He ought to find more friends, so Eddie didn’t feel obligated to include Joe all the time in his new life. Joe needed something other than work and home so he could give Eddie the space that he deserved.

  But with that said, Joe was anxious to get back to his little rented bungalow, his little corner of the world. The Palace was a place to visit and admire, but unlike Eddie, Joe couldn’t see himself ever living in such a place, although he wouldn’t mind having ready access to those gardens.

  He smiled at his silly wayward thoughts. As if he would ever have the opportunity to live in such a place. He was a common man, and he would most likely die a common man, and that was alright. There was no one busting down his door, promising him love and devotion or a life of luxury. At twenty-three, he had yet to have a serious relationship. Actually, he had yet to have a relationship of any kind, serious or otherwise.

  He worked at the local gas station convenience store, and he’d been there for the past five years, so no, there was no one fighting for his attention. As the depressing thoughts continued to mount, he decided that perhaps he should go out one of these evenings. He and Eddie used to go to Murphy’s bar on Friday night, but that ended when Eddie hooked up with his husband, Robert.

  I need someone to drop in my lap the way Robert Alden dropped into Eddie’s lap, he mumbled softly. After a few minutes of consideration and self-pity, he made a promise to himself that he would go to Murphy’s tonight after he got off work.

  Glancing at his reflection in the rearview mirror, Joe ran his fingers through his hair and checked out his look. Maybe there was someone out there that would find him attractive and worth the effort.

  …

  Yuri was up before the dawn and prepping for what would be the search of a lifetime. He was going to end this day with his beloved in his arms. He sent a message requesting to see Louis at his earliest convenience. He could see no reason that Louis would deny his request to search for his beloved. From what he heard, Louis found his own beloved in much the same manner while visiting a Coven in Pittsburgh. He would understand Yuri’s desperation and desire to find this person.

  It wasn’t long before he received word that Louis would meet with him in his office at ten. The excitement in his heart began to build at the realization of what this day would mean. He was nearly eight hundred years old, and throughout the centuries, the knowledge that someday his beloved would come to him was always in his heart. He never doubted that one day Fate would reward him as it had so many others.

  Now his day had come, and it was time that his life became wholly fulfilled by the presence of his beloved. Naturally, as he stood there, he wondered what his beloved would look like. He’d always preferred men, so he knew in his soul that his beloved would be a man and not a woman.

  If Baylen touched someone here at the Coven, then it would stand to reason that his beloved was a vampire like himself. He’d often considered that it would be interesting to have a more exotic beloved, perhaps a human like Louis’ love, or maybe a shifter. It would bring new ideas and considerable excitement to the union. But he would be satisfied with whoever Fate has chosen for him no matter their linage.

  He was lost in thought when there came a knock to the door that separated his suite from that of his guards. “Enter.” He stated, and the door opened, and Baylen walked in with Andre close behind both wore an expression of concern, restrained concern. “What is it?” Yuri prompted when neither was quick to speak.

  “I stopped at the gas station in town after I left the airport and before I reached the coven.” He stated, and his meaning was quite clear.

  Yuri remembered the stop. “Who did you get close to?” Yuri pinned him with a gaze that demanded details, precise details.

  Baylen glanced back at Andre before returning his attention to Yuri it seemed an odd gesture as if Baylen were apprehensive of the information he possessed. “I touched the clerk or cashier, I’m not sure of his title, while I was there.”

  “Just the one man?” Yuri narrowed his gaze at Baylen.

  “Yes, no one else was in the building, just the two of us.”

  “Thank you, Baylen.” Yuri checked his watch. “I have a meeting with Master DuCane in a few minutes. I’d like for you to accompany me, Baylen.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  …

  Joe showered and dressed for work even though he still had a while before his shift started. He uploaded his photos of the hedge garden to his laptop and began graphing the layout and adding a little of his own creativity. Landscaping was so relaxing when doing it on a computer. He loved designing the layouts but wished he could put some of his designs into real projects.

  He owned no land, and without land, you could not landscape. His parents still had their place out on Miller road. It had a large yard, but they rented it out and didn’t want him around the place. He’d asked once if he could do some landscaping for them and even said he’d pay for all the plants and supplies, but they turned him down. They said he’d just make a mess of things.

  He had several small mockups made of cardboard, plaster, and whatever he could find to imitate foliage to show them, but they were not impressed. They weren’t happy that he still worked at the gas station, and they weren’t happy that he hadn’t at least tried to get into college, and they weren’t happy that he had no ambition as they called it. They just plain weren’t happy.

  They hadn’t visited in a couple of years but called at least once a year to see if he’d made any improvements in his life. He hated those calls and vowed to ignore the next one if it ever came. They were distancing themselves, and that was okay. Joe found that he liked them better from a distance.

  When scanning his photos, he noticed that he’d captured a blurry picture of Master Yuri Petrov when he was out on the balcony. It was mostly shadows, but he remembered how handsome that guy was, and his thoughts went instantly into the gutter.

  What would it be like to have someone like that in your bed? He grinned and kept studying the photo. It wasn’t clear, but it was easy to make out his stand and his build, he was such a formidable man. Joe wished he’d noticed him there and had gotten a clearer picture.

  He wondered if Yuri was married or bonded. He should have asked Eddie, but what did it matter? It wasn’t like the guy was going to seek him out for an introduction or anything. That made him laugh and quickly moved onto another picture, putting the man, as best he could, out of his mind.

  …

  Louis went to his office just after nine. He planned to meet with Ismael about an unrelated issue before his meeting with Yuri at ten. Louis wanted to talk to Ismael about Joe Banks first. He’d made a stunning discovery last evening and was curious if anyone else had noticed the same.

  “I met Joe in the hedge garden last night during my walk.” He began after they were both seated.

  “I’ve not met him myself, but I’ve heard kind things about him,” Ismael responded. “Well mannered, courteous, and soft-spoken.” Louis nodded.

  “Yes, he is all of those things, but what I didn’t know is that he is also a shifter. A cat of some sort if I’m not mistaken. Not a cougar, a smaller breed, perhaps lynx.” Louis’ casual tone caused Ismael to turn and look at him surprised.

  “A shifter?” Ismael shook his head. “How did we not know that?”

  “I met him for the first time last night, and you’ve never met him.” Louis reminded. “I don’t think Joe is even aware that he’s a shifter. His cat was buried quite deep. It would take meeting someone like me or you to force him to the surface.” Louis smiled.

  “He tilted his neck to me last night. I know Joe didn’t understand what he was doing because it was pure instinct.” Louis went on.

  “His cat was making nice with the apex predator.” Ismael laughed, and Louis joined.

  “Precisely,” Louis responded. “I tapped his throat, and his cat calmed and sat back but did not take his attention off me.”

  “What about his parents?” Ismael asked.

  “Joe told me that he’s adopted.”

  “Do you think since his cat has been forced to the surface that he will become aware of the beast?” Ismael seemed intrigued.

  “That is possible, and therefore, he needs to be told who he really is. I believe it would be best if it were you or me as well as one of his friends so as to force the beast to the surface. He’s a timid man, and I don’t want to cause him undue stress, but it is something he has a right to know.” Louis stated as Ismael nodded his agreement.

  “It’s no secret that he reveres you Louis so coming from you there would be left no doubt as to the veracity of the claim. Even if he can’t shift your statement along with his cat stirring at your presences should be enough to convince him.” Ismael smiled. “Robert and Eddie can be present to ease the shock of it all.”

  “Who would have thought our Joe Banks would turn out to be so intriguing.” Louis smiled.

  “Who would have thought indeed,” Ismael responded.

  …

  Yuri and Baylen made their way to Louis’ office at a quarter to the hour. It had been beastly having to wait. Having been Master of his own coven now for five years and before that the second for seven hundred years, Yuri was not accustomed to waiting, and he wasn’t very good at it. But this was Louis’ place, Louis’ rule and Louis’ time, and Yuri was but a guest.

  He would need Louis’ permission and likely assistance in locating his beloved so it would not further his efforts to antagonize with impatience. But with that said, he was anxious to proceed, and the delays were maddening. He ached to find the man behind that scent so soft and sweet and yet thick and wild, the aroma now lived in his heart and mind.

  Louis’ guard Ira escorted them to his office, which was protocol but didn’t make the process any faster. Yuri had met Ira before when he’d accompanied the prisoner Aldessa Foix back to France. He stepped to the side when they reached the outer door to Louis’ office.

  “He’s expecting you, sir,” Ira told him. “You may proceed.”

  “Thank you, Ira,” Yuri instructed Baylen to remain in the outer room with Ira and then stepped inside and closed the door behind him. He saw Louis standing on the far side of the room near the window.

  “How can I help you, Yuri?” Louis asked and came forward, shaking his hand and leading Yuri to a soft chair, and Louis sat in the seat directly opposite.

  Yuri explained the incident with Baylen’s jacket and the belief that Yuri’s mate was a member or connected to the Coven. He asked permission to investigate further and for the freedom to retrace Baylen’s steps. Yuri also mentioned the stop at the gas station on the edge of town, where Baylen had stopped before their arrival.

  “The guard, Robert, who accompanied you once you entered the Coven proper is already bonded, so that eliminates him,” Louis commented. “You are welcome to explore, and everyone who was present during your arrival will make themselves available to you.”

  “Thank you for your understanding.” Yuri was anxious to get started on his search, so he stood and was preparing to leave when Louis made one more comment.

  “You say he stopped at the gas station.” He said

  “Yes.”

  “And that was shortly before you arrived.” Louis continued.

  “Yes.”

  “Was there anyone in the station besides the attendant?” Louis’ questioning was becoming tedious, but Yuri managed to remain still.

  “Baylen stated that only the attendant was present. He had contact with no one else before arriving here at the Coven.” Yuri explained fully, hoping to get this over with and be on his way. “If I don’t recognize anyone here, I will go to the gas station and search out the attendant.”

  “I know the attendant who would have been working that shift,” Louis announced with a strange look. “His name is Joe Banks, and he was here yesterday and stayed last night with his friend who is bonded to one of my guards.” Louis picked up his phone and called someone making a request to bring something Joe had touched or worn.

  “We can check without you having to make the trip back to the gas station,” Louis told him, and within minutes someone knocked on the door. Louis opened it and received something and then closed the door. He walked back over to Yuri.

  “Here, smell this.” He said and handed Yuri a bed pillow.

  The moment the item touched his hand, Yuri felt the connection. He brought it to his face, and his mind reeled at the potency of the scent and the effect it had on his emotions. He drew in breath after breath saturating himself in the amazing aroma of wild woods so fresh and clean and intoxicating.

  He glanced up at Louis, and the truth was clear in his expression, but he verbalized his claim for the sake of perfect clarity. “This scent belongs to my beloved.”

  “Your beloved is Joe Banks,” Louis stated and walked over to sit back down. “I know that you are anxious to go to your beloved but please sit, there are things you should know about our Joe.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Joe had just started his shift when he saw a black sleek SUV pull in and park. They weren’t there for gas, so Joe assumed they were after a drink or snack or perhaps lottery tickets although they didn’t look the type to play such a game.

  He moved from where he was cleaning the coffee area back to the counter, not wanting another incident like yesterday. Similar to the man from yesterday, these guys look like they could cause trouble if they wanted to, and he wasn’t in the mood to give them an excuse. He watched them closely as they scanned the room. One picked up a bag of chips while the other went to the cooler for a drink. They approached the counter as if they were stalking prey, and that was one hell of a creepy feeling.

  “Will this be all?” He asked his usual line to all customers before ringing them up.

  “Yes.” The tall one said and stared holes through Joe as he finished the transaction and bagged up the chips and drink. They actually asked for a bag for the two items, which also struck Joe as strange. Is seemed as if they were stalling for some reason, and Joe didn’t want to find out what that reason was. Damn, these guys gave off a weird vibe.

  “You remind me of someone.” The man leaned forward, getting into Joe’s space. Joe did not respond to the statement. “You smell like that deputy who stopped us for speeding out on 48. You know who I’m talking about?” The guy was digging for something.

  “The Sheriff’s office went through a change up a few months ago, so the deputies are mostly new people, and no, I don’t know them.” Joe tried to be informative but also not chatty. He wanted these guys to leave in the worst way.

  “Right.” The man said in such a way that indicated he did not believe Joe. “Well, you have a good day.” He said and turned with his friend and left. Joe felt a chill crawl up his spine as he watched, then get back into their vehicle and drive away.

  It was then that Joe made the decision to seriously begin looking for work elsewhere. This clerk position was becoming less attractive by the day. He grabbed his phone and began scrolling through the local help wanted.

  After he submitted a couple custodial applications online, one for the theater and one for the library, he closed his phone and went back to finish cleaning the coffee area and stocking shelves.

  The act of submitting the applications helped to ease his discomfort a little. Maybe he’d get an interview soon, and he could say goodbye to the gas station and its creeps. The guy yesterday was simply a straight-up jerk, but these two today were planning something you could see it in their eyes. He hoped it wasn’t a robbery because he’d been robbed once before, and it was not fun.

  When his cell phone rang, it was a welcome distraction from his own negative and disastrous thoughts. Seeing that it was Eddie made the distraction that much better. “Hello.” He said with considerable cheer as he walked back up front and leaned his elbows on the counter.

  “Can you come to dinner tonight?” Eddie asked. He was just there last night, but he didn’t say that.

  “Robert working again?” He asked.

  “We’re having a little dinner party. Robert will be here as will Master DuCane, Ezra, and a few others. Don’t turn me down, I’ll need your support.”

  “Are you sure you want me there? I’m really not dinner party material.” Joe was feeling his anxiety ratcheting up at the thought of dinner with Master DuCane.

  “Yes, I want you here, and so does Robert. Come on, Joe, don’t leave me hanging.” Eddie was pleading, and Joe could not turn him down.

  “Okay, what time?” He wasn’t happy about it, but Eddie was a friend, and you did uncomfortable things for friends. As he was closing the call, he noticed another long black expensive car pulling up to the pumps. Not another asshole, he thought as he moved away from the counter and back to stocking shelves. Maybe they’d use a card and not even come inside, he could hope. Unfortunately, the bell over the door told him otherwise.

  …

  Yuri couldn’t wait until dinner that evening, he had to see his beloved. His name was Joseph, and he was about to have his life changed forever. Louis had shared with him what he’d discovered about Joseph the previous night. Apparently, the young man had no idea he possessed shifter genes, and Yuri was excited to find out more about the cat that dwelled within.

  Yuri smiled at his thoughts of the previous evening when wishing for his beloved to be a human or shifter only to discover this morning that his beloved is a human that doesn’t know he’s a shifter. Fate could be so marvelous in her choices.

  They pulled into the gas station and up to a pump. Yuri wanted to look legitimate and not like a stalker, so had Andre top off the tank while he went inside to pay and see his beloved face to face for the very first time. The bell chimed as he entered and looked around the scent of his beloved was thick in the air, and he drank it in soothing and exciting his vampire's needs.

  The scent led him around the shelving to the wall, and there halfway down the aisle crouched on the floor, placing cans on a lower shelf was the object of his eternity. “I’ll be right with you, sir.” The young man spoke over his shoulder and then froze when his gaze locked with Yuri’s. The can in his hand hit the floor, and he didn’t even seem to notice.