Sentinal Oaks - A Lion's Pride - 2. Chapter 2 - Rush

The last thing I thought would ever happen is the Royal King, Alpha West, would die without a blood family member in succession for the shifting of the crown. The traditions are finicky, but if his omega son had a male alpha child the crown would have been shifted to him. And here comes the bullshit part, if the child was twenty-five when the king either passed or decided to shift the crown. Under normal circumstances, if his son had been born an alpha he would have taken the crown. If his omega son had a child who was twenty-five the crown would have stayed in the family and I would have been free to pursue the life I had always dreamed about.

That isn’t my luck though.

No.

I am to be the next Royal King.

The pride will address me as Alpha Easton. Shifters outside of our pride will address me as King Easton. It’s all very confusing and it hurts my head when I think about it. I’m just unlucky my birthday was four months ago. If King West had passed before my twenty-fifth birthday it would have been my father being shifted the crown and not me. Not that its what I wanted to happen, it’s just really bad timing. If I got my wish Alpha West would still be alive.

I don’t regret for one second crawling through the stacks checking every precedent and traditional law looking for a loop hole finding a way to successfully decline the crown, but short of dying… I’m screwed.

To keep myself busy so I wouldn’t do something stupid, I pulled out one of the several suits I owned to wear to dinner tonight at the Royal Manor – ‘Alpha House.’ Alpha West’s family stilled occupied the residence, or manor, or palace, depending on your view I suppose. We were to have dinner with them tonight, and I had a big decision to make. Do I let them stay as part of the pride or do I formerly ask them to vacate from pride land?

I’d snuck off earlier to meet with the former Royal Alpha Mate earlier today so I could meet the family before dinner. I wanted to catch them off guard a little to see how they handled themselves. Now I feel a little guilty because I upset the Alpha Mate which was not my intention. She settled rather quickly and talked my ear off about her late mate and her children. Her words were warm and kind. The Alpha Mate is all heart, comfort, and kindness. Not once did she make me feel unwelcome. Her fondness for the pride, and her family shone like the stars in the sky. I thought she may have been a little standoffish with me, but nope, the way she spoke was like it was her duty to try and sell me on the job as the Royal King. A complete shock to me after expecting the worst.

“Hey, Rush.” Damn I’m going to miss being called by my name. My brother sauntered into the room without a care in the world flopping down onto the bed, a half-eaten apple in one hand and scrolling through his phone with the other.

“By all means brat, make yourself at home,” I grumbled.

He looked around the room smirking. “Damn, this place is nice for the guest cottage, huh?”

I grunted my answer agreeing with him at the same time trying to decide which suit to wear.

“So, once you are shifted the crown will that make me a prince?” He chuckled. “That would be super cool. I’d get all the tail –”

“No, you will not be playing your way through all the singles under fifty.” I told him firmly. “Unfortunately, we have to behave a certain way now, Beckett.”

My brother mumbled something under his breath that I didn’t catch. Probably best that I didn’t.

Sighing I dropped the shirt that I was inspecting onto the bed then sat down next to my brother, so he knew he had all of my attention. “I know this isn’t what we wanted Beck, but we’ve known all our lives this was a possibility.” My brother watched me without giving away a single emotion on his face. I wish I had that ability. Unfortunately, I wasn’t blessed that way. Every. Single. Thing. I felt showed on my face and if someone was paying close enough attention, they’d know exactly what I was feeling at the time. “Besides, you only have three more years and you’re free to leave of your own volition. I won’t fight you on it either. No matter what dad says, I have your back. At least one of us gets the life they wanted.” I added sullenly.

Beckett sat up quickly his hands grabbing my forearms pulling me closer to him and staring into my eyes. “But what about you, Rush? You wanted to be a writer, are you just going to let your dreams die? Can’t you write under a pen name? It’s all you’ve ever talked about since we were cubs.”

I stood quickly sliding my arms from his grip, turning quickly so he couldn’t read my face. My gut churned at the thought of never being able to write again. “I doubt I’ll ever have time to do any. From what I’ve been taught my whole life as I was being groomed to be the Royal King, just about every minute of every day is accounted for. When would I find the time?”

“Pfft, that’s a crock of shit. You’re going to be the Royal King, make the powers that be block out time for you to write.” Beckett was passionate when he spoke. It was food or thought anyway, maybe it would be possible.

“Hmm, we’ll see.”

I watched my brother for a moment as he spun the apple in his hand searching where his next bite would land. He wanted to say something but was holding back.

“What?” I asked slightly amused.

“Are you… do you… you are going to let the Wests stay in the pride aren’t you?” He asked biting into his apple so he didn’t have to look at me. “I met Alpha West’s daughters, Annette and Lynette today. They are so sweet, Rush. You have to let them stay. I haven’t met the son yet though, Banner, or Zanner, or whatever his name is. Surely he’d be just as cute and adorable as his sisters.”

I pointed at my brother. “No, you stay away from those ladies.” I felt my lips tugging at the sides, trying my best not to smile. “And the brother. His name is Tanner by the way. And yes I will be asking them to stay.”

Scaring the absolute crap out of me, Beckett jumped from the bed whooping and wrapping himself around me in a bear hug. “You’re the best.” He smacked a kiss to my cheek. “You won’t regret it. I promise.” Then he smirked. “Well… except for the giant toddler sized hissy fit dad is going to throw.” He put his arms out wide. “I’m talking like a tragic pre-teen meltdown. It’s going to be epic.” Don’t I know it.

A laugh bubbled out of me, this time I shocked the hell out of my brother.

“Did you just laugh?” He looked at me moving his head back so he could examine me. Looking me up and down for a moment before shaking his head. “Nah, that didn’t happen. Do you even know how to laugh, or have you forgotten? Shit, did that hurt?” He walked toward the door bewildered. “That had to have hurt, those muscles have probably atrophied by now.”

When he reached the hallway he looked left then right, leaned to the left then about faced leaving to the right, pointing in the direction he wanted to go.

“Clown.” I mumbled amusedly to myself – until I saw the apple core he’d left to go brown on the side table next to the bed. “Such a brat.”

<<<<>>>>

It wouldn’t be known by looking at me but climbing the stairs to the Royal Manor has me quivering in my expensive Italian shoes. When we first set out for dinner, I’d been confident in how I would present myself. However, that was hard to maintain with my father yammering demands at the speed of light the entire way here. “Are you listening to me? You need to stand firm. The Wests need to depart the pride. Have a damn parade for them if you want, but they cannot stay. It will make you look weak. Is that how you want to start out our leadership?” Our? Is he fucking kidding?

I didn’t even bother answering just slyly side eyed my father. He grabbed me by the arm roughly so he would be sure to have my attention. I would usually tell him what he wanted to hear, but I’d decided earlier after giving my brother’s words some thought: Beckett was right, I’ll be the Royal King. Alpha Easton. I was going to make my own decisions about what I thought was right. Sometimes that would be in consultation with the elders or council. Sometimes I plan to do what I think is right or in the best interest of the pride or shifter kind. I’ve been around at least long enough, educated enough, maybe not prepared enough but that was my own view. But, the second I let my father start dictating my leadership was the day he would start taking it for granted.

Saving me from the wrath of Elder Easton. That makes me laugh. He’s going to hate that. My father is only eighty-four years old, in shifter years that’s young. But now he would be referred to as an elder and I know for sure that’s going to piss him off. Beckett is going to salivate every time he hears someone call our father, Elder.

A portly gentleman in a tuxedo greeted us.

“Alpha Easton,” he said in a warm voice baring his neck out of respect, “it’s nice to see you again.” This is going to take some getting used to. I could feel my father’s temperature rise, I knew it was for two reasons. First, the man had addressed me and not him, and second, he now knew that I’d already been to the manor without him. I swear I could hear Beckett snickering behind me. “Welcome, please allow me.” He gestured forth.

“It’s nice to see you again too, Hassim.” The fact that I’d addressed ‘the help’ in such a casual fashion had my father’s ire sitting right at the surface. He’d had this whole thing planned out. I wasn’t playing along and he was not happy about it. Not one bit. I think he thought he’d be controlling me throughout my leadership, the man behind the man, so to speak. I’m not doing it to piss him off, but the man is cold and self-serving. Our views don’t align on many topics. So, I need to stand my ground early.

Hassim led us to a sitting room just off the dining room. There were plenty of the usual dignitaries and their mates gathered in small groups chatting. Most had a glass of wine, some a few fingers of scotch in their glasses.

The guards in the room stood at attention with a clap of their shoes on the floor as their stance changed baring their necks for three seconds. The standard to show their respect. This however grabbed the rooms attention with the entire crowd showing respect. That’s when the scent hit me, I nearly drop to my knees. The faint sweet smell of vanilla and coconut. Mate.

I searched the crowd quickly with my eyes seeking out the one I was destined to have as mine. It short circuited my brain momentarily until Hassim announced our arrival. As soon as the introductions were made, I’d be finding who belonged to that delicious sweet scent.

I had been taught to ignore distractions, to keep my cool under pressure. They never told me what a distraction the scent of you true mate would be. Since finding your true mate is rare, I guess they didn’t think it was worth worrying about. I’d be changing that soon enough. The only thing I could do now was persevere with the evening until I came across my mate.

Hassim left the room taking Beckett with him. Under twenty-fives were not permitted at the meals for formal gatherings. Something we were accustomed to when we’d been dragged to formal occasions. He would be taken to another room with any other under twenty-fives to have his dinner. How I envied him in that moment. The brat winked at me with a smirk when he turned to follow out of the room. I wonder if my first royal order for my brother to face the firing squad would be a sign of weakness?

“Stop fidgeting,” said my father discreetly elbowing me.

My first stop was greeting the Alpha Mate and pass on my condolences publicly. The woman was as welcoming and warm as she had been when I’d met her earlier in the day. She introduced us to the pride’s legal team for human interactions. They must have been discussing something before I’d interrupted. Not wanting to take up too much of her time I made my polite excuses to let them get back to their discussion.

Standing up straight I undid the buttons of my suit jacket to get comfortable which earned me the stink eye from Elder Easton. Yeah, that’s never going to get old. I could feel my lion laughing his ass off in my head. Spirits, that scent is distracting. I searched the room once more while my father dragged me from one small gathering to the next exchanging pleasantries and trying to get me to agree on my leadership decisions. I gave nothing away and let him prattle on and on while I tried to search out my mate. The scent was faint, but it was there. Maybe it’s one of the staff.

Things got a little better as we were ushered into the formal dining room. My father and I were seated opposite each other, thank the spirits. At least from there he couldn’t spout nonsense in my ear all night. I was seated next to the pride doctor and his mate on one side and the Lieutenant in charge of the warriors on the other. The dinner was stiff and short on conversation at first. Just the regular get to know you questions throughout the meal. Where’s your mother? We don’t talk about that – ever. Do you have an omega father too? How old was I? How were my accommodations? Did I like the pride and people so far?

Once dinner wound down the harder questions and conversation started flowing around the table. I tried to keep silent. That is until I heard my father talking with the man next to him. I hadn’t had the pleasure before the meal for an introduction.

“No, no. I don’t think it’s right. The Wests seem like nice people but it’s not appropriate for them to stay in the pride. Alpha Easton will take care of it in the appropriate manner,” He said with certainty to the man next to him. What wasn’t appropriate was the volume at which this news was delivered to the entire room.

Narrowing my eyes at my father I cleared my throat loudly with intention of grabbing his attention. I made sure my voice stayed even and calm. Inside I was a duck on pond. Those little legs treading water a mile a minute.

“This is not the appropriate time nor place for this conversation. My decision will be given to the Alpha Mate in private. I have yet shared my thoughts with anyone on this matter, so please don’t make any assumptions.” I glared at my father, turning my focus to the Alpha Mate. “Please accept my apologies, maybe we could continue the line of inquiry after the guests have departed. I assure you, there is nothing to be concerned about.”

Again, I could feel the daggers my father was throwing at me across the table. It would have more affect on me if I wasn’t so used to his bark.

“Thank you, Alpha Easton.” I’ve got to give it to the woman, she is a strong, no nonsense woman. Her eyes a little glassy but she held herself together nicely. “It will be nice to know one way or the other.” She gave me a warm smile and signalled for the dinner plates to be cleared. “Shall we bring the young ones into the sitting room for a little dessert and something sweet for the adults?”

What I think she actually meant was more booze. Which isn’t surprising after my father managed to suck all the air out of the room. The man is going to be a political nightmare the way he voices his opinion as if it were my own. Why couldn’t I have been born into a regular family with regular struggles?

We were all given a drink and the opportunity to help ourselves to the buffet of sweet pastries and cakes before the young ones were brought into the room. I stood off to the side silently mortified by my father. Although I’d already made my mind up to let the West family stay in the pride after meeting the Alpha Mate earlier, it would no longer look like my own decision. If I asked them to leave it would look like my father was controlling me. If I asked them to stay it would seem like I was a defiant petulant child trying to get my father’s attention.

Apparently trying to appear invisible and being invisible are two very different things. The Lieutenant of the warriors had sort me out. I thought maybe he wanted to just chat, but no, he came to question me about his place in the pride. He approached baring his neck for the standard.

“So how are you finding things so far?” He asked rocking back and forth on the heels of his feet while holding two fingers of scotch. I think he was trying to appear accommodating, but I took it for the tactic it was. Intimidation.

“Good,” I stood solidly reminding him I was about to be the leader of all shifter kind. And since he’d barely spared me a word throughout dinner I cut to the chase. “What can I do for you, Lieutenant?” The man didn’t like being called on his shit stuttering anxiously before spitting out his question.

“Well, as tradition stands, your brother should be the lieutenant. Is this going to happen?”

Blunt, I like it. Maybe this guy isn’t as much of an ass as I thought.

“No.” I said firmly. “My brother has other plans for his education and vocation in life. I wish for him to follow that path.” I didn’t give away any further information as it wasn’t my place to say and he didn’t need to know.

“Oh,” he answered with relief.

“Your place is secure, Lieutenant. I see no reason for you to be concerned.”

He bared his neck again. “Thank you, Alpha Easton. I promise you’ll be impressed, and you can count on my loyalty.”

“Thank you,” I said tipping my head receptively, the man thanked me again before moving on. I had no doubt I’d be impressed. I’d done the research I knew everything about everyone who served under Royal leadership. Right down to the staff of the manor. The Lieutenant was a genius in tactical assault and strategic planning. It would be a disservice to let him go and to the detriment of the pride. Only a megalomaniac would dismiss the man.

Beckett appeared at my side the same time the vanilla and coconut scent hit my nasal passage. He stood next to me silently observing the room for a few moments. I was grateful because I couldn’t take my eyes off the strawberry blond making his way through the crowd. His eyes glanced my way every few feet and then shift away when I caught him looking. Mate.

“Did you mean what you said? About me following my own path?” My brother shook my shoulder vying for my attention, but I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off the beautiful blond man.

“Yes. Who is that?” I discreetly pointed with my chin.

“Huh?” Beckett turned to where I’d indicated and smiled. “Oh, that’s Tanner West. He was my dinner companion. I think even you’d like him. He’s adorably dorky, and crazy smart.”

“He’s too young to be my mate,” I said distractedly watching every single move my mate made. He is everything I could ever want. His ash blond hair accompanied with beautiful bright green eyes. So bright in fact I could still make out the color from across the room. He’s shorter than me but not so short I’d have to nuzzle into his neck with an uncomfortable contortion of my own. The way he wore that tux, mother of fate what have you done.

“What?” Beckett asked using a cough to cover his laugh. “You want him to be your mate?”

“No,” I snarled, “he is my mate.”

“This night just keeps getting better and better. Dad is going to have an aneurism over this.” My brother chuckled silently next to me. He cleared his throat quickly trying to hold back his mirth when my gaze shifted to him promising a painful end. “Congratulations, Alpha.”