Chapter 3 #2
I opened the bag to find a set of keys, a wallet, and a map. At the very bottom I found a chocolate bar made by a local chocolatier.
“Uh… Are you giving me a new identity like I’m going into a protection program?” I laughed.
“The keys open all the common use spaces of the local pack and my family. I figured at some point you might want to go somewhere without me, hence the map. Plus, you should open the wallet,” Raziel said, leaning one arm against his truck.
It was hot today. The dragon metal would’ve burnt straight through my arm, but it didn’t phase him.
Raziel grinned at me as if waiting for me to find the prank.
He wasn’t bad to look at with blue eyes and dark, almost black hair.
He wore a blue button-down shirt that he looked a little out of place in as if he dressed up just for me.
“Open it,” he nodded at the wallet and despite the way his mischievous eyes made the butterflies in my stomach flock close together I did.
I didn’t even notice the cards straight away.
It was filled with paper universal dollars in various denominations.
I could’ve lived on this money for years back home.
Were things that expensive here or did he want to show off?
Then there were gift cards and a credit card with my name on it.
“That’s a bank card. I had it set up for you while you’re here in case the cash wasn’t enough or you ended up somewhere that doesn’t take cash.
I know it seems like a lot but I figured if my mate were here I’d want him to be able to get whatever he wanted or needed without having to ask me or wait on me and made sure you could do the same. ”
I shoved the wallet back into the bag. It was almost too much. Actually, it probably was too much. When things appear too good to be true, they usually are.
“It’s family money,” he said as if that cleared everything up.
“Raz?” A voice called out that was almost familiar. I glanced around the parking lot wondering if someone gave him that nickname or if it was a coincidence and they were shouting for someone else.
“That’s Bennie. Either he’s early or we’re late,” Raziel grinned before letting out a loud whistle.
A second later, Bennie waved from across the parking lot. I smiled despite myself and Raziel winked at me. I blushed hard. Was he used to people being into Bennie? Did he feel like he was in his friend’s shadow.
“You’ll like Bennie,” he said and motioned for me to follow him.
“Eh….” my wolf sounded off into my thoughts. “He smells weird. Why did the dragon’s scent change? It’s like he’s hiding something now!”
“You’re early!” Raziel cupped his mouth and called out. I flinched away from his booming draconic voice.
“We had extra volunteers today! Plus, the cooling station is still overstaffed. I decided to leave and let the others get in some work,” Bennie called back.
The tiger shifter had a nice voice. Maybe I’d get too hot and have to show up at the cooling station while Bennie was working there. He could fan me with a palm leaf any day.
“You read too many romance novels,” my wolf said into my thoughts.
“You like them too! So shut up!” I snapped at him, trying not to blush harder.
A warm breeze danced through my hair, and I froze in my tracks.
Raziel stopped too, crossing his arms and grinning at me.
What had he done? Was this dragon a seer?
Oh, Frost’s Pit! It didn’t really matter!
I opened my mouth, breathing in Bennie’s scent.
This had to be wishful thinking, right? I’d seen his photos and videos and thought he was attractive.
Now, he smelled delicious and my brain was just making up stuff.
There was no way this was happening. No way that the large, tiger shifter in human form bounding across the parking lot toward us was my true-mate!
I was imagining it, right? I probably fainted and was dreaming this.
That’s why he was running over here to help me.
Hell, maybe the tacos were filled with mushrooms that were now making me hallucinate.
“Have fun,” Raziel patted me on the back and started toward his truck. Was he going to leave me to be mauled?
“Shut up and get mauled!” my wolf howled inside my thoughts. “ALPHA! ALPHA! ALPHA!”
Bennie stopped running a few yards from me. I blinked. He was even more handsome in person. Taller than he looked in his videos too. He wore black basketball shorts and a blue t-shirt that read TEMPLE OF FROST VOLUNTEER. It all made perfect sense if he was working at the cooling station today.
“Alby?” Bennie called my name.
How did he know my name? Of course, he knew my name. Raziel probably told him. Where was Raziel at? Had he left with my bag?
“Bennie?” I called back, unsure of what else to say.
A second later he stood in front of me. My nose barely reached above his nipples as I looked up at him.
Holy, Juda on a cheese cracker! I opened my mouth wanting to say something else but only breathed in more of his scent.
He smelled like warm fur and a campfire.
Everything about him made me want to curl up and bury my head in his big, broad chest.
“I’m Alby,” I managed to say a minute later and gave him the whole speech about Mated for Mayhem. “And I don’t know where Raziel went, but my bag is in his truck and… He gave me money and..” All my words started to run together.
Bennie took out his phone. Maybe to call Raziel. Maybe to call for help because I sounded as if I was in the middle of a stoke. It chimed and he glared at it. My wolf snarled inside his inner sanctum, ready to eat the phone and whoever sent the text.
“Fucking, Raz,” he said under his breath and turned the phone to face me. I took a step closer, holding my breath so that I had a snowball’s chance in a volcano of thinking clearly.
RAZIEL: Congratulations! I’ve moved his bag to your trunk.
He didn’t bring much. I think we should’ve shopped more, but he has money for whatever he might need.
I knew you wouldn’t accept cash as a mating feast gift, but he was too kind to say no.
He has my keys. The house is yours for your matingmoon.
Take as long as you need and let me know if you need anything you can’t go out for.
No complaining! If you’re worried about your shifts at the temple, I’ll take them over for now.
Stop looking confused and no I’m not telling you how I knew.
You can thank me later or not. Enjoy your mating moon!
Your first basket is already in the kitchen waiting on you.
Plus, you know the itinerary for things you can do later. They’re all already paid for! Ha!