Page 11 of Briggs (Paranormal Council Enforcers #16)

Todd

I wasn’t going to make it through the day. My mate was seriously the most gorgeous and consumed my thoughts. I was definitely experiencing a first teenage crush, and I guessed that was all right since he was my mate.

But I’d already been struggling enough with trying to figure out the computer here. I was doing better, but now my mind was focused only on Briggs. Talking to Dr. Swift was sounding better and better, so I picked up the phone to call his office.

“Dr. Bennett’s office. This is Henry speaking.” I smiled at Henry’s greeting. He was such a wonderful person, and I enjoyed chatting with him while I was waiting for Dr. Swift or when we were finished with my appointment.

“Hi, Henry. It’s Todd. I need an appointment.”

Immediately, Henry’s voice changed to one of concern. “Hey, Todd. Is everything all right? You sound stressed.”

“I met my mate and…it’s a lot. I need to talk to someone.

I don’t care which doctor it is. Can one of them see me today?

” It was going to be a slow day here at the clinic, and Dr. King had already said I could take the day off.

Personally, I was sure he got more accomplished when he didn’t have to continually help me do my job.

“Todd? Are you there?”

“Sorry, Henry. Yeah, I’m here. I was…my mind was wandering.”

“It does tend to do that when you meet your mate. I had said that Dr. Braun could get you in at two. Dr. Swift has the day off. He’s spending it with his mate. Their firstborn came for a quick visit. Otherwise, Dr. Brauer has an opening at four.”

I glanced at the clock. I could make two. “Yeah, I’ll take it. The one with Dr. Braun. I’ll leave now so I can get there.”

“There’s no rush,” Henry said. “Garin doesn’t have another appointment until four. There is plenty of time.”

“Thank you, Henry. I appreciate you squeezing me in.” I took a deep breath.

“Breathe, Todd. It’ll all be fine. Just take your time and come on down.”

I nodded, then remembered Henry couldn’t see me. “Yeah, I’ll take my time. I need to let Dr. King know I’m going out for an appointment.”

“Good. And, Todd?”

“Hmm?”

“Congratulations. We’ll see you soon.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Thanks, Henry. I’ll be down in just a bit.

” I hung up the phone and did as he’d said.

I took several deep breaths and let them out slowly.

After a couple of minutes of sitting quietly, taking deep breaths and letting them out slowly, I felt calmer than I had since Briggs had walked into the break room.

I double-checked the schedule, found it still empty, and got up to search for Dr. King. He wasn’t difficult to find. He was in his office, bent over what was most likely patient notes.

“Dr. King?”

His head lifted, and a smile appeared on his face. “Yes, Todd. Did you need something?”

“You had said it would be all right if I took the rest of the day off,” I said. “Well, I was able to get in to see Dr. Braun at two. Is it all right if I go to that? I could really benefit from talking to him.”

“Of course. If things progress how one usually expects they will when it comes to mates meeting one another, I won’t be too surprised if you aren’t at work tomorrow.”

My eyes widened at that thought. “Oh no. I don’t think we’ll get there tonight. He had mentioned going for a run with me and John and maybe something to eat. I can’t see him wanting…not with me.”

Dr. King offered a smile. “Todd, let me say this first. Go to your appointment and talk things over with Garin. I’m sure he’ll have much better advice than I do.

But please mention what you just said to me to him.

Because you are not giving yourself nearly enough credit.

You are worthy of being loved, and you should expect no less from your mate.

” Dr. King was standing in front of me now and placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.

“Take things at the speed at which you feel comfortable. If you feel as if you are ready for more with Briggs, let him know. Until the two of you claim each other, he will not be able to read your thoughts.”

I nodded. Now that Dr. King mentioned that, I was even more worried. I didn’t want Briggs to be able to access those memories. Nobody should have to see or know those things. They were horrible and…no. He didn’t need to see those things.

“Are you all right?” Dr. King asked.

“Yeah. I was just thinking about all of the things I need to discuss with Dr. Braun.” I smiled up at Dr. King. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Dr. King gave me a look, but I would swear it was one of disbelief. “Very well. Enjoy your run with your mate later. And I do hope that your session with Garin goes well.”

“Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow, Dr. King.”

He nodded at me, and I took that as my cue to leave.

I left as quickly as I could, and minutes later, I was entering the transport building.

I pushed the button on the wall and waited, wondering how long it would take for Timothy to arrive.

Sometimes he was here in an instant; others it took a minute or two.

It was understandable though. He had a One and a life outside of being a magical elevator for those of us who couldn’t get on or off the mountain without help.

He arrived mid-thought, only it wasn’t Timothy. He was a warlock though, or at least I thought he was? He was able to get on the mountain, so that meant he was safe, right?

“I’m Thomas,” he told me. “Do you need a ride down?”

I nodded. “Yes, please.”

Not even a second later, we were elsewhere, and I’d never felt being teleported from one place to another be so smooth. “Would you do something for me, Todd?”

I tilted my head. “Possibly. What is it?”

“Give your mate a chance. He wants nothing more than to have someone to love and spend his life with. He’ll help you and your cheetah through those dark nights.”

“Do I know you?” I asked.

The blue-eyed man smiled. “I don’t believe so, no. But I know you. And Briggs. Trust me when I say you can trust him completely.”

“How did…” He was gone before I could finish my question.

And I realized when I started looking around for him, I wasn’t in the cabin at the bottom of the mountain.

I was now standing on the front porch of the house that had been converted into Dr. Castiel’s office, which he shared with the others.

I spun around again, still not seeing any sight of the blue-eyed, dark-haired man.

I opened the door and stepped in, wondering if I was going to see Henry there or if I’d been sent to some sort of alternate dimension. That was odd.

Henry’s smiling face greeted me, then he looked behind me. “Did a warlock bring you all the way here? I wasn’t expecting you so soon.”

I turned and saw that Thomas was still gone. “I’m not sure. I think he was a warlock. He said his name was Thomas. He was nice, gave me some advice.” I thought about it for a moment. “You know, he had to have been a warlock because he knew my name, and I know I didn’t give it to him.”

Henry nodded slowly. “Let me get Dr. Braun for you.”

“Thanks, Henry.”

I walked over to the counter and reached out to touch the cute little apples. They weren’t real. Henry loved to decorate for each month of the year, and apparently, August was apples. It made sense, I guessed. It was getting to be apple-picking season. Wasn’t it?

“Todd, come on back,” Dr. Braun said with a huge smile on his face. I’d first met him when he was heavily pregnant with his and Dr. Bennett’s baby.

“Hi, Dr. Braun. Thanks for squeezing me in.”

“No problem at all. I was told you found your mate, and obviously, that deserves congratulations and there are things to discuss, but also that Thomas brought you?”

I smiled. “Thanks. Yeah, that’s what he said his name was. He had dark hair, bright blue eyes, tall and slender like all warlocks. I’ve not seen him before, but he showed up when I went to the transport building to come down here.”

Dr. Braun blinked at me, then shook his head slowly. “Do you honestly not know who that was?”

“No. Should I? Is he one of Master Edison’s warlocks that I just insulted in some way?”

Dr. Braun laughed but quickly sobered. “No. That was Thomas. He’s a fate.”

My eyes widened. “What?”

“Yes. Thomas and his Chosen, Canyon, are the ones who are specifically responsible for pairing mates. He and Canyon are who paired you with your mate.” My mouth dropped open, and I reached for the wall in the hallway. Dr. Braun smiled. “You did not know?”

I shook my head. “How could I? He only said his name was Thomas.”

“Come on in and we’ll talk,” Dr. Braun said as he reached for my arm. He held it firmly, offering me his strength to walk through the doorway we’d been standing just outside of. He went to close the door behind us, then stopped. “Are you all right with it closed?”

I nodded. “I know you wouldn’t hurt me.” I sighed.

“It’s one of the reasons I needed to come here so quickly.

” I all but collapsed on the giant beanbag that Dr. Braun had in his office.

I loved the thing, and although Dr. Swift didn’t have one, I sometimes saw this one when I was walking by after my appointments.

“No, I wouldn’t. Tell me what you want to discuss.

” Dr. Braun sat down on an oversized chair, which looked soft.

When he crossed his legs in front of him, I smiled.

He was incredibly approachable despite being a dragon shifter.

Sure, he was an omega, but he was still tall.

But I think his being an omega was what helped make him seem so comfortable to be around.

“In short, sex,” I said. “I’m terrified. I know I shouldn’t be, but I am. I’ve obviously had sex, but never because I wanted to. And Briggs…he’s hot. And my cheetah really wants to do things with him. I know he’s my mate and he would never hurt me. But, well…sex. It comes with mates.”