by Cree Storm
“What’s a Nocta?” Nelson asked.
Helio looked at Nelson. “Jewel’s amazing and he’s right. A Nocta is a dream walker of sorts. They can enter your body and mind through a dream entrance and take anyone you wish in with him or her. They can speak from within, see everything you see both consciously and subconsciously. If anyone can help find your little fox, it’s a Nocta.”
“Even if I was willing to go that route—and I’m not saying I am. I wouldn’t even know where to begin to find a notornal-thingy you just said,” Nelson muttered.
“Nocta—and that’s okay, I do know where one is. All I need is the go-ahead and I’ll set it up,” Jewel stated.
Nelson couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Jewel might have a way to get his fox back. “Hell yeah, I want to do this.”
“We’re going to have to talk with Orion,” Helio softly said.
“Orion has nothing to do with this,” Nelson argued.
Jewel scoffed, “Oh yes he does. Your fox is pissed at you, Nelson. Your fox doesn’t trust you. However, your mate—well that is a different story all together. Orion can speak with your fox. He can explain what happened and be the go-between for you and your fox. Think of Orion as the mediator or couple’s counselor. He will be the one to hopefully make your Santorini fox listen. Otherwise, you will have lost your fox forever and never be able to complete your mating.”
CHAPTER 2
“Okay, so we have our assignments. I know that the Ceremony is going to be crazy, but it is also a chance for us to connect to others of our kind spread around the world. Take the opportunity to talk to them and make them feel welcome. Let them know that this is our home and we are happy they came to visit. I do not want any fighting with our visitors,” Orion stated, looking at his men one by one.
Kragen stepped forward. “Sir, what if they disrespect our home? You expect us to turn a blind eye?”
“Of course not, Kragen. You can restrain anyone who is out of line and bring them to me directly. I will decide what will happen to them from there, but I also don’t expect them to be brought to myself or the Re with black eyes,” Orion stated firmly.
“Understood,” Kragen said then stepped back into line.
A loud thump had everyone turning towards the sound.
“I smell blood,” Strix stated.
“Me too,” Jorin said.
Orion went to the door and opened it. Lying at his feet was a red fox with a note attached. “Safety is an illusion. The next one could be yours. Drop out now.”
“Is that a dead fox?” Strix asked.
“What the hell?” Kragen asked in confusion.
“Orion, is that a threat to you and Nelson?” Jorin asked.
Nodding, Orion grabbed his phone and took off out the door, shouting, “Kragen, gather your men and meet me at the Re’s office. Jorin, Strix, take your men and fan out. I want whoever sent this message caught and brought to me.”
Knowing his men would do as ordered, Orion continued to make his way to the coven house as he listened to the damn phone ring. Finally, there was a click and Nelson’s erotic voice was on the other end. “Hey there, big guy. What are you doing?”
“Waiting to hear your sexy voice, my light, and needing to see you. Where are you?” Orion asked.
“You do know how to make me feel special. I’m almost back at the office. I just had lunch with Jewel, Helio, and Briar. Are you finished with your meeting with the Dires?”
Orion used his vampire speed to get to Ezra’s office, and damn near crashed into Nelson.
“What the hell?” Nelson gasped as he dropped his phone.
Orion closed his, bent down and picked up Nelson’s, handing it to him, saying. “Apologies. I needed something that couldn’t wait.”
Nelson raised a brow. “Oh, and what might that be?”
Orion brought Nelson close to his chest and kissed the man for all he was worth. Orion’s heart was beating so fast he thought it might rip out of his chest. His mate had been threatened and damned if Orion didn’t need to ensure himself that his light was alive and well. The kiss deepened, and Nelson’s sounds of pleasure had Orion’s cock hardening to the point it was going to have zipper dents running from top to bottom, but Orion didn’t give a shit. He needed this affirmation and maybe even more.
Nelson’s arms wrapped around Orion’s neck as he submitted to Orion in a way only a mate could. Gods, he loved this man.
“Damn, I know you had a call to make, I just didn’t know it was a bootie call,” Jewel said with a laugh, causing Nelson to pull back and blink up at Orion dreamily.
Nelson turned to his friend, smiling. “Smart ass. My man needed a kiss. Who am I to disappoint?”
“That wasn’t a kiss, Nelson, it was a consumption,” Jewel said with a giggle.
Kragen walked into the office with his entire squad. Nelson’s eyes went wide as did Jewels.
“Reporting as ordered, sir,” Kragen stated with his head high.
“Thank you, Kragen. I want a group of your men patrolling the coven house. I also want a few men stationed outside of this office and a couple in here,” Orion ordered.
“What’s going on?” Jewel asked.
Shaking his head, Nelson replied, “I have no clue, but I’m sure my big guy here will be explaining any minute.”
Ezra stepped out of his office. “What is going on out here?”
Jewel rushed to his mate’s side. “That’s what I was asking, Ezzie.”
“Ezra, didn’t you have a meeting with the contractor?” Nelson asked.
Nodding, Ezra replied, “He canceled. I told him to call you later today to reschedule. What’s going on?”
Orion wasn’t sure what to say, but Kragen didn’t give him a chance to answer. “Orion ordered myself and my men here because someone threatened his mate.”
“What!” Jewel and Nelson exclaimed at the same time.
Orion sighed and dropped his head down.
“Orion, in my office,” Ezra ordered.
Jewel went to follow, but Ezra stopped him. “Sweetheart, I think it might be best if I spoke with Orion alone.”
“And I think if you try that, you’re going to have a difficult time getting an erection for the next week. Nelson and I are coming in there. We have every right to know what’s going on,” Jewel said with false sweetness and smiles.
Ezra looked into his mate’s eyes before finally giving a sharp nod. “Just let me do the talking, please. I need to understand what’s going on.”
Nodding, Jewel replied, “Of course, Ezzie.”
Jewel turned to the two men ready to follow him inside the office. “You two stay outside the doors. My mate will never allow any harm to come to me and some things are just private.”
They looked ready to argue, but Ezra stopped them. “I can keep my mate safe. Do as he ordered.”
Orion didn’t like the unease he could feel coming from Nelson as they made their way into the office.
Everyone sat, as Ezra looked at Orion. “Why don’t you tell us what’s going on.”
“I was just finishing up my meeting with the Dires when we heard a sound outside the door. When I opened it I found a dead fox at my feet with this note pinned to it,” Orion said, leaning forward and handing it to Ezra.
Jewel took it from Orion, reading aloud, “Safety is an illusion. The next one could be yours. Drop out now.”
Ezra took the note from Jewel, read it silently, then looked at Orion. “You think it’s the mage?”
Shaking his head, Orion said, “It feels more personal, Ezra. Whoever this is, doesn’t want me participating in the Summoning Ceremony.”
“But you have to,” Nelson insisted.
Orion turned to Nelson and took his hand, gently squeezing it. “My light, there is no position in this coven worth your life. I have to consider everything before I make my decision on what I must do.”
Shaking his head, Nelson pursed his lips and pulled his hand back. “No, there is no d
ecision to make. You are going to compete at the ceremony and that is just how it is. I won’t have it any other way.”
“I will not put your life in danger over a coven position. What kind of mate would I be to risk your life over a title?” Orion insisted.
Nelson lifted his chin, firmly saying, “And I will not be the reason that you don’t get to live up to your full potential. What kind of a mate would I be if I allowed you to sacrifice everything for me like that? No, Orion, you are going to go forward with the ceremony as planned. I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself.”
Orion sighed. “My light, I’m not trying to be hurtful, but how can you take care of yourself when you can’t shift? Whoever it is threatening me is going about it the right way. I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you.”
Nelson’s eyes teared up, as he rasped, “I feel the same about you, big guy. I know I can’t shift, but I’m not useless.”
“Maybe now would be the time to tell Orion our idea?” Jewel suggested.
“Idea?” Orion asked looking at Ezra. The man shrugged looking just as confused and lost as Orion.
Nelson shook his head, saying, “Now isn’t the time, Jewel.”
“Now is the perfect time, Nelson,” Jewel countered
“Would one of you tell us what you two are going on about?” Ezra insisted.
Jewel turned to his mate, explaining, “Nelson wants to be able to officially mate with Orion, but can’t because it requires his Santorini fox. As you all already know, Nelson has not been able to shift since he awoke from his coma, nor has he felt his fox since the day of the attack. I suggested that his fox is scared and untrusting of Nelson. He is confused as to why his brother soul would betray him as he did, and his fox has dug inside Nelson deeper than ever before. I suggested a Nocta.”
“You want someone to go searching inside my mate for his animal? No! Absolutely not. I will not have a virtual stranger invading my mate’s mind and body like that,” Orion insisted.
Nelson sat up. “It isn’t only your choice to make, big guy. I have a say in this as well.”
“And you’re okay with a stranger walking through your mind and body, seeing whatever he may see, knowing all your innermost secrets? Because if you allow this man in, he will do just that. There will be nothing secret to anyone who enters your mind, Nelson. It’s like they say, you can lie to the outside world, but you cannot lie to yourself. Your subconscious mind knows the truth even if you don’t wish to admit it,” Orion stated.
Nelson looked at Jewel. “I-I don’t know, Jewel. I mean, I don’t have any major secrets, but the things that happened to me at Fallon’s are not something I really want a stranger to know about.”
“But it won’t be a stranger, Nelson. I am a Nocta,” Jewel whispered, turning to Ezra and then back to Nelson. “The only one who knows this is my Ezzie. I don’t use the ability often, and I won’t lie, I have been inside your mind a time or two. I didn’t invade your privacy, but it was when you were in a coma and I was trying to help you find your way back. It’s how I knew your fox was begging you to stop during the attack.”
Nelson blinked in surprise, but Orion was just dumbfounded. His best friend’s mate was a Nocta? “How—When—Do you—?”
Jewel didn’t seem offended Orion couldn’t formulate a sentence. Instead he seemed to cuddle closer into Ezra, saying, “I’ve had the ability since I was a child. I used to accidentally jump into my father’s dreams, at first. I soon found myself invading others—always while I slept. It wasn’t until I accidentally jumped into the mind of a grand wizard that he took the time to explain to me what I had done. He helped me gain some control and understanding of my ability. It isn’t a power, but it is a gift. Kind of like when a human can touch something and have a vision. Anyway, I gained full control over it when I was around one hundred. I hadn’t used it in years, until Lucian. I did a walk through on him and came out of there needing a serious shower and knowing I had to follow him to that bar. I didn’t use it again until Nelson came to us in the coma and I only did it twice to try and get him to wake up. I swear to you, I don’t just go skipping around in other people’s minds. To me that’s rude, let alone an invasion of trust and privacy.”
“I want to try this, Orion. I want my fox back and I want us to join as mates should. If Jewel can help us do that, then I say let’s give it a try. Besides, with a threat to you and me out there, having my fox around could come in really handy,” Nelson stated.
Orion didn’t like it. He didn’t like someone other than himself being that intimate with his mate.
“Orion, when I do the walk through, I will need you right there with me. It will be up to you to help me find Nelson’s fox and convince him to return to his human counterpart. We are both going to see many things we might not like, but we also have to ignore what it is we are witnessing and understand that it is part of Nelson’s past. Our sole focus has to be his Santorini fox,” Jewel explained.
Orion looked at Ezra. “And you’re okay with this? You’re okay with Jewel walking into my mate’s mind and body.
Ezra looked directly in Orion’s eyes. “It doesn’t thrill me, but I also know that my mate wants to help his best friend and if that means that he can bring Nelson’s fox back so that you can finally claim what is yours, then I will swallow my reservations and give my full blessing.”
“Orion, please. I miss my fox and I want him back. Between you and me maybe we can do that. I love you, Orion, and I want to make you mine,” Nelson finally whispered.
Orion felt tears come to his eyes. Gently running his fingers down the side of Nelson’s face, Orion softly replied, “I love you too, my light. I don’t like it, but if it is what you want to do, then I will not deny you. Besides, if we can get him back, we can join for our eternal life and the bonus is that you can shift once more and hopefully keep whoever this threat is at bay.”
Turning to Jewel, Orion asked, “So when do you want to do this?”
“I say, there is no time like the present,” Jewel stated.
Nelson stood up, saying, “Okay, so where do we go now?”
CHAPTER 3
Orion sat at the end of the couch with Nelson spread out, lying beside him, his head resting on Orion’s lap. He gently ran his fingers through Nelson’s silky-soft, beautiful jet-black hair, intrigued by the white stripes scattered throughout. When he had first met Nelson, Orion had thought the gorgeous man had dyed his hair, but to his surprise, as he sat day after day, watching over his mate while he was in a coma, he could study every inch, every feature of Nelson, and found that his hair was all natural. Now he sat again, caressing his mate’s hair and staring in awe at how beautiful Nelson truly was.
“He’s almost ready, Orion. Just keep doing what you’re doing,” Jewel whispered as he moved closer and sat on the coffee table before them.
“Shouldn’t I be asleep as well?” Orion asked softly, not wanting to disturb Nelson.
Jewel shook his head as he replied, “No. Only the person we want to dream walk with is required to be asleep. Once he hits that REM sleep, we’ll join hands and I’ll take us in.”
It was another five minutes until Orion felt Nelson’s body completely relax and go limp, the cutest little snores escaping his lips, making Orion smile. He shook his head internally as he thought how even something as small as a snore coming from his mate, made him fall deeper in love with the man.
Jewel slid closer and placed his hand on Orion’s. “He’s ready. I need you to relax, close your eyes, and just concentrate on your breathing. When you hear me tell you to open your eyes, open them, and we’ll be inside Nelson’s dream.”
“Can we help?’ Briar asked in a whisper as he and Helio walked into the room and came closer.
“I’m not sure whether you can. I’ve never done this with anyone else before.”
“That’s why we want to help. You may not be able to take Orion with you seeing as you’ve never done it before. When Ezra told us what you w
ere doing, we knew we had to come. I think we can help your ability by using our powers, this way you can take Orion,” Helio replied.
“Where is Ezra? I thought he would be here by now,” Jewel said.
“Oh, he’s on his way. He was just finishing a call with one of the contractors,” Briar said and sat next to Jewel.
“Okay, well, let’s see what you can do. Nelson’s ready.”
Helio sat behind Jewel on the table and he and Briar each placed a hand on Jewel. Orion watched as Jewel focused on Nelson, blocking out everything else in the room. “Okay, Orion, close your eyes,” Jewel whispered.
He did as Jewel instructed and relaxed into the cushions as he closed his eyes and concentrated only on his breathing, matching it to Nelson’s. A few minutes later he felt a strange tingling go through his body and suddenly he felt weightless, like he was floating on his back in the middle of a pool.
“We’re in. Open your eyes, Orion.” He heard Jewel’s voice, but it sounded as if it came from a distance. Almost as if it was spoken through a metal can.
Slowly he opened his eyes, not sure what he would find. Part of him was afraid this dream walk wouldn’t work and part of him was afraid it would. The unknown was scary sometimes in itself, but walking around in someone else’s memories or their dreams, was downright creepy and made him feel like he was invading his mate’s privacy. But then he reminded himself that Nelson had asked to do this and for him to come along, and he needed to respect his mate’s wishes.
Opening his eyes, he immediately knew they were inside Nelson’s dream. Not only was he not sitting on the couch with Nelson’s head in his lap anymore, or sitting in the drawing room of the mansion, but he and Jewel were now standing in a glade full of different grasses, trees, and flowers, with the sun shining bright on their skin.
Orion closed his eyes and raised his head, wanting to luxuriate in the feel of the sun on him, but he felt nothing. Realizing he was in Nelson’s dream and wouldn’t feel the warmth of the sun, Orion opened his eyes and looked around. As far as the eye could see there was nothing but the glade. A few butterflies flew by and he could hear birds chirping in the distance.
