Page 12 of Hidden Nature

“The Organization doesn’t pick sides. They stay neutral until someone pays them to be otherwise. Even then, it’s only for a job, and they go back to not caring about what happens in the world unless they can make a profit off it,” I countered, not willing to believe that Miranda would go so far to allow them to play me like that.

Now that he’d introduced that idea, it made me think the risk of contacting Miranda would be worth it. She might be the face of the Organization, but she wasn’t at the top of the ladder. There was a mystery figure at the top that only stepped in when needed. Could this person be working without telling Miranda what they were doing? Out of the situations I could think of, that seemed to make more sense to me than for them to turn on me so fast. If that was what was happening, then I needed to talk to her. She might be in as much danger as I am if they bring down the Senate on them.

“Whatever has you worried, know that we will figure it out together. Seven brains are better than one, don’t you think?” Rath asked as he took my hand in his, giving it a squeeze. “So, where shall we eat?”

Stepping out to the road, I waved my hand at a cab that drove by and it pulled over to pick us up. “I know just the spot. It’s near the airport they will be using to fly, so we will be close.” Turning to the driver, I gave him the address, and we were off.

One step closer to us all finally being back together.

seven

My mate took us to a restaurant that, at first glance, I wasn’t sure was safe for us to even enter. The parking lot had major potholes and the building itself needed some maintenance. The sun-bleached sign read ‘The Corner Spot,’ but it wasn’t even in the corner of the building. Taking in the restaurant, I knew being gone from the world for twenty-five years, things would change, but it was nice to see not too much had passed me by.

“Take a seat where you like and someone will be over to help you,” an older woman called out from where she stood, filling a man’s coffee mug.

Finley led us to the far corner, the perfect spot for her to see everything going on in the room. The space was clean and open, filled with tables and booths set for whoever might use them next. While the outside left much to be desired, the inside looked far more professional and like I wouldn’t get sick of eating whatever I ordered as I feared.

Peeking at Finley’s watch, I guessed we had about another hour before her men would land, allowing us to take our time with the meal. There was so much more that I wanted to learn about my mate. Her story was full of mystery and the part of me that grew up among our people felt saddened she didn’t get to experience that. Lucky for me, we had nothing but time to talk as we ate our meal and waited.

“What do you suggest?” I asked, a little overwhelmed with the choices. Anything and everything I could possibly want to eat in the breakfast and lunch area of the menu made choosing difficult.

“Anything breakfast is going to be amazing. If you venture outside of that, it becomes a little more questionable,” Finley shared, looking at me over the large plastic menu.

Her cobalt eyes seemed to see right into my soul, but they liked to keep their secrets to themselves. I knew she didn’t realize that keeping her mind from me was leaving me with a half fulfilled connection with her, but my hope was that when she grew to trust me more, that would change. She didn’t know how to trust what her instincts were telling her, that elves don’t lie, and neither can their magic. The fates deemed that we would be a fitting pair, and I could see why, but both of us had emotional wounds to contend with as well. While I craved connection, the need to belong and feel safe in my community, she was the opposite. Connection to people scared her, having spent a life where they convinced her she was better off on her own. Then to be made into an omega, I can only imagine the whiplash she must be going through.

Earlier she had commented that her empathic ability was strong. I had a feeling it was her omega side but also a natural giftedness to being a Light Elf and female on top of it. Elven females always had stronger magic abilities, so it didn’t come as a surprise when I felt them earlier when she was upset with me about putting her to sleep. It was clear she needed a Guide to make sure she could handle her magic, or she was going to hurt herself or someone else accidentally. Much like when shifters go through their first shift and become more aggressive, having a hard time controlling their wolf, it’s the same with magic.

“What can I get for you two?” the waitress asked when she wandered over to us.

Finley gave her request, and I’d been so lost in thought, that I hadn’t really looked over the options. “I’ll have the same thing, please.”

“Alright, I’ll be back with the coffee, cream, or sugar for those?” she asked, jotting down on her pad.

“Both please, for me,” Finley answered.

“I’ll take mine black,” I added.

With a nod, our waitress bustled off, leaving us alone once again. There was so much I wanted to ask and talk about, but I could feel Finley start to retreat into herself, full of worry and frustration.

Reaching out, I took her hand, lacing our fingers together, craving contact with her any chance I could get. The physical touch seemed to offset the need to know what she was thinking at all times. At least I could feel her giving me some clue as to what I was dealing with since most of the time her expressions were guarded. I couldn’t help but wonder if it was because of me or if that’s how she was with her other mates as well. Soon enough, I’d figure that out, but what worried me was if they would accept me. Werewolves were not known for their ability to share, being extremely territorial and possessive on every level.

“Why the frown?” Finley asked, tugging on my hand.

My gaze snapped up to meet hers at the question. “I’ll admit I’m a little nervous to meet your other mates. There has never been a nos created in such a way, so I don’t have any clue how they will take having me added into the mix.”

The affectionate smile she gave me as she wrapped my hand in both of hers melted my heart. “I won’t lie to you. Well, I guess I can’t now that I think of it, but they are alphas and tend to be more reactive, but they are good men. Once you all have a chance to get to know each other, I think emotions will work themselves out. None of us expected to have someone added into the mix, but they knew there was a chance there could be more. We’ve only been together for a week, so there’s a lot we are still working on ourselves. Since I’ve come into maturity with my elf side, I have no idea how I will respond to situations. My omega nature was running the show, and let me tell you, that was a hard adjustment compared to what I was used to. Although, if I’m being honest, there are traits of it that I’m learning to really enjoy.”

Hearing her reassure me, the soft lilt to her voice soothing my nerves was the kind of support only a mate could supply.

“Alright, two orders of chocolate chip pancakes with extra chocolate and whip cream with a side of bacon,” the waitress announced as she set the food down along with our coffee. “Here is the syrup for the pancakes, anything else I can get you?”

Finley’s face beamed as she looked down at the meal before her. “No, I think we have all we need,” I answered, seeing as my mate’s attention was fixated on her meal.

With a grunt, our waitress left, and I chuckled, looking down at the giant chocolate-filled pancakes sitting before me. Personally, I wasn’t someone who had a large sweet tooth, but it would seem that Finley absolutely did. Taking the syrup, she drowned her plate and hummed as she popped the first bite in her mouth, doing a little dance in her seat. It was the most carefree moment I’d seen from her yet. Joy shined in her eyes as she smiled at me.

Forgoing the added sugar, I cut into my first pancake and took a bite. It was light and fluffy with a hint of vanilla that balanced well with the chocolate helping me understand her obvious delight. “These are excellent.”

“They are some of my favorite pancakes in the world, so any time I end up in Florida, I make an excuse to come here to get them,” she shared as she snacked on a piece of bacon. “I have to say I was surprised you went for them. You strike me as more of a savory over sweet person.”