Chapter 3
Cornelius
“You seem…upset.”
I looked at Balthazar before I went back to checking oxygen tanks. “Not upset, more frustrated. I’m more than ready to go home since I’m obviously not going to meet my One here. Besides, we were only supposed to be here a few weeks. Somehow that turned into several months.”
“Hey, say the word and I’ll be right there with you. Besides, even with as much as I like the wolves, I’m in agreement. There’s nothing here for me either. Michael though, I think he and Ellie are staying.”
I had to agree. In fact, I was almost positive they were staying. Especially since Ellie was pregnant again. They were looking forward to raising a few more kids in a new area. I couldn’t blame them.
“Cornelius, did you finish those tanks yet?”
I stopped while reaching for the third from the end of the row and glanced at Chief Kelley. “Not quite. I have three more, Chief.”
I was trying. I really was. But I’d noticed that a few of the wolves had definitely started slacking when it came to their assignments, instead opting to let Balthazar, Michael, and me pick up the slack. It wasn’t that it wasn’t easy enough. But they were going to really notice when we left.
“You’re actually checking them? I thought you’d just, you know, magic them.”
“I could. But then I figured you would all appreciate it if I actually checked them. It’s not like Jones can magic them.”
“Very true. I’m really glad you three are here. It’s been such a help.”
I struggled to not laugh when Balthazar rolled his eyes behind the chief’s back. They were good guys. They honestly were. But they were certainly taking advantage of having a trio of warlocks in the firehouse.
“Hey, Chief. I wanted to talk to you when you have a moment,” Balthazar said.
I was sure I knew what he wanted to talk about.
I was going to do the same thing. Especially since I hadn’t found my One, and I was missing the rest of the warlocks at the coven.
Sure, Alistair was nice, but he was busy with his own One, River, and their little warlock.
I smiled as I went back to checking the last few tanks while Balthazar followed Chief Kelley to his office. I’d wait a day or two before I dropped the same news on the chief. We were only supposed to have been here for a few weeks; surely several months was more than enough.
When my body started tingling, I almost dropped the last oxygen tank.
The tingles turned to a low vibration, and I gently put the tank back on the bench before looking around the bay.
There was nobody new inside, so that meant…
I took off toward the front of the firehouse, intending on rushing outside in hopes of catching at least a glimpse of my One before they were gone.
With the way my body was still vibrating, I knew they were still close.
In fact, it almost felt as if they were getting closer.
I stuck my head out the door, quickly scanning up and down the sidewalk.
When I spotted a teenager in a bright red hat walking toward the firehouse, I dismissed him.
He was obviously too young, and if I was sensing my One, they would be of age.
I didn’t see anyone else, so I walked outside, intending on looking down the sidewalk and street.
Perhaps they’d already passed. But if that were the case, why were the vibrations in my body getting stronger as I walked closer to the teenager?
The closer I got to the teenager, the more intense the vibrations in my body became.
I noticed he was no longer walking, but was standing there, frozen, staring at me.
As I approached, I noticed he couldn’t have been more than five feet tall, which told me he was probably younger than I originally thought.
It didn’t make sense though. Why would fate send me a One I couldn’t yet claim?
Why be so cruel? I gasped when I stopped in front of the young man because I realized he wasn’t the human teenager I’d thought.
I looked down at those big eyes that were a gorgeous shade of pale blue. This man was my One, and he was a fae!
“You’re mine,” I said, more to myself than anything because it wasn’t louder than a whisper. The little fae squeaked and then launched himself at me. Instincts had me reaching out and grabbing his ass in order to keep him from falling.
“Yes! Oh my fates! I thought I was getting a wolf, but a warlock is so much better. I didn’t realize there was a coven here. I’ve been staying with Alpha Forest and his mate, Aspen. Do you know them?”
I couldn’t stop the chuckle that came from deep within my stomach if I tried.
“Are you always so chatty? What’s your name, little fae of mine?”
“I’m Matthew Rivertown. I know, it’s super boring, but I think my parents just have too many children to come up with unique names. What’s yours?”
“Cornelius Schmidt. I can’t tell you how pleased I am to have found you. You’re staying with Forest, you said?”
Matthew nodded. He felt absolutely perfect in my arms, but I still had several hours left to go on my shift, which helped to deflate my hard dick.
“So is your coven around here?”
“No, actually. It’s in Amherst, Massachusetts. I’m only here temporarily,” I said as I started walking toward the building I’d just left. I needed to get Matthew out of the cold, and I needed to see if I could cut out of my shift early.
With a little magical help, I opened the door and carried Matthew inside, out of the cold.
“Who do you have there, Cornelius? Does he need help?” Jones shouted from across the bay. Matthew’s head swiveled left, then right before he gasped.
“Are you a firefighter? I read about them in a book.”
I chuckled. “I used to be. I’m filling in for a bit here until they can find permanent replacements. I have every intention of going home to my coven soon though. Is that going to be an issue?”
Matthew shook his head before he buried his face in my neck.
I sighed at the openness he was displaying.
I was thrilled that he didn’t appear to be too shy and had no issues with showing affection around others.
I carefully knocked on the chief’s door, and when I heard him call out, I shifted Matthew a bit more and opened the door.
Balthazar was still sitting across from Chief Kelley, and suddenly, I remembered that I shared a house with the other warlock. Damn.
“Umm, Cornelius, is everything okay?”
“Balthazar, Chief, I want you to meet my One, Matthew. I sensed him as he was walking down the sidewalk.”
Balthazar was the first to react and was immediately on his feet, closing the small distance between us.
Matthew chose that moment to slide down my body, and it became suddenly very apparent just how short he was compared to the rest of us.
As Balthazar’s hand landed on my shoulder, Chief Kelley drew our attention.
“Whoa, what…I’ve never scented one of his kind before. Is he…what is he?”
Matthew snorted, while I tried not to growl at the chief. Deep down I knew he didn’t mean anything by it, but I still found it rude the way he’d carelessly talked about my One.
“I’m a fae. You know, those mischievous little things? That’s me.”
“A fairy? Really?” Chief Kelley asked as he looked between Matthew and me.
“Not really, no. Fae. We don’t have wings, and we don’t fly around. But we are known for getting into trouble more than others, and we are just as magical as warlocks.”
“Huh. Well, fuck a duck. I can’t wait to tell Andy that I met a fae. Do y’all hide or something?”
“Or something. Chief, I’d like permission for the rest of the afternoon off. I know that leaves you short-staffed, but I’ll be honest, I’m not going to be able to concentrate, considering.”
“Understood. And I apologize. I should have offered congratulations before anything else. I’m not normally quite so rude.
Are you going to be taking Matthew back to Amherst now that you found him?
Balthazar was just telling me how he’s ready to head back to your coven.
I can’t say I blame you, but I will miss your help if that’s the case. ”
I smiled down at Matthew before I nodded and met the chief’s eyes. “Yes. I was only supposed to be here for a few weeks, and although I’m grateful I’ve now found Matthew, my place is with my coven in Amherst.”
“Very well. I do understand. But if you decide you’re tired of financial statements, I’ll take you back in a heartbeat. Timber Valley is a great place to raise a family.”
I could see that. I even had to agree. But Amherst was a great place as well, and there was something to be said about safety in numbers. Even with Edison, Alistair, and Elliot here, I would still feel better taking my One back to Amherst.
“Thanks, Chief.” I turned toward my roommate and almost cringed.
“Hey, don’t worry about it,” Balthazar said.
“I’m on shift for several more hours, and since I know you’d prefer to not have another around until you claim him, I’ll see if I can’t bunk with Michael and Ellie for a few days before I head back to Amherst.” Balthazar offered a friendly smile and a squeeze on my shoulder.
“Congratulations to you both. I think it’s awesome you found your One.
And good luck because…well, from what I know about fae… ”
“Yeah, yeah, we’re trouble. But that’s only because we’re inquisitive and quickly become bored. But I promised Thomas I’d be on my best behavior,” Matthew said.
Balthazar laughed and touched my shoulder before he nodded and left the office. “Good luck, seriously. And congrats. I’ll get my stuff, and you won’t even notice,” Balthazar called out over his shoulder before he disappeared around the corner.
“Well then. I agree. Congratulations. It’s always a happy day when another finds his or her other half. I want to say thank you, Cornelius. I really do appreciate you staying as long as you have. Go home and get to know your mate. Err, One, right?” Chief Kelley said.