The Lycan King’s Pixie

I charged down the stairs, in a rush to get to my bakery. Stubbing my toe, I hopped into the kitchen, barreling into Alex and Max. Alex wrapped his arms around me “Whoa! Slow down little pixie!”

I grinned up at him.. wondering for the millionth time, why everyone is so needlessly tall! Max asked “Where you off to in such a hurry, Andie?” And just as I was about to answer, my mom’s voice came from the dining room.

“Andrea Brennan! Care to explain why your Uncle Damon’s hair is green?” I sighed and trudged my way to the table, sore toe and all.

My parents sit at the head of the table, but I noticed my dad and uncles all had their heads down. Except Uncle Damon. Crap! I sat down and said “In my defense.. he started it.”

Damon yelled “How did I start it? You were arguing with the triplets and levitated Livvie to the mantle of the fireplace.”

I whined “Because! She took all the shoelaces out of every shoe I own to make braided friendship bracelets. Apparently, every stinking eighth grader is her best friend. Then she involved Oliver and Oleander by having them aid her in making them.”

He growled “But you targeted Olivia. Why? You’re nearly twenty years old! They are thirteen!” I shrugged “they aren’t babies. All of y’all treat them like they are. I get it. I do! I’m the only one without a wolf. The only one who’s not a hybrid. I’m just a pixie.”

My dad lifts me into his lap and wraps me up.. making his chest and arms my hovel.. allowing me to hide. Baron rumbled low in his chest to calm me “You are not JUST a pixie, my angel. You are one of a kind. You are the only pureblood pixie known to exist. That, my precious girl, is an exalted honor.”

I snorted and whimpered “But, why? I want a wolf, too. I want to run with my family. Hunt.. like a wolf does. Why am I the only odd one out?”

Mom said “Because you are special, honey. The Goddess told us there is something wonderful in store for you. She hasn’t forsaken you. And we have never loved you less than Alex.. or the trips. But why is Damon’s hair green?”

I sat up and smiled “Because he said I act like a two year old. Which I don’t. But I decided that if that’s how he sees me, so be it. And it’s just food coloring added to his shampoo, anyway.”

Dad told me to fix it. So I waved my hand and pulled the food coloring out of his hair. I did, however, drop it on his scrambled eggs.

I hopped up and headed to the door.. yelling enjoy your green eggs and ham! I am running behind. The recipes I dreamed about spurring my speed.

As soon as I opened the bakery door, I smelled bread baking.. knowing Evie had started her day. She grinned when she saw me “Girl! The pack is going on and on about your constant shenanigans. Great word! Shenanigans! Hah! What prompted it today.”

I mumbled “Damon had green hair.” She laughed “Ohh yeah! That could be bad. There’s a bigwig coming to the pack today with about fifty guys.. seems they’re on a mate hunt. Or some shit.”

I groaned “Oh yippee! Makes me not want to go home. I don’t have a wolf.. so I probably don’t have a mate. I might be lucky enough to locate my beloved.. but what are the odds?”

Shaking her head, Evie growled “I don’t buy it! Your DNA runs half werewolf. There’s no way the Goddess hasn’t planned for a mate! Now get to baking! You said you have two new desserts. I’m salivating, waiting to try them.”

I set to mixing my ingredients and greasing pans. After a couple hours, I had four pans of maple bourbon crème brûlée and five of raspberry clafoutis. I set a pan of each aside for pack dinner and divided the rest into individual servings to be sold to our customers.

Alex and Max came in and demanded a serving each. I love them both so much. They have always been my volunteer guinea pigs from the very first day I was given an Easy Bake Oven.

Alexander is my twin brother. Max is Uncle Jax and Aunt Madi’s oldest son. Essentially our cousin. But more like a bonus brother. He will be Beta to Alex’s Alpha in four months. My parents are going to join the council of werewolves and move to the capital.

I sat opposite Alex and asked what had brought them to town. “We are here to escort Alpha Michalos to the pack. They are an Alaskan pack that are on a mate hunt. I mean.. whoever heard of an entire pack of two thousand having no she wolves in their pack?”

Max chuckled “Our intel let us know they are a reclusive pack that have lived in the Aleutians for quite a few years. No one knows why.. or what their purpose was.. Maybe Uncle Rafe will find out more.”

I shrugged “Yeah. Mom issued the be there for dinner or die order. Yay me! Sooo, which dessert do you prefer?” They both grinned and said “Both!”

Totally unhelpful. But I’m always proud when they like what I bake. I asked “Which one should I prepare for my dessert entry on my finals at culinary school?”

Alex smiles “The raspberry one. The bourbon one may prove to be too heavy with your entree entry.” I clapped my hands “My thoughts exactly! I can’t wait! Next week, I walk away with my diploma and certification as a Michelin chef! I am so excited!”

After the guys left, Evie and I cleaned up and waited on customers. Mornings are always busy. Not just the townspeople but our pack, as well, all come to my bakery for all their breads and desserts. It’s a booming business and I fell in love with it, the first time I walked through the doors at eight years old.

The afternoon waned and I packed the two desserts up in my Jeep to head home. Evie had already set off for home. Her parents had given her the command appearance order for dinner, too. It’s going to be a long night.

Before I even shut the Jeep off, my twin sisters were climbed up in it. “Mom said to hurry up. She’s laid your clothes out and wants you at the door to greet the guests.”

I laughed and tickled them “You are loving my misery, aren’t you?! And you wonder why Oliver is my favorite out of the terrorizing trio!” They were giggling and screaming. Mom yelled “Time’s a’wasting! Hurry up, girls!”

Well! Party’s over. I hopped out of the Jeep and took the desserts to Maggie. “New sweets for our sweet Maggie!” She took them, smiling “I will serve these as a surprise, when dinner is over.”

I got to my room and, on my bed, was a beautiful lavender gown with navy blue flowers embroidered with sequins. It sparkled and glistened in the light. It matches my eyes perfectly and is the perfect foil for my waist length blonde hair. I may not be thrilled, but I can look good in my misery.