Chapter Ten
A fter a long conversation with Sena’s friend, Sandy, the dazzle meeting was the last place Apollo wanted to be. He wanted time to consider what Sandy had told him, but instead he sat at the head of the table, waiting for the dazzle meeting to begin.
He hadn’t called it this time, but he knew who had and he suspected the reason why. As everyone settled, Apollo waited and wasn’t surprised when Brenner stood and addressed them all. “It’s come to my attention that our dazzle leader is keeping something from us. He was spotted out on what appeared to be a date with a lion shifter. I think—”
“Please tell me what my private life has to do with you or anyone else sitting here?” Apollo leaned back in his chair, arms folded across his chest. “Or is it that as dazzle leader, I’m not entitled to one, Brenner? I wasn’t aware that once I became dazzle leader, I signed all rights to privacy away?”
Brenner blustered, coughed, then asked, “Is it true?”
“Is what true, Brenner? That I’m entitled to a private life? I do believe that is true, unless you disagree?”
“We are only concerned about you being seen with one of those shifters.” Brenner straightened and smiled at everyone gathered around the table. “Surely you can see why that would concern us? You with a lion shifter?”
“I’m not sure why that would concern anyone? They live among us. They work with us, their children attend the same school ours do. I haven’t heard of a single lion shifter hunting or attacking one of our own. So, tell me, Brenner, why is my private life or who my friends are anyone else’s business but my own?”
Brenner bristled and narrowed his eyes at Apollo. “You are our leader because we elected you. You need to put our interests before anyone else.”
“And where is it that I haven’t done exactly that?” Apollo watched Brenner glance around the table and realize that no one was agreeing with him. “I’m waiting, Brenner.”
“Brenner’s right, Apollo.” Martha turned to face Apollo. “Your priorities should be with us and not the lions.”
“So let me get this straight, just so I’m not confusing anything here. I was seen out with a lion shifter and that means I’m prioritizing them above the dazzle and that also means you all have a right to inquire about my private life and question where my loyalties lie? Does that sum it up? Did I miss anything?”
“Apollo, really. You must see it from our point of view—”
“Must I, Martha?” Apollo murmured. “Why must I? Do I pry into your private life? Do I ask about your friends? Hmm. Do I demand to know who you spend your time with and why?”
“It’s not the same and you know it,” Brenner snapped. “You are our leader and, as such, are under greater scrutiny. You must tell us what’s going on.”
“I must tell you?” Apollo straightened in his chair and looked at Arvo, who nodded. “Fine. I was out with a lion shifter called Jost. I know some of you have met him.” He saw several nods and smiles. “He’s a nice young lion shifter, and he is also my mate.”
“Oh congratulations, Apollo,” Savannah Hill said. “Jost is such a lovely shifter.” Her mate, Lenor, nodded. “He always asks how our babies are when we see him.”
“You know this Jost?” Brenner demanded. “Are you friends with the lions?”
“Not everyone has the same prejudices you clearly have, Brenner. Jost is my mate. I only met him recently, and that’s when I found out who he is to me. We went on a date, as mates do.”
“He had a bad time,” Savannah whispered. “Be nice to him, Apollo.”
“Which is why we’re dating.” Apollo smiled at her, touched that she thought of Jost to say that. “I’m aware of what happened and to take my time with him.”
“A mate? You can’t have a lion shifter for a mate? And with that awful ex as well.” Brenner spluttered. “You’re a prey species. I mean, who will be in charge…” Brenner stopped talking and glanced around the room, then slowly sat.
“Are you asking about my potential sex life with my mate, Brenner?” Apollo growled. How dare he ask such personal questions? “When is it any of your business what happens in the privacy of my own home? Do I ask those questions about you and Martha? Do I ask who is in charge when you’re alone together? I would never ask such invasive questions as that? How dare you ask that?”
“I didn’t mean it like that, but he’s a predator shifter! He has that awful ex too. He won’t let you—”
“Get out now while you still can,” Apollo muttered darkly. “You’ve crossed a line here, Brenner, and you need to leave now before I take serious offense.”
Brenner stood abruptly, grabbed Martha’s hand, and almost fled the room. “Anyone else have any pertinent questions, or can we put the issue of who and what my mate is to one side?”
“I’m happy for you,” Charlie Spector told him, a soft smile on her face. “Jost is so nice and kind and always happy to talk. When I was nervous about them moving here, it was meeting him that put my mind at rest. And his sister is nice, too.”
“Thank you, Charlie. That means a lot to me.”
“Ignore them. I think they had hopes you’d mate with their daughter.” Alfie Moon sighed and shook his head. “They’ve always been about position and power. You might have to watch your back.”
“Or ask them to leave the dazzle,” Lenor murmured. “Not an easy decision to make, but it may be one you have to face.”
Apollo exhaled and rubbed a hand over his face. “We’re a small dazzle. We can’t afford to lose members, but I will consider it if the majority wishes me to. Don’t tell me now. Think it over.”
“About the dazzle,” Savannah began. “I have a friend in another dazzle that’s struggling. They went several years with a low number of births, so became more of an older group. Their elderly are dying now and the few younger families left are having a hard time. Their dazzle leader is older and ready to pass the group on to someone younger, but there isn’t anyone ready to step in. She asked if maybe you could speak to their leader. He’s mentioned you in the past. Said you were doing well for a young leader.”
That was interesting. “Where are they based?”
“In the Cornwall area. They’ve been hit by drought for a number of years now.”
Nodding, Apollo said, “I know who you mean. Saxton’s their leader. I’ll call him tomorrow. Thanks Savannah.” Apollo stood and looked at everyone sat at the table. “Is there anything else?”
“Ignore them and enjoy your mate.” Lenor smiled. “As Savannah said, Jost is a nice shifter.”
“Thank you. I have to go and get ready.”
“Another date?” Alfie asked.
“The theme park. It’ll be much better than the ice skating we did.”
Alfie burst out laughing. “He still wants to date you after seeing you on ice skates?” It was well known that Apollo couldn’t skate.
“He does, which I’m grateful for.” Apollo grinned when they all laughed. “If he still wants to be seen with me after that…” Apollo put his jacket on and waited as everyone else got ready to leave. When the last person filed out, Apollo made sure all the lights were switched off, and the alarm was set before locking up the local community hall they’d held their meeting in.
“Apollo.”
Apollo waved off a few members, then went over to Lida and Arvo. “We have a problem,” he told his parents when he reached them.
“We do, especially if you decide to let some of Saxton’s dazzle join. The Helmers will want to have a say in who joins. They don’t seem to understand they’re not in charge.” Lida put her arm around Arvo, who kissed her cheek. “I’m not one to tell you how to run the dazzle, but their behavior has me concerned.”
“Me too. I’m going to have to deal with them sooner rather than later. I hoped once they saw how I ran the dazzle they’d stop, but it’s clear they want me to be someone I’m not.”
“I told you what they want. They want to merge this dazzle and elevate their position within it. If you talk to Saxton and bring his dazzle here, it will put a stop to some of their problems but also create more. Difficult position to be in, son.” Arvo sighed as he put his hands in his pockets. “Go on your date, Apollo. Enjoy spending time with your mate. This problem will still be here for you to deal with tomorrow. Sadly.” Arvo shook his head.
“I’m going home. I need to shower and get ready. I have a mate to impress.”
“Because you didn’t do that on the ice rink.” Lida smiled, then kissed Apollo’s cheek. “Go and enjoy time with your mate, then call me tomorrow and tell me all about it.”
“Mom,” Apollo whined. “You know I’m grown, right?”
“Still my boy, and he found his mate.” Lida looped her arm through Arvo’s. “Go and get ready and make sure you have fresh breath.”
“Have fun,” Arvo shouted as they walked over to where they’d parked their car.
Shaking his head, Apollo strolled over to his car and got in, then drove home. He only had an hour to get ready because of the meeting Brenner had called, so he didn’t want to waste a minute of what time he had. When he arrived home, he took a quick shower, then dressed and checked the time. He had thirty minutes before he had to go and pick Jost up from his house. Time to relax for five minutes.
He liked the theme park. He’d never had a date at one before, so this was a new experience for him. He’d been to theme parks before, but mainly with family and friends. Would Jost want to go on all the fast rides? He was a lion shifter, so Apollo figured he would. Apollo loved fast scary, exhilarating rides. Ones that took your breath away at steep drops and loops and speeding around bends.
After the rides, you could walk around the shops or eat sugary treats like waffles and cotton candy, or burgers and hotdogs. He wanted to try to win Jost a teddy as well, so he’d have a small memento of their date and hopefully have happy thoughts about it. Apollo was conscious of Jost’s past and even though he didn’t know the details, he did know Jost had suffered at the hands of someone he’d loved.
Sighing, Apollo checked the time and stood. Making sure he had his wallet, Apollo picked up his jacket and left. Time to collect his mate and see where the night took them. Hopefully, he could get a kiss or two. Smiling, He drove to Jost’s house and parked outside. First, he needed to survive Jost’s family. Chuckling, he got out of his car and walked over to the front door, which opened before he even reached it.
Jost came out and shouted, “bye,” then shut it and smiled as he walked over to him. “I didn’t think you’d want to do the whole family thing again, and I needed to get out before I killed my brother. He’s being an annoying little shit. They should have stopped at two.”
Apollo sucked his lips in and nodded. “He sounds nice.”
Jost glared at him, then grinned. “I need to find my own place really, but I needed home after…”
“It’s fine.” Apollo quickly said when Jost trailed off and looked away. “Family is there when you need them most.”
“They are.” Jost nodded, then asked, “Are you looking forward to tonight?”
“I’m looking forward to hearing you scream.”
“Not me. I love the big rides. Maybe I want to listen to you scream.” Jost looked up at him through his eyelashes, and Apollo had never seen anyone as gorgeous as his mate. He wanted to kiss him but opened the passenger door instead. “Thank you.”
Apollo got in the driver’s side and grinned at Jost. “Ready to have some fun?”
“Yes,” Jost returned his grin. “Let’s go!”