Page 21 of Warwick

“Something you should know and understand about hellhounds,” Atticus said. “We weren’t gifted mates in our realm. We were simply used as pawns in our master’s twisted games.”

I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what exactly that meant. I knew there were hellhounds here in the council and that they were enforcers, but I didn’t know much beyond that. They were both shifters as well as magic users, which I found both odd and fascinating.

“What about it? So you don’t have mates. Got it,” I told them. I tried to take a step again, and it was Damien who stopped me this time. I let out a low, rumbling growl. “Again, I need to get to work. Despite my connection to Alpha Vitomir, I do still have a job, as well as responsibilities. You are hindering those at the moment.”

“We’re sorry,” Atticus said. I turned my glare in his direction. “You will be a good match for sure.”

“I have no clue what you’re talking about. Now, if you could please let me pass.”

“Cecil?”

I was never so thrilled and relieved to hear Dr. King’s voice. I looked around the wall of hellhound that was in front of me and sent what I hoped was an imploring look in my boss’s direction. Damien finally moved a step closer to Atticus, and I was able to get around them and hurried over to Dr. King.

“Are you all right?” Dr. King asked. He seemed worried, something that I knew came naturally to him.

“I’m good. Just trying to get to work.”

“Dr. King, if we could have just another moment of time with Cecil, please,” Atticus said. My shoulders slumped.

“If Cecil agrees, sure. But I’d say he doesn’t exactly wish to continue with whatever you were discussing.”

“We’re fucking things up, which seems to be par for the course when it comes to hellhounds and our mates.”

I blinked, took another step back, and then another. I couldn’t go farther because I’d stepped back into Dr. King’s chest. I shook my head. Nope, I wasn’t going to be the mate to the hellhounds. I wasn’t interested in being shared with them.

“Sorry, not interested,” I said. I tried to move, but Dr. King kept me in place with a hand on my shoulder. I felt the chest behind me moving, and it took me a moment to realize that Dr. King was trying to keep from laughing and failing. I glared at him, and Dr. King shook his head.

“You have to understand, Cecil. Hellhounds aren’t exactly good at getting their act together when it comes to their mates. Well, at least not until after they’ve claimed them.” Dr. King looked down at me. “You should have seen Damien trying to not stick his foot in his mouth before he and Ledger claimed each other. It was painful to watch but also amusing.”

“Thank you so much for that, Dr. King. When you can’t scent your mate and they get frustrated with you for not acting like a shifter, it’s frustrating.”

I was confused. “Wait,” I said, stepping away from Dr. King just a bit. “You aren’t asking me to be your mate, then?” I pointed to both of them. “All of your mate?”

“What?” Damien asked. “No. We’re both mated. To separate people.” Damien’s eyes widened. “Is that what you thought we were saying?”

I nodded, and Dr. King groaned. “Who is his mate?” Dr. King asked, his eyes meeting mine. “Who did you scent, Cecil?”

Did I dare answer? If I just denied it, it wouldn’t matter, right? Dr. King raised an eyebrow at me, and I relented. “Warwick,” I whispered. “But he didn’t seem to acknowledge me. And I’d just had a really shitty experience with my parents.”

Dr. King nodded. “Yes, I’m aware of that. Alpha mate Lev was by the clinic already this morning to let me know you had a rough time yesterday evening with your parents and that you might be a bit down today.”

I sighed. I wasn’t upset with Grandpa. He was doing what he thought was the right thing, and in reality, it was.

“Do we need to go have an intimidating talk with his parents?” Atticus asked.

I looked over at him with wide eyes.

“I don’t think that’s necessary. Alpha mate Lev made it sound as if Alpha Vitomir had already taken care of it,” Dr. King said.

“Why would you go talk to my parents?” I asked.

Atticus stepped closer. “Because you’re pack now, Cecil. Even if you’re not claimed yet, and who knows how long it will take Warwick to get around to that, we still take care of our pack.”

“Do we need to have some sort of intervention talk with Warwick?” Dr. King asked.

Damien snorted. “We tried last night. I’m not sure it will have done any good. He admitted that his beast is definitely pulled in Cecil’s direction and that he tried to take Cecil to his place instead of the transport building like Alpha Vitomir asked.”

My eyes widened. “Is that why he took me to his house?” I asked. “He then grunted and pointed at the door. Basically telling me to get out. I thought he was upset with me. Or he just didn’t really want me.”

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