by Julia Talbot
“Come. Come in. Please. I’ll give you socks.”
“Socks. I like socks.” He stepped into Ed’s room, staring about. The place was covered with pillows and blankets, and sparklies hung from every surface. In the bay window, there was a giant perch with a tarp under it.
“Tanner doesn’t want me to perch anywhere that I might make a mess….” Ed ducked his head, laughing.
“Are you not house-trained, birdie?” he teased.
“I am. I really am.” Ed leaned close. “I clean a lot too. Tanner has never said my room smells like bird.”
“No, your room smells good. Like you.”
“Thank you! This way I can hook up your game console later. Mine is already here.” Ed waved him over to a pile of pillows in front of a TV. There was no bed in the room.
The room was deliciously warm, and he curled into the pillows, chuffing softly. “How wonderful.”
“Thanks! You can come over anytime I’m not working. It’s little, but I feel safe. I mean, if I get all pent up, I can go fly. It’s bad to land on a hot grill, though. Just sayin’.”
“It will burn your feet.” No one wanted that.
“It smells awful.” Ed wrinkled that big nose, making him laugh again.
“How did you come here? I was hiding and Tom found me.”
“I flew over one evening. Just at dusk. Tanner was chasing Carter around the yard, growling and grunting, and I could tell they were playing. So when I saw they were hiring, I applied. And I couldn’t afford a car, so they gave me a room!”
“Oh. How kind! How kind.” They had been unbearably kind to him too—feeding him, taking him in, caring for him when he had nothing.
“They’re totally cool here. That’s why Tom is here, right? They were all so good to him. He comes back to visit.” Ed grinned. “I heard that was why. I wasn’t here.” Ed twirled, then plopped down beside him.
“Me either, but he’s amazing. Tom. He’s my mate.”
“Did you know he was here?”
“How could I? He wasn’t here.”
“Oh. Okay, right. So it was just the food?”
“And the warmth, I think. I was so cold.” But there was something about here. He’d stopped at this mountain. He’d stopped here.
“Well, you came to the best place.” Ed gave him a half-ashamed glance. “I’m a magpie, right? I… take things. Carter and Tanner hide stuff all over the house for me so I don’t get myself in trouble.”
“All your treasures?” He was fascinated by the sparkle and shine.
“Yes!” Ed turned on the TV, then a small machine underneath. “Sometimes I have to take things back to Tanner, but he never, ever yells at me. Jami cleans the guest rooms, so I really don’t have to worry.”
“We are what we are. You can’t fight instinct.”
“Exactly. So this is your game controller. I’ll show you what all the buttons do when I boot up the game.” Ed was very excited.
Nathan ran his fingers over the controller, the weight and shape so familiar.
“Maybe I know this.”
“Yeah? Well, we can see if it comes back naturally, huh? If not, then I can teach you.” Ed bumped shoulders with him, totally not aware of his space, Nathan thought. It felt dear, solid. Happy.
Ed was a good man. Bird. A good egg. He laughed out loud at his own silliness.
“What?” Ed peered at him.
“I was just thinking you were a good egg.”
Ed cackled, the sound filling the air. “I am! A very good egg.”
They laughed together more like loons than a wolf and a magpie, but it was so much fun just to let go. He leaned on Ed and just sort of howled.
Mate? Tom’s thought was warm, distant. All is well?
Yes. He was with his good bird friend. Ed is very funny.
I got your note. I love you too. Holler when you’re done and I’ll come to the house and meet you.
Tom trusted him. That gave him a warm, warm glow.
Bring shoes?
Of course, love. Let me know if you need anything else.
“Is it amazing, friend? Having a mate?”
“Yes. Yes, it is warm. Wonderful. I… I can hear him inside me.”
“Aw.” Ed looked a little sad for a moment, then brightened. “Good for you!”
He nudged Ed, the urge to comfort too big to ignore.
Ed was back to happy, his moods quicksilver. “Okay. Booting up the game.”
“You got it. Boot ahoy.”
Ed cackled, calling up a game named Lego Avengers. How adorable. The people were all square toys.
Legos. He had a flash of something, a weird memory of teeth marks and puppies and… and then it dissipated. When the game began, though, he knew how to use the controller, and he battled Ed with all his might.
“You so lied! You know how!”
He laughed, so pleased. “My fingers know things my brain doesn’t.”
“They do! You’re rocking it.”
“Thank you.” He head-butted Ed gently. So much fun.
“You’re my friend! I love games.” Ed seemed as happy as he was. Maybe Ed didn’t have many friends either.
They played for more than an hour before they both shifted, his wolf curling into the blankets as Ed preened his tail with his sharp beak. He twitched every now and again when Ed tugged too hard, but the grooming was so needed, and Ed seemed to think so too.
His head was heavy, and he could hear his mate’s soft amusement.
Sleep, love. I’ll come get you later.
Sleep. Love. Mate. They were simple words, but true.
The caress of Tom’s mind against his put him right to sleep, despite the magpie tugging at his ears now.
Silly bird.
Chapter Seven
TANNER had called to tell Tom that Nathan’s clothes were in. Since Nathan was up at the house anyway, he grabbed the pair of slippers Nathan was using around the place and headed up to the main house. Tanner would feed them.
Tanner and Nathan both needed to talk. They were both worried they’d upset the other.
A nice hot meal, a little smiling and nodding, and it would be better in no time.
He cleaned his boots and headed in, the house warm and cozy, smelling of cinnamon and pine. He breathed deep, the house always making him happy. Always.
“Tom! Hey.” Carter came to kiss his cheeks, still looking a little sleepy.
“Hey, hon. How are you?”
“Good. Good, buddy. I had a long, lazy nap.”
“Yeah?” Tom grinned. “One thing we all have in common. Naps.”
“Yes. Tanner is the master, though. The absolute king.”
“He is. I’ve seen him walk into a sunbeam and fall right over.” Tom chuckled.
“Mmm. I miss sunbeams a little bit. Although a little nibble from my Fallon fixes me right up. Where’s Nathan, speaking of mates?”
“With Ed. He came up to play video games. They fell asleep, I think. Well, Nathan did, but Ed might have been grooming.”
“Ed loves to groom. Are you staying for supper?”
“I’d love to.”
“Excellent. We’ll set two more plates. It’s beef stroganoff.”
“Perfect. Will Ed mind if I go knock? He’s in the wee addition with the bay window, right?”
“He shouldn’t. Ed’s a trouper. Seriously. A bit of a birdbrain, but a good guy.”
Tom laughed a little harder. “Birdbrain. I see what you did.”
Carter bowed. “I live to serve.”
“Okay. Count us in. I need to get clothes from Tanner.”
“He’ll be here in about half an hour. He wanted a shower.”
“Cool. Can you sit a minute?” He knew Carter needed to work, but he wanted to sit and just visit.
“Of course. Couch or kitchen?”
“Kitchen. It’s so cheerful!” Tom led the way, Carter whistling and bouncing behind him.
They settled at the table after Carter made him a cu
p of tea. He wasn’t looking at what was in Carter’s cup. None of his business.
“How’s it going, honey? I hear that things got a little tense earlier.”
He nodded solemnly. “Tanner suggested bringing in Preston, but when he said ‘doctor,’ it scared Nathan.”
“That sucks. Someone hurt him?”
“That has to be it. Poor baby, his scars are so painful-looking, and I can tell they make him self-conscious.”
“They’re still open, raw. We need to find some bandages, hmm? Antibiotics?”
“I think so, yes, but no shots or anything. He’s terrified of being cut open.” Tom scowled, wanting to hurt whoever had hurt his mate.
“Christ. That sucks. Seriously. How can I help?” Carter’s fangs were showing, just a little.
“I think we just go slow.” He sipped his tea, which was maple something. “That’s yummy.”
“Thank you. I like it—it’s not quite sweet.”
“No. It’s good. I bet Tanner puts honey in it. Nathan has a sweet tooth too.” He remembered Nathan telling their best bear that.
“Yeah, me not so much. I’ll make sure we have a dessert tonight.”
“Thank you. How did I get so lucky to have you as a friend?”
Carter beamed. “I dunno, but you better watch Nathan and Ed. He’s way more bouncy than me.”
“There’s no way.” Carter was the definition of bounce. He said he was the antibounce, but Tom knew better. “Nathan wouldn’t betray me.”
“With Ed? No. Get into trouble? Goddess, yes.”
“Trouble, huh? I think it would be okay for him to get some confidence. As long as neither of them get hurt.” Tom chuckled at how they’d played the other day.
“They’re both big boys. Ed is goofy, but he’s fully grown and painfully honest.”
“I think I’ll like him.” Tom nodded, because he really thought Ed was a doll for becoming Nathan’s friend so immediately.
“I think you will too.” Carter leaned in, whispered playfully, “He drives Fallon nuts. It’s hilarious.”
“Ed? I bet. All that rustling and flapping.”
“And the whole beak thing freaks him right the fuck out.”
He laughed, delighted. “Oh, that’s funny. He’s very much a magpie.”
“Isn’t he? He fascinates me. He dresses just so.”
Reaching out, Tom touched Carter’s hand. “Thank you for calling me here. He’s… I can never repay you. He’s my mate and….”
Carter twined their fingers together. “You brought me back to Fallon. We’re even now.”
“We are? That’s awesome.” Tom shared a smile with Carter that was knowing, happy.
“Hey!” Tanner appeared in the doorway, wearing camo pajamas that said “Wake the bear at your own risk.”
“We came for supper.” Tom gave Tanner a grin.
“We?” Tanner asked, looking around.
“He’s wolfed out with birdbrain.”
“Oh. I have his clothes if you want them.”
“I do.” Tom rose to hug Tanner. “Thank you so much for all your help.”
“You’re welcome. Is he okay? I’m very sorry to have scared him.”
“He’s all worried he upset you. He’s good. Ed had him playing video games.” Lego something, he thought. Nathan’s thoughts had been about square people.
It was fascinating, honestly, the happy song that rang inside him.
He’d just lazed the day away listening until Nathan had fallen asleep for his nap. Nathan was going to make him a little lazy. Maybe he would make Nathan more energetic.
Ha. That was a thought.
Nathan probably had a lot of energy when he wasn’t injured. He was scowling again before he could catch it, and Tanner stroked his forehead. “Okay?”
“Just mad at whoever hurt him.”
“Yes. When we discover that, we’ll deal with it, won’t we?”
“We will.” Tom patted Tanner’s arms. “Okay. Clothes. Unless you need postnap coffee or tea first.”
“Clothes. I’ll get my coffee after you extricate your mate and Ed.” The mention of Ed’s name made Tanner smile.
“Tell Ed he’s welcome to supper. I’m making polenta to go with the stroganoff. He loves that. I’ll have noodles too, though, in case you or Nathan is a traditionalist like Don in cabin one.”
“Polenta is fine with me. I don’t know if Nathan likes it.” Hell, he didn’t know if Nathan knew whether he liked it. Polenta was great, and stroganoff had meat and yummy gravy, though, so he thought Nathan would love it.
“Cool. Okay, clothes.” Tanner led him back to the office, where a box sat on the floor. “I opened it to make sure it was all there, and I did one load of laundry. It all had sizing. Ed wasn’t able to go to town, so I ordered it online.”
“Oh, Tanner, thank you. I would have done it, had I known.”
“You have terrible taste in clothes,” Tanner quipped.
“Hey! I’m classy!” So he liked flannel. So what.
“Uh-huh. No.” Tanner handed him a stack of laundered clothes. “Ed can bring the rest tomorrow.”
“Put it on my bill?”
“No problem. I went with soft and loose.”
“Excellent. He’s into cozy.” Tom took the clothes and headed up to the crazy add-on room he thought Tanner had put on just for Ed. Such a softie.
He knocked gently, and it only took seconds for Ed to answer the door. “Mr. Tom! Come in.”
“Hi, Ed. How are you?” He smiled, because Ed seemed like such a sweetie.
“Very well, thank you.” His cheeks were kissed, the soft pecks gentle, brief. “Come in. Come in. We napped.”
“Did you? That seems to be going around. Tanner says there’s polenta with the stroganoff if you want to come to supper.”
“I do. I love corn. Love it.” Ed’s head bobbed.
He was fascinating, this bird. Tom glanced around. “Oh, what a sparkly nest you have. Lovely.” There was his mate, snoring away on a pile of pillows. “Nathan?”
Nathan’s head popped up, ears twisting. Tom!
“Hello, sweet. I have clothes for you.”
“Oh, I’ll give you two privacy. I can help Tanner with supper. See you there.” Ed fluttered off with a puff of fringe and energy.
“He’s so funny.” He brought the clothes over for Nathan to smell.
Nathan nosed them, head bobbing in approval.
“Can you come to me, mate, as a man?” Tom crossed his legs so he could sit on the floor.
Nathan rolled up out of the pillows and padded over to him, nuzzling him gently.
“Hello there.” He beamed, loving how Nathan was so good to him, so loving.
Hello. Love. Mate. Tom. Hello.
He ruffled Nathan’s ears. “I told Tanner we would come to supper.”
Supper. Yes.
He could hear Nathan singing in his head, soft and sweet.
“I think you’ll like what he’s making.” As humans they tolerated mushrooms much better than they did as wolves.
Mmmmushrooms! That was happy laughter, joyous, teasing.
“Yes! And beef and gravy and noodles or polenta.” He bounced around with his mate.
He could feel Nathan trying to come to him, trying to shake off the wolf. He closed his eyes, falling into the music between them, encouraging without demanding.
Nathan nudged him, long muzzle beginning to shorten. The air moved around him, and he heard the crackle of magic.
Beloved. He was so proud.
When he opened his eyes, Nathan was there, bare and shivering a bit but human. So Tom kissed him.
Nathan cuddled into his arms, leaning into him and sharing warmth.
The room was nice and heated, but he wanted Nathan to try on the clothes, so Tom held on for a few minutes, but then he backed off a few feet. “Try these?”
Nathan dressed easily, snuggling into the cozy clothes with happy little whimpers and sighs.
“Good
? Tanner said he went for soft.” He thought Nathan was very pleased.
“They’re amazing. Warm. Ed gave me socks, but I lost them.”
“Oh, I have socks and slippers for you too.” He beamed. “You look very handsome.” Tanner had done well with colors and fabrics.
Nathan preened, sliding his hands along his sides. “You like me?”
“I do. I also love you. Both are important.”
“Yes. Socks and slippers for my cold feet, right?”
“Yes. But I mean liking and loving too.” He handed the socks and slippers to Nathan.
“Yes.” Nathan sat on his ass and got them on. “I like Ed. He makes me laugh.”
“He’s a nice guy.”
Nathan beamed at him. “I told him he was a good egg.”
Tom laughed out loud. “Good one.” The more he learned about Nathan, the more he knew that Nathan had had a life, a full life, that he couldn’t remember.
The idea worried him a tiny bit, but he also thought his lover would never forget if he already had a mate.
They couldn’t find a second mate, could they?
No. He smiled when Nathan made an inquiring noise. “I’m good. Are you ready to go to supper?”
Are you sure? Mate?
I am. He took one more kiss, luxuriating in the touch of their mouths together.
Nathan loved to cuddle, to snuggle into his arms; he could feel it in Nathan’s song. That sent warmth and love all through his body.
He headed out, his arm around Nathan, ready to take his mate to dinner with his friends.
How much better could life get than that?
NATHAN snuggled into Tom’s side, loving the new clothes. So soft, so warm—the turtleneck hid his scars, and everything fit him loosely so he didn’t feel contained.
They’d gone downstairs, and Ed had told them it was ten minutes or so until supper, so they were snuggling on the couch.
It was blissful. The fire roared, and the smells were yummy and cozy. He felt like he was at home. This was a good place. He’d known that even before Ed told him about Tanner building a room for a bird. But now? Oh, he loved it.
He drew his knees up, put his chin on them, watching the fire in the hearth. So pretty. So warm.
Nathan loved a fire in the fireplace. He also adored how Tom’s arm felt around him, fingers on his hip. Tom’s pleasure was like a blanket. There was an anticipation there too. Tom wanted to have supper with his friends.
