by Renee Hewett
They rode the elevator up and were greeted in the FPU office before being escorted to a meeting room where Cynthia Vega and James Brock were waiting. Under normal circumstances, Graham would have been thrilled at the chance to meet these two legendary agents. He'd love to hear what stories they had to tell over a beer or two.
But that wasn’t why he was here. “Cynthia, Brock, a pleasure,” he said, shaking their hands as they stood to greet him. “This is Monty.”
“Graham, Monty, we’d say it was a pleasure to meet you, if it were under other circumstances. Please, sit down.”
Another agent entered, placing cups and pitchers of water around the table. Graham noticed there were two extra glasses. “Are we waiting for someone else?”
"After we received notice from your father, we contacted our Aquaterrestrial Task Force," Cynthia told him. "They're sending two deep-sea agents to go with you to help you in your task."
Graham froze, mid-sip. “I’m sorry, you misunderstand. We’re only here to answer the questions, to sign on the dotted line to release FPU from responsibility and take authorization to my people to conduct activities needed to stop any catastrophes. We weren’t requesting agents or backup.”
Ursanis couldn't make any aggressive actions against another paranormal community without informing the FPU. If they ended up warring with the grindylows, they would have needed to go to the FPU first. Specific memorandums of understanding required they make a show of working with them.
“And we weren’t asking you to consent.” Brock responded. “We’re telling you that this is a big fucking deal, and we’re not going to trust the future of the world to your people without sending the best agents we can to be there to help you.”
Graham cursed himself. He should have hopped on a plane and went straight home, ignoring the FPU altogether; he’d deal with the consequences later. Now he had to deal with the Old One lore, missing pyrosomes, the wrath of his parents… all while babysitting some land agents and their pencil-pushing and paperwork.
“Hey, we’re here, sorry, our flight ran a little late.”
Graham looked over to see a woman with dark hair and an awkward smile, hesitating in the doorway. She likely felt the tension from Brock’s outburst, or maybe even heard it. Behind her, was an even more frightened blond woman.
“Hey, come on in, we were just getting started,” Cynthia addressed them.
Graham sighed. If he was stuck with them, he might as well be friendly about it. Monty had already found his manners and had stood to make introductions. "I'm Monty, and this is his Royal Highness, Graham Auman, prince of Ursanis."
A weird look crossed the dark-haired woman’s face, and she reached out her hand slowly, as if unsure if he were poisonous or something. “I’m Willow, this is Risa. Sorry, we didn’t realize we’d be accompanying royalty.”
The moment Graham touched hands with her, got close enough to smell her, a strange feeling crept up inside him. For a moment, he felt tingles all over his skin, and his stomach dropped. His heart stopped.
This can’t be it. He refused to think about it. They were, supposedly, focusing on a mission needed to save the world. What’s the point of saving it if not for love? His bear responded. Besides, the Old One is a myth.
Even so, he wasn't about to use the time to get cozy with his mate. He watched her sit and take off her leather jacket and smile brightly at Cynthia. If he could do anything to shed the ATTF team from him, he would. Because they didn't need outsiders meddling in their business.
And he certainly didn’t need to be faced with making a decision about a mate.
3
Willow felt like she’d been hit by a truck.
First, she heard Brock dressing down the Ursanis representatives. Then, she entered the room and learned that not only were they accompanying a prince, they were also in the presence of her mate.
Was that what this was? They always said a shifter knew instantly when they met their mate, but it's not like someone was about to confirm it for her. What if she was just ill? Airsickness from the flight? Low blood sugar?
Not that anything was going to convince her of anything other than what it was. She’d walked into this DC office expecting to meet a representative from the Ursanis guardians, but instead, she came face to face with the last thing she ever expected.
Her mate.
She plastered on her best smile and tried to ignore it all. She focused on Cynthia, a woman she’d been lucky to have been mentored by in her younger days as an agent. The woman was smart as they came, and one of the main reasons Willow loved stopping by the DC office.
They really should have sent someone else on this mission. The thought wouldn't leave her head, and she couldn't help but sneak glances at Graham while the meeting went on and they discussed the issues with the pyrosomes and Ursanis.
“We have a neighboring community. The best I can compare them for you is in your lore, grindylows.”
Risa and Willow exchanged a look. “Can’t say I’m familiar with that one.”
“Imagine a sea kitten, cute as can be, with a round head, no ears, big black eyes, and an octopus bottom half, one who has very sharp teeth and can get outrageously vicious when angry. Got that?”
“Okay…” Willow liked cats, but she wasn’t exactly liking the description he was giving.
“Now, imagine thousands of them living together, very peacefully on their own, but also very vicious when disturbed.”
“Ah, they’re known lake monsters in English lore.” Risa had pulled out her phone to do a quick search. “They pull in and drown little kids who get too close, so it says. Why exactly would they be in arctic waters?”
“There’s plenty of stuff out there we don’t know about, Risa.”
“Fair enough.”
"Kind of like your sea ghosts, or will-o'-the-wisps." Willow looked at him expectantly, waiting for more information.
"Some call them sea pickles, if you want to add that description to your list. Scientifically, they're known as bioluminescent pyrosomes. They go by many names, and they're found all over the ocean. Thing is they're perfect conduits for spells. They're alive, living a year or more, and they reproduce rapidly. They replenish their population at a rate that allows us to keep the barrier spell active. That means, they float around living their best tunicate life, and our sorcerers cast spells on them so in their little floating life they're restricted to the barrier area and enchanted to keep the Old One sleeping."
“Quite a lot of responsibility to put on some floating glowing sea goop.”
Once fully briefed, Cynthia and Brock stood to make their exit. "I know you have misgivings," Cynthia directed at Graham. "But I also know that you know enough about my husband and me to know that we know what we're doing."
Suddenly the idea of not having Cynthia and Brock chaperoning them made Willow feel panicked. She felt like the parents were about to leave the house while she was at her first boy-girl party. Like a kid with no idea what she was doing.
Pull it together, girl. Willow took a breath and pushed out a smile. "If you'll excuse me, I just need to go to the washroom and freshen up, all this travel, you know."
Risa looked at her quizzically. “Are you not feeling well?”
With a tight-lipped smile at her partner, Willow nodded. "A little light-headed, maybe a headache, I'm going to fetch an aspirin. I'll be fine." She had to reassure Risa, or her well-meaning partner's mind would run away with her. Before they knew it, Risa would be panicking that she was going to have to do the whole mission herself. It wouldn't impress Brock or Cynthia to see an ATTF member in full meltdown mode.
"Oh, no worries," Risa, ever the prepared one, reached for her purse. "I have one here in my bag."
Willow held up her hand to stop her. “Thanks, but I’ll be right back. I want to splash some water on my face.”
Risa’s mouth screwed up, confused. “But…”
Willow shot her a look, getting her partner to finally reali
ze that she just needed a moment. Willow knew it wouldn't save her forever. Risa wouldn't rest until she figured out what was going on, as it wasn't like Willow to swoon. And that was exactly what Willow felt was happening. Her heart was racing; she felt faint; she felt like she needed to throw herself into Graham's arms and feel them grip her tightly.
What the hell!
She left the meeting room behind Cynthia and Brock, closing the door behind her. “Everything okay?” Cynthia asked.
Willow gave her a tight-lipped smile, not sure what she should tell her, but remembering that Cynthia always wanted her agents to give her the truth. “I think Graham is my mate.”
She saw Brock’s eyes get big, and he quickly turned to walk in another direction. Cynthia grabbed her arm and directed her to the bathroom. Once inside, Cynthia flipped on the faucet. “Splash your face.”
Willow did, and then braced herself on the sink. She was so used to caring for the younger agents around her, she’d forgotten what it felt like to have that older sister figure care for her for once. Even though she and Cynthia were around the same age, Cynthia had been wiser and helped Willow through tough times before.
"What am I going to do?" Willow asked quietly.
“You’re going to pull your shit together and get the job done.” Cynthia put her hands on her hips and stared hard at Willow. “You don’t let something like this get in the way of doing what you have to do.”
She knew Cynthia and Brock had a sordid history. They were together, then apart, and now back together again. “It’s intense, maybe you should get another agent to…”
“Bullshit.” Cynthia cut her off. “Sure, it’s a shock, but you get used to it. Same as if you step out of a plane into southern heat and get hit with that humid blast of heavy air. It’s weird, and then you adjust.”
Willow’s heart disagreed, but she had enough sense about her to not want to appear sappy. Instead, she asked, “Do you think I should just bone him? Does it help to get them out of your system?”
Cynthia's serious stare broke, and she laughed. "Damn, Baldwin, you get to the core of the situation quickly."
“You didn’t answer the question.”
Cynthia shrugged and looked off into the distance. Willow wondered if she was remembering her journey to her happily-ever-after with Brock. "Sure, it can help. It can also make you crave them even more. So, do with that what you will."
That didn’t help her much. Her insides wanted to run back to Graham, shut everyone else out of the boardroom, and connect with him on a deeper level. It was all that mattered. Her nature didn’t care about missions or missing fish. Finding your mate was a once in a lifetime thing.
“Unless… is it possible things are different for the Ursanisans? They’re bear shifters, but they’ve been away from land people so long, maybe they don’t have the mating instinct?”
“Why don’t you ask him?”
“Sure, that’s not awkward.” She took another deep breath. Mind over matters of the heart. Focus. Whatever he might be feeling, she had to focus. She was here on a job, and despite how silly missing fish might be, she had to do her job. Her work was her life, and she wasn’t going to let some basic instinct derail her career.
"Are you okay?" The door opened, and Risa peeked her head in. Cynthia moved over to let Risa in. Willow sighed. Better to fill her in now to avoid any weird situations down the line. And this way, she knew her friend would help her focus.
“He’s my mate.”
Risa’s eyes widened. “Which one?”
“Graham.”
“No shit, the prince?” Risa let out a whistle. “I didn’t see that coming.”
Willow groaned and threw her hands up. “That too! A prince! What the hell?!”
“So, I guess you don’t actually need these?” Risa held up the bottle of aspirin.
Willow shook her head. “No, I was just waylaid by it. I need to get myself focused on the mission, but shit, is that asking a lot.”
“I wouldn’t know, but I’ve always wondered.”
"It's like gravity or a black hole. Like something is sucking all your insides and directing it to this person. Like nothing else matters."
“Do you think you’ll need to pass on the mission?”
“No,” Cynthia gave Willow a hard look. “She can do this. She was just surprised by it, that’s all.”
“I believe you. Just let me know if you need anything.”
“Like a condom?” Willow smiled, especially enjoying the shocked look on Risa’s face.
“I mean, yeah, I can hook you up, but are you serious?”
Willow laughed with a shrug. “Who knows? It’s a long flight to the Arctic.”
"Look at you, whoever would have thought, Miss Willow, getting all kinky at work."
Cynthia laughed. “If only you knew her when she was a new pup to the agency. She hides her inner wild child well now, but she used to be hard to keep up with.”
Willow shook her head and pointed a finger at Risa. "Shhh… none of this better get back to the office."
“Of course, it’s getting back to the office. He’s your mate. You’re going to end up with him.”
“Risa, you know it doesn’t always work like that. Maybe his kind doesn’t feel mates the same way.”
“Oh. I hadn’t thought of that.”
Cynthia needed to get to another meeting, but she gave Willow a hug and wished her luck. Risa and Willow made their way back to the boardroom to find that Monty had gotten their Arctic flight details and they were ready to head to the airstrip.
4
The private jet had two sets of dual seats facing each other in the front and a couch along the wall, facing a television screen on a cabinet. The gray leather seats were in pristine condition, and if he didn't know any better, he'd think it was a new plane. Not what he'd expect from government accommodations, but maybe they made a special exception because of his status.
Monty sat across the aisle from the ATTF agents. When Graham's eyes settled on Willow, he felt that rush again. Something like adrenaline, something he'd never felt. Something addictive because he wanted to be around her. Risa and Willow were already seated when he and Monty boarded, but just as he entered the cabin, Risa got up and headed to the back. He didn't waste the opportunity and sat in the seat across from Willow.
"That's Risa's seat," Willow said.
“I’m fine back here,” Risa shouted from her new seat on the couch.
“Thank you, Risa,” he said, giving Willow his best panty-melting grin.
It worked. She smiled and ducked her head. “You’re lucky she’s in a good mood. Risa normally doesn’t tolerate people walking all over her.”
“Something I bet the two of you share.”
With that, Willow looked directly at him. “Yeah, you’re right. We make a good team that way. Make no mistake, we’re both stronger than we look.”
Graham wondered if she meant physically because she was tiny and he was sure he could beat her in a wrestling match. The thought of going for a tumble with her got his blood rushing.
The crew already had the plane set, and once he was buckled in, the pilot gave the announcement they would be taking off shortly.
“Have you been to my city before?” Graham asked Willow, trying to start some conversation with her.
Willow raised an eyebrow. "No, your city doesn't allow visitors. Tourism isn't one of your industries if I recall."
“I didn’t want to assume anything. I thought I’d ask. What else do you know about us?” he asked, genuinely curious to know. Most people he met knew absolutely nothing about Ursanis. ATTF agents would be privy to a little more information, but he didn't know how his kind was perceived.
She settled back in her seat, and he basked in how her eyes took him in for a moment. There was an appreciation in her look, and he felt like a bird preening in front of her. Stare all you like, baby.
"Well, your city is said to be very technologically advanced, and a m
odel of the future: clean, peaceful, and wealthy. But it's likely this way because you keep the rest of the world out. Which means that all that greatness only benefits a small group, minuscule in comparison to the rest of the world's population."
“Do you know why we stay secluded?”
“You hate outsiders?”
He shook his head. "The dome stayed closed to outsiders because the elders fear they would wander in and accidentally wake the Old One. Thus, causing the end of the world."
Willow shrugged. “Maybe they’re right.”
Graham considered her for a moment, wondering if he dared tell her his innermost thoughts. The ones that his parents hated hearing. “Do you think Ursanis should open its doors to more visitors?”
Her eyes widened. “Isn’t that blasphemy coming from you?”
Monty coughed across the aisle. "His royal highness has lots of untraditional ideas, but keep in mind, he's been a land dweller for a while now. We're sure his thoughts will become more traditional once he comes home."
Graham knew that was a warning. If he continued talking to Willow this way, his parents would hear about it, but he didn't care. He wanted her to know him, the real him, and he didn't know how much time they'd have to do that.
“You’ve been away from home? For how long?”
“Five years now. Our people leave the community to learn about the land world and…” He stopped himself, not wanting to mention mate. Not knowing how to broach the subject with her.
“And?”
“Figure things out,” he finished. Changing the subject, he continued. “What Monty really doesn’t want me to say is that among my nontraditional beliefs is that I don’t believe in the Old One myth.”
Monty groaned, but Willow leaned forward in interest. “Seriously?”