Chapter 13:
Garrus was at C-Sec HQ today, so I was with female assassin that I'd requested. She was cloaked, walking a few steps behind me as I walked through the Lower Wards. This was a dangerous area, yeah, but it also had the best sandwich shop. It had been a while since I'd had one, and I was looking forward to it.
I had just rounded the corner, when a flash of red caught my attention. I watched as a red laser moved into place, landing squarely on the back of a human man's head. Without thinking, I darted forward, getting between the would-be shooter and the victim. Staring defiantly in their direction.
The red disappeared.
And this is why I said it would be hard to keep you safe. Her voice wove through my mind, amused.
You like a challenge, admit it. Cheeky. Come on. There's a sandwich with my name on it.
Once I had the bag in hand, both of our orders safely tucked away within it, we made our way back to the apartment.
When we walked into the Presidium, I caught a scent. Ocean and pineapple. Genesis howled in my mind, trying to take control. Trying to find the source of the scent. With clenched teeth, I forced myself to keep moving.
What's wrong? The warrior was on alert. I pictured her looking all around.
I smell another mate. I hissed.
It took longer than it should have to get back, thanks to Gen fighting me every step of the way. Literally.
Meda! I want them! Go back! We have to find them!
Gen! We have a mate! Garrus! Or have you forgotten?
There was a moment of silence, then a soft whimper. I want both. I want both...
Yeah, well. We're Garrus's. Don't forget that. We'll have to reject whoever this person is if we meet them.
She howled in pain, dreading the thought of it.
I glanced over at the warrior as she let her cloak go. "I just realized- no one ever told me your name."
"I am Sasha."
"And you're being too formal for me." I said, dishing us up and handing her a plate. "Relax. We're not on packlands. Treat me as an equal. Hell, treat me as less than an equal- just don't be all stuffy."
Her shoulders relaxed, and she went over to the chair, sitting on it. Making herself comfortable. "Will do, chief."
I grinned, taking a bite of my sandwich. It was always so good. Chef's kiss. Perfection.
"What's your wolf's name?" I asked after a while.
"Lark. And, just like her name, she loves to sing." A roll of her eyes. "Though it just sounds like howling and screeching to anyone not listening to her thoughts."
I laughed, shaking my head. "That's great. I love it. I hope she isn't too disappointed to be stuck on the Citadel all the time. I know it can be hard to let mine out. I can't imagine being unable to because you're on call all the time."
She shrugged. "We both understand that it's for your protection. We're more than willing to forgo a few freedoms."
"Well..." I gestured around the apartment. "I usually shift in my room every few months. Just to let Genesis out. If you want, you can come here for that, too. I have that spare bedroom that you can put clothes on in." I offered. "Just something to think about."
She regarded me for a moment, before nodding. "I might take you up on that. Thanks."
"No worries. I'm always happy to help."
I need to talk to you. Garrus's words perked me up.
Okay. We're back at the apartment, so you won't have to go looking for us.
A long pause. Good. I'll be there soon.
I was curious about what it could be, but his end of the link was closed off. I couldn't even get a hint from his emotions.
True to his word, it wasn't long before he was walking through the door. Sasha got up to leave, and he nodded to her. When it was just us, he came and crouched in front of me.
"You know how I've been working on a case, alongside protecting you?" He started.
"Yeah. I don't know what it's about, but I know you're working on other things."
"I was just taken off the case, because there's not enough proof for the Executor." I frowned at that. "Then, I met John Shepard. He's trying to find evidence that Saren- he's who I was investigating- has gone rogue. A rogue Spectre is a serious deal. He wants me to help him." A pause, eyes searching mine. "It might mean me leaving the Citadel for a while."
This was not how I'd expected my day to go when I'd woken up, that was for sure.
"If that's what it takes, that's what it takes." I nodded firmly, reaching out and stroking my thumb over his mandible. "We can still do calls." I assured him. "I'll be here, waiting for you."
A heavy sigh left him as he leaned into my touch, hand covering mine. "I wasn't sure how you'd react. If you want me to stay, I will. I-"
"No. I want you to do what you feel is right. If that's hunting down this man, then go do that. He's a danger to the galaxy, right?" A nod from him. "Then, go get him. And know that I'll-" A wince at the growl in my head. -we'll be here, waiting. As long as it takes."
Tell him about the other mate. She begged.
Why would I do that?!
Maybe he'll accept it.
Gen, please. Stop thinking with your hormones.
MEDA!
I froze, shocked. She didn't often yell, and even more rarely at me. There were raised voices, sure, but never a full-on yell.
"What's wrong?" He searched my face.
I looked down, unable to meet his gaze. "Genesis wants me to..." I swallowed hard. "tell you that I smelled another mate today."
"Okay." He sounded confused.
"They smelled... good." I choked out. "The only one that's ever smelled good before... is you. And she wants them. She wants them so bad. I don't know what to do. I'm so sorry."
My tears started to spill over, and the silence after my words dragged on.
"What... What does that mean?" Slow, so slow.
"I don't know." I whispered. "She wants me to go out and look for them. She wants to mark them. She wants them. I reminded her that we have you- that we're yours- but she won't listen. She keeps saying that if you love us, you'll accept it. Which isn't fair to you. This whole thing isn't fair to you. I should've just requested a new officer, when Bailey came in with you. This wouldn't be happening, if-"
"Slow down." Hands gripped my shoulders. "Slow down." Fingers dug in. "I can't say I'm pleased to hear this. But... at the same time, you are special. You get to pick and choose who you spend your life with. Really, anyone should have that choice." A pause. "You said you asked your goddess for a mate that was just for you. And you said I'm that mate. What if... she gave you more than one? The ones that smell good to you. Have you ever thought about that?"
"No. Because I don't want anyone else." I asserted, the tears flowing in earnest now.
"Meda." He shifted so I had to look at him. "Take a deep breath, okay?"
He waited while I calmed down.
"There you are. Now." A gentle shake. "Think about it, okay?"
I bit my lip, not wanting to, but he was asking me to... So, I did.
What if he was right? How many other mates would I find over the course of my life? Were there only these two? Were there three? Four? Seven? Twelve? A hundred? I was starting to get a headache, between trying to think of that and Gen's gnashing in my mind.
I watched as his eyes glazed over for a moment. My stomach dropped. Oh, shit. I was about to be in so much-
"Spirits, Andromeda!" He growled, glaring at me. "You did what?"
"I know." I held up my hands weakly. "I know, I know. I don't know what possessed me to do it, I swear! One second, I was walking to the little restaurant, and the next, I was standing between a sniper and their target. I'm honestly surprised they didn't shoot me."
Not the thing to say, judging from the fire in his eyes.
"How can I leave, if you're pulling stunts like this?"
My eyes widened, and I pulled him to me for a kiss, desperate.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please don't think you can't leave me. You should be able to. I'm sorry." My tears were back.
His arms went around me, pulling me against him. "What am I going to do with you?" He sighed. Then, a moment later, he growled out. "Maybe punish you, so you don't do it again."
I shivered, nodding. That sounded like a great idea.
...
Garrus was with Shepard- the man had called him in the early hours of the morning- and I was walking through the Presidium with Sasha. She was visible this time, and we were eating ice cream. Snickerdoodle for her, birthday cake for me. We were leaning against the railing- I was staring out at the view of the Citadel, and she was watching the crowd.
The smell of ocean and pineapple hit me like a freighter, and I slowly turned, my eyes scanning the space around us. There were asari speaking about fashion in small groups with each other. Turians discussing tactics. A few volus scattered here and there. Several salarians enjoying drinks at the bar.
My eyes landed on a drell... who was staring right back at me.
Sasha. I whispered to her. Walk a few feet off. I want to talk to that man, and I don't think he'll come over, if you're here.
Yes, miss.
When she was in guard-mode, she was all about decorum. When it was just us, she let herself relax, thanks to me allowing her to.
When she'd gone several feet away, he slowly started making his way to me. Stopping just a foot away.
We stared at each other in silence for a few minutes.
"Hi." I greeted.
"Hello."
"You were staring awfully hard, for someone who's a stranger." I could feel my heart hammering, like it was about to burst out of my chest.
I mean, he could just be recognizing me because I'm famous, but. Somehow, I didn't think it was that.
"My apologies." The intensity of his stare only grew. "I saw you, and I felt drawn to speak with you."
"What do you want to talk about?"
Hesitation. "You saved a man yesterday."
I blinked. Not where I'd thought this was going. Wait.
My eyes widened. "It was you."
A slow nod, wary. Waiting to see how I reacted with this knowledge.
"Did he owe you money or something?" I joked.
A soft smile graced his lips. "No. I was hired to kill him."
"Oh." A tilt of my head, eyeing him. "I can see it. Assassin or hitman?"
"Both have been used to describe me."
"Okay. Okay. Well." I gulped a huge breath of air- I hadn't realized I'd been holding my breath until my lungs were screaming.
"You are surprisingly calm."
"I know assassins." I glanced at Sasha. "Very well."
His eyes followed mine, sizing her up. "She appears to be a worthy opponent."
"She's my bodyguard right now." I explained.
Questioning expression, now.
"I've been having a problem with someone drugging me and breaking into my apartment."
Why was I telling him this?
Because he's our mate.
You... shut up.
"Do you know how they are getting in?"
"No fucking idea." I frowned. "I've had C-Sec go over the apartment with a fine-tooth comb, but they couldn't find anything."
A pause, where he seemed to war with himself. "Perhaps I could take a look."
I blinked. "Ah. Sure. Yeah."
We're going to the apartment.
I'll follow.
I knew without looking, that she had vanished from sight.
When we got there, I let him and Sasha in. She stood in the kitchen, watching him closely, while he took in the living room and kitchen. I could see the wheels turning in his head. He disappeared into each room, before coming back and nodding firmly to me.
"I see no less than five ways to enter this apartment without using the door."
My jaw dropped, and I straightened. "What?"
"Tell me." Sasha had her omni-tool open, ready to type everything down.
The office window had been compromised- easily opened without biometrics. The window in the spare bedroom had the same problem. The bay window in the living room wasn't quite flush with the wall, so it would be easy to break in through there, if the person leveraged it correctly so as not to break it. The escape hatch in the main bedroom bathroom was faulty- it wouldn't lock. The one in the walk-in closet had been tampered with and faced the same problem.
I was floored. I couldn't believe it.
"I will send this out so someone can come take a look." She nodded to him. "Thank you."
"Of course." A slight bow of his head, his eyes returning to me.
Mate!'
Gen, no! Wait. We can't do anything, not without Garrus present.
Then get him present!
I rolled my eyes at her dramatics. You'd think she was Drama, not me.
Go outside and send Garrus a message, saying I found him. Wait for him there. I want to talk to this man alone.
Are you sure?
Yes. He won't hurt me.
Okay.
Wordlessly, she left the apartment.
I moved to the couch and motioned for him to join me. He sat on the chair.
"I'm Andromeda." I started with.
"Thane."
"It's nice to officially meet you, Thane." I liked the way his name rolled off my tongue.
"And you, Andromeda." Oh, I really liked the way mine rolled off his.
"Did you really come over to me to tell me you were the sniper?" I raised an eyebrow.
Seemed like a strange thing to do- why would you want to admit that to a complete stranger?
He leaned forward, shaking his head. "I don't know why, but I felt I had to speak with you. That was merely an excuse to approach you."
"Well, here I am." I smiled a little.
A slow nod. "I'm not sure what to do from here." He admitted.
The door opened, and Garrus's scent hit me. My smile widened as I looked over my shoulder at him, watching him walk into the living room.
Have you said anything yet?
No. I was waiting for you. I don't know the first thing about bringing this up with a mate. Gen did that for me, and only because I'd shifted, and you saw.
He sat beside me, looking at the drell. The two were locked in a staring contest.
"What do you know about the human myths surrounding werewolves?" He broached the subject without any warning.
I cut him a look. I could've done that much.
Thane looked at me with understanding. "You are a werewolf."
I raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. That's honestly the quickest anyone has ever put it together."
"I've worked with your kind before." He murmured. "I know a few things- things I've been told over the years."
"Do you know about mates?" Garrus pressed.
A tilt of his head, eyes moving between the two of us now. "I do."
"Andromeda is special." My turian said, before explaining everything. "And you are one of her mates."
Silence, while the drell mulled it over.
"That would explain the pull I feel toward you." Cautiously.
"Yeah." I nodded slightly. "But you don't have to feel pressured. I can reject you, and you can go about your life. I mean..." I glanced at Garrus. "I don't want to be unfair to either of you. And who knows if I'll find another one that Gen will want? That... I will want." The last line was a whisper. I hated to admit it.
"Why don't we spend some time together?" Garrus suggested. "If he and I can't get along, we'll discuss what to do then."
I looked between the two men, a little spark of hope flickering to life in my chest. Genesis howled at the top of her lungs, beyond thrilled with the chance to have both mates in the same room for a while. At the chance of having both mates, period.
Thane agreed, and it was down to me.
"Yeah. Let's do this."