“Maybe we should limit Peter’s supply of muffins,” Lionel said.

  “Yeah, good luck with that,” Daniel replied.

  Florian appeared back at the coffee shop and grabbed his apron before walking to the front of the coffee shop.

  “Hey,” he said, walking to the counter.

  “Florian,” Eric said with a smile. “Congrats.”

  “Thanks, and thank you, guys, for covering for me while I went back and saw the big guy.”

  “Everything sorted?” Jack asked

  “Yep, all sorted.”

  “Good, then get to work,” Leon said.

  Florian laughed, grabbed a tray, and headed out to clear some tables, all the while thinking of his mate and the changes that were going to happen to fairies who wanted to find their mates.

  Erin and Lee were due to come when the coffee shop closed so they could tell the rest of this team about these changes that had been made. He would stay for the meeting, then head on out and see Merlyn.

  The coffee shop was closed, and Florian and his team were sitting down ready to hear what Erin and Lee had to say. The Twirleys were stood off to the side, as well as Kai. Of course, Florian already knew most of it, but there might have been something discussed later that he’d missed.

  “Thank you all for staying behind after a long and busy day,” Erin said. “You have all done a wonderful job.”

  The team smiled.

  “Our retrieval team has collected all the humans who took the free samples, but it has created some problems that we hadn’t been expecting,” Lee said.

  “Like the Twirleys?” Leon asked, smiling at Molly and Dolly. “Not that you’re problems,” Leon added quickly, realising what he’d said.

  Molly and Dolly laughed but said nothing.

  “That was one of them, yes,” Erin said. “But, the humans were not happy about being taken from everything and everyone they knew.”

  “But surely they liked the fairy realm? If you showed them around, how could they not like the place?” Jack said.

  “Yes, dearie ducks, the fairy realm is lovely.”

  “So, what is the problem?” Jack asked, confused.

  “Even though the fairy realm is a lovely place, you can’t kidnap humans. I know you want to save your people, and I applaud you all, but no human will be happy being taken from their home, family, and friends forever, whether they find their mate or not. And if they didn’t find a mate, having their minds wiped is wrong.

  “Some of the humans were already happily married and had children. Then, there were the children who were taken. That’s a big old no-no,” Molly explained.

  “So what happens now?” Eric asked.

  “Now we change how we do things. We have an upper and lower age limit. No human under the age of eighteen or over the age of sixty. No whisking them off to the fairy realm if they take free samples,” Erin said. “From now on, one day every two weeks, we will open later in the evening for a meet and natter evening.”

  “Meet and natter?” Leon asked.

  “Yes, we invite single fairies and single humans to come and see if they can find their mates that way. If mates are found, they will no longer have to stay in the fairy realm but will be given a mark they can rub so they can come and go as they please,” Lee said.

  “And, any fairy that wants to split their time between the two realms can do that,” Erin said.

  “That sounds okay,” Jack said. “But can we move here without finding our mate?”

  “Yes,” Erin said. “But I would still like you to keep your houses in the fairy realm and come back at least once a week so we know you are okay.”

  “Yes,” Jack said, “I can do that.”

  Erin smiled. He knew the humans had a lot of amazing things to see and do, but it was still a dangerous place, and he wanted to make sure they were all safe.

  “For those who want to stay here, I’m going to give you a mark like the ones the humans have. If you are in danger or trouble and can’t open a portal, rub the mark and we’ll come and find you.”

  “Maybe two marks,” Kai said. “One for if they’re in danger and need our help, and the other to bring them back to the fairy realm.”

  Erin nodded. “That works.”

  Suddenly, there was a knock on the coffee shop door. They all turned to see who was there.

  “Thane,” Kai said, heading for the door to open it and let him in. He smiled at Thane, who ignored him and walked straight to Erin.

  Kai’s smile slipped from his face and his shoulders slumped. Thane was never going to forgive him.

  “I have a problem,” Thane said to Erin.

  Kai stood up straighter. If his mate was in trouble, he would help him no matter what Thane thought of him.

  “What’s wrong?” Erin asked, concerned. “Were the humans not in the location you chose?”

  “No, they were there. We got all of them except one,” Thane explained.

  “One?” Erin asked, confused.

  “Yes, the young teenager named Perry. He wasn’t there with the others.”

  “He should have been transported with the others,” Erin explained.

  “Dearie ducks, when you sent the humans back, you only sent the ones inside the dormitory. What if young Perry had snuck out of there and went wandering?” Dolly said.

  Erin sighed. “Then he wouldn’t have been sent back with everyone and could be wandering around the fairy realm even as we speak. Kai, can you go back and see if you can find him? There’s no telling what dangers or trouble he might unknowingly fall into.”

  “I can do that,” Kai replied. He turned and looked at Thane. “When I find him, I’ll contact you.” He didn’t wait for Thane to tell him not to bother but instead waved his hand to open a portal and quickly vanished.

  “Okay, I’ll give,” Thane said. “How is he going to contact me?”

  Erin laughed. “He can track you via your mark.”

  Thane absently rubbed his wrist. “Oh, okay.”

  Erin walked to Thane and touched his shoulder. He leant closer and whispered, “Kai really is a good man. I know the way you met was wrong, but please give him a chance.”

  Thane looked at Erin and nodded but didn’t say anything in return. He would take seeing Kai one day at a time, and maybe one day, he would apologise for laying him out.

  CHAPTER 27

  Merlyn and Florian were snuggled up on the sofa. Merlyn was introducing Florian to the wonders of NCIS and other shows and films that he liked. Florian was enthralled. They didn’t have anything like this back in the fairy realm.

  They’d had a lovely dinner, and Florian had told him all about the changes the king had made regarding humans.

  It was nice just chilling and trying not to think about anything negative. Florian knew Merlyn was worried, but Florian wasn’t. He knew when Merlyn’s family turned up, Merlyn would be surrounded by friends, all of whom could help protect him, and with the fairy mark he had yet to give him, Merlyn would have a way to escape. He just wasn’t sure Merlyn would use it.

  “Hey, Merl, want to come to the fairy realm this weekend and meet my parents?” Florian asked suddenly.

  Merlyn looked at Florian and smiled. “I’d love to meet your parents.”

  Florian smiled and kissed his head. “Yay!”

  Merlyn laughed. “But for now, how about we head to bed and have some fun?”

  Florian jumped up. “I’m good with that.”

  Merlyn laughed again, turned off the TV, grabbed Florian’s hand, and pulled him along to the bedroom.

  Merlyn pulled Florian into a kiss and started stripping Florian out of his clothes as Florian was trying to strip him at the same time. They pulled out of the kiss, laughing as they kept getting in each other’s way.

  “I’ve got this.” Florian said before clicking his fingers and both sets of clothes vanished. He looked at Merlyn and hoped he wasn’t drooling. “You are simply perfect, Merl. I always wondered what my mate would look like, and in all my dreams, I never came close to picturing someone as perfect as you,” he said, raising his hand and placing it against Merlyn’s cheek.

  Merlyn blushed and leaned into Florian’s hand. “I used to dream about finding my mate, as well, but I never saw the face. There is no way my mind could have pictured someone as wonderful, as colourful, as beautiful as you. I thank the fates that we met. I love you, Florry, more than I ever thought possible.”

  Florian smiled, his wings suddenly bursting out and unfurling. “I love you, too, my Merlyn, now and always.” He pulled Merlyn close and proceeded to kiss the stuffing out of him.

  As they were kissing, his wings flapped and raised them both up, and he gently flew them to the bed where Florian laid Merlyn down and spent hours making love to him.

  Merlyn was lying in his favourite position, his head resting on Florian’s chest, his arm round his waist and his legs tangled with Florians.

  “When I was back in the fairy realm earlier, the king’s father gave me the spell that I can say to you. It will create a mark on your wrist so if you are ever in danger and I’m not around, you can touch it and it will bring you directly to the fairy realm.”

  Merlyn lifted his head. “Is it complicated?”

  Florian shook his head. “No, watch.” He moved his hand and picked up Merlyn’s arm, whispered the spell, and suddenly a rainbow appeared on Merlyn’s wrist. “If you rub the rainbow, it will take you straight to the fairy realm.”

  Merlyn looked at his wrist. “I love it! Thank you. I know you worry about me. Hopefully now you can dial down your worry.”

  Florian shook his head. “I will never stop worrying about you until you are safe from your family, but I am glad you have a way to get away if needed. Do you like the rainbow? If not, I can change it for something else.”

  Merlyn moved up and kissed Florian. “I love it and I love you,” he said, pulling back before leaning in and kissing Florian and then making love to his wonderful mate.

  Merlyn might be scared of his family finding him, but he had something to fight for — his friends and Florian. And if needed, fight he would.

  Andrew, his two sons, and a few nephews arrived in Winchester later that evening. They checked into a local hotel in the city centre. They would all get some rest tonight and start their hunt on the morrow.

  Kai had started a search of the fairy realm for Perry, but so far, he hadn’t found him. He knew he could use magic to locate him but wasn’t sure he wanted to find Perry so quickly. He wanted Thane to actually miss him. He snorted. Like that is going to happen, he thought to himself. Still, he could dream, couldn’t he?

  He was walking towards the fairy dell where old Fabian lived. He was a grumpy fairy who griped and moaned about everything. Kai didn’t think he’d ever seen him smile. Fabian kept to himself, and most fairies went out of their way to avoid him.

  He would go and see Fabian and see if he had seen the young human.

  CHAPTER 28

  Friday morning saw blue skies, which made Merlyn excited. It meant the day was going to be good. Plus, the latest All About Men went on sale today. He was excited to see what people thought of his column and if anyone liked his ideas for a new column name.

  Florian had to be at the coffee shop early and had already left for work.

  Not waiting for his alarm, Merlyn jumped out of bed and went into the bathroom, and thirty minutes later he was ready to leave. He remembered he was going to the fairy realm after work and packed a bag so he would be ready to leave as soon as they both got home after work.

  Merlyn practically bounced down the road, meeting up with Daniel and Penny. “Isn’t it a lovely morning?” Merlyn said by way of a greeting.

  “Well, someone’s happy today,” Penny said with a smile.

  “It’s Friday, and I’m excited to see what people think of my column,” Merlyn replied.

  “They’ll love it,” Daniel assured him.

  “I hope so,” Merlyn said. “I had fun replying to the questions I picked.”

  Penny linked his arm with Merlyn’s. “Relax, everyone will love it.”

  “Come on, let’s go buy coffee and muffins,” Daniel said.

  They entered the coffee shop and waited in line. When Florian saw Merlyn, he gave him a bright smile and blew him a kiss. Merlyn blushed, and Penny and Daniel laughed. By the time it was their turn, Jack had their drinks ready.

  Florian leaned over the counter and gave Merlyn a quick kiss. “Morning, sweetheart.”

  “Hi,” Merlyn replied, stupidly.

  Florian laughed.

  “Can we get a box of mixed muffins, please?” Penny asked.

  “Nope,” Florian said. “Kendel came in earlier and already bought them.”

  “Nice,” Daniel replied, just paying for the coffees.

  They all picked up their coffees. “Have a good day, Florry,” Merlyn said, smiling at Florian. He loved the look of happiness he saw in his mate’s eyes.

  “Yep, have a good day, guys,” Daniel said, saluting them with his coffee.

  “And you,” Florian replied as the other fairies smiled.

  “Be safe,” Florian said to Merlyn.

  “Always,” Merlyn replied happily.

  Florian watched Merlyn and his friends leave the coffee shop and sighed. He really did have a handsome mate.

  “Earth to Florian. Come in, Florian,” Eric said, laughing at him.

  Florian dragged his eyes away from the door. “What?” he asked with fake innocence.

  Jack came over and nudged his shoulder. “You’re a lucky fairy, Florian.”

  He sighed. “I really am.”

  Merlyn, Daniel, and Penny arrived at work and walked into their office. Kendel was already there sitting on the edge of Felix’s desk. He paused when they walked in.

  “Morning one and all. Muffins are over there,” Kendel said, pointing to the box on top of the usual filing cabinet.

  “Grab one now before Peter gets here,” Felix said, laughing.

  “That guy has serious problems,” Jay said, walking in.

  “He just likes muffins,” Merlyn said.

  “Obsessed, you mean,” Daniel put in.

  “Who’s obsessed, and with what?” Peter asked, walking in with Lionel.

  “You. You’re obsessed with muffins,” Felix said.

  Peter smiled. “I’m not obsessed. I’m in love. They are amazing. They taste incredible, but they have a hint of a wonderful smell to them that my wolf and I both love,” he replied.

  Kendel looked at Peter but didn’t say anything. He just pointed towards the box.

  “No naming them,” Lionel said.

  Peter hefted a huge sigh. “Fine,” he said, opening the box and pulling his favourite one out, this time sighing happily.

  “Okay, people, time to start the day,” Kendel said, standing up. “Group meeting at noon in the boardroom to discuss next week’s pieces.”

  He patted Felix on the shoulder and headed out of the office.

  Everyone who didn’t already have a muffin grabbed one, then settled down to start their day.

  Andrew had split his sons and nephews up to search different parts of the city, hoping they found the runt quickly. He needed Merlyn back in his pack as fast as possible.

  There seemed to be a power struggle going on in the wolf shifter world. Those packs that had omegas were determined to become the leaders of all the wolf shifters. At the moment, it seemed most of the different wolf species had white omega wolves. There hadn’t been omega wolves in a long time, but suddenly in the last twenty or so years, they’d started being born again.

  From what Andrew had found out, omega wolves were supposed to be cherished and looked after. The happier they were, the stronger their power became.

  Andrew thought that was a lot of hogwash. Just having an omega in the pack should do the same. He didn’t need to treat the little runt well. He would happily beat Merlyn to make sure he made the pack stronger. He would also let his other sons beat him, too, which should increase their strength, as well.

  He needed the pack to be strong so they could defend themselves against any attacks which may come from the other wolf packs. He knew he could never be leader of all wolf shifters. His pack wasn’t big enough, and there were stronger wolves out there, but he would make sure his was one of the premier packs. He just needed the runt to help him get there.

  CHAPTER 29

  Merlyn was having a fantastic day. He had already received emails from readers welcoming him to the magazine and saying which name they would like him to use for the section. So many were saying how good his replies were. It was a major boost—something he needed.

  The staff meeting had gone well, with Kendel praising everyone on another successful publication.

  New assignments were given out to those that needed them and then they all headed back to their office.

  “Do you have any plans for the weekend?” Jay asked Merlyn as they reached their office.

  “Florian wants me to check out the fairy realm and meet his family,” Merlyn replied.

  “And how do you feel about meeting his family?” Felix, who was walking with them, asked.

  “Nervous. I’ve not had good experiences with families, but Florian assures me his family will love me.”

  “I’m sure they will,” Jay said to him. “Your family are Twaticals.”

  “Twaticals?” Merlyn asked with a laugh.

  “Yep, any other family would love to have you in it,” Jay said. “Only twats wouldn’t, so Twaticals.”

  “I dare you to use that word in your next piece,” Felix said, walking into their office and going to his desk. “Twenty say you won’t.”

  “Twenty says who won’t what?” Lionel asked as the others entered the office.

  “Twenty says that Jay won’t use the word Twaticals in his next piece,” Felix said.

  “I’m so in,” Daniel said, grinning.

  “I’m going to say he does,” Lionel said, getting his wallet out.

 

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