On Monday morning Magnus could practically fly into their office. He'd spent the weekend with his little human and while she still seemed to be holding something back from him, he was also now 100% certain that she felt something for him too. That she felt the connection between them.
And it was growing.
When they had gone dancing, he felt her closer than ever. And not just because of the way they'd been fondling each other. He felt her inside of him, like a pulse just underneath his skin. Her scent had lingered on his skin and clothes, and he hated that he'd had to shower that morning. And yeah, it might be a bit perverted of him, but he'd kept the shirt that he'd been wearing, just to have something that still had her scent on it. Hell, he would even admit to being so hard, that he'd jerked off to the memory of them together in the shower.
God, she'd been so good.
Sure, he'd agreed to take things at her pace, but he wasn't a saint. And when she pushed up against him, he wasn't shy about letting her know that he wanted her. Fuck, he wanted her so bad, he would have taken her in the middle of the dancefloor if she'd let him. But despite his cock trying his best to split his jeans open, he wasn't going to push Kat. She was his mate and waiting for her a little while longer meant nothing when they were going to spend the rest of their lives together.
Now only to tell his mother and the Elder the news…
His mother wouldn't care, either way, he was pretty sure about that, but his father and the Elders---? Yeah, it was a coin toss in which direction their vote would fall. Not that they got to have a say in who he mated. Kat was his and he'd move heaven and earth if it meant having her…
(As long as she didn't run screaming in the other direction when he told her what he was---)
But other than that, he knew his father and the previous alpha could be sticklers for tradition. "Peer-pressure from dead people" as Bjorn liked to call it – just before he laughed in the Elder's faces when they reminded him about some "old ways", and he walked out of the room.
Sometimes Magnus wished he had the freedom to do the same…
There hadn't been any mentions of a human mate in the history of shifters – EVER! But just because it hadn't happened before didn't mean it couldn't happen. And who was to say that it was recorded if it had happened? Perhaps the alpha chose not to write it down or it happened a very, very--- VERY long time ago. Shifters weren't the best at keeping records anyway, so it was more than possible.
Probably…
Magnus opened the door to their office, ready to head out for his daily dose of caffeine with his partner when said partner came storming towards him with a thunderous expression. Instantly he stiffened, ready to jump into action if necessary. But when he spotted a giggling Milla right behind the bear shifter, looking like the cat who got the creme, he went from tense to "what the fuck now?!"
"We need to talk!" Bjorn growled and without waiting for Magnus to move, he grabbed his arm and started hauling him towards his desk.
"What the---?" Magnus snarled low. Friend or not, no alpha wolf liked being manhandled and Magnus was no exception. Hell, he would have growled and tackled his friend to the floor, if it hadn't been for Milla's hands on his back, pushing him along.
"Just go with the flow," Milla snickered, barely containing her amusement. "It's so worth it."
That didn't bode well…
Stifling his urges, he let them pull and tug him into their office place. The computer was already up and running and he could see that a sketch program that they sometimes used to draw up outlines of criminals was running. And by the looks of it, someone had been putting it to good use…
"The witch that the MBI is looking for, the one that was working with Colten," Bjorn said in a snarl, sounding like he hadn't slept in a couple of days! "She's still here! She's changed her appearance but I'm positive she's here. And this is what she looks like!"
"Wha---?" Magnus began to question – because not only did he want to know how his partner knew that, but also how long he had suspected this? But Magnus didn't get a single question across his lips. Because the next thing he knew, a piece of paper was thrust into his hands and he was forced to look at it.
And looked he did…
He opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, trying not to poke the already very wound-up bear. But in the end, there wasn't anything he could do about it. Because not only was it evident that Bjorn had no idea how the program worked – making the image look like paper-mâché and Picasso had a lovechild that nobody talked about – but Magnus was also having a damn difficult time not laughing outright. Especially not with Milla standing right next to him, laughing her ass off.
"What?" Bjorn snarled at the teenager, who now was wiping a tear from her eye from laughing too much.
"So…," Magnus began, trying to divert his partner's attention away from the dying teen. "What---erm, what am I looking at?"
Bjorn just glared at him, as if it should be obvious.
"I ran into her," he all but bellowed, pointing to the picture as if he wanted to punish it for some reason. "Her scent is a little different, but it's her! I know it is."
Magnus still didn't know what to say. The picture was so awful that he couldn't use it even if he wanted to. And what exactly did his friend mean when he said he "ran into her"? Where had he been that he'd be likely to run into wanted witches? A part of Magnus didn't want to know, while another part of him was dying to know…
"Here," Milla suddenly jumped in, handing him another picture. "This one's better."
Magnus couldn't stifle a laugher this time. Other than being blond and at least resembling the wanted poster on their wall, there wasn't much Magnus could use this photo for either. But perhaps Bjorn would appreciate it…
"What?" Bjorn snapped and snatched the poster. And then let out a furious growl, as he stomped towards the shredder.
"NOT. FUNNY!" he bellowed, despite the laughter that filled the room.
"Oh, so when it's me it's funny, but not when it's you?" Magnus teased, just barely containing his own laughter. Because while Milla obviously was a talented artist, her idea of a wanted poster was more likely to pop up in an X-rated porn movie.
Or in a lonely guy's "jerk-off" drawer…
"YES! Since I don't have a stick up my ass all the time," he snapped before he started to pace the small space, mumbling low to himself.
"Ouch," Magnus grinned, not taking the insult to heart at all. But then he realized how wound up his friend was about all of this and then it wasn't as funny anymore. Bjorn was taking all of this rather personally and for a seasoned Marshal that was rather unusual. Even more so, when it was Bjorn…
"We'll get her, Bjorn," Magnus said in a soothing tone and placed a calming hand on his partner's shoulder, squeezing it. "Don't worry."
Bjorn paused in his pacing and turned to Magnus. Whatever he saw in his alpha's eyes, placated the angry bear and he let out a deep sigh of exhaustion and frustration. But he didn't want to talk about it. Not even when Magnus carefully probed about it, he just kept pulling up walls and in the end, the wolf left the issue alone. But if Magnus had to guess, his friend was irked about something more than just the witch.
And perhaps a little sexually frustrated…
But Bjorn wasn't worried or irked – he was pissed! The mere thought of that little, blond vixen slipping right between his fingers so easily, riled him and his bear to the point where it was starting to slip beneath his skin. And hell, the poster that Milla had drawn hadn't helped matters much. Knowing what he'd lost just pissed him off more.
Not that the poster did the sexy little witch justice. She didn't have long legs or tanned skin. Her skin was milky white and smooth, not an imperfection in sight. Her face was beautifully heart-shaped, with pouty red lips that were made to be kissed. Her big blue eyes were the color of shimmering sapphires, framed by long black lashes. Her sun-kissed hair was the kind of blond that made bottled products weep in envy and her curvy, yet perfectly sculpted body fit perfectly against his.
And he would be lying if he said, he hadn't jerked off to the memory of that curved body pressed up against him. How her luscious ass had felt under the touch of his hand and how perfect her lips would fit around his thick cock. Hell, just thinking about it had him rushing to the bathroom to rid himself of the erection that not only had him walking funny but was threatening to rip his pants.
Jerking off in an office bathroom!
That was what the little trickster had reduced him to. He growled low and gave his cock one last, hard jerk, before he was coming so hard, his knees almost gave out.
Damn her!
Why was she having this effect on him? She clearly didn't like him enough to put a spell on him, that was for sure. But then how did she know his name? He couldn't remember that they'd exchanged names. He sure as hell didn't know hers--- despite wanting to very, very much…
"Fuck me," he mumbled, as he cleaned himself up. An equal measure of annoyance, tiredness, and frustration was keeping his blood at a low simmer. If he ever got his hands on that witch again, he was going to fuck her brains out. And then turn her in to the MBI and let them decide what to do with her…
Or not…
Perhaps he'd just lock her up and fuck her until she was addicted to his dick. That should teach her not to run away from him…
"Milla, aren't you supposed to be in school?" he heard Magnus ask the teenager as he walked back into the office space. He was tired and was happy to see that Magnus was already ready to head out for their morning coffee. What a good fuck couldn't cure, sweet coffee sure would!
"Why?" Milla snorted, filing the report that Magnus handed her, and rolled her eyes. "I can fail my classes just as well here as there."
"Still having problems with those jerks?" Bjorn grumbled, hoping the answer was yes. If he couldn't fuck the witch, he would settle for bashing in some idiots' skulls. It was a productive day in his book either way.
"I just wish I could shift," Milla hissed angrily – which was as good a confession as any. "Then I'd show all of them---"
"Shifting just gives you abilities, Milla," Magnus cut her off and then closed the distance between them in a few long strides. He placed his arms on her shoulders and forced her to face him, by tilting her head up towards him, and smiled kindly as he added: "They don't change who you are as a person. You have to stand up for yourself – wolf or no – or you never will. You're an amazing young woman, but sometimes you have to remind people you're not someone they can push around. You HAVE to stand up for yourself and not hide away from your problems."
And that's why Magnus was the alpha.
"Besides, it's high school," Bjorn scoffed, rolling his eyes, and crossed his huge arms over his chest. "It's supposed to be hell. How else would you go through life? Untraumatized?"
And that's why Bjorn wasn't the alpha…
Magnus glared at Bjorn over his shoulder, but the bear just shrugged. Mentally shaking his head, Magnus turned back to Milla, hoping he could get through to her somehow. He knew that Milla was having a hard time on both the shifter front – since she hadn't shifted yet – and the human, since her nerdy and rather awkward self didn't fit in with the rest of the crowd.
"Do your parents know?" He asked instead of going into a long monolog that probably was wasted on teenage-low-self-esteem issues anyway.
"You mean workaholic One and Two?" Milla sighed and crossed her arms over her chest as if she was trying to protect herself from invisible forces. "You know my parents. They met once 17 years ago and got me. I don't think they've ever been in the same room since then."
Magnus mentally sighed but didn't voice his annoyance out loud. It was true. Milla's parents were notorious workaholics. Both of them were self-made millionaires so while Milla didn't have any physical needs, her parent's emotional neglect had permanently scarred the girl. Hell, he and Bjorn – as fucked up as that was! – were more of a family to her than her own blood ever was.
"I'll call the principal, see if there's something I can do," Magnus promised her and straighten to his full height. "Now put down the paperwork and do your homework. You're not failing another class on my watch."
"So bossy," Milla huffed and dumped all the files on the table in protest. "Didn't get any last night, alpha?"
"Got plenty," Magnus grinned--- because what big brother wouldn't take a dare like that? "You want to hear the details? Well, first---!"
"LALALA!!! I'M NOT LISTENING!!!" Milla shrieked, grabbing her bag and dashing for the door. "For fucks sake, Alpha! I'm a minor! Have some respect!"
"Then don't ask, Minor!" Magnus called after her and threw the car keys to his partner, who was finally smiling again. And whether it was the prospect of coffee or the banter with Milla, he didn't care. But if he wanted to know about the witch this was the time to ask…
"So," he asked as the buckled into the cruiser. "You met the wanted witch last night? Where?"
"At Paws," Bjorn replied, and while his jaws were working overtime, he wasn't biting anyone's head off. Which Magnus counted as a win. "It used to be a shifter bar until some bigshot bought it. Still has the best beer in town."
"And she was there?" Magnus asked, hoping he didn't sound as disbelieving as he felt. What in the world would a wanted witch do at a bar?! You'd think that she would want to keep a low profile with the cops and MBI looking for her…
"Yeah," Bjorn cut off his train of thought. "She took off when she saw me. She apparently hooked up with some bikers since leaving our cell."
And again, it was irrational how angry Bjorn got about thinking about her with them. Thinking about her with some filthy biker touching her, pushing her naked body against some dirty bad and crawling on top of her. Pounding away and taking what was his!
HIS, damn it!
His bear roared and Bjorn was only brought back to the present when he heard the stearin wheel crack under his palms.
Shit!
With more control then should have been necessary he forcefully got his fists to relax. And ignored the worried look Magnus short him. Lucky for him, his partner also had the sense to keep it to himself.
"And you're pissed because she got away," Magnus just stated – not asked. "Why?"
"Because she got away!" Bjorn snarled feeling as irrational as he sounded. There was more to it than that, but he wasn't about to open that can of worms – or snakes in this case…
"Bjorn, we're Marshals," Magnus kindly reminded him. "The bad guys get away sometimes and we hunt them down again. It's what we do."
"I know," the bear got between his clench teeth. The bad guy got away – not his mate!
"So why are you so pissed about this one?" Magnus questioned, the picture of collected coolness, but even Bjorn knew he was wearing his friend's patience thin. "Did something happe---?"
"Nothing happened!" he cut him off--- and instantly felt like an asshole. Great! Now he was taking his anger out on the one person who'd ever let him down a day in his life.
And it was all that witch's fault!
"Fine!" Magnus snapped, throwing his hands in the air. "If nothing happened then stop barking at everyone and act like a fucking grown up! Fuck! I haven't seen you this fucking irrational since--- Ever!"
Bjorn grunted, but even he had to admit that he was acting like a bigger dush than usual. And Magnus didn't deserve his anger.
"I just don't---," Bjorn began, but didn't really know who to continue. He didn't really talk about his feelings, since it wasn't something he could punch in the face. That was the only way he knew how to handle his frustration. Or in this case, he wanted to fuck the witchy-problem until they both were too exhausted to ever move again…
"It just doesn't fit, you know? She doesn't---," he said, trying to find the right words--- and failed miserably. "She doesn't fit the profile of a megalomaniac."
That had his friend's eyebrows arching, but not in a sardonic way. Instead, it was faint surprise and thoughtfulness that crossed his features. Hell, he even remained silent for a while, pondering what his partner had observed.
"You're right," Magnus conceded in the end. "There could be more to the story."
"Like what?" Bjorn asked almost in surprise. Of the two of them, Magnus was the analyst and most of the brain of the operation, while Bjorn provided the muscles. But he'd read a situation right? And it didn't need punching?!
Hell, he deserved a freaking pat on the back for that alone…
"The MBIs is pretty sure she's guilty, but there could be more to it," Magnus explained, thrumming his fingers against the windowsill. "Hell, she might even be a victim in all of this. We don't have all the facts yet."
Sure, but…
"Innocent people don't run away from the law," Bjorn answered, hating that he was bursting his own bubble.
At that, Magnus laughed.
"Innocent until proven guilty, remember that saying?" he grinned, but sat up in his seat nevertheless and took on a serious expression. "OK! We're assuming that the girl we found is the witch that came through the time portal, right?" He wasn't expecting Bjorn to answer, but the bear nodded anyway. "Now imagine if you were someone who just got dropped into this time. Everything's new and scarry and you're very much alone. And out of the blue there's a stranger willing to help you. What would you do?"
"Accept the help," Bjorn answered without thinking. No matter how dire the situation, if you were in a strange place alone, there was always strength in numbers – no matter the risk. But that didn't stop his hackles from rising just thinking about HIS little vixen in that situation. Colten was the kind of ruthless bastard who'd happily take advantage of a scared and confused young woman.
"Exactly," the wolf concurred, before he continued: "And while you were with this person, he abused you and locked you up with iron chains, rendering you completely helpless. What kind of mindset would you be in?"
"Not very trusting," Bjorn admitted, feeling worse and worse as this conversation went on.
"Now imagine if the people you probably hoped were there to save you, took you away and locked you up behind iron bars. What would you do?"
Well, fuck…
"Run at the first chance I got," Bjorn sighed, frustration and guilt turning his stomach into an uncomfortable knot. No wonder that she ran at the first sight of him. She was probably terrified that---
Fuck!
"You think she's innocent?" he asked his partner instead, not wanting to think about what the sexy trickster thought of him. His bear was definitely not a happy camper right now and there probably wasn't enough honey in the world to cheer him up right now.
"I think there's more to the story than Dumber and Dumber are pretending to know," Magnus said in a duh-like tone. Bjorn snorted. That wouldn't surprise him one bit. The obnoxious MBI agents had luckily left them alone for a couple of days now and a dark part of him hoped that they were lost in the woods somewhere. Because no, it wouldn't be above him to rub it in their faces if they were set out to find them…