“Come on, Becca, up you go,” Aleks said, picking up his mate.
“Kate,” Caleb said as he and Bran each offered a hand to help her get up.
“You keep doing things that threaten to stop this old heart, mon ange,” Gabriel said as he and Baptista helped Ashby and Nic off the floor. Nic blushed up at the large protector.
“Come here, kitten,” Liam said. When Sebastian looked up, Liam was holding out his clothes. He quickly put them on and launched himself into Liam’s arms.
“It was the most amazing feeling. Not as sacred as a mating bond, but close.” Liam sat down, pulling Sebastian in his lap. Sebastian snuggled close and began to purr happily.
“Well isn’t this a picture of domesticity. Or it would be if the lion Alpha were holding a woman,” a snarky voice said from behind them. After the floating sense of warmth, acceptance and love they had all just experienced, this man felt like a cold intrusion.
“We don’t discriminate against anyone here in Arkadia,” Ma said from her chair next to Aleks and Rebecca, arms crossed over her chest.
“According to our records, you, Margaret Arkadion, are no longer Alpha Mother. I don’t have anything to say to the diner’s owner. I was told that the lions fall under the Alpha Mother’s jurisdiction now.” The man looked down his nose at her. Behind him Connor and Emmett stood growling.
“Boys, please,” Ma said, shaking her head.
“Hmm, it may be worse than I was led to imagine. The brutes here are barely civilized.” The man took a step forward and looked around the diner, distaste clearly written on his face. “Elder, did we really have to meet in such a plebian establishment? I mean, do they even clean here?” he asked, wiping a fingertip across a table, shuddering.
“I assure you, Mr. Salsiby that this diner provides only the best,” Lachlan said, walking forward, kissing Ma on either cheek before taking a seat on the barstool at the counter. Kent stepped quickly in the man’s wake and made his way to his mates. He sat down and laid his arm across the back of Liam’s chair. Wiggling, Rebecca made Aleks put her down. She walked over to Mr. Salsiby.
“I’m Rebecca Arkadion, the Alpha Mother here. Welcome to Arkadia. Elder Lewenhart is correct. Ma serves some of the best food I have ever had. Would you like to sit down and see a menu?” She asked brightly. The man eyed her as if she were a bug on the sidewalk. Sebastian felt the hair on the back of his neck start to rise. He suppressed the hiss that was fighting to come out.
“You are the human trying to lead a shifter community. How quaint. I have reports that you are mentally unbalanced and prone to fits of violence,” the man said, taking the nearest empty seat. He opened his briefcase and pulled out a folder. Crossing his legs, he read from the profile as if he were chastising a small child in the principal’s office.
“It also says that you have taken it upon yourself to invite our greatest enemy into Arkadia, making it unsafe for the entire town.” He looked up at her from over the rim of his glasses. Sebastian held his breath as everyone waited to see what Rebecca would do.
“It is true I am a human and it is true I am leading this shifter community. I have never been diagnosed by anyone to be mentally unbalanced, in fact I have scored off the charts on every IQ test I have ever been given. I am only prone to violence when those who I care about are being threatened, as I am entitled to according to shifter law. As for inviting vampires into town, that is also true, I did invite them to live in Arkadia. However, the statement you made alluding to the fact that they are our greatest enemy is false. The vampires that live within Arkadian borders help to protect every citizen in this town.” Rebecca took a step forward so that even her small frame seemed to stand over him as he stayed seated, turning the tables on the thin, acerbic-looking man. Gabriel scowled and gave the sour man a frosty look.
“Vampires have longed to live in peace alongside shifters. The actions of a few do not dictate the actions of the whole.” Gabriel spoke and the entire room felt ten degrees cooler. Sebastian could see now why Gabriel had the reputation for being the coldest man of his race. Right now he looked like he was capable of destroying entire civilizations. The pencil-pushing lawyer posed as much threat as a bug at his feet, oblivious that the being above it could easily decide its fate.
The man looked over at Gabriel, shivered, and resumed his unblinking stare at Rebecca before pulling out another folder.
“I also have reports stating that Liam Lewenhart has been seen conducting himself in lewd and immoral ways. That I can clearly see to be true,” he said, pointing to where Liam sat with Kent and Sebastian. Liam began a low growl that persisted in the catlike way of a purr. Rebecca began to laugh, the tinkling sound filling the diner.
“That statement is completely left to biased conjecture. There is no way to quantify a person’s morality based on personal bigotry and opinion,” Rebecca said, crossing her arms. The man’s left eye began to twitch.
“Do you deny that he is gay?” he asked. Rebecca shook her head.
“Liam is happily mated to two men. That makes him very homosexual.”
“Then you yourself admit that he is immoral.” He waved his hand as if to say “there you go.”
“I do not believe that it is immoral to love someone of the same sex. Furthermore, based on shifter law, Fate and Fate alone dictates who our mates are. To turn your back on your mate is the worst crime to all shifters. Your entire premise that immorality is tied into our sexual preferences is illogical and in no way admissible in shifter court. Therefore no complaint can be made against Liam Lewenhart based solely only on his preference for men,” she said, placing her hands on her hips.
“Would you trust your male child in his care?” the man asked. Sebastian felt his anger spike and knew that he was feeling his emotions and his mates’. Peripherally, he saw Kate’s eyes darken and Ashby’s lips form a thin line.
“Are you going on record of accusing Liam Lewenhart of misconduct towards a child?” Rebecca asked her voice turning as cold as ice.
“No, simply asking for a personal opinion,” Salsiby said.
“I would not only trust any child of mine to his care, I plan on doing so,” Rebecca said, pointing to her small belly.
“I would like to say, for the record, that we trust Liam to watch our boys. When hyenas attacked, Liam guarded them with his life. They love their Uncle Liam,” Bran said, standing.
“Ah yes, the orgy mating. I hadn’t quite gotten that far yet,” he said, opening a new folder.
Kate’s eyes bugged out and Caleb reached around to clap a hand over her mouth.
“Once again, Mr. Salsiby, Fate and Fate alone dictates who we mate. Kate could no more turn her back on Caleb than she could Bran. Citing the first shifter law that mates come first, she had no choice but to accept the gifts Fate has given her,” Rebecca said, her right fist clenching and unclenching. Sebastian turned his head to see that Aleks was watching the entire thing his lips pulled back, revealing his canines.
“Honestly, if you don’t have more substantial issues, I’m going to have to ask you to excuse me, because frankly you’re wasting my time,” she said, tapping her foot. Salsiby slapped the folder on the table and stood quickly. Rebecca stepped back and missed her footing only to fall against Pa. The large, older man had moved so quickly Sebastian hadn’t seen him leave his chair. Pa stood as quiet and immobile as a mountain behind Rebecca. Salsiby gulped visibly. Sebastian wished he could see whatever look Pa was giving him, it had to be priceless.
“I’ll take my leave for now, but know that more allegations are being investigated. NOAH is taking these complaints very seriously.” He hurriedly picked up the folder and nearly tripped over his own feet in trying to leave as quickly as he could.
“Aaron!” Ma exclaimed.
“You gave that poor man ‘the look’ didn’t you?” she said, chiding laughingly. Emmett, Connor and Aleks all shuddered at the mention of ‘the look’.
“He was upsetting my baby girl. She should be
resting, not dealing with the likes of him,” Pa said simply, and scooped Rebecca up, nuzzling her neck and making her squeal. Smiling, he handed her to his son who was reaching out for his mate with both hands.
“What is NOAH?” Rebecca asked.
“A pain in my sun-loving ass, is what,” Lachlan said. Somehow in the middle of all the tension he had helped himself to a large bowl of chicken mac and cheese.
“They are a conservative group amongst shifters that hate everything not shifter or not heterosexual. Anything outside one man and one woman is deemed immoral or deviant. They get their name from the story of Noah’s Ark. Two of each creature, male and female,” Gabriel explained.
“Boring,” Felix sang out. Rebecca and Sebastian smiled.
“He’s right, though, how boring would that be, if everyone were the same?” Emmett added.
“God, I’m starving. Ma, can I have some mac and cheese too?” Liam begged.
“Help yourself, baby boy,” Ma said. Liam jumped up, grinning.
“You two want any?” Liam asked. Kent shook his head. Ashby nodded.
“I’ll just have some of yours,” he said.
“Okay, two bowls of chicken mac and cheese coming up. ’Cause I’m not sharing mine.” Liam jumped the counter smoothly, then immediately checked to make sure that his mates saw his cool move. Sebastian looked at Kent as they both rolled their eyes. Liam chuckled.
A twangy song started playing from the table.
“I don’t need the jukebox with all the phones in here.” Ma shook her head.
“Isn’t that the theme to True Blood?” Kent asked.
“Shit, that’s my phone. It’s my ringtone for Talon. Aleks can you grab it?” Liam said, dishing out a huge helping for himself and a smaller one for Sebastian. Aleks grabbed the phone since it was closest to him.
“Hello, asshole cat’s phone,” Aleks answered.
“Hey Aleks, can you let Liam know that old man Gilberton called, there is a shipment of chocolate at Bobbles and Things for the pride that he is demanding be picked up,” Talon’s voice said without missing a beat.
“Sure. Later.” Aleks went to turn the phone off but started scrolling instead. His nostrils flared. He set Rebecca into the empty seat next to him just as Liam set both bowls on the table. Aleks grabbed Liam by the throat and began hitting Liam in the head with the phone.
“Aleks!” Rebecca yelled, trying to grab an arm.
“Hey!” Kent and Sebastian exclaimed, trying to pull Liam out of the chokehold Aleks had him in.
“Boys! Outside!” Ma yelled above the noise.
“Just a second Ma, and it won’t be an issue, because this mangy, lazy-ass cat will be dead,” Aleks said, still hitting Liam on the head with his own phone.
Finally, Liam shifted one hand and poked Aleks in the ribs with a claw, forcing Aleks to let him go.
“You...have…no….sense of humor. No wonder Rebecca likes me more,” Liam said and ducked quickly behind his mates.
“Aleks what in the hell…” Rebecca said, yanking Liam’s phone from his hand. She stared down at the phone and looked up. Sebastian could feel through their bond that she was trying to keep a straight face, but on the inside she was roaring with laughter.
“What is it?” Kent demanded, dabbing at a cut above Liam’s right eye.
“Liam has me in his phone,” Rebecca said quietly her mouth twitching.
“Well shit, so do I, is he going to beat me too?” Kent demanded angrily.
“Liam has me in his phone as ‘Baby Momma,’” Rebecca said and couldn’t keep it in anymore. She laughed so hard she was crossing her legs.
“Oh Liam,” Kent said, dropping into the chair next to his mate.
“I won’t deny our love anymore, Rebecca! I will be there for our baby!” Liam said and sniffed, pretending to wipe a tear. He looked up to see Aleks reaching for him and ducked behind Sebastian.
“Alligator-chomp his ass, kitten,” Liam yelled, pointing at the raging bear.
“I freaking love this phone, keep going!” Rian said, holding up his phone and recording the whole thing. Sebastian palmed his forehead and closed his eyes.
“Kate! Help! Gotta pee!” Rebecca yelled, laughing. Kate jumped up and half-carried Rebecca to the bathroom.
“Come on, Alpha, let’s go before you get mauled to death,” Kent said, pulling Liam toward the door.
“I’ll be back, Rebecca!” Liam yelled.
“Get out of here, you fool boy,” Ma said lovingly, wiping away tears of laughter.
“Love you, Ma,” Liam said, dropping a kiss on her cheek.
“Love you too, now scoot.” She pushed his shoulder.
Once they were away from the diner, Sebastian reached up and cuffed Liam in the back of the head.
“What was that for?” Liam asked.
“So it’s okay if I let everyone think I slept with Aleks?” Sebastian asked, placing his hands on his hips. Liam’s eyes narrowed and he snarled.
“See! Now be nice to Aleks,” Sebastian said. Liam straightened and shrugged.
“I can’t promise that. I was born to torture him. It is my sacred mission in life. Besides, you know I would never go after Rebecca, she is like a kid sister, it would be all types of wrong.” Liam shuddered.
“And you’re gay.” Kent bumped his hip against his mate.
“Very.” Liam wagged his eyebrows, leering at both of his mates.
“Shit, Felix!” Sebastian said, turning toward the diner.
They turned to see the small, flame-haired man racing after them. He was struggling to hold up the pair of sweatpants which were three sizes too big. In his other hand he held a large to-go bag.
“Forget about me?” Felix asked, poking out his bottom lip.
“Yup, though I don’t know how, with that beacon fire you have on your head,” Liam said, reaching forward and messing up Felix’s hair.
“Gingers are sex gods, remember that.” Felix turned his nose in the air and walked down the sidewalk.
“Now which one is our ride?” he asked, swaying his hips from side to side.
Liam raised an eyebrow to Sebastian who just shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands.
“Should we swing by Bobbles and Things and pick up the chocolate?” Kent asked. Liam shook his head.
“Nah, let’s leave it there and piss the old man off,” Liam said, taking both of their hands.
Sebastian smiled as they walked behind a sashaying Felix.
Chapter 8
“Wow, Sebastian, you landed a rich mate!” Felix said as he stood in the foyer, turning to look around. Most of the pride members were starting to congregate in the open family room, filling the many sofas, love seats and recliners.
“Who’s the hottie?” Rex asked, whistling at the strutting Felix. Felix turned and blatantly eyed Rex up and down, pursing his lips. He shook his head and turned his attention to Sebastian, ignoring Rex’s dropped mouth and incredulous stare.
“Why is everyone in the family room? I know I’m amazing and everything, but they couldn’t know I was coming,” Felix said as the door opened and slammed behind them.
Sebastian turned, and Rian and Damian were rushing in, also heading to the family room.
“Family movie night,” Sebastian and Kent said in unison, smiling at each other.
Family movie night was Rian’s brainchild, and something that Sebastian loved about the pride. One night a week everyone would get together and watch a movie. They would eat popcorn, do bad voice-overs or simply enjoy the movie. It all depended on what was on. Every week, every single pride member would stop whatever they were doing for family night.
“Grab a seat, Felix, someone should be bringing out popcorn soon,” Sebastian said. Just then, Talon walked up with bowls of popcorn.
“Right here, squirt, grab it while it’s hot!” He grinned, handing out smaller bowls and dishing out different flavors.
“Regular, extra butter extra salt, extra salt only, extra butter
only, dry as hell with nothing on it and my personal favorite, Tabasco-flavored.” Talon made sure everyone got some Tabasco popcorn.
Sebastian hurried over to the long sofa, sat in the middle patting both sides, and looked up at his mates. Liam and Kent walked over and sat on either side of Sebastian. Kent accepted a large bowl of popcorn with nothing on it and Liam grabbed a bowl of extra salt and extra butter. Sebastian looked down at his bowl of regular popcorn and smiled to himself. He really was the middle ground in his mating. Liam and Kent also looked down at their selections and smiled at each other. Talon walked along and dropped a handful of red popcorn in each bowl.
“I have a seat for you, cutie. Felix, wasn’t it?” Rex asked.
“I’m good,” Felix retorted, sitting between Damian and Rian. Rex shrugged and dug into his popcorn.
“What do we have tonight, Rian?” Kyle asked, sitting cross-legged on the floor.
“Pollyanna.” Rian beamed and held up the movie case.
“I haven’t seen that since I was a kid.” Kent smiled. Rian popped the movie in and everyone sat back to enjoy Disney at its finest.
By the time the movie was over, Sebastian was yawning and resting against Liam.
“I love that freaking movie,” Rex said, gruffly wiping his eyes.
“It’s so sad how fragile humans are. We have to watch out for Rebecca more. Does she climb trees?” Talon asked.
“I don’t know, probably, though,” Sebastian said, yawning again.
“I think it’s my kitten’s bed time,” Liam said, rubbing his nose on the top of Sebastian’s head.
“I’ll take the guest room so you can get some sleep. It’s not fair that I keep forcing you out of your own bed.” Sebastian frowned.
“Nope, I’m gonna sleep next to my kitten, even if it’s for a little while, it’s better than nothing.” Liam kissed Sebastian’s nose.
“Oh. Hot and sweet. The perfect combination,” Felix said. Liam and Sebastian turned to see his red hair popping up from the top of the sofa in front of them, his blue eyes dancing.
“Rian, can you get Felix settled?” Liam asked.