Halloween Dragon

by Liv Rider

  The conversation put Parker on edge. He wasn’t sure how much Dr. Thompson knew about shifters. Some humans within the Lewiston city council knew about them, of course, and several shifters worked for the council. It was inevitable. But surely if Dr. Thompson thought the rare bat was a shifter, he would’ve tested that and not played along with their scheme? On the other hand, he’d also said it was probably for the best that the plans had to be revised.

  “Regardless of who owns the farm, my team and I will visit regularly to make sure everything’s in order.” He smiled at the Wilsons. “It’s a very exciting discovery. I hope no other animals in the area disturb it during hibernation.”

  Parker exchanged a glance with Olivia. Great. Now they’d still have to be extra careful about coming here to shift. To be fair, they probably deserved that for abusing their shifter powers like this.

  “We will keep an eye on that too and monitor the situation,” Olivia assured him. “I’m sure we can come to an agreement.”

  “But what about Halloween Fest?” Cameron turned to Andrew. “I know, you can tell me about sorting my priorities later.”

  “That will depend entirely on when the Fest runs and when you start preparations,” Dr. Thompson replied. “These bats usually hibernate from October until April, so your fellow is already on the late side.” He scratched his beard. “Maybe that’s why he chose a barn. He couldn’t find a good hibernation spot elsewhere, got desperate, and had to settle.”

  “So if we only come here from April onwards, and maybe move the Fest forward a few weekends, it’d be fine?”

  “I don’t see why not.” Dr. Thompson shrugged. “But that doesn’t just depend on me. We’ll have to monitor the bat during winter and spring.”

  “If we can keep using the barn,” Cameron told Andrew, “I think it’s only fair we try and make a donation to Shifting North. Don’t you?”

  Parker scoffed at that. His mate would be allowed to use this barn regardless. “That isn’t necessary.”

  “It could help, though,” Olivia said.

  Parker glared at her, but she shrugged. His dragon also grumbled that his mate should simply accept the gift.

  “We’re not exactly rolling in money.” Andrew looked worried.

  “Yeah, I know. But it’s for a good cause, right? But if we can continue to make use of the barn, I think it’s only fair we contribute what we can.” He eyed the Wilsons. “I wish there was a way we could repay you for everything you’ve done for us.”

  “The joy it brought everyone else was enough for us,” Mrs. Wilson told him.

  “It really isn’t necessary,” Parker insisted. “You’d be welcome to use the barn regardless. Assuming that it all works out with the bat.”

  “I know that.” Cameron looked at him now, his gray eyes unusually serious. “But I’d still prefer it if it was a more equal partnership.”

  Ah. Now he understood Cameron’s questions about why exactly he’d wanted to buy the farm, and how much it had to do with the two of them being fated mates. Parker knew how much it rankled to feel like you were indebted to someone. “I’m sure we can work something out.” He looked around at Andrew and Olivia as well. “All of us.” His council and the people of Halloween Fest would have to work more closely together if they were going to make this work. “How about we wait until next fall?” he suggested. “You can make a contribution after next year’s Halloween Fest. It seems unfair for you to make a donation before you even know if you really can have it here. What if that bat comes to hibernate early?”

  “You would have to cancel it,” Dr. Thompson added. “It’s far too disruptive.”

  Andrew eyed Cameron with some worry. “We should find a back-up location just to be on the safe side.”

  “I think it’ll be fine.” Cameron smiled. “And it’s a good idea. We can always raise more money for your charity as part of Halloween Fest. Saving a rare bat, what could be more fitting?”

  “Ooh, I do like that.” Andrew was starting to smile too. “Yes, we can definitely make it a part of our Fest.”

  “It would be a good way to raise awareness of biodiversity amongst your visitors,” Dr. Thompson added. “From what I’ve heard, Halloween Fest attracts plenty of visitors to the Lewiston area.”

  “Yeah, because they’re all from Lewiston.” Cameron laughed.

  “We-ell.” Andrew’s smile grew prouder. “We have been getting more and more people coming over from outside the city. Word is spreading about the Fest. There are plenty of people who love Halloween and haunted houses and are willing to travel for it.”

  “Looks like everybody wins if Halloween Fest continues here next year.” Parker nodded at Olivia. “So I suggest you make sure that it does.”

  Her mouth dropped. “You’re saying I should—I mean, yes, of course, I’ll take the lead on this project.” She turned to the Wilsons. “So, let’s discuss what offer you got from Everett.”

  The Wilsons still seemed a little surprised by the turn of events, but they offered to discuss it over a nice cup of tea. Dr. Thompson joined them as well, but Parker was sure Olivia could handle a suspicious ecologist. They’d be dealing with him a lot more come springtime and next fall, so it wouldn’t hurt if they were on friendly terms.

  While Andrew and Michael also walked away, talking about how weird a day it had been, Cameron let out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad that went well.”

  Parker nodded. “You want to celebrate?”

  “Definitely.” Cameron turned to him. “I guess tonight’s dinner can be the celebration.”

  “We could still cancel on them, you know.” He took Cameron’s hand to pull him closer. “Celebrate it together.”

  Cameron leaned in to kiss him all too briefly. “Tempting, but I want to meet them. I want to meet Joel. Get it over with. See if they like me.”

  “Of course they’re going to like you.” Parker could sense the nervousness in his mate. “Why wouldn’t they?”

  Cameron shrugged. “I don’t know. You’re right. It’ll be fine. I do have plenty to talk about with them.”

  With his mate reassured, Parker’s own worries came to the surface. Oh, he wasn’t worried about his friends not liking Cameron, but Thomas and Mitchell had known him for a long time. He’d have to tell them not to badmouth him too much, and make sure they wouldn’t tell Cameron any embarrassing stories.

  17

  Cameron

  Parker’s apartment was, in a lot of ways, the opposite of his, and Cameron hadn’t expected anything else. It was bigger, for one, and on a much higher floor. The view Parker had over the city was amazing. “How do you not spend most of your days just staring out the window?”

  “Because I’m usually too busy with work!” Parker called from the kitchen.

  Cameron smiled as he walked back over to the kitchen. Parker’s living room was sparsely furnished, the dark blue three-seater at an angle to the two matching chairs, and Cameron wasn’t surprised that the curtains matched the color of the furniture. The house plants in the windowsills and one of the corners looked well taken care of, all pots the same shade of off-white with green stripes. The one bookcase had two rows of books in them, mostly non-fiction, and the other three rows had been filled with picture frames, a few small statues, and a wooden bowl filled with receipts, Parker’s wallet, his phone charger and assorted knick-knacks. The sleek coffee table that matched the dining room table only added to Cameron’s feeling that he was walking around a spread in an interior decorating magazine.

  Parker’s apartment was nice and modern and minimalist, and completely devoid of his personality. No wonder Parker had said he liked how Cameron’s apartment was very him.

  “Can I help with anything?” he asked as he entered the kitchen. They’d done the groceries together, Parker buying the ingredients needed for a quiche and a side-salad, and he’d ushered Cameron out of the kitchen five minutes ago so he could start cooking. “I really don’t mind.” Besides, what else was he going to
do?

  Parker eyed the vegetables laid out on the kitchen counter. “Don’t worry, I can do it myself.”

  “It’ll be faster with the two of us. Why don’t I get started chopping the onions?” Cameron opened one of the kitchen drawers to look for a knife.

  Parker grimaced, but found him a cutting board and a knife. “You’re a guest. You shouldn’t be cooking.”

  Cameron smiled as he got started. “Hm-mm. Maybe I’m just hungry and I want this quiche done as quickly as possible.”

  “You’ll have to wait until Mitchell, Thomas, and Joel get here anyway.”

  That was a good segue to ask Parker about his friendship with the other two Keepers and Joel, and how that had gotten started. As Parker talked about the first time he met Mitchell, Cameron noticed he kept glancing at the onions being chopped.

  “Let me guess.” Cameron kept cutting the onion. “I’m not doing it the way you would.” He wasn’t surprised at Parker’s fingers twitching while he was chopping the garlic.

  “No, you’re not.” Parker sighed. “I know. It’s ridiculous. It doesn’t really matter how you chop those onions anyway, but….”

  “But you’re used to doing things your way.”

  “That’s a lot nicer than saying I’m a control freak.”

  “You did say you wanted to work on that.” Cameron smiled at him to let him know he didn’t mind. “Consider this practice.”

  “I am letting you continue to cut those onions.” Parker paused for a moment, then grinned. “Even though you’re doing it wrong.”

  “Differently.”

  Parker shook his head. “No, you were supposed to ask me to show you my superior onion-chopping technique so I’d have an excuse to get my hands on you.”

  “You can do that anyway!” Cameron countered, laughing.

  “Show you my superior technique or get my hands on you?”

  He put the knife down, enjoying Parker’s playful side. “I’ll show you my superior technique.” He wrapped one arm around Parker’s shoulders to pull him in for a kiss.

  Parker moved so he could push Cameron back against the counter, pressing their bodies together and sliding his hand under Cameron’s shirt to get to his bare skin.

  Cameron shivered, moaning as the kiss deepened. His other hand curled around Parker’s bicep, trying to draw him in closer.

  Parker pulled back to kiss further down his cheek, his jaw, his neck, and Cameron tilted his head back to give him more space. He was starting to get hard, and could feel Parker’s hardening cock press against his thigh. He’d planned on a quick kiss before going back to cutting up the vegetables, not a heated make-out session.

  Parker nuzzled his neck before kissing and licking a sensitive patch of skin, sucking on it until Cameron was moaning and grinding against him. His fingers dug into Parker’s arms and the back of his neck. It wasn’t enough. “Parker….”

  “Yes?” Parker’s hands stroked his sides.

  They were cooking. They had guests coming over shortly. They couldn’t take a break to have sex, no matter how much Cameron wanted to. “What time were your friends gonna be here?”

  Parker lifted his head to look at the clock hanging from the wall. “Too soon.”

  “I guess we’ll have to compare techniques later, then.” Cameron still groaned in disappointment when Parker backed off. “Do they usually stay long?”

  “Not tonight if they know what’s good for them.”

  He was nervous as they sat down for dinner. Cameron had set the table, leaving Parker to put the finishing touches on his quiche and the salad. It all smelled delicious, and it was nice to sit down to a home-cooked meal with friends.

  Or soon to be friends, Cameron hoped.

  After discussing the afternoon’s events at the farm, conversation naturally turned to whether or not Thomas’ and Mitchell’s councils agreed to the plan.

  “They do want to be a part of it,” Thomas replied.

  “Mine too. They’re already talking to Isaac and Olivia,” Mitchell added. “From what my council told me about the financial side of it, we might be able to buy a second property soon. One more suitable for shifters who can’t use the Wilson farm.”

  “That would be great, and prevent a lot of tension.” Parker sounded relieved. “I’ll ask my council to look at options with yours.”

  “What, no looking at options by yourself first and then telling your council which one’s best?” Mitchell teased. “Who are you and what have you done with the real Parker?”

  “Blame him.” Parker nodded at Cameron. “And Thomas, of course.”

  “You asked me for advice because you screwed up!”

  “Oooh?” Mitchell leaned forward. “What did I miss?”

  Cameron listened as Parker explained how he’d called Thomas after that disastrous Monday morning. It was strange to hear Parker repeat what he’d said, even in abridged form, and he winced at some of his own words. But it had been necessary, and look where they were now.

  “That’s very impressive, him managing in a few days what we haven’t been able to do in a few years,” Mitchell said eventually, raising his wine glass. “I’ll drink to that. May you continue to be a good influence on him, Cameron.”

  They all shared a toast. “I’ve never been on a good influence on anyone. I doubt that’s going to start now,” Cameron replied.

  “Well, whatever you’re doing, it’s working,” Mitchell told him.

  “Must be the strength of the mating bond,” Thomas mused. “The only thing more powerful than your need to do everything work-related yourself is your need to be with your fated mate.”

  Cameron hoped his cheeks weren’t too red as Thomas talked about need. “I’m sure he would’ve figured out how to take a step back without me eventually.”

  Thomas and Mitchell both burst out laughing, and Parker glared at them. “He really wouldn’t have,” Mitchell said, still grinning. “Trust me, he needs you to keep him balanced.”

  “And that goes both ways. You both need each other.” Joel exchanged a smile with Thomas, reaching out to rest his hand on his arm. “I wouldn’t be who I am now if it weren’t for Thomas.”

  “You were already wonderful.” Thomas’ eyes were warm and filled with love as he looked at Joel. “Now you’re just more so.”

  Cameron raised an eyebrow at Parker, who was frowning slightly at the other couple. It seemed they both agreed that that level of sappiness in front of others wasn’t for them, as sweet as it was. “So the bond is still strong between the two of you?” he asked, remembering Parker saying how once you found your fated mate, nothing else mattered. Thomas and Joel were sappy, but they weren’t only focused on each other and this had been the only bit of PDA all evening. They did seem like a perfectly normal couple.

  “Yes, of course. If anything, it’s stronger than in the beginning,” Thomas explained. “But less overwhelming, if that makes sense.”

  Cameron was relieved to hear it. “That’s good to know.” Because as much as he wanted to get back to kissing Parker and touching him all over, preferably in his bedroom, he also liked talking to Joel, Thomas, and Mitchell. He was sure he’d like it even more if there wasn’t some small, but loud, part of him counting down how much longer he’d have to wait before it wasn’t rude to ask them to leave.

  “You didn’t know anything about shifters, did you?” Joel sounded worried.

  Cameron nodded. “Not until Parker shifted right in front of me, no.”

  “That must’ve been a shock,” Mitchell added. “A huge dragon right in front of you. Weren’t you scared?”

  “No.” He’d been shocked, yes, and surprised. But more than that, he’d been filled with awe. “It was still Parker.”

  “As a dragon, though,” Mitchell said. “It’s just—I know how big we are. What our claws and fangs look like.”

  Cameron shrugged. “I knew he wouldn’t hurt me. Besides, once I started petting him, he was practically purring like a cat.”
/>   As one, Thomas and Mitchell looked at Parker, who suddenly found the remains of his quiche very interesting. “Purring?” Thomas asked.

  “He was rubbing that part on top of my head, you know, just behind that ridge?” Parker’s tone was defensive.

  Thomas nodded knowingly. “That is a good spot.”

  “Oh, now you tell me!” Joel shared a smile with Cameron. “You’ll have to tell me if you find more spots that make a dragon purr.”

  “I wasn’t even purring!” Parker looked flustered now. “Dragons don’t purr.”

  “Well, you definitely did.”

  “When can you shift?” Joel looked at Thomas. “I want to see if you purr as well.”

  “He doesn’t purr, because he’s a dragon,” Parker insisted.

  “Don’t worry, it sounded adorable,” Cameron told him. He couldn’t help but smile at Parker’s indignant huff.

  “I’m not adorable.”

  “Not right now you’re not.” That got Cameron a smile in return.

  “It’s a good thing you’re my fated mate,” Parker told him. “Or my pride would’ve been grievously injured.”

  “I’ll make up for it by clearing the empty plates away, if everyone’s finished?” As he glanced around the table, he caught Mitchell looking wistful. He didn’t know the other man well enough to say for certain, but he’d been around friends in relationships while single himself to recognize that look. “And get dessert?”

  “If there’s dessert, I’m definitely finished.” Mitchell smiled at him as he handed Cameron the plate, any trace of wistfulness gone.

  “It’s just ice cream, I didn’t have time to make anything fancy like you did,” Parker told him.

  Mitchell shrugged. “Hey, I served ice cream as well last time.”

  “Yes, with homemade apple pie!”

  “That just means there’ll be more room for ice cream, and that’s never a bad thing.”

  Cameron smiled as the others discussed the best options for desserts while he got the two tubs of ice cream. If all shifters were like Thomas and Mitchell, then he could definitely get used to being around them.