by Cree Storm
Berk sat there absorbing what Garth was saying. He needed to think, and he did his best thinking when he cooked. “I don’t know what I want, to be honest. I can say that I’ve found you sexy as fuck from the moment I set my eyes on you, too. That isn’t normal for me.”
“Is it because you prefer women?” Micah asked with a grimace.
Berk laughed and shook his head, “No, and don’t say the word women like it’s a disease to be a woman. I know many women who are truly wonderful, and anyone would be blessed to have in their life. The thing is I’ve known I am gay since I was a preteen. However, in all honesty, no one’s ever really drawn me in... not like Garth.”
Waving his hand towards the man, Berk said, “Look at him. He’s every gay man’s wet dream. He has to be close to seven feet tall and a good three twenty-five to three fifty of all muscle. I’ve always been fascinated with legs, and fuck me, Garth’s are so fucking thick and toned. Hell, his thighs look like they could crush me with a thought. Then you add in that military-cut black hair emphasizing those breathtaking emerald-green eyes... I mean, really. Who wouldn’t want some of that? The thing is, I don’t know you, Garth. I know in the books they say when a paranormal finds their mate they want them in an instant, but you’re right. I’m not ready for that.”
Garth’s shoulders dropped, and Berk quickly said, “But that doesn’t mean I’m not interested in finding out if an us could work. I just need time.”
“How much time?” Garth asked.
Berk laughed, “I don’t know. I’ve never been truly interested in someone before. I mean, I’ve found guys attractive, it’s how I knew I was gay. My eye always seemed to stray to a man, but I’ve never felt that was the be all and end all to find out about them either. I have some things I need to think through, and I’m sure I’ll have a lot of questions once my mind begins to wrap its way around all this. That means I need to cook. It’s where I do my best thinking.”
“How about if we get you into town so you can get what you need so you can get to the cooking? That way you can do your thinking and we can finally start getting some home cooking.” Bo suggested.
Nodding, Berk said, “That’d be great.”
“I can take you.” Garth suggested in a way that seemed kind of shy and uncertain.
Smiling, Berk replied, “I’d like that.”
“And while you guys do that, we’ll get onto investigating that zoo, Garth. We think we have a way in to check shit out.” Micah said.
Garth turned to the man, “Don’t go doing anything until we can make a plan, Micah. I know you want to rush in, but we don’t even know if this zoo is even holding shifters, and if they are, it could get dicey trying to get them out.”
“I promise, but if they are holding our kind in that hell, we are going in sooner rather than later.” Micah hissed.
CHAPTER 6
Garth drove his Dodge Ram hybrid truck towards town with his mate sitting by his side. How the fuck had he gotten so lucky to have a human mate willing to give an old dragon like him a chance?
They were silent for the first five minutes, when Berk asked, “How did you and your friends get together?”
“I won’t go into great detail on each of them, because those are stories for them to tell, but let’s just say I helped them out of some tight spots, and brought them home with me.” Garth answered.
“And they just stayed? Why would you do that?” Berk asked.
Sighing, Garth answered, “They had nowhere to go and I had the space, so why not?”
“There’s more to it than that, Garth. I see how close you guys are. Hell, anyone that isn’t blind can tell how much they care for you as well as how much you care for them.” Berk said.
Again, Garth sighed. “Time can leave a person lonely, Berk, and I’m a very old dragon. I hated being alone. Yes, most dragons like their space, but I was never one of them. I liked the sound of someone walking the halls or going up and down the stairs. I like hearing Bo and Micah snip at each other or see Linus snuggling up with Nolan while watching a movie. Before they lived with me, my world was silent. Now...”
“You have a family.” Berk whispered quietly.
Garth could tell his mate was thinking about what was said, when he softly said, “After my parents died, I was put in one home after another, and trust me, it wasn’t quiet at all. Kids can be real bastards. The first night I was placed in a foster home, I was lying in bed crying. This kid came to me and told me I needed to stop before one of the others saw me and kicked my ass. When I said my parents had just died... god, I’ll never forget what he said. “So, all of us don’t have parents anymore. It’s why we’re here, but if they see you cry, they’re gonna know you’re weak and if you’re weak, they will come for you. In the system you have to do one of two things. Be tough and kick ass, or blend into the wall and hope they don’t kick yours.” I forced myself to stop crying and buried my pain and loss as deep as I could, and I stopped talking. I figured if I didn’t talk, I wouldn’t be noticed. The problem was, the people I lived with thought something was wrong with me, and took me back to the social worker.”
“Why would they do that?” Garth asked, feeling his heart breaking for the pain his mate had felt, and still was feeling if the sound of his voice was any indication.
“Most foster families don’t like taking in someone they think has a disability. It takes too much time and they don’t want to deal with it. It’s that or they want the money and don’t want to work for it. I was shuffled from one home to another, I don’t really remember how many, and then I became one of the luckiest foster kids in the world. I was placed with Nort and Marla Carlson. They were never blessed with kids and did some fostering. When they took me in, it was supposed to be temporary, but we just seemed to click, you know?” Berk asked, looking at Garth.
Nodding, Garth answered, “It was like that with me and the guys.”
Berk smiled and Garth could tell he was remembering good memories. “Marla tricked me on the first day.”
“Tricked you how?” Garth asked, turning on the road to the farmer’s market.
“Marla was a teacher, and she decided that homeschooling was the way to go for me. She handed me a book and said she needed to know what reading level I was, so I had to read the book out loud. So, I did.” Berk answered with a laugh. “She never said a word to me until I finished, then took the book, saying, “Well, that was interesting, Berk. You’re very good at reading, and now that we know you can talk, I expect to hear a ‘yes ma’am’, ‘yes sir’, and ‘thank you’, once in a while.” We did some other things, and then she took me to the restaurant that she and Nort owned. We would do schooling until lunch, then she would go out and work the front, while Nort cooked. When the lull would hit around three, we would finish up and then she’d go work the dinner rush. I still think about the first time I walked into the kitchen and saw Nort making fresh bread and dancing to some old R&B song.”
“Is he the reason you went to culinary school?” Garth asked, parking the truck.
Nodding, Berk answered, “Yep. He started teaching me and I fell in love from the first loaf of bread I made. I graduated really early, and when they learned I wanted to go to culinary school, they paid my way.”
“Did they adopt you?” Garth asked.
Shaking his head, Berk answered, “No. I was too afraid that the people in the system would remember I was there and take me away.”
“The blend-in thing,” Garth said in understanding.
“Exactly. There was that, and, in all honesty, I knew the money they got for fostering me helped them with some of the finances. What I didn’t know was that they were putting all they got into an account to put me through culinary school. I owe them everything, you know? I mean, yeah, I had to work hard to get those degrees, but Nort and Marla were there every step of the way. Marla and Nort would Facetime with me all the time, and came to visit when they could, and I would go to them on holidays. We were a family. We didn’t ne
ed a piece of paper to say it. We always just knew,” Berk said as he unbuckled his belt and stepped out of the car.
“You’re a lucky man,” Garth said as he made his way to the front of the truck.
Smiling, Berk gave Garth a wink. “I know. You know what else I know, Garth?”
“What?”
“That click I did with Nort and Marla...”
Garth rasped, “Yeah.”
Berk lifted his hand and gently brushed his finger down Garth’s right cheek. “It’s the same click that tells me you and I are meant to be.” Dropping his hand, Berk said, “Now all we have to do is get my brain to catch up with the rest of me.”
Garth froze. Did Berk mean what he was saying? Or was Garth making more out of that statement then he should?
Realizing Berk was leaving him behind, Garth rushed forward until he was side by side with Berk.
Berk handed him a large carrier, “Can you hold this?”
Garth just took it without saying a word. He watched Berk pick vegetables up and sniff them, or squeeze them, while others he would put back down. When he noticed how little Berk was putting into the basket, Garth knew he needed to say something.
“Uh Berk?”
“Yes?” Berk said as he picked up some broccoli.
Leaning in, Garth whispered, “Remember what we are?”
Berk gave him a curious look, “What you are?”
Garth raised a brow and watched as the light bulb went off. “Uh, yeah.”
“You’ve seen us eat.” Garth said, then leaned in and whispered, “I suggest you act like you’re cooking for a party of forty.”
Understanding hit Berk and he turned to the vendor. “Your produce is beautiful.”
“Thank you. Everything is grown on my farm, and in the winter, we utilize our greenhouses.”
“And what kind of fertilizers do you use?” Berk asked.
“Our farm is one hundred percent organic. We don’t use chemicals of any sort.” The man answered proudly.
Berk nodded, asking, “Do you ever deliver your goods?”
“That depends on where and how much. It’s me and my boys that run the farm, but we do, on occasion deliver.” The man answered.
Berk smiled and put out his hand, “Names Berk. Berk Carlos.”
“Ted Bunson.” The man replied, shaking Berk’s hand.
“So, Ted, if I were to put in extensive orders, could you deliver twice a week?” Berk asked.
Garth looked around at all the people milling about. He didn’t remember the last time he had come to town, and wasn’t looking forward to doing this often. Suddenly, Berk was shaking Ted’s hand again. “Thanks. I appreciate your willingness to do this for me. Normally I’d come out here and pick out what I’d need myself, but my boyfriend just reminded me that I’m gonna be really busy and I prefer fresh over store bought, if you know what I mean.”
“Hell, yeah I do. A real honest-to-goodness chef. I wish I could try some of your food. I bet it’s right good.” Ted said with a smile.
“I’ll tell you what. On your first delivery, I’ll make sure to make enough for you and your family. It’s the least I can do for how kind you’ve been to me.” Berk said with a wide smile.
Ted smiled right back at Berk and Garth felt his dragon trying to push forward. He knew Ted didn’t mean anything by the smile, but the man was getting just a bit too friendly with his mate, and his dragon didn’t like it.
“That sounds great, but it’s totally unnecessary.” Ted replied,
Shaking his head, Berk said, “Nonsense. I want to and thanks again, Ted. I’m gonna take what I have here, and I’ll contact you with my order for Saturday.”
“Sounds good. Look forward to doing business with ya.” Ted stated, then rang up Berk’s purchase and Garth paid the bill.
They made their way back to the truck and Berk seemed to have a bit of a skip to his step. “You know, this is going to be even more fun than I thought. I get to cook like I did for the restaurant.”
Garth laughed. “It’s one of the reasons none of us cook. It isn’t because we can’t as much as we don’t like having to make sure we have enough. It’s just been easier to order in for dinner, and everyone does for themselves for breakfast and lunch.”
“Well, it’s a good thing I love to cook now, isn’t it?” Berk said with a smirk.
“I hope you don’t plan on cooking all the time. I mean, how are we supposed to get to know each other if you’re always in the kitchen?” Garth asked.
Berk went to another stand and started smelling the pineapple. “I have off weekends. Otherwise, I guess you’ll have to come and visit me in the kitchen. We still have the grocery store and the butcher, but he’s not for a couple of hours. Ted said this guy is all organic too. I can’t wait to see what he has to offer. I think I’m going to try and work out a delivery system with him as well. It will seriously cut down on my shopping, and even though we have to go to the shopping center today, I’ll start ordering whatever else I need online from now on.”
“You know, I’ve heard it’s never a good idea to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach. How about we grab us a bite to eat, then head to the butcher, then once that’s finished, we can get the groceries, then order some Chinese for dinner?” Garth suggested.
“I was gonna cook dinner.” Berk quickly said.
Shaking his head, Garth said, “Berk, with all the shopping you’ll be tired. There isn’t any reason that we can’t grab some takeout for tonight. You can get a fresh start in the morning.”
“Fine, but how you guys don’t have clogged arteries and diabetes is beyond me. It’s not good to eat takeout all the time.”
Garth smiled as he pulled out of the parking spot, “It’s one of the perks of being a shifter. We don’t get human diseases. We don’t pass on human diseases.”
“Are we still talking about takeout, or is this about sex now?” Berk asked, causing Garth to damn-near hit a parked car. “Shit.”
Berk laughed and said, “I told you, I read a lot of paranormal romance.”
“That you did.” Garth muttered trying to get control before his dick popped out of his jeans from the thought of Berk and sex.
They drove out of the farmer’s market and sat quietly for a few minutes, before Berk asked, “So is it true that if we have sex, we don’t need to use condoms? And when you mate, is it with sex and a bite? And what about my aging? Is it going to slow to match yours? Will I get special abilities like enhanced hearing, or speed, or smell?
“Whoa, babe, slow down. I’ll answer, but that’s a lot of questions at once.” Garth said with a laugh.
Berk blushed, “Sorry. I was just curious as to how accurate the books are.”
“Well, let’s see. When, not if we have sex, we don’t need condoms. Yes, we will have sex and I’ll bite you, but you will also need to drink my blood as well.”
Berk’s nose scrunched in disgust. “That just sounds all kinds of nasty.”
“Maybe, but it’s necessary. No, you won’t get enhanced abilities like sight, smell and stuff, but you will heal quickly if you’re harmed, and yes, you’ll stop aging. You will be immune to disease and sickness as well.” Garth added.
Berk smirked, “Yeah, no more flu shots for me.”
Another thought hit Garth and he tensed. Should he tell Berk or not? Damn. He knew he should, but what if he told Berk, and Berk then refused to mate with him? Fuck, he could lose his mate before he even had the chance to prove himself worth mating.
“Spit it out, Garth.” Berk said with an eye roll.
Garth looked guiltily at Berk, “Spit what out?”
“Whatever it is that has you looking like you’re trying your best not to shit your pants.” Berk answered.
“I’m not looking...” Garth stopped speaking and let out a deep sigh. “Fine. It’s possible that you can get pregnant with our child one day.”
Berk blinked, “Say again?”
“I’m a dragon, Berk. Dragons onl
y have male mates. When we mate, your body will change a bit, and one of those things is giving you what you will need to have our child,” Garth answered.
Berk gasped, “I don’t want a womb! I’m not a woman, damn it. I... are you sure? I mean, maybe that’s all bullshit. I know I’ve read that in the books but...”
“I really need to read one of these books you talk so much about. However, this isn’t bullshit. It’s true.” Garth stated, not taking his eyes off the road, fearful of what he would see if he looked at his mate right that minute.
“But... but I don’t want to shit an egg, Garth. I’m not a chicken.” Berk murmured.
Garth did take a chance to glance his mate’s way and placed a hand on Berk’s leg. “No, you’re not a chicken, or a duck, or any other kind of poultry. You’re my mate and you won’t lay an egg. You would have a human child, and when that child turns two, he or she will shift into their dragon for the first time. Then shift back and will not shift again until puberty.”
“A human child.” Berk whispered, then asked, “Why does the baby shift at two if they don’t stay that way?”
“Because that’s when the dragon color is determined. The color will tell us the strength of our child’s dragon and what it is we will need to teach him or her. If green, that means the dragon’s power is going to be weaker than if it is blue or orange. It he or she shifts into a red dragon, that means it’s going to be immensely powerful and have many gifts, and we will need to prepare them for it. The real problem is if it’s black.” Garth said, turning into the diner’s parking lot.
“Why? What’s that mean?” Berk asked.
Garth turned to Berk. “There are no black dragons, Berk.”
“Why? I don’t understand.” Berk said in confusion.
“Because black dragons are evil and are killed immediately upon their shift.” Garth answered.
