VESPER

 

“How is the sleuth?”

“Everybody is fine. Did you expect any different?”

“No. I only thought it was polite to ask.”

I gave Megan a smirk and she rolled her eyes at me.

“Surely there’s something different though,” I said. “You wouldn’t have come all this way out here to visit me unless…”

“Unless what?”

“Unless something was wrong? Is there something wrong? Did the others get tired of Kai snoring loud enough to keep everybody awake? Did he eat all of the fish in the lake?”

“The fish in the lake are plentiful. And there are other sounds in the camp that keep others awake.”

“Then why are you here?”

Megan leaned forward and looked me right in the eye.

“Because you’re my friend,” she said with a nod. “And I wanted to visit you.”

“I suppose that’s as good a reason as any.”

“Ha!”

It was a relief to see the smile on her face. Even though Megan and I were friends, it was nice knowing that we were still able to get along even though it had been so long since we’d seen each other.

“How is life out here?” she asked.

“Life out here is as good as it’s ever been. You know that.”

“I’m just checking.”

“I’m not the first man to leave the sleuth. There are others like me.”

“Most of those who’ve left the camp have decided to move to Dirge. I don’t recall any men or women leaving us just to find a place for themselves and remain in the woods.”

“I have everything I need here. Why would I bother leaving for the city?”

Megan looked around my cabin and gave me a nod.

“I suppose you have a point.”

It had been a few years since I left my sleuth. Now I lived out in the woods by myself. The log cabin I’d built provided me all of the amenities I needed.

Megan sat next to the fireplace. She stared into the flames as she roasted a fresh fish on a stick. The aroma of the meat filled my nostrils and made me hungry just the same as her.

“Don’t tell me you don’t see the appeal,” I said.

“I see the appeal,” she said. “It’s nice to get away from the others and have some time to myself.”

“See?”

“But… I can’t imagine living out here in the woods by myself. The camp is so comfortable. Good food. Good shelter. Good surroundings.”

“I have all of that here.”

“And good company.”

She raised her eyebrow at me.

“Do you ever get lonely?” she asked.

“Not this again…”

“I’m only saying, Vesper. You’re an Alpha. You’re strong enough to lead your own group. Or perhaps you could go to the city to find some companionship. There are many ways for you to find company.”

“Do you hear that?”

She paused for a second. She closed one eye to try and focus.

“Hear what?” she said, shaking her head. “I don’t hear anything.”

“The animals in the brush. The fish in the water. The wind in the air. That’s all the company I need.”

She rolled her eyes at me again. I laughed heartily at her.

“It’s nice out here,” she said. “I’ll admit that living out in the woods, you get used to the companionship of the forest surrounding you. But sitting around in your cabin all day, alone… I can’t imagine it doesn’t get tiresome.”

“You don’t have to imagine anything. I’m telling you right now. Life by myself is quite peaceful. I wouldn’t trade anything else in the world for it.”

“If you say so…”

Megan pulled her fish away from the flames. I watched as she picked at the meat and stuffed it into her mouth. She smacked her lips hungrily.

Megan was a bear the same as me. The only difference was that she was an Omega and I was an Alpha. That meant I had to deal with her caring and worrying about me now that I lived separate from the other bears I once lived with.

Megan came by to visit and check on me. I considered it more nagging than anything else. But she was my friend and I was close to her, so I welcomed her company more than anybody else’s.

“You don’t have anything else to entertain your company?” she asked, her attention focused on her food.

“You’re the only company I ever had. Besides, what else would you need? You have a roof over your head, a fire to keep you warm, and food in your belly. What more could a bear want?”

“I can think of one thing—”

“And don’t say companionship.”

She grinned at me as she stuffed another piece of fish into her mouth.

“How is your family?” I asked.

“They’re well.”

“Your children?”

“Growing stronger every single day.”

“Your mate?”

“My Alpha is a good woman. She is more than any Omega could ever ask for.”

“I’m glad you have everything you need.”

“I didn’t come here to talk about me though. I just came here to visit my friend.”

“I’m glad to have you here.”

Megan and I sat near the fireplace to stay warm. Outside of my cabin, I could feel the bitter cold of the snow coming. It wasn’t enough to make me worry but it was nice not having to lay out on the grass or find refuge somewhere else.

Megan focused her attention on the flames dancing in front of her. Her eyes were lost in whatever it was on her mind. I rested peacefully next to her, trying not to let the smell of her food distract me.

“Do you plan on staying out here forever?” she asked. “Just spend the rest of your days in a cabin all by yourself?”

“I can’t predict the future. I don’t know what my fate holds for me. But I know for sure that I’m happy where I’m at. A peaceful, solitary life is more than I could ask for.”

“You could be like the others and move to the city. You could have the same life in Dirge.”

“Dirge does have a certain appeal to it,” I said with a nod. “But to live life as an ordinary man… There’s something intimidating about it.”

“You? Intimidated? I never thought I would see the day.”

“I’m not afraid of going to the city. I’m merely saying that life in Dirge would be completely different. Life out here in the Timberlands is simple. Just because I no longer live with you and the others doesn’t mean I’m so eager to go to the city. I imagine it takes a bit of getting used to.”

“Perhaps one day I’ll visit the city. Maybe you’d like to come with me?”

She turned and raised an eyebrow at me. I grinned at my friend and shrugged.

“Maybe,” I said. “If fate leads me to the city, then I’ll go to the city.”

“Have you ever been before?”

I shook my head.

“Me neither,” she said. “But I’ve heard stories from some of the others.”

“What did they say?”

“They say lots of things. More than anything, they say they enjoy their lives.”

“Buildings. Cars. I hear they drink a lot in the city, too.”

“There’s a certain appeal to that.”

“I agree.”

We shared a laugh.

“Also in the city, they don’t have to worry too much about the snow. For one, it doesn’t come down nearly as hard as it does in the woods. And then their buildings are more suited for any harsh weather that might come.”

“I’ve experienced terrible snowstorms over my life. My cabin is more than suitable.”

Megan finished the rest of her fish and stoked the fire with her twig.

“Speaking of which, I should be heading back to the camp before the snow comes tonight. Perhaps you’d like to join me.”

“And why would I do that?”

“Being hunkered down by yourself can’t be too much fun.”

“It’s not supposed to be fun,” I said with a laugh. “We hibernate and sleep through the weather. What difference does it make where I do it?”

“…You have a point. Still, it’s nice to have the company of others.”

“I guess that’s the difference between us.”

“What is?”

“You desire the company of others and—”

“You left the sleuth to live out here in the woods on your own. You don’t have to say it.”

Megan straightened up in her seat.

Even though she was an Omega, she looked as proud as any woman I’d ever seen. Long-flowing hair with tan skin. A youthful, unblemished face. Brown eyes. Her bare breasts were swollen, as expected from a mother.

“I should be going now,” she said.

“The camp isn’t that far. You’ll be able to make the journey in plenty of time.”

“I know. But I want to make sure. There’s nothing wrong with being safe.”

I escorted Megan out of my cabin and back out into the forest.

I lived in a small clearing that nobody would be able to find unless they already knew where it was. I was surrounded by trees in every direction.

A crisp cold greeted the both of us when we got outside. Megan wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed her skin.

“Cold?” I asked.

“My blood is not as warm as yours, Alpha.”

“Then it’s probably best for you to stay in the company of others. A better way to keep warm.”

She smiled warmly at me.

“Are you sure you’re not interested in heading back to the camp with me? We have cabins there, too. Just for a few days while the snow passes. I’m sure the others would enjoy your company.”

“I would enjoy their company just the same. And I will visit again, one day. But for now, I’m happy where I’m at. Besides, I still haven’t finished.”

“Haven’t finished what?”

“I still have to do a bit more gathering. Sometimes I wake during my slumber and my belly has a craving.”

“You’re going out to pick fruit this late?”

“That’s one of the benefits of living by myself. I’m my own Alpha. I can do as I please.”

“Kai would let you pick berries if you were so inclined to.”

“Perhaps. But it’s nice not having to ask him.”

She sighed a deep breath through her nose and nodded in understanding. I smiled at her then leaned down to wrap my arms around her. I held her tight in my embrace, hugging her as I said goodbye.

“Be well, my friend.”

“I will. Stay safe out here, Vesper.”

Megan pulled away from me and shifted into the proud brown bear she was. I watched as she moved toward the forest and disappeared into the darkness.

I stood there for a moment after my friend left then grabbed one of the satchels I had resting near the side of my cabin.

The sun had gone down and the moon was starting to come out. It was getting darker but there were enough stars in the sky to give me the light I needed to see.

I sighed a deep breath of satisfaction and made my way into the forest. It was the perfect atmosphere for a stroll through the woods.