"If you're sure..."
Angelo waddled in like a penguin. His legs must've been numb from the cold. As soon as I shut the door behind him, he sighed in relief. He looked around the cabin. Once again, his penchant for Christmas took over—and my cabin had no shortage of Christmas decorations. The fireplace crackled with cozy flames, and above them on the mantle hung a single red stocking. A small fir tree in the corner of the living room was strung with lights, and other various knick-knacks adorned the space.
"Wow," Angelo murmured. "This is like a movie set!"
I blinked. I'd just revealed my true form to Angelo and he was more taken by the Christmas decorations? I couldn't help but chuckle. That wassohim.
I cleared my throat, reminding Angelo I was there. He spun around.
"Oh, sorry! Your home is just too sweet," he said.
"So... you're not surprised?" I asked.
He looked me up and down. There wasn't a single flicker of fear in his eyes, only awe and curiosity. Hope fluttered in my chest. Had I worried myself to death over nothing? Would Angelo truly accept me?
"Is this why you didn't want to let me in?" he asked, tilting his head.
"Yes. I was afraid to scare you."
Angelo blushed. "B-but you're so cute!"
My brows shot up between my horns. "Cute? That's a new one."
He came up to me, staring at the fur on my chest. "Really? But look how fluffy you are..." As if he couldn't help himself, Angelo ran his hands over my pecs and the fluff covering them. I shivered in pleasure. It felt amazing.
"And your tail!" he added. "C-can I touch it?"
Amused, I flicked it towards him. "Go ahead."
Angelo carefully picked up my tail. He ran his finger along its length, then petted the fluffy tip. I couldn't believe how entranced he was. Didn't I look like a demon to him? Instead of being scared, he petted me like a cat.
"So soft," Angelo murmured. "Um, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"What... are you?"
I smiled. No judgment, only curiosity. I should've known better than to think Angelo would jump to conclusions about me. He was only the sweetest omega in the world, after all.
"Well, this is my big secret," I said with a sigh. "I'm not human, despite trying my best to act like one."
"But you looked like one before."
"During the day, I can hold a human shape. But at night, I turn into my true form—the beast you see in front of you."
Angelo flushed. "You're not a beast! You still look pretty human to me, but with a few cute adornments."
I grinned. Did he just call me cute?
"Well, I'm beastly enough to hide my identity from the world. Not everyone's as accepting as you, Angelo."
He gave me a sympathetic look. "Why not? It doesn't matter what you look like, Karl. You've been nothing but kind and compassionate. Not only to me, but to kids and their families. Heck, you'reSanta!"
I laughed. "Not quite. But you're getting closer."
"Closer? What do you mean?"
I spread my legs, knocking my hooves against the wood floor, and spread out my tail behind me. "You must know plenty of Christmas legends, Angelo. Don't I look familiar at all?"
