Chapter 3
Alfie
Santa #22 tripped the alarm system on purpose when he left, which means I shouldn’t have to wait too long for my fated to arrive. Unfortunately, I’m stuck with the blare of an alarm blasting until someone comes to shut it off.
I can’t see beyond the pink velvet bag I’m stuffed in with the aura quartz heart. It leans against my leg. I have no idea where we are in this warehouse or even what’s contained inside. Though I can take a guess. The energy in the place is electric and vibrating around me.
A few beeps come from what I assume is the front of the warehouse and the alarm stops, leaving my ears ringing. There’s a click.
“H—hello?” The voice is pleasant and soft, masculine.
I can’t tell if the lights are on because, well, I’m in a velvet bag. Whoever came in creeps closer, their breathing harsh.
“Anyone in here?” They say just a tiny bit louder.
I want to shout, but I’m frozen in time as some kind of figurine. By the way the aura quartz heart rubs against me, I have to wonder if Santa #22 turned me into a crystal.
The steps come quicker and the person sucks in a breath. “I still don’t know why I get a gift from Santa every year. At least I choose to believe it’s Santa and not some creepy stalker.”
I imagine they shiver.
A blinding light shines over me as they open the bag. A soft hand wraps around my body and pulls me out. I get a good look at the spotless concrete floor.
“Did Santa bring me a crystal dildo?”
I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to laugh more in my life than now. There’s a mirror on a shelf and Santa indeed made my rose quartz body resemble a dildo. With balls. If my fated looks at me properly, they’ll notice I do have a face, and it looks like I’m standing on a bag. I definitely look dildo shaped. Like one of those holiday silicone toys, but crystal instead.
“Santa got me a dildo.” They moan and start laughing. “Even he knows how long it’s been.”
They turn me this way and that until I’m facing my fated mate. If I could breathe, I’d stop. My fated is stunning. Their face is round. Tan rabbit ears extend from their head. They have short, light blond hair and the prettiest brown eyes I’ve seen in my life. Their lips are pillowy and I wonder if they’re just as soft. I want to reach out and touch them, but… I’m stuck. Santa never said how to re-elf-ify myself. But I never asked either.
“Why are you warm?” They narrow their eyes and take in more details. “Oh! Maybe you’re not a dildo.” A finger runs along my body. They steer clear of my intimate parts. “Whoever carved you is an amazing artist. You’re so detailed.” They squint. “Are you an elf?”
They yawn and look around. “Are you the reason the alarm went off?”
I can only stare on.
“It’s late and I need sleeps for the shop in the morning, so I’m going to leave you here for now, but I’ll be back soon.” They stand me up on a shelf and turn away, giving me a perfect view of their backside in a pair of green and red plaid pajama pants. My fated has a cute little tan ball of a tail. I’ve always liked rabbits.
Magic vibrates through me and the moment I can move, I jump so I don’t crush the shelves. I crash onto the floor and they turn to me.
Their eyes go wide and in seconds they’re a rabbit, racing away from me.