chapter 10

[Ford]

    I hanged my jacket on the hooks by the door and joined Moran and Val on the couch. Madison sat in the recliner across from me and picked up a mug that looked like it had some sort of big white bubbles on the top. Serena poured me some coffee and I started scooping sugar in. 

    I sniffed in Madison’s direction, trying to figure out what she was drinking. I smiled and mixed my sugar into my coffee. Madison smiled, too.

    “Is that hot chocolate?” I asked with a laugh.

    “With marshmallows.” She grinned over her mug. “I don’t like coffee.”

    “That’s so fuckin’ cute.” I murmured as I sipped my drink.

    “Ford, would you introduce your friends?” She asked.

    “Sure. This is Hati, and that’s Sköll.” I said casually.

    Madison looked confused and turned to Serena.

    “Nicknames, Maddie. Would you mind popping to my room to grab my robe? I’m suddenly chilled.” Serena said sweetly.

    “Sure!” Madison put her mug down and walked to Serena’s room.

    Once she was down the hall, Serena leaned in.

    “Ford, she has no idea that you’re Fenrir. Or who that is, aside from the mythical wolf, or anything about your Helvegr. I thought you realized!” She whispered urgently.

    It never crossed my mind that Madison didn’t know who I was. It was refreshing, but now I knew why she wasn’t afraid of me or my friends. As far as she knew, I was just a big guy people were frightened of and my friends were pranksters who liked to wear wolf masks.

    “No. There was nothing to tell me that. Why didn’t you say something earlier when you were lying about her not being a virgin?!” I hissed.

    Serena blushed and chuckled. “I didn’t even think about it… damn.”

    “Not being a what?!” Moran yelped.

    “Yeah. They went out to find a guy to be Madison’s first. She picked me.” I grinned proudly. I’d never forget this night. It was the best thing that had happened to me in a long time.

    “She’s coming back.” Serena shushed us.

    Madison handed Serena a thin, silky robe and returned to her drink. She didn’t seem to notice she was the center of attention. I loved that about her.

    I had to decide what I wanted. It would be nice to not have to be Fenrir for a while, and just be Ford. Madison treated me like a man. An average, well, above-average, man. It was refreshing as hell.

    “Sorry about that.” Serena smiled, slipping her arms into the robe. “I’m Serena and this is Madison. We live here.”

    “Did you get your guns put away properly?” Madison asked absently.

    Serena blushed and looked down. “Yes. Sorry.”

    “After the way my sister died, I understand completely. Just be careful. You know how I feel about them.” She looked away.

    I needed to know more about how her sister died. Madison didn’t like guns, my work had a lot involved. Would she start pulling away because of it? No, I could just do what Moran did and keep that life separate… maybe.

    “Sorry my friends were being like that. I think they were just tryin’ to figure out where I was. You don’t expect an apartment in a warehouse. They probably thought someone kidnapped me.” I laughed.

    “It’s scary how often people end up getting taken anymore, isn’t it?” Madison said softly.

    Serena looked at her with concern. I just seemed to be messing up all over the place. I looked helplessly at Serena.

    “He’s joking, Maddie. They were just checking up on where he was. Don’t joke like that, Ford.” Serena warned.

    Madison shook her head and focused on Val and Moran.

    “Are you two going to take off those masks? It’s rude to meet new people and not show your face.” Madison scolded. 

    Moran and Val shifted uncomfortably.

    “Could we keep them on? This is embarrassing and it helps that you can’t see our faces.” Moran requested.

    “I suppose. It can be hard to deal with embarrassment. Just this once.” She allowed. Madison watched them carefully. “Why is everyone acting all stiff? Did I do something wrong?”

    “No.” Serena sighed and glared at me. “It slipped that you were… you know. They’re having trouble thinking of it”

    I hadn’t really meant to reveal it initially, but I’d never gotten to be a girl’s first. It was a big deal for me. Werewolves believe it’s lucky in a relationship to be the first. It deepened the connection of spirits. To give yourself to someone for the first time, was a gift to the giver and the receiver.

    “Oh.” She blushed. “I guess at one point or another everyone here was a virgin. It shouldn’t be that shocking. Though, I do wish they wouldn’t try thinking of it.”

    “Not a lot of girls would pick a guy like Ford.” Moran said.

    “Why not?” She asked. “He’s cute and sweet. Ford has made my first time wonderful.” Madison smiled brightly at me.

     I chewed my cookie and nodded with a wink. I loved the way she looked at me. I wondered if I could mate with her properly. She’d have to know what I really was, but a human and werewolf pairing wasn’t completely unheard of. I’d nearly marked her after the first time we were together.

    Odds were good my destined mate was dead. Madison would be a great chosen mate. She was sweet and loving. In the few times we’d talked, she’d seemed smart. I wanted to get to know her better, but my urge to bury myself balls deep in her every chance I got was currently much stronger. We’d get there. I knew I’d find she was a perfect choice for my Altaluna.

    Moran and Val looked at her wide-eyed. He sniffed the air and I wondered what he was looking for. I sniffed, but my nose wasn’t nearly as sensitive as a demon’s and I could only smell two humans, an incubus, a bear, and myself, among the myriad other scents in the apartment. It was times like this, I wished I could mind link them. I’d ask him tomorrow. Right now, I wanted to take Madison back to her room.

    “So, you guys can see I’m fine. I’ll be home tomorrow and we can talk about what is and isn’t okay when your friend doesn’t come home.” I chided.

    “You didn’t answer your phone or texts. Everyone was worried.” Moran stressed.

    Madison’s head came up. Her eyes were wide and she looked at the three of us suspiciously. I wondered what she was thinking, but didn’t have to wait long.

    “…That sounds like there’s someone you’re hiding. You don’t have a girlfriend or wife. Right?” Madison sounded hurt.

    “No. You’re the only woman in my life. Just you.” I reassured.

    “Oh. God. It’s a boyfriend, isn’t it? You’re bi and I’m a homewrecker. I saw the look they just gave each other. Your boyfriend is looking for you, isn’t he?!” She stood up and went into the bedroom. When Madison returned she held up my phone. It must have fallen on the floor when she pulled my pants off. “You have ten missed calls from ‘Rao’. I’m guessing that’s his name. I can’t believe you would do this!” She tossed the phone at me.

    I glanced at Serena, hoping for help, but she seemed to be waiting for the answer as well. How could she think I was cheating? I looked at my phone, then to Moran and Val. What the hell do I do? How could I convince her that I wasn’t dating Rao?

    “I can’t believe I didn’t see it!” Tears were forming in her eyes.

    “Rao is my friend! Not boyfriend! He’s like my brother, baby. I swear. I’m single. No one wants to be with me for more than a night. You gotta believe me. No one wants me!”

    I hated admitting it in front of my friends and the girl I liked, but it was true. Even those skanks only ever wanted me for a night, maybe two. There’d been a couple offers of more, but they didn’t want me, just my reputation and bragging rights. She was the only one who seemed to connect with me. I wanted to keep her, make her my mate, never let her go. 

    Madison walked around the coffee table with a pained look on her face. She climbed into my lap and kissed my chin and jaw. It was like she could feel the pain and honesty in my voice. She understood, I wasn’t lying. Her arms wrapped around my neck and she held me tight. I closed my eyes, letting her comfort soak into me.

    “I want you for more than one night.” She sniffled. “I want to keep you.”

    “Really?” I stroked her back.

    I worked to keep myself under control. We wanted the same thing. I wasn’t going to scare her off.

    “I don’t have great luck. I lived in a small town. No one wanted to date me when I was a teen except a gay boy who needed a beard. Our town wasn't safe for him to be himself. It helped with my grades at least, no distractions and they paid for all our ‘double dates’. His boyfriend’s girlfriend was really nice, but we weren’t into each other. Every guy I’ve liked since then, has been taken. I just got worried you were cheating with me. It would be fitting with my history.” Madison sighed.

    “I want to keep you, too.” I murmured as I kissed the side of her neck.

    That would be where I’d lay my mark when she accepted me. Once I told her what I was. After I’d gained her trust. I just had to get our relationship to that point.

    “Then… you’ll be my boyfriend?” She asked shyly.

    I felt like something exploded inside me. My first real girlfriend in years. Not some chick I slept with more than once, but a girlfriend. It was like my whole life was trying to change. Madison was the catalyst. I needed to get Rao a gift for making me go out tonight. I wouldn’t have found her if he hadn’t prodded.

    I had to keep on track in my work to save the supernaturals and take down the men responsible for the hunts, though. She was right. Dating was a distraction. One I desired more than anything. I could make it work if she was willing.

    “Maddie, baby, I want that more than you know. But you gotta understand, my work always comes first. And that means, I can’t come see you sometimes. I don’t go out a lot because of it, so we might not have many real dates.” I told her.

    “I can deal with that. I’m not the only woman in history who didn’t come first.” She held me tightly.

    Serena snorted. I looked down and started laughing when I remembered her love of innuendo. She was going to make my life more interesting. That was certain. 

    “You’re really okay with that? Most women want to have all of their man’s attention.” I held her closely.

    “You’ll get as much attention as I do. I expect it will be incentive to make time for me. Can we go back to bed now?” She wiggled in my lap.

    I groaned and steadied her. “You head in. Let me get them sent on their way. I wanna help Serena clean up, too. This probably stressed her out.”

    “Alright. I’ll go run a bath, then.” She whispered into my ear, pulling herself to press against my body.

    Madison kissed my neck with a little nibble and left my lap. Goddess, she was perfect. I couldn’t wait to join her in the tub.

    She turned to everyone else. “I hope we can meet again in the future. Please make sure you secure the front door as you leave. Good night.” Then she retreated to her bedroom.

    Moran and Val stared after her. Val’s mouth quirked in a smile. I knew she’d have plenty to say later. I’d grown to depend on Val as my female sounding board. I loved her kids and we would hang out when she brought them for a visit. She’d been encouraging me to find a mate even though we were in the middle of this hell. Val told me it would help focus me and keep me on track. I could see Madison being that for me.

    “I’ll get this all cleaned myself, Ford. You talk to your friends and head in to be with Maddie.” Serena smiled.

    “Thanks, Serena.” I nodded.

    She might actually make a good match for Rao. They were both good friends, caring, and thorough. I wondered about introducing them sometime. She took the dishes and headed to the kitchen.

    I was finally able to find out the answer to what had been bugging me. My team was supposed to be well trained and focused. There was no reason I should have found them tied up in the living room. Except one…

    “How the hell does a human sneak up on a bear and an incubus? There’s no way Serena would’ve caught you if you’d been on your guard. I’m guessin’ you opened the bedroom door.” I glared.

    “We did, sorry. I’m not gonna lie. This was all my fault. She’s just not the type you usually attract. It seemed like they were trying to catch you specifically.” Moran explained.

    “She said it was the first time Serena ever listened when she said she wanted a certain type of guy. If Serena saw somethin’ in me that made her say, ‘this is the guy’, then she absolutely targeted me. The problem with being a criminal is you see bad intentions everywhere.” I smiled a little.

    “I was pretty sure you wouldn’t have touched a virgin, boss. Especially, not a human one.” He replied.

    “Serena lied. Said Madison was experienced with my particular… build. I never met a woman who wanted me as much as she does. I couldn’t say no. Can you get me a dinner reservation at that restaurant, the private one? I wanna take her out. Find out if Rao still has the suit he had me get. Never mind, I’ll ask when I go home tomorrow.”

    “Yeah, boss. I’ll see what I can do. You want flowers, too?” Moran asked.

    “No. She doesn’t like useless, pretty things.” I looked at my hands. I’d asked her earlier what flowers she liked and that was the answer she gave as she’d started nibbling on my neck. “Make sure this is in the list of places you know I’ll be. I want it protected, too. And I wanna find out what happened to her sister.”

    I’d avenge her sister like I was working to avenge my family and my people. I needed to know what happened and who I was going to kill, though.

    “Who’s her sister?” Moran asked.

    “I don’t actually know her name… Indie?” I said. “Hey, Serena, what was Madison’s sister’s name?”

    Serena looked up. She seemed a little startled and confused at me asking. I didn’t know if she’d answer, but it seemed she decided for it.

    “Her name was Indira, but she went by Indie. Indie Coto.” She answered softly. “She worked in the superhuman department for the police. You might have heard of her as Astrape.”

    “What?!” I heard Rao’s voice come from Moran’s phone.

    “Rao was on the phone the whole time?” I asked, my rage barely contained.

    Moran and Val looked nervous. I was so angry. First, they’d tracked me down like an errant child, then they’d spied on me with my girl, now I find out Rao was listening the whole time. There was no privacy in my life!

    They felt entitled to every part of it with no regard for me. Rao started explaining, but I was barely hearing it. Conric started stirring in my head. This would get bloody if they didn’t come up with some really fucking good answers.