The Master of Me

Chapter 17

              Thanksgiving Day arrived and Sterling was optimistic about his parents visiting. He didn’t inquire with Alue how she was going to be present herself during the dinner. She had done so well when out shopping with him, part of him hoped she would be in her human form during his parent’s dinner visit.

                While Sterling cooked the pheasant using the barbecue on the porch, Alue assisted in preparing the stuffing, rolls, gravy, mashed potatoes, baked carrots, and fruit salad. Sterling walked back inside planning to set the table, when to his surprise found it already done.

                “Thanks Alue. You didn’t have to do all of this you know?” he thanked her, admiring the china table settings and the display of food she had covered to keep warm but ready to eat. A strategic spot in the middle remained empty, for the cooked pheasant to be placed when it was done. Alue nodded her head, as she carried a couple of bottles of chilled sparkling apple cider to the table.

                “I don’t mind.” She replied, her stomach full of butterflies as she eyed the clock. His parents would be there soon and she planned to stay in her human form for this evening. She didn’t know what kind of reaction to expect from Sterling’s parents. The situation was unique and surely they would ask some more sensitive questions concerning her past and how she came to live with him (sort of) for almost five months.

                It wasn’t long before Sterling placed the barbecued pheasant on the table a knock came to the front door, followed by the voices of his mother and father.

                “Oooh! Something smells wonderful!” his mother said, as she walked in and came around the corner with her husband right behind her, carrying two homemade pies. Sterling walked over giving them warm welcoming hugs. Alue hung back, grasping a chair causally. It so happened that the chair she chose was also the closest one to the back door.  

                Once the initial family hugs were done Alue decided to speak first, “Hello Mr. and Mrs. Winchester. It’s great to see you again.” She said, knowing there would be no easy way to get this meeting out of the way.

                His mother’s head turned toward Alue, her face confused as she took in the sight of the brown haired woman that stood before them. “Hello . . . um. . . Sterling is she . . .” she began to state having noticed the ears on top of Alue’s head. “Mom, dad, you have met Alue before. She came with me on Halloween to your house.” Sterling explained, with a hopeful smile on his face. Much to his surprise it was his father who approached Alue and held out his hand in greeting, “Hello, Alue. I’m glad you could join us.” Cautiously Alue shook the father’s hand. The atmosphere after that lightened up and the four of them set down and after Sterling’s mother, Donna, said a prayer of thanks, they began to eat.

                “So, Alue if you don’t mind me asking, do you like living here with my son? He mentioned on Halloween about you being a rescue.” Donna asked her voice full of curiosity. Alue kept her feet from bouncing from nervousness as she answered the question, “That’s not entirely true. I don’t live here. I have a den in the ravine that serves as a natural border between properties. Sterling is very generous with his hospitality and in turn I . . .” Sterling cut in, “She’s my friend and is a guest in this home whenever she pleases.” He didn’t say this in a rude manner, but rather hoping to defer the subject to something else.

                It was his father’s who spoke next, “Please pardon the curiosity of my dear wife Alue. Shifters are not common around these parts. Both negative and positive connotations have been associated with them. My mothers’ childhood best friend was shifter. There is no need to explain how you came to be here with Sterling. I’m grateful he has someone around to keep him company.” He finished, bringing the potentially awkward discussion to a close. Alue felt an immense amount of gratitude toward Sterling’s father. He managed to cap a lid on any potentially difficult explanations Alue may have had to give concerning her past and her present day circumstances.

                The rest of the evening went a whole lot smoother after that. Everyone enjoyed the pheasant that Alue had caught for Sterling, two and a half months before, along with everything else. After dinner was cleaned up, Donna and she were able to interact in comfortable territory as Alue asked his mother about her pumpkin pie and apple crisp recipes. By the end of the evening the four of them were sitting around the table comfortably playing card games.

                Sterling sat next to Alue, occasionally glancing her way, with his eyes revealing his admiration for her, while the games continued on. At one point his leg brushed against hers under the table and he immediately withdrew deeming it an accident. He blushed a bit pink when he felt her leg return, giving off a comfortable amount of heat at the non-skin to skin contact.  

                By the time his parents decided to take their leave, Donna had given Alue a warm hug goodbye. Sterling the 3rd had bid them both farewells with a hand gesture of goodbye, as Sterling and Alue watched them from the front door leave.

                When they drove out of sight, Sterling shut the door and returned to find Alue sitting on the back porch swing, appearing in no hurry to leave like he expected. “You were amazing tonight, Alue. I know my mother’s curiosity can seem rude, but her heart is in the right place.” He said as he leaned against the door frame, watching her with a grin on his face.

                Alue looked up at Sterling, her return smile genuine and her eyes revealing no ill feelings.

“Donna’s curiosity is justified.  After all, this situation is certainly unique. I can see why you are so kind. Your father has taught you well.” She said, patting the spot next to her on the swing bench.

                Sterling look a seat and the familiar heat returned as their legs gently brushed against one another. The late November breeze nipped at their exposed fingers and face, threatening to get colder with each passing hour. They stayed like that for a minute, ignoring the chill in the air. Sterling decided to take a chance and say,

“As much as I would enjoy sitting here all night with you beside me. I would need to get on some warmer clothes and a blanket to battle the November chill that surely your wolf coat can handle if you change shape. Perhaps we can go inside and sit on the couch and watch some Hallmark channel Thanksgiving movie to pass the time?” Alue glanced toward her Den and then at the moon and finally at Sterling’s face and nodded her agreement.

They did just that. Sterling gathered a couple of blankets and turned on the TV reading for a sit side by side movie evening with Alue. Every few minutes Alue glanced at Sterling’s hand, trying to will her own to reach out and grasp it, but to no avail. She was too afraid of what he might think of such gesture occurring within his own territory. She had grown fond of him over the course of the nearly five months keeping him company, but wasn’t sure if she was ready to trust herself to feel for him in other ways. Instead she allowed tiredness to ease her sitting position, into that of one that allowed her head to lean comfortably on his shoulder and her side against his own.

Sterling slowly but surely noticed as Alue relaxed comfortably resting against his side then drifted off to sleep toward the end of the movie. He resisted the urge to stroke her head, not wanting to disturb the peaceful look she had on her face while she slept against him. Using the remote he turned off the TV, bringing them into total darkness except what little bit of moonlight casted a glow through the window blinds. After that he rested his own head comfortable position and closed his eyes, revealing in the warmth at the closeness he felt with her so near. Part of it was physical, but mostly he recognized it as the feeling of euphoria when being with the person you care about beyond anything ever experienced before.

 Authors Note: Thank you again for each an every one of you following/reading this story. I can't believe this is at 182 reads! I wouldn't have made it this far without you guys pushing me to keep going on developing the plot and keep writing. Enjoy!