by Ezra Dawn
Unable to listen to him call Cosmo his anymore, I snarl, “The scar on my neck from Cosmo’s bite says otherwise.”
Face twisted in rage, the man shouts, “No! He’sss mine,” and charges at me. I dodge him but, he shifts and strikes fast, biting me on the leg before I can fire a shot. He keeps coming, dodging shots I fire and bites me again and again until one shot finally hits its mark going straight through his head. White hot fire radiates through my leg and I rip off my shirt, using it as a tourniquet to stop the spread of venom before collapsing. I’m bleeding everywhere and the sound of incoming sirens has me sighing in relief. Cosmo comes running in and drops to his knees beside me. “Thank the gods, you’re okay! I heard the gunshots and felt your pain through our bond. It scared me to death.”
When he sees my leg, he shouts in dismay, “You’re bleeding!”
Cosmo’s gaze lands on the dead man at my feet who shifted back immediately after the bullet struck him and gasps. “That’s the guy who installed my alarms. The string of break-ins last year had me paranoid enough that I had one installed at the shop and here when I’d just been locking the doors. He asked me out more than once while he did both jobs, but I turned him down every time. Either he didn’t like that or something in his brain got twisted and made him think I was his when I wasn’t interested.”
“That explains a lot.”
Shouts of, “Coral Key Police Department,” from the front door has Cosmo saying, “We’re back here!”
Officer Diaz and his partner enter the room and holster their weapons. Diaz asks, “What happened here?”
Waving him off I say, “I’ll explain everything but, first I need you to work your magic on my leg.”
Officer Diaz is one of the warlocks on the force, thank the gods. If a warlock officer hadn’t responded to the call, I’d be screwed.
Diaz looks at my leg and asks, “Were you shot?”
I shake my head and point to the dead man. “He was a snake shifter. Venomous. Got me a few times before I shot him. The hospital definitely doesn’t carry anti-venom for his type so, I need you to magically remove it.”
Diaz nods. “Sure thing. I’ll heal any damage it did while I’m at it.”
“Thanks.”
A green orb appears in Diaz’s hand then floats over to my leg where it expands and wraps around it. As it draws the venom out the green orb slowly turns black until there isn’t a speck of green remaining. When it’s finished the orb disappears and I remove the tourniquet from my leg sighing happily when the blood starts flowing again. My leg is completely healed now, so I stand up and turn to Diaz. “Thanks for that.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
He pulls out his notepad and a pen and says, “Tell me what happened.”
So, I do. I recount every detail from the moment we pulled into the driveway and I entered Cosmo’s house. When I finish, Diaz says, “Alright. I’ll have the crime scene crew come through. They’ll sweep for the hidden cameras when the process the scene. You’ll have to come down to the station to sign your statement tomorrow and I’m sure there’ll be a hearing. You know how things are. Every paranormal death even the justified ones need to be investigated.”
I nod. “I’m aware.”
Diaz nods. “You both can go home now. I have everything I need but if something else comes up I’ll call.”
Nodding, I wrap an arm around Cosmo’s shoulders and say, “Then, we’ll be going now. Later Diaz.”
“See ya, Connelly.”
Minutes later when we’re walking into my house my stomach growls reminding me that we haven’t had a chance to eat yet. “So, what’s for dinner?”
Cosmo turns, pushes me against the closed front door and says, “You,” then he presses his lips to mine. Sensing his need to reaffirm our bond I give myself over to his ministrations. When my stomach growls again Cosmo pulls away from me with a laugh. “Seems your stomach is tired of waiting. I better feed you before I have my way with you, Grizz.”
Sighing happily, I smile at him. “That would be greatly appreciated, little sprite.”
I follow Cosmo into the kitchen and sit at the island. Cosmo walks over to the pantry and disappears inside. He returns a moment later with a Ziploc bag of granola bars and a bag of potatoes. When he sits the bag in front of me, I look upon them with disgust. “What is this?”
Seeing my expression Cosmo laughs. “Honey smoked salmon granola bars. I made them this morning before you woke up. They should be enough to keep your stomach from starting a riot long enough for me to get dinner cooked.”
He had me at honey smoked salmon. Tearing open the bag, I grab two and stuff them into my mouth, moaning as the taste of honey and salmon bursts across my tongue. “So good. I think you’re in the wrong line of work.”
Cosmo shakes his head. “There’s no way I’d be able to handle working as a chef. Not only am I not a before sunrise kind of morning person but, I enjoy cooking as more of a hobby than something I’d like to pursue full time. Besides, one business is enough. I don’t need two.”
Stuffing another granola bar into my mouth, I chew quickly and say, “Good. That means I get to keep all this yumminess to myself.”
Cosmo raises an eyebrow at me. “Don’t like sharing huh?”
“Not in the slightest.”
Cosmo chuckles. “You know, if we have kids, you’ll have to share with them.”
“No, I won’t. What’s mine is mine and what’s theirs is also mine.”
Cosmo bursts into laughter. “Grizz, that’s just mean.”
“No one is coming between me and your honey salmon goodies. Not even our hypothetical children. In fact, I think any kids we have will be born from your seed so, I don’t have to share my honey salmon goodies with other little bears.”
“So, you don’t want to give me little babies that look like you, Grizz? Because I’d love one or two.”
Looking at him with wide-eyes, I say, “You would?”
“Of course, I would.”
I can’t deny Cosmo something that’ll make him happy even if it means having to share my delicious honey salmon goodies. Grumbling, “suppose I’ll have to share then.” I stuff another granola bar into my mouth.
Cosmo beams at me and says, “I promise you now, Grizz, I’ll always make a large batch of honey salmon goodies that’ll be just for you. When we have babies, they’ll each have their own batch of goodies to eat.”
Grinning at him I say, “I’ll hold you to that.”
“I’d expect nothing less, Grizz.”
“So, these babies, when do you want to have them?”
“Years from now. I’m selfish too, Grizz. I want you all to myself for a while before we start a family.”
“I feel the same way about you, little sprite.”
Cosmo leans across the island and kisses me then gets to work peeling the potatoes for dinner. Popping another granola bar into my mouth, I rest my head on my hand and watch my lovely little sprite work. “Need my help with anything?”
Cosmo looks over his shoulder at me and smiles sweetly. “Could you fire up the grill?”
“Sure thing.”
Walking out the door to the patio, I turn on the gas to the grill and light it. Leaving it to heat, I head back inside. Once Cosmo has the potatoes peeled and washed, he cuts them into fours and puts them in aluminum foil packets with butter and seasoning. He places the packets on a plate then grabs a pair of tongs and a bowl out of the fridge containing marinating steaks. Grabbing a bottle of wine and two glasses along with plates, napkins, and silverware, I follow him outside. It’s a beautiful night and I have patio furniture. Lighting the citronella candle in the center of the patio table, I set the table for a romantic evening together that’ll end with us reaffirming our bond.
After everything that happened earlier, we both deserve to relax and enjoy a meal and each other before dealing with the fallout of tonight’s events over the next few days. The hearing is my biggest concern because they c
ould decide I wasn’t justified in killing the bastard who’d been stalking Cosmo. A ruling like that would be a death sentence for both of us. I refuse to worry about it now though. There’s no way I’m going to ruin our night with something that might not even happen. Instead, I’m going to enjoy my mate and the meal he’s cooked for us then spend the night letting him worship my body before I return the favor. Everything else, we’ll deal with together when the time comes because that’s what mates do.
Two Days Later…
While I’m tying the tie on my mauve button-down shirt, I hear a voice I don’t know call out from the front of the house, “Connie, you here?”
Who the hell is Connie?
Finishing with the tie, I grab my lip-gloss off the dresser and swipe some on my lips before heading out into the living room to greet the unknown visitor. Con is in the shower right now. I took mine first because I knew if we did it together, we’d be late, and it takes me a bit longer to get ready. After Con went into the station to sign his statement yesterday, he got a call from his captain stating his hearing date was set for today. The fact that it was pulled together so quickly is both surprising and worrisome. Since we aren’t in the same state as the council, the hearing will be held via video conference. The hearing is really only a formality since the council has no doubt looked over the information provided and come to a decision. They might have a couple of questions though, and I hope if they do, that Con’s answers won’t change their minds.
When I enter the living room, I see a tall gorgeous -but not as gorgeous as my mate- slender man with blond hair, blue eyes, wearing a suit and a baby that’s strapped to his chest in one of those carrier things. The man’s attention immediately snaps to me when he hears me coming. “I’m sorry, I think you have the wrong house. There’s no Connie here.”
The man grins and says, “Nope. I have the right house. Connie is a nickname for Con.” He holds out his hand for me to shake and says, “I’m Nathan by the way. Con’s partner on the force and best friend. And you’re Cosmo, Con’s mate.”
Shaking his hand, I say, “Nice to meet you. How do you know who I am?”
Nathan grins. “Small towns love gossip. One of the officers who responded to the call at your house the other night sent a group text to everyone on the force with the news that stoic emotionless Con claimed a mate. I had to see for myself. I’m also here for moral support. I’ll be joining you today.”
Hearing Con’s footsteps coming down the hall, I look over my shoulder and smile when I see him walk in. He’s wearing his dress blues as is required of officers when they have to attend official meetings like this. Damn… he looks just as delicious in that uniform as he does in his regular one. Glancing at my cock which is hardening behind my slacks, I whisper so soft not even Nathan can hear, “Down boy.” I’ll jump his bones later.
When Con looks up from buttoning the sleeves of his jacket, he freezes at the sight of Nathan then grins and strides over. “Give me my goddaughter.”
Nathan shakes his head and turns away. “No can do, Connie my man. We have to go, or we’ll be late for your hearing. We’ll take my car.”
Con narrows his eyes. “Fine, but as soon as this thing is over, you’re handing her over.”
Nathan rolls his eyes but nods and walks out of the house. Walking over to Con, I loop my arm through his and look up at him with a raised eyebrow. “Connie huh?”
Con narrows his eyes at me and says, “Don’t call me that.”
Unable to resist teasing him, I say, “Come on Connie, we don’t want to be late.”
Con growls. “Keep it up, and I’ll spank your ass.”
“Give it your best shot, Connie.”
Boy, does he. After earning myself a spanking that leaves me hard and aching, I have to think undesirable thoughts so, it’ll go down before we can leave. Nathan gives us both a knowing look as we walk towards his car. Con opens my door for me and kisses my temple then whispers, “I like it better when you call me Grizz. Only my friends call me Connie.”
“And I’m not a friend?”
He shakes his head. “You’re so much more than that, little sprite. You’re everything.”
Heart melted. “Aw, you’re everything too, Grizz.”
Nathan says, “Alright you two, stop making moony eyes at each other and get in the car. Being late to this thing is not going to be a good look.”
“He’s right.”
I climb into the car and Con shuts my door, then climbs into the backseat so he can sit next to his goddaughter in her little car seat. Nathan backs out of the driveway and I ask, “Why are you bringing your daughter to this anyway?”
Nathan smiles and says, “I’m giving my mate a break so, she can relax and pamper herself a bit. I don’t have the necessary parts to feed our girl so, she’d been getting up in the middle of the night to do it and exhausting herself until I went out and bought her a breast pup. After getting a full night of sleep last night, since I was able to get up and feed our girl, she’s meeting her girlfriends for lunch, then going for mani-pedis and a massage while I take care of Gracie.”
“That’s sweet of you.”
Nathan shrugs. “Nah. That’s just part of being in a relationship and being a parent. We share responsibilities. I hated not being able to help her with things, so I made sure I could simple as that.”
Once we get to the courthouse where the hearing will be held, Nathan parks in the lot. After he gets Gracie situated in the carrier on his chest again, we head inside. We enter the courtroom and walk to the front. Situated in front of the judge’s bench is a projector screen and a computer with a projector on a rolling cart in front of it. Con takes a seat at a table while Nathan and I sit in the pew directly behind him. The courtroom door opens and in walks Con’s captain, Coral Key’s Chief of Police, and my parents. I’m sure as the mayor, my father has to be present for this, but since Con is my mate, I’m sure my mother is here for moral support like Nathan.
The captain and chief take a seat on either side of Con while my parents join me and Nathan in the pew. Another man enters the courtroom wearing a council uniform and walks up to the computer that’s been set up. He’s the representative that will accept the call for the hearing and take Con into custody if that’s the council’s determination. As if sensing my worry, my mother takes my hand in hers and squeezes. She leans over and whispers, “Everything will be alright, dear.”
Nodding, I steel myself, hoping she’s right as the council’s video call comes through. The council representative accepts the call and a row of men and women sitting behind an elongated judge’s bench appear on the screen at the front of the room. The man in the center of the row says, “As the ursine representative I’ll be speaking for the rest of the council in this matter. Let’s begin.”
He looks down at the papers in front of him and says, “Mr. Connelly we have a couple questions for you before we reveal our decision. First, why didn’t you announce yourself as soon as you entered the residence?”
Con says, “I didn’t want the suspect to have a chance to escape or barricade himself in the room and start shooting at me. I was off duty and didn’t have a bulletproof vest on.”
The councilman nods and says, “I see. Next question. It’s similar to the first. When you came upon the suspect in the bedroom why didn’t you announce yourself immediately?”
Con says, “I wanted to see what he was doing with the tablet he had. If I hadn’t waited, I wouldn’t have seen that he had access to the Mayor’s security system or that he’d put hidden cameras in Cosmo’s house. I also wasn’t sure if he had a weapon or not, but I took a chance on the fact he didn’t when he threw the tablet across the room.”
The councilman nods and looks to the other councilmembers who all nod. “I think that’s all we needed to know. We’ll give our verdict now.”
I squeeze my mother’s hand a little too hard but, I’m terrified they’re going to decide to toss my mate in jail. After a bit of whispere
d discussion among themselves. The ursine councilmember says, “After hearing Mr. Connelly’s testimony we’re firm in our decision that this matter was justified, and Mr. Connelly is innocent of any wrongdoing. This case is officially closed. Mr. Connelly you’re free to go.”
Unable to contain my excitement, I jump up and climb over the railing nearly tackling Con as soon as he stands and turns around. Leaping into his arms, I kiss him hard and say, “I’m so glad you aren’t going to jail, Grizz.”
Con grins. “Me too, little sprite. Me too.”
Someone clears their throat from behind us and I blush. Con sets me on my feet and I turn to see my parents standing behind us with big grins on their faces. My father says, “Something you want to tell us, son?”
Grinning, I link my fingers with Con’s and say, “Mom, Dad, this is my mate, Con. Con, these are my parents, Martha and Patrick Mayweather.”
Mom smiles and says, “We’ve met before, but he wasn’t your mate then.”
Dad says, “Actually honey, they were, they just didn’t know it at the time.”
Mom nods. “Of course, you’re right, dear.”
They both step forward and pull Con into a hug. “Thank you for protecting our son.”
Con smiles. “No need to thank me. He’s my mate. I’ll do anything for him. Even if it means risking my life.”
Frowning, I say, “I don’t like you risking your life but, I understand that’s part of your job. Promise me you’ll give it at least a month or two before you scare me like that again.”
Con winks at me and says, “I’ll try my best.”
“You’d better. Or I’ll revoke your goodie privileges.”
Mom says, “Honey, I love you dearly, but I do not need to hear about your sex life.”
Con bursts into laughter while I blush to the tips of my ears. “I wasn’t talking about sex. I literally meant goodies. He loves my honey salmon granola bars and biscuits.”