Chapter 2
Killian
“Are you ready, boys?” I ask my packmates as I sit down next to Silas on the plush gray couch in Nesting Grounds’ coffee shop.
Outside the one-way glass, the heat agency resembles any normal office building, but with the brawny minotaurs screening guests in the foyer, it’s clear that this place takes its clients’ privacy and security very seriously.
Though once you pass through the gates, the first floor transforms into an almost spa-like atmosphere with its soothing earthy tones and ambient lighting, plus a couple of scent neutralizers working overtime.
With so many creatures in one place pumping out pheromones to compete for a prospective partner’s attention, it makes sense to create the most serene environment possible.
On Silas’s other side, Bash gives me a mock salute as he reaches for his iced pumpkin spice latte. “Sure am, boss. I’m groomed to perfection today. Manscaped the fuck out of my—”
Rubbing a palm over my face, I let out an exasperated, “Bash.” I glance over at Silas, who can’t hide the twitch of his smile fast enough behind his mug of cinnamon tea, before I damn near plead, “Please don’t mention that to the siren.
We’re meant to make a good impression and show her that we’re a trustworthy pack she can feel safe with. ”
Bash dips his head in an apology as he sets his drink back down on the low wooden table in front of us.
“Good point. First trust, then cocks and knots. Gonna have that motto on repeat.” Fidgeting with the clasp on his nautical rope bracelet, Bash’s voice drops to a nervous whisper.
“Do you think we stand any chance at all?”
I wish I could tell him she’ll pick us, but I never lie. Our pack has always valued honesty and open communication, and I’m not going to change that to give him false hope.
Sensing my struggle, Silas places a tender hand on my thigh as he tells Bash, “There’s always a chance.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves either.
On paper, we’re very compatible with her, but we need that in-person meeting for any real chemistry—from both our sides.
It won’t be fair to anyone to agree to enter into a heat if there’s no spark. ”
Squeezing our younger packmate’s shoulder, Silas softens his voice further. “And I agree with Killian. Let’s try to make a good first impression today. Give her an idea of who we are and what we are about. Ease into the sexual nature of the conversation we need to have.”
“Yeah, a little bit of wooing never hurt anybody.” Bash's mouth sets in a determined line, though he can’t hide the ever-present glimmer of his playfulness. “Besides, I can behave myself. For a little while anyway. Sometimes I like being a good boy.”
Choosing to ignore the double entendre, I lace my fingers with Silas’s and silently thank him for his gentle guidance. “That would be ideal. I’d love for her to feel comfortable so we can discuss consent before our primal instincts take over.”
“That’s the plan,” Silas says. “But let’s take it moment by moment, just for today. We can always dream again tomorrow.”
Bash stares toward the entrance with his big puppy dog eyes. “I have such a good feeling about her. I bet she’s really pretty too.” If he shifted right now, I know his tail would be wagging away at a mile a minute.
“Me too,” I admit softly.
The three of us have been a pack for a few years, but we’ve always felt like something, someone, was missing. Even though this is just a meeting about assisting the siren through her heat, I hold the tiniest hint of hope in my heart that we might be meeting our missing piece today.
We sit in companionable silence for a couple of minutes as we sip slowly on our drinks, my hot apple cider acting like a familiar balm to my nerves.
Bash’s hazel gaze stays on the entrance as he absentmindedly sucks on his metal straw while I pretend to study the water feature on the wall as I subtly flex my biceps.
We can do with all the help we can get, and if the siren is into muscly guys, then I hope my physique will count in our favor.
Not like the other guys are lacking in that department, but I am the bulkiest—and most disciplined—of us three.
Combine this with my direct way of talking, some creatures assume that I’m the leader of our pack, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Silas has this quiet and gentle way of leading us, of making sure we’re all happy and healthy, and balancing my grumpiness and Bash’s effervescence with his dependable strength.
Silas’s hand pauses on the rim of his mug of cinnamon tea, and his eyes flick up. “I hear footsteps. Lauren’s coming back.”
As a fox shifter, Bash has the most sensitive hearing in our pack, but Silas is by far the most observant and is quick to pick up on the smallest of details that we can easily miss.
Smoothing out my black shirt and trousers, I stand with Bash and Silas as Lauren, the heat coordinator for Nesting Grounds, approaches.
“Hi, Pack Morgan. Sorry for the wait. You still doing okay over here?” they ask in an almost ethereal voice.
Even though the elf seems laid-back with their loose linen clothing and soft smiles, I find them intimidating.
I am fully aware that their eyes and ears catch everything we say and do, and if we put a paw out of place, they’ll have us out the door before we can even say, “knot.”
I clear my voice and clasp my hands in front of me. “It’s no problem at all. We can be as patient as the siren needs us to be.”
Lauren gives me an approving nod. “That’s a very encouraging sign. Let me just go through a couple of protocols with you before our siren arrives.”
The blond elf takes a seat and we follow suit. If they can hear the way our hearts are hammering in our chests, they don’t say anything.
Scrolling through what I assume is our file on their tablet, Lauren asks, “I see this is your first heat. Is that right?”
“If we get chosen, yes,” I confirm, swallowing against the ball of nerves gathering in my throat.
Lauren meets my eyes and gives me a rather encouraging grin.
“That’s no problem at all. We value all our members who offer to assist our creatures in such a vulnerable time for them.
” Voice taking on a stern quality, they add, “Now, about today’s meeting.
There are two rules we can narrow everything down to: No touching, unless they consent.
No asking for personal information beyond what you need to know related to her approaching heat. ”
“Like, don’t ask her where she lives but ask her how she likes to take a knot?” Bash jokes with a ridiculous wiggle of his brows.
I squeeze my eyes shut and growl out softly, “For fuck’s sake, Bash.” Turning back to Lauren, I bow my head. “I apologize for him.”
“Please don’t apologize. Comments like that are exactly what I mean,” they say approvingly, giving Bash a thumbs-up. “This can be very stressful for all parties involved, and a little bit of humor can go a long way to put not only our siren at ease, but help relax you gentlemen too.”
Bash gives me a cheeky wink, looking smug as fuck.
Lauren gestures at their tablet. “It seems as if the four of you are sexually very compatible. Feel free to have some further discussions regarding each other’s preferences today.
This morning I gave our siren a tour of our facilities and showed her the different nests we have available upstairs.
She’s found one that appeals to her and has chosen to have her heat here instead of her home. Is this option okay with you?”
“Yes,” we answer in unison, attention fully trained on Nesting Grounds’ heat coordinator.
“Great. If everything goes well and she chooses you then you’d need to take about a week off to see her through her heat, this likely includes a day or two for rest and recovery.
We ran some tests and it seems she’s due pretty soon, maybe about two weeks from now. Could your schedules accommodate that?”
“Yes.” The word is a confident chorus. Nothing about this process was done lightly. It was a pack decision after researching exactly what would be required of us and putting plans in place for a leave of absence from work.
All friendly smiles now firmly tucked away, Lauren fixes a hard stare on us, showing us the fierce being underneath their easygoing exterior.
“I’ll just ask that again. I don’t want to give our siren any false hope today.
A creature in heat can be very demanding of your attention, and if they expect you there and suddenly you’re not, it can be extremely distressing for them.
I do not want that for her, or anyone else in the midst of a heat haze. ”
Silas meets Lauren’s gaze with calm determination, no trace of doubt to be found on his face or in his voice. “If we get chosen, she’s our sole priority.”
Seemingly satisfied with that answer, Lauren switches back to their affable nature. “That’s what I like to hear.”
Bash leans forward in his seat, his brow pulled low as his sincerity shines through.
“We may not have assisted with a heat before, but all three of us have occupations related to the ocean. We are well aware of a siren’s biological needs and we’re not entering into this blindly.
” Moments like this remind me of why we asked him to join our pack.
There’s so much more to Bash than his bright smiles and ill-timed jokes.
Lauren’s lips curve up at the corners. “You should tell her that. I think it could be a great comfort for her.”
Clearly chuffed by their response, Bash asks, “Any other tips you can give us?”
“Relax. Be honest. Show her who you really are. And for fuck’s sake, treat her well, give her a taste of what it’ll be like with you attending to her needs.”
Frowning, I fold my arms across my chest and lean back. “Except for relaxing, aren’t all of those common sense?”
Lauren scoffs. “You’d be surprised. I had to pull her from an earlier meeting where a creature listed all of his attributes and told her why she had to choose him.
He didn’t once ask her any questions about herself or talk about how he’d take care of her.
It felt like he was trying to tick a heat experience off a bucket list or something.
” At the three deep growls emanating from us, Lauren quickly reassures us, “Don’t worry, he’s banned from Nesting Grounds and I’ve already flagged his profile for any of our other branches. ”
“Good,” Silas utters in a gruff voice.
Mouth pulling into an astute grin, Lauren stands. “Already protective of her? Major green flag right there.”
Bash perks up. “Can you tell her about all our green flags?”
“Nah, I think you can do that yourselves. If you’re ready, I’ll go fetch her now. Had to give her a breather after her previous meeting.”
I give them a firm nod. “We’re ready.”