Fated Forgiveness [Kindred of Arkadia 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour ManLove) (14 page)

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