Falk Clan Tales - Chapter 19: Chapter 19

“I can do the dishes,” Noelle protested after they’d finished the rest of the food in silence. Sander ignored her and stood. He started loading the dishwasher with ease and confidence of a man who’d done it before.
“It’s a fair division of duties. The food was well-cooked,” he grumbled.
“You know, your speech is a little odd sometimes, like your brother’s. Where are you guys from?”
“Oh, we’re from the North. Far North.”
“That’s what he said, but I was wondering, like where-”
“Now, I know you can cook,” Sander cut her off before her questions became too personal. He wasn’t about to announce that he was a Dragon shifter banished from his first home, the place that had been his prison on the Isle of Pain these last five hundred years.
“Yes, and I promise this party is going to be great. Everything is prepped-”
“I applaud your culinary skills, they are all fine and good, but I simply can’t pretend to be host to 100 people I don’t know for a holiday I don’t believe in.”
That announcement seemed to stop her dead in her tracks. And he thought nothing could dampen her natural enthusiasm and energy. Good job, Sander. One afternoon with you and you’ve disillusioned the poor girl. You dolt.
“You don’t celebrate Christmas?” She looked like he just told her he kicked puppies, for Pete’s sake.
“No, I don’t,” for some reason that was totally beyond him, Sander searched for an excuse. All he could come up with was a vague, “We aren’t Christian.”
“Well, even people who aren’t Christians celebrate Christmas nowadays, you know, as a commercial holiday?” There it was. That positive outlook was back and in full force.
“Not me,” he said and grew more uncomfortable by the second.
“Okay, I can try to accept that,” she said.
“Well, gee, thank you for respecting my right to choose not to celebrate a Christian or commercial holiday,” he murmured back.
“But you still need to let me throw this party.”
“What? No.”
“Look, Alexsander, I’m not trying to convert you or anything, but I think everyone should celebrate Christmas.”
“Why?”
“Well, it’s a time for joy, kindness, and love.”
“I thought it was about a baby born in a barn because no one would let his parents in their house.”
“Okay, first off it was a stable and the inn was already full.”
“Really? That sounds, er, nice, and how’s it about love?” He couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his voice even if he tried. Love, ha, he didn’t believe in such things anymore.
“Well, people are nicer this time of year. It’s the Christmas magic, you see. They forget old grudges, get back in touch with past family members or friends, smile a little easier at strangers, hold doors open, believe a little bit more in things like happiness and love, you know, that kind of thing,” Noelle looked down and bit her lip.
“I’m afraid I simply don’t believe in any of it. I’m sorry, but there will be no party.”
“Oh, yes there will.”
Sander’s eyebrows flew up an inch on his forehead at the tone she’d used. Did she just scold him? like a school teacher does to a wayward child?
Ooh. He could so picture her in a bun with a ruler in her hand. He’d never had a thing for roleplaying, but he could so imagine a teacher-student fantasy with his feisty little vixen. Dammit, there goes his cock again.
He needed to get her out of here. Fast.
“Excuse me?” His voice was deep and growly. For some reason it sent shivers up Noelle’s spine.
“I said, there will most certainly be a party, Mr. Falk. Look, I believe in Christmas, whether you do or not is your choice, but I won’t let all those people down because you are acting like a Scrooge. Whether you think so or not, you need this.”
She sounded like a foolish kid, but she couldn’t help it. It was her favorite holiday. Maybe the big man standing next to her could use a little kindness too. Something to banish the pain from behind his brilliant teal eyes. Those eyes that sometimes glowed like magic.
He must be a Werewolf, she thought to herself. Living in Maccon City, she was bound to know about the supernatural creatures who seemed to love this section of the Jersey shore. That and her own familial connection to the Macconwood Pack made it all the more likely that she’d recognize other supernaturals.
Still, she couldn’t help but feel for the man, Especially, since he seemed to have no idea at all about the joy the season could bring.
Maybe he’d just had a hard time of it, as Wolf families often did? The Curse and all. But that was all in the past if she understood Fred correctly. Someone was changing things. The future looked brighter for all Werewolves.
Maybe he didn’t know that yet? Noelle wasn’t a therapist or social worker, but she had buckets of empathy for the suffering of others. Seeing Alexsander’s pain, hurt her for some reason.
“What did you just say?” He asked.
“I said there will be a party here. Don’t you want some joy and love in your life?”
She tried to shake off the feelings that threatened to drown her. He was so big, so handsome, she’d never felt so instantly attracted to a man this way before, but more than that, she wanted to help him. To soothe his troubled soul. The same way she wanted to help the teenagers in the area who were alone this time of year. Well, maybe not the same way…
Still, she knew the Werewolf teens, those who used the services provided by the Macconwood-Nighthawk Teen Outreach Program, often had no family life to speak of. Holidays were lonely times for kids like that.
They needed something to show them that Christmas was about making family where you can, forging lasting friendships, and spreading joy and love. As a volunteer there, she’d thought this party was a wonderful idea.
She looked at her reluctant host and saw something behind the gruff exterior. Maybe he was in need too? Maybe he could use a little Christmas in his life? She almost thought she saw a longing there in his teal eyes. Something honest and hopeful, then he opened his mouth.
“So, are you proposing some sort of mad orgy in my house tomorrow night? Cause I could get behind that.”
“What? Oh, my-. You know, just when I thought I liked you.”
Sander laughed aloud at the shocked look on her face and even more so when she slapped his shoulder and laughed with him. It felt warm and welcoming, this comradery with a stranger, but what else could she do. Things were straying into the slightly uncomfortable.
“So, you like me? Uh, you know, I’m sorry, but I don’t know your first name?”
“Oh my. Really? Geez, I’m sorry. It’s Noelle. Noelle Gifford.”
“Ah, now it makes sense. Your love for this holiday, your name means-”
“Christmas gift. My birthday is tomorrow, so my parents thought it was appropriate. I have a cat named Holly and a fish named Ninnymungins.”
“What?”
“Never mind. Look, Mr. Falk, I um. I know about you know, your kind-”
“Call me Sander, please, and I sincerely doubt you know anything about my kind,” she was sitting so close to him he couldn’t help himself, he leaned over and inhaled.
She smelled sweet and spicy like the ginger cookies his Ama used to make. He hardly remembered his mother anymore. She was fragmented in his mind, but those cookies, those he’d never forget. Thin slivers of almonds and flour mixed with butter and candied bits of ginger throughout. They were his favorite.
He looked at the woman in front of him and his mouth watered. He clenched and unclenched his fists. Fool. You are maimed. Unfit. A monster.
His bitterness burned inside of him and he missed nearly everything she’d said. He did catch the part about her employees coming over in less than an hour to set up.