“Wait, we’ll come with you,” Ian said as he and Colton joined them. “My parents have something planned today so I better catch them before they leave.”
“Fionn, maybe you should change into a suit for court before Mystia arrives,” Logan suggested.
“C’mon, Fi,” Kieran said, “I’ll pick out your outfit so you’ll wow the judge.”
“Ki, I’m not looking to fuck him,” Fionn sniggered.
“No, but clothes make the man and you do want him to know you are a man now,” replied Kieran.
Sighing, Fi got up and followed his friend. “Fine, but I’m telling you now…nothing pink.”
Giggling, David murmured, “Want to bet Ki picks out something pink?”
“Yeah, I call tie,” Zane said. “Logan?”
“Uh-uh. I’m not betting on my mate; besides, I know what he’s going to pick,” Logan said, then, changing the subject, continued. “Is all your research on the table in the kitchen, Reif?”
“Most of it. Then there’s my small laptop I hid under a floorboard; it has all my notes on it and the other item is tucked in a book in the book case,” said Reif. After explaining how to locate the two items, Reif watched Zane and his mate vanish in front of them. “Holy fuck! How did they do that?”
“The gods gave David the ability and my brother received it also, when they mated,” replied Logan. “They should be back very shortly.”
“Did you know they could do this?” Reif asked Nessie.
“Ay, but just aboot David,” replied Brian.
“Exactly who is David?” Reif asked. “I know he represents the gods on earth.”
“Ay. He’s the High Priest,” answered Brian.
“The gods sent him to be the moral compass of our world,” Logan said.
“Fuck! Shouldn’t you have sent some enforcers with them?” asked Reif.
“Not necessary,” Logan explained. “No one can ever get close enough to David unless Zane allows it. Now, can you tell me more about your world while we wait for everyone to get back.”
“What do you want to know?” asked Reif.
“Tell me about the buildings, like, how old…what are they made of…what do they look like?”
Reif grinned, picturing Angelopoulos in the hot Greek sun. Then, he began to talk.
~/~/~/~/~
Reaching out and hitting the alarm button on his clock, Hunter groaned when he peered at the time.Fuck!Way too early for me to even think.Scrunching a pillow over his head, he closed his eyes, aching for at least another hour of sleep, but the sounds of his brothers waking up seeped through.Noisy bastards! He added another pillow, concentrating on the sound of his breathing, counting his breaths—but all his attempts failed. Giving up, he rolled over, thinking about this day and what it meant.
The motorhome was packed with enough food to feed fifty shifters but, according to Mason, it was better to have too much instead of too little—‘just in case’. Though what emergency his brother thought might happen remained a mystery to Hunter, since he couldn’t imagine them marooned on the highway for any appreciable amount of time. Always calm, Mason examined everything from all angles, making sure he’d accounted for everything that could go wrong. But that was how Mason was and it was exactly why Hunter counted on him so much; his brother always seemed able to find a solution to a problem, no matter how perplexing.
The only thing Mason could never figure out was why Hunter gave up the Alpha position he’d been groomed for. And if Hunter had his way, it would remain that way, even though he knew Mason was miffed by not being taken into Hunter’s confidence. But he had to stay silent, even though by doing so, he knew he was driving a wedge between himself and a brother who cared deeply for him. It took all the mental strength he had, but he had to persevere because he knew what would happen if he didn’t. Now, living with the consequences of his action, he avoided thinking about it because every time he did, it was like ripping a bandage off too fast, causing a burning pain in his heart.
“Hunt, you up?” Mason’s voice was muffled by the door.
“Yeah, getting up now. Be out shortly. Is everyone up?” Hunter asked.
“Everyone’s awake…but up? No. I’m about to drag Sawyer out of his bed.”
Hunter chuckled. “Good luck with that. If he isn’t up by the time I’m finished with my shower, I’ll help you.”
“Counting on it.” Mason walked down the hall to Sawyer’s room and, just as he thought, his brother was still in bed, fast asleep. He stood there, contemplating the best way to achieve his goal. Finally, grabbing one foot, he yanked hard and his brother landed on the floor with a loud thump. “C’mon, Sawyer, up and at ’em. I thought you were eager to get to California. Sure doesn’t look that way to me.”
