The Panther

by Ezra Dawn

  He sighs dreamily, “Neither can I,” then turns back to the wall of toys, grabs a few more and says, “Okay, I’m ready to go, what about you?”

  “I am too. There’s still plenty of stores we haven’t visited yet.”

  We walk up to the register and Kuro puts our items on the counter. He quickly realizes the mold kit is missing and shakes his head while fighting back a laugh. I hear him mutter, “Sneaky little shit,” then as the woman starts ringing up our items, he runs back to the toy wall, grabs two of the damn kits and throws them in her path before I can stop him, and they’re scanned before I can grab them. Seeing my horrified expression has him doubled over in laughter. Once he calms down, he kisses my cheek and says, “Don’t worry agápi mou, they’re gag gifts for Joel and Negan.”

  Laughing I say, “Thank the gods.”

  Kuro pays and grabs the bags, stuffing the receipt inside one of them. Since he’s carrying both bags, I hold the door open for him when we leave. “Which way next?”

  Pointing to the right, I say, “Let’s go that way, then we can cross the street and come back down.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Four hours and several hundred dollars later, Kuro and I are having dinner on the patio outside of a Mediterranean restaurant near the subway station. Our bags are stashed under our table so, no one can try and steal them. We’re midway through the meal when Kuro freezes. “Chaton? What’s wrong?”

  His eyes are wide and he’s looking at something over my shoulder. “It can’t be.”

  “What is it?”

  Suddenly, he stands up and says, “I’ll be right back, agápi mou, stay right here,” then takes off down the sidewalk. When he returns ten minutes later, I’ve already finished my dinner and ordered dessert for both of us. As soon as he’s seated, I say, “What was that about?”

  He doesn’t answer me, just types something into his phone and puts it in his pocket then, he waves the waiter over, pays the check and gets our dessert to go. It’s only when we’re safely back in our hotel room that he finally answers my question. “Carmine Verucci is in Prague.”

  Feeling the icy hand of fear grab hold of me, until I can hardly breathe, I say, “Wha… what?”

  Kuro pulls me into his arms and says, “I saw him tonight. He walked out of one of the other restaurants with a duffel bag. I tried to follow him but, he got in a cab at the end of the block. Luckily, the windows were down, and I heard him ask the driver to take him to the airport. So, we don’t have to worry about him for now. What I’m worried about, is what he was doing here.”

  An idea comes to mind and I say, “What if that guy you were here to kill was connected to Carmine in some way? Remember what I told you about being locked in a room with a woman at one of the labs? Well, what if some of those women were sold to Carmine by your target.”

  “If you’re right then this operation is bigger than we thought. But, on the bright side, we have some really good leads now and knowing Carmine was here, means I can put the hackers on tracking him through local surveillance and see if we can pinpoint where he’s going. If we can catch him and get him to give up everything, then we can hunt down the other people he’s working with and shut down his operation for good but that’s enough work talk. I’ve sent a text to Joel letting him know I spotted Carmine and that I would be out of touch for the next few days. Since I couldn’t follow Carmine, that’s the extent of my responsibilities. For now. Once we’re back home and I have his location, all bets are off. I’ll make that bastard suffer for what he did to you. He’ll wish he was never born.” His grin is feral when he rubs his hands together gleefully and says, “I can’t wait.”

  Then, as if flipping a switch, Kuro goes from plotting revenge to his normal relaxed self. He takes my lips in a fierce kiss and smiles when he pulls away, “Now, I’m going to go put on one of those costumes you picked while you do the same and we’re going to spend the rest of the night fucking each other’s brains out before enjoying the rest of our impromptu vacation exploring all the places you wanted to see.”

  Leaning in, I kiss his jaw and say, “Sounds like a terrific plan,” then nipping his earlobe, I sneak my hand into his pocket and steal his wallet. Jumping back, I wave it around and say, “Oops… I’ve been a bad boy, officer… break out the cuffs and punish me.”

  With a salacious grin and a laugh, Kuro grabs his officer costume and says, “Your wish is my command, little thief.”

  Grabbing my prison outfit, I quickly put it on, excited for what’s to come. If this is what the rest of our life will look like, then I can’t wait to experience it with him. He’s the love of my life… my one and only… my mate and if I could go back in time, I wouldn’t change a thing… even the hell I lived through for thirty years or what I did to him… because it all led us to this very moment and no matter what happens, things can only get better from here.

  One Week Later…

  Hearing the doorbell ring, I quickly get dressed and run downstairs, while Kuro takes my place in the shower. We’ve only been home for three days and after handling the trip to Prague so well, I decided to go ahead and invite my entire family over for a visit. Kuro’s parents are coming too, so it’ll be one big reunion. That’s why we’re having a barbeque. Kuro is going to start cooking the meat on the grill after he finishes his shower.

  I can’t believe we cut things so close. When I found him in one of the empty rooms he’s been using as a paint studio ever since we got back from Prague painting a copy of one of the pictures we took on our trip and singing ‘if you like Pina Coladas’ at the top of his lungs, I didn’t expect him to put his canvas aside, strip me naked, and use me for his art after I kissed him and told him how great the painting was but, that’s exactly what he did.

  Then, after taking pictures of the masterpiece he put on me so, he’d have a permanent copy of it for his eyes only, he made love to me on the floor, messing up his work and getting paint all over the place. We didn’t realize how late it had gotten until Kuro’s mom called and said they were all leaving the airport. Since the airport is only about a half hour from here, I had to rush through my shower so neither of us would be answering the door naked or covered in paint.

  Opening the door, I don’t even manage a greeting before I’m smothered in hugs. Ever since I invited them, my mom has been sharing pictures of everyone with me through text message so, I already know who everyone is. Which helps me not look like an idiot or feel too overwhelmed. I haven’t mentioned anything about Kuro and I being mates because I wanted to share the news in person. When my family finally releases me, I step aside so they can enter the house. My mom and dad enter first, followed by my brother and sister, their mates, their kids and bringing up the rear is Kuro’s parents who hug me as they pass. Kuro set up a few tables out back, so, after a pit stop in the kitchen to get us all something to drink, that’s where I lead them to.

  Kuro has steaks and ribs marinating in the fridge and I’ve already made side dishes. Some are in the fridge as well, but the beans and potatoes are in a crockpot on the counter. I’ll bring them all outside later when the meat gets closer to being done. While the kids go play, the rest of us find a place to sit. Before conversation starts, Kuro comes out of the house wearing his usual black jeans, t-shirt, and boots, carrying the plates of meat. The new sapphire blue streak in his hair has me smiling as a hint of arousal surges through me. Damn… all he has to do is walk into a room and I’m instantly hot for him… that’s the mate bond for you… I’m betting even centuries from now I’ll still have the same reaction to him whenever he’s near. Thinking gross thoughts keeps the arousal at bay for now. The last thing I want is for our parents to scent it. That would be embarrassing.

  Feeling someone squeeze my hand, I see it’s my mother. She has unshed tears in her eyes and says, “It’s so good to see you, Benji. We missed you so much and were so worried. Not knowing if you were alive or dead really took a toll so, we’re glad you’re alright.”

  Sq
ueezing her hand, I fight back tears of my own and say, “I missed you too. So much, you have no idea.” then turning to my siblings, I say, “I hate that I missed seeing you guys grow up and start families of your own. I also hate that I didn’t get the chance to be the overprotective older brother when you went on your first dates, or see you walk down the aisle when you got married or been there for you when you both had your first child. All the missed birthdays, and holidays… I wish I’d been there for all of it and I’m sorry that I wasn’t.”

  My brother and sister both come around to where I’m sitting and wrap me in tight hugs. “It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t disappear on purpose. We know you promised to call, because we were always excited to hear from you and when those calls stopped coming, we all knew something had happened just not what it was. The good thing is, you’re here now. You can get to know your nieces and nephews, and we can make new memories. We have tons of pictures, stories, and home videos to share with you so, please don’t beat yourself up over something that was out of your control.”

  Wiping away a few stray tears, I hug them back and say, “I’d really like that.”

  They return to their seats after hugging me for a bit longer. Seeing my mom looking at me curiously, I say, “Is something wrong mom?”

  She points at me and says, “Sweetie, is that paint on your ear?”

  Blushing scarlet at the reminder of how that paint got there, I cover my ear and say, “I must’ve missed a spot.,” earning a laugh from her.

  My father says, “So, when are you coming home son?”

  Turning my attention to him, I say, “What?”

  He sips his beer and says, “Well, now that you’re doing better, we just assumed you’d want to come back to the pride where you belong. Is that not the case?”

  “Yes.”

  He raises an eyebrow at me, “Can I ask why you’d want to stay in a place where the only person you know is Kuro with no family support?”

  “I have a few reasons. The first being Kuro is here. The second, my therapist is here and before you say something like Kuro can come visit, or I can find a new therapist, don’t. The therapist I’m seeing is familiar with treating people who have been in labs. Besides, I know if I come back home, you and mom will want to coddle me and protect me from the world, and that’s not something I want. I need to stand on my own two feet.”

  My dad nods, “I understand. It’s just, we’ve missed having you around.”

  “I’ve missed you too, but I’m an adult now, and I need to be on my own.”

  My mom says, “So, what are your plans?”

  “I’m going to finish school first and go from there. Once I’ve decided what career I want to pursue, I’ll get my degree and see about getting a job so, I don’t have to rely on Kuro for everything.”

  “Does that mean you’ll be getting a place of your own when you have a job?”

  Before I can answer, a shadow descends over me so, I tilt my head back to get a better look not surprised to see Kuro gazing down at me with a teasing smile on his face. “Now, agápi mou, you’re not thinking of leaving me, are you?”

  Grinning at him, I wink and say, “Wouldn’t dream of it, chaton.”

  “Good… I’d hunt you down if you did.”

  Raising an eyebrow at him, I tease, “Oh really? And what would you do if you caught me?”

  “Not if, agápi mou, when. I’m the lead tracker for this pack, you wouldn’t escape. Trust me.”

  “Okay, when you caught me, what would you do?”

  He traces my mating mark with the tip of his finger, causing me to shiver, and says with a loving look on his face, “I’d make you mine all over again,” then seeing the paint on my ear, he grins mischievously and says, “You have paint on your ear.”

  Gasping, I say in a voice that’s dripping with sarcasm, “No, really? I wonder how that got there.”

  Kuro leans down and whispers in my ear, “Come upstairs with me and I’ll remind you.”

  Laughing, I say, “Later.”

  He shrugs, and says nonchalantly, “Your loss.”

  Sticking my tongue out at him, I say, “Go grill something, you perv.”

  “Please, you love this perv.”

  Grabbing his shirt, I pull him down for a brief kiss and say, “Always will. Now, go check the food. We don’t want it to burn.”

  He gives me a two-fingered salute and says, “Sir, yes sir,” then walks off whistling a tune. Turning my attention back to our family, I see them staring at me with open-mouthed shock except for Kuro’s mother but, that’s because she already knew.

  My mom says, “Honey, what was all that?”

  Smiling at her, I say, “Well, I did say Kuro was my number one reason for staying here. That’s because he’s my mate and since he’s lead tracker for the pack, it’s not like he can just up and leave.”

  She reaches out and cups my cheek, “Oh honey, I’m so happy for you. Congratulations on your mating. I’m glad something good came out of what happened.”

  “Yeah, me too.”

  Spotting movement over her shoulder, I turn to look and see Joel, Negan, and a few other guys coming out of the woods towards us. They pass the kids who are running around playing tag and continue until they reach the table. Looking up at Joel, I tilt my head in respect and say, “Alpha, Beta, what can I do for you?”

  Joel says, “I need to talk to you and Kuro, if you don’t mind.”

  “No, I don’t mind at all,” then addressing Kuro, I shout, “Kuro, come here, Joel needs to talk to us.”

  After flipping the steaks and ribs, Kuro walks over and says, “What’s up?”

  Joel waves the two men I don’t know over and says, “Tell them what you told me.”

  The tallest of the two men steps forward and says, “We gained access to facial recognition software and used it to track Carmine from the airport in Prague to Canada where we lost him. Combining that with the information given to us by Benji, we narrowed down the search area of where he could be headed to a seventy-five-mile radius from Whitehorse Canada. The program we’re running to search other places for an influx of coffin transports hasn’t finished yet, so we have no news on that front but, we’re hopeful it’ll turn up something.”

  Looking at Joel, I ask, “So what do you need from us?”

  Joel looks at me and says, “There’s a strategy meeting in an hour. I’d like you to come and tell everyone there whatever details you can remember about the layout of the lab you were in and anything else that might be relevant. Normally, I’d send Kuro’s team to scout it out for a few days, but if Carmine is there, we don’t have the time to do things like we usually do because he could be gone if we wait too long. We’ll be moving on the lab immediately after the meeting ends.”

  Standing from my chair, I say resolutely, “I want to join you on the raid.”

  Joel shakes his head. “I can’t ask you to do that.”

  “You aren’t. I’m volunteering. How long would we be gone?”

  Negan says, “If all goes well, we’ll be back by morning, no problem.”

  “Good.”

  Joel says, “That’s all we came to say, we’ll leave you to enjoy your dinner with family and will see you in an hour.”

  With that, they leave, and I turn to Kuro, who asks his favorite question. “Are you sure about this, agápi mou?”

  I nod. “I’ve never been surer about anything in my life… except us.”

  He takes my face between his hands, and says, “I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

  Our family stands from their seats and says, “So will we.”

  Staring at them in shock, I say, “But, who will watch the kids?”

  My sister and my brother’s wife both raise their hands. “We will.”

  Feeling tears prick my eyes at the support, I say, “Then we’d better hurry up and eat. We’re going to need the energy to fight this war tonight.”

  While my dad goes to take the food off th
e grill and our mothers go retrieve the side dishes, I turn to Kuro who is looking at me with an expression of wonder and love. “What is it?”

  He strokes my cheek with his thumb and says, “I’m in awe of you, agápi mou. Your willingness to revisit the labs to help others is admirable and makes me fall a little more in love with you.”

  “Aw, I love you too,” then looking at our family, I say, “Think Joel will mind us bringing extra people?”

  Kuro shakes his head, “Not at all. We need all the help we can get.”

  “The more the merrier, eh?”

  “Exactly. Let’s go eat.”

  As we return to the table, I think to myself, this is only the beginning. I can’t wait to see what the future brings. With Kuro at my side and my family backing me, I’m ready to take on the world… starting with Carmine Verucci and his operation.