Baine
The sun was beginning to set when they finally called it quits and headed back to town for dinner. He wasn’t sure if he was up to meeting new people, but he’d already agreed. One thing he did know for sure, was that he was physically exhausted. Now if he could just get his head to shut down too, he’d be set for the night. Sadly, even with all the flying they’d done which usually was great for helping him to relax and forget, this time it hadn’t been enough to banish the demons.
“Slate, says he’s on the way to the cafe and that Gerri is already there.” Sypher informed Baine and Daegan as they headed out of the woods and back into town. “You still up for this, Baine?”
“I’m starving.”
Daegan laughed, “Good, but are you up to meeting Gerri? She can be quite the handful. You never know what that woman is going to say.”
“I’m actually excited to meet her. From the things I’ve heard, I have to admit to being curious as hell. Slate blushes every time her name is mentioned around him. I can’t wait to see what he does when he’s in her presence again.”
“She asked me if I liked big peckers the first time I met her.” Daegan announced.
Sypher burst into laughter, “I can only imagine how red your face got at that one. You love, blush way to easy.”
“Only because my grandmother introduced me to this woman, and then she’s saying shit like that. What would you have done if you’d just met her and she’d said that. All I could think was that my grandmother was standing a few feet away listening to this. I couldn’t look her in the eyes for days after that without blushing.”
Baine smiled as they walked down the sidewalk towards the cafe and he listened to his two closest friends tease each other. They had a bond like nothing he’d ever seen before, it was magical. In a way it was magic, but it was more than that. It was true, mates were two halves of one whole. It gave him hope that just maybe somewhere out there his person was searching for him.
“There you boys are, hurry up and get in here. I want to properly introduce myself to Baine before we go inside and meet the others,” Gerri called out. “The last time I saw the boy he was unconscious and Soren was acting like a mama bear guarding her sick cub.”
Baine gaped at the woman a few feet in front of him. From all the stories he’d heard he’d expected something entirely different. He wasn’t sure what, but not what he was seeing that was for sure.
“Stop gawking at me and get over here. I don’t have all day now.” Gerri demanded as she looked him up and down. “You look much better, maybe a little tense, but a good bout between the sheets will fix that right up.”
“Excuse me?” Baine stuttered in shock. “Do…. um…. Huh?”
Sypher rolled his eyes and leaned in to bump shoulders with him, “Just go with it. If she sees she’s getting to you it will only get worse.”
Gerri smirked, “Come on boys, let’s get inside. That cutie is waiting for me and I have things to do. Baine you sit next to me, if you don’t mind.”
Before he could respond, the whirlwind that was masquerading as a woman spun on her heel and headed inside. He trailed behind her, confused and questioning his sanity. He watched as she waved to Pixie the owner of the cafe and moved to the table that was already occupied by Slate and another man Baine didn’t know.
As they approached the table, Slate stood and moved to pull out Gerri’s chair. Baine bit his lip to keep from laughing as he saw his pack mate flush and move back to his seat quickly.
“I don’t think everybody knows each other, so let me do the honors.” Sypher said as he pulled a chair out to sit. “For those of you who don’t know, this is the legendary Gerri Wilder. Baine, this is Cade. I don’t think you’ve met him yet as he’s been out of town. Cade, I hope you don’t mind joining us on such short notice, but Gerri wanted to meet you in person.”
They exchanged pleasantries, ordered drinks from Pixie and waited for Gerri to explain why she had gathered them all there. It quickly became apparent she was having too much fun, making Slate blush to do anything else. Baine sighed and turned to Cade, “You’ve been away?”
“Yes, I was doing some research for my next book. I just got back yesterday. I hadn’t expected to be gone so long.” He trailed off with a sheepish shrug. “How are you settling in with the pack?”
“What type of books do you write, if you don’t mind me asking? And to answer your question, it’s been an adjustment. I’ve been on my own so long, I sometimes forget that I’m not anymore. Everyone’s been great and Sypher is a pretty great Alpha to have.”
“Mystery thriller type books. You know the kind that’s more psychological than actual bad man killer. The ones that make you question the world around you because it’s just a little too close for comfort.”
Baine nodded, “Oh yes, they do say life is stranger than fiction. I’ve seen some things that if I’d read it in a book I would dismiss it as the ramblings of a delusional mind that’s taken one too many drugs.”
Cade laughed good naturedly, “Exactly. I heard you’re our newest peacekeeper?”
“First day on the job as a matter of fact. Managed not to embarrass myself too much, so I count it as a success.”
“Cade,” Gerri interrupted, “I don’t mean to butt in on your conversation with Baine there, but I have a question for you.”
“Oh shit.” Slate whispered, “Here it comes.”
Gerri narrowed her eyes at Baine but didn’t make a comment to him. Instead, she smiled at Cade, “You’re a wyvern. A mix match of creatures, right?”
“Yes, I have the head and wings of a dragon, the body of a reptilian with two legs and a tail. Why do you ask?”
She cocked her head in thought, “So which animal does your ….”
“Oh hell no, don’t even go there.” Daegan yelled quickly. “Woman don’t ask a man that.”
“What?” She asked with a twinkle in her eye, “I was only wondering about his ears. Get your mind out of the gutter.”
Baine’s eye bugged out of his head as he stared slack jawed at the other occupants of the table. He could tell that was not what Gerri had been going to ask, but he wasn’t stupid enough to call her on it. It was bad enough that Cade had just taken a sip of water and was now coughing up a lung as he sputtered in surprise.
“Can we please order some food now.” Baine begged in the hopes that the universe would take pity on them and divert the crazy ass lady’s attention for a few minutes. Never in a million years did he think five grown men, could be so flustered by one old woman.