Sebastian: Paranormal Council Enforcers Book Twelve

1. Sebastian

“Aren’t you just a ray of sunshine.”

I glared over at my cousin. “Shouldn’t you have returned to Europe yet?” I asked Frederick.

“Naw. I’m thinking about staying here. Not only do I like being out of the ever-watching eyes of my parents, but I think it’s funny to watch you being so woe is me about how you struck out again.”

My glare intensified, and when Frederick smirked, I had had enough and threw a magic ball at him. He absolutely wasn’t expecting it, and his face went from smirking to shock, then to a wince when it hit him in the shoulder. It was his turn to glare, and I found myself chuckling in response.

“Serves you right,” I told him. It was definitely an iffy subject for me. I was, of course, happy for Damien and Ledger. One never tried to come between fated mates. But when I first saw Ledger, I couldn’t help but feel that instant attraction. He was a very good-looking man, and in my opinion, if someone was willing to go to those lengths for their brother, he was also a good man.

Luck wasn’t on my side though, and Ledger and Damien were happily mated from what I’d heard. I’d not seen them since I sent Ledger’s things to Damien’s, but I’d heard. I’d also volunteered for every single assignment I could since. Keeping busy was always better in my book.

“Is that all that’s bothering you?” Frederick asked. When I turned back his way, he was rotating his shoulder, working out the magic I’d thrown at him. It hadn’t hurt beyond a bit of a sharp pain, as I’d never intentionally hurt my cousin. But it did seem to have gotten my point across.

“Still a sore subject?”

I glared. “No. I’m incredibly happy for Damien and Ledger. Truly.” One of the things I disliked most about working for the council was how isolated we were. It wasn’t that I couldn’t pop in somewhere. I could and did. But as one of Master Edison’s warlocks and a descendant of one of his original eight, I was held to a higher standard than others. I wasn’t complaining, but it could be frustrating at times. Especially when I simply wanted to get lost in another body for an evening or two and not have to deal with everything else going on. Sadly, I didn’t have that.

“Then what’s bothering you? We went to Portland three times in as many weeks, and that’s not really like you from what I’ve heard.”

“Nothing much. I talked to my parents recently. They mentioned they’d met some very nice omegas and alphas recently.” I loved my parents. They were amazing, and although they had three surviving sons, none of us had found our mates yet. That seemed to weigh heavily on them. They wanted grandchildren to spoil. Well, it wasn’t as if I could just snap my fingers and, poof, my One would suddenly appear. Frederick winced.

“Now you know why I’m not exactly in a hurry to return to Europe. Do you not remember that me and my brothers are all older than you and yours?”

“True. But Martin is mated already. Yours have grandchildren.” I wasn’t sure I would ever truly understand the need and push for children to find mates and procreate. Sure, I would love nothing more than to find my fated one and start a family. Benjamin was amazing at balancing his young family with his commitment to the council.

“Martin. Singular. One of five. The rest of us aren’t trying enough, apparently.”

I sighed. I’d heard something very similar recently from my own parents. Only mine had zero grandchildren, and my brothers and I were reminded of that frequently.

“Any suggestions?” I asked. I was all out of ideas. My One wasn’t in the area around the council, it seemed, and as far as I could tell, nor were they in the Portland pride. I’d spent enough time there in the past few weeks to know that there was absolutely nothing that seemed to draw me there beyond the assignment to check out the pride and later to escort the alpha and the second to Montana for further questioning.

“If I had ideas, don’t you think I wouldn’t already be trying them? Traveling with the council was my most recent hope.” Frederick sighed. “Where on this mountain have you not been? I’ve checked out every building that wasn’t a house, yet nothing. Same for Honey Creek and Timber Valley.”

I glanced over at my cousin. “Seriously? You just go into the other buildings?”

Frederick gave me a look. One that said I was lacking. “Where have you looked?”

“The council. Where else would they be?”

Frederick shook his head. “There’s an entire pack, den, and pride down just off of the mountain, Seb. And not everyone that works for the council is in the council building every day. Have you checked out the store? What about the bakery?”

I could only stare at Frederick. “What about the bakery? Why would I go there? If I want something, I use magic. Same with the store.”

Frederick’s expression could only be described as disbelief. “Seriously, Seb? There are…I’m not even sure how many omegas working at the council store. The bakery is run by a mated couple and their three unmated young adult children.”

It was? Somehow, I’d not realized that. But as I’d told Frederick, I hadn’t ever been. I hadn’t seen a reason.

“I see wheels turning.”

I shook my head. “No, you don’t,” I told him. “The omegas at the store are all recovering after being rescued. The last thing they need is for someone sniffing around them and claiming them as their mate. Besides, everyone knows the tiger shifter running the place is overly protective of them.” I shook my head thinking about the few stories I’d heard about Roman and how overly protective he was of his younger brothers, who happened to have found mates recently. But I also knew that he was watching over the rescued omegas and helping them become more comfortable around others while earning a wage to offer freedom when they were ready. As for the bakery, I hadn’t realized it was a family with adult children. I honestly hadn’t sensed my One anywhere in the area, so I hadn’t gone looking.

“You seriously aren’t even going to go look? No desire whatsoever for your One? For a family? The cousin I grew up around wanted a family. What changed?”

I shook my head as I looked off toward the pathway that led toward mated enforcer housing. “I want a family still. It’s why I left Europe. I wanted the opportunity to search here, and what better way than by joining the council?”

Frederick was suddenly in front of me. When he snapped his fingers directly in front of my face, I flinched at the sparks that appeared. I narrowed my eyes at him, and he pointed.

“Oh no. You threw an entire magic ball at me. You don’t get to be upset at me snapping my fingers.”

I pushed his hand away as I moved my head back. “Yeah, but I didn’t throw it anywhere near your face.”

Frederick grabbed my arm and started pulling. I tried to resist, but his grip only strengthened. I glared at my cousin as we rounded the council building, and he continued to tug me along behind him toward the bakery.

“I’m really not in the mood, Fred.” Frederick stopped, raised his free hand up at me, his finger pointed, and tilted his head to the side as he slowly shook his head. “What? You’re the one dragging me along with you.”

Whatever Frederick was going to say next was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Rainier.

“And how are the two of you this afternoon?” he asked. “Out for some of the beautiful weather on your lunch break?”

“We were, yes. Now we’re going to check out the bakery,” Frederick said. “I cannot believe that Seb hasn’t ever been yet. Especially not with as long as he’s been here.”

Rainier’s eyes widened. “Is that true?”

“It is. Sweets aren’t necessarily my go-to when it comes to snacking.” I was more a salty and savory guy, but that didn’t really matter in this case. My cousin was definitely determined. I walked by the place daily though. I’d never once sensed my mate was there.

“They have an amazing brioche that étienne absolutely adores. I recommend it since sweets aren’t your thing. Sliced and toasted, it’s simply wonderful.”

“Thanks, Uncle Rainier. I’ll make sure he gets a loaf,” Frederick said. We stood there for a moment longer before Rainier gave us a smile and then went on his way toward the council building. It was when he walked away that I realized he was carrying a bag. I couldn’t be certain what was in it, though, as it didn’t have anything showing out of the top nor any sort of lettering on it.

“See?” Frederick said. “He’s just come from the bakery. We need to go and check things out before we have to be back at work.”

I rolled my eyes but followed my cousin. He wasn’t going to shut up if I didn’t, so I decided it was probably the path of least frustration for myself. I had to admit that the scent that came from the bakery as we approached was enticing, but I wasn’t hungry. And in all honesty, I didn’t feel anything as we approached. Once inside, I would certainly admit that the combined scents were promising, and I found myself walking toward the glass case. There were all sorts of sweets but also breads. I was sure some were sweet, but not all.

“Hi. Can I help you?”

I looked up at the friendly voice and met blue eyes. She had a cute smile and had long blonde hair, but she most certainly wasn’t my One. Not only did my body not have any reaction to her, but she simply wasn’t who I was normally drawn to.

“Hello,” I told her. “I was told your brioche bread was a must try. Do you happen to have any of it?”

She smiled again. “We sure do. Did you want a few slices? Half of a loaf? Or a whole loaf?”

That was unexpected. “Is it all right if I get half a loaf?” It was just me, and I wasn’t certain how much I would eat. I wasn’t normally one for sandwiches, so I didn’t know exactly what I would do with the bread, but if it was highly recommended, I’d give it a try. She held up a brown-paper-wrapped loaf and smiled at me. After taking it, I grinned back.

“Anything else?”

I glanced around, wondering where Frederick had gone. I found him looking at the sweet pastries. I shook my head and moved over to my cousin.

“What are you getting?”

“The cheese danishes are good. I thought I would get one of those and then a piece of cinnamon coffee cake for dessert after supper.”

I snorted. We both knew he’d eat that before midafternoon. It would sit on his desk, taunting him, and then he’d give in and eat it. Besides, the council had an amazing staff, and this carried on into the cafeteria. There was always a vast selection of various sweets for desserts during the midday and evening meals.

“You keep telling yourself that,” I said close to his ear. I walked around my cousin and went over to the register. After I paid for my bread, I went over to the door to wait for Frederick. He seemed to be having second, or perhaps it was third, thoughts and was getting another item added to his purchases. When he finally joined me, I raised an eyebrow at him in question. He shrugged but said nothing as we walked out of the bakery.

“Nothing?”

I shook my head. “Not in there. Was everyone in there? I saw three people.”

“The other two were probably in the back. You didn’t feel anything though?”

I shook my head again before holding up my wrapped half loaf of bread. “I now have brioche bread that I’ll probably make breakfast out of, at least.” Not that I wouldn’t have had something for breakfast in the morning.

“Well, what about the store? Do you want to check it out and see if there’s at least something to go with the bread?”

I rolled my eyes. I knew that Frederick wasn’t going to stop, so I sighed and started walking that way. “I’m not sure what exactly you believe I will find in there to go with my bread, but I’m willing to look just so you will shut up about it. I have a feeling that you won’t otherwise.”

Frederick sighed as he grabbed my arm and tugged me along with him. I pulled back, fixed the sleeve of my button-down, and quickly caught up with my cousin. Without a thought, I entered the council store. It was a lot larger than I realized it was. As we entered, to the right appeared to be the food side, and on the far left, it looked as if it had clothing.

“I thought you said it was like a commissary?”

“Yes. There are some essentials on the left though. Undershirts, undergarments, some basic clothing items. Things of that nature.”

“Good afternoon. Welcome to the store. Can I help you find anything?”

I looked over toward the voice and found a young man who was small in stature and had blond hair.

“Hi. My cousin and I were just looking for something for breakfast in the morning.”

“I’ve not seen you around for a while,” the young man said. Frederick grinned, his normal flirty look, and I subtly shook my head before wandering off. Perhaps I could find some sort of jam to put on my bread. I knew I could always use magic to conjure some, but we were here because my cousin couldn’t believe that I’d not yet visited the council store in all of my time with the enforcers.

“Did you need help with something?”

I turned at the sound of the voice and found myself staring at a man who wasn’t much shorter than I was. He certainly didn’t give off omega vibes, nor did he seem shy or timid in any way.

“I’m looking for jams and spreads,” I told him.

“Ah. Those are over in aisle three,” he said, pointing toward the right. “I’m Monroe, the manager of the store. If you need anything, just let me or one of the others know. And if you find what you’re looking for, Drew will check you out at the front register.”

I nodded before moving in the direction of aisle three. I didn’t know exactly what I would be in the mood for tomorrow, but at this point, I wasn’t feeling anything, but oddly out of place, so I quickly grabbed a few different flavors of spreads and left. Frederick was, of course, nowhere to be seen. I wasn’t going to let that deter me though. I would get my spreads, take them and my bread I didn’t necessarily want, and go back to work. There had to have been an assignment somewhere other than Montana that I could volunteer for.

Irritation turned to something else as I approached the front register along the far wall of the store. I saw Monroe standing there, talking to who I had to assume was a young omega. I say young because compared to me, he most likely was. I wasn’t nearly as old as some, but I wasn’t young either.

As I moved closer, I quickly realized why I felt odd. It didn’t take me any time to ascertain that it wasn’t Monroe I was reacting to but the omega that was standing next to him. I tilted my head to the side, sad at his aura that was tinged blue. He had an orange glow underneath, but the blue hue around it told me he wasn’t exactly happy.

“Ah, I see that you found something.”

I nodded at Monroe. “Yes. I thought to give these a try,” I told him, but my eyes couldn’t leave the other man standing there. Now that I was standing just across the small checkout counter from him, I realized he wasn’t quite as young as I’d first assumed.

“This is Drew,” Monroe said. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name though.”

I finally broke eye contact with Drew and looked to Monroe. “I apologize. I’m Sebastian,” I told him. “One of Master Edison’s enforcers.” We’d all been warned off and away from those in the store, and it was also one of the reasons why I’d never bothered to visit. I didn’t really see a need to because I had magic, and I understood the reason we were told to keep our distance from the recovering omegas in the store.

“Ah, a warlock, then.”

I nodded before quickly turning my attention back to Drew. “And you’re a feline of some sort?” I asked.

Drew’s eyes widened a little before he nodded. He quickly picked up the first jar I’d placed on the counter. “Yes. I’m a cheetah shifter,” he said quietly. I looked to Monroe, who was studying Drew.

“Did you happen to see where my cousin went?” I asked Monroe. “He came in with me.”

“I believe he went over to the produce with Abel.” Monroe glanced between me and Drew, and I had to wonder if he was figuring things out. I wasn’t entirely certain how to go about things as I honestly didn’t expect to ever meet my One here at the council store.

“That’ll be eight seventy-five.”

I glanced back at my One, taking a moment for my brain to catch up with what he said. When it did, I pulled out a card, and after paying for my purchases, I took the bag from Drew. I’d met my One. That was…honestly, unexpected.

“Thank you,” I told him.

“You’re welcome,” Drew said quietly. I gave him a smile, wondering what his story was and how painful it was going to be for me before I was able to finally get my One with me. He worked here, so I already knew he had some sort of story. But what was his?

“Ah, there you are,” Frederick said as he came up to the counter. “They’re all out of mangoes.”

I rolled my eyes at my cousin. “Did you forget you’re a warlock?” I asked. I held out my hand, a mango on the palm. When Frederick tried to reach for it, I snatched it away, instead holding it out to Drew. “I hope to see you again soon, Drew,” I told him. He seemed shocked but slowly reached for the mango in the palm of my hand. When he took it, his fingers brushed against my hand, and it took a lot to keep from reacting to the zing of electricity that raced through my hand and down my arm.

“That…thanks for the mango.”

I grinned, then took my bag and stepped away from the counter. Frederick and Monroe were staring at the pair of us, and when I reached for my cousin, I gave his arm a good yank before I started for the door. I needed to figure out what I was going to do about Drew because now that I’d met him, I knew there would be no walking away. But I was going to have to figure out how to get him to agree that he was mine.

“Care to tell me what that was all about? I didn’t think you’d so openly flirt with one of the omegas in the store.”

I looked at Frederick and shook my head. “Why was it that you wanted me to go into the store in the first place, Frederick?” Had he forgotten already? Seriously?

Frederick grabbed the front of my shirt. “No.”

It was my turn to give him a look. I slightly tilted my head to the side. “Yes.” I shoved my bag of spreads and loaf of bread at my cousin before I turned and walked away. I needed to talk to Master Edison immediately because I wasn’t sure how long I would have before I’d not be able to function.