Fated for Forever [Kindred of Arkadia 3] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) (8 page)

torpedoed that idea. But we are not giving up yet.” Rebecca dropped her voice to a whisper.

“Anyways, how are things in Purgatory? I still think that name is wicked,” Rebecca said.

“I locked myself in the damn freezer!” Ashby complained to Rebecca. He heard her giggle and smiled.

She had a way of making him smile even when he was mad or upset.

“Ashby, it could have happened to anyone,” Rebecca said warmly.

“I know, it just keeps happening to me. I hate being cold,” he said, shuddering.

“I bet you’re all wrapped up in a soft blankie now,” Rebecca said, teasingly.

“Yup. Gabriel bought me a baby penguin blanket during the months we were talking over the phone. It

was waiting for me in the linen closet. He must have been taking notes during our long conversations this

winter because I also found some coco in the kitchen. Imported stuff.” Ashby exclaimed.

“Is it any good?” Rebecca asked eagerly.

“It’s amazing, but, I miss my tiny marshmallows,” Ashby said quickly.

“I’ll buy a bag of mini-mini marshmallows for you so when you make your imported hot chocolate you

can have your extra sugar,” Rebecca said, laughing.

“I don’t know when I’ll be home again. I don’t have any clothes. Gabriel dropped this bomb on me that

I’m immortal now and that he was going to throw away all my stuff and I kinda freaked out. I don’t mean

to sound bratty, but I want my own darn underwear. I know that he will expect me to give up my life and

move here, but how can I leave you and everyone? My shop is there. If only vampires could live in

Arkadia, that would be the best, then the coven could be safe and I could stay with you guys.” Ashby let all

his frustration come forward.

“OK, one thing at a time. Was it really that big of a stretch that you would be immortal? You must have

known it was a possibility. Your only other option would have been to walk away from your mating, and I

highly doubt Gabriel was planning on throwing away all your belongings. What did he say?” Rebecca

asked.

“He said the same thing about not really having a choice about the immortal thing and he said he was

going to take me shopping for new things since I would be moving in. I don’t want new things! I don’t

want to leave Arkadia!” Ashby let his tears fall.

“I admit that he shouldn’t have just assumed you would be moving in, especially since you have your

own business, but taking you shopping is an Alpha male thing, Ashby. You’ve seen Aleks. That man

practically becomes a caveman around me sometimes. It’s in their DNA to provide for their mates. I don’t

think vampires are much different than shifters in that regard. As for letting vampires into Arkadia, let me

talk to everyone and see what they think. I don’t want to lose you either.” Rebecca paused.

“Ashers, did you tell him about Roger?” she asked gently.

“Yes.” Ashby twisted his blanket into knots.

“Did you tell Gabriel that’s why you are having issues with the way he is making decisions for you?”

Rebecca asked.

“Not in so many words. What if I say something and he…” Ashby couldn’t finish the sentence.

“What if he reacts the way Roger did and hits you?” Rebecca asked softly. Ashby nodded knowing she

couldn’t see him.

“Oh sweetie, I’m getting such sadness from you, even at this distance. I want to drive up there and

snuggle with you and make it all better,” Rebecca said emotionally.

“You think snuggling fixes everything,” Ashby smiled, making the effort to breathe through his fears.

“Snuggling does fix everything. Invite your prince back upstairs and pull him into your blanket nest

with you. Tell him what’s upsetting you. We may be linked to our mate’s emotions, but that still doesn’t

make them mind readers or smarter,” Rebecca said and he could hear the smile in her voice.

“I love you, Becca,” he said, rubbing his cheek on the phone.

“I love you too, Ashers,” Rebecca said, making kissing noises. Ashby hung up the phone wrapped the

soft, fuzzy blanket around him and went in search of his prince.

* * * *

“Where did this come from?” Gabriel demanded, holding up a letter in his hand. Roman looked over

absently then frowned when he saw his prince’s glowing red eyes and descended fangs.

“It was in our normal stack of delivered mail. What is it?” Roman asked, standing and walking over to

Gabriel’s desk. He took the letter then paled. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone before

pushing a button that allowed him to use it as a walkie-talkie.

“Baptista, bring Larry, Moe, and Curly into Gabriel’s office immediately,” Roman said and released the

button.

“They have been with us nearly two hundred years, why do you still call them by false names?” Gabriel

asked, sitting down in his leather chair trying to latch onto something normal to control the growing sense

of rage brewing in his heart.

“When we first met they refused to introduce themselves or speak to me, so I made up names for them.

My personal favorites were Hickory, Dick and Dock,” Roman looked over the letter.

“Generic paper, no scent, not even of the human who would have delivered this nor the scents from

other mail. This was hand delivered. There’s nothing else to indicate where it came from. Since it was hand

delivered I’ll get Frick and Frack to check the video surveillance,” Roman said, going to his desk and

sending an email to the twins.

“Sir, you needed to see us?” Baptista asked as all four men stepped into the office.

“Ashby will have a guard twenty-four hours a day, including the time he is with me. Post a guard

outside our apartments during the day when we sleep.” Gabriel stood and began to pace behind his desk.

“Sir?” Baptista asked.

“Show him, Roman.” Gabriel said growling. Roman stepped forward and passed the letter to Baptista.

He read it over and his fangs dropped, he released a slow hiss. Montana’s eyes widened.

“It’s a threat that reads ‘
Back off or die
,’” Baptista said, thrusting the note into Kurt’s hands.

“The drug ring?” Kurt asked.

“They feel like they are untouchable.” Gabriel looked into the men’s eyes.

“Prove them wrong,” Gabriel said. Baptista nodded.

“Lauri, Kurt, Montana, we’re going to do twelve-hour rotations. Lauri you’re with Montana on tracking

this note down. Kurt you’re with me on protection detail. Dismissed,” Baptista said and the three mountains

left the office. Baptista hung back.

“If they are unafraid to threaten you, what must other covens be going through?” Baptista asked.

Gabriel froze in place and turned to face one of his oldest friends.

“They are scared to leave their homes,” Gabriel said quietly. “We need to find this ring and destroy

them, before anyone else is hurt.” Gabriel slammed his hand down on the wooden desk.

“Gabriel?” A soft voice asked from the doorway. Gabriel looked up and saw his angel standing in the

doorway wrapped up in his penguin blanket, his blue eyes wide. Their earlier argument seemed so trivial

now. Unable to speak he simply held out his hand and Ashby ran forward and wrapped his blanket-covered

arms around Gabriel’s waist.

“We’ll head downstairs to start checking on things,” Roman said, smiling at the way Ashby was rubbing

his cheek up and down on Gabriel’s chest. He didn’t miss the way his prince’s eyes melted when looking at

his mate. He had never seen his prince so open with his affections.

“I’ll be right outside sir,” Baptista said, smiling, and both left the office closing the door.

“What upset you?” Ashby asked, pushing his mate into his leather chair and then carefully climbing into

his lap.

“I received a distressing letter today. The men that I am investigating concerning the drug I told you

about, Shifted Death, have threatened us. They may go after you to get to me.” Gabriel wrapped his arms

around Ashby’s shoulders and pulled him close to his body.

“They won’t get me, you won’t let them. When I became your mate I knew there would be risks, but it’s

worth it to be with you.” Ashby said wrapping his arms around Gabriel’s neck.

“Any risk is unacceptable. Mikhail has been trying to track them down for months. Every time we take

one step forward we are pushed back five. You won’t be safe until they’re dead, but right now there’s no

end in sight. What kind of life is that for you?” Gabriel said, turning his head to stare at the wall of

monitors. Ashby leaned back away from Gabriel’s chest and placed both hands on either side of his face.

Gently he turned his lover’s face and looked up into his eyes.

“Just as any risk to me is unacceptable to you, being without you is painful to me. If it takes the rest of

our long lives to see this through then so be it. I’m your mate and no matter what happens you are my life.”

Ashby leaned forward and gently touched his lips to Gabriel’s. Softly he rubbed his nose back and forth

against his mate’s.

“I’m sorry about earlier, I didn’t mean to upset you.” Gabriel nibbled on Ashby’s lower lip. Ashby

pulled back resting his hands on Gabriel’s chest his eyes looked downward.

“It wasn’t you, it was me. I told you about my ex-boyfriend, Roger, but what I didn’t tell you is that

because of what he did, I have a hard time letting others make decisions for me. Your innocent comment

about staying with you always and buying me clothes, in my mind, felt like you were trying to control me.”

Ashby stared down at his hands, which he had removed from around Gabriel’s neck. Gabriel rubbed his

hands up and down Ashby’s back in a soothing manner.

“You never mentioned any of this when we spoke on the phone all these months,” Gabriel said, running

his hand over Ashby’s hair.

“You were a fantasy over the phone. Even standing in line outside I didn’t think you really wanted me.

When you’re talking to your ultimate fantasy over the phone you don’t exactly tell them you have anxiety

issues stemming from the way your dead psychopathic ex-boyfriend used to abuse you,” Ashby looked up

at Gabriel.

“I was your ultimate fantasy?” Gabriel smiled. Ashby looked up coyly.

“Even before I knew we were mates, in my heart I referred to you as
my
prince. I’m sorry I got so mad

over your kind offer,” Ashby said, playing with Gabriel’s shirt buttons.

“I’m sorry I assumed that you would want new things instead of your familiar items from home. I

wasn’t trying to take your choices away, I was trying to keep you next to me as much as possible. I didn’t

even want you leaving for a little bit to get your things.” Gabriel kissed Ashby’s forehead.

“Rebecca was right, snuggling really does fix everything.” Ashby smiled up at his mate.

“I like the way she thinks. We may have to invest in more snuggly blankets.” Gabriel tucked the penguin

blanket around Ashby and settled back in his chair.

“Don’t you have meetings?” Ashby cuddled close.

“Nothing that can’t wait.” Gabriel said, laying his cheek on top of Ashby’s head and closing his eyes.

“I’ll borrow clothes from the twins for tonight and we can go shopping this weekend. You have a

godson to shop for.” Ashby smiled as he heard Gabriel’s heart pick up.

“Godson?” Gabriel asked looking down, eyes wide.

“Yes, godson. Rebecca has chosen me to be her son’s godfather. As my mate, you will be his godfather

as well. I can’t wait until he’s born! When we go shopping Nick told us to look out for a small rocking

chair, she doesn’t have one that fits her,” Ashby yawned.

“We’re going to be godparents.” Gabriel smiled wide.

“I think we’re up to the task,” Ashby said, snuggling down for a nap.

“I know we are.” Gabriel closed his eyes, once again enjoying the peaceful moment with his mate.

Chapter 8

“OK everyone, I call this meeting to order.” Rebecca stood next to the table where Aleks, Ma, Kate,

Bran, Caleb, and Liam sat looking at her with curiosity.

“If this is an attempt to get a town swimming pool so you can ogle pack and pride members, the answer

is no.” Aleks growled. Rebecca’s eyes widened in surprise. She brought her smartphone up and made a

note.

“Um of course not…”
P.o.o.l
. “OK, the real reason why we’re here,” she said, beaming at everyone

while Aleks tried to peek at what she typed on her smartphone.

“We’re also not doing a male calendar to raise money for the library,” Bran said, frowning. Rebecca

furiously tapped away on her phone.

“Nope, not that either. It’s—”

“And we’re not doing shirtless car wash either,” Caleb muttered. Rebecca paused and tapped on her

phone again.

“No, y’all are being silly, it’s nothing like that…for now.” Rebecca smiled wide. The men relaxed.

“OK, baby, what idea do you have brewing in that head of yours?” Aleks asked.

“I want to modify the protective perimeter to allow for Gabriel’s coven to move to Arkadia, that’s all.”

She looked around the table as everyone stared at her in shock. Ma sighed.

“I saw this one coming, ever since Ashby was claimed by the prince.” Ma looked at Rebecca, who was