Arslan and Ryland stood next to each other, just inside the door.
“Is everyone here?”Arslan demanded.He sounded like he was addressing the whole room, but his eyes never once left Franklin and Cameron.
Franklin glanced up at Cameron.The lion didn’t seem the least bit happy to see Arslan or Ryland.He didn’t seem pleased with anything in the world right then.As Arslan strode further into the room, Franklin was vaguely aware that Ryland seemed to be trying to catch his eye, but he didn’t dare turn his attention away from Cameron to look at him properly.
The chances of his behaviour satisfying the lion seemed remote.There was no point in doing anything that he knew wouldn’t find complete favour with him.
The sound of a car pulling up outside floated into the room, catching everyone’s attention.Luther and Blaine moved toward the door, leaving Marrick alone on the sofa where they’d been snuggling.
“Send the car away,” Arslan ordered, as they reached the door.“Tell the driver our pride will not be accepting a sacrifice tonight.”
Franklin felt the atmosphere of the room change around him, informing him just how significant those words were.Before, the lions and their mates had been slightly on edge, but now, it felt far more like they were staring at a loaded gun, waiting for someone to pull the trigger and all hell to break loose.
“You heard me,” Arslan snapped as Luther and Blaine hesitated.
They both slunk from the room without further delay.The room remained very still, very silent while they were gone.When they slipped back in, they closed the door quietly behind them and showed no hint of their usual brattiness.Just a moment later, Franklin heard a car drive away.
And, through it all, he could still feel Arslan’s eyes on him, his gaze never wavering.Apparently, Cameron was aware of it, too.
“Mine,” he snarled.
“No,” Arslan said, very seriously.“He’s not.”
Cameron turned, pushing Franklin roughly behind him as he faced Arslan head on.A sound—half snarl, half roar—emanated from the back of Cameron’s throat, sending another shiver down Franklin’s spine.
Arslan’s eyes narrowed.“He is not yours until the pride agrees that he is—until you have proved capable of taking care of a human the way the pride expects.”
“I’m his master—”
“No,” Arslan cut in.“You’re not.”
“I’m—” Franklin tried to say.
But Cameron glared at him over his shoulder, as if daring him to say another word without his master’s permission.All the boardroom skills in the world meant nothing right then.Franklin found himself falling obediently silent as Cameron turned back to face Arslan.
The older lion held Cameron’s gaze for a second before turning his attention to the others in the room.
“The lions will stay here.The humans may wait in another room.”
Franklin’s attention went in turn to each of the humans present.Ryland didn’t hesitate to do as his master said—not for even the briefest possible second.Marrick barely waited for a confirming nod from Luther and Blaine before he quickly followed Ryland to the door.
Ellery didn’t rush in quite the same way.He dipped his head, whispered something to Kefir and pressed a kiss to the little lion’s temple before leaving.He gave the impression he was going because he’d given the matter careful consideration and decided that was the appropriate thing for him to do, rather than because he was obeying anyone, but he still went.
Franklin was the only human who found himself frozen in place unable to move.
“Go,” Cameron snapped, with barely a glance at him.
Franklin looked helplessly from Cameron to the other members of the pride.He couldn’t leave him alone with them.He’d seen the way Arslan had tensed up when Cameron acted out.He’d sensed the other lions’ discomfort with the newcomer and their willingness to follow their leader, too.
“I think—”
“I didn’t tell you to think,” Cameron bit out.“I told you to leave.”
Franklin took a deep breath.It required every ounce of strength he had in him not to let his feet overrule his brain and have him walking out of the room as his master’s order hit the air, but somehow, Franklin managed to hold his ground.
“I want to speak to Arslan before I go,” he said, keeping his gaze firmly on the leader of the pride.
“What?”Cameron caught hold of Franklin’s chin and forced him to turn his attention back to his master.
