Tail Spin

Another Talk

James shook hands with Christian's dad in the reception area of the hospital. "We'll do everything in our power to capture this maniac. In the meantime, I can deploy an undercover agent to keep an eye on your son until the blood drainer is dealt with."

"I'm standing right here." Christian spoke next to them.

"We'd appreciate that very much." Calvin said to James.

"Hello?" Christian tried catching the two men's attention. "Don't I get a say in this?"

He grunted when Jacob placed his hand on top of his head. "Not a chance, bro."

Christian puffed his cheeks out as James and Calvin continued talking. "I'll send someone first thing tomorrow morning. He or she shall keep their distance so your son can go about his normal business."

"That's acceptable."

"We'll be in touch." James bid everyone a good night and left.

"Now that's taken care of, let's head to the manor to turn in for the evening."

"The manor?" Christian asked dumbly.

His family stared at him. "Yes, the manor. We are not leaving you alone before the agent is summoned." Calvin spoke on everyone's behalf.

"Fine. But let's stop at my place first, so I can get a change of clothes and a toothbrush at least."

"We've got extra clothes from the last time you slept over, and probably have a spare toothbrush lying around."

"Thanks, but I'd prefer to use what I've got at home."

Jacob humphed at him. "Says the guy who ate an ancient chimichanga from the gas station."

Christian narrowed his eyes at him. "It was only a few days old."

Sean entered the lobby with two cans of coffee in his hands. "My ride is here, but thought you'd like some caffeine." He offered a can to Christian.

Christian's eyes lit up as he accepted it. "Thanks. This will come in handy when I do the early shift."

"Happy to help." Sean said. "And I know this is short notice, but my pack is throwing their annual fair on Friday, and if you're not doing anything, maybe you'd like to come and check it out."

Christian's family stared at Sean, Christian, then Sean again. "Sure." Christian answered. "What time?"

Thirty minutes later, Christian entered the family manor carrying a paper bag in his hands with the others behind him. "Thanks for letting me get my stuff." Christian chirped. "Now I'm going to hit the sack."

"Christian." He turned around in time to see the door shut. "We need to talk." Sarah spoke.

"Is this still about being bitten?"

"No, but we'll get back to that." Sarah gestured towards the living room. "Have a seat."

Christian walked into the living room where Ashley is passed out on the couch, and took a seat on the same chair that he sat in the last time his family wanted to talk to him. "What is it this time?"

Sarah took a deep breath. "It's Sean."

"What about him?"

"We don't think it's a good idea to go to the fair with him."

"Why not?"

"You know he's in heat, right?"

"Yeah. He mentioned that to me before."

"And you know how you're beginning your mating cycle."

"Didn't we just have this talk?"

"Sean is attracted to you." Sarah blurted out.

"What?"

"He's attracted to you." She repeated. "And even though he's a dear friend of ours, we're afraid he may not be able to fight his urges and go after you."

"I don't think he would." Christian trailed off before thinking about it and put his hands up. "How about you guys come with us?" He asked. "It'll be harder for him to go after me if you guys are there."

The sound of gurgling caught everyone's attention. "Wait a minute." Ashley slurred.

"Look who woke up." Roger teased as she tried getting up. "Did I hear correctly? Sean wouldn't give me a second second glance. And yet, and yet he likes the little twerp?"

"Now Ashley." Jacob started when she stood and wobbly made her way to Christian and sat on his lap making him grunt in pain.

"Why you?" She questioned as she squished his face with her left hand.

"I don't know." He murmured. "Maybe because you're both alphas?"

She hummed in thought. "Never thought of that." She nuzzled him happily. "Thanks little brother. I knew you wouldn't go after someone I have the hots for."

"Of course not. Now, can you get off me? You're crushing me." He felt her head lean against his shoulder as she snored softly. "Ashley." Christian is trying to push her away but to no avail. "A little help here." He pleaded with the others.

"I don't know." Roger spoke. "Should we help you despite not telling us what happened?"

Christian whined and stared at them with his puppy eyes. "Stay strong mom." Jacob addressed Tracy as she felt sympathetic towards Christian.

"But look at him." Christian looked more pitiful as he sunk deeper into the emerald green chair.

"I can't go home knowing we possibly compressed our brother." Jessie said before plucking Ashley off Christian and laying her back on the sofa.

"Sis." Roger complained to Jessie.

"Don't." She warned Roger. "No one deserves to be squashed underneath our sister. Besides, I have to take the kids to summer camp in a few hours." Not caring what the reason is, Christian's just grateful to breathe again.

When everything settled down and his sober siblings went home, Tracy was tucking him into bed. "This isn't necessary, mom."

"But I love tucking you in."

"I feel like a burrito."

"Hush." She kissed his forehead tenderly. "Now, I'm going to turn off the lights so you can rest." Tracy walked to the door, bid Christian goodnight, and turned off the light.

Christian slumped in exhaustion. "Finally, I can get some sleep." He muttered to himself before closing his eyes and falling into a deep sleep.