Chapter 4
- 23 hours ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 18 hours ago
Snowed In with a Bigfoot, a Yeti, & a Werewolf
by Honey Cummings
Tenzin paced back and forth. Wilma held her blanket cocoon in place, wiggling as the minutes ticked by and the weight of her being nude with three monster shifting hotties brought her out of shock. A half-laugh escaped her. She hid her mouth behind the blanket as all three gazes hit her like matches on a strike pad. Her body flushed. Some part of her questioned how she was processing the situation as arousal waved through her. It was ridiculous, and damn-near hilarious. Naked. With three formerly thought fictional monsters who she found insanely attractive despite knowing what they were–what she had seen minutes before. Said monster shifter men were now telling her she smelled funny in the way that made them … well, stand at attention when her eyes boldly wandered down to confirm. Nostrils flared. Another wave of visible reactions from their bodies. Wilma stifled another laugh.
Am I triggering them somehow?
Anger crossed Tenzin’s face and she winced. He marched toward her. The steps heavy and vibrating through the couch. Tenzin leaned down and Wilma pressed her back against the couch. His long arms braced on either side of her. Noses nearly touching, she couldn’t stop glaring at those icy blue irises. This close, it almost reminded her of a snowglobe, some part of them shimmering even in this low light. His lips were plump, even in the scowl where he gritted his teeth. A thundering growl rolled deep from his chest. Every muscle taut as his jaw twitched.
“Ms. Hart.” His voice was low, threatening as he spoke. “What is so funny?”
“Nothing,” Wilma squeaked, pulling the covers tighter around her for protection.
“Now, I need to know what kind of spell your grandmother cast,” Tenzin demanded.
Blinking, Wilma confessed, “I wouldn’t know. In fact, are you implying my grandmother is a witch?”
“Well, she is a witch,” Lucan added.
“A very powerful witch,” muttered Boone rubbing the back of his neck.
“You have my phone,” Wilma reminded Tenzin as she sat up straighter. “Call her.”
“Look, Wilma, I need to know everything about how you ended up here,” Tenzin pressed, unmoved as he continued to lean over her, fingers gripping the couch tighter on either side of her. “Because whatever she tapped into is a huge liability for us all.”
Scoffing, Wilma tried to explain again. “Look, Tenzin, she gave me directions to your cabin instead of her own. Then a freak snowstorm hit as I drove up your shitty driveway before ping-ponging off trees and wrecking.” She pointed to Boone. “And by some small miracle, he was able to find me and dig me out. I woke up here. So who brought me here? Depends on who you want to blame–Granny Anderson for the directions or Boone for rescuing me!”
“Fine. I’ll give your old Appalachian witch-of-a-grandmother a call. I’m sure this has to be about that whole debacle at the ski lodge.” Tenzin’s nostrils flared and a look of confusion softened his expression. “Is that…” He leaned closer, his soft hair tickling her cheek and she realized his breath seemed not just minty, but cool as goosebumps rolled over her skin. “...sugar cookies?” He leaned back where he met her eyes. “Why the fuck do you smell like sugar cookies?”
“Wait.” Boone was standing, pulling Tenzin back a few steps. “What do you mean you had a confrontation with Old Lady Anderson.”
“It was rather a … childish situation.” Tenzin brushed Boone’s hand off his shoulder with a disgusted expression. “It’s none of your business.”
“Oh, it is our business.” Lucan stood with arms crossed.
Wilma’s gaze dropped. Her cheeks were hot as she looked at the assortment of cakes on display barely in reach. Wiggling as the heat in her belly grew, her mind reeled.
Did they forget they were naked? Or does it not matter?
And exactly how was she going to be able survive being snowed in with a bigfoot, a yeti, and a werewolf if they remained bare-assed with their assets swinging in the wind or standing tall every time nostrils flared. It had been so long since she saw any man naked in person, let alone three very sexy … monsters?
“Tenzin, whatever spell was cast it either has us all snowed in or…” Boone stopped his words abruptly and she watched his ears turn red. “Well, we can all … sense the other.”
“And it smells delicious,” Lucan announced and turned back to Wilma, “You smell like the sweetest peach cobbler ever, moonshine.”
“I don’t know how I feel about that.” Wilma squinted her eyes at him. “But what did you do to my grandmother?”
“I said it’s none of your business.” Tenzin dragged his hand over his face.
“Well, can I get dressed now?” Wilma furrowed her brow. “And are you three going to get dressed?”
“About that,” Boone started, a blush across his face. “With your pheromones, we may forfeit clothes since we won’t have much control over our shifting.”
Wilma’s face grew hot. “Wait. You three are just going to waltz around this cabin, butt-ass naked in front of a complete stranger?”
“We can tell you’re enjoying the view, moonshine.” Lucan shuddered. “Peaches with a pop of vanilla arousal is a rather delightful scent.”
Wilma gave a look of sheer horror. “Wait. You can smell … that?”
“Of course we can.” Lucan gave her a befuddled expression as if that was an obvious fact.
Wilma sunk deep into the covers, hiding her face completely. There was no denying how turned on and very slick she was starting to feel after gawking at eye-candy like nothing she’s ever seen before. A shiver rolled through her.
Peaches and cream? Monsters smell that when they are into a … mate? I have so many more questions.
It sounded like a bad joke and her mind started to play out the lyrics to a song from her youth. Then heavy hands cupped both shoulders, hot and gentle. Without even looking, she could tell it was Boone. He rubbed one shoulder as if waiting and comforting her. Slowly, she pulled the covers back and let it fall off her head like a hoodie. His eyes were gorgeous with the browns and greens. They had caught her attention more than once since this chaos started.
“I’m going to pick you up, wrapped in the blanket still, ok?” Boone waited, gauging her expression.
“Why,” she whispered in confusion.
“You wanted to get dressed, and your stuff is upstairs, right?” Boone smirked and it made her heart flutter.
“Oh.” She thought a moment as she remembered how warm it was in his arms the last time he carried her. “Ok. I’m not too heavy am I?”
Boone laughed. “Ladybug, you do realize I was strong enough to rip a car door off barehanded. You’re as light as a feather.” And he made that happy grunt like before.
Wilma smiled, holding the covers tight around her. Boone gently worked his arms under her and when he was satisfied, stood and lifted her with ease. The other two turned in alarm. Boone made a grumbling, growling noise as he glared from Lucan to Tenzin and back again. Wilma tensed. It became very clear they were more feral monsters than humans. Dogs standing off ready to fight, one step shy of baring teeth and lunging at one another.
“Where do you think you are taking her, Boone?” Tenzin took a step closer, a thundering sound rolling from him as well.
Boone made a muted bark and replied, “Upstairs so she can get dressed.”
“I don’t like the idea of you being alone with her.” A growl rolled from Lucan, his eyes glowing as two wolf ears popped into existence on his human form. “I go where she goes.”
“Oh no.” Tenzin closed the gap between him and Lucan, pinching a wolf ear.
Lucan yelped. “Ouch!”
“We need to have a very long conversation about you entering my home without permission with a copy of my keys I didn’t know you had.” With that, Tenzin and Lucan disappeared into the kitchen.
“I thought I would be in for a fight for a moment there.” Boone blinked, shuffling to hold her more firmly. “Let’s get you upstairs, Ladybug.”
“Why would you fight over me?” Wilma marveled as he ascended the stairs with her, the heat of his body melting what tension she had.
“It’s … complicated.” Boone heaved a sigh as they reached the top, a happy grunt when she let her head rest against his chest. “It’s a combination of already treading on Tenzin’s territory and well, the pheromones agitating … sexual desires.” Boone shouldered the door open wider and walked her in, placing her onto the bed. “There. I’ll stand guard outside the door.”
“Wait!” Wilma reached out grabbing his wrist and he froze. “I have questions.”
“We can talk after you get some clothes on,” he offered, not looking back as a shudder rocked his shoulders.
“But I want you to tell me the answers.” Wilma inhaled deep before adding, “I realize you’re the only one who’s been honest with me.”
Silence fell between them, the tapping of snow and ice against the window the only sound. He slumped his shoulders, fists clenched. It wasn’t an easy thing for him. His tension told her that much. Regardless, they both knew he was the only one who wouldn’t belittle her, or skip the important points. She needed to know, and he knew she should know what was happening between her and three very powerful monsters.
“Let me close the door.”
Wilma let go. She watched as he pushed the door closed and locked it. Again, he paused as if trying to think on how to even start the awkward conversation. He had implied sexual desires were at play here.
“Is it normal for a human to have these … pheromones?” Wilma demanded, tucking the blanket under her arms and keeping herself covered. “I get the impression that it doesn’t.”
Boone leaned his back against the door, keeping his distance from her. “No. Growing up, they tell us stories of your fated mate smelling like … ripe peaches.”
She baulked. “That’s … weird.”
“I thought it was an old wives’ tale until … you.” Boone rubbed his jaw, eyes locked on hers. “But the stranger turn of events is that we all three smell you as that. As far as I remember, it should only react to one.”
“React how?” Wilma asked. “I mean, you all three make it sound like you can’t control your monster side on some level because of one whiff of me.”
Boone looked away. He heaved a shaken breath. The sound of an inhale, deep and slow as if indulging in the smell to make sure of it all. His body tensed, his face blushing even in the dark room where the snowstorm softened just enough to let more light pass through. The shudders still banged, the wind howling. On the floor her suitcase looked broken and her clothes scattered from her fall with Lucan. Swallowing, Wilma waited patiently for the answer. It seemed a difficult thing to confess for him, but deep down she knew Boone would provide her with the details.
“It’s worse than that, if you ask me.” His eyes connected with hers once more. “It’s like going into heat, and control of your shifting goes to shit.” Scratching his beard, he took a moment before continuing. “You see, if you don’t fulfill bonding with your fated mate, you’ll gradually lose your ability to shift back.”
“Oh. Oh no.” Wilma’s eyes grew wide. “So because of my … scent, you three might never be able to be human ever again?”
“We’re not sure, but it feels that way. Again, we’re in uncharted territory and we have never known anyone with a fated mate.” Boone tried to soften the blow. “I mean, there is a solution but I would never dare act upon it.”
“Well, what is the solution?” Wilma narrowed her eyes.
“Ladybug,” cooed Boone. “We are talking about fated mates. I think you know.”
Blinking, Wilma responded, “Oh.”
Boone stood there against the door and Wilma sat on the bed as her mind reviewed what he implied. She wiggled her hips, thighs pressed tighter together. Her heart raced. She could imagine feeling those calloused hands against her skin. That girthy… Boone’s nostrils flared. Even looking away, his body reacted, drawing her attention back to him.
Swallowing, she had to know. “So, if we fuck, it should stop,” asked Wilma, arching a brow.
Boone coughed before daring to meet her gaze. “It may take more than once. But in theory, it should … lessen the impact.” Shaking his head. “Wait, Wilma, you can’t be serious.”
Looking out the window, the snowstorm roared back to life and the room darkened. “Boone, I’m snowed in with three monsters–no offense to you–but if I’m going to test this out,” she turned her gaze back to him and he shivered, “it should be the one who not only rescued me, but has taken care of me this whole time.”
“Ladybug,” he warned and took a step closer. “You can’t be serious?” He repeated it as if in disbelief she would make such a bold proposition.
“Look, Boone.” Wilma let the blanket slide off. “It’s been a very long time since I got laid, and I am horny as fuck. Let’s just ease both our … sensations.”
He blushed and covered his mouth, eyes dipping over her exposed body.
Is he going to gawk at me or do something?
Yowza...