We run away, but Fox doesn’t follow. I turn back, and he’s got a black and white bird that is easily the creepiest thing I’ve ever seen in my life sitting on his shoulder. The bird stands tall and carols into the air. It looks completely assured of its mastery and aggressive victory, as the seagulls have scattered, leaving the demon bird to claim the field of victory.
“What is happening here?” I mutter in confusion.
“I think it’s a turf war,” Cordie says in amazement. “That’s Mat.”
“Mat?” I ask in a low voice, watching as Fox holds the fish up to the magpie. He looks at the seagulls who are staring at it hungrily and then, like he wants to drive home his point, he takes the fish, breaks it apart, and then floats down to the sand where he casually eats it, all the while looking like the biggest, baddest bad on the beach.
“He’s a bit of an ass,” I note, watching the hungry gulls try to come closer. “I didn’t think there was a bird worse than a seagull.”
“Oh, yeah, we have a few. Kookaburra, Rainbow Lorikeets, Sulphur Crests, Emus, Cassowaries. The birds here are smart, and most of them can be absolute dicks when they want to be.”
“Sully runs at Fox but stops when the magpie snaps its beak again. One loud, aggressive warning. The gull and magpie stare at each, huge black eyes, staring at the red and white one. Land vs sea. Who will win?” a voice says in a tone like one of those animal documentary voiceovers.
I turn with my eyebrows raised, watching as a young alpha narrates the battle from the top of the stairs.
“Clint, get your ass over here!” a female shouts.
“In a minute. We’re having a thing.”
“Food’s ready.”
“Oh, food. Good luck, feathered fools,” he says cheerfully and vanishes.
I shake my head, this town is so strange sometimes. Cordelia is filming the interaction on her phone.
“What are you doing?”
“Informing the Pack Makers that Sully’s being put in her place, and a new queen has risen.” She giggles. “I can’t wait to see the panic.”
The whole situation baffles me. “Come on, Fox. Let’s leave your friend to his…intimidation tactics.”
Fox turns with an absolutely beautiful smile. “He’s lovely.”
“His name is Mat, short for Matilda. And the females are Joan and Jean,” Cordie informs us. I check to see if she’s pulling my leg, but, no, she’s completely serious.
I follow her up the stairs and glance back, seeing the magpie settle herself on Fox’s shoulder.
“Can we have a bird, Katsu?”
I trip on a step.
“Absolutely not.” I hesitate, feeling like a giant ass. “A budgie.”
“No, I want something more…aggressive.”
“You’ve never met a budgie, then,” Cordie says under her breath. I don’t even want to ask her what she means. I’m not really a bird person, I’m more a computer person.
The magpie sings from Fox’s shoulder like it’s found a new throne, and my alpha positively glows.
I rub my forehead. This day is not going how I planned, and yet, I can’t stop smiling. Fox is happy, Cordie is laughing, and I’m just missing… I spot him coming towards us. He’s frowning hard, and the aura that pours off him is one of rage.
“Bas,” Cordie says, moving to meet him. I stay with her, watching their interaction. He stares at her like she’s the only thing in his world.
“I have been looking for you all morning!” he rasps out. “No more running.”
She lifts her chin. “I’m right here.”
He growls, the sound deep and worrying. He’s still too close to his rut, but judging by her scent today, she’s just as close to her heat.
