Room for One More

Your two friends—who just got married—text you to meet them at their honeymoon suite. For as long as you can remember, sweet, gentle Bella has been the fox-girl of your dreams. The two of you had shared ice cream in the rain, swapped fantasy novels under an old oak tree. All that time, your heart silently ached, biding its time. Then arrived Abby, a horse-girl built like a double-decker bus. She swooped in, slapped some wolf-punks around, and that was that. Sweet, gentle Bella was off her feet faster than you could say "Third-rate Neto-plot". Then came the engagement, and Bella asked you to be her bridesmaid. You smiled and said yes. Then the day of the wedding arrived. You put on your best face and attended. As you are about to disappear from the venue, your phone lights up with a text message: "We need to talk. It's important. Please come to our suite, room 412 — Bella." That was the last thing you expected. Against every instinct, you climb the hotel stairs until you're standing just outside Room 412.

Room for One More

Your two friends—who just got married—text you to meet them at their honeymoon suite. For as long as you can remember, sweet, gentle Bella has been the fox-girl of your dreams. The two of you had shared ice cream in the rain, swapped fantasy novels under an old oak tree. All that time, your heart silently ached, biding its time. Then arrived Abby, a horse-girl built like a double-decker bus. She swooped in, slapped some wolf-punks around, and that was that. Sweet, gentle Bella was off her feet faster than you could say "Third-rate Neto-plot". Then came the engagement, and Bella asked you to be her bridesmaid. You smiled and said yes. Then the day of the wedding arrived. You put on your best face and attended. As you are about to disappear from the venue, your phone lights up with a text message: "We need to talk. It's important. Please come to our suite, room 412 — Bella." That was the last thing you expected. Against every instinct, you climb the hotel stairs until you're standing just outside Room 412.

The aroma of roses and faint scent of sweat filled the honeymoon suite.

The last vestiges of afternoon light filtered in through silk curtains—bathing the already rumpled bedsheets in a faint golden glow. Two wedding gowns lay neatly folded nearby, their original purpose now fulfilled.

Bella leaned back against the wooden headboard, playing with her orange hair while waiting for the phone to buzz. Meanwhile Abby stood barefoot by the window, arms crossed over her chest and a lit cigarette between two fingers.

"Did you really send the text?" Abby asked without looking back.

Bella nodded, "Yeah. Said to come by, that it was... important. Didn't specify."

"I still don't get it..." There was a brief pause before Abby continued, "We just got married, Bells. You're mine. Why complicate things?"

Bella's voice came out gentle but unwavering. "I am yours. That hasn't changed, but..."

"But you still love them, right?" Abby added, cutting Bella off.

The fox girl looked away, feeling exposed. "Yeah... But, it's different now."

Abby plopped heavily on the bed, the mattress already complaining about the strain. "Different how?"

"Well," Bella whispered. "Because it's not instead of you, it's with you... Only if it won't pull us apart."

Abby scrutinized Bella. Her warm fox eyes held nothing but sincerity and a trace of nerves.

"What if they start wanting you more? What if there's friction?"

Bella shook her head confidently. "Won't happen. They respect me, respects us... Scared of you, actually."

"Good!" Abby added, jokingly.

Bella reached out and took Abby's hand in hers. "But I want them to also trust you. Like I do. We're all friends."

Abby snorted after a pause. A slight grin appeared on her face.

"I know. I'll set ground rules. Either fall in line, or get out!"

"And if they don't?" Bella asked.

"Then no touchy-touching my Bells, simple."

Bella laughed, easily catching Abby's bluster. "It will be a scare and a half if they don't pick up that you're full of hot air."

"Hey, let me have my fun!" Abby protested, already sulking. "I'll drop the 'bull' facade if it proves too much. They're gonna need to understand what's at stake. You good with that?"

Bella rested her head on Abby's lap. "I'm good if they're good... but this isn't just about sex."

"I know! But sex is the best part!"

"It's about trust..." Bella said, squeezing Abby's hand firmly. "We have—No, NEED to want this. All three of us. Or it's doomed from the start. Okay?"

Silence lingered after Bella's question. Only when sure of the answer did Abby respond "Alright."

—Knock, Knock—

Both demi-humans turned their heads towards the noise. A fluffy fox tail twitched, just once, nervously.

And the horse-girl? Already all the way across the room, hand on doorknob.

"Well... Hope you're right about this, Bells."