Escape from Were Mountain

To say the MacGregor clan was overwhelming would have been the understatement of the year. Yule was a fairly new holiday to me as it was. I had friends who were pagan and had attended parties with them for the holiday but the Were took it to a whole new level. Ian’s aunt and uncle were very gracious hosts that didn’t seem to bat an eye when we showed up with an extra Dragon, Pixie, Vampire, cat and of course Briar. They were even kind enough to give our strange brood one giant room to share. From the short trip from the front door to the bedroom I was hugged, pinched sniffed and bitten at least twenty times. Dani and I kept exchanging exasperated looks.

Oliver to his credit did his best to be a wall between Dani and most of the Were in attendance. Hue kept a close eye on me not wanting to blow mine and Ian’s cover but also not willing to let me be in any real danger. Ian and Briar threw themselves into crushing hugs with long unseen family and friends. When we finally reached the room I thanked Ian’s aunt who was Human and closed the door firmly separating us from the rest of the family.

“How long did we promise to stay?” I asked Ian.

With a nonchalant shrug. “I told them you would stay tonight and enjoy most of Yule here but you were expected back at the Dragon’s nest before it was dark there for a ceremony and then that you would be headed to your parents for Christmas.”

“So one night?” I let out a slow sigh of relief. “We only have to make it through one night.”

“Well after the Dragons event I’m coming back here. The only way you get out of family obligation is if I bite the bullet and commit to it.” He looked so uncomfortable my heart truly went out to him. “We should get cleaned up and ready for dinner.”

Dani sat on the edge of a bed. “Am I ok in jeans?”

“Yeah, that’s fine” Ian mumbled.

When it was time to head down to dinner Briar was no where to be found. Hue, Dani and Oliver headed down to get settled in and I continued the never ending battle with my hair. When Ian came to stand behind me I didn’t even notice. “Stupid freaking…” I snarled at my brush as it became tangled in my waves. Ian shooed my hands away where they struggled and freed the brush. Without words he ran it my hair in a way that seemed effortless. “How do you do that?”

He chuckled a deep rich sound I hadn’t heard in some time as he finished. “You don’t get hair as long as mine or fur as shiny without knowing a few things. Ca’mon lets get down there before Hue starts wondering what’s keeping us.” I nodded and followed him out into the hall and down the staircase.

When we reached the bottom of the stairs there was a jubilant noise. A man with a heavy accent called and pointed out the mistletoe over head. Panic ran through me as people chanted. Ian and I kissed cheeks and started on our way until someone questioned his manhood in front of the clan. Before I could object he pulled me close, captured the back of my head and pressed his mouth to mine. My body instantly filled with heat and despite my best efforts I responded. As he broke the kiss he leaned near my ear with parting words. “I hope it made your toes curl so you always remember.” I resisted the urge to slap him.

When I turned and faced Hue I could already feel his mixture of anger and hurt. His eyes were cold and his outward appearance said nothing but I knew just below the surface there was a tidal wave of emotions. I’m sorry. I reached out with my mental link expecting him to respond but all that met me was cold silence. Tears pricked the back of my eyes but I quickly looked away and offered my help in the kitchen. I wasn’t surprised to find both Dani and Oliver lending their talents there already.

Oliver was making a show of braising lamb shanks while Dani sat quietly on a chair peeling potatoes with Sheldon stretched across her lap. She looked up with a warm smile but when she saw my face her mood changed. “What’s wrong?” She whispered as I took a seat beside her to help with the peeling.

“Ian kissed me under the mistletoe”.

“Oh! Is that what all the noise was about?”

“Yeah”. I bit my lip before leaning even closer and whispering as if the super hearing of the Werewolves and lone Vampire were not able to hear. “I sort of enjoyed it” I said cautiously.

Understanding snapped into place. Her brows lifted. “And the Dragon wasn’t happy.”

“Nope, completely shut me out.”

Dani shook her head. “If he kissed you it’s out of your control while we are here. He knows that. Just give him sometime, he’ll cool off.”

“I hope so” I mumbled as I continued to peel.

I survived dinner thanks mostly to Dani and Oliver who kept conversation moving away from certain topics. Cariss avoided conversation with me completely and I considered that a small victory. Hue never appeared during dinner and no matter how many times I reached out for him there was no answer.When the meal finished I excused myself to go look for the cranky Dragon but Ian found me first as I wandered out of the house, down the stone steps and into the snowy woods.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

I spun around to face him fury shooting through me. “Because of our kiss I need to go find Hue.”

“And stalking off into the woods at night is the smart answer?” His words were dripping with sarcasm.

“He was really hurt Ian. He won’t even respond to me when I try and talk to him.”

“He left to go to the store. Maybe he’s just out of range?” He offered up the explanation as if he thought I may actually believe it.

“We can chat between realms, a few miles is nothing.” I wasn’t going to wait any longer. I began stomping towards the road.

Ian’s hand closed around my upper arm as he whirled me back around to face him. “Kat, it’s not safe. Hue wouldn’t want you putting yourself in harms way because he is having a temper tantrum.”

“Let go of me” I snapped struggling to free my arm. “How would you know what he wants or how he feels?”

“Because despite how much you don’t want to hear it, I do love you. If there is one thing Hue and I will always agree on it is your safety and welfare.” I tugged my arm free finally and grunted my displeasure and continued stomping towards the road. I could hear Ian walking along behind me, giving me space.

As I reached the edge of the woods where they me the road I heard the sound of someone approaching. There in the moonlight Hue paced back and forth across the road mumbling to himself. His form looked like it glowed with a silvery aura with the reflection of the snow. I broke into a run and threw myself at him with my arms spread wide.

I hit him with a resounding “oomphfff” and crashed to the ground. It was like hitting a brick wall at full speed. I sat there in the middle of the road dazed and confused by what had just happened. Hue stopped pacing and turned looking down at me in surprise. “Why did you do that?”

“I was going to pounce on you” I stated as I struggled to my feet. I accepted his hand when he offered it to me. It was warm and its heat washed over me making me forget about the icy cold air around us.

“Can’t I have time to think?” he said with an angry tone.

“Remember when we agreed to share things?” He winced as I said the word.

“I was mad but I realized I shouldn’t be and I didn’t want you to endure those feelings.” He pulled me closer to him and wrapped both arms around me. “Do you even realize you’re turning blue?”

“Huh?” He rolled his eyes and guided me back towards the house. When we turned I expected to see Ian but he was nowhere to be found. “Less than twenty four hours, right?”

That’s right mo shíorghrá. Less than twenty fours hours until we make our escape.