{Alex}

  A few days later, I was in Boss’s office fuming. “You don’t understand. I barely get any work done. She drags me out as soon as I hit the third mark, and she counts it if I make others pass out.” I was expecting him to take my side. Much to my outrage, he laughed and crossed his arms.

  “Good finally someone is putting you in your place and forcing you to slow down. I may need to give that girl a raise.” He said scratching his chin.

  “WHAT?” I screamed at him.

  “Runt, this is my fucking office.” He frowned at me “I’m the only one who gets to yell in here.” With a sigh, I backed down. He was right and the last thing I needed was him asking if I wanted to be the boss again. “As far as that lucky rabbit goes. She stays as long as she keeps you in line. What do you think happens in towns like this during winter?” I just shrugged. “We hunker down. A lot of monsters go into hibernation, the caravans don’t move, we have very little to do and hunker down to make it through the storms.” That made sense. “You on the other hand geared up the moment the last caravan came through. I dealt with it for your Dire Knight. Now it is done.”

  “What about reworking those two that came in?” I asked, still more than a little pissed.

  “We have two working Knights. Take your time. We still have three months until the gathering happens. You have time." He took a deep breath and looked over at me making sure I was a paying attention. "Ever hear the tale about the golden hen?” He asked and I wrinkled my brow.

  “Golden goose in my world.” I replied moving to the chair across form him.

  “Even if it is the same, you are my golden hen, and I am going to do my best to make sure I am fat and happy before you stop laying golden eggs for me. Do you understand?” I really looked at the man. Fuck he was using logic and I hated that he was right.

  “Yes, but what if McDonalds comes back?” I tried and failed to argue. We had one new model and Lobo. They could easily take her out. He raised an eyebrow at me.

  “You think your first monster stands a chance against that Dire Knight?” Fuck, he had seen right through my ploy. “Go home. Take time to breathe, the last thing I need is to find you dead in the shop frozen stiff with a notebook no one can read.” Why did he have to use logic on me? It wasn’t fair. “Take time to play with your girls and that kid of yours.” With a sigh, I left his office, closing the door slowly to show I wasn’t upset. Lily was beaming and had her arms crossed. I wanted to be mad at her, but she looked too cute dressed in a heavy blue wool dress and red scarf. The dress came down to her ankles and thick boots covered her feet. Her long ears were standing proudly as she smiled.

  “Told you so Master.” She said with a proud look in her eyes. I just grabbed that scarf and pulled her into me for a long hard kiss. At first, she fought with surprise, but quickly settled into my arms wrapping her own around my neck.

  “Does that work for an apology?” I asked as she blushed and panted in my arms. One of the grunts whooped and clapped. Battery was smiling as he shook his head. She looked down and blushed madly before whispering.

  “It’s a start.” She said looking at the ground, lightly slapping my face with her ears. I kissed her forehead as she grabbed the scarf around my neck. She dragged me home and I tried not to growl as Boss closed up the shop for the day. How was it that man still refused to wear a shirt even in this weather?

  The shop was cold in the large building, and we had to keep all the doors sealed as not to let the snow in. It was really piling up out here and if things didn’t slow, we would get snowed in at home. Luckily Orthonai had stocked both her and my house with food so we would make it through. Woodcutter had been grateful enough to stock the whole town with firewood. He cheated and used his Knight before that idiot had stolen it. Gen said he didn’t like winter but loved playing in the snow. Uta had explained it to me that they had to spend a year in a tent and that winter was a cold one. Both were lucky they had made it through, and I would do everything in my power to make sure they had a better one this year.

  The walk back to the house was nice and Lily rested her head on my shoulder, her arms wrapped around mine, as we walked. I should spend more time on her and Uta to make up for being such an ass and to take their mind off Yen. We opened the door and Uta cried out as she was curled up on the sofa wrapped in a thick blanket. This made us laugh as we came in. Lily undid her scarf and stood by the fire, taking off her boots as I shed my own before going to get changed. Lily hated it if I walked through the house in wet shoes. Gen was more than likely playing in my office, so I had most of the house to myself. The boy had fallen in love with my training table, and it warmed my heart to see him play. He made sure to ask Uta or Lily to swap the Knights out. He was such a good kid. I smiled at the memory of his birthday party. He did get his own doll and Boss had delighted in painting it just how he wanted it. Once it was in Gen's arms, he refused to let it out of his sight. Gen ended up calling it, Monster’s Death. I swear he could speak orc better than I could now and was quickly learning to read. A smile lit my face as I got changed and went back out. Lily and Uta were under the blanket, watching the fire. Both gave me a coy look as they parted and pet the place between them. My little man responded, and I had to remind myself that Gen was still in the house as I joined them. Uta was in her brown nightgown, but I couldn’t see what Lily was wearing. I knew they didn’t want to have fun, but the thought seemed to occupy my mind. Both wrapped around me and kissed my cheeks. It was sweet and made my heart pound.

  “Master, you are ice cold. You should take care of yourself.” Uta scolded.

  “Not you too.” I growled playfully. She smiled and rubbed her nose against my cheek. Turning quickly, I stole a kiss. She blushed and hid her face in my shoulder. Lily got jealous and did the same on my other side to get the same treatment, but she didn’t pull away and deepened the kiss until we were both panting. A hand grabbed my chin and Uta pulled me into her own deep kiss.

  After that, she pushed my chin back to look at the fire and both women lay their heads on my shoulders. My arms were behind their backs and wrapped around them, holding both close. Luckily my pecker calmed down and we just sat like that for a while, holding each other, watching the fire and the snow building outside. How had I gotten so lucky.

  Gen came into the room and looked at us and held his arms out to Lily. She smiled and picked him up wrapping him in a huge warm hug. He sighed as he watched the fire with us. It almost felt like we were a family watching some old television show or movie. If I was back home with them, I might have turned on Hogfather. It was one of my favorite Christmas movies. Soon he fell asleep, and Lily wasn’t far behind him as she was wrapped around the small boy. Uta sighed and I kissed the top of her head. She hummed and held me tighter.

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  “Why are you so nice to us?” She asked, her voice holding some doubt. I took a deep breath through my nose, taking in her scent before laying my chin on top of her head letting her long ears flick against my face. She rubbed her head against my chin and sighed.

  “It should be obvious. I care about the three of you and want to see you safe and happy.” I said with my own happy sigh. Tilting up, she kissed my chin.

  “That doesn’t explain anything. You are human,” her fingers snaked their way up my shirt to play with my chest hair. I tried not to get excited. The boy was sleeping right there.

  “I don’t like to think of myself as human.” I said with an honest smile.

  “Do you hate humans?” I just looked at the fire, thinking hard about the question. Do I hate humans? I used to, but I wasn’t sure now. I had met a few ones that I liked. She moved looking into my face. “You don’t have to answer.” I shook my head shaking loose the cobwebs.

  “I used to. Now I have no clue. I do miss things from my homeland, but I’m happy here. Everyone here has helped me feel like I’m wanted and needed.” Why was I telling her this? I didn’t want to bare my soul right now. She smiled and placed her head back on my shoulder. After a long moment, the logs started to burn out and the fire needed more fuel. I dislodged myself and tried not to laugh as Gen and Lily protested in their sleep. They just lay down on the couch, Gen tucked up on top of Lily. Uta refused to take her eyes off me as I added more wood and stretched. She had a strange look in her eye. “Uta what is the drinking age here?” I asked. If I was stuck here for the night, it might be fun to cut loose a little. She just shrugged.

  “Most towns start at sixteen.” (21 earth years) She replied with a coy smile. That seemed a bit young, but who was I to judge?

  “I think tonight calls for a drink to chase the shadows away. You stay warm, I’ll be back.” Uta stood slowly, as not to wake the sleeping pair.

  “Would it be okay if I joined you?” She asked and the way she stretched had my eyes drifting over her curvy frame. I brushed her hair back over her shoulder and smiled at the cute blush she gave me.

  “You don’t like the cold.” I whispered as I went to get changed into thicker clothes. It was too cold for me, but I needed to clear my head a little.

  “I know, but I want to be close to you,” she said, looking at the ground and biting her lip as she followed me into the bedroom.

  “You are free to do whatever you like.” I said with a smile. If only she was really free and not my slave. Would she still love me if I didn’t have her control coin? Closing the door she started changing. My eyes lingered on her body as she pulled the nightgown over her head and moved to her back, that long tail switching. She had moved her clothes into my room after our first night together and I would need to get a larger dresser soon. I swear these women were slowly taking over my room. Luckily, they left my office alone, but Gen was taking over that. Somehow it made me feel more connected to them. It should have upset me, made me feel like I didn’t have a space to myself, but all I felt was closer to them.

  Holding her from behind, I kissed the back of her neck. She gave me a happy hum and held my arms. “The longer we take, the colder it gets.” She said rubbing my cheek.

  “I know how we could warm back up if we get too cold.” I said as I gave her ass a playful slap. She let out a yip of excitement and bounced away from me giggling.

  Once we were ready, I quickly opened the door, and we made our way to the inn. Uta didn’t say anything, just held my arm and rested her head on my shoulder. Her tail wagged in slow circles behind us. She had a long slit in her coat like Gen’s had for that amazingly soft tail. If she was a dog, I’d assume that she was happy. Do coyotes wag their tails when they are happy? Seemed like it would be rude to ask. The world seemed quiet as we walked through the snow. It clung to our clothing and hair and made her look like a true beauty. In the south, winters were harsh with strong winds. If someone went out, the wind would cut through to the bone quickly. No one walked around outside when it was snowing, this was a culture shock for me. The snow was slow, and the wind didn’t seem to be blowing that hard. We could be out there for a few hours without too much issue. I just enjoyed how quiet it all was.

  The inn was packed, and I did get some of the normal ‘My Love’ comments I had gotten used to and tried not to let it show. McDonalds would pay if I ever saw her again. Uta smiled at everyone and even laughed a little when Meathead joined in with the ‘My love.’ comments. I tried not to get upset as we made our way to Innkeeper.

  “Alex, welcome. How can I help you?” He asked, rubbing his hands together.

  “I would like some more of the whiskey you sent me.” I asked hoping he remembered. He beamed and pulled out a large bottle that had me licking my lips in excitement. “What do you think Lily would like?” I asked Uta. Putting one slender finger to her lip that begged to be kissed, she thought.

  “I think she likes red wine.” Uta replied.

  “Mistress Lily likes a Merlot and I do happen to have a few bottles.” Innkeeper said with a smile. “Mostly she drinks Hunter’s blend tea and I can send a bag home with you.” He added. I raised an eyebrow at him, a slight scowl on my face. “I am Innkeeper. I should know what everyone likes.” He put his hands on his hips as though begging me to argue. With a shrug I turned back to Uta.

  “What would you like?” I asked my coyote lover. She gave me a sweet smile and nodded.

  “I would like some rotgut?” She said in a way that implied a question. It was clear she had never drunk before. Tonight, might be more fun than I bargained for.

  “Rotgut, no someone of your class and caliber should enjoy this.” Innkeeper said, pulling out a strange bottle of wine. “This is a lovely mint wine that should tickle your pallet nicely.” He pulled the quark and held the bottle to her. She took a sniff and wrinkled her nose, but quickly went back in for another sniff.

  “Thank you, will take it.” I said as Uta placed seven silver on the counter. So, it was cheap… I think. He was nice enough to put it all in a sack and I held them as we rejoined the cold.

  “Master, are you happy?” She asked mildly worried. I stopped walking so I could look at her. The snow had started collecting in her hair. It made me want to kiss her, hold her and make sure she felt safe and wanted. I bet a blush with that snow covered hair would look cute as hell on her.

  “What is with the questions today?” I asked lightly bumping my hip into her. She looked up at me.

  “You seemed upset with Lily and when I asked you about humans, you got strange. I just want to know if you are happy?” She held my arm, and I pulled her into a hug.

  “You three make me happy. I was upset with Lily because she was right, and I was hurting myself. As far as humans go, I don’t know what to think about that.” I said before kissing her forehead. She just tucked her head under my chin and smiled. She was quiet the rest of the way home, but her wagging tail showed me that she was happy or at least I hoped that’s what it meant.

  We returned home to a house that was lively and full of the smell of Orthonai’s cooking. “Crap, we forgot to get something for Orthonai and Gorloth.” I said frowning. Gorloth smiled at me.

  “Friend Runt, no need. You kind enough.” His common was getting better. He sat in the living room on a chair and talked in orc with Gen who was sitting in Lily's lap. I put the bottles in the fridge and looked at my coyote lover who was blushing slightly as she tried to help Orthonai. Uta came to me and whispered.

  “That is a big bottle of whiskey. We could send it with them.” She said sweetly. I could drink wine, it would do the trick, but it felt like I would be taking their liquor.

  “Are you sure about that?” I asked. I wanted a drink tonight and wanted to make sure they were able to relax too. No one likes the one sober person at a party. She nodded and pulled Orthonai aside. I saw the bottle disappear into her dress with a smile from my orc friend. My friends could relax tonight too. I wonder if Gorloth got that puppy. I would have to ask if I remembered. Pulling my friend aside, I spoke to him in orc. “Fire safe friend?”

  “We have wood, yes,” he replied, "I had forgotten the word for wood. He smiled at me and said slowly. “Gyou.” I repeated until he was happy. Gen just beamed between us repeating the word with me.

  “Big brother learn. Gen learn too.” The boy said in orc. We just kept talking like that until dinner was ready. Othonai had prepared us all bread bowl stews with a little one for Gen. We talked as we ate, and I felt like I was a part of a large, weird family. When it was done, Uta asked me to go take a bath. After I failed the sniff test, I took a nice long relaxing bath. Hot baths in winter are really the best. I would miss out on the whiskey, but it would be worth it to let my friend relax.