12. Dominic

Chapter 12

Dominic

I wasn’t certain who was more nervous about today’s outing: me or Drew. I’d hung out with Drew and his precious little girl twice in the last week, and I quite liked the cheetah shifter. He was sweet, but definitely had a spitfire side. I liked that a lot.

I put on my heavy coat, hat, and gloves in preparation for our walk to the bakery that was over by the council building. It was Valentine’s Day, which was a holiday in the human world, but we didn’t really celebrate it here in the paranormal world. Drew had said there would be extra special pastries at the bakery today, and asked if I would be willing to go with him.

Since it wasn’t snowing and the sun was actually out, we’d decided to walk. Drew knew his way around the mountain top, and if needed, I could use magic to get us back to our houses in a blink if any issues should pop up. I knew Sebastian felt better about me being out with Drew and Flora, and that made me feel better about how his family viewed me.

Since I wasn’t going to get any more ready, I left the warmth of the house and stepped out into the bright sunshine. It was only February, and that meant it was cold, but at least the wind wasn’t blowing too harshly.

It was a very short trip from our house to Sebastian’s, and Drew must have been waiting for me because as soon as I knocked on the door, it opened. There was a smiling Drew with I was certain Flora strapped in a carrier to his chest. Like me, Drew had on a thick coat, fuzzy hat, and warm gloves.

“Is she going to be warm enough there?”

“She’ll be fine. She’s in a thick sleeper and the carrier is padded so that will add extra warmth. And with the blanket tucked around her the wind can’t get to her.” Drew reached up and pulled away the top part of the blanket on one side and I was able to peek in at the tiny little head that was nestled against her daddy’s chest. I smiled at Drew who quickly tucked the blanket back around his daughter.

“I think I might need one of those carrier things you’re wearing,” I told him.

Drew eyes widened. They’re the best. I even wear it around the house when I’m trying to do things and Flora wants to be held instead of sleeping in her bassinet. I really recommend that every new parent have one or two. I say two because sometimes she’ll spit up and then I’m left without it while this one is in the wash.

“Have you not gotten a second one yet?” I asked.

“No. This one was a gift from Benjamin and Eli, and it’s been out of stock since I had Flora. I’m waiting for them to come back into stock, and then I’ll order a backup one”

“I’ll certainly look into them.” I pointed towards the walkway that I had just used to come from our house to his. “Are you ready to head to the bakery? It seems like a very nice day today, and hopefully the weather stays as is because it’s certainly sunnier than what we have been having.”

Drew sighed. “I’m definitely ready. The weather is nice, but I think you will quickly realize that this is very unusual for this time of year here. We often go weeks and weeks without seeing the sun,” Drew told me.

Well wasn’t that just depressing. Sure, we have cloudy days in Venice, but weeks without seeing the sun, really?

“That’s quite an adjustment,” I told him as we started walking down the walkway.

“Yeah, I can see how that would be a big change from what you’re used to. What was the weather like in Italy? Sebastian and I like to go visit the various beaches, but now that we have Flora, we have to be a bit more selective about where we go and when.”

“The weather is gorgeous in my opinion. But Venice is in the northern part of the country. It does cool off in the winter months, but not like it is here. This is just…no.”

Drew giggled. “Not a fan of snow?”

I shook my head. “Not exactly. I’ve been around snow before, but for whatever reason, I’m struggling with the snow here. Or perhaps it’s the bitterly cold wind.”

“Oh, yeah. I could do without the wind as well. Just wait until you’re stuck in the house one night and there is a blizzard raging outside. I swear the wind is creepy then.”

I shivered just thinking about it. “No thank you. Maybe Frederick and I will have to run off to Spain or Italy if that is ever the case.”

Drew sighed. “Sebastian has taken me several places. But now that his parents and his brothers are all here, we don’t have family in in Madrid to visit.”

I looked over at Drew in question. “Do you have to have family to visit? Maybe it’s because I don’t have any family left, or I was never all that close to them when I was younger anyway. I wouldn’t let not having family to visit stop me from going somewhere. Did Sebastian live in a family home?”

Drew shook his head. “No, he had a condo in the same building as his brother Caspian. We had discussed keeping his condo as a vacation home for us, but that was when his family was still there.”

“Do you only go to visit family? Or are you wanting to get away?”

“A little bit of both. Now that Benedict and Arturo are here, if we want a little bit of time away, we Whitney to figure something out for Flora. I’m not quite ready to leave her here just yet.”

I could certainly understand that. She was only a few months old, and I couldn’t imagine leaving my child behind at such a young age. I knew that there were many who did, but like Drew, that wasn’t something that I saw myself doing.

I looked around at the scenery and had to admit that it was quite beautiful here. If only it weren’t for the cold and wind.

“What are you thinking about?”

I smiled down at Drew before I pointed at the trees all around us. “It is very pretty here and I can see why people would wish to live here. Especially the dragons.” Drew smiled up at me and nodded. “Frederick told me about the dragons that flew across the ocean centuries ago in order to claim this mountain.”

I shook my head. I could not imagine flying such a distance during those times, only to discover the place that you were drawn to was completely uninhabited. There were only three of them. When there one and only son was pulled back to where they came from in Germany, he found not only his mate, but a few of his mate’s friends that were willing to fly off to the unknown with them. They didn’t have anything left to stay there for as their village had been completely wiped out. Such sad times.

I remember living during those years, and it was a very dark time in Italy then. Plague was rampant, and people were just dead in the streets.

“I bet you’ve lived to see a lot of things.” I looked down at Drew and smiled. His eyes widened and he frantically started shaking his head. “That was rude. I shouldn’t have said that.”

I chuckled now. “It’s all right, and yes, I have lived to see a lot of things. Some good, some bad. I’m almost three hundred. I’ve lived a very long time.”

Drew’s face and aura suddenly showed sadness. “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine living that long without a mate. That seems so very unfair.”

I reached out and touched Drew’s shoulder. “It’s all right. Just because I didn’t have my One, doesn’t mean I spent all of that time alone. I’ve had a few long-term relationships along the way. So has Frederick. It’s expected when you’ve lived as long as we have.”

Drew sighed but nodded. “Yeah, I guess I can see that. I’m twenty-six so I didn’t have to spend a whole lot of time without Sebastian.”

“Yes. That is very fortunate for you. There is a lot of ugliness out there in the world Drew. You are quite fortunate that you have your mate at such a young age. Not only will he provide you with companionship and love, but Sebastian will be able to protect and shelter you from some of the negativity. Unfortunately, it will always be there because there will always be bad apples.”

Drew nodded his head. He pointed in front of us, drawing my attention to whatever it was that he was seeing. In the distance there was a rather large building coming into view. “I assume that is the council building?”

“Yeah. Sebastian and Frederick are in there somewhere right now.” Drew looked up at me. “Did Frederick get you set up with your visitor’s badge?”

I shook my head. He had mentioned it, but I did not see much of a need for me to go hanging out inside the council building. If Frederick decided he wanted me to visit him there, we could look into it then. Until then I had no desire to go see my One while he was at work.

Drew gestured to the right. Over there is the store, and beside it is the bakery. Back behind the council building is the omega clinic. That’s where you will have your appointments with Dr. King. Oh, and behind the bakery and council store is the new childcare center. Some of the omegas and carriers work in the council building or at the store, and childcare is needed.”

That was interesting. It was good to know that they were taking care of not only the enforcers, but the enforcer’s mates. “are you going to put Flora into the childcare center?”

Drew looked up at me as if I had three eyes. “Even if I decided, I wanted to get a job somewhere, there is no way that Arturo is going to let me put Flora into a childcare center.” Drew grinned.

I could see that about the Iberian lynx shifter. He’d been all about spending time with Flora during the family dinner. He also very much had a soft spot for Drew. I could tell that the two had a very close relationship, which was good to see.

“Did you want to go to the council to see Sebastian?” I asked.

“No. He’s busy in meetings most of the day today. I was only asking because I don’t really know what to say to you most of the time. It was just a conversation starter?”

Frederick and I had discussed that. “You can talk to me about whatever it is that you feel like. I’m not much different than you are. Sure, I’m a lot older, but I mated it into the family just like you did.”

Drew sighed. “Yeah, but you’re a warlock at least.”

I looked at Drew and narrowed my eyes. “What does that have to do with anything? You’re a cheetah. Have you seen your cat? Cheaters are gorgeous. And when they run? Besides, isn’t your father-in-law also if you line shifter? I bet the two of you have a lot to talk about.”

Drew’s smile grew. “You think cheetahs are gorgeous?”

I chuckled as I reached for the door of the bakery. “I do. I also think that you shouldn’t sell yourself short. You have a lot to offer, and anyone with eyes can see how much Sebastian adore you.”

I didn’t know if it was possible, but Drew’s face lit up even more at my words. He gave me a beaming smile as he walked past and into the bakery. Once we were inside, he stood off to the side, looking toward the glass cabinet that was filled with cakes, breads, and other sweet treats. There were a few others waiting at the cabinet, and I looked at Drew in question.

“Is it always busy like this?” I asked. Sure, there were only a few waiting at the counter, but all two of the tables were filled with others enjoying their sweets as well as most likely was coffee.

“I’m not sure. I’ve only been here a few times. When we came in, it was later in the afternoon and there was maybe one other person in here with us.”

As we were able to get closer to the counter, I saw there was a couple behind it, helping the others as quickly as they could.

“Do you know what you want?” I asked Drew when another person moved off with their treats.

“Not a clue. Maybe some donuts and a couple of cinnamon rolls?”

I guess those could be good choices. I didn’t dislike sweets, but I didn’t crave them.

“Hi Liz,” Drew said once we were at the counter. “Is it Malorie’s day off?”

“Drew. Look at you. It’s been a while since you were here. I take it you had your hands full with your new little one,” the lady said. Liz. “Malorie is spending time with her mate,” he said, her face lighting up.

“Really?” Drew asked. “When did she meet him?”

“He’s one of the council’s new warlocks. His name is Marco, and he’s just the well-mannered young man.”

Immediately I was on alert at Liz’s words. Drew looked up at me, and I could tell he was suddenly uneasy.

“Frederick?” I reached out to my One, needing him to know what was just said. It might be absolutely nothing, or it could be everything.

“Is everything all right? You sound unsure and I’m getting a feeling of distress from you through our bond. What’s happening? I thought you and Drew were supposed to be going to the bakery.”

“Is there something I can get you?” Liz asked as she looked directly at me.

“Nothing for me, thank you,” I told her. Liz’s eyes widened.

“Are you from Italy too? Your accent sounds exactly like Marco’s.”

“I am,” I told her. “It is a very big country though.”

She nodded while handing Drew a box.

“Are you certain you don’t want anything?”

“I am. I was only here to accompany Drew.”

“Dominic?”

“Give me a moment,” I told him. He had been calling my name through our bond, but I was trying to get as much information from Liz as I could. Drew paid for his goodies, and then I placed a hand on his back and ushered him outside.

“Did she just say what I think she did?”

I looked down at Drew. “It is a very big country, Drew. It might not be the same Marco,” I told him. “Frederick? I need you and Sebastian to come outside right away. This may be very important.” I pulled Drew closer and looked around.

“What is going on? We’re in the middle of a meeting, but I’ll see if I can get away.”

I gave Drew a squeeze, trying to reassure him. “Marco couldn’t have gotten on the mountain, right? Unless he has been cleared by the council, no?”

“I think so. But Marco is who they’re looking for. Even I know that.”

“Yes, but you are mated to an enforcer.” Enforcer. Liz had said that Malorie was mated to one of the council’s new enforcers.

“Frederick, is there a new enforcer at the council named Marco? One that happens to be from Italy and a warlock as well?”

I felt a flash of panic through the bond.

“Say what now? Where are you?”

“We are outside the bakery. I need to talk to you.”

“Come inside. We will meet you at the front desk.”

“They want us to come inside,” I told Drew. He nodded up at me and we started toward the council building. It wasn’t far, only about fifty meters away, but I could tell that what Liz had said had upset Drew.

“How will we get in?” I asked. “Did you bring your badge?”

Drew looked up at me and shook his head. “I wasn’t planning on going into the council building. But the door is glass. If we get close enough, maybe someone inside will let us in? Can’t you have Frederick come out and escort us?”

I nodded. “We cannot get in,” I told Frederick. “We are approaching the door now, but we do not have a badge.”

“Come to the door. Sebastian and I are here waiting.”

“He said they are waiting,” I told Drew. As we rounded the building, the door was open and Sebastian and Frederick were standing there. I dropped my arm from Drew and the two of us hurried over to the door. Sebastian pulled Drew and Flora close, and then disappeared inside. Frederick grabbed my hand, and once inside the building, the door closed heavily behind us and then clicked. There were at least a dozen people standing just inside the door, something that I really wasn’t expecting.

“Uh…” I said.

“Yeah. We need to talk,” Frederick said. He pulled me inside and up to the created warlock.

“Hello again, Dominic. I need to hear what it is that you were telling Frederick.”

I nodded. Apparently, the council was going to take what I’d mentioned to Frederick quite seriously. Then again, I knew they were looking for Marco, and it was a top priority.

“Of course,” I told him. Once those words were spoken, we were suddenly walking through the massive room and heading toward a hallway. I couldn’t help but glance around us. The dozen or so enforcers that were inside the door were all following us, and I had to wonder if I was in trouble for what I’d said. Time would tell.