Page 15 of Becoming One
CHAPTER 6
Orion whistled as he drove towards the new housing development they had just finished, to make sure the furniture had finally arrived. He had never been happier in his life or felt so loved. The way Nelson cared for him, touching him, kissing him and all his ugly scars without hesitation, making him feel like a whole man, had been the best and most meaningful gift anyone had ever given him. He was truly blessed the day fate made Nelson for him.
“And I hope you feel the same way too,” Ezra sang moving his head side to side, then laughed, “You have been whistling that song since we got in the truck.”
Orion turned to Ezra, smiling wide. “Let’s just say it is my new favorite song.”
Ezra laughed louder, saying, “I’m really thrilled for you, Orion. You really look happy and I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more than you.”
“I am and thanks. Oh, and thanks for the new addition to my room. Nelson and I made great use of the jet tub last night and this morning,” Orion said.
Ezra wiggled his brows saying, “Well Jewel and I know how much we love ours and thought it would make a great mating gift to you and your mate.”
“When do the others arrive for the Summoning Ceremony?” Orion asked.
“I expect Heskel and Zaros with their entries sometime tomorrow. Killian said he and his entries would be here the day after. Enoch and his men are still looking for Nicu but should arrive before the opening of the Ceremony,” Ezra answered.
Orion nodded as he turned right, making his way into the first neighborhood they were checking out. They needed it to be furnished and ready before Heskel and Zaros arrived with their men.
Orion was just about to make another right, when he noticed something in the road. Slamming on the brakes, he heard Ezra hiss, “What the fuck, Orion?”
Orion undid his seatbelt and immediately got out of the car. Walking to the thing in the road, Orion gasped, “What the fuck?”
The sound of the other car door opening and closing, was ignored as Orion knelt down, and picked up a burnt stuffed animal from the pile he had seen in the middle of the road. Some were burnt, some stabbed, some had their heads ripped off. Some were stuffed bears with tails and horns sewn onto them, while others were rabbits also with horns sewn on. A few looked like the creature from that movie Ollie suggested he and Nelson watch when Nelson was still in his coma. He thought it might bring his mate back to him.
“What the hell is that?” Ezra asked.
“It’s stuffed animals. Cats, rabbits, this one is from the movieCritters, and this one is from the movieGremlins,” Orion softly replied, picking it up.
“What is a pile of burnt stuffed animals doing in the middle of the road? Where the hell did it come from?” Ezra asked looking around.
“It’s a clear threat to my mate,” Orion replied through gritted teeth.
Noticing something sticking out of the back of one of the Gremlins, Orion tugged and was surprised to see a piece of paper. Opening it, he read it out loud. “The past often repeats itself. If you don’t want yours to do the same with your mate, drop out of the Ceremony now.”
Ezra grabbed the burnt thing from Orion and sniffed it, growling,“Nicu.”
Orion grabbed his phone and pressed a button. Nelson’s sexy voice quickly came on the other end, “Kaliss County offices, this is Nelson, how can I help you.”
Doing his best not to alarm his mate, Orion said, “Hey there, Starlight. I was just thinking about you and thought I’d give you a call.”
“Well hi, Sexy. I am very glad you did. Jewel wants to know if we can have dinner with him and Ezra in the gazebo at the gardens. I know it’s kind of cool outside, but honestly, I think it would be nice to get some fresh air. Jewel said we can even light the chimenea and maybe roast some marshmallows.”
Orion took a moment to answer. Relief that his mate was alright filled him with so much emotion he couldn’t talk past the lump in his throat.
Nelson quickly said, “It’s okay if you don’t want to. I can just tell Jewel another time might be better.”
“No!” Orion shouted, then gentled his voice. “No, Starlight, that’s fine.”
Nelson didn’t say anything at first, then asked in a wary tone, “Orion, is everything alright?”
Orion didn’t want to lie to his mate and after what happened to Jewel, Orion replied, “Ezra and I came across something on our way to the housing development. I don’t want to go over it on the phone, but I’m going to have Kragen and a couple of his men come to your office. Is Jewel with you?”
“He’s in his office connected to Ezra’s, working on some designs,” Nelson replied sounding nervous.
Orion could hear Ezra on the phone with Jewel and he knew Ezra was just as worried about his mate. Returning his attention back to Nelson, Orion said, “Would you mind staying in the house until I can get there? It shouldn’t take Ezra and I long to make sure everything is in place for the arrivals we’re expecting tomorrow.”
“Okay,” Nelson softly said.