Chapter Six
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WITH SILAS’S HAND TUCKED into the crook of his arm, Craeg practically preened as he showed him around World of Aquatica.
His sweets’ expression as he took in the storefronts and marine murals caused his heart to flutter in his chest. Craeg barely suppressed his grin as he stood patiently at Silas’s side, waiting for him to finish reading every display and educational signage that caught his mate’s attention.
As Craeg wandered World of Aquatica, he felt as if he was exploring it for the first time all over again.
He smiled each time Silas exclaimed in amazement.
His heartbeat sped up when Silas ooohhhed appreciatively and pressed his palm against the glass of the underwater pirate ship and tunnel exhibit, allowing everyone to watch a variety of small sharks, fish, and other marine life swim about in their natural habitat.
The whole experience truly felt magickal.
Having called ahead, Craeg guided Silas through the gates that led into the massive circular stadium.
At the center, instead of a stage, was a huge, deep pool.
Depending on the time, the place staged either dolphin or shark shows.
In this case, Craeg had decided to start Silas off with the more fun antics of their dolphins.
Sylvia and Gunner, a couple of the handful of dolphin shifters who put on the shows, were performing.
“Wow, that’s a big tank,” Silas whispered as Craeg led him toward the back of the theater. He frowned as he looked toward the bleachers. “Where are we going?”
Craeg winked before dipping his head and telling him, “I booked the owners’ suite.” With a squeeze to his hand that was still in the crook of his elbow, he urged, “This way. Trust me. The view will be amazin’ from there.”
Silas gaped at him. “The owners’ suite?”
“Mmm-hmmm,” Craeg confirmed, smiling smugly, enjoying his mate’s wowed expression.
Then Silas popped up onto the stair above him and pressed his free hand to Craeg’s chest, causing him to pause.
His mate leaned forward and pressed his lips to Craeg’s ear.
Craeg nearly missed his sweet mate’s words due to the delicious tingles the move created on his neck, the hairs there standing on end.
“Are we allowed to use the owners’ suite, Craeg?” Silas eased away, his brown-eyed gaze staring at him with worry in their depths. “I don’t want you to get into trouble.”
A rush of pleasure flooded Craeg’s body upon hearing that Silas worried about him. He didn’t think anything had ever sounded sweeter. After all, they’d only known each other a few days, and they hadn’t done more than cuddle, share kisses, and exchange touches.
Well, I also give Silas blowjobs. I just can’t keep my hands and mouth off of him. My mate just tastes so damn delicious.
Lifting his free hand to Silas’s dark hair, Craeg couldn’t resist threading his fingers through it.
“It’s okay, my sweets,” he assured. Then, after a second of hesitation, he revealed, “Plus, there’s a bunch of hors d’oeuvres bein’ served.
They’ll be available throughout our time there.
..the dolphin show, the intermission, and then through the tiger shark show.
” Seeing Silas’s surprised expression, Craeg knew he needed to share the rest. Turning Silas, he began guiding him up the stairs once more as he dipped his head and murmured, “Plus, a number of my pod-mates will be stoppin’ by.
You’ll be able to meet and chat with them in a nice, relaxed settin’.
” Craeg hesitated before adding, “Includin’ Alpha Kaiser and Beta William. ”
Silas snapped his attention to Craeg. He’d sucked in a sharp gasp, and his lips were parted in obvious surprise...and concern. Even with the uneasy scents filling the air around them, Craeg found it so damn difficult to refrain from capturing Silas’s lips...they were that delectable.
Except, knowing Silas had grown concerned every time Craeg’s shifter leaders had been mentioned, he softly crooned, “Please, my sweets.” He bussed a kiss to Silas’s temple as he kept them climbing the stairs.
“I thought a nice relaxed settin’ would help ease your fears.
” Gazing at Silas with a warm smile, Craeg told him, “Don’t fret, my mate. You’re welcome here.”
Even as Silas continued to climb the steps, he held Craeg’s gaze. He hesitated a few seconds before nodding slowly. Silas captured his bottom lip between his teeth before offering him a smile and sagging against him.
“Sorry, I’m so stressed about them,” Silas mumbled, flicking his gaze up at Craeg before glancing away. “I just...never had anyone in authority like or believe me or support me before.”
“Ya won’t have that problem here,” Craeg assured.
Silently, he fumed, once again vowing to ask Ovram to track down the bastards in the system who’d failed Silas so completely.
Pushing those thoughts to the back-burner of his mind, he released Silas’s arm in order to wrap his own around his mate’s shoulders.
Craeg tucked Silas into his side as he guided him into the private viewing box.
To Craeg’s relief, the shows, as well as the meet-and-greet, went off without a hitch.
Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and supportive.
They shared fun tales of things that had happened at the marine park, as well as a little about how a few of the couples had met—like Kane and Tortelion.
Kane had been visiting the area—his sister and her kids lived not too far away—and had been shoved by rough-housing teenagers, landing him in the pool at the end of a tiger shark show.
Fortunately, Tort—being the tiger shark shifter who’d performed the show—had recognized Kane as his mate and saved him instead of being a danger to him—not that a shifter would normally attack a human, anyway.
That had led to the pair meeting, giving Tort the chance to woo his human mate.
They even gave Craeg glowing reviews, sharing stories of how he’d helped them at some point.
There’d been a time when Craeg had kidded with a fellow shifter about riding a human’s scooter to help break the ice between him and his newly discovered mate.
He’d also been a friend when a shifter had grown frustrated while watching other shifters find their mates and still waiting impatiently for his own, inviting him on outings to divert and settle his emotions.
They’d even told Silas that he’d bagged a good one.
Silas hadn’t seemed to know how to respond to that, other than nibbling his bottom lip, smiling, and nodding.
Craeg found it so damn sexy.
If Silas hadn’t still been a virgin, Craeg would have been sorely tempted to whisk him into the bathroom for a quickie.
He wouldn’t even have cared if any of his pod-mates had heard him.
..or given him shit about it later. Hell, Craeg knew plenty of the other mated men enjoyed a discreet corner here and there—he’d scented it after the fact.
As long as everyone was damn careful and never caused problems for the park, the alpha and beta didn’t mind.
Hell, I’ve known them to utilize a secluded broom closet a time or two with their own mates.
With Silas’s arm tucked securely in the crook of Craeg’s elbow, he led his mate down the stairs and out of the amphitheater. “So, what did you think of the shows?” he asked, guiding him to the right. Craeg wanted to show him the marina’s Aquatic Catacombs.
Craeg thought the newly opened section of the park would appeal to Silas’s bat.
On the outside, the exhibit appeared to be a mine shaft that went into a rocky outcropping.
Inside, there was over a mile of walkways with cement paths, lighted aquariums, and interactive exhibits explaining fossilized marine life from long, long ago.
The new exhibit had opened just in time for the Halloween holiday season, and they’d received rave reviews from it.
Having been through it more than a few times during construction and after, Craeg had to admit, it was pretty damn cool.
He’d even dressed up as one of the ghouls that had haunted the tunnels during the grand opening.
All during October, the place had been decked out for the holiday, with a number of employees shuffling through dressed as mummies, zombies, vampires, and more.
Craeg had gotten a kick out of the fact that Dare’s vampire mate, Price, had had such a blast showing off his real-life fangs, and no one had known it.
That had been entertaining.
Just as they reached the entrance to the Aquatic Catacombs, Craeg heard someone call his name. He turned and spotted Cuzco—a coconut octopus shifter—approaching with a wave. His human mate, Detective Grisham Canton, strode beside him, holding his hand.
“Hey, guys,” Craeg greeted, lifting his free hand in a wave while giving Silas a squeeze. “How are ya?”
“Good, good,” Cuzco replied with a grin. “Sorry we missed the party.” He glanced at Grisham, a fond smile curving his lips. “My man got held up at work.”
“Yeah, sorry.” Grisham grimaced as he shook his head. “Had a beat cop catch me on the way out the door that wanted to ask me a few things.”
“Oh, no worries.” Craeg patted Grisham lightly on the shoulder, mindful of his strength, considering the dark-skinned man was a human. Pride filling him, Craeg turned and squeezed his mate’s arm. “This is my mate, Silas.” Then he introduced the pair.
After Silas smiled and waved, Grisham cleared his throat and cocked his head. “Do you know an Officer Cameron Ricci?” he asked softly with narrowed eyes.
Catching the way Silas’s eyes widened and his body tensed, Craeg muttered, “I think ya should join us as we explore.” He didn’t like the way his mate ever-so-slightly began to tremble. “I think we need to take this conversation to a more secluded space.”
“Good idea,” Grisham agreed softly, eyeing Silas, having clearly picked up on his sudden change in mood.
Craeg held Silas close as he guided him through an employee entrance and into the catacombs.
Hopefully, the dimly-lit corridors would help soothe his mate.
* * * *
AS SOON AS SILAS ENTERED the corridor, he felt the knot in his overly-full stomach begin to ease. His bat showed him a half dozen places to hide. He could easily shift and flee if he—
“Hey, my sweets.” Craeg’s rumbling brogue crooned into his ear. “Just relax.” His big hands rubbed up and down Silas’s back, sending soothing tingles across his skin. “I won’t let anythin’ happen to ya. You’re safe.”
After hearing Craeg offer a few more words of encouragement, Silas finally managed to take in a deep breath.
The wonderful masculine scent of his big man immediately began to soothe him.
His bat relaxed, no longer urging him to shift and flee.
Silas sighed softly and cuddled deeper into Craeg’s embrace, which his amazing lover offered freely.
“That’s the way, Silas,” Craeg murmured softly into his ear. “Take solace and strength from me, your mate. I’ll always protect ya.”
After another couple of minutes, Silas felt his heartrate ease. Slowly, his brain began working again. He truly couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.
Silas lifted his head a little and turned, a bit surprised to find a worried-looking Cuzco and a concerned-looking Grisham. The pair actually seemed to care about his response. Silas couldn’t recall that having ever happened before...others being concerned about him.
Huh.
Still, Silas couldn’t help but frown at Grisham. “Cameron Ricci is a cop?” He could barely get the words past his throat. They were so distasteful to him.
Grisham’s black brows furrowed as he nodded slowly. “Yup,” the human detective responded slowly. “Can’t say I like the man, but Ricci’s a cop.” Cocking his head, Grisham added, “Ricci’s in his second year out of the academy. You know him?”
Silas hesitated. He tore his gaze away from Grisham’s penetrating, dark-eyed focus and looked at Cuzco. The smaller man was cuddled close to the wiry human, glancing between them.
When Silas peered at Craeg, he saw the man’s warm, green-eyed gaze. “Tell him, my sweets,” his big lover encouraged. After a glance at Grisham, Craeg refocused on Silas and smiled. “Ya can trust him. He’s one of us.”
One of us.
Meaning Grisham was part of Craeg’s group...his pod...and that he had their support.
What would that be like?
What a strange and novel idea.
While Silas wasn’t completely certain he trusted that, he decided he needed to take a leap of faith. He received another encouraging squeeze from Craeg’s hand, as well as a smile and nod from him. Then Silas turned his attention back to Grisham.
Silas cuddled against Craeg tighter, relief filling him when his big lover tucked him close.
After a sharp swallow, he muttered, “There was a Cameron Ricci at my group home. He was a couple of years older than me. Sixteen.” Silas did a quick calculation in his head.
“Guess he’d be about twenty-two or three now. ”
Grisham nodded once, slowly. “Sounds about right.” A crease furrowed his brows, and his voice lowered.
“Once I found out he was a bigoted douche, I never had much cause to interact with him, thank god, which is why I found it so odd he sought me out.” Scowling, Grisham commented, “Ricci was even polite when he asked about you.”
“Why was he askin’ about my mate?” Craeg asked gruffly.
Even as Silas wondered the same thing, he wasn’t certain he wanted to know that answer.
After a glance between them, Grisham settled his attention on Craeg, which Silas appreciated. He preferred to cuddle against his mate and just listen. Something told him that the big male would take care of everything.
Wait. Huh. Is that the first time I acknowledged him as my mate?
His bat chittered in his mind, sounding so very pleased.
My animal side sure likes that.
“Ricci said you were a buddy and ran away when you guys were in high school, so when he became a cop, he tried to follow up about you.” Grisham shoved one hand into his pants pocket while keeping his other arm tight around Cuzco.
“His behavior was off, though.” Shaking his head, Grisham muttered, “I didn’t like his scowl as we talked or the way he rubbed this small white scar he has that bisects his right eyebrow. ”
“Oh my god,” Silas whispered, snapping his focus back to Grisham. “I-I-I must have given him that scar when I fled.”
Craeg growled softly, squeezing him tight against him. “The bastard deserved it.”
Silas couldn’t find it in himself to argue.