9. Kodi

All too soon, the real world intrudes on our oasis. We're sitting at the breakfast bar eating lunch when I get a call from Kol. "I have a lead on the case."

I frown as the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. "Okay. Are you on your way here to explain?"

"It would be better if you come to me." I glance over at my mate and see the worry filling her bright blue eyes.

"Okay. I'll be at your cabin in an hour." I need to get this shit figured out so I can concentrate on knocking up my mate.

"Actually, meet me at the office at five o'clock. I have everything here already." My inner bear wakes up and rumbles under my skin, Something's off.

No shit, Sherlock, I return as my mind races trying to figure out how to handle this. Although I know my home is safe and secure, I can't stomach the thought of leaving my mate here alone.

"Okay, I'll be there." I hang up and pull up the remote security feed from the office and find it empty. Motherfucker.

I text the burner phone to test out my theory.

Me

Code check

It's a private message only Kol will know.

Orc

WTF?

Me

Give me your code

Orc

The fucking rats with wings shit on my truck.

Okay, I know for sure it's my second-in-command who's on the other side of the texts. We each picked out a phrase that would let the other know we weren't compromised. Of course, the Orc would choose that one since pigeons are constantly using his vehicle as a public bathroom.

Me

Did you just call me?

Orc

Hell fucking no.

Me

Our little friend is getting more inventive. I just had a conversation with someone who sounds remarkably like you.

There's a few minute pause and I'm wondering what's going on.

Orc

Small world. I just talked to you on my regular cellphone. I'm guessing you don't really want me to remotely change the security code on your home system.

Me

Motherfucking son-of-a-bitch.

Orc

You can say that again. How do you want to proceed?

My mind races with options. Obviously, my mate's stalker is getting resourceful. I'm guessing he's somehow recorded Kol's and my voices and he's using AI trying to trick us.

My home is safe, but this asshole is more creative than I'd originally thought. There's no way I will trust anyone else to protect my mate, so I'm taking her to the only place that I know is safer than my home, the Orc settlement.

Me

I'm bringing my mate to your cabin, and then we're going find this asshole once and for all.

Orc

I have a better idea. Why don't I bring my two brothers to you, and they can stay with your mate while we take care of the problem. My Orc brothers will protect her with their lives.

Me

Perfect. There's no way he'll get past my security and your brothers.

Orc

Do you want me to contact anyone else in the company and inform them of what's going on?

Me

No. I'm not sure if our pain in the ass has hacked their shit.

Orc

I agree. We'll be at your home in an hour.

Me

Thank you.

Briella doesn't even blink when I tell her to get ready for company.

After she throws on black yoga pants and an oversized t-shirt, I sit her down and explain the situation. "Your stalker is getting creative. He's somehow cloned my voice and Kol's voice, and I'm not sure who else he's going to try."

"What are you going to do?"

"Since I can't figure out his game plan, I'm playing this close to my chest. Kol is an Orc prince." Her eyes widen and nearly pop out of her head.

"Orc? Like the giant green guys with tusks and horns?"

Orcs aren't the most handsome of creatures, and they're mostly shunned in human society. In fact, they mostly stay to themselves on their private settlements. After getting to know Kol, I realized Orcs are completely misunderstood. The intelligent and loyal beasts live to protect and love their families.

"Yes. Except they don't have horns," I explain. "Kol and I are going to work on getting rid of your stalker while his two brothers protect you."

Her mouth opens and closes several times. "Oh, uh…" My mate swallows. "I trust you, so if you trust them, I'm okay with that."

"Thank you, Beauty." I lean my forehead against hers and stare into her eyes. "I promise to take care of you." And our little cub. When I woke up this morning, I sniffed the air and realized my mate's scent had intensified overnight. There's only one reason for that. My fucking swimmers did their job. I'm dying to inform my mate, but I decide to wait until the threat to her is taken care of.

My inner bear has to give his two cents. He thumps his chest with pride and growls. It was my power that did its job, not your swimmers.

We can agree to disagree, I inform him before turning back to the matter at hand.

Right on time, the three Orcs pull up at my security gate in a massive SUV. I watch on the monitor as the gate recognizes the sensor in the vehicle. Kol scans his eyes and presses in his unique code, and the gate opens. After the vehicle drives through, the gates close again, and I turn away from the monitor.

"Beauty," I call to my mate. "Our guests are here."

"I'm coming." She rushes out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on the apron tied around her waist."

"Not yet, but you will be," I tease her and watch as a bright red blush moves over her neck and up to her cheeks.

"Do not make me blush in front of your friends." She smacks my arm. "I hope Orcs like homemade spaghetti and garlic bread. It was all I could come up with from the contents of your pantry and freezer."

"Orcs will eat pretty much anything," I reassure her and walk over to answer the door. I glance once more at the screen and make sure it's really Kol and his two brothers before I pull the heavy, reinforced steel door open. "Thank you for coming."

"Our pleasure," Kol returns and walks into the living room with his two equally huge brothers.

My mate walks up behind me and digs her hand into my waist. I can sense her unease and wrap my hand around hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze before introducing my mate to the three Orcs.

"Briella, this is my second-in-command, Kol."

I watch as my friend smiles but doesn't attempt to touch my mate. "Nice to meet you, Briella. These are my brothers, Oren, my oldest brother, and Aric, my twin."

"I'm a twin, too." My mate smiles at each of the Orcs. "It's nice to meet all of you. I hope you're hungry. I cooked a huge pot of spaghetti and meatballs."

"Female, you read my mind." Oren rubs his hands together. "I'm starving. I would be honored if you allow me to help you serve the meal."

"You don't have to do that," my mate attempts to refuse, but Oren won't let her.

"It is our custom to assist with meals," he insists and follows Briella to the kitchen.