Page 2 of Cider
As the hours went by, I had a steady amount of customers who came in after either shopping around the rink or having skated. There were a few kids who had obviously skipped school, but I wasn’t going to narc. I’d had plenty of adventures myself when I was their age.
The Zamboni had been out once during the middle of the day. I liked to watch it move slowly around. The driver, Jack, was a mystery. He didn’t socialize much. The only time I’d see him was when he was driving the Zamboni or spelling the ice when the rink closed and no humans were about. He was a thirst trap just waiting to be peeled open. His ancestry was hard to tell from the distance.
Soon enough, it was closing time. I’d accomplished everything on my to do list for the day and it had been steady. Profit and being organized for the win!
My fox snickered at me. I was only organized at the store. Everywhere else, I was like a hurricane blew in. It drove Billy absolutely nuts. I’d never met a goat that was as OCD as he was. If I purposefully left my dirty clothes around the apartment to mess with him, well, that’s a best friend’s job, right?
Closing time for the rink and some other shops was right around the corner. I locked the door about thirty minutes prior as I headed over to the rental skate’s booth. I had just a little bit of time to play. My fox’s tail started to move, almost vibrating, and I couldn’t help the chuckle that slipped out.
Snow fell gently around the area. I tilted my chin up, enjoying the cool breeze. It never got too cold, thanks to one of the many spells around the rink, but it did snow continuously. It was literally a winter wonderland. It would be interesting to see it during the summer.
I handed over the cash for the rental skates. Quilo looked ready to sleep as he gave me a pair of skates. I held them up in front of me curiously. There was a splash of neon green paint on the right side of the right shoe, near the blade. The left shoelace was ripped. I looked at Quilo to ask for another, less broken, pair but he’d already left.
The skates might be well worn, but they fit like a glove. Some folks didn’t think a big girl could balance enough to actually skate, but my fox helped with that. As I got onto the ice, thought paused and my senses took over. The blades slid easily as I moved along the side of the rink.
I’d started moving faster, my hair coming out of its bun. I’d just done one pass when I noticed Eirlys with a tall man by the wall. It looked like they were arguing. I’d usually just ignore her, but I felt like I owed her for the kindness she’d shown me the other night. Plus, I needed to try for Quinten.
Stupid feelings.
I stopped in front of them, holding onto the wall. “Uh, hi.” I cleared my throat.
Eirlys turned to look at me. As did the man.
My fox and I stopped breathing. Mate. The man was my mate. Our bond flashed into existence and I lost my footing.
My ass hit the ice with a slap. Even with the extra cushion I carried, that was going to bruise. Ow. My fox even winced. That was a spectacular mess.
“Cider, are you okay?” Eirlys leaned over the wall in concern.
The man, my mate, jumped over the wall, his feet touching the ice gracefully, not even slipping. He knelt next to me, a concerned look in his eyes.
His eyes were a deep blue, almost teal color. His sunken cheeks were sharp and he had a long nose. His hair was black with silver at his temples.
Well, hello, silver fox.
“Bellissimo, my dear, are you hurt?”
I panicked. This beautiful portrait of a man was my mate and he was in front of me.
My clothing went flying as I shifted. I ended up tangled in my bra for several embarrassing seconds as I yipped. When I managed to untangle myself, my mate reached over as if to pick me up.
Couldn’t have that. Nope. Full on panic mode hit and I scampered across the ice, not gracefully, I might add, since I ended up sliding several different directions as I ran away, before clambering over the wall. I ran as if my tail was on fire all the way home.
How could my mate be a vampire?
Chapter 2
Running among the trees, avoiding the roads, I knew that having a mate was a blessing, but I hadn’t been expecting it to happen any time soon, if at all.
A mating bond wasn't something that could just be ignored. My fox had been shocked, but now, I was having to fight her for control. She wanted to go back to the silver haired stranger. He wasn’t even a shifter. How could my mate be a vampire?
The house came into sight. I shook my fur out as I came to a stop at the front door. Billy was home. My nose twitched. He was making his vegetarian chili which was one of my favorites, even if it didn’t have meat in it.
My shift was quick and I went inside quickly. I didn’t feel like flashing the whole neighborhood my goodies.
“Hey,” Billy yelled from the kitchen as I raced to my room. “Dinner is almost ready.”
“Thanks.” My voice trembled with the adrenaline that still coursed through me, my fingers shook. “Give me a few minutes.” I yanked on sweatpants and a hoodie that I’d borrowed from Billy last year and never gave back. With it on, I started feeling more calm.
