“You shouted him down and said that being gay was not a good enough reason to be kicked out of a pride. That this was our home too. You challenged him, your own father. Watching that fight was the hardest thing we have ever had to do. We felt every gouge, every bite as if it were happening on our own bodies. In the end you won, but it cost you your family. The next day everyone we had ever known and loved left the pride to avoid living with gay lions.” Liam felt the knot in his throat threaten to cut off his air, all he could do was keep swallowing hard in an effort to keep his tears from falling.
“Rian and I made a solemn vow that night that we would defend and take care of you, our Alpha, for the rest of our lives, even if it was just the three of us.” Damian’s grin was shaky.
“But it wasn’t the three of us for long,” Rian said, taking over the story.
“You started looking at a picture bigger than Arkadia. You began to think of every other displaced lion living alone because they were strong enough to embrace who they were, and you opened up the pride to them,” Rian said, gesturing to a young man who stepped forward.
“I was only in seventh grade when my dad caught me kissing the Alpha’s son. He said I was evil and I was trying to spread my wickedness. He turned me over to the Alpha personally. That night every male in the pride took turns beating me and humiliating me.” The youth drew a ragged breath. Ma stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. He looked up over his shoulder and flashed her a sad smile before continuing.
“The next morning, I was barely breathing when my older sister snuck outside to tend my wounds. She helped me get dressed and gave me all the money she had, two hundred dollars, which for a sixteen-year-old was a lot. She told me to run. That she had overheard our father yelling on the phone about the Lewenhart pride taking in gays. She told me to run to Arkadia and never look back.” The young man took a deep breath.
“It took me eight days to get to Arkadia. I’ll never forget…” the man looked up, and tears were streaming down his cheeks.
“I had passed out just inside the perimeter. When I woke up there was this gorgeous guy smiling down at me. He said that I would be safe now and that he would protect me no matter what. He paid for my medical expenses, got me clothes and never once yelled about how much I was eating. He got me a tutor to help me catch up on my studies and he never once asked me for a single thing. I never thought my future Alpha would be my savior.” The young man looked Liam in the eye, and Liam was shocked at the depth of fierceness he saw.
“I would gladly give my life for you, Alpha, because without you I wouldn’t have one.” Liam wanted to go to Kyle so badly. He knew how hard it was for him to be center of attention, and for him to do this made Liam realize how much he himself had underestimated his own pride.
Rex and Talon stepped forward. Talon laid a hand on Kyle’s other shoulder. Rex took a deep breath and started.
“Our old Alpha knew what would happen if we were kicked from the pride. He knew that we would come here. He didn’t want us to be happy, so he had the pride males challenge us every night to prove that we were strong enough to defend the pride. Old pride law states that any lion who isn’t strong enough to defend the pride could be killed without reprisal. Only one challenge could be issued per night, so every other night, Talon and I fought for our lives. Every night we would fight someone new, while our day-old wounds were still healing. It was a slow way to die.” Rex’s eyes were dark. Talon turned to face his Alpha.
“Then one day the pride was getting ready for a routine visit from our Elder. Rex and I knew he supported his grandson’s views, so we took a chance in approaching him for a transfer out of our pride.” Talon grinned as an older version of Liam stepped forward between the two men.
“It seemed to be my fate to collect gay men on that trip, because in the pride visit after that I discovered a wonderfully serious young man with an immeasurable capacity for love. I never thought I would be sending my grandson one of his mates.” He nodded to Kent smiling. Lachlan stood next to Rex and Talon, who were two massive warriors, and though his build was smaller, Lachlan seemed to take over and dominate the very space where they stood.
To Liam, his grandfather was the epitome of being a lion. To see him standing before him, with his pride, saying these things, was too much for Liam. He turned and bent his head so that his cheek lay flush against Kent’s chest and he pulled Sebastian into his arms and under his chin.
“It is my honor and pleasure to announce that the council has passed a law that stipulates that any shifter can petition to leave their group if they are in fear for their lives. They no longer need to have their group leader approve their request. The petition will go straight to the council. We have also eliminated the waiting period for transfer. Men and women can leave their group without fear of reprisal or fear of rejection from another group,” Lachlan announced to the stunned crowd.
“We are calling it Liam’s Law,” Lachlan said. Liam’s head swung around and he stared at his grandfather.
“I have never been more proud than I am at this very moment. No one has ever deserved the name Lewenhart more than you, Liam. I have no regrets in announcing you as my sole heir.” Liam’s mouth dropped. Around them everyone started whispering. Liam knew that in becoming Lachlan’s sole heir, his father had been disowned and he was next in line for the council seat.
When he looked up, he stared into his grandfather’s eyes. He saw sadness, which he knew came from having to turn his back on his only child, but there was more than sadness. There was a look of immense love in the old man’s gaze, that maybe being older and mated, he finally recognized.
“I am honored to be your heir, though I don’t think I am worthy of it.” Liam said stepping out of his mates’ embrace to stand tall.
“You’re not getting out of the council seat that easily, you lazy cat. I happen to know that one of your mates can shift into a cat larger than you, I can always get him to help me keep you in line,” his grandfather said drolly, winking at Sebastian. Everyone started to laugh.
“Hurry up!” Rian said to Bran and Caleb who seemed to be struggling to carry the largest cake Liam had ever seen. They placed it on the empty table that was set up next to other tables laden with food.
In bold blue icing the message read,
Congratulations, Sebastian and Kent!! Thank you for taking care of our Alpha. Welcome Home!
Congratulations on your mating, Alpha! From your family, with love.
Liam heard sniffles and saw that both mates were crying. He pulled them into a three way hug.
“See, you have your family, my love. They were there the entire time,” Kent whispered.
“Love?” Sebastian squeaked. Kent blushed in their little huddle and nodded.
“I love you both so much!” Sebastian threw his arms around Kent and practically attacked his face, giving him a passionate kiss before grabbing Liam.
“What did I say about molesting your mates? Save it for later.” Rian grinned and pulled Liam out of their arms, giving him a huge hug.
“You can’t do this to me when I’m pregnant!” Rebecca said tearfully as she tried to wrap her arms around Rian and Liam, failing miserably.
“How do I know these tears are real, you little actress?” Liam joked. Rebecca looked up and her eyes narrowed before she deliberately wiped her nose down Liam’s shirt sleeve.
“There’s snot when I cry for real,” she said looking up. Liam stared down at his sleeve in horror.
“Ugh that’s disgusting!” He bellowed. Hearing laughter, he looked up to see Aleks bent over, holding his stomach.
“You should have known better than to ask,” Aleks guffawed.
“Might as well take it off anyway, Liam, this is a pool party!” Rebecca yelled.
“Whoo hoo! Take it off, Alpha!” She heard another female voice yell, and Liam and Rebecca turned to see Kate waving at them as Bran and Caleb frowned, holding the boys.
Laughing, Liam winked at hi
s mates. He took a step forward and slowly he began to peel off his snotty shirt. He turned so that he could watch his mates’ expressions. As his arms lifted he made sure to tighten his abs, displaying his eight-pack to its fullest advantage. He pulled the shirt off over his head and strutted around, shaking his ass at Kate. He saw Kent swallow hard and Sebastian whimper.
“You’re a sexy bitch, Liam!” Kate yelled, pushing her growling mates away, rolling her eyes. In their arms Landon and Lucas giggled and waved.
“I take back all the mean things I said about you after the council met with that asshole wolf Alpha,” Rebecca said, hugging his grandfather around the waist when he walked up. Lachlan looked down at Rebecca, an amused expression on his face.
“Thank you, my dear. You really can’t shoot everyone that aggravates you, trust me, there wouldn’t be many people left.” He dropped a kiss on her cheek and she blushed, which had Aleks growling. Rebecca began to fan her heated face.
“Kent, Sebastian, you are lucky. If Liam takes after his grandfather you know he’ll look hot when he gets older. I mean, damn,” Rebecca said, grinning.
“I second that. Elder Lachlan, you are definite eye candy.” Kate said, walking up with Landon in her arms, her mates and Lucas behind her.
“What’s a poor old man like me to do? All of you delectable young women are mated. It just breaks this old man’s heart.” Lachlan pouted and both women crooned “aw,” before leaning in at the same time to kiss him on either side of his face. The old man patted their butts familiarly as their mates snarled behind them.
Liam’s cheeks were starting to ache from smiling so much. He had never seen this playful side to his grandfather before. Maybe he did take after him more than he thought. Kate and Rebecca were giggling outrageously at something Lachlan had said, Liam shook his head.
“Elder, a word?” a familiar gravelly voice demanded. Everyone turned around, and from the shocked expressions Liam knew he wasn’t the only one surprised to see Mr. Gilberton at the party. Lachlan straightened his shoulders and stepped back from the two women, who glared at Gilberton.
“Of course, Frances. Ladies, I will be right back.” Lachlan winked and stepped away from the crowd with Gilberton to a corner of the backyard.
“I’m surprised he’s here,” Liam said, staring at his grandfather.
“I’m not. That old man loves you to distraction. I think you have projected the way your father always treated you on to him,” Rian said, eating a piece of cake.
“He’s dreamy,” Kate sighed.
“He’s just so…you know?” Rebecca asked. Rian and Kate nodded. Aleks, Caleb and Bran shook their heads, not understanding.
“It’s not his position, he just wears his power around him. Like Gabriel. Super hot,” Rian added, sipping the punch.
“Thank you, I think,” Gabriel said, stepping into their circle with Ashby.
“My man is super hot, though.” Ashby smiled.
“We need to find me one,” Nic said.
“Mee ruu,” Rian said with a mouthful of cake. He quickly chewed. “Me too!” he repeated.
“Gabriel, thanks for coming. Did you bring anyone from your coven?” Liam asked.
Gabriel was just about to answer when a gut-vibrating roar echoed through the back yard, followed by complete silence. Liam looked over and his grandfather stood toe-to-toe with Gilberton. His long, thick, grey hair billowed about his head and shoulders like a full mane. Liam couldn’t stop the answering roar from erupting from his own throat, which was echoed by his pride.
“I will not discuss this with you or anyone else again. Get out of my sight!” Lachlan roared. Gilberton, seemingly against his will by the way his body moved in jerks, bared his throat before turning and quickly walked away. The gate shut behind him and utter silence floated like a miasma amongst the party goers.
Out of nowhere a tiny roar was heard, echoed by a second one, both from little throats. Kate and Caleb stared down at Landon and Lucas. Both boys released teeny roars again. A booming and rolling laugh erupted from Lachlan. Everywhere people began to chuckle and laugh as the tension dissipated.
Lachlan walked over and simply plucked Landon from Kate’s arms.
“Who is this little fellow?” He asked.
“This is Landon, and that is his brother Lucas. They belong to Caleb, Kate and Bran,” Liam supplied. Lachlan tickled the boy, evoking squeals.
“Babies are a blessing. You have a beautiful family,” Lachlan said, handing the boy back to Kate.
“Thank you, Elder,” Kate replied, blushing.
“Snow leopard, if this old nose can be trusted. So few of them are left. They are true treasures.” Lachlan sighed.
“Lions may soon join them in facing extinction, so few females are being born. That’s why prides like this are important. With fewer females, traditional prides are just not working anymore. When I was travelling and visiting different prides, I was approached by another cat group who was completely comprised of gay males. They were all different types of cats, that had come together to keep each other safe. They came to me to ask my advice about finding mates.” Lachlan smiled.
“I told them to find a local witch to see if she can help locate their mates. I hope it works out for them, they were good men.” Lachlan shook his head.
“You should have brought them here! I’m never going to find a mate!” Rian lamented. Liam chuckled. He knew that wouldn’t stop the man from going through all the frogs to find his prince.
“Rian, why don’t you and Damian head to Johnny’s tomorrow and get new phones, my treat, for arranging this amazing party,” Liam offered. Rian’s eyes went wide. The man squealed and threw himself into Liam’s arms.
“You are the bestest Alpha ever, I lurves you!” he said before immediately detaching to go over and tell Damian the good news.
“Prince Gabriel, it’s good to see you. How do you like life in Arkadia?” Lachlan asked.
“My vampires are more relaxed than I have ever seen them. I never realized how much they worried about my safety. I’d be more comfortable if the townspeople warmed up to us more. I only brought Daniel and David tonight since they are the least threatening and they seem to have made some headway with the people already,” Gabriel admitted.
“It will take time. All our lives we were told that the perimeter was put into place to keep us safe from vampires. To others it may seem like they aren’t safe here in Arkadia anymore. People don’t react well when their sense of well-being is threatened,” Liam offered.
“Well said, grandson. Yet another reason why you are my choice as heir, you aren’t held back by preconceived notions from our past. You look at a problem from all angles before making a decision. You have never followed any train of thought simply because that is the way things have always been,” Lachlan said proudly.
“Actually, the perimeter was only supposed to keep out humans. That was the original intention,” Gabriel said. Everyone turned to stare.
“You were there, weren’t you?” Kent asked excitedly. Rebecca also leaned forward a light in her eyes.
“We have been combing through the town’s archives for months trying to find more information about the perimeter, and we have practically an expert right here!” Kent exclaimed, slapping his forehead. Rebecca shook her head.
“I didn’t think about it either, so don’t beat yourself up about it.” She turned to Gabriel. “What can you tell us about the perimeter? There is nothing, absolutely nothing in the history books prior to the town being founded,” Rebecca asked breathlessly.
Gabriel smiled softly and sighed. He pointed to a nearby picnic table. Everyone took a seat as Caleb went to find Ma and Pa. Sebastian was practically vibrating in his seat next to Liam. He looked up and caught Liam staring at him. He grinned sheepishly.
“I love stories,” he admitted.
“You are so adorable.” Liam leaned in and kissed his mate. Both mates looked on the other side of Liam where Kent sat, his elbows on hi
s knees, a rapt expression in his face as he waited for Gabriel to begin. Sebastian and Liam smiled at each other.
Ma and Pa arrived, walking quickly. They sat down and Gabriel launched into his story.
“Thousands of years ago, shifters were not organized the way they are now. They lived amongst humans openly. Some thought them to be demigods, and they were treated well. Some humans thought that shifters were from the Underworld and were to be destroyed. The minds of men were fickle, and their attitudes were based on how well the crops were doing and how prosperous the village was. I miss the simple life that ancient Greece offered.” Gabriel looked lost in thought for a moment before he continued.
“The original council members numbered fourteen.”
“But there are only thirteen now,” Rebecca interrupted.
“I’ll get to that.” Gabriel smiled gently at Rebecca, who blushed.
“Sorry,” she mumbled. He patted her knee.
“Originally there were fourteen council member seats. Seven seats were held by the Arkadions. They were thought to be the first shifter family, descended from Arcas, son of Callisto. Callisto was said to have been turned into a bear by the jealous mother goddess Hera, creating the first form of shifters.
“The Arkadions held seven seats, one for each son. The other seven were held by Elders of each major animal group. Wolf, Lion, Hyena, Eagle, Badger, Horse and Whale. The Wolf spoke for all canines, the Lion for all felines, the Hyena for all scavengers, the Eagle for those who flew the skies, the Badger for the forest animals, the Horse for the herd animals, and the Whale spoke for all water creatures.
“Each group wanted to create whole cities and communities to keep their people safe. They approached the Alpha Mother at the time, Selena, the only human until Rebecca to be mated to an Arkadion. Her best friend Celeste was the most powerful witch in the world. Selena asked Celeste to help create a perimeter for the shifter communities to keep out humans and keep them hidden. These towns would be home to all paranormals.” Gabriel sighed.