Page 14 of Briggs (Paranormal Council Enforcers #16)

“I would imagine so. I can give you Todd’s number if you’d like. That way, you can message or call him to see if he’s running behind or whatnot.”

“I’d appreciate that. Thank you.”

The warlock doctor smiled as he closed the distance between us. In his hand was a piece of paper, and on it was a number.

“Thanks again.”

“You’re welcome. And good luck.” He let out a loud sigh. “Todd is a good kid. I say kid because everyone is a kid when you’re my age.”

“Should I ask?”

“I’m just under four hundred. Not nearly as old as some in the council, but when compared to you and Todd, I’m old.”

I chuckled and shook my head. “Yes, you are. I can’t imagine the life you’ve lived.” Nor could I imagine spending so long without my mate. Luckily for me, I didn’t have to. But how was that fair? How did I, at forty-three, have a mate already while the doctor here didn’t?

The door chimed, and we both turned toward the sound. “I’m late. Did…oh. You’re already here.”

I laughed to cover up the sudden pain in my chest. “Are you upset that I’m here already?”

Todd’s eyes widened. “What? No.” He held up his hands and shook his head. “I didn’t mean to be late. I had a long appointment, and then I ran by Alpha Babak’s house to talk to my brother because he messaged me.”

“I haven’t had a chance yet to ask someone to chaperone us on our run. I know of a few that will be more than happy to help though.”

“John got invited to hang out with some friends, and he doesn’t really want to go for a run now, so do you think it’s possible that we maybe just go for a walk around the mountain?

Without shifting? We can’t talk to each other in that form, and I don’t know if that’s the best way to get to know each other. ”

I smiled at Todd. “We can do whatever it is that you’d like or feel most comfortable with. Did you still want someone else with us? I do have several that I can ask. They can hang back to where they’re close enough but not too close.”

He shook his head. “I feel safe with you. I know that here on the mountain I’m safe. And you’re an enforcer and my mate at that. I know you wouldn’t hurt me.”

I took a step closer. “No, I wouldn’t. At least never intentionally.”

“Then we can go for a walk?” Todd pointed over his shoulder toward the door. “And then maybe we can get something to eat later? Does that work for you?” Todd’s eyes rounded. “I don’t know what your schedule is like. Do you need to go to work super early? I shouldn’t take up your time, huh?”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t need to be at work super early.

We can spend as much time together as you are comfortable with.

” I’d already been told that all I needed to do was send a message and I’d have as much time off as needed.

Master Edison understood that things weren’t going to be quick or easy with us.

I was more than willing to accept that because I knew Todd was worth it and deserved to have someone who was going to be patient.

“So we can maybe have supper together later?”

I grinned at my mate. “We can certainly have supper together. Did you wish to head down to Timber Valley and go to one of the local restaurants? We could make it an actual date if that interests you.” Todd’s eyes lit up, and I knew I’d suggested the correct thing. “A date it is, then,” I said.

Todd’s happiness suddenly disappeared. “I don’t have a vehicle though. I usually borrow one from the council.”

I nodded. “I do. I brought mine with me when I moved here from Colorado. We can take it, so that won’t be an issue.” Not only that, but as an enforcer, I had access to one of the council’s SUVs at all times if needed. I didn’t, but if it should become an issue, I could always use one of those.

Todd’s smile was back. He leaned around me to look at the doctor. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning, Dr. King.”

“If you insist,” Dr. King said. “If things change and you don’t show up, I’ll assume things went very well between the two of you.”

When Todd’s cheeks turned bright red, I knew where his thoughts had gone.

Of course, there wasn’t anywhere else for them to go other than where the doctor had intended.

Todd peeked at me, then quickly glanced down at the ground.

I turned to the side to look at Todd’s boss.

“I’ll be a gentleman,” I told him, just as I had earlier this afternoon.

“I didn’t say a thing. You do what you feel is right for the two of you.”

I nodded. It had been such a long afternoon, and I’d gotten advice from several. But the talk with Canyon was sticking out the most. Trust my wolf. He would help me to know when I needed to give a little push or to back off.

With that thought in mind, I hurried around Todd to open the door for him. When we stepped outside into the sunny afternoon, I took a deep breath. This place reminded me a lot of home, but only because we were in the mountains. Montana as a state didn’t really remind me of Colorado.

“Did you want to ask me questions? Or is there anything specific you want to know about me?” I asked as we started walking. Todd had headed toward the council building, but I had to wonder where we would go from there.

“Anything, really. I mean, I know the bare minimum? You’re an enforcer, a wolf shifter, an alpha at that, and that you’re gorgeous. That’s about it.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “So you think I’m gorgeous, huh?

” Todd looked up at me, his cheeks a bit pink.

He truly was adorable, but I wasn’t so sure he wanted to be called adorable.

“That’s okay. You’re quite attractive as well.

And I’m not just saying that because you’re my mate or because I’m trying to get you to come back to my place with me. ”

Todd’s eyes widened. “I mean, I would. If that’s what you wanted.”

I stopped Todd with a gentle hand on his shoulder. When he didn’t flinch or pull away, I rested my hand there with a bit more pressure. “Don’t think for a moment I don’t want you in all ways, because I do. But I don’t want you to feel pressure that you have to do something you’re not ready for.”

“Can we at least try? After our date tonight?”

My wolf said yes. And although my initial reaction to both Todd and my wolf was no, I wasn’t going to deny my mate.

“How about this,” I said. “We’ll go for a walk, talk some more, and then go out to eat.

After that, I can take you back to my place, or we can go to yours and see how things go once we’re there.

Does that sound like an acceptable plan? ”

Todd stared up at me for a long moment before he nodded.

“Is it because of what happened to me?”

I shook my head. “In part, yes. But also because you’re my mate, and despite what you’ve been through, you deserve respect and not to be pushed. I would feel that way even if you’d not experienced what you have.”

Todd smiled, then nodded. “I appreciate that.”