by D T Strange
“We both know how this works Cam. So why don’t you just fill me in on the negotiations with the lion pride. Then I can say I’m up to date and can leave you to get back to more pressing matters.” They both chuckled at Zep’s directness.
“The Pride is run by Assad Clairmont. He’s known for his sharp business dealings and just hand with his pride members.” Zep gave a nod and Cam could tell Zep was looking at the file he’d sent over the other day. When Zep looked up once more, Cam knew he had something more to add to what he was reading.
“I’ve actually had some dealings with Assad in the past. The old Pride leader wasn’t doing what was best for anyone but himself. Assad was readying to challenge him outright, but before he did, I made a few business suggestions that ended up helping him claim Pride leadership, with less bloodshed than would have been possible otherwise, I might add.”
Cam nodded. “That jives with his original explanation when I asked him why he wanted to settle here. He’d said that his pride wasn’t happy with where they were and that you had told him that if he ever thought they could settle down in a forest rather than a jungle, to come see your father Henry, since he was pack alpha at the time.”
Zep smirked. “Little did I know I’d be Alpha of the pack when Assad finally did show up here with his pride. I do however, think Assad’s pride could fit in well as part of the community.”
Cam scanned the page giving some of the strengths of Assad’s pride that he’d learned of. “I agree, and Assad has indicated that he wants to discuss how his pride could assist with the maintaining of peace and growth in the community.”
Zep’s head nodded on screen. “Cam, what did you learn of his personal past? I believe there may be an incident that never made it into his records as an actual arrest and charge.” Zep’s eyes held that wolfish look of skepticism that Cam didn’t miss. This told him that even though Zep thought Assad’s pride could fit in, he was reserving judgement of Assad himself.
“I know of what you’re referring to Zep and yes, I did dig up all I could about it. I also spoke with Assad regarding the matter. His motives coincide with what I learned, and I feel he can be trusted. Hell, he’s got a whole Pride that has put their lives in his hands Zep. That alone has me inclined to forgive the past of someone in his mid-twenties. After all, guys do tend to be young, dumb and led by their dicks nine times out of ten.”
Onscreen, Zep tipped his head and rubbed at the back of his neck before looking back up. “If you did your research, then you know there was more to it than that. Still, I’ll put this decision in your hands, but Cam.” Cam cocked his head acknowledging the seriousness in Zep’s tone. “You will be held one hundred percent responsible if this decision brings trouble to our land and the people settled here.”
Cam’s demeanor was just as serious as Zep’s was as he gave a tight nod to his alpha. “Keep me informed if you think there’s anything else I might need to know.” With that, Zep ended the video chat.
Cam sat there a moment, letting the full impact of Zep’s warning settle in. it felt like the executioner's axe was now threatening to come down upon his all to exposed neck. Still, his gut told him Assad wasn’t the same guy he had been back when he’d had some trouble and that this was the right decision.
“Cam? What are you still doing here? You’re supposed to be on your way home by now, getting ready for dinner with your mother.”
Cam looked up to see his secretary, Nancy Willowby, poking her head in the door. Her raptor like, razor sharp gaze matching her tone as she scolded him. She couldn’t have put him in place any quicker than if she’d shifted to eagle form and flown in for the attack, talons and beak at the ready.
The smile Cam gave Nancy didn’t score him a reprieve. She stood, with hands on her hips, head cocked, and a brow raised that had Cam lifting his hands in mock surrender. Nancy was an eagle shifter and a hell of a tough woman. That tough exterior was often masked by her sassy, authoritative, sexy as hell bombshell secretary look. Between her good looks, good nature and sharp tongue Cam always found himself being a smartass around her, smiling even when she went raptor sharp on him.
Even as he surrendered, his eyes sparkled with appreciation. As attractive as Nancy was though and as much as they had flirting back and forth, there were two reason Cam would never make a move on her. First and foremost, she was mated. Secondly, he didn’t date those he worked with.
Cam knew just how lucky he was to have her as his secretary. She was damn good at her job and she managed to keep his personal and business life in order. That in itself earned his complete respect and made her worth keeping at any cost. Shutting down his computer, Cam snagged the flash drive from its slot, and started for the door. “I was just finishing up the proposal for the lion pride that wants to move into the area.”
Nancy’s raptor like gaze turned hopeful as she smiled at him “I'm glad you’re working out all the territorial arrangements Cam. They seem like good people.”
Cam gave a nod. “I agree. I like the feel of their pride leader and I believe we’ve gotten off on the right foot with these territory arrangements. Along with several other concerns that usually come up when a new type of shifter group moves into an area already teeming with nonhumans and humans.”
Nancy’s responsive smile was dazzling, but then she raised her wrist and tapped her nonexistent watch. “Get that sexy ass of yours moving Cameron Bishop because if you stand your mother up, you’ll have me to answer to!”
Chuckling, Cam grabbed his leather jacket and backpack from the coatrack, slipped the flash drive into the pack and stepped through the door Nancy now held open for him.
“You wouldn’t care to fill me in on what my mother’s up to would you? She doesn’t usually have you watching my schedule for our mother/son date nights.”
Nancy smiled a raptor that caught the fish smile, telling Cam he wouldn’t get a thing about his mother and her plans out of her. All bantering came to an end at the sound of her desk phone ringing and had him making his way to the elevators.
Three
Fianna interviews Gerri
Fianna Arden brought her motorcycle to a stop in front of the apartment building and turned off the engine. She pulled the piece of paper that had the address she’d been given out of her pocket and looked at the building with a frown. It was old, well maintained and cared for but not a place she’d expect to find someone of Gerri Wilder’s reputation to live. Not that she really had any idea what to expect but this certainly wasn’t it.
Swinging her leg over the seat, she slipped the piece of paper back into her pocket. She fished for her phone, taking it out to check for any messages, chuckling when she saw one from Joseph.
<
Fi shook her head. He had tried giving her his version of a pep talk before she had left. Joseph was always telling her she didn’t have enough fun for a beautiful woman her age. She needed to get out more, mingle, meet someone. Fi would just laugh and shake her head and tell him that she had someone. She had him and it was she needed.
She got out of her messages and pulled up a recording app on her screen. She was here to interview Gerri Wilder, the woman who had started the Paranormal Dating Agency, the woman who had an uncanny ability to bring people together. Or was her service all some kind of scam?
Fianna was a hunter. A treasure hunter and a collector of lore and fables. The stories that most humans think are fairy tales and bedtime stories were steeped in truth but watered down to help children sleep and dream. Fi had never had the luxury of dreaming of a happily ever after. She knew the stories she recorded were real. She knew there was no prince charming coming to sweep her off her feet. No prince would carry her away on his white steed, so they could both live happily ever after.
Fi had heard about Gerri Wilder a year ago while researching the triad concept in wolf packs. She met the triad of Ta
lia Barca and her mates Theron, Alpha of the pack, and Connor, the packs Omega. Talia had told her that Gerri had set them up. After hearing Talia sing Gerri’s praises, Fi knew she had to interview the woman. But she hadn’t wanted to rush straight to Gerri. She had spent most of the next year interviewing other paranormal couples she had set up, getting their story, hearing words like magical, uncanny, gifted, until Fi had had all she needed to go to Gerri and request an interview.
Fi felt energized and there was a lightness in her chest as stood outside the building. After he had disappeared, she’d taken up her grandfather’s need to explore the magical, legendary and all out general lore. Was Gerri Wilder someone her grandfather would have wanted to learn about? Looking up at the apartment building again Fi gave quick nod. He’d possessed an insatiable need for information when it came to the paranormal world. Although she had followed in his in footsteps, these days her need was to find him. If she followed every legend, bit of lore, and fairytale she came across, she’d be one brick farther down the yellow brick road leading to her goal.
Walking to the entrance of the building she smiled at the door man as he opened the door and let her step inside. “I’m here to see Gerri Wilder.”
He nodded, gave her a knowing grin, and pointed to the elevator. “She told me you were coming. Take the elevator to the top floor. Her door is at the end of the hall.”
Fi looked in the direction he pointed, then back at him, raising an eyebrow at the intense look he was giving her. She shook her head before turning and walking to the elevator. Did the shifter always eye the women who came to see Gerri? Probably. Stepping into the elevator once the doors opened, she pushed the button to the top floor and then settled back against the back wall, pulling out her phone again.
She opened the app she used to record her interviews and hit the record button. “Gerri Wilder, owner and matchmaker of the Paranormal Dating Agency. She is known to have an uncanny ability to set up and or bring together Paranormal creatures. Whether they be wolf shifters, feline shifters, dragons and or aliens. Who knew that aliens would need help dating?”
“I will be asking Ms. Wilder a series of questions to see if I can figure out her methods. How does she do it? How does she know that one person would be attracted to and fall for another? Hell, how does anyone know?”
The elevator stopped and Fi turned off the recorder and stepped out. She spotted the door down the hall and headed toward it. The hallway was filled with the most delicious smells, causing her stomach to rumble. When was the last time she ate? Fi didn’t know but the smell of fresh baked snickerdoodle cookies had her salivating. They were her absolute favorite.
Stopping at the door, she knocked. As the door opened, her stomach growled again. “Someone’s hungry.”
Fi’s first impression of Gerri Wilder was that she was a kindly old woman, someone’s granny, who baked and knitted all day in between waiting on her family hand and foot. But the mischief she saw sparkling in Gerri’s blue eyes and the way her white hair swung in its cute little bob hair cut every time the woman made a move, gave a whole other impression. One that suggested her first impression was most likely well off the mark. “Hi, I’m Fianna Arden and you must be Gerri.”
The woman held open the door for her and Fi stepped through, surrounded instantly with the warmth and sweet smells of baking. “Hello Fianna. Sit down. I’ll get us some tea and cookies and we can talk about why you’re here.”
Fi nodded and sat down on the sofa as Gerri headed toward the kitchen. She heard dishes clinking, then the woman appeared again with a tray of cookies, a teapot and cups. Setting the tray down, Gerri poured them both some tea, handing a cup and a cookie to Fi, then sat in the chair across from Fi. “So, Fianna, why don’t you tell me a little about yourself and what you’re looking for in a man?”
Fianna nearly choked on her tea and set her cup down on the table in front of her. “No Mrs. Wilder, I’m not here for a date. I called, and you agreed to give me an interview.”
“Yes, yes I know but this will help me in giving you that interview.” The older woman sat back and sipped her tea, her eyebrow raised and Fi felt like she was under a microscope as she shifted on the couch.
“I’m not looking for a man. I’m too busy. I don’t have time for one. Why don’t you tell me what most women are looking for?” Fi turned the recorder back on and held it out slightly so she could catch everything Gerri said.
Gerri eyed the recorder for a moment, her lips twitching. “Most women are looking for sex. Just like every male species out there is. The female’s one other hope is to find great sex with a man who will also be emotionally open and available to them.”
Fi frowned. Had Gerri just rolled her eyes at her own statement? “So, you’d say women are looking for the fairy tale ending, and men are just looking for tail?”
Gerri’s laughter ringed throughout the apartment as she set her cup down and nodded. “I like you, Fianna Arden, and you hit the nail on the head with that one.”
Fi couldn’t help her smile as she took another sip of her tea. The woman was certainly feisty.
“Ok so people tell you what they want, and you disregard what they say?”
Gerri chuckled and shook her head. “Most people don’t know what they want, only what society tells them what they should want. Most don’t even know what they need and often find themselves chasing the ghosts of dreams they had when they were children.”
Fi nodded. She knew firsthand what it was like to chase the ghost of dreams. She had been doing it since she was thirteen and her grandfather had disappeared. Her guardian, Joseph, had tried to convince her that he was dead, had shown her all the proof they’d been given, but she’d refused to believe him. She had made it her life’s goal to find him. Following in his footsteps of treasure hunting and recording lore was just a means to an end. Somewhere, someone, knew where he was.
“So, you listen to what they want but you are able to give them what they need? How? Most who come to you are strangers or people you are merely acquainted with through others who have used your services. Can you read minds?”
Gerri laughed and shook her head. “I just know. I read people, I listen.”
The two women looked at each other a moment before Gerri leaned forward and set her cup down. “I think the only way you’re going to truly understand is to let me set you up on a date.”
Fi laughed nervously even as her eyes widened while vehemently shaking her head. “No thanks Gerri. I am not looking to be hooked up, mated, married or whatever happens here. I just want information is all.”
“The best way to get the truest information for your investigation is to go through the process first hand. You can take notes, do interviews or whatever you need to do to get the rest of the information you need.”
Fi stared at the woman as if she’d grown three heads. There was truth in her words, but Fi didn’t have the time to be set up on a date. She had some leads to follow concerning her grandfather. She thought she had enough to finish the article she was doing and write everything in the journals her family had been keeping for years. Granted her entry into the journals she kept weren’t going to be thorough, but she’d put down something.
“I’m not talking about setting you up with the one you’re going to marry. It will just be a date. You can interview him and ask him why he came to me, what he’s looking for, or whatever else you think will be helpful. Who knows, it could turn into a great one-night stand and help refocus on your quest.”
Fi’s lips twisted. “A great one-night stand?”
“Of course. Who doesn’t like a good romp in the hay with a sexy male?” Fi laughed and shook her head. “Come now, Fianna. I promise you won’t be disappointed. It’ll make a great story.”
Fi laughed again, shaking her head and turning the recorder off. “I don’t know Gerri.”
“Don’t I look like someone you can trust? Take a chance. Learn all you can about how I do what I do by experiencing it f
irsthand. It’s the best way to truly understand.”
The two women stared at each other another long moment. Fi’s mind was going a hundred miles an hour, her heart racing as if she’d run a marathon, but, deep down, she knew Gerri was right. This would give her an excellent idea of how Gerri’s service worked. Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly and Gerri smiled, knowing she’d won.
“Alright Gerri. I’ll let you fix me up but make sure this male knows I am not looking to shack up and become wife and mother to a brood of children. This is research only.”
“Of course, dear.” Gerri stood, a clear signal that this was the end of their talk. Fi stood quickly, slipping her phone back into pocket. Gerri steered her toward the door and opened it. “I have another client coming soon but I’ll be in touch either later today or first thing tomorrow.” Fi turned to say something but Gerri closed the door, leaving Fi to look at it a little blankly.
Had she just agreed to be fixed up on a date for research purposes? Damned if she hadn’t. Fi shook her head. The things she did to get the information she needed.
Four
A Penny For His Thoughts
Making his way out of his office building, Cam nodded to several people passing by. He caught sight of Merrick O'Farrell, the pack’s lawyer and one of Cam’s best friends, heading straight towards him, like a wolf with a rabbit in its sights.
Cam held up his hands in a not now man gesture, but Merrick didn’t veer off, stopping only when he was a few paces away from Cam. “Merrick, I don’t have time for whatever has lit a fire under your ass. I’m already going to be pushing it to make it back to pack lands in time to meet my mother.”
Merrick nodded to the door. “What I have to say, you’re going to want to hear Cam.” Rubbing the back of his neck, Cam nodded but started heading out once more, Merrick walking with him. “Cam, I got a tip from a client that specializes in antiquities, rare stones etcetera. I put a bug in his ear about our pack’s missing talisman stones when I defended him a few years back.”