The Maverick Pride Tales - Chapter 103: Chapter 103

Javier Auberon stepped out of his gunmetal gray Mercedes G63 and deftly avoided patches of ice and snow, making it through to the immaculately shoveled brick walkway that led to one of Uncle Uzzi’s many incredible mansions.
The old Witch had a dozen, as far as Javi knew. A smile played at the corner of his mouth as he adjusted the rectangular wooden box tucked in his arm. A limited edition of the man’s favorite label made by a vintner down in South America.
A token of affection for the wonderful man who had always treated him kind while his late wife had spoiled him rotten with her home-baked sweets when he’d been a child.
It had been years since he’d seen the old Witch, and Javi was looking forward to it. His brother had recently inherited all of the property that had been held in their parents’ trust for him down in Quito, Ecuador, where they had both been born.
Gabriel was the rightful heir and, as the second son, Javier was free to leave and live his life as he saw fit. The possibilities were endless, but ultimately, he’d decided on moving to the states. North America had always been his favorite vacation ground, and now it was time to make it his home.
The word home was somewhat ominous for a young bachelor, but there it was—pushed into his head by his inner Bear who was feeling his years somewhat. The great beast had been thinking about settling, pushing ideas of cubs and family into Javi’s mind. But that was nonsense. Javi was still too young.
Mate, the Bear shoved the word at him, but Javi shushed the great beast.
He’d been ignoring the silly animal’s increasingly annoying thoughts for the past hour. For some reason, his Bear had mating on his mind, but it probably had more to do with the fact his uncle was a world renowned matchmaker.
Whatever.
There was plenty of time for that. Javi was going to concentrate on enjoying himself for now. It was the Christmas season after all, and although Uncle Uzzi had tried to get him to use his famous Magical Matchmaking Service for years, Javier did not need to get mated right away.
His brother, Gabriel, on the other hand, could use his help. In fact, it was part of the reason he was there, to invite Uncle Uzzi down to the large Auberon family villa.
Javier was staying at a local hotel for the time being, but he intended on asking Uncle Uzzi for help finding an ideal town for his relocation. It was fast, but that was the way of things, There was just no place for him in the villa now that his brother had inherited the land and titles.
Javi bore him no ill will, it was simply tradition for his species. Andean Bears did not live in Clans, but rather, they had small family groups where only one male—an Alpha and the heir to the title—stood to inherit.
Kind of like the aristocracy of old England, he thought ruefully.
His brother did not necessarily want to be addressed by his formal title, Baron Gabriel Auberon, but Javi did love to taunt the old boy.
“Javier Auberon,” a familiar voice rang out. “Don’t dawdle in the shadows. Come and say hello.”
“Uncle Uzzi,” he said, jogging up the steps to greet the man himself.
“Aha! There you are. It is so good to see you, osito,” Uncle Uzzi appeared on the landing at the top of the large stone staircase that led to his enormous estate.
The old Witch looked elegant in his white and black tuxedo and sparkling blue eyes. The powers he used so well seemed to circle him in a million dazzling lights, but they dwindled as he shook his head nonchalantly and grabbed Javi’s shoulders, giving them a friendly squeeze.
“The place looks spectacular, Uncle Uzzi. But it always does when you are hosting,” Javi remarked, and took in the spectacular holiday decorations.
There were millions of twinkle lights, all in silvers and golds, with matching bows, and gorgeous evergreen boughs gracing the entryway.
“Thank you, osito. I do love the holidays, even if my liebling is not with me,” he replied and Javi nodded, patting his arm affectionately.
“For you, Uncle,” he said, presenting the older Witch with the special vintage wine he’d brought from his home country.
Uncle Uzzi accepted the box and peeked at the label.
“You found another bottle of my Betty’s favorite. This is very special to me, Javier. Thank you.”
“I am glad you like it.”
“Of course, I do. Now, tell me, how is Gabriel? Things settling in at the villa?”
“He is very well, but it is such a big place for one lonely Bear. To be honest, he is having a difficult time finding his mate,” Javier told Uncle Uzzi. “In fact, the new Baron has asked me to extend you an invitation to his villa for the new year, perhaps?”
“I see. Yes, I would love to visit Gabriel.” Uzzi nodded, though his gaze seemed to stray for a split-second before he gave a final nod of assent. “Now, tell me more about you, dear boy. Where are you staying?”
Javier grinned as he made the rounds with Uncle Uzzi, bringing the older Witch up to speed on his life and decisions. He told him all about his search for a place of his own.
“Having chosen to move to the States, I am now looking for the perfect town to relocate. I have no use for busy cities or crowded spaces, you know my Bear will not like that, besides I can run my business virtually from anywhere I choose.”
“I see. Any ideas?” Uzzi asked.
Javi shrugged, accepting a glass of eggnog from a passing server. The band was playing, people were milling about, and every room in the old place was decorated, featuring a different holiday theme. Uzzi preferred to honor all traditions, and every creed, culture, and supernatural legend was represented in the most tactful and tasteful ways.
“I just want to enjoy life,” Javier told him honestly. “My business is very good and pretty self-sufficient. I want a quiet little place where I can walk down the street and not have to fight a mob of people.”
“I understand. Got a little famous, did you?” Uzzi laughed.
“Indeed. That’s what happens when you make a billion dollars in your first year going live. You know, Uncle Uzzi, I spent a week in New York, and I swear I was almost trampled every time I left town, but I loved the pizza,” he grinned.
“Well, osito, I think I have the perfect place for you, but we can discuss that after the ball. Go on inside and enjoy yourself, make sure you mingle.”
“Thank you, Uncle Uzzi. Feliz Navidad,” Javi replied before making his way inside.
Christmas was Javier’s favorite time of year, and his Uncle Uzzi sure knew how to throw a party. It was not like one of the dull holiday events he’d spent at other wealthy people's homes. This was warm, exciting, and fun. It reminded him of better days in the past, when he’d been carefree and certain of his place in the world.
Javi frowned, disliking the sudden morose turn of his thoughts. Music drifted pleasantly above the crowd, and the live band was quite good. His inner Bear chuffed inside his mind’s eye, the playful beast had always liked music. The holiday carols were fitting with the season, and these were done quite well.
He was polite as he weaved through the crowd, all dressed in their holiday finest. There were many people in the ballroom, mostly Shifters. Some were dancing, many were standing and chatting, and even more were sitting at elegantly set tables being served by the smiling waitstaff.
There were tons of food featuring dishes from all over the world. Tiny finger sandwiches, delicate cheese puffs, quiches, salads, tamales, empanadas, pastas, sushi, and bite-sized chunks of grilled meats on tiny little skewers were being passed out by servers in waistcoats. There were bars discreetly in the corners, and servers with trays of punch for the children, and champagne or eggnog for the adults, walking through the rooms.
Javier was not starving. He was too amped up from his travels and wandered around instead. Much to his delight, it had been snowing when he’d arrived, and looking out one of the large windows, he was taken aback by the spectacular view.
The forest was blanketed in white, looking for all the world like the perfect Christmas card setting. Javier stopped as the sounds of tiny voices reached his ears and noted a separate room where a group of children were running happily amok.
It was just like Uncle Uzzi to include his guests’ young. They had their own food and waitstaff present, but with so many little voices, he imagined it was difficult for the staff to hear everyone. He went inside to see if he could help.
The cubs and pups seemed thrilled to be there, and why not? They had their very own entertainment area with a DJ, cookie decorating tables and, of course, some lucky volunteer dressed as Santa himself. Javier went inside, unable to help himself.
Just for a few moments.
He always enjoyed being around the children of the staff at his brother’s villa. He had once even considered going to school to become a teacher. His father had even encouraged him, but Javier soon found his love for business rivaled that of teaching other people’s children.
No, he would save all his affection for when he was a father himself. Something he hadn’t thought about very much till right then, but he sure could picture it. A small cub to play catch with or a sweet girl to cherish and spoil. Either way, he would love his cubs more than anything—he just knew it.
“That’s mine!”
“No, it’s mine!”
“Easy, ninos, tell me, what is the problem?” Javier asked and kneeled down to speak with the two small children, who were arguing over what appeared to be a bowl of silver sprinkles.
“I was usin’ them first!” One adorable cherub pouted angrily.
“Nuh uh!” returned the other freckled sprite.
“I see. Well, did you both know that everything is much more fun when we share? Look, here is another bowl with even more wonderful colors,” he told them. Javi smiled when the kids appeared stunned, and he placed another small dish of the delightful confections between the two children. Next, he handed them spoons.
Within seconds, they were both enthusing over their cookies, and they even promised to make one for Javier himself. He laughed indulgently and stood back up.
“Gracias. I look forward to enjoying them,” he said and waved as he walked back out to the main hallway.
Children were a blessing, and he did want them someday. The only problem was, he needed a female to get them.
Mate, cried his Bear.