Denver's POV (Alix)

"Instead of looking like two dumb apes, why don't you help me bring the food to the tv?" I was just not in the mood. I knew he had not tried to kiss me. He had looked curious, not that smoldering sexy like he normally did. And for some reason, I had gotten irritable when I took off his shirt.

Both of them grabbed food and drinks and followed me to the tv room. We could have stayed in the living room, but Josh's parents had made an actual tv room and it was always there we watched movies. Though it was strange with Claude and Mischa not being there.

"So, they're staying?" Josh came into the room with the last of the snacks.

"Yup, shortcake."

Josh just shrugged and looked at me. "It's your turn to pick."

"Goodie," I said with glee and ran to the computer where Josh's vast collection of movies was. I rummaged through the horror movies, not sure which to pick.

'That one.'

"Huh?"

'That one.'

I let my fingers get the mouse to run over the movies until the voice hummed at me.

Oh, nice. The voice had good taste.

The boys took their places on the big sofa with the food spread out on the coffee table in front of them. Sirius in the middle, Josh on his left, and Xodiac on his right. Sirius began to make room for me, but Josh stopped him as I came over and sat on the floor, leaning against his legs.

I always sat on the floor. Usually between Josh and Mischa's legs leaning against Josh.

I was not weird or anything; it was the strategically best spot. I was closer to the food and drinks, so I did not have to lean forward to grab something. Everything was right there within arm's reach.

I was smart!

I grabbed a burger and waited for Josh to begin the movie.

"Really? The Howling?" Xodiac called out, almost choking on the half-eaten cow in his mouth.

What the hell was his problem? Even Sirius looked a little worried.

"Come on, you can't be afraid of a werewolf movie? Are you men or five-year-old girls? Grow a pair, or do I need to get some fertilizer?"

"I'm not afraid of werewolf movies," Sirius scoffed. "It's just they're so fake and unrealistic to look at."

"Oh, of course. Opposed to actual werewolves who are much more real?" I laughed at his stupid remark.

Even Josh smiled at that.

We sat there watching the movie, Josh and I having a grand time. I was trying to cheer him up, because he seemed so sad about Xodiac, who, to counter, seemed confused and a little on edge with the lack of response from Josh, though he had tried to engage him in conversation about the movie.

"If that's what you picture when you say Wolfdaddy, I'm sorry, but you're sick." I was laughing too hard at the ugly-ass werewolf. "Not even Xodiac is that ugly."

"I might have been delusional." Josh smiled.

I felt him relax a little. It was as if he appreciated my attempt to make him feel better.

"I really don't like all that hair. Could you imagine having to touch that? Would be like cuddling a shaggy rug."

"Ok, I admit it. I like my men big and strong, but hairless." Josh was grinning at me. "Smooth like a baby's ass, but hard like..."

"Yup, we get it," Xodiac barked at us.

"That's one ugly wolfboy." Joshua was finally getting into our normal groove.

I could not have agreed more. "That's why I'm a cat person."

"You're not?" Sirius asked in horror.

I looked up at him. He actually looked pale and shocked. Was he afraid of horror movies or cats? Xodiac also had a look of disbelief.

The fuck was wrong with those two?

"Are you as dumb as you look? Cats are cute and cuddly. They're soft and clean."

"Dogs are loyal and protect you until their last breath. They will keep you company and wait for you all day just to keep you company again." Sirius said in a grave tone. "Dogs and wolves are alike. Wolves are even more protective. They mate for life and stand tall with their pack as one family."

I threw up my hands. "Ok, ok, Mr. Encyclopedia. I get it. You like dogs. I don't. They slobber all over, they get dirty and drag in all sorts of crap. They have the attention span of a goldfish if they see a rabbit or squirrel."

"You don't even like puppies?" Xodiac asked me. He looked at Josh. "Are you a cat person too?"

"No, I like dogs," Josh answered, and it seemed like Xodiac visibly relaxed at that. "I like savage beasts, but there are more in the feline family than canine. Panthers and white tigers are majestic."

"Fucking pussy cats. Saber-toothed ones are the worst." Sirius was not holding anything back.
"You know those don't exist, right?" I asked because he was being ridiculous.

Something in me urged me to calm Sirius down. He was working himself up and getting angry with the subject. Carefully, I put my hand on his bare underarm, and like magic, he calmed down.

"You do realize you're arguing over pets, right?" I asked them all. "Want to have a go at hamsters versus bunnies next?"

"No, sorry."

We watched the movie to end, and I let Xodiac pick the next, because Josh had to help him with the computer and how to search in his collection. It might not have been much, and Josh pretty much strangled me with his eyes, but they had to talk somehow. Movies were a neutral subject, I thought.

"I'll be right back," Sirius said, and went in the direction of the bathroom.

I heard Josh sigh.

He and Xodiac were looking through movies.

"Have I done something to offend you, shortcake? I mean, I was rather drunk last night, and you seem pissed. If I broke something, I'll replace it."

Yep, I sat there, shamelessly listening. Apparently, it was bothering Xodiac that Josh was not his usual bubbly self.

"Don't worry about it. It's ok." Josh clicked the movie and came back to the sofa.

"No really, Josh, what did I break?"

It was kinda sad he did not realize he had broken the one thing he could not replace. Josh's heart.

And along with it, his self-esteem and his spirit.

I gently patted Josh's leg when he had sat back down. He just sent me a sad smile and grabbed some snacks. Xodiac sat down and stared at Josh. He seemingly still had not figured it out.

"Who the fuck died in here?"

"I think I broke something in my party mode last night, and Josh won't tell me so I can replace it."

"Bro, sometimes you're just too dense for words." Sirius came over and sat down. He nudged Josh with an apologetic smile, and, like a reflex, he reached out and curled his fingers into my hair, rubbing my scalp gently.

At that moment, I just could not hate him. Josh did not have it easy. For somebody like Sirius to notice and tell his own boy off, that was a class act. I could not even get mad at him for massaging my head. It felt nice.

Even the voice was purring.

Damn it!

Hi dear Wattlings.

Thank you for reading.

It's been a while. Sorry for that.

The group is chilling after the party. Werewolves watching a werewolf movie? What's not to like? 

If you like it, then pop a vote and please leave comments. The comments are important for me to know how the story is progressing and the characters are developing. And I'd love to know what you think and interact with y'all.

Give me a follow too for updates on other work and put this book in your library. I'd appreciate that.

Love, Alix

Published: March 9th, 2023. ©Alix Davenport, Copenhagen