8. Kalen

CHAPTER 8

KALEN

I wake up with Olivia curled against me, her soft breath tickling my chest. For a moment, I just bask in the warmth of her presence, marveling at how perfectly she fits in my arms. And gods, but where did she learn to do those things she did last night?"

"Morning, handsome," Olivia murmurs, stretching like a contented cat.

I can't help but grin. "Morning, beautiful. Sleep well?"

She nods, snuggling closer. "Are you kidding. I slept like the gods. Better than I have in years. Though I'm still not entirely convinced this isn't all an elaborate dream."

I chuckle, running a hand through her tangled hair. "Like the gods huh? You are adjusting to Fablewood. Well, trust me, hon, this is very real."

As we lay there, trading soft kisses and gentle touches in the afterglow of last night, I'm struck by how right this feels. It's like I've found a piece of myself I didn't even know was missing.

But it doesn't take long before my mind starts racing. What now? I can't keep her hidden forever. And if she really is my fated mate - which, let's face it, I'm pretty damn sure she is - then we need to figure out how to somehow make this all work.

"So," Olivia says, propping herself up on one elbow. "What's the plan? Can we finally do some proper exploring? Maybe without the fur coat?"

I hesitate. Part of me wants to keep her tucked away here, safe and hidden. But I can see the excitement sparkling in her eyes, and I don't have the heart to disappoint her.

"Well," I say, trying to sound casual, "I was thinking we could go see a friend of mine. Elowen. She's the town witch, and I have a feeling she might know something about how you got here. And maybe she could help us with how to, oh, I don't know, introduce you to the town, maybe?"

Olivia's eyes light up. "A real witch? Oh my god, that's incredible! When can we go?"

I chuckle, her enthusiasm infectious. "Hold your horses, sweetheart. We need to be careful. I've got a new disguise for you – less furry this time."

As we get dressed and I help Olivia into her new outfit – a long coat and wide-brimmed hat that mostly obscures her face – I can't shake a nagging feeling of unease. But what if someone sees through her disguise? Am I really ready for what might follow if everyone knows my mate is a human? I think again of the mountain of debt I have from building out the beer garden. Will Elowen be able to facilitate her introduction to the town?

"You okay there, big guy?" Olivia asks, touching my arm. "You look worried."

I force a smile. "Just thinking about breakfast. Can't let my mate go hungry, can I?"

The word 'mate' slips out before I can stop it, and I freeze. Of course that's what she is. I'm just not used to it. Everything has happened so fast. But Olivia just beams at me, and I feel my heart do a little flip .

As long as she's happy and okay I can face down whatever is in store.

Easy to say, but can I really?

As we head out, I keep Olivia close, one arm protectively wrapped around her waist. The streets are busy, monsters of all shapes and sizes going about their day. I nod and smile at familiar faces, trying to act naturally.

But as we near Elowen's shop, I spot trouble. Grunk and Borgin, the two orcs from the other night, are harassing a group of faeries.

Wonderful.

"This is all your fault," Grunk slurs, poking at a particularly ethereal looking fae. Thankfully they all manage to scoot past him as he continues his little rant. "I bet you lot are behind all this shite somehow ... you and your many realms!"

The other one joins in, his voice raised in anger.

"... letting humans live among us! It's not right!"

Gods, when are they gonna give it a rest?

"Yeah! What's next, maybe we should open a coffee shop for ‘em?"

They are just egging each other on. "Oh, them humans can't live without the stuff I ‘ear!"

"Too right! But where's the outrage? What's wrong with this town?"

I feel Olivia tense beside me. "Kalen," she whispers. "What's going on?"

I pull her closer, trying to shield her from view. "Nothing to worry about sweetheart. Just some hot-headed fools blowing off steam."

But even as I say it, I feel a knot forming in my stomach. This is exactly what I was afraid of.

Thankfully they haven't spotted us this time and we are able to hurry past, keeping our heads down. When we finally reach Elowen's shop, Potions and Notions, I breathe a sigh of relief - only to groan when I see the note on the door .

I read it aloud. "Out foraging. Back Monday."

"Well, that's inconvenient," Olivia mutters.

I grab at one of my horns, frustrated. "Yeah, no kidding. We better head back to the tavern. It's still not safe out here."

Olivia frowns. "But what about finding answers? Don't you want to know how I got here?"

"Of course I do," I say, trying to keep the edge out of my voice. "But not at the risk of your safety. And there are other angles to consider besides. We just have to be patient, okay?"

"Fine," she says, putting on a little pouty face.

It's adorable.

We make it back to the tavern without incident, but I can tell Olivia's getting restless. She keeps pacing, muttering half to me and half to herself, it seems.

"I'm in a freaking magical village and I'm basically grounded. This sucks."

"Look, I wish there weren't any knuckleheads like that out there, but just give it time. In the meantime, the tavern is closed til tonight. You can dig through here to your hearts content? Maybe take a another look around the storeroom? Can't hurt. We still don't have any idea why you popped up there."

Her face lights up. "Right! Good thinking."

I shrug, trying to play it cool. "Thanks, just... try not to tear the place to pieces, okay? I mean, you can dig around, just try and put things back more or less where you find ‘em. Pretty please. Believe it or not but I have a system down there."

She practically bounces with excitement, planting a quick kiss on my cheek before disappearing downstairs.

As I watch her go, I can't help but smile. Who knew a little human could lift my heart and spirits so? She's something else, my Olivia. Brave, brilliant, and utterly captivating. But as I turn back to the bar, wiping down glasses and trying to look busy, doubt creeps in.

What will the town think. They have more or less accepted Thokk's mate, but it's only been a week ... Those orcs seemed pretty angry.

A second later Olivia's shouted call breaks into my thoughts. "Kalen!" Thankfully it's unmistakably one of excitement. "You need to see this!"

I head down, curious despite myself, my heart already beating a little faster. "What'd you find, babe?"

She's kneeling on the floor, surrounded by papers and what looks like an ancient, crumbling map. "Look," she says, pointing at a small wooden door in the wall where she's moved the beer cases away. She has obviously pulled half its content onto the floor already.

"Well, I'll be."

She has the map spread out on top of everything and is pointing to a stamp in the upper left corner. "Look! It's the same design I saw back on the library ... and that we saw yesterday. The woman with the crystal ball. And look at these other stars ..." She points out where there are markings around the town.

I hunch over her, bringing my torch closer.

Sure enough, there is a star right over the watchtower, where Zoe appeared."

"And look, there's one here. This is your tavern, isn't it?"

She's right. And there are other markings too, in places scattered throughout town.

"This is an honest to god clue," Olivia says, her eyes shining with excitement. "Don't you see? This could be the key to understanding how I got here!"

"This is certainly very intriguing ..." But my mind is going a mile a minute.

Whatever this is it is nothing to mess around with. Troll Spit, but it I wish Elowen was here.

When my friends get back, we will go investigate, okay, I promise. But it just isn't safe .

My heart sinks a little though at the look of disappointment that comes over her.

"I didn't pop into your incredible world ... and muscly arms by the way, to sit around in a musty old basement Kalen. Maybe we can make a really, really, good disguise?"

"It's just not that simple Olivia."

"Why not? Why can't it be that simple."

"Look, you did just pop in, okay, but there are politics, other considerations I have to keep in mind ..." It's out of my mouth before I have a chance to stop it.

Suddenly she looks down. "I'm sorry. You're right. Gosh, look at me, acting like I own the place. It's your magical village. Of course, you know best. I never should have opened my mouth without checking my flashcards first."

Oh no.

I knew it was too much.

I see a single tear roll down her cheek.

Dammit Kalen. Now I've done it.

"No sweetheart, It's not your fault. Maybe we can find a way, maybe..."

I see the tiniest hint of a smile.

"Really?"

Oh boy. I am starting to realize just how bad I've really got it for her.