Page 50 of Dimitri

I vaguely remembered something about that from Dimitri’s memories. It was a distant cousin or something along those lines. None of his uncles were mated to a warlock, but perhaps one of their children? Or grandchildren? I couldn’t recall at the moment. I’d not had a whole lot of time to be able to sort my way through Dimitri’s memories.

“Would you like tea? Coffee?” I asked again. “You’re sitting out here in the cold, talking to me. Or perhaps you would prefer to go inside? I could make us a snack? Or a meal? It’s almost time for the midday meal, is it not?”

Chin shook his head. “I am perfectly fine, but I appreciate the offer. It is almost time for lunch, and I usually join Sergei at the council. Would you like for me to get you something?” Chin asked. “I realize you can use magic to get whatever you need, but perhaps I can help with something for you?”

“That really is very kind. I am going to have some crackers, drink my tea, and probably have a nap on the sofa. I’m not drinking the sleepy tea, but I have a feeling that no matter, my body is simply too used to sleeping all of the time, and I’ll end up passed out in the living room,” I told him. “If you happen to see Dimitri, can you tell him you stopped by and that I’m doing fine? He checks in with me frequently, but I’m always sleeping,it seems, and I’m afraid I’ll be sleeping again when he tries to check in next.”

Chin smiled. “If he’s not in a meeting, I can make sure I stop by to see him and let him know I was here to check on you and that you were doing well.”

I grinned back. “Thank you. I really hope to be feeling better soon. I’ve wanted to meet not only you and Alpha Sergei but Dimitri’s parents as well. He told me they were here, and although I’m not exactly feeling up for a long visit with a lot of people just yet, I hope I will be soon.” I missed being around people. Most of all, I missed spending time with Dimitri. I knew this was only temporary, at least that was my hope, but I wasn’t sure I would be able to go on like this for an extended period.

“Everyone is thrilled for you and Dimitri. I couldn’t tell you who is more so, but just know that his parents are excited to welcome you into the family. As is Sergei.”

Chin stood, and if I had been feeling better, I would have stood with him, despite the fact that he held up his hands when I started to lean forward. “Please don’t disturb your comfort. I truly understand the need for comfort when pregnant, and you seem to be most comfortable in your little cocoon with your blanket and heaters.”

I looked up at the heaters as Chin did. “Yes. Your grandson insisted on them since I was so drawn to the deck here. I have a gorgeous balcony in Madrid, but the temperatures there aren’t quite so drastic, and I can use it year-round. Dimitri didn’t mind beyond the fact that I would be cold here, so heaters it was.”

Chin smiled. “He loves you.”

“I know. I love him too. More than I thought I would love someone. I’ve heard stories about how the love of your fated mate is indescribable, but until Dimitri, until I experienced it myself firsthand, I didn’t know what to expect.”

“From experience, it only grows as time goes on.” Chin started toward the stairs. “I won’t keep you longer. I only wanted to stop in and see if I could help in any way. I very much look forward to getting to know you better, Caspian. Please take care, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you should need anything. I am almost always available if you should need me.”

I smiled. “Thank you. I wish I was a better host.”

Chin shook his head. “You are exactly as you should be, and don’t let anyone else tell you different or make you feel guilty because you aren’t feeling the greatest. Your body is going through a lot of changes, and you are growing a new life. You get to skip family functions if you feel like it.”

My grin grew. I was going to like Chin, I was sure. “Thank you. I hope to see you again soon.”

Chin nodded at me. “You are most welcome. I do hate to run, but I should go before Sergei starts bugging me, wondering where I am.”

Chin turned and walked down the stairs. I stared off into the distance for a moment before I reached for my tea. It had cooled considerably, but that was easily enough fixed. I had it steaming once again with a wiggle of my fingers. A few crackers to go with it, and I was a happy warlock snuggled under my blanket on the deck of the gorgeous cabin I got to share with my One. The only thing missing was Dimitri, but he would be home in a few hours. Perhaps I would be feeling well enough to spend some waking hours with him. Wouldn’t that be lovely?

Chapter 17

Dimitri

DIMITRI 17

Once we finished our breakfast, Benjamin and I walked to our office together. On the way there, he filled me in on everything I’d missed over the past several weeks.

“So many new enforcers.”

“Yes. They are needed though. There are a lot of enforcers that haven’t been sent out on many assignments, and the council is trying to change that.”

I raised an eyebrow. I was one of those. I’d been on exactly one assignment, and it had been a weekend trip to a somewhat local pack to deal with an alpha that was trying to overthrow the current alpha. It had gotten to the point that the encroaching alpha had threatened the standing alpha’s family, and the council decided to step in after help was requested.

“Yes, I know. You are one of the many who haven’t been given the number of assignments that you are due. They’re working on it. But I have to agree with the council that the jungle in Colombia was no place for anyone who didn’t have magical powers. Even we struggled a bit down there, and I wouldn’t wish that assignment on anyone.”

I’d read the briefing on the assignment. I’d heard about the recovery of some of the survivors that were rescued. And I knew that it had been a truly horrible situation. But that wasn’t the only assignment.

Before we could even sit down at our desks, Briggs came into the office. “Conference room three,” he said. “Oh, hey, Dimitri. Are you back now?”

I nodded at the wolf shifter. “Caspian is feeling a bit better, and he’d insisted I come to work since I was only sitting around watching him sleep.”

Briggs grinned. “I don’t know. I would think that any alpha wouldn’t mind watching over their mate who was pregnant. Sleeping or not.”

I shook my head. “I had no issues with watching over him. He felt bad for it though, so I am here. I do not mind either way. I only wish for him to be happy.”

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