Page 26 of True Calling
A soft knock had Garth figuring it must be Bo, coming to discuss what they were going to do about Berk going into that zoo alone. Everyone knew he wasn’t happy about it, nor did he approve. However, he had been outvoted on the issue, and although he refused to be part of this stupid plan, it didn’t mean he was just going to let his mate come to Florida without him. Even if he might want to, his dragon wouldn’t allow it... and he didn’t want to.
Another knock had Garth calling out, “Come in.”
Garth hadn’t turned around, preferring to watch the waves and do what he could to calm his dragon. “What is it, Bo? I told you I can’t know what you’re planning. I won’t be able to control my dragon.”
“Is that why you won’t talk to me?”
Hearing the sound of Berk’s voice, Garth turned in surprise. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with the others planning tomorrow’s adventure.”
Okay, so he could have not sounded so sarcastic, but damn it he was barely holding onto his dragon as it was. Having his mate in the same room, smelling his scent and knowing that he was about to place himself in danger, wasn’t going to make holding back his beast easier... quite the opposite.
Berk looked away, biting his bottom lip, “I thought you would be with me when I tell my parents. I wanted... I wanted to...” Shaking his head, Berk turned to go back to the door. “Never mind.”
Before Berk could get to the door, Garth asked, “You wanted what?”
Berk didn’t turn around as he softly replied, “I wanted to introduce them to my mate.”
Garth’s eyes widened and he found himself rushing to Berk and pulling him into his arms. Drawing in a deep breath, just to smell that fresh basil with a pinch of allspice. “I’m sorry. I know I’ve been an ass lately. I don’t mean to be. It’s just... my dragon... he’s not happy and... I know it isn’t a good excuse and I promise to do better.”
Berk turned around in Garth’s arms and looked up, “I know you hate what I’m going to do, but I... I don’t just want to do this. I need to do it. I just wish you’d understand how important this is to me.”
“Why? Just tell me why it’s so damn important? Carl isn’t a good man, Berk. Hell, he’s not even human. He could kill you and no one would find the body.” Garth quietly argued.
Nodding, Berk replied, “I know that, but I swear to you I can handle myself. It’s just that... I couldn’t save my parents. I couldn’t save the hell some of the other foster kids were put through, but I can do something to save these shifters. I can help them. I need to help them.”
Sighing heavily, Garth pulled Berk even closer, drawing in another calming breath, “Okay, but I would feel better if someone was going with you. I just don’t know how we can do that, since Carl will smell a shifter.”
“Chance came up with an idea. Trevor can shift and come with my dad and I to the zoo. Because he’s a pygmy possum, his scent is almost undetected amongst other shifters. Bo isn’t happy about it, but Trevor convinced him to let him come along.” Berk quietly said.
Pulling back slightly, Garth whispered, “Then let’s go down there, explain shifters to your parents and get the plan underway. I’ll feel better once my dragon knows you’re safe.”
* * * *
“What do you mean you know about shifters? If you’ve known why the hell wasn’t I told about them?” Berk asked with a huff.
Nort shrugged, “It wasn’t our secret to tell, Berk. Your mom and I have been fostering children a long time. One of our boys had just turned twelve and we were in the middle of singing happy birthday when he started to shimmer and shifted. One second he was a happy go lucky brown-haired boy and the next...”
“He was an adorable little otter.” Marla said with a large smile. “Poor thing was terrified and hustled under the couch. Took us a full hour to get him to come out.”
“Puberty. It’s normally when we have our first shift.” Bo stated.
Nort nodded, “Yes, we learned that later by another shifter.”
“Deer I think he said.” Marla said looking at her husband. “The family took our boy in to help him learn about his abilities. We still keep in contact and he’s about ready to graduate from college next year.”
Garth sat forward, “As interesting as this conversation is, we really need to talk about what’s going to happen tomorrow.”
“First, I want to know what this mate thing is and what it means for our son?” Nort insisted.
“Dad, it’s okay.” Berk quickly said in a calming tone.
Trevor smiled, and answered, “Think of it like a soul mate to a human... love at first sight if you will. Fate brought two beings together saying... this is it for you. You are to love, cherish and keep this person safe for the rest of your life, and in return you will be loved, cherished and safe for the rest of yours, never to walk this earth alone again.”
“And this is what you say our son is to you?” Nort asked Garth outright.
Nodding, Garth replied, “Berk is my everything. There is nothing in this world I won’t do or give to my mate if he were to ask. My heart is full just by him sitting next to me. My soul is just longing for our joining so that we can feel complete.”
Garth could feel his mate looking at him at those words, and when Garth returned the stare, there was something in Berk’s eyes. Some kind of understanding that hadn’t been there before. Garth didn’t understand it, but it wasn’t fear or uncertainty, just a... how to say this... a knowing. What that meant, Garth had no clue, but since it wasn’t a negative, Garth would take it as a positive sign for their future.