’dcometotheconclusionthatOrionwasright. Plus,Ihadfoundmyselfgoingbacktotheappinbetweenbakingandrisingtimestolookatherphoto.Thathadtomean something
“Respondtoher.Isawthatsomepeoplevideochatbeforedecidingthings.Whatifwesuggestthat?”
Orionscrambledforhisphone “I’mdoingitbeforeyouchangeyourmind”
ChapterNine Orion KoaandIhadtakenseatsatoppositeendsofthelivingroominourlogcabinhomewiththefireroaring.Hehadsome recipebookwithhim,andIhadmyeReaderandcouldn’tdecideinthatmomentwhetherIwouldstartanewseriesorjourney downacomfortingfavorite
Ihadopenedupanolderserieswhenmyphonebeeped.Koaslammedhisbookshut.“Thatbetternotbeyourmom.”
Chuckling,IpickedupthephoneandsawthatwehadamessagefromDruscilla “It’sher”
“Whatdidshesay?”Koacouldputupashieldallhewanted,butIsawtheglintofhopeinhiseyes.
“Shewantstovideochat Asap”
Koa’seyeswidened,andhisjawground.“Shouldwetrynow?”
“Yeah.”Wemovedtositnexttoeachotheronthecouchandhitthecamerabutton.Whileitmadeanoiselikearinging telephone,Iwonderedifweshould’veaskedherfirst Maybeshewasbusy Perhapsshewassleeping Ididn’tevenknow whattimezoneshewasin,andhereweweremaybedisturbingher…
“Hello?”sheansweredandsoonaftercameintoview Herhairwasupinamessybun,butseveralsabletendrilswere loosearoundherface.Thecameradidn’tdoherjustice notbyalongshot.
“Druscilla I’mOrionandthisisKoa Wewereamatchforyou Wesentyouamessage?”Gods,onesecondintothecall, andIwasablitheringidiot.Ofcoursesheknewwhowewere.She’drespondedwiththeinformationthathadussoconflicted.
Sheletoutalaughthathadgoosebumpsbreakingoutallalongmyskin.Herlaughwastheoneoffantasies.No.Icouldn’t letmyselfgothere Wehadtokeepthisaboutbusiness
“Iknowwhoyouare.YouweretheonlyonesIhadamatchwith.Iknewmyprofilewasuniquebutthat’swhatIwas lookingforaswell AndIfoundyoutwo Thisappissomethingelse”
“Howdidahumanfindoutabouttheapp?”Koaprompted.Ihadn’teventhoughtofthatquestion.Honestly,Ididn’tcare. Shewashere.Rightinfrontofus well,kindofrightinfrontofus.
“MyfriendAnaismethermatesthroughtheapp.Theyaretigershifters.ShediditabitdifferentlythanIdid,butIthought ifitworkedforher,thenitmightworkforme.”
“Howso?”Koapressed ShethentoldusthestoryofhowAnaiswentintotheprojectforresearchbutendedupfinding hermates.
Awarmthtookrootinmychestathearingthestory Gods,whatifDruscilladidthesame?Shecameinhereforan interviewandthenwefoundoutshewasourmate.Ofcourse,weBigfootsweren’tthesameasotherspecies.Othershifters couldlookatsomeoneandknowthattheyweretheirmate.
Bigfootshiftershadtotouchtheirmatetoknow.Yeah,wecouldbeattractedtosomeoneandhavethattinglinginside,but itwasn’tuntilwetouchedherthatweknew.Butasahuman,Ididn’tthinkshewouldfeelthesame.Humansdidn’thavethat instinct,theonethatconnectedtoFateinthatway
“Tellusaboutyourschooling.Yourresearch?You’rewritingapaper?”
Shetolduseverything,makingsureweknewthatshewantedtobecompletelyhonestabouteverythingupfront She wasn’tlookingforamate.Ormates.Shewantedtoknowmoreaboutourspecies,whateveritwastofurtherhereducationand career.
Atleastshewashonest
“CanIasknowwhatspeciesyouare?”Shebitdownonherfullbottomlip. KoaandIbothlookedateachotherandtookalongpause “Wewouldliketodisclosethatatalatertime Overvideois nottheplaceforit.Thisisallthroughtheapp,andwe’dliketoremainanonymouseveninyourresearchandinterviews.”
Shenodded,andIcouldtellshewaswritingnoteseventhoughherarmswereoutofthecameraview FromwhatIcould tell,shelivedinatinyapartment.Fromwhereverherphonewas,Icouldseehertinykitchenwithonlyoneofthosesmall stoveswithtwoburnersandtheunfoldedsofabed.Neatandtidybutsmall.Maybesmallerthanourlivingroomandourcabin wasn’thugeoranything
Gods,wehadn’tevenaskedherifshewassingleoravailable.“Ifyoucomehere,won’tyoubeleavingsomeonebehind? Aboyfriend?Amate?”Iblurted
“No.I’msingle.”
Koaslappedmythigh Hehadn’tthoughtofaskingthat,either “Canyougiveusafewminutes?”Iasked.
“Sure.Takeyourtime.”
IputthephonedownandmotionedforKoatofollowme Oncewewereinmybedroom,Iasked,“Whatdoyouthink?Do youwanttodothis?Evenifsheonlycomesherefortheinterview?”
Heblewoutabreath “Yes Ihaveagoodfeelingaboutit Andlikewesaid,wecanmaybesetsomethingsstraightabout
sasquatches.Thatwouldbenice.”
“Sowe’reinvitinghertostaywithus?”Ireiterated,tobeclear.
“Yeah Goahead Ilikeher” Koadidn’tlikemanypeople. Wegotbackonthephone Shewasonthere,herdarkeyestrainedonsomethingbeyondthecameraview Shehadglasses onnowandwasbitingthatlip.“Wewouldliketoinviteyouhere,Druscilla.Ifyouthinkwearegoodcandidatesforyour research”
ChapterTen Druscilla IttooksomefinaglingtogettheclassesItaughtcovered,butIcalledinfavorsandmanagedtopullitoff.Fortunately,Ihad someextratimebeforeIhadtoturninmyfinaldraftofmythesis,andIhopedthatspeakingwithKoaandOrionmightgiveme insightsthatwouldhelpmefeelbetteraboutthefinalproduct Sincetheyweren’tBigfoots,Iwasn’tgoingtobeabletouse muchofwhatIlearnedinthethesis,butIhadplanstowriteabooksoon,andmaybetheycouldbeasourceforthat.“Unique shifters”hadmeintrigued
IquittheconveniencestoreearlierthanI’dplannedandsubletmyapartmentearlyforsummer.Aftervisitingwiththe shifters,Iwouldflybackandpickupmyvanandheadoutagain ThiswouldbethelastsummerIwouldspendhuntingfor Bigfoots.Atsomepoint,everyonehastogrowupandmoveon,andIhadnointentionofbeinganoldladystilltryingto recreateaseminalchildhoodexperience.
Ihadjoboffers,subjectonlytoadding“doctor”tomyname,andinthefall,Iwouldacceptaprofessorshipatoneofthe schoolsandmoveonwithlife.MaybelivesomewherewithabedroomsincemyleasewouldalsoexpirethenandIwouldnot berenewingit
Somanyplans.
Overthepastfewdays,I’dtextedandtalkedonthephonewithmyshiftermatches Theywerewell-spokenandcourteous but100percentadamantthattheywouldnotrevealwhatkindofshifter beyondunique theywere.Wetalkedaboutour lives,theirjobs,myjobs,someofourlifeexperiences.Favoritefoodsanddrinks,music,movies…first-datestuff,althoughwe allknewweweren’tgoingtobedating Muchlessmating
No,we’dagreedonaprofessionalrelationship,somethingIverymuchappreciated.Ihadhurriedtogivethemthe informationbeforeweevenspokebecauseIdidn’twantthemtofeellikeIwasmisrepresentingmyself Theseguyswerehot Theycouldfindathousandwomenwho’dwantthem.Bothofthem.Two…itwasalmosttoomuchtoconsider,especiallysince Ihadsolittleexperience.
Whatkindofshifterwerethey?Ipackedupmyapartmentwhilemullingoverthepossibilities.Couldtheybesomething verydangerous?Notwolvesorlionsoranythingelsesoeveryday.Igiggledatthethoughtofanykindofshifterbeing everyday,buttherewere,itseemed,quiteafewofthosearound Andbears And,surprisingly,accordingtoanothergrad studentwhostudiedthem,flamingos.
I’dagreedtogoandhaveanextendedvisitwiththesetwomenwhoIonlyknewthroughanapp Thereweresomany possibilities.Alligators?Notsharks,ofcoursebecausetheywouldneedtobenearanoceaninsteadofinamountainous region.IwouldneverhavethoughtI’dmanagedtopileupsomuchstuffinsuchasmallapartment.Awholerowofboxeswas piledalongonewall,waitingtobetakentostorage.I’dneverhadtodothatbefore,sinceIalwaysplannedtoreturnfor anotherschoolyear.
Iprobablyshouldhavedonealotmoresortingofthings,butI’dhadtodoeverythingtogetreadysoquickly NotthatKoa andOrionputpressureonmetorushthere,butIfeltlikeI’dbeencoolingmyheelsforalongtime,gradschoolandsummers searchingtheforests,andIwasfranklydelightedatthechangeofscene
MaybeIwasn’tevergoingtoseeaBigfootagain,ifIeverhadtostartwith.ButIwasgoingtoflymorethanhalfway acrossthecountrytospendalongvisitwithtwouniqueshifterswhohadagreedtosharewithmefirstofallwhattheywere, butthenallowmetointerviewthematlength Itwasanopportunitynoresearch-lovingscientistwouldpassup
WhenIleftthestoragebuildingforthelasttime,Istillhadtotakemyvantoyetanotherstoragearea.She’dbeenmyhome inawaythatstudioneverwas,andIfeltalmostguiltyattakingoffonatripandleavingherbehind Shelookedsoforlornin thatparkinglotwithRVsandboatsandcoveredsportscars,butIpromisedI’dbebackforherassoonaspossible.We’dbe offagaininmyfinal#vanlifesummer
IsleptonthesofabedIwouldbeleavingforthesubletterthatlastnight,feelinglikeInolongerbelongedinmylife. Consideringitreallywasjustavisit,I’dstrippedeverythingawayasifI’dneverbeback.CertainlyIhadplansforafterthe trip,buttheyseemedsoremote
AllmymusingsandphilosophizingwentoutthewindowonceIarrivedattheairporttofindmyflightwasdelayed.AsifI wasn’tnervousenough,IsenttextaftertexttoOrionandKoatellingthemmyrevisedarrivaltimes Wasitasign?ShouldIturn back?
Buthow?Ihadnothingleftbutthevanandboxesofthings,andIwasn’tgoingtohaveawholelotofextramoneytoextend my#vanlife.ButthatonlymademefeelcornereduntilIwasclosetopanickedbythetimethelastflightfinallytoucheddown. Researchondangerousshifters,shouldtheyturnouttobesuch,wouldmakeanexcellentbook.IfIsurvivedit.Inever leaptintotheunknownlikethis Withoutmuchofanet
ChapterEleven Koa Overthelastfewdays,wehavetalkedthroughtheDruscillasituationanumberoftimes.OrionandImadesureeverything wasreadyforournewguest.Wehadaguestroomthatwasrarelyusedandbyrarely,Imeantnever.Wereinedourselvesin, makingsuretheroomwascomfortableforher,constantlyremindingourselvesthatthiswasbusiness Weagreedona percentageofanybookthatmightcomeoutofthisandsignedalltheNDAsthatourlawyersdecidedwouldberight.
Allofitfelthollowandunnecessary,butIwentalongwithittoprotectwhatOrionandIhadworkedsohardfor Iwantedittobeher.Nottheinterviewortheresearch.Iwantedthisfemaletobemymate.
“You’remakingmenervous,”Orioncomplained,reachingouttoslapmyhand Ihadbeenballingmyfistsandreleasing themwhilewestoodinthepackedairport,waitingforherflighttoarrive.
“Sorry.Ican’thelpit.Oh,look,theboardisrefreshingagain.”
Herflighthadbeenlatetakingoffandthentherewasadelayinaconnectionflightthattookherhalfwayacrossthe country.Wehadintendedforhertogettousforlunchandthenwecouldtakeherhome,butnow,wewereclosertodinnerand mightmissthat
NotthewayIwantedtogreether,butitwasalloutofmyhands.
“Let’sgogetsomethingtoeatwhilewewait We’vestillgotanotherhour”
Wewalkedovertoasmallrestaurantwherethemealwasoverpricedandthechickenwasdryasfuck.Orionpeggedme withquestionsaboutthemenuandthefood,tryingtooccupybothofourminds,butitwasnouse.Mymindwasonher.Andher arrivalandwhatwouldhappenonceshewashere
“Doyouthinkshewillrunforthehillsonceshefindsoutwhatweare?”Iasked,givinguponthedessertmenu.Ifthemain coursewasshit,thenIwasn’tbettingthedessertselectionwasanybetter
Orionshrugged.“I’vebeenthinkingaboutitallnight.Wehavethecontractstoprotectus,butIdon’twanttoseeherfaceif she’sfrightenedofus.Thenagain,she’sintocryptozoology,somaybeshe’scuriousand,evenifsheisscared,shewon’tletit stopher.”
“That’strue.Maybeshe’sgotanideaalreadyaboutwhatweareandhaspreparedherself.”
“Ican’timagineit,”Orionsaid “MostpeoplethinkweareBigfootsallthetime Idon’tthinkanyonewouldsuspectthat wecanchangeforms.”
Ishruggedandtriedtogetthewaitress’attention Shebroughtourcheckand,oncewehadpaid,itwastimetogowaitfor her.Iknewtherewouldbeadelaysinceeveryonehadtodebarktheplane,butIwantedtobetherewhenshearrived.
Shewastakingachanceonusasstrangersjustasmuchasweweretakingachanceonher.Trustingeachotherbasedon generalizedinformationonanappandafewvideochats.
OrionandIbothgotatextatthesametime,sincewehadagrouptextthinggoing.
Druscillawashere Iwouldtrylikehelltokeepeverythingprofessional,butIwouldbelyingifIsaidshehadn’tplagued mydreamssinceseeingherpicture.
Minuteslater,agroupofpeopleemergedfromthesecuregatearea,butitwasn’tuntiltheypartedthatIsawthesprite-like femalecarryingabagalmostasbigasher.ShewasshorterthanIpictured,almosthalfourheight.Herdarkhairwasup,and herfrowntoldmethatshewasprobablyasfrustratedaswewereabouthowthedelayshadgone.
Still,evenwiththebunchedeyebrows,shewasabeauty Someonepushedpasther,andshecalledthemonit They coweredthoughtheyhadaboutafootonher.
Littlebutfierce Didn’tknowhowmuchIlovedthatcombinationuntilthatmoment “Druscilla,”Orioncalledouttoher.Herfaceimmediatelylitupwithasmile.
Shewaved,butitwasn’tuntilshegotcloserthatshespoke Orionwasright Hervoicewasstraightfromtheheavens “Hey,youtwo.Sorryaboutthis.Imadeyouwaitallday.”
“That’sokay,”Ianswered.“Ithappens.Areyouhungry?Anythingyouneedbeforewegetontheroad?” Sheshookherhead “Howlongofadrive?”
Orionresponded,“Aboutahalfhourorso.Dependingontraffic.Haveyoueatenallday?” Druscillalaughed “Doespeanutsontheplanecount?”
“No.”Icouldn’twaittomakeherapropermeal.I’dseenthatpitifulstoveinherapartment.“Itdoesn’tcount.Wecanget yousomethinghereor,ifyou’dlike,wehavefoodcookedathome Ourhome”
ShesmiledatmelikeI’dmadeherday.“Idon’tcookalick,soahomemademealsoundsamazing.Wehavetogetthe bags.”
“Oh,wecangetthatforyou”
“Letmetakethatfromyou.”Ireachedouttotakeherbagassheresettleditonhershoulder.Ourhandsbrushedanditwas over.
Nomorewondering Nomorehoping.
Druscillawasmymate,andthatmeantshewasKoa’smate Istoodthere,probablylookinglikethebiggestdoofusonthe planet.
“Youokay,Orion?”Koaasked,butIwasinthethroesofthejoyandelationoffindingmymate No,Iwasn’tokay.
Andhellyeah,Iwasokay.
Druscilla’smouthopened,andsheblinkedafewtimes,staringatme Shewasahuman,soitwasimpossiblethatshe knewwhatwashappeningtome.Unless unlessthissensationcouldbefeltbyahuman?
“I,um,Ineedtousetherestroom”Shewalkedawaybutinthedirectionofthebaggagecarousels Koastoppedher,buthishandtouchedhershirt.“Druscilla,therestroomsareoverthere.”
MyBigfootfeltthewavesofconfusionfizzlingfromhertome “Oh Ofcourse I’mall I’llbeback”
Shesprintedtowardthebathroom.Shefeltsomething.Iwassureofit.
“Whatthehellwasthat?”heaskedaswemadeourwaytotheroundaboutwherealloftheluggagewasrollingout. “She’sourmate”
Koastoppeddeadinhistracks.“You’resure?Youtouchedher?’
Ichokedgettingthewordsout Thiswasabigdeal Thebiggestdealofmylife “I’veneverbeensosureofanythinginmy life.Ourfingerssimplygrazed.”Everyonearounduswasgoingabouttheirbusiness.Gettingtheirluggage.Checkingtheir flights.Huggingeachothergoodbyeorhello,andhereIwas,havingthemostprofoundmomentofashifter’slife.
“Doyouthink…sheranoff.Youthinksheknew?”Koaspoketome,buthisgazewasonthebathroomdoorwhere Druscillahadfled.Whereourmatehadfled.Butunlesstherewasanotherdoor,shecouldn’thaveactuallyleft.AndIdidn’t seeanywaytherecouldbeasecondexit
“Idon’tknow.Shemaybejusthadtopee.”
Minuteslater,Druscillaemergedfromthebathroom Wealreadyhadherbagsinhandsinceshe’dtexteduspicturesof thembeforetheflight.She’dtiedsomebandanasonthehandles,thinkingthatwouldmakethemstandout.Shewasright.“Ican rollthemmyself,”shemurmured.
“Whatkindofgentlemenwouldwebeifweletyoudothat?”Koasaid,butalineformedonhisforehead.Hewas worried.Aboutwhat,Ididn’tknow.Maybetheinterview.Maybethisentiresituation.
“Areyousureyoudon’tneedanything?”Iaskedoncemoreforgoodmeasure
“No.I’mfine.Ithinkthedayjusttookitoutofme.”HereyeswerepuffierthanIrememberedfromthevideochats,andmy Bigfootfelttheuneaseandtheexhaustionseepingthroughthenew,paper-thinbondthatwouldthickenwithtime
“Let’sgetyouhome,then.Imean,toourhome.”Koaledthewaythroughtheairportandintotheparkinggarage.He insistedonDruscillasittinginthefrontseatwithmeand,whilewedroveoff,helookedoutthewindow.Hedidthatwhenhe wasupset
“Fromthevideochat,itlookedlikeyouliveinalogcabin,”Druscillamuttered,turningherheadtolookatme.Herscent wasintoxicatingandwasalmostitsownpulsethewayitmovedthroughthecabofthetruck Thishadtobehandleddelicately Ididn’tknowofanyBigfootmatingwithahuman,butI’dassumedithadhappenedoverthecenturiesofourexistence.Ithadto have
Humanstooktimetofallinlove.Questionthatloveandtheirfeelingsandthendecideifit’sallworthit.Weweredifferent asshifters,ofcourse.Oncewefoundourmate,therewasnoquestionastowhethertheyweretheonesforus.
Itsimplywas,andweaccepteditasagiftfromFate
“Wedo.Weactuallybuiltitourselves.It’suponamountain,andtheviewsarespectacular.Ihopeyou’llloveitwhile you’rehere,”IansweredandtickedmygazetoKoawhohadhisnosepressedagainstthewindow IwishedIcouldaskhim whatwaswrong,butIwouldn’tdothatinfrontofDruscilla.ItwouldtakeKoaaminutetowarmup.
Especiallysincehehadn’thadthehonoroftouchingheryet
“Sothere’slotsofroomtoshiftintoyour…”
“Notyet,Druscilla.Notyet.”
ChapterThirteen Druscilla Ihuddledintheairportbathroom,whatevershredsofconfidenceIhopedtofindinmysoulorsomedeeppartofmybody, nowheretobefound.AlreadysureI’dmadeamistakeincominghere,whathadhappenedwhenIbrushedOrion’shand.He wasjusttakingmybag,beingagentleman,andIhadprobablyhadsimilarcontactwithhundredsofpeopleovertheyears It wasalmostimpossibletoavoid.
ButI’dneverparticularlynoticed
Andatnotimebeforehadanelectricalchargeshotupmyarmintomytorsoandspreadheattoeveryinchofme.I’dheard peoplesaytheygotatingleoreventurnedonwhentheymetsomeonehot Usuallythatledtodating ButthefewguysI’ddated hadnevertemptedmetogobeyondakissortwo.Andeventhoseleftmecold.
Iwasnotheretopursuearelationship,andthesemenwereawareofthat.I’dwaitedalongtimewithouthavingsex,and I’dalwaysassumedthefirsttimewouldbewithsomeonewhoIloveddeeply Ifanyoneeverdidshowuptobethatspecial person.IfaskedbeforeIvideochattedwithacertainpairof“uniqueshifters,”I’dhavesaidIwasokaywiththat.Not massivelyexcitingtobeworkandstudyobsessed,butfine Howmanypeoplewereluckyenoughtolovethejobtheywere abouttostepinto?IenjoyedteachingbutIlovedwritingandresearching.Fulfillmentcouldcomeinmanyways.Lotsofpeople stayedsingle Ofcourse,manyofthoseseemedtohavestrongerfriendgroupsthanme
Despiteappearances,Iwasnotaloner.I’djustbeenbusyand,beingsomuchyoungerthanmyclassmates,didn’tmanage tofitintoanyofthecliques.Noteventhehighschoolsmartkids.Isplashedwateronmyfaceandsmoothedmyhairback.The facestaringbackatmeinthemirrorwaspale,anddark,smudgedcirclesundermyeyesmademewishIwasbetteratmakeup AllIhadinmypurseweremascaraandlipgloss,butIdutifullypulledthemoutandafterclearingthesmearfromtheprevious application,Iaddedanewcoatofmascaraandmademylipsshinyagain Nottolookprettyformy“researchsubjects”butjust tofeelalittlebetteraboutmyself.
Myhostswerenothingbutkindaswelefttheairportandheadedfortheirhome.Thescenerywasbeautiful,andwhilewe werefarfromwhereI’dhadmyexperiencemeetingtheBigfoot(s),itlookedverysimilar.Asin,gorgeous.Notmanyareasof thecountry,evennationalparks,hadthetypeofancientforestIobservedhere.Andthere.CouldFatehaveledmeheretomeet theseshiftersasanappetizertoencounteringanotherBigfoot?
Itwouldbetooamazing.Wewoundhigherintothemountains,reachingthesnowline,andIrolleddownmywindowand tookadeepbreath “Smellssogood”Notthatthecardidn’taswell Icouldn’tfigureoutwhatKoaandOrionworefor cologneorshavinglotion,butitwasheady.
“Cold,still,butsoonspringwillbefullyhereandthedeciduoustreeswillleafoutaswell,”Orionsaid,turningontoa narrowerandevenmorewindyroad.“Atthisaltitudeitcomesalittlelater.You’llsee.”
“IfI’mstillhere,”Icommented,notwantingthemtothinkIwasgoingtotakeadvantageoftheirhospitality.“ButIwould lovetoexperiencespringhere Iliveintheflatlands,butatheart,I’mamountaingirl Ispendmysummerstravelinginmyvan andenjoyingnature.”#huntingBigfoot.ButIwasn’tgoingtosaythat.
“Ithinkyoumentionedsomethingaboutthatinoneofourchats Youaren’tworried,awomanallbyyourselflikethat?” IbristledattheimplicationIcouldn’thandlemyself.“I’llhaveyouknowIhavebeencampingsinceIwasalittlegirland onmyownsinceIgraduatedhighschool.Iamnotafraidofwildlifeandunderstandhowtoavoidputtingmyselfinabad positionwithbearsandwolvesandthelike”
HecastmeaglanceIcouldn’tread.“It’snotanimalsthatposethebiggestdanger.”
“Thenwhatdoyou oh”Ofcourse,peopleweremostlikelytoharmsomeone “Yeah Sometimespeoplecanbereal jerks,butthat’swhyIhavethevananddon’tdowhatI’dreallypreferandcampunderthestarsinasleepingbag,exceptunder veryrarecircumstances”
“Ifyouwanttocampunderthestars,we’reyourbodyguards,right,Koa?”
Hegrunted,continuingtostareoutthewindow.WhathadIdonetooffendhim?I’dbeenhonestrightfromthebeginning… Iwantedtoaskbutdrewback IhatedwhenpeopleaskedmewhatIwasthinkingorthingslikethat,andIdidn’twanttodo thattosomeoneelse.IwouldgivehimthesameleewayIwouldappreciate,tospeakhistruthwhenhechose.
“Itwouldbebeautiful,here”Iinhaledanotherbreathbeforeshiveringandclosingthewindow “Butkindofcold”I rolledupthewindow,becomingimmediatelysurroundedbytheiramazingcolognesagain.I’dneversmelledanythinglikeit, butitsurewasenticing
“Wehaveallkindsofwintercampingequipment,allfourseasons,actually.So,wecanmakesomethinghappenwhenever youlike.”Orioncamearoundonefinalcurve,andtheirhomecameintoview.Yes,itwasacabinbuthuge.Notlikethe picturesI’dseenofexecutivevacationhomesinColoradoandIdaho No thiswasnotfinishedinthesameway Thelogsdid notcomefromafactory-milledkit.Assoonasthecarstopped,Ihoppedoutandapproachedthehome.
Threestoriesormaybetwoandaloftwithtallwindowsandlogsthatlookedlike couldtheybe “Didyouhandhew
theseyourselves?”Imovedcloserandranmyhandalongone.“Sosmooth,butalsonotalleven?”Ifthatmadesense.
“Yes,wecutallthelogsandbuiltthehometoourexactspecifications.Comeoninandseeifyoulikewhatwedid.”
Ifollowedhimin,hearingKoashutthecardoorbehindhim Hopefullyhe’dthawalittleortellmewhatIdidtooffend himbecauseIwasstartingtogetacomplex.
Insidewasevennicerifpossible Alllogwallsinteriorandexterior,openfloorplanwithahighceilinginthelivingarea, andthekitchenvisiblethroughawideopening.Mystudioapartmentwouldfitinthefoyerarea.Myjawdropped.
“Thebedroomsareupthisway”Orionstartedupabroadstaircase,eachtreadcarvedfromasplitlogandthehandrails worksofart.Itgavetheeffectofbranchesandleaves,likeatreereachingforthenextfloor.Hehadmyluggageslungoverhis shoulders.
“Whodidthis?”Ibreathed,stunnedbythebeauty
“Oriondid.”IjerkedaroundtofindKoarightbehindme.“Healsodoessculptures.”Wewerespeakingagain.Itseemed hewassomeonewhoneededhispeaceuntilhewasreadytoentertheconversationagain Whateverbotheredhim,hewould shareinhisowntime,probably.
“He’sverytalented”Igavehimasmile “Whatdoyoudoforfun?”
“He’sthecook,”saidOrionfromthetopofthestairs.
“Thenhe’stheoneIneedtocozyupto,”Ijoked,shockedwhenhisfacetightenedagain.WhatdidIdonow?
Koaturnedandheadeddownstairsagain,andIjoinedOrionontheupperlanding “Don’tmindhim,”hesoothed “Sometimeshe’sabitintense,butthefoodisgreat.”
Icouldn’thelpagiggle “You’reterrible”
“Andhere’syourroom.”Heheldthedooropenandwavedmeinside.
“Thisiswonderful.”Imarchedintothecenteroftheroomandturnedinacircle.“You’llnevergetmetoleavethis space.”Islappedahandovermymouththenletitdrop.“Idon’tmeanthat,ofcourse.Justthatit’sabeautifulroom.”Thelog wallsandartisanquilts…sheercurtainslettinginthelightfromoutside.“Youtwomadethefurniture,didn’tyou?”
“Mostlyme,butKoahelpedwhenIneededit”Hiseyestwinkled “Youaresosurprisedbyourhome Didyouthinkwe livedinacaveandweregoingtoroastacarcassoverthefireforyourdinner?”
“No,Imean Iknewyouhadthecabinbutwow”
“Wowisjustwhatwereweregoingfor.”Hisgrinmademewonderifhewasteasing,butnonetheless, wow waswhatthey achieved.
Ihadnotasingledamnedminuteofsleepthatnight.DruscillawasOrion’smate.Hehaddoneit.Undersomecrazy circumstances,butFatedidhaveawayofgettingherbiddingdonethatnoneofusunderstood.
Ilaythere,armdrapedovermyforehead,tryingtosheltermyeyesfromthebrightnessofthemoonasitpusheditsrays throughmywindow.Iwasangrywithher.Notangry,confused.
BecausetherewasachancethatDruscillawasn’tmymatebutonlyOrion’s WhenIpicturedafuture,itwasme,Orion,andourmate,butinlessthanaday,allofthathadchanged.Fearmademy spinequiver
Ihadn’ttouchedheryetand,untilIdid,therewasachanceshewasonlyOrion’smate. Rollingoverandpunchingmypillow,Icametotermswiththefactthatmaybeallthistime,wehadbeenwrong.Just becausewewerebestfriendsandourbeaststhoughtso,didn’tmeanwewouldshareamate
Itseemedlikethemomentmyexhaustiongaveinandmyeyesclosedontheirown,thesunreplacedthemoonandbarged intomyroom,tellingmethatitwasmorning
Ifshewasmymate,thiswasmychancetoimpressher.Mybeastwantednothingmorethantobeinhisskin,showingoff hisbroadbuildandstrength Showherwhatwereallywere Wewouldworkuptothat.
Oncemorningbroke,shewouldbeginaskingusquestions,butwiththatknowledge,anotherconundrumemerged.Itwas onethingtobecarefulandtreadlightlyontheanswerstoherquestions answersforastranger
Druscillawasnostranger notanymore.NottoOrion.Hewouldwanttoholdnothingback.Nosecretsfrommates.Or eachother
Afteracoldshowerandtimetothinkmore,becauseIneededmorethaneighthoursofthatapparently,Idecidedthateven iftodaywasnothingmorethandoingwhatwasbestforOrion’smate,thenIwoulddoit.
Imadeapotofourbestcoffeeandputstripsofbaconandeggbitesintotheoven.Islicedmyhomemadebreadfromthe daybefore,butteredit.Insteadofthrowingitintothetoaster,Iwouldbrownitrightinaskillet.Itwasthewaymymotherdid it,beforesheandmyfatherwerekilled Shedidn’tbelieveinthelatestgadgets,notevenamicrowave Shewasoldschool andclaimedthattheoldwaysmeantthateventoastwasalaboroflove.
SoonDruscillacameoutofthebedroom Shewasdressedcasuallyintightjeansandacreamsweater Nojewelryand insteadofshoes,furrysocks.
Wonderwhatshewouldthinkofourfurrycoatofhair?
“Goodmorning,”Icalledout,turningtomeethergazewhileIpulledthebaconfromtheoven.
“Goodmorning,Koa.”Mybeaststirredatthesoundofmynamepouringoffherlusciouslips.“Everythingsmells amazing”
Inodded.Ididn’tknowhowtotalktothiswoman.Shecalmedmeandyet,mademeincrediblynervous.Orionshouldbe up Thiswashismate Heshouldbefillingherplateandfeedingher Servinghercoffee Ensuringshewasfull “Thankyou Areyouhungry?Doyoulikecoffee?”
Ifhewouldn’tdoit,Iwould.
Therewasstillashardofhopeinme
“Iwouldlovesome.ButIcanhelpmyself.I’mnothereforyoutoserveme.”
Igruntedandsteppedbetweenherandthecounter “Youareaguest Whatdoyoulikeinyourcoffee?Orionlovesthe flavoredstuff,soIalwayspickupthenewestflavors.”
Shegiggledandsomehowthesoundreachedoutandstirredmycock Gods,Iwasinsuchfuckingtroubleifshewasn’tmy mate.“Areyougoingtoletmelookinthefridge,orareyougoingtoblockmewiththatgiantbodyofyours?” Toher,Iwasagiant.Iwouldslayallthemonstersforher.
So Much Damned Trouble
“Youmayperusetherefrigeratorforyoursugar-milk,female,”Ianswered.“Toast?Bacon?Eggbites?” Shegaspedwhilescopingoutthefridge “Theoneslikethecoffeeshop?Thoseeggbites?Ilovethem,butIdon’tbuy thembecauseit’stwolittlenibblesforhalfapaycheck.”
Ichuckled “Yes Those Imergedacoupleofrecipesonlineandcameupwithmyownperfectone Minearebetter,ifIdo saysomyself.”ThenIwinkedather.Winked.Likeshewasmine. MaybeIneededmorecoffee.
“Let’sfindout,then”Shesatdownandmurderedhercoffeewithatinybitofsugarandthenenoughcreamerto hyperactivateasmallchild.Butthemoanthatfollowedoncesheputthecuptohermouthmademewantto
“Goodmorning,”Orioncalled,comingintotheroom Hehadjeansonandnoshirt,sameasme “Smellsgood,Koa
Druscilla,you’vebeenfed?”
Shenodded.“Koacalledmefemale.Alotofshiftersdothat,Ihear.Whyisthat?”
“Arewestartingtheinterviewalready?Ineedatleasttwocupsofcoffeebeforethatcommences”
Druscillaagreedwithasigh.Shefilledusinonallthedifferentpeoplesheencounteredbutclaimedthatthecraziesinthe airportwerenothingcomparedtotheoneswhocameintotheconveniencestorewheresheonceworked Sheclaimedmyeggbiteswerebetterthananythingshe’devertasted.Exceptmaybethedinnerthenightbefore.
Ikeptittomyself,butIwouldbetthatshewasthebestthingI’dnevertasted Ittookeverythinginmenottogetupandputmyhandonher,justtoknow.Makealltheworryandtrepidationvanish. Wouldn’tlooksuspiciousatall.
