Page 16 of Roman (Destined Paranormals #7)

Chapter 16

Beau

I wasn’t quite sure why I was so apprehensive, but I was. I shouldn’t be: I knew how to run the bakery, and it was mine to do so. But I felt as if it wasn’t really mine. Not anymore. I’d been away far longer than I had actually been in the bakery. But with Roman’s support, I was up before the sun, and we were going up to Treasure Ridge.

We’d been mated for just over a month now, and although it had been the longest I’d ever gone without seeing my brother, I’d talked to him on the phone twice in the past week. But I think the prospect of Evan dropping by later was even more nerve-racking than the fact that I was going to try and use magic to make the goodies this morning.

My magic, come to find out after another appointment with Dr. King, would return to its normal wonderful self shortly after I had our little one. Until then, expect less-than-perfect magic. It was something that some fae experienced, but not all. I happened to be one of the lucky ones, apparently.

But all of that aside, I was trying to get motivated to go to work. I had more of my things, something that I was thankful for Lukan arranging for me. Evan…he wasn’t exactly upset, but he wasn’t thrilled for me. Roman kept telling me it would take time, but he would come around. I hoped so. He would then remind me that he was in Evan’s position not long ago, and although he hadn’t tried to forbid his brothers from claiming their mates, it did take him time to get used to them no longer being his responsibility. Evan was very much in a similar position. He’d raised me, had been more than just my brother since I was fourteen.

“Are you ready?” Roman asked as he came into the bathroom and stood behind me. “You’re nervous, I understand, but they’re going to be thrilled to have you back.” Roman wrapped his arms around my shoulders and hugged me from behind. I placed my hands on his forearms and closed my eyes, just enjoying the embrace. That was something that I absolutely loved about my mate: he was very affectionate and open about showing it. He loved to touch me, even if it was just his hand resting on my shoulder or back while we were sitting at the table eating. I hoped he would be just as open with his affection now that we were going to start venturing out, but if he was more reserved, I would try to be understanding.

“I’m as ready as I’m going to be. Although, I will say that I’ve become a bit lazy this past month with not having to get up this early.” I stared at Roman in the mirror, his eyes hypnotizing me with their intensity.

“You’re going to be amazing. And I’ll be there helping all day. I have nothing else going on, so there is no reason for me to not be. Unless you would rather I go do something else. I’m not wanting you to feel as if I’m suffocating you.”

I shook my head. “I don’t feel that way. I think, at least at first, it will probably be best for both of us if you come with me. You only have another month until you have to go to your new job.”

Roman snorted. “Sweetness, it’s in the downstairs office. I only have to go onto campus twice a month for in-person office hours. It’s not going to be difficult or taxing. And it will be super helpful for us when the baby comes. He can stay here with me while you’re at work since my days will be less hectic.”

I grinned. That was all true. And I was happy for Roman. He’d applied to the larger state university and had quickly been hired. He was going to be teaching online only, at least for this upcoming fall semester, and yes, he would have to go into the office twice a month, but that wasn’t anything we couldn’t handle. I would either not go into work those days, or we could put our little one in the childcare center behind the bakery. It was all going to work out. Now, I just needed to get my nerves under control.

“If you’re still unsure about going back to work, we can let them know you’re not ready just yet,” Roman told me.

It would be so easy to say yes, but I wasn’t going to do that. Konrad had been amazing and wonderful, but he wasn’t my full-time employee. He was only temporary, and he was only there to help until I got things settled and into routine. And poor Sean. I’d hired him, and then I disappeared. Sure, he knew what happened and was a shifter himself, so he understood. But I felt as if I’d just abandoned him before he could even start. What kind of person did that make me?

“Your thoughts are wandering, and not in a good way,” Roman said. I started back at him and sighed.

“You’re right. They are. I’m ready to go to work. I wish I could just poof us there, but I don’t trust my magic enough to even try.”

Roman offered a smile. “I don’t mind driving us to the cabin. There will be more ‘traffic’ going up to the mountaintop this time of the morning than I think you realize. There are several employees for the council that don’t live on Treasure Ridge, and they have to get up there somehow. It’s just what it is.”

“But it’s five in the morning. The council doesn’t start this early.”

Roman shook his head. “No, but the cafeteria staff have to prepare for breakfast, just as you would. Monroe will be at the store shortly because he has to accept the delivery of things. That stuff has to be delivered somehow. The mountain is already busy with activity.”

I nodded slowly. I’d not realized that things were already happening. All this time, I was just happily sleeping my mornings away while others were already up and at it. “I’m ready.” I smiled before I turned in Roman’s embrace and hugged him back. “I’m not going to get any more ready than I already am, and I think if I keep delaying, it will only be more difficult to go back.”

“Most likely. If you’re sure you’re ready,” Roman said.

I nodded against his chest. This was one of my favorite places to be: snuggled against him. He smelled amazing, and I felt so safe in his arms. Roman kissed the top of my head before he rubbed up and down my back a few times, and then he dropped his arms. I looked up at him, and when he took a step away, I followed. We were going to do this. I was going back to the bakery, and I was going to do what I’d said I wanted. I was going to run the bakery despite being pregnant and not having full use of my magic. I didn’t know how we would have everything we needed, but I would figure something out. For the next couple of months, the menu would most likely need to be adjusted, but that wasn’t something that hadn’t already been done with me gone.

Never before would I have considered myself a “homebody,” but that’s exactly what I’d become in the past month. This was the first time Roman and I had left our house, and it felt odd. I wouldn’t say this had necessarily been the plan, but it was simply how things had worked out.

“Do you think that later I can meet your tiger?” I asked as Roman pulled out of the garage. He glanced over at me, his eyebrows high on his forehead. “We’re going to be up on Treasure Ridge, and it’s safe for you to shift up there. I know it is because I’ve seen dragons flying overhead.”

It took Roman only a few seconds before he started laughing. After he got himself under control, he offered me a smile. “You can absolutely meet my tiger. He very much wants to meet you, and although he’s been anxious about it, he’s been somewhat understanding about everything.” Roman slowed at the gate that was at the entrance to our neighborhood, and when it opened, he pulled through and then turned onto the empty road. “I apologize for not suggesting that we go to the mountain before now so you could meet him or even shifting in the house so you could. It wasn’t intentional.”

“We’ve been a bit busy,” I told him. The tea had been amazing, but I already knew it would be, and we’d gone back to doing exactly what newly mated couples did. And often. But we did manage to spend time out of the bedroom, and not always knotted together, learning even more about each other.

“True. But I should have offered, and I am sorry for not doing so. I would very much like for you to meet my tiger. We can also stop by and see your brother if you’d like. I know he’s been messaging you, and things seem to be doing better between the two of you.”

I smiled, although I wasn’t sure how well Roman could see it. True, he was a shifter, and he had better vision and hearing than a human, but I wasn’t sure just how much better. “I’m sure Evan will be by the bakery at some point today,” I said. “He’d mentioned that he would come by if I wanted and if he could get away.” I sighed. “I told him I’d love to see him, and I think that might be part of my nerves that are bothering me so much.”

Roman reached over and took my hand. He gave it a gentle squeeze—offering support. He didn’t release it though. Instead, he brought our joined hands to the middle console and rested them there. I smiled to myself as he drove us through the dark streets toward the cabin that served as the transport building at the base of the mountain.

It seemed as if in no time, we were there, and Roman pulled into a spot that wasn’t far from the entrance we would use. It knew that the cabin belonged to Konrad’s family and had been there for a very long time. They used to use it as a cover for getting supplies up to the mountain, and now the council used it to get people on and off the mountain.

“Are you ready?” Roman asked after he shut off the vehicle.

“As much as I’m going to be. I feel bad that I can’t use my magic like I’m intended, and although I will be another pair of hands to help bake everything, I still feel as if I’m failing them.”

Roman tugged on my hand that he was still holding, and when I leaned closer, he kissed my forehead. “I don’t think you are giving yourself enough credit. Things changed. It happens. But I also think you are going to be surprised by the changes that have happened in the last month. Stay there,” Roman said before I could get a word in. He let go of my hand and was out of the vehicle before I could even think. He had rounded the front and had my door open before I could even think to protest. I smiled at Roman as he helped me down out of the SUV.

Roman held my hand as we walked into the cabin. “Will you teach me to drive?” I asked as we entered the cabin. Too late, I realized there were actually several others in what I’d call the transport room. “Oh,” I said to nobody in particular. “Hi,” I said to the others. Roman chuckled.

“I’ll absolutely teach you to drive,” he told me as he placed a hand on my lower back and ushered me over to the rest of the group. “We can start whenever it is you feel as if you are up for it.”

I looked up at Roman and gave him a smile. Instinctively, I moved a bit closer, not sure why though. I wasn’t normally shy or hesitant, but I usually had magical abilities and could easily defend myself.

“Do I need a permit?” I asked. “Maybe I should study?”

Roman, as well as several others, chuckled. “Well, the sheriff and the entire sheriff’s department are shifters or other paranormals. But if you want to get a permit, that’s not an issue for me. We’ll get you a book to study.”

I nodded, but what I was about to say in reply was interrupted by the appearance of a warlock. He smiled at us, and there was no hesitation from the others; they simply moved closer together. Roman did the same with us by guiding me along with him, and then we were suddenly in a different room. Without a word, people started to file out, Roman and I among the first to do so. It felt different being back up on the mountain after being away for so long. I hadn’t been here too long, but already, it had started to feel like home.

I noticed that one of the young men who was in the transport building with us was walking in the same direction. I thought that maybe he was going to wander over to the store or even back to the childcare center, but I was surprised when he walked right behind us to the bakery. I looked back at him when I typed in my code for the door. He just grinned, which I found a bit unnerving.

“Umm…I don’t know who he is,” I told Roman through our bond as I opened the door. I didn’t exactly feel unsafe, but I didn’t quite know what to make of everything.

I had just stepped through the front door and was greeted by the amazing scents of all the things and Konrad’s smiling face.

“Beau! I was expecting Tate.”

“I’m right here,” said the quiet voice behind us.

I looked back at the blond and offered a smile. I was going to introduce myself, but I suddenly found myself wrapped up in Konrad’s comforting embrace. It truly had to be an omega thing.

“I’m so happy you’re back,” Konrad said. He gave me a squeeze and then let go, his hands resting on my upper arms. His smile was beaming, and immediately, I felt at ease.

“I’m glad to be back. I’m sorry things sort of happened in a hurry.”

Konrad’s smile grew. “They tend to do that when it comes to alphas and their unclaimed mates,” Konrad said. He looked up at Roman and then pulled my mate into a quick hug. “I’m so happy for you, Roman. You deserve all of the happiness you can get.” Konrad sighed, then looked over at the blond who had followed us in. “This is Tate,” Konrad said. “He’s from the pride down off of the mountain. There are three others here as well. You met Sean already, and I’m positive you’ve met another who’s been hired to help run the place.”

I was smiling at Tate when what Konrad said registered, and it took a moment for my brain to catch up. “What do you mean?” I asked.

Konrad glanced between me and Roman before his gaze landed on me. “Nobody has talked to you?”

I shook my head. “No. Talked to me about what? Roman and I haven’t heard from anyone other than Evan and his family.”

“Beau!”

My eyes widened as I heard a familiar voice I never thought to hear again. I looked in the direction of the kitchen as a very familiar person came into view.

“Lewis?”

He squealed as he came rushing toward me. That was quickly squashed when Roman growled and effectively put himself between me and my lifelong friend from my village.

“Whoa. All right. No hugs allowed for my bestie,” Lewis said. “Got it.”

I grabbed Roman’s waist and looked up at my mate as I moved around him. I wanted him to know that I wasn’t upset in any way.

“Roman, this is Lewis. We grew up together in our village in the fae realm. He used to work at the bakery with me.” I smiled at my mate before I let go of his waist and moved to give Lewis a quick hug. He latched onto me, and we did a little dance before he let me go.

“I can’t believe you’re mated! And pregnant!” Lewis hopped a little while clapping his hands. “I get to be an honorary uncle, right? You know I don’t have siblings.”

I shook my head. “I have so many questions. But you should meet Roman,” I said, reaching back for my mate.

Lewis nodded. “Yeah, I think we already did that. So…” Lewis paused and looked around the bakery. “I’m here to help. I’m going to run the bakery with you. Isn’t that going to be amazing? Think about all the times we used to talk about doing our own bakery someday.”

I nodded slowly. We had. But that was before. “I’m still trying to get over the fact that you’re here. How?” I looked to Konrad.

“Thomas and Canyon decided that Lewis should come here.” Konrad winked, and my eyes widened because it didn’t take but a moment for me to understand what that meant.

“Yeah, I’m excited to meet my mate too, but I’m not holding my breath. I don’t know when it’ll happen, nor do I care. I just want to bake all the things. And you’re here! I get my bestie back!”

I nodded slowly, but what I was about to say was interrupted by Tate. “What did you need me to do, Konrad?”

“Oh,” I said, feeling terrible that I’d not been more talkative with him. “I’m sorry, Tate. I didn’t mean to be rude,” I said as I held out my hand. “I’m Beau. I work here too.”

Tate snorted and shook his head. “No, you and Lewis run the place.” Tate glanced up at Roman before he took my outstretched hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Konrad has told me a bit about you.” Tate looked back to Roman. “Congratulations on both your mating and the little one. Do you know when you’re due?”

“Dr. King said to expect the baby the first week of October,” Roman said. He continued to stare at the other feline shifter. I glanced between the two, a sudden sense of dread overcoming me. Roman picked up on it immediately, and when he looked at me, he shook his head.

“Tate, could you start filling the trays for the displays? Lewis has been busy already, and although Sean is busy back there, it’s more than he’ll be able to get finished alone,” Konrad said.

Tate nodded and then quickly left. I looked back at Lewis. “I’m happy you’re here. I guess that fixes the fact that I can’t use my magic. How long have you been here?” I asked.

Lewis wrapped his arm around mine and started to pull me to the back. I glanced at Roman before I let myself be pulled from my mate. Sean coming from the back room with a tray filled with donuts broke our momentum. He smiled, then looked up, and his smile grew. “Hey, Professor Nelson. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

I needed to sit down. It was entirely too early for all of this activity. I looked at Lewis with a pleading face. “Would you mind getting me a tea? Do you have tea?” I asked and then thought better of it. “Of course you do. I need a tea, Lewis.”

Lewis’s eyes widened before he nodded and then held out his hands. In them was a mug of exactly what I needed. I took the mug, and at the first sip, I sighed and closed my eyes while letting Lewis lead me over to a chair. I was thrilled my childhood friend was here. But what had all of that been between Tate and Roman?

“Roman? Please tell me you and Tate don’t have a history,” I said through our bond. I sat in the chair that Lewis directed me to. As I did, I met Roman’s intense gaze. He shook his head.

“I have never seen Tate before today. I don’t know what all of that is, but I promise you, I’ve never had any sort of history with him. You already knew I’d taught Sean last semester at the local college.”

I took another sip of tea and nodded. That was all I needed. When I opened my eyes again, Lewis was standing next to me, holding out a plate. On it was a pair of apple cookies, and I couldn’t help but squeak in excitement. I looked up at my friend, who smiled down at me.

“You know…for the baby.”

I rolled my eyes but took the cookies. There was no way I was going to say no to them. Roman was suddenly in front of me, kneeling down so we were on the same level. “Are you all right?”

I took a deep breath. “Yeah. It’s…a lot. And it’s been an odd morning.”

“I’m sorry, Beau. I thought someone from the council had reached out to you,” Konrad said. “I’m going to find out what happened.”

I looked up at the dragon omega and shook my head. “There’s no need. It’s all fine. I just…Lewis is the biggest surprise. I’m doing better, but I’m still a bit off because of the pregnancy.”

Konrad stared at me a moment before nodding. “If you need anything, just let me know. I’m happy you’re back,” he told me before he walked away. Seconds later, he was back, but he simply grabbed Lewis and pulled him to the back kitchen with him—leaving me alone with Roman.

“Are you certain you’re all right? We can go home if you aren’t ready to be back.”

I smiled at Roman. I would have cupped his face if I could, but one hand held my tea and the other the plate with the cookies. “I’m good. It was just a lot, and…” I glanced at the door. “I don’t know. The look Tate gave you threw me off. I believe you though.”

“I can find out what’s up with that. He’s a lion shifter, an omega, and it’s possible his feline was simply responding to mine since I growled at Lewis. I should probably apologize to your friend.”

I snorted. “Naw. No need. He’s like that though, so you’ll have to get used to him being bubbly.” I leaned in and kissed Roman because why not? He was my mate, and I could do that.

“If you say so. But at any time, if you need to leave, let me know, and we’ll go home.”

I nodded. I could do that. But I had a feeling that with Lewis here—something I honestly wasn’t upset about even a little—I wasn’t going to have a whole lot to do. I held my tea out to Roman, who took it, freeing up my hand so I could eat my cookies. It had been a while since I’d had any, and I was definitely looking forward to eating the treats.