Chapter 16
Everly
That evening, I couldn’t get Alpha Riggs out of my mind. I just couldn’t stop thinking about how much pain he was in.
I’d already said goodnight to Alaric, and thankfully, I hadn’t shifted again into any fluffy or feathery counterparts yet.
Finally, after tossing and turning most of the night, I flung the covers off and got dressed. I knew it was late, but King Draven was a vampire. I just hoped their household ran on vampire time—otherwise, I was about to disturb their sleep.
I pulled out my phone and texted Consort Mia.
Hey, it’s Everly. Do you happen to have Mesmer’s number? Or, better yet, do you have his mate’s number? I need to talk with Indie about something.
I’d asked Alaric what paranormal Indie was, and after explaining what she looked like—and that she could blink instantly to places—he’d known right away. And I think... I think I really needed a cupid right now.
Consort Mia: Everly! Yeah, no problem. I’ve already asked her, and she said I could give her number to you. It’s 541-731-2232. Have a good night!
I dialed the number.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Indie. We haven’t really met officially, but my name is Everly. I... I know you probably get this a lot, and I’m so sorry, but I think I might need your cupid services.”
“For yourself?” She sounded shocked, and I hastened to assure her.
“No, no, I’m with Alaric now. There’s someone here, one of the bear shifters, and... I think...” I swallowed. “He’s hurting,” I said softly. “Like, really hurting, physically as well. I’m worried about him.”
She was quiet for a moment before saying, “It seems you’re settling into becoming a queen fairly well.”
I rubbed my suddenly warm cheeks and squeezed my eyes closed, sighing. “I just want to help, and I thought maybe you could... take him on as an assignment? Is that how that works? I’m so sorry. I’m really new to all of this.”
She laughed. “Yes, I can take any assignments I want. Can I come over and meet him?” I heard Mesmer’s deep voice in the background, and then she added wryly, “And Mesmer too, because of course I need protection.”
I bit my lip, trying not to laugh, then opened my door slowly so it wouldn’t creak.
I didn’t want to wake Alaric—not if he was finally sleeping.
I didn’t think he’d been sleeping much since being called as Prime.
I tiptoed out of my bedroom, only to find Alaric already sitting on the couch, fully dressed, waiting for me.
“I won’t tell you I need to come, but I’d like to,” he said.
I sighed. What was it with these paranormal guys? Protective much?
“Mesmer will be there, and I don’t know if he’ll be comfortable with more shifters in the room. Especially a very powerful dragon shifter.”
“I’m his king.”
“Not yet, you’re not,” I argued.
He folded his arms across his chest, then finally nodded. “Fine, I’ll be in the hallway, and I’ll leave Mesmer to protect you if you should need it.”
I smirked. “No you won’t.”
He laughed. “No, I won’t. But I will sit in the hallway—to give him privacy.”
“Good enough.” I bit my lip again. “Do you think he’s up? Do you think he’s going to want to tear my throat out for interfering?” I grabbed my throat. I was sort of attached to it, really. I wanted to keep it if it was at all possible.
I could hear Indie laughing on the phone, and I grimaced, having forgotten she was still on the line.
“Shifters, am I right?” she said, and I could hear Mesmer say something in the background, though my hearing wasn’t as acute as most shifters’, so I couldn’t catch it.
“Mes said he’ll protect you too, but we won’t need it. He said, if you’re wanting to help the bear shifter he thinks it is, that he’s a really good guy.”
“Okay, I’m going to find him. Give me a second.”
I turned down the hallway, Alaric on my heels, only to find the light from Alpha Riggs’ office already on. Light spilled under the door, illuminating the dark second-floor landing. The rest of the lodge was buttoned up, and everything else was quiet.
Alaric moved a chair so it sat opposite Riggs’ office, then crossed his arms again, his bright, Elandor-infused eyes fixed on the door, as though he could already hear whatever was happening behind it.
He probably could. I was ashamed to admit that I hadn’t asked him exactly what he could do as a shifter—other than shift, which he couldn’t yet, not until he regained more strength.
I knocked lightly. “Alpha Riggs? It’s Everly.”
The door immediately opened, and he didn’t look surprised to see me. I made a face. “Was I really that loud?”
And I’d tried to be so quiet!
Alpha Riggs chuckled softly. “No, but I have really good hearing. A fair sense of smell, too. I could smell you coming.”
I scrunched my nose. “I’m really not liking that there are no biological secrets among shifters.”
He chuckled warmly again, gave his Prime a respectful nod, and ushered me into his office.
It was warm and masculine, filled with rich wood tones, a bookshelf covering one wall, a large desk, and several comfortable-looking chairs.
After we were both seated, he said, “What can I do for you, my queen?”
I blinked, startled by the title.
He smiled but waited patiently for me to explain why I was barging into his office in the wee hours of the morning.
I blew out a breath and held up my phone.
“Look,” I began hesitantly, “I’m not sure if this is a taboo subject.
I don’t really know, and to be honest, I didn’t take the time to ask Alaric—but I have a cupid on the phone.
I’d like to ask your permission for her to come here right now with her mate, Mesmer, and I’d like to ask her to take you on as one of her assignments. ”
My voice never rose above a whisper, but by the look on Alpha Riggs’ face, it might as well have been as loud as a bell tolling in the town square.
His expression showed pure shock, then it crumpled, and he closed his eyes, fighting for control. He bowed his head. There was a hush in the room—a palpable stillness, thick with pain.
The silence stretched long and heavy. I could hear only my own breathing. Even Indie was quiet on the phone. We all waited.
When Alpha Riggs finally looked up, tears filled his eyes, glowing ice blue with the presence of his bear.
“Thank you, my queen,” he said hoarsely, his voice rough and raw from emotion.
I nodded, then held the phone to my ear. “Can you come, Indie?”
Instead of answering, she and Mesmer blinked into the office, and I jumped, startled. I knew she could teleport instantly—I’d seen her do it—but I hadn’t expected her to be that fast.
Indie immediately held out a hand to Alpha Riggs while Mesmer took up a position against the wall. He, too, was fully dressed at this early hour, and I wondered idly if anyone slept anymore.
I palmed my phone and headed for the door, intending to give them privacy.
“Where are you going?” Indie asked indignantly. “You’re part of this.”
I frowned. “I’m not, though?”
Indie folded her arms over her chest. She was dressed in all black like her mate—which was hilarious, because if she was trying to be inconspicuous, her bubblegum-pink hair and glittering wings made that impossible.
“Then you want to tell me why there’s a glowing gold thread running from you to Alpha Riggs?”
My eyes widened. She could see that? I couldn’t even see it anymore! Not right now, at least.
I can explain that, Elandor said, and by everyone else’s flinch, I assumed he was also broadcasting his words to the others in the room.
Mesmer gripped his gun, Indie nearly toppled into a chair, and Alpha Riggs bowed his head in respect. Power flooded the room—not the overwhelming force Elandor had used with Mateo and Taco, but something more measured, more controlled.
I was the only one unaffected by his sudden voice in my head, and that realization made me grin. Which was entirely inappropriate, so I quickly wiped the smile from my face.
She is a dreamseeker, Elandor continued. Her abilities are designed to help our people. There will be a glowing golden thread between her and anyone she is meant to help.
Wasn’t it interesting how you could hear someone’s voice without hearing it at all? Elandor’s thoughts carried tone and texture, like a sound you felt instead of heard. It was cool—and kind of strange if you thought about it too long.
I shook my head. Focus, Everly!
Wait—did he just say there would be a golden thread between me and anyone I was supposed to help?
I had to sit down again, slumping into the nearest chair.
What if there were dozens of threads? Or hundreds? I gulped. What if there were thousands?
Houston, we had all the problems.
Indie nodded. “Makes sense.” She turned to me. “I’ll accept him as one of my assignments, but I’m getting a feeling he’ll meet her naturally.” She tilted her head toward the alpha. “I’m really curious now about his mate.”
She held out her hand to Alpha Riggs. “I’ll haunt you soon to learn more about you,” she said with a mischievous grin.
“Haunt?” I echoed, confused.
Indie shrugged. “I learn about my assignments by essentially going undercover. I enmesh myself in the ether, which most people can’t see,” she said, giving Mesmer a teasing side-eye. He chuckled. “I spend time around my assignment. It helps me get a feel for who and where their mate might be.”
I nodded slowly. “Huh. Interesting.”
“Please come by anytime,” Alpha Riggs said in his quiet, gravelly voice.
Indie smiled cheekily. “I will.” She waved at me, and she and Mesmer vanished again.
I could really use that power in my life.
Grocery store?
No problem.
Car in the shop?
Also no problem.
Elandor chuckled in my head, and I rolled my eyes. Speaking of spies...
“Prime, permission to give the queen a hug,” Alpha Riggs said, rising from behind his desk.
A pause.
Granted, Elandor telepathically sent to the two of us.
Um.
Before I could even squeak, I was lifted in strong arms and squeezed tightly, but gently.
“Thank you, my queen.”
I laughed and patted the alpha’s shoulder. “No problem.”
Elandor! My very first actual bear hug!
His chuckle was warm and affectionate.