Page 3 of A Swan for Christmas

Chapter Two

Vic glanced sideways at the unexpected find in his passenger seat. On occasion, a newcomer would be drawn to the town, most of the arrivals unknowingly following their gut instinct leading them to their true home. But this was the first time he’d been personally involved in such an event.

“We’re almost there.”

Kellan peered up at him. “The town is so quiet. But it’s very pretty. I don’t like cities or anywhere too crowded or noisy.”

Vic grinned. Definitely led here. “Then this’ll be your kind of place.”

He found it interesting that Kellan was a swan shifter. He’d never met any avian shifters before. If there were any in Vale Valley, he wasn’t aware of them. Swans were such beautiful creatures—he’d always admired the graceful and majestic birds. Even some of the rooms at the Inn had paintings of swans on the walls. Mateo, one of his buddies and the town’s tattoo artist, had done some excellent pen and ink drawings of swans for him. Those he kept in his private cabin on the inn’s premises.

Yes. Interesting that I should be the one to find him.

Yet, that seemed to be the way of the town’s magic. Somehow, the circumstances had been put in place that he would be taking his nightly run in the same area Kellan was in trouble. Vic assumed it was why his heart had been thundering upon his first touch of Kellan and why he’d been so reluctant to let him go. Somewhere deep inside he must have recognized Kellan was a swan.

That’s all it was. Nothing else.

“I’m sorry if I ruined your plans tonight.” Kellan’s voice held a tinge of worry. “I know I can be a bother at times, but I’ll do my best not to cause any trouble.”

Vic drew his eyebrows together as he clutched the wheel tighter. “I hardly think almost dying in the cold was done to intentionally disrupt my evening.” He snorted. “And anyway, there was nothing to disrupt. I never have much going on outside of operating the inn and restaurant.” Vic shifted in his seat. Don’t need to sound too pathetic. He doubted the swan cared how non-existent his social life was. “Here we are.”

Vic pulled up to the curb in the registration only zone at the entrance of the inn. An A-line structure made up the front of the motel that housed the lobby, with the restaurant to the left. Everything was done in pine wood and conveyed an old-fashioned, rustic charm which was what he’d been aiming for ten years before when he’d first had it built from the ground up.

He placed the truck in park then turned to Kellan. “Wait here where it’s warm and I’ll see what staff rooms are available.” Vic offered Kellan what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “Maybe there’s one with a view of the lake.”

Kellan smiled back, and a rush of warmth filled Vic’s heart. He quickly averted his gaze as heat bloomed under his cheeks and his cock stirred in interest. It had been so long since he’d gotten laid that the sight of the luscious creature in his truck had him unusually flustered.

He’s in trouble. He doesn’t need you creeping up on him, you old horndog.

Maybe thirty-two wasn’t that old, but compared to the young thing seated next to him, it suddenly seemed ancient. He cleared his throat. “Be right back.”

Before Kellan could respond, Vic rushed to the entrance and grabbed the handle to one of the double glass doors and swung it wide. He noted that Mark, the guest relations clerk on duty, had salted the walkway outside and was in the process of placing yellow caution signs to warn patrons that the stone flooring might be slippery.

Vic winced as a thought struck him. Mark was an initiate in the local coven, so perhaps he wouldn’t introduce him to Kellan right away. While Vic knew Mark was a cool guy, Kellan might still be afraid the Vale Valley witches would cast an evil spell on him.

“Hey, Mark. Has it been busy?”

Mark glanced up. “Hi, Vic. No, super slow. I think this snowstorm has kept people away. I’ve been trying to stay occupied as best I can.”

Vic strolled over to the reception desk opposite the entrance, then glanced at the brass keys hanging on the wall behind it. No keycards for his place—too much in the way of modern stuff didn’t do it for him.

“Yeah. I figured. Enjoy it while it lasts. In a couple weeks, the Thanksgiving melee will ensue. Then you’ll be wishing no one was here.”

Mark chuckled. “Probably. It gets crazy?”

The witch-initiate had only been working there for a short while. He hadn’t even experienced the summer rush yet.

“Yeah. There’s only here—and now the Dozing Dragon Bed and Breakfast—for all the relatives coming to visit during the holidays.” Vic narrowed his eyes as he perused the available rooms. “Listen, I have a shifter out in the truck who needs a place to stay. I’m grabbing 217 if you want to make a note that it’s been taken.”

Mark came around the counter then woke up the computer. “Sure thing. Wolf?”

Vic tried to hold back what he was sure would be a telling smile. “Nah, swan.”

Mark arched his eyebrows. “Wow. I don’t know any swan shifters. Can’t wait to meet him.”

“Yeah… about that.” Vic rubbed the back of his neck. “He’s a bit nervous about witches, thinks they’ll cast evil spells on him. I’m sure he’ll be fine once he discovers you’re a good guy. Just don’t get your feelings hurt if he acts strange around you.”

“That’s cool.” Mark shrugged. “He doesn’t have much to worry about from me right now, anyway.” He smirked. “Even if I was inclined to, I’m not at that level yet.”