Chapter Six

So I got myself a puppy. One older than I am, but a puppy, nonetheless. Simon stroked over Kolton’s blond-streaked hair, trying to imagine what a hellhound looked like. He figured it would be a big animal, not only because Kolton was a big man. He had to stand at least three inches taller than Simon’s six foot three, and he was a lot wider across the shoulders and had thicker legs than Simon’s human form. But the stories about hellhounds Simon had heard over the years suggested they had a tough job in the Underworld and were a crucial element of the realm’s security. Which would suggest they would have to be of a reasonable size and likely a formidable beast.

I wonder if the rambling is a habit, or if he’s just super tired and spouting off a whole stack of information is just his way of covering his nerves. It wasn’t easy for Simon to know for sure. He wasn’t a shifter, so he didn’t pick up on emotions as easily as other paranormals. But it was definitely cute, the way Kolton’s hound, at least, trusted him enough to fall asleep on his leg. Kolton had mentioned his pack. Perhaps he misses the days of when he could curl up with them in his furry form.

Simon was feeling a lot better physically, just having Kolton in his space. It was also helpful that Kolton was aware they were mates this time. Definitely preferable to being ignored as simply a member of hospital staff. But as sweet as stroking the sleeping man was, Simon did have other needs. Some he could ignore, like the lump in his pants. A man needed to be awake for claiming sex to happen, although Simon got the impression the collar in the box was an important part of that claiming as well.

Other needs like his empty stomach and the fact he had to make a few calls couldn’t be put off. Looking around, Simon reached out, just managing to grab a cushion from his armchair between the edges of his fingertips. Stroking over Kolton’s hair one more time, he gently lifted the head, holding his breath in case the hound woke up. Moving his legs out of the way, he placed his cushion under Kolton’s head and then eased away, letting go of Kolton as he moved. Kolton wiggled, shuffled, sniffed the cushion, and then settled. Just like a puppy, Simon thought fondly as he stood up, grabbing the throw he had over the back of his couch, and tucking it over Kolton’s torso. He also removed his mate’s shoes, putting them on the floor beside the couch. He couldn’t resist one more stroke of the soft hair before grabbing his coffee mug and padding out softly to the kitchen.

Peering in the fridge, Simon pulled out a container of butter chicken leftovers and sniffed it. It wasn’t awful. I’ll have to get in some more groceries if Kolton’s sticking around. Popping the container into the microwave, he got that going, poured himself another mug of coffee, and pulled his phone out of his pocket.

Leaning against the counter, Simon stared at his phone. He knew what he had to do, but he still hesitated as he quickly thought things through one more time. In a nutshell, with a mate in his life, his work was going to be a problem. Doctor’s hours were long, and Simon’s shifts were all over the place. It wasn’t unusual for him to work sixty to eighty hours a week and sometimes more. Simon had no idea what Kolton did for a living, but he knew for himself personally, he couldn’t be away from his mate that long in a day, especially when he was lucky if he got a full twenty-four hours off in a week. And there was no way Kolton could be at work with him.

The hesitation came from the fact that all Simon had ever done was work. He had no idea what he’d do with so much time off, although being with a mate would likely make staying active in all that free time easier and a lot more fun. But his sense of duty, the same one that had him going into Warner’s room earlier that day instead of chasing after Kolton, still persisted.

Do it. Just do it. Our puppy is our focus now. His other side wasn’t wrong. Bringing up his contacts, Simon tapped the number of a trusted friend.

“Elijah, how’re things at the paranormal office?” Simon kept his voice low.

“Things have been slow, thank goodness. I swear this job will make me gray before my time.”

Simon chuckled. It was a familiar complaint. “I’m glad to hear you’re not getting overworked. I need a favor if you’re free.”

“A favor? How intriguing. Are you having trouble at the hospital? You know if you’ve had enough of putting bodies back together, we’d be more than happy to give you a job here. I’ve said before, all you need to do is ask.”

“I know you’ve never understood my urge to help non-paras, but I do need to leave the hospital – effective immediately , if you get my drift.”

There was a moment’s silence and then Elijah’s shocked voice came over the air. “You found your mate, Simon? Truly? After all this time, you found your special someone?”

“I’ve actually known who he was for the past month, but the situation was complicated.” Simon looked through the doorway into the living room, but apparently his hound was still sleeping. “He’s here now, sleeping…”

“He can’t be that good in the sack if you’re still wide awake.” Elijah laughed.

“The claim hasn’t happened yet. There have been other things going on, but you can see why I can’t work at the hospital anymore.”

“I understand. And I’m guessing you’re calling me instead of the hospital HR department directly because it’s not like you can work out a notice period. What does your mate do?”

“I’m not sure, yet. As I said, it’s complicated, but you know how it is with mates.”

“Actually I have no clue how gargoyles are with their mates, but if your mate is a furry shifter of any kind he won’t handle the separation caused by the type of hours you work.”

“My point exactly. I haven’t got a clue what I’m going to do with a mate all day, but I know this is the right thing to do. Can you help? Is there any way we can do this without me having to die, only I’m fairly sure that will upset any of the people I’ve worked with if they hear that, and then see me in town somewhere.”

“What about being called away to work on a super-secret government research project on…on…”

“Pick anything health related you like.” Simon shoulder’s sagged in relief. “I have doctorates in most areas of medicine. I hate to just disappear without notice, but…”

“We get one chance with a fated mate,” Elijah said softly. “I can’t remember the last time you took more than three days off in a row. It’s time for you to take your well-earned reputation for responsibility and caring and apply those skills to your mate. He deserves to be your focus going forward.”

“I know.” Simon nodded, even though his friend couldn’t see him. “I think I might have forgotten how to have fun.”

“It’s like riding a bike, my friend. It’ll come back to you in no time. Congratulations and don’t forget to call me for drinks one night soon. I’m looking forward to meeting this complicated person of yours.”

“Definitely. I’ll keep you updated and thanks, Elijah.” Disconnecting the call, Simon sighed as he saw the microwave had finished ages ago. “I’m sure it won’t hurt to reheat it again,” he muttered as he went to push some more buttons on the microwave.