Chapter Two
A pollo Jadeson sat nursing his beer. The packed bar did nothing to quiet his mind. Thoughts of his previous relationship kept popping up, and he sighed softly. Joelle had left him only a few short months earlier, stating he hadn’t been focused on her or their relationship. He hadn’t been entirely sure what she’d meant. They’d lived together, spent all their free time together. Just because he didn’t shower her with flowery words or extravagant gifts didn’t mean he didn’t care for her.
Finishing his beer, Apollo left the bar and walked the short distance to the local community hall where the dazzle meeting would take place. As dazzle leader, Apollo had to attend even when there were times he’d rather not be there. Zebra shifters could be a jittery lot, and with the lion pride nearby, they were more on edge.
Apollo couldn’t understand why. The lion shifters he’d met had all been nice and worked hard. They were a small pride too, and Apollo knew most of them on sight and a fair few by name. They’d moved to the area several years earlier and had fit right in, but for some in his dazzle, they were too close and needed to move away.
No doubt the lions and their pride would be on the agenda that evening as well. Again.
Entering the community center, Apollo stood and listened. No one was aware he’d arrived yet, so he had the perfect opportunity to listen in and hear what they had to say, unfiltered. He knew many didn’t say everything they wanted to in front of him. He knew what they said behind his back. They were entitled to their opinions, but he didn’t like the never-ending gossip. If you had something to say, then say it.
As he suspected, the talk focused on the pride and ways to get rid of them. Exhaling heavily, Apollo was about to speak when he heard someone mention cutting brake lines. That was it. “Cutting brake lines? So, we’re resorting to murder, are we Martha?”
Martha Helmer jumped, stared at him wide eyed, then quickly looked away. “I was only messing, Apollo. No one here would ever do something like that.”
“Then why make the suggestion? They’ve been here several years and have only offered their hand in friendship.”
“Because they’re predators and we’re prey. That’s why,” Brenner Helmer snapped.
“They’re also human, like we are. We’re more than our animal part, as are they. They’ve done nothing to harm us and in fact, after the flood, they helped us, and the humans clean up and rebuild. They had been unaffected by the flood but still helped.” Shaking his head, he walked over to the head of the table in the center of the community hall. “Let’s get started.”
“I still want to discuss having them so close.” Brenner yanked his chair out and sat. “We need to be prepared.”
“They’ve been here for several years now. What is it we need to prepare for? They’ve had plenty of time to do something to us and yet all they’ve done is help. Remember, they are human as well. They are not led by those baser instincts, just like we’re not.” What Apollo kept to himself was that he knew the reason the Helmers didn’t like the pride being there was because they were no longer the top shifters in the area.
They were zebra shifters and as such, their animal half was classed as prey, but amongst humans, they were more dominant, and Brenner liked being in charge. Sighing softly, Apollo saw more beers in his future.
“You might want to play nice with them, but we don’t have to.” Brenner folded his arms over his chest, his green eyes narrowed. He lifted a hand and pointed a finger at Apollo. “Remember who put you where you are.”
The room fell silent, and Apollo stared at Brenner. “Is that a threat? Be careful, Brenner. I’m alpha here, and I can have you removed from our dazzle. Your attitude is putting many of our young and weaker members at risk. They crave security and protection. How do we provide that if we’re picking a fight with a more dominant species? We should make alliances with them, not start a fight. If you were alpha, you would realize that.”
“Are you calling me stupid?”
“Not at all, but you look at this from one perspective only. I, as alpha and leader of this dazzle, have to see it from multiple points of view. Yes, they are a predator species, yes, they are stronger than us, but they’ve only offered friendship.” Apollo moved in his seat, the plastic uncomfortable. “I’m the one who has had meetings with their alpha. I have spoken to some of their pride. They only want the same as us. Home, family, safety, a job to earn money to provide for their families.”
“That’s what you say. How can we trust you?”
Apollo reared back in his seat, a gasp from others in the hall echoing around the room. Apollo saw the look of shock on Brenner’s face that he’d said the words, but then it hardened, and he glared at Apollo. “Choose your words carefully, Brenner.”
“Why? You’re young. Far too young to be leading us.”
“And who should be the alpha of this dazzle? You?”
“Yes, maybe I should be.” Brenner pushed his chest out, a smile on his face. Apollo glanced around the table, seeing the looks of shock and horror on the faces of those gathered.
“Well? Who agrees with Brenner?”
“Not me!” Lillian Hill spat out. “Only an idiot would follow Brenner. He’d have us dead before the sunset with some stupid idea of overthrowing the lions.”
“You whiny stuck-up bitch—”
“Enough!” Apollo slammed his hand on the table and pushed his alpha power out to cover Brenner. He didn’t like to use it, preferring to talk through difficult situations, but he believed this warranted it. Brenner’s hands fisted and his jaw hardened, then he bowed his head. He might be an alpha, but he was no match for Apollo. “Anyone else want to add anything?” Everyone shook their heads. “I’m still in charge?” Nods followed except from the Helmer family. “Martha? Brenner? I notice you didn’t agree. There are options available for you if you find that my being alpha is unacceptable.”
“You’re kicking us out?” Brenner shot up, his chair falling back onto the floor.
Apollo remained impassive. “That depends on you. I can’t have you behaving like this, attempting to undermine my authority within the pack. We all have to work together and that includes working with humans and the pride. We all live in this area, and it would make things easier if we could get along.”
“This is wrong! They’re predator shifters. They could eat us!” Martha screeched.
Apollo arched an eyebrow. “They’re human as well. I imagine if you were in your animal form and something happened, all you’d have to do is shift back into human form in front of one and they would immediately stop, shift, and apologize.”
“Well, I don’t want them to be around to find that out. Go and speak to them and kick them out of this town!”
“No one here has the power to order anyone from their homes. Shifter or human. They have purchased their properties legally and have a right to live here.” Brenner went to speak, and Apollo held his hand up. “I’ll put the question to everyone about how they feel.” Looking around the table, Apollo said, “Do you want them to move? You can answer anonymously if you wish. I’ll leave a box outside and, on your way, out simply answer with yes or no. Again, the question is: do you want them to move?”
Apollo went into one of the rear rooms and grabbed the box they used to place their votes in. When he returned, he showed them. “Answers in here, please. I’ll let you know the results as soon as I have them.”
Walking out, he left the box where he knew everyone could see it and walked over to his car. Getting in, he started it and drove to his parents’. They’d both been at the meeting, so he knew they would arrive home soon. He needed to discuss the situation with the Helmers with them. Their comments and actions were a direct attack on his leadership, and he wanted to talk about the ramifications of it.
Inside, he grabbed a soda from the fridge and sipped the refreshingly cool liquid. Minutes later, he heard their car pull up and waited for them to enter their house. As soon as they did, his dad, Arvo, grimaced. “What a pair of idiots.”
Apollo grunted in agreement. “They won’t stop until they get what they want.”
“To be leader of our dazzle.” Lida put her handbag on the chair next to the table and shook her head, her long silver locks flowing down her back. “This has been building since the pride moved here. You need to put a stop to it, but in a way that they can’t use against you.”
“The anonymous voting was a good idea, Apollo.” Arvo pulled out a chair and sat. “When the vote comes back in your favor, it will shut them up for a while.”
“Until next time.” Lida came over and kissed Apollo’s cheek. “We need to keep an eye on them. The vote will only put whatever plans they have on hold.”
“The pride has been nothing but friendly towards us. You know I’ve had dealings with them. They approached me before moving here to make sure we would be fine, and we agreed then it was okay.”
“Except for the Helmers,” Arvo reminded Apollo. “They have always said the pride shouldn’t be here and have fought against any involvement with them. They will try to undermine your authority at some point.”
“Rumors first.” Lida opened the fridge and grabbed two cans of soda, passing one to Arvo. “Then, once they believe those rumors are having an impact on the dazzle, they’ll begin to make comments about your lack of leadership. Small things at first, then build on that.”
“Most of the dazzle won’t believe them. The Helmers are not well liked.” Arvo sipped his drink and sighed. “In all the years I’ve known them, they’ve always believed they should be in charge. When you were voted in, they were pissed off about it.”
“I know. I heard all about it then and since then all I’ve heard is how I’m doing a poor job and need to be replaced.”
“That’s because Brenner Helmer wants to run the dazzle, and if he can’t, then he wants someone he can control to run it.”
“Dad, we’re a small dazzle of five families. What does he think he’ll achieve by doing this?”
“He wants to merge with another dazzle.” Lida leaned against the counter and looked at Arvo, who nodded. “This is all hearsay, and we wouldn’t even mention it now if it wasn’t for the meeting. Brenner has a brother in a larger dazzle. He may—and I stress may—be mating the leader of that dazzle. If Brenner gains control of this dazzle, then he can merge them, and he’ll be placed in a position of power.”
“If his brother is mated and then runs the dazzle…” Apollo licked his lips. “He thinks he’ll control his brother?”
“His brother is younger, so yes, he could have power there.”
“Why not simply move there, then?” Apollo shook his head as he exhaled heavily. “If his brother is already potentially in a position of power, then why bring our dazzle into it? Move there instead.”
“Because the Helmers have a very profitable security company. They make a hell of a lot of money. The pack his brother is in is suffering financially.”
“And the Helmers money would be used to help them out of it,” Apollo hissed. “They would never agree to that. They earned their money through long hours of hard work. When we moved here, they offered to pay more subsidies, and I refused.” All the members paid a small subsidy to the dazzle for meetings and parties and in case of emergencies. When the Helmers had offered to pay more, Apollo had refused, but had thanked them for their offer.
“And that’s the reason why they’ll always stand by you.” Arvo stared at Apollo. “Watch your back, son. This isn’t over. They’ll try something. We might be a small dazzle, but we’re rich with the Helmers money and the Moons’ business picking up, which is happening due to your help. And don’t forget your side business as well. So yeah. Watch your back.”
Apollo nodded. “I will.” But first, he needed a night away. A night to dance and drink and maybe find someone to have a little fun with. Then he would return to reality.