Creatures of the Harvest Moon

By M.A.X. Bennette

An intoxicating tale of passion and forbidden love unfolds, bringing together two mythical creatures whose desires ignite a tempestuous affair. Enter a realm where vampires and werewolves coexist, their ancient animosities poised to ignite, while an unbreakable bond weaves its way through the darkness, transcending boundaries and challenging the very essence of their existence.

Caught between loyalty and their insatiable attraction, Elliot and Paula, they embark on a journey of forbidden pleasure, where pleasure and pain become intertwined. In the depths of their passionate encounters, they discover an unyielding connection that defies the rules of their kind, a bond that threatens to expose their secret affair to the unforgiving eyes of their enemies.

With every stolen moment and searing touch, Elliot and Paula delve deeper into a world of erotic ecstasy, a world that forces them to confront their own vulnerabilities and question the very nature of their existence. As they unravel the mysteries of their entwined destinies, they must confront the darkest shadows that threaten to tear them apart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.A.X. Bennette
• Release date: Oct 23, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463359129

M.A.X. Bennette

I am not a fictional character. Rules that exist for life on television do not apply to me. However, I do enjoy a good story. The best stories come from the experiences of real people. I am real and this is my story.

Book preview

CREATURES OF THE HARVEST MOON

By M.A.X. BENNETTE

Title: Creatures of the Harvest Moon

Author: M.A.X. Bennette

Copyright © 2023 Smashwords

M.A.X. Bennette

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Printed in the United States of America

First Printing, 2018

ISBN 9780463359129

www.smashwords.com

Los Gatos

California

United States

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Creatures of the Harvest Moon

1

Movies make propositioning someone for sex seem so easy, but in reality, the fear of rejection outweighs the physical desire. Paula thought she should just go to another place, instead of hoping that someone she knew would walk through the front door of this hipster-esque bar. She thought that maybe, she could try again tomorrow but knew that she would never have the nerve again. Uncomplicated sex is a myth. The need for a loving and respectful relationship is a deep desire that many have and need. A healthy approach in understanding others and ourselves makes it better. Unfortunately, her situation required a different approach. It was now or never. She scanned the crowd once more before deciding to go to another bar. As she opened the door, she bumped into the person entering. They both said excuse me and even did the little, left to right dance before making eye contact. Paula recognized him. 

Elliot, right? 

…Do I know you? 

We went to the same college for undergrad. We were both in physiology and biochemistry. I sat in front, and you sat next to the door. 

Elliot’s eyebrows rose is amusement and curiosity. 

You have a very good memory. He rewound his thoughts back to those days. Paula, right? 

Yes. I am Paula and you are Elliot. And it’s a small world after all. 

Is this a hangout of yours? 

This place? Not my scene. Realizing that she sounded both like a stalker and like an elitist, she tried to correct her image by scanning the room and nodding in approval. 

It’s a nice place, but I am not really a bar person because I tend to avoid alcohol. 

Oh, I see. He was about to say something else until the pressing traffic of people coming in and going out started to remind the two that they were blocking the door. They apologized to the people behind them, respectively, as they moved to the side of the dive styled bar. 

So, Paula, who doesn’t like bars, why are you here?  

I am on a quest. 

The king does not require quests in order to bestow knighthoods anymore. He was playfully joking, which Paula interpreted as a good sign. 

This is a personal quest. 

So, why here and why now? 

I was visiting one of my previous professors at their new school and so stopped at the nearest place on my way home. This place seemed to be where the locals came to socialize and imbibe. I thought I would check it out, to see if what I was looking for was here. I need to do this now because I will only be 25 for a few more days. 

So, this personal quest has to happen before you turn 26? How arbitrary of you. Again, he seemed to be teasing her, which was encouraging. 

Do you come here often? she asked, trying her few flirty pickup lines. 

No. I am not much of a bar person, like you. I was concluding some business in the area and really needed a beer before going home. This place was closest. 

I could buy you a beer, IPA? 

I can buy the beer, he said good-humoredly, why don’t I get us a round of beers and you describe this quest of yours. 

2

He went to the bar to buy their drinks and she went to find an empty table. The place was crowded with youths who clearly went to Pillar University down the road. They all seemed to exemplify the spirit of energy usually associated with the YOLO crowd. A picture of these people would be an advertiser's dream shot. In this moment, they did not need to consider repayment of student loans, the unemployment rate of the recently graduated, and the general hatred for this generation by other generations. These were the ones who recycled, cared about which politicians were elected and that those who were less fortunate had a chance at living close to normal lives. 

Paula looked around and saw a stool in the corner next to a table. She quickly grabbed the two and stood on guard. As she waited, she thought about how once upon a time was the way most stories of adventure and fantasy begin. The damsel is in distress. The handsome prince overcomes the trials and obstacles to save the princess who will become his queen. They live happily ever after. Unfortunately, this has defined the upbringing of most children and been set as a standard for adults in their gender roles and romantic relationships. The truth is that if the princess wants to be saved, she has to find a shank and scratch her way out. Fairytales have instructed women and men what unrealistic expectations we should have in relationships as well as the roles of women and men. These stories have made some people believe that all they have to do is be domesticated and pretty in order for great people to come looking for them. The men were taught to do all that was needed to court the fair maiden, keep patriarchal power and get romantic kisses. Her approach to sex, while unique and contrary to societal expectations, worked for Paula. 

Elliot returned, holding two glasses of a golden brew. After placing hers in front of her, he settled down into his seat. He realized that there was only one, so he offered it to Paula. She declined politely, so they both stood. 

I just realized that I must have come off as a little chauvinistic by refusing to let you buy the beers. I just want to assure you that I am a normal man who supports feminism. 

The thought never crossed my mind. Paula tended to rant when she was nervous or settling into a new situation. Actually, in a Vindication of the Rights of Woman, by Mary Wollstonecraft, she shows that feminism is the desire to advocate or see change in women’s rights. Therefore, buying the beers does not go against her initial thoughts. She agrees that parents and society as a whole have been constructed to make women out to be sex objects and nurturers. Women are not seen as humans first but as females. There is no development or promotion of their abilities or ambitions. In other words, women are being trained by men to become infantilized sex dolls. This is never successful because, like Cinderella, it is fiction. I mean, really fairy godmother; you could not have called child services over these past 10 years. Your best move is to just show up to give me a makeover. That type of educating creates an inner conflict of pursuing unattainable traits while still trying to be normal, which in turn creates stress that distracts us from the illusions about gender roles and how women are negatively affected by these roles. 

She realized after the rant that maybe she had gone too far. She drank some of her beer to quiet the creeping embarrassment. Only she would go on an educational tirade with someone she met in a bar. 

So besides questing and reading articles on feminism, what are you up to these days? Elliot asked in between chuckles. 

I graduated then went on to graduate school. I am working as a hematologist at a pharmaceutical company as a research scientist. 

Wow! Not surprised. Science seems to suit you. 

She smiled at the compliment. Science was her loving mistress. 

What about you? 

I am a mortician. Paula wondered whether the chagrin that accompanied that response was accidental. I know it’s creepy, but it’s the family business and the reason why I fast tracked my education. After this, he seemed to be waiting for something. 

Paula looked around, but Elliot was staring at her with curiosity. 

I don’t think being a mortician is creepy or being an undertaker for that matter. They both serve a valuable need in society. Without them how could we prepare the dead for burial, let alone help their loved ones through the burial process. She sipped her beer and looked at him. The curiosity had changed into a smirk. 

Now that’s a first, most of the time when I say what I do for a living people get worried. As if, I am the Grim Reaper waiting to take them next. It is not always intentional, but I guess being faced with one’s mortality seems to unsettle people. 

No one lives forever. We all die eventually, best to get things in order and hope that since you’re not there, that a competent person will take care of things. 

He laughed, more to himself than aloud. As if he thought he was being messed with but could not see how. He drank his beer then paused before putting his glass down. 

"You are still as strange as