Sentinal Oaks - A Lion's Pride - 3. Chapter 3 - Tanner

“I’m so sorry,” I apologized profusely. My voice a little high pitched for my liking, dabbing at my dinner companion’s jacket to dry the water I spilled on it. I stupidly glanced up at the man expecting to see anger, but his eyes were dancing in amusement to go with the smirk on his face. “Oh, gawd,” I whined, “you must think I’m an idiot.”

He let out a chuckle. “I think you’re adorable.” Standing he pulled me to my feet then took off his jacket swinging it over the back of his chair before sitting again. “No harm, no foul. It was just water. Sit, eat.” He gestured to my chair across from him.

I did as he asked and sat back down. Albeit, I slumped into it trying to make myself invisible.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name when Hassim introduce us. I’m Tanner West.” I held my hand with uncertainty across the table.

“Pleasure,” he mused enveloping my hand in both of his. “I’m Beckett,” he told me then releasing my hands back to me. “This dessert looks amazing.”

“It does,” I looked at the strawberry shortcake strangely. I swear I smelt salted caramel in the kitchen earlier. I glanced over at Beckett’s plate to see if he had a caramel tart, but he had the same dessert as me. Strange. The other tables were also rested with the same dessert, I noticed. So weird there is no caramel anywhere.

“Everything okay?”

I frowned. “I could swear Cookie, that’s the cook for Alpha House by the way, was making salted caramel tarts for the dessert and I’ve been looking forward to it all afternoon.”

Beckett wiped his mouth with his napkin and sat it beside his plate standing again. He held out his hand to me. “Let’s make a stealthy mission to the kitchen to find these delicious caramel wonders. I’m intrigued. I want one now too.”

Shaking my head vigorously I shuffled back in my seat away from his offered hand. “Nope. Nah. Uh-uh. No way. That woman can be mean when you mess with her kitchen. You should have seen her when the stove caught on fire when…”

The door to our eatery opened and Hassim announced, “There are further desserts and pastries now available in the sitting room for your pleasure.”

“Damn,” Beckett whispered, “I thought we were going to get to have some fun.” He rolled his eyes at me. “If I don’t go in there my father will come looking for me.”

I stood up following my new friend out of the eatery heading toward the next lot of pastries. I hope the caramel tarts are in there. The thought had me moving a little quicker while we continued our conversation.

“Oh, who’s your father?”

“Elder Easton.” The man snickered like it was the greatest thing he’d ever heard.

“Holy, duly, you’re related to the new Alpha.”

That only made Beckett give a deep belly laugh that had everyone looking in our direction. Moving quickly, I jumped behind my new friend so I could be invisible again. But as luck would have it, my foot caught on his and I smacked face first into the floor.

I hate this day.

Before I could get up a smell gently wafted across my nose. It was a sweet hickory smell with a hint of sandalwood. It smelled so good. Almost like barbecue. Focus dummy, focus. As I was getting up I was offered a hand and I took it. Before I could get my bearings, I was staring at the most beautiful sapphire blue eyes I had ever seen. Not that I’ve really looked into many people’s eyes to begin with. When blue eyes helped me off the floor, I realized that the wonderful smell seemed to be coming from him.

Holy Shi...ver me timbers. Mate! He’s my mate. This can’t be happening.

I needed to run. To get away from him. He can’t be my mate even his scent is heavenly. Crap, great time to get a boner. Did I mention, I hate this day.

Why are my feet not working, why aren’t they working?!?!

Now there is laughter, oh my gawd who’s laughing? This is not funny. I chanced a quick glance to see if it was coming from my mate, because that wouldn’t be mortifying at all. But his face was patient and kind and beautiful. So, so, beautiful, I sighed internally trying not to make even more of a spectacle of myself. Which let’s face it, the chances are low I’m getting through this meeting without any emotional scars. Who am I kidding? I bet my graceful face plant to the floor a few minutes ago is going to leave a mark.

“Hi, I’m Alpha Easton lovely to meet you, and you are?”

Damn his voice is so sexy I could probably melt! Oh gawd, wait, he’s talking to me, isn’t he? What do I say??? He smells so good, and here we go again. My pants pointer is pointing due north – again. Could I possibly be the most embarrassing person on earth? But damn, he does smell oh-so-delicious. I could feel myself leaning toward him to take another whiff of his heavenly scent. But, because I’m me and ridiculous I nearly fell over, but the Alpha caught my arm steadying me back onto my feet. And, with that my mouth started running without my consent.

“Hi, I’m your mate.” My eyes going wide at the amused look on his face. “Oh, my frigging gawd. I just said that out loud, didn’t I? I’ll just sink back into oblivion now. Goodbye.” I turned to make a run for it, but my mate grabbed my arm. My mate. The thought made me feel all… funny on the inside, like all schmoopy and stuff. My mate. Swoon. Oh crap, my mate is the new Alpha. H.E.doublehockeysticks. My mom is going to kill me. I’m talking like, literally dead. Yup, D.E.A.D, dead.

“We’ll come back to the mate part in a bit, but I’m guessing by the way my brother is laughing his ass off, you must be Tanner West?”

“Yes, I am. I’m so sorry about the whole mate thing. I smelled what I thought could’ve been my mate and I just assumed it was you. Guess its true what they say about assuming huh?” But I know the truth. He is my mate. My fated mate. This can’t be happening. Maybe if I act all cool and nonchalant, we can skip over that fact. Because how the jackal is this supposed to work? And, if I could just shut up for more than two seconds it might be easier.

“It’s no problem, I had a similar problem already today. Are you ok?”

“I’m fine, are you fine?” I rambled. “This must be overwhelming for you. I mean you only arrived yesterday.” I tilted my head trying to remember. “Was it just yesterday? Or have you been here longer. I don’t rem –” Still laughing his stupid ass off, Beckett covered my mouth with his hand.

“Stop. Talking.”

A man sneering in our direction caught my eye over the Alpha’s shoulder and he does not look happy. All the air whooshed out of my body as I tried to turn in on myself. Apparently, my goal for tonight is to make myself invisible. I licked Becketts hand so he would release my mouth.

My friend laughed stepping back while wiping his now saliva ridden hand on his pants while shaking his head. “So gross. You two were made for each other,” he muttered under his breath.

The Alpha shocked the hell out of me as he gently ran a finger down the side of my face. “Are you sure you are okay, precious?” Beckett made gagging sounds behind me. Brothers! I think. They’d have to be.

I screwed up my nose, did he seriously just call me precious. Ew, gross. Although if he wants to touch me again… my skin still feels all hot and tingly from where his fingers were touching me. Okay, now I’m nervous again. My mate touched me, it may have only been my face, but it was definitely touching and my lion is ecstatic about it – so is my stupid pants pointer.

“I’m fine,” I promised, “except, um… who is that creepy looking guy over there who looks like he stepped in dog crap?”

Rush checked over his shoulder then turning back to me looking slightly uncomfortable, and to prove his discomfort he wouldn’t meet my gaze. “Oh, um that would be my father, the honourable Elder Easton”

Falafel. My. Life. “I am so sorry, I didn’t mean it, he’s not really creepy, he looks dapper? I mean it. I like the way he isn’t afraid to wear the toupee, even if doesn’t match his real hair. And, and, and, his suit is so–”

“No, creepy is accurate,” Rush said stoically as if it was what he actually thought about his father himself, “of course I always thought he was perpetually sucking on a lemon and that’s why his face looks that way, but I like your description better. Believe me he stares at everyone like that.” Gawd really. That’s scary.

“Oh, thank goodness,” I said followed by releasing a gush of air in relief. “I thought that might influence your decision and you would kick us out and then it would be all my fault and then my sister would hate me because they have a bunch of friends here and–”

“Hey, breathe. It’s ok. I like the honesty. All day today except for you and your mother its been nothing but yes alpha, whatever you want alpha, and everybody just says what they think I want to hear. Its refreshing for once. Besides, I’m not like my dad I try to consider every factor before making a huge decision. If he had his way you would have already been out the door.”

Thank goodness he’s not a total tally whacker. His dad sure sounds like one. Hopefully, he’ll let us stay. I wouldn’t mind getting to know him a bit better. I could have sworn though that I smelled my mates scent coming from him. And… oh pooh, oh pooh, oh pooh!

“He’s coming over here,” I whisper shouted at my mate in a panic, “what do I do? Should I go? Play dead?” I looked around for a quick get-away. You know because my luck runs that way. And the creepy man is almost here. “Holy duly he’s getting close.”

I knew it, the second the man was within two feet of us I froze. Like a damn statue. Pity it wasn’t in a cool pose. No. I froze like a flailing fish taking its last breath in the ice age. The closer the man got the stronger his scent became and pee-ew. He smelled like a dead fish from the ice age and pepper. And not a nice pepper, I’m talking cheap crushed black pepper.

My mate’s father, or ‘Elder Easton’, leaned into my Alpha’s ear whispering something curtly, it looks like, as he sneered at me with his beady little dead fisheyes. Alpha winced slightly, but I could tell he was trying to not let his reaction show. That made my lion roar. I let out a roar that could only be heard near us as I bared my teeth at the man for upsetting my mate. Gawd, my mate. Is he? Whatever this is thing is we have a connection and I don’t want anyone upsetting him.

Elder Easton shoved Rush out of the way stepping into my personal space with his ugly off-white teeth clenched. “I’ll have you put into the cages if you don’t watch yourself, omega. You are no longer royal, only a pathetic little peasant. Do I make myself clear?”

Is that pee, I think I just peed a little. Gawd. The scent of the man wafted up my nose as I tried to stand my ground wondering why Rush or Beckett hadn’t stepped in. The pepper scent tickled at my nostrils. My nose twitched at the irritation. An evil grin slowly emerged on Elder Easton’s face when my answer took too long to come.

I opened my mouth and… “A-choo!” Aaaah! Oh no, oh no, oh no. There is snot on his face and a booger. Oh, my gawd, the sting behind my eyes jerked me into reacting to my horrified mortification. I shifted and ran; I didn’t care who or what I was knocking over. “Ooops, sorry.” “Excuse me.” “Move!” “Oh, falafel, was that an Elders urn.” I just heard the other guests and ambient noise as I ran. “Watch it!” “What the…” “Crash.” “Bang!” Bugger me sideways.

Running through the door to the sitting room I headed for the doors to the patio which led out to the garden and beyond, the woods. An almighty roar came from the direction I’d run from. I moved that much quicker… Ooooh! Caramel Tarts! As I run past the table next to the door I snatched one of those bad boys into my mouth. Unfortunately, it also included the tablecloth and the rest of those delicious caramelly sweets went flying. I didn’t stop though. I must look a sight running for my life with a stark white tablecloth flapping in the wind behind me. I’m not stopping though until I run out of air, energy, or woods.

*****

I’d shifted back when I couldn’t breathe anymore, and my muscles felt like water. Laying the tablecloth on the ground in front of a big tree I sat leaning up against it with my bare bum on the starchy material. Beats getting poked in the bottom by whatever is on the ground. I hoed into my caramel tart like it was the last thing I’d ever eat. Just as I put the final piece into my mouth, I heard heavy paws thudding and vibrating the ground. Instead of panicking I let my head flop back to the tree trunk behind me because I had nothing more to give. I couldn’t move now let alone trying to escape.

Sitting with my eyes closed I waited with bated breath for whoever had been sent for me. I can never go back there willingly; they are going to have to carry me. Is it just me? Or is it getting hot? My skin is itchy. I don’t remember seeing any poison oak, did I? A bead of sweat ran down my forehead, I wiped it away as the pitchfork and torch brigade came close enough that my curiosity forced my eyes open. Would I meet my maker? Or would it be the new Alpha, maybe? Nope, just Milo, Trek, and a third I didn’t recognize. They shifted back and… son of a biscuit – Beckett.

Falafel my life.

The sympathetic expressions on my best friends faces as they came closer told me exactly what they were going to say. But Beckett, he looked like he wanted to give me a proper medal and throw me a parade. I think I’m going to like him. If I was staying that is. He stood in front of me with his arms crossed over his chest with the biggest grin on his face.

“I’m not going back. Just make sure the Alpha doesn’t kick mom and my sister’s out of the pride?” I gave Milo a look that said ‘Don’t mess with me. I’m mad. Roar.’

Trek moved closer to me crouching down to my level but sprung back up suddenly. His head was leaning forward and down, his eyes as big as saucers as he stared at Beckett’s crotch.

“What the hell do you feed that thing?” Trek asked incredulously.

I can see why, his tally whacker is huuuuge. Like, large zoo animal huge. Oh no, if Rush is my mate and that appendage runs in the family… Oh my, I’m gonna need a whole set of butt plugs in varying sizes just to work my way up to something that big. It will never fit. Oh, my gawd, it’s so hot out here. Fanning my face trying to cool down I watched Milo lean around Beckett and tilt his head to get a good view of that… that… tally whacker. Could it even be called that? Holy duly, I’m gonna need stitches.

Beckett looked down the front of himself frowning, the moment it dawned on him what they were talking about he stood back up straight with his chest puffed out. He proudly crossed his arms over his chest again and with a nod of his head and a smirk on his face, said, “Anyone single and under fifty.”

Milo and Trek groaned somewhat disappointed in the answer.

“Guys, I’m not going back,” I told them again.

Milo’s focus turned to me with another quick incredulous glance at Beckett’s stuff. He shook his quickly in disbelief. “You have to come back, Tanner. This is your home.”

“No,” I whined like a petulant child. “I can’t, I’m mortified. He had a booger on his face Miles. A booger.” I whined again flopping dramatically down on to the cloth to hide my face.

More sounds of thundering paws came from the pride. The three men stood in front of me quickly shielding me from whomever was coming at us. They were alert and ready for a fight. Just like that, without question they had my back. Two more lions appeared quickly slowing as they shifted. I watched through the open stance of Milo’s legs. The bigger warrior stepped forward.

“King Alpha Rush has summoned Tanner West. Release him into our custody.” That was Silus, I didn’t like him in school and I don’t like him now. He’s a bully, and a… word I don’t like to use but it’s sort of sounds like Rick but without the silent P.

Beckett answered. “Stand down.” His alpha tone had the two betas take a step back with a reluctant ever so slight baring of their necks to the King’s brother.

“You’ll bring him back now, don’t make us come back up here,” Silus announced like he had the authority to order anyone around. Anyone would think he was king. Jerk face.

“We’ll be there when we get there,” Beckett said through clenched teeth turning his back as if to dismiss them. Milo and Trek didn’t turn around to face me until the two warriors had left.

Beckett took a step forward holding his hand out to help me off the ground. “Come on new friend. Let’s get a booger on.” He laughed. “Sorry, I mean lets boogie.”

“Jerk face,” I groaned.

He ruffled my hair. “Don’t be too upset. On the bright side, that was the best damn thing I’ve ever witnessed. So, thank you.”

Falafel!