Wisdom's Allegiance

by M. D. Grimm

  Orion quickly texted back, his hands steady despite his shaky breath.

  “What are you telling him?” Talon asked, arm draped across his eyes.

  “I’m asking him to meet us. We need to talk face-to-face.”

  “I agree.”

  Orion sent the text and gave a fluttering sigh as he dropped back to the bed. Let the mating dance begin.

  “I HAVE to get to the lab,” Talon said a moment later. He kissed Orion’s cheek before flipping back the covers and heading for the bathroom. His phone rang as he was halfway across the room. With a sigh, he changed course to answer.

  “Are you coming tonight?” Audrey said without preamble.

  They had met their freshman year and while they were both in the Neuroscience department, his focus was cognitive while hers was behavioral genetics. She was bossy and stubborn and normally that didn’t bother him, but right now….

  Talon sighed. “I told you, we aren’t joiners.”

  “Speak for yourself,” Orion said with a smirk.

  Talon scowled at him. “I don’t have time for the club or whatever it is you want me to join.”

  She huffed. “It’s not a club, you imbecile. It’s an organization for shifters on campus. I helped start it with a few of my fellow wolves. I hoped you would make an exception for me since I’m your best friend.”

  Talon rolled his eyes at her pouty tone. “Don’t waste your time trying to guilt-trip me. Only Orion has those magic powers over me.”

  Orion giggled.

  “Then I guess I’ll just have to persuade him to persuade you.”

  Talon glared. “Why the hell are you so insistent? You won’t tell me exactly what the group is about or even if it has a name.”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “I hate surprises.”

  “Just come and see.”

  Over the past few months, Audrey had grown a little too uncompromising for his peace of mind and that was saying something. He had a stubborn streak a mile long and was often told he had a stick up his ass. But he and his owl couldn’t shake the shady feeling surrounding Audrey’s group. The fact that she wouldn’t tell him what it was about sent up a red flag.

  “We’ll think about it.”

  “But—”

  “That’s my answer,” he snapped. He took a breath. “I have to get ready for work.”

  He hung up.

  Orion sat up, looking concerned. “Talon?”

  He shook his head. “Just a feeling. A bad feeling.”

  “But it’s Audrey. We’ve known her for years.”

  “Yes, and even such people can still surprise you.”

  “And you hate surprises.”

  “With a passion.”

  Orion fell silent.

  “Put it from your mind,” Talon said as he set his phone on the table. “We both have more important things to focus on.”

  Orion’s face split into a large smile. “Like getting our hands on a cuddly custodian.”

  Talon snorted. “Exactly.”

  Orion’s phone pinged. He grinned. “Dexter says he’s available this afternoon, after he gets some sleep.”

  “Works for me.”

  “Me too,” Orion said as his thumbs flew over the buttons.

  Chapter Four

  DEXTER TRIED to make himself presentable, though not like he was trying too hard. He struggled not to fidget as he waited at a small table in the Starbucks located in the center of campus. It was bustling as usual, though many students and faculty quickly left after snatching their drinks. He only had a cup of water in front of him since coffee didn’t seem a good idea at that moment. Pure exhaustion had granted him some sleep that morning after his last shift, but just barely. Nerves denied him a peaceful sleep. At least he hadn’t picked up overtime.

  Campus really was beautiful during the day, something he forgot since he was there mostly at night. A light coating of snow covered the ground and the roofs of buildings, and he smiled at the winter-wonderland feel it offered. He told himself again and again to give Talon and Orion the benefit of the doubt. He knew there were good people in the world, good men who saw past surface looks. Every time he tried to turn their apparent interest around into something devious or harmful, he couldn’t make it stick. They gained nothing by pursuing him, and he simply didn’t get the sense they were ones who got their kicks from emotionally harming someone else.

  Dexter took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment. Calm down. Just a chat. This was just a chat.

  It was early afternoon, a few hours before his shift. Students were more frazzled than usual, their last week of classes fast approaching and then the dreaded finals after that. He’d yet to make plans with Stacey because of their crowded schedules. He would really like to have a simple dinner or lunch with her. He expected Beatrice to wrangle him into Christmas Eve festivities with their neighborhood if he didn’t visit his parents, and he doubted he’d put up much of a protest. Maybe just a token one. He was starting to look forward to entertaining the local children with a puppet version of several Christmas stories—not the religious ones, though, the ones with Santa and reindeer that Beatrice made up herself.

  A sharp squeal had him opening his eyes. Orion skipped over to him even as Dexter stood on shaky legs. For one panicked moment, he thought Orion was going to hug him. Instead Orion stopped abruptly in front of Dexter, inches away, and with a huge grin, stuck out his hand.

  “I’m so glad you’re here! I love that coat on you. The blue brings out your eyes.”

  He spoke rapidly, with a breathless, excited quality that couldn’t be faked. The light in his eyes appeared genuine as well. And though Dexter couldn’t understand how a blue coat could bring out brown eyes, he appreciated the compliment nonetheless.

  Dexter took Orion’s gloved hand and shook. “I, uh, like your jacket too. You, um, you look nice.”

  Dexter was certain he’d like Orion in a burlap sack. He was adorable no matter what he wore.

  “Aww, you’re sweet.” Orion blushed, and it upped his cuteness level to one thousand.

  “Good to see you again,” Talon said, stepping up from behind Orion. Dexter hadn’t even noticed him until that moment, Orion filling his entire vision.

  He cleared his throat and stuck out his hand. Talon smirked and took it. They both looked handsome in their thick jackets, scarves, and gloves. While Talon wore muted colors of brown and black, fitting his slender figure and conservative personality, Orion wore vibrant colors of purple, sky blue, and red. The mismatched color scheme fit Orion’s bubbling, vibrant personality to a tee. They were certainly an odd couple.

  “I’ll order for us,” Talon said. Even as Orion opened his mouth, Talon said, “But no coffee for you. You’re bouncy enough as it is. You get tea.”

  Orion pouted. “I wanted cocoa.”

  Talon’s lips twitched. “The snickerdoodle cocoa?”

  Orion sent him a surprisingly sensual smile. “Yes, please.”

  Heat crawled up Dexter’s neck and he looked away, feeling intrusive and awkward.

  Talon turned to Dexter. “And for you?”

  “Oh, well. I’m fine with water.”

  Talon raised a single elegant eyebrow. “No, you’re not. I’m getting you something else. Do you have any allergies?”

  “What? Uh, no, but—” Dexter stumbled over his words.

  Talon merely waited, eyes direct, head slightly tilted to one side.

  “Look, you don’t have to get me anything,” Dexter said after taking a deep breath.

  “What if I want to get you something?”

  “Um.”

  “Don’t bother,” Orion said, drawing Dexter’s attention again. “He can be stubborn when he wants to take care of someone. He’s actually more laid-back than you might think, but he has his moments. We both do.”

  “Thank you for talking about me like I’m not here,” Talon said, though the half smile on his face showed his amusement.

  “I
don’t… I don’t think you—either of you—should have to pay for me.”

  Now it was Orion’s turn to raise an eyebrow. “Sweetie, you do know this is a date, right? The manliest man gets to pay for us girls.”

  Dexter sputtered.

  Talon snorted.

  Orion giggled.

  “Dexter,” Talon said.

  He met his eyes.

  “It would please me greatly to buy all of us food and drinks. Orion and I are having chocolate croissants. Did you want one?”

  Dexter thought of all the teasing, from his peers at school, from his brother, and the disapproval of his parents. Then he thought of Beatrice and Stacey and their precious friendship. Dexter looked from Talon’s face to Orion’s and back again. No judgment or condescension. They simply waited for him to make a decision.

  He wanted to give them a chance. “Sure, I’d like one. Thanks.”

  Talon’s smile widened. “And to drink?”

  “Um.” He turned and squinted at the menu. Should he get coffee? He really shouldn’t have anything calorie-laden. He was already getting a croissant so—

  “You can have anything you want,” Talon said.

  “You should have the cocoa,” Orion piped up. “It’s to die for! It seriously tastes like Christmas.”

  Dexter found himself giving in to Orion’s enthusiasm and he relented. “Sounds good. I’d like that.”

  “Perfect.” Talon turned and got in line.

  “Come on.” Orion grabbed Dexter’s hand and sat at the table that Dexter had vacated. Dexter took his seat across from Orion and had no idea what to say.

  “I’m glad I’m not the manliest man,” Orion said, grinning. “I never have to pay for anything. Being a girl is great!”

  Dexter gaped.

  Orion rolled his eyes. “Oh, don’t be like that. Being a girl isn’t anything to pooh-pooh. I have five sisters, and they’re proud to be girls. Even kicked my ass a few times as kids.”

  “Five?” Dexter said.

  Orion nodded his head solemnly. “Five. I’m the youngest of six.”

  “Whoa. My sympathies,” he said without thinking.

  Orion laughed. “Thanks. I love them to death, and they can sure kick ass on my behalf, but we’re a family of lovers, not fighters. We’d rather hug and cuddle than shove or yell.”

  “Sounds nice.”

  Orion frowned, and it looked odd on his round, open face. “Your family doesn’t hug or cuddle?”

  Dexter snorted. “No, not exactly.” He took a sip of water as his throat burned.

  “They don’t know what they’re missing. A good hug can set a person up for days. You exchange a part of yourself with someone, and they with you. It’s a gesture of affection and trust and a physical reminder that you care for that person, and they for you. People too often underestimate hugs. Especially in America. Places in Europe, though, are all over that.”

  Dexter didn’t know what to make of that sudden spew of information, all said in a teacher-like tone.

  “There are some people who don’t like to be touched,” Dexter said softly. He wasn’t speaking of himself. He desperately wanted to be touched but was afraid to ask, to hint. He was afraid to let himself freely feel again. The risk was too great. He barely managed to put himself back together the last time.

  “True, and that’s fair. I’m not saying we should hug everyone without consent, but I think hugs should be given more consideration.”

  Dexter nodded.

  The silence that lapsed between them made Dexter uncomfortable. Orion didn’t seem to feel the same way. In fact, he had his chin propped on his palm and was staring at Dexter with a little smile.

  “What?” Dexter asked after a long moment of waffling.

  “You’re cute.”

  “I’m not.”

  “You are.”

  “Not.”

  “Are.”

  How childish could they be?

  Orion grinned hugely and chuckled. “I could do this forever. Remember: five sisters.”

  “He really could,” Talon said as he rejoined them. “I’ve been with him for years, so I speak from experience.”

  Talon somehow managed to juggle everyone’s drinks and croissants with amazing ease and set everything down competently.

  Dexter stared at his cocoa and croissant and was mortified when his throat threatened to close. He cleared it and forced himself to meet Talon’s gaze.

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” Talon eyed him over the rim of his cup before sipping.

  Dexter cleared his throat again, and after sipping the cocoa—Orion had hit the money on it tasting like Christmas—he thought he could speak coherently.

  “What do you two study?”

  “We’re both doctoral candidates,” Orion said. “I teach an introductory psych course to undergrads, and I’m working on my dissertation about the emotional aspects of mental illness, with an emphasis on dissociative identity disorder.”

  “Oh.” Wow.

  Orion smiled and jerked a thumb at Talon. “His focus is cognitive neuroscience and he’s a research assistant for the INC.”

  Dexter’s eyes widened. “Wow.”

  Talon shrugged it away as if it were a common thing. The Intermountain Neuroimaging Consortium was nothing to sniff at. Talon worked with internationally recognized neuroscientists from across the Rocky Mountain region. Holy shit.

  “I’m specifically involved in a research study concerning the processes involved in the creation and retention of memory.”

  Dexter looked from one to the other. Great. He sat across from a couple of super nerds, and all he had was a bachelor of arts and a job as a custodian. What was he doing here? With them?

  He blew out a breath. “There’s some overlap in your studies. People diagnosed with DID don’t remember the actions of another personality, do they?”

  “Most don’t,” Orion said. “It’s still a controversial diagnosis. Some psychologists don’t believe it’s a real condition.”

  “But you do?”

  “Yes,” Orion said before taking a sip of cocoa.

  “We’ve both been fascinated with the inner workings of the brain since childhood,” Talon said. “It’s an odd thing for children to be interested in, I know. But our families never discouraged our interests.”

  “It also doesn’t hurt they want to have some Nobel Prize-winning scientists in the family,” Orion said with an affectionate smile for Talon.

  Talon rolled his eyes. “Maybe we should do a study on you and the fact that your head is always in the clouds.”

  Orion laughed, and Dexter smiled at the banter, even if he felt like a third wheel.

  “We enjoy working at opposite ends of the spectrum,” Orion said. “Our debates often spark some great problem solving.”

  Dexter nodded. “With the hopes you’ll meet in the middle with a clearer understanding of the workings of the brain and how it affects us and the world around us. Our perceptions of ourselves and others.”

  Orion grinned. “Precisely.”

  Talon eyed Dexter. “I’m pleased we don’t need to spell it out for you.”

  Dexter straightened under Talon’s stare. “I’m not an idiot. I may be just a custodian, but I still have a brain.”

  A tense silence fell over their table, and Dexter was as surprised as them at his outburst. He didn’t want these men to see him as a moron. Their opinions mattered. They might be out of his league—who was he kidding? Of course they were—yet he had the urge to prove himself. To show he could keep up.

  Orion nibbled his bottom lip, glancing between Talon and Dexter. Dexter got the sense Orion wanted to say something, and he was struggling to stay quiet.

  Talon’s expression softened, and he leaned forward, crowding into Dexter’s space.

  “That’s not what I meant,” he said gently. “I apologize for the way it sounded. Sometimes I say things rather coldly, and my true meaning becomes lost. I don’t thi
nk you’re stupid.”

  Heat rose in his face as Dexter lowered his gaze. He nodded.

  Talon leaned back and finished his coffee.

  “Can we take a walk?” Orion said, words bursting out of him. “I want to take a walk. It’s so pretty outside.”

  “I thought the same thing,” Dexter said, wanting to push forward, to push away the last few minutes. “The snow makes everything look like a winter wonderland.”

  Orion grinned and nodded.

  They discarded their trash before stepping out into the brisk chill. Dexter tugged his jacket closer and caught the sour expression on Talon’s face.

  “I miss New Mexico.”

  Orion snorted and patted Talon’s arm. At Dexter’s questioning look, he said, “We were both born there. We like the heat. But UC Boulder had the programs we wanted. And, well, we wanted to spread our wings.”

  Talon snorted, and Dexter got the sense they were sharing an inside joke.

  “The snow isn’t that bad,” Orion said to Talon.

  Talon grunted and slipped on his gloves, still looking irritated.

  Dexter stuck his hands in his pockets. Orion walked between them as they set off down one of the paths.

  “We grew up together,” Orion said, gesturing to Talon. “Funny thing is we didn’t like each other. At all. Not at first.”

  “Our families have been friends for generations,” Talon said, walking straight and firm, causing Dexter to imagine a pole up his ass. He mentally scolded himself, although he couldn’t argue the stiff posture looked good on Talon. “And there’s much intermarrying between us. There was no way I could rid myself of this pest.”

  Orion scoffed. “Please, I couldn’t get away from your stuffy ass, always with a book under your arm.”

  “And I couldn’t get away from your annoying yipping and yapping.”

  Dexter caught the amused glint in their eyes as they looked at each other. He felt like an intruder. Then Orion turned back to him and looped an arm around his, pushing into his space. He smelled nice.

  “In high school we realized it was sexual tension, not hatred, that had us annoyed and snarky with each other.”