Chapter One #2
“It would be very effective.” Pax grinned, clearly warming to the theme.
“Or we could go old school. I could turn invisible, fly to wherever he lives, and just...rearrange everything. Move his couch three inches to the left. Swap his salt and sugar. Put all his books upside down on the shelves. It would drive him insane.”
A real laugh bubbled up in Flint’s chest. “That’s so petty.”
“Petty is my middle name. Well, technically I don’t have a middle name, but petty works better.
” Pax flopped back down on the bench, his expression thoughtful.
“What about a glitter bomb? Storm says wolves are super sensitive to smells, so we could make it the most obnoxious, cheap perfume-scented glitter we can find. He’d be finding sparkles for months. ”
“Arrow works in cybercrimes. He probably wears fancy suits.”
“Even better!” Pax clapped his hands together. “Imagine him walking into the agency covered in pink glitter, smelling like a teenage girl’s purse. His wolf’s pride would never recover.”
Flint wiped his eyes, surprised to find he was smiling. “You’re terrible.”
“I’m creative.” Pax bumped their shoulders together. “Come on, we could totally pull it off. I’ll get Storm to help. He loves chaos. And Devon’s really good at logistics. We could plan the whole thing like the agency jobs you go on.”
“Arrow would know it was me.”
“So? Let him know. Let him understand that you have friends who will go to war for you.” Pax’s voice softened. “You deserve that, Flint. You deserve people who have your back, who see how incredible you are. And if Arrow can’t see it, then he’s the biggest idiot in the country.”
The tightness in Flint’s chest eased slightly. He looked at Pax and smiled.
“Thank you,” he said quietly.
“For what? You haven’t heard the best ideas yet. I’m thinking of cursing his dick.”
“Maybe don’t go that far. But thank you, for this, for caring.” Flint twisted the sun hat in his lap. “I’ve been hiding out because I didn’t want anyone to see me fall apart. It’s so embarrassing.”
“It’s not embarrassing. It’s human. Well, shifter. You know what I mean.” Pax leaned his head against Flint’s shoulder. “You don’t have to be okay all the time. And you definitely don’t have to pretend with us. We’re family, remember.”
Family. The word settled into Flint’s bones, his snake basking in the truth of it. Against all odds, he did have a family - a strange and wonderful collection of assassins and their mates who’d included Flint without a second thought and respected who he was.
“I still think the glitter bomb is a solid plan,” Pax murmured. “Just saying.”
Flint laughed again, the sound easier this time. “I’ll keep it in mind.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, surrounded by the smell of strawberries and soil.
Outside the greenhouse, Flint could hear the distant sounds of the Alley - someone hammering, country music drifting from what was probably his own house, the low rumble of conversation.
The Alley was his safe place - his home.
“Can I ask you something?” Flint said eventually.
“Always.”
“When you first met Storm, did you know right away? That he was your mate?”
Pax was quiet for a moment. “Yeah. I mean, I was kind of tied up and terrified at the time, but yeah. I knew. The magic in my blood recognized him, even before I knew it was possible for me to have one.” He tilted his head. “Why?”
“Because I knew too. The second I smelled Arrow, my snake went crazy. And I thought…” Flint’s voice caught.
“I thought maybe this was it, you know? My person. The one the Fates chose for me. But then he opened his mouth, and everything he said just...proved that I was wrong. That maybe my snake made a mistake, or the Fates did, or…”
“Stop.” Pax sat up, turning to face Flint directly.
“The Fates didn’t make a mistake, and neither did your snake.
Arrow’s your mate - that’s real. But that doesn’t mean he gets a free pass to treat you like garbage.
Mates are supposed to cherish each other and protect each other.
Storm would walk through fire for me, and I know you’d do the same for Arrow if he’d just… if he’d just see you.”
Flint sighed. Pax was right because he would. “What if he never does?”
“Then he’s an idiot, and you move on.” Pax’s jaw set stubbornly.
“I know the mating bond hurts like hell when it’s not fulfilled.
But you know what hurts worse? Being with someone who makes you feel small.
You’re not small, Flint. You’re a fucking assassin.
You’re deadly, smart, and you have excellent taste in overalls. ”
Flint glanced down at his dirt-stained gingham. “These old things?”
“They’re very cottage-core chic. Storm said so.”
“Storm doesn’t know what cottage-core means.”
“Exactly. Which is why I get to decide.” Pax grinned, then sobered. “Seriously, though. You don’t owe Arrow anything. If he wants a chance with you, he needs to earn it. And that means groveling. Like, epic levels of groveling. Flowers. Chocolates. Maybe a billboard.”
“A billboard?”
“‘I’m Sorry I Was a Giant Asshole, Please Forgive Me, Love Arrow.’ Right on the highway where everyone can see it.”
Flint snorted. “That seems a bit excessive.”
“So was telling you to wear assless pants. Even I know a person has to be comfortable when they’re off killing someone.
” Pax stood, brushing the dirt off his jeans.
“Come on. Let’s go inside. Gwen’s been trying new donut recipes, and sent a box over with Storm when he went running earlier.
We can eat them all before he wakes up.”
“That’s mean.”
“He ate half my donuts last week. This is justice.” Pax held out his hand. “Plus, you need sugar. Crying burns calories, and donuts are a perfect calorie boost.”
Flint took the offered hand and let Pax pull him to his feet.
His chest still ached, and his snake was still restless.
But Pax was right. He wasn’t alone. He had family - people who cared for him in their own way.
If Arrow didn’t find a way to fit in, then…
Flint didn’t want to even think about how his life would look if that happened…
or didn’t happen as the case might be. Focus on the donuts, he told himself firmly as he followed Pax out of the greenhouse.