11. Frederick

Chapter 11

Frederick

I understood now. I had lived in a bubble with Dominic for the past month, but now it was time to go back to work. I had gotten used to sleeping in after staying up half of the night doing the horizontal tango. Why wouldn’t I? Dominic loved sex as much as I did.

This morning had been difficult. I’d stayed in bed as long as I could, but when I absolutely had to get up in order to be at work on time, I pulled away from a sleeping Dominic and got dressed. I gave him one last long look before I used magic to transport myself from our house to just outside the council building.

I scanned my badge before inputting my code, and when the door clicked I pulled it open. Slater’s familiar face was at the desk, as usual, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Welcome back,” he said in greeting.”

“Hey Slater. How’s everything been?”

“About as expected. Keeping busy. How’s mated life?”

I couldn’t stop the smile. “Great. Unexpected, but no complaints from me.”

“That’s good to hear. Congratulations by the way. Hopefully one day it will be my turn.”

“They say it happens when we least expect it. For me that was absolutely true. Never would I have thought I would meet my One while on assignment to Amherst.” I grinned at him. “Perhaps you should get out from behind this desk and see if you find your mate out there somewhere,” I told him. “You never know,” I added before I waved and walked away. The first place I needed to go was to my meeting with Master Edison in his office. He had reached out through text last week to set up my return meeting.

I immediately went to the hallway where his office was located, and in minutes I was knocking on the open doorway. Master Edison looked up at the noise, and offered a smile.

“Frederick. Come in, come in,” he said. “Have a seat.”

I sat in one of the chairs that he’d pointed to. Master Edison sat in the other, and then held out a cup of what I assumed was tea. “Tea?”

I took it, thankful for the hot liquid. I would make sure I was out of the house a bit earlier tomorrow. At least early enough to grab a to-go breakfast at the cafeteria.

“Thank you,” I told him. “I got off to a bit of a late start this morning.”

“That isn’t unusual. How are you doing? Are things going well with Dominic?”

I took a sip of tea and swallowed, closing my eyes as the hot liquid ran down my throat. “Things are going well between us. We have an appointment with Dr. King next week for Dominic to be checked out, but so far he’s not had any pregnancy sickness or any sort of issues.”

“That’s wonderful to hear. It seems as if we’ve had a lot of severe pregnancy sickness lately,” Master Edison said. “And your bond? How is that doing?”

I nodded. “If fell into place right away. We are able to communicate through it, and both of us can feel each other’s emotions.”

“That is good to hear,” Master Edison said. “How is he doing with settling in here? I know that the two of you meeting wasn’t exactly under the best circumstances.”

I nodded. We certainly hadn’t, but I felt as if we had work through that at this point. “He seems to have settled in quite well. We had a family meal last week, and it went quite well. My parents are holding off visiting until after the baby arrives. I know he won’t say anything, but Dominic is a little concerned about meeting them for the first time while we have a new baby to take care of. That in itself is stressful. Throw in meeting the in-laws for the first time, he’s understandably a little stressed about that.”

“Did you wish for me to reach out to Edmund and suggest he come before the baby arrives?”

I shook my head. “Thank you, but that isn’t necessary. Rainier was going to talk to him and discuss the importance of meeting Dominic before he gives birth.” I hadn’t even had to ask him to do that for us. It seemed as if it was something he knew he needed to discuss with my father without me having to say anything. I was grateful for his insight, and I knew Dominic would be as well.

“That is good to hear. Do you need more time off?”

I shook my head. “Is there something you need for me to do?”

Master Edison shook his head. “Not at the moment, no. Your team has adjusted well to you not being here, but I know they are more than ready to have you back instead of Dante filling in for you.”

Dante? I hadn’t realized that he was filling in for me. Did that mean he was no longer at Amherst?

“Has someone replaced him at Amherst?”

“No. That assignment has ended. Dante returned about a week after you and Dominic did. With Reinhold being on his team and already filling the lead role there, it made the most sense to have him continue to do so while you were on leave.”

“I appreciate the time off. I would be lying if I didn’t say it felt like it went by too fast.”

“That isn’t the first time I’ve heard similar words. We are currently doing rotations around the Pacific Northwest. There are a few issues with a couple of the packs up there. Vincent’s coven has kept us updated about what’s happening in Italy, but Marco doesn’t appear to be in the country any longer. I believe he’s either searching for his cousin, or his coven master.”

I nodded, acknowledging what he’d shared with me. I was sure they had a plan in place for situations such as this, but I still wanted to know what their end game was. What was the ultimate goal? If he was searching for Rocco Conti, he wasn’t ever going to find him because I knew the council had put him to death for his crimes against our kind. As for his cousin, he was still alive the last I knew, but perhaps that had changed in the month I’d been away.

“I’ll fill in wherever you need me. If that’s going off to Oregon or wherever, I’m available. Same for Italy. Or anywhere else you need me and my team.”

Master Edison held out a folder. After I set my tea down on the little table between the two chairs, I took the folder. “I appreciate your readiness. For now, I would like if you could do a bit more research on Conti’s coven. Specifically, the Gallo cousins, and as well as the three names in the folder.,” Master Edison said.

“I can do that. Is this a me only assignment?” I asked as I opened the folder. “Or am I to bring my team in on things?”

“It’s a team effort. Marco is getting information from somewhere. He’s staying ahead of us, and I want to know how. Like before, he seems to be one step ahead of us at all times and I’m tired of it. This is a reoccurring issue, and I’m ready to figure out how to better utilize our resources.” Master Edison nodded and looked toward the folder I was holding. “If you and your team could comb through that information, I would appreciate it.”

I held up the folder. “Will do. Is there anything else?”

Master Edison shook his head. “Not at the moment. Your team isn’t the only one I’ve asked to look into things. Salvatore is busy trying to find out more about Specter Logistics as well as Rocco Industries. RC Transport we’ve already disassembled electronically, and it and Rocco Industries. We need to find out more about Specter though.”

“I’ll see what we can do to help.”

Research wasn’t exactly my forte, but I would help if at all possible. If the council needed more information about coven members, I would do what I could.

“Thank you, Master Edison. I’ll get you a report as soon as I have any new information.”

I stood after Master Edison did, and as he walked me to the door, his grandson Alistair entered the office.

“I apologize. I didn’t realize you were in a meeting,” Alistair said.

“No need,” Master Edison told him. “We’re finished.”

I nodded to Master Edison, and then Alistair before I left as quickly as I could without seeming as if I couldn’t wait to get out of there. In reality, I wanted to get to the cafeteria to grab a to-go box of breakfast foods and about a gallon of coffee.

I started directly toward the cafeteria, and when I was halfway down the hall toward it, I could smell the scent of bacon. I moaned. It was one of my favorite breakfast foods even though it wasn’t one that I grew up eating. But the cooks here at the council had, and well, it was something that I most certainly appreciated.

I entered the cafeteria and immediately got in line behind other enforcers. I watched as several of them grabbed trays and plates, but I really needed to get back into my office. I had just reached for a to go container when someone touched me on the shoulder. I looked over and found Sebastian standing there with a large grin on his face.

“Are you in a hurry?”

I shrugged. “I’ve been away for a while, and I really need to get back to my office and get started on my assignment.”

“Naw, you have time to join me for a meal. Besides, how else am I supposed to pump you for information about Dominic for Drew?”

I looked at my cousin and raised an eyebrow.

“He’s curious is all. And excited. He won’t admit it, but I think he’s a bit lonely, despite Eli being next door on the other side.”

I relented and instead of grabbing the to-go container, I instead opted for a tray. I placed a plate and a bowl on it, then started down the line. It was probably a good thing that Sebastian had been able to talk me into eating in the cafeteria with him because my plate and bowl were both overflowing by the time I reached the end of the line. Coffee was next. I had a mug filled with the steaming liquid and then I started toward the first available table. Sebastian was right behind me, and once we sat down, he didn’t wait long to start asking questions.

“I’ve read the files. Everyone who was on the rotation has.”

“What files?” I asked.

“Personnel files. Specifically on Dominic.”

Immediately my guard was up and I glared at Sebastian.

“Stop. It’s not like that. We all know he’s not a bad guy, and I honestly really like him. But what I was trying to get at was that the files are quite flat and don’t really share with us what a person is like in real life. I was curious if you could help with that.” Sebastian sighed. “Drew loves Caspian, but with Caspian being so sick with pregnancy sickness, he’s not getting to spend a whole lot of time with him lately.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Just basics. What does Dominic like to do? Does he read? Watch movies? Things like that.”

I nodded. “Well, he does read, but it’s mostly suspense thrillers.” That had been a surprise to me when I’d helped him unpack his books. He had a large collection, and had easily filled a couple of bookshelves with all of his books.

“Really?” Sebastian asked. “Thrillers? But he seemed so nice when we had dinner.”

I glared. “He is nice,” I told him before I tore off a piece of pancake and tossed it at him. Sebastian looked down at the sticky piece of quick bread before he scowled at me. I raised an eyebrow in challenge.

Sebastian shook his head, used some magic to clean his shirt, and then rolled his eyes at me. “Stop. I wasn’t saying he wasn’t nice. Only that I was a bit surprised because he was so nice at dinner and I wouldn’t have expected him to go for thrillers. Romances, absolutely. Or even something sci-fi. But not thriller.”

I shook my head. “Whatever. He likes thrillers. What of it?”

Sebastian shook his head. “That won’t do. Drew doesn’t like thrillers so he can’t relate to him through that. What else?”

I chuckled. “We don’t really watch a whole lot of television. Dominic prefers to have discussions after our supper. It’s really helped us to connect.”

“Really? You can’t give me anything at all that can help Drew feel like he has something in common with Dominic? He’s a lot younger than we are, and I know that bothers him at times. He feels like we’ve lived entire lives before he was ever born.”

I looked at Sebastian to see if he was serious. Apparently he was and I became concerned. “We have lived entire lives before he was born. Multiple times,” I told him. Drew was in his late twenties while the rest of us were several centuries old. I didn’t know exactly what he would have in common with Dominic, if anything.

“Fine. What have the two of you talked about? Maybe there’s something there that I can help Drew relate to.” I shook my head.

“Dominic and I talk. But in all honesty, most of the time we have together is spent in our bedroom, if you understand what I’m saying.”

“Seriously? You two don’t have anything other than sex in common?”

I narrowed my eyes. “He’s pregnant and doesn’t have any sickness symptoms. It’s already caused a spike in his libido. Yes, we talk. Yes, we have lots of things in common. I’m not sure what that has to do with Drew though. Just tell Drew to talk to. him. Dominic likes pasta, and loves to cook. The non-magical way. He likes to read thrillers, and loves to go for walks along the canal in Venice. He misses Italy, and hopes to visit someday in the near future.” I was going to take him there as soon as I could. I wanted him to have his walks along the canal. Unfortunately, until we were certain it was safe, he had agreed to remain here in Montana for my own sanity.

“Walks along the canal? Do you think he’d like to go for walks here?”

I nodded. “In the summer, yes. Dominic isn’t exactly a fan of the winter weather here. He wasn’t a big fan of the weather in Amherst either. Do you think he and Drew will have fun going for a walk in the spring or summer? Absolutely. But not until the weather warms up.”

Sebastian nodded. “That I can certainly understand and appreciate. I’m not exactly the biggest fan of the cold here. I don’t think it would be nearly as bad as it is if the windchills weren’t quite so cold. When the humidity is high, it just feels so much colder.”

I agreed with that whole heartedly. Was I trying to run back to Spain and it’s more temperate climate? No. Would I move back to Europe with Dominic? Absolutely. If he told me tomorrow that he really wanted to move back to Europe, and wanted to raise our family there, I would resign my position and relocate. It was that simple.

“Have Drew talk about pregnancy. Maybe have him go over and just hang out. I don’t know what to tell you. He can go and ask him what his favorite meal is to cook.”

“Trust me, I’ve tried to tell him that. He just feels as if he’s lacking when compared to Dominic. Drew is a shifter among a family of mostly warlocks. Sure, there’s Dimitri, but…and to quote Drew…‘he’s a flippin’ dragon, Seb. A dragon. Complete awesomeness there.’”

I couldn’t help it, I laughed. That was true—Dimitri was a dragon. A rather large one. One who also happened to be the grandson of the created dragon, Alpha Sergei. So yeah, there was that.

“Sorry, we can’t compete with a dragon. But if Drew wants to come over and talk about cooking, the latest thriller books, or warmer climates, he’s most definitely welcome.”

Sebastian sighed before he looked at me in defeat. “Fine,” he said with a little hesitation.

“Hey,” I said, getting his attention. “Is this what it’s really about? I know that Dominic will be more than happy to make friends with Drew. He was so worried that our family wouldn’t welcome him because of everything going on with his coven. I’m sure what I said that first morning hasn’t helped his confidence any either.”

“I think, with everything that’s been going on, and now with me back at work after Flora was born, and then the little incident with Riccardo, Drew’s feeling a bit unsure and possibly a little isolated. He and Eli get together, but his and Ben’s boys are older and Eli can’t really stay and chat too much because he’s so busy running after the twins.”

Ah, I finally understood. “He’s lonely, and needs something like a new parent omega support group. One with newborns, or at least crawling or younger. Rambunctious toddlers in a different group.”

Sebastian nodded. “I think so, yeah.”

I thought about it for a moment and wondered if we could make that happen. If nothing else, I knew that Dominic would be only too happy to hang out with Drew. Aside from me and Warwick, he knew nobody here on Treasure Ridge until we had our family get together.

“I’ll talk to Dominic. I’m sure he’ll have some ideas and won’t have any issues with hanging out with Drew. Besides, Flora is the sweetest, and it would do Dominic good to get some practice when it comes to holding a baby.” I’d had some opportunity already with Emmet’s children. I loved my nephews and niece. But Dominic hadn’t been around many children, and certainly not any in his family since he was the youngest, and last.

“Thank you. Aside from resigning my position, I’m not sure what else to do to help him.”

“He just needs a little time,” I told him. “But we’ll work on helping him and Dominic figure out things together. Having someone around that is also new to the family, I’m sure will help. And with Dominic not showing signs of having any sort of pregnancy sickness, he isn’t going to be confined to the bed. We’ll get something figured out.”

Sebastian seemed happy with that, and we finished our breakfast in mostly silence. Dominic woke up just as I was putting my tray up in the window and was about to head to my office for the day. I discovered it was wonderful to start the day with a quick chat with your One through your bond.