Snake Snack

by Lisa Oliver

  Taking care not to slam the doors, as much as he wanted to vent his frustration, Simon managed a tight smile for Maggie as he strode out of the town hall. His mind a mess, Simon wasn’t sure what was bothering him more; the gossip about his mate, the fact the council had already launched an investigation into Liam and Lucien, or that the Mayor was using any means possible to drum Ra out of the election.

  His eyes sweeping the street, Simon saw Cam’s was open. He couldn’t drink, but just the sight of his sexy mate would be enough to lift his spirits. And maybe, just maybe, while he was doing some discreet bartender ogling, Simon could work out some sort of a plan to help Liam, Lucien and Ra. His snake’s plan of injecting the pudgy mayor with enough venom to drop an elephant had its merits, but Simon had his babies to consider. Just the thought of the taste of Quincy’s skin was enough to make him vomit.

  ~~~~/

  “I’m taking my lunch break. Can you bring me over a couple of steak sandwiches when you have a minute?” Darwin threw his towel at Tony, the part timer brought into help with the lunch time rush, before jumping over the bar and heading to the corner where Simon had been sitting for over an hour. Nursing a soda, Simon was deep in thought, visibly jumping when Darwin plopped down beside him.

  “Didn’t expect to see you in town today.” Darwin leaned over and brushed Simon’s cheeks with his lips. “Everything okay? You’re not still upset about last night, are you? I spoke to Cam about reducing my hours when I got in this morning. He’s going to put me on permanent day shifts, three times a week immediately after the fundraiser. Apparently, one of Mrs. Hoopers’ boys wants the evening shifts.”

  “That’s good.” Simon’s lips twitched, but Darwin could sense his mate’s anger and distress.

  “What is it? Is something wrong? Did the Doc call you about the babies or something?”

  “No. No. Nothing like that. I got called into the mayor’s office today.” Darwin listened in stunned amazement as Simon explained what happened.

  “Fuck,” he said when Simon had finished. “Is it true? Will Ra’s campaign be ruined because of me?”

  “The mayor is on a fishing expedition. He doesn’t have any concrete evidence on any of us and so what if you used to be a dancer? No one cares in this town and the same goes with the shit Liam and Lucien are going through. Quincy’s running scared, but I’d better get back. I’ve got to get this mess with Liam and Lucien cleared up before the council gets involved any further and I need to warn Ra.”

  “Can’t you stay just a little longer?” Darwin saw Tony headed their way. “I’m on my break and I ordered you a sandwich. I bet you haven’t eaten today.”

  Simon’s rare smile made Darwin’s day. “Of course, my mate and thank you.” But as they sat together, enjoying the delicious food, Darwin knew Simon’s mind was somewhere else and for the first time in his life he cursed his job. His mate and his new club deserved his support. Maybe it’s time I paid a bit more attention to the gossip that goes on in here.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  It took three long days and countless calls but Simon finally got to speak to Theodore Western, the author of the letter Liam and Lucien received.

  “Mr. Western, I’m acting on behalf of Liam and Lucien Lamont. My clients are understandably concerned about this matter especially as they’ve not had contact with their pride in years.”

  “Family is family, Simon. I can call you Simon, can’t I?” Considering that was the only name he used, Simon got the impression Mr. Western was stalling.

  “Of course, Theodore.” Simon could play nice when he had to. “Your letter mentioned they were in breach of contract. Can you email a copy of that document? My clients weren’t aware they’d ever signed anything related to their ex-pride and were understandably confused by the money demand.”

  “Ah, yes, well…the word contract is perhaps misleading.”

  “It is very plain in the letter. A contract is a voluntary, deliberate, legally binding agreement made by two or more parties, pertaining to a certain agreed upon outcome with failures to adhere and consequences outlined in the document. Liam and Lucien did not agree to have cubs for their pride.”

  “It’s part of the Lamont Pride Law. All individuals born into the pride are made aware of their obligations once they come of age.”

  “And that’s where we have a problem.” Damn, Simon should have known it was something like that. Some shifter groups still lived in the dark ages where even reproduction was regulated. “My clients were banished from the Pride well before they reached the age of consent. I have the council records of their banishment in front of me.”

  “Ah. Yes, well… perhaps you weren’t aware Alpha Lamont is your clients’ father. While they may have been banished from the Pride, as his sons they are bound to fulfill the mandate of the Pride to provide cubs.”

  “Like hell they are.” Simon allowed his hiss to ring through the phone. “Alpha Lamont disowned his boys the day he beat them and banished them from his pride lands. He filed notice of that banishment with the council the following day, making it impossible for the boys to join another pride; leaving them defenseless without financial or family support. He lost his rights as a father the day he abandoned them.”

  “Abandoned is such a strong word, Simon.” Was this freak honestly trying to flirt with him? From his lowered tone and the lengthening of the syllables in his name, Simon certainly thought so and he felt his stomach protest. “Alpha Lamont was simply trying to teach his boys a lesson. Harden them up a bit. The fact they’re still alive proves it worked, doesn’t it?”

  “You and I know they could have easily died. My clients were beaten out of their pack for being gay. That was stated on the council documents filed at the time. You may advise your client that should he continue to pursue this ridiculous harassment for money then I will file a counterclaim on my clients’ behalf, suing him for child endangerment and mental hardship. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Oh, there’s no need to be so harsh, Simon.” Simon’s skin crawled. “Perhaps we should discuss this over dinner? I can catch a plane to Jackson and be there this evening. I pulled your file from the council records when my secretary said you wanted to get in touch with me. You’re a dangerously handsome man.”

  “I’m also a happily mated one,” Simon snapped. “Whatever your game is, stop it now. I can only assume the Lamont pride is having financial difficulties. But neither you nor Alpha Lamont is going to get a cent out of my clients and if you continue with this nonsense case then I will take you and your client to the Shifter Court. I am sure once they hear what my clients have to say, Lamont will find himself a lot poorer than he is today.”

  “Under Pride Law, it’s a son’s duty to care for and provide for his elders once they’ve become adults. This is my client’s way of reaching out to his estranged sons.” Theodore was right at least in respect to shifter law.

  “Considering my clients haven’t heard from anyone in the Lamont pride in fifteen years, suing them for money is a fucking useless way of trying to reach out to them. Tell your client to try a gift basket next time. It’s cheaper and less likely to see him end up on the receiving end of a lawsuit. Good day.” Simon disconnected the call with a harsh sweep of his fingers.

  “Was that about our case?” Simon looked up and saw Liam hovering by the door. His normally tanned face was pale and his eyes were suspiciously wet.

  “Come in, Liam. Is Lucien around?”

  “No. He…he said he had something to do in town.” Liam sidled in and sat in the chair closest to the door. “You were talking about my father, weren’t you?”

  Resting his elbows on the desk, Simon took a moment to think of how to phrase what he had to say. Liam was a kind, gentle soul who wore his heart on his sleeve. No matter how Simon put it, his friend was going to be gutted. “It seems your father instructed his lawyer to find you and send you the summons because the pride is having financial problems and under shifter law any adult children
are responsible for helping their family during hard times.”

  “He knew we wouldn’t have cubs.” Liam slumped in his seat. “He knew from the day we shifted the first time that we were gay. How can someone do that? I know he’s an alpha, but he dragged us in front of the whole pride, mocked us and humiliated us and then set his enforcers on us.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me the Alpha was your father?” Simon asked gently.

  “Because he’s not.” Liam’s eyes flashed, his lion shining through. “We were still minors when we met Ra. He got in touch with the council and had emancipation papers drawn up. Lucien and I don’t have legal parents anymore so that shifter law doesn’t apply to us.”

  “I do wish you’d told me that when you showed me the letter.” Simon rubbed his forehead. He needed food and something to drink before a headache set in. “Can you make me a sandwich and grab me a soda from the kitchen and then come back and we’ll work on a counterclaim in case Theodore didn’t get the message.”

  “Theodore Western?” Liam perked up. “He has a permanent place in my wank-bank. When I was fifteen I thought he hung the sun and moon.”

  “And now he’s trying to sue your ass on behalf of your sperm donor.” Simon hated how Liam’s face fell but facts had to be faced. “I need something to eat and drink,” he managed in a softer tone. “How about we get this case settled and then you can think about whether you want to get in touch with the sexy lawyer again for personal reasons this time.”

  “He’d never notice me,” Liam headed for the door. “You’re more his type than I’ll ever be. He probably still thinks I’m a kid.”

  You are not a kid. Simon watched Liam’s broad frame as he went out the door. He’d be willing to bet his next meal that if Theodore saw Liam now, he’d be more than interested. It was just a shame the guy was nothing but a slimeball.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Darwin shook his head sadly as he saw Simon was sleeping again. He’d knocked off work two hours early as the pub was quiet and raced home, hoping his mate and lover would still be awake. But over the past week if Simon wasn’t in his office yelling at someone on the phone, he was in bed. Dropping his clothes quietly on the floor, he padded over to the bed and climbed under the covers. Although the room was dark, he could see shadows under Simon’s eyes and even in sleep the man looked tense.

  Slipping his arm under Simon’s neck, he held his breath as Simon moaned and then snuffled into his chest before rhythmic breathing started up again. What am I going to do with you? Darwin knew he was failing his mate. Between his work and Simon’s, they’d barely spent any time together.

  Ra was understandably furious Quincy was trying to get him to drop out of the mayoral election and now Rocky was running for the Sheriff position, the pack house was a hive of activity. Seth’s parents, Ella and Charles were over most days – Darwin wasn’t sure what to make of the feisty woman but Seth told him, on the quiet of course, that he preferred Ella running Ra and Rocky’s campaign than doing anything else. “Driven” was the word he’d used.

  Simon was caught up in all of it and that’s without trying to get Theodore Western off his back. It seemed the lawyer was becoming an overzealous groupie. While Liam and Lucien got a letter stating the claim for retribution funds had been dropped, which was good for them; it seemed Theodore caught wind of the upcoming elections and kept pestering Simon offering his expertise.

  Darwin sighed as he stroked Simon’s hair, staring at the ceiling. Yes, his cock and balls ached. It’d been ages since Simon had the energy to do more than sleep at night, but it was more than that. Darwin was scared and yet stuck as he was, organizing the fundraiser for Doc Farriday, he couldn’t take any more time off. Only two more days to go. But even that knowledge didn’t make him feel any better. He thought back to what the Doctor said on their last visit.

  Your blood pressure is too high. That is dangerous to the babies in pregnancy. From all accounts Simon’s regular blood pressure was lower than most as a rule. But in the week between visits, Farriday said it had markedly increased and could endanger the babies and Simon’s health. But Simon brushed off advice about diet, not shifting and getting plenty of rest claiming he felt fine. It seemed as long as he could hear the babies’ heartbeats, he didn’t feel there was anything to worry about.

  “I can hear you thinking,” Simon’s breath huffed across his chest.

  “It’s nothing, go back to sleep.” Darwin tightened his arm but Simon sat up.

  “What’s wrong? Did something happen at work? You seem tense.”

  Huffing out a long breath, realizing Simon wasn’t going to let this go and lord knows he didn’t need any further stress, Darwin reached over and clicked on the bedside lamp. The bruises under Simon’s eyes deepened. “Work was fine. I have two more night shifts and then I’m only going to be working three half days a week. It’s you I’m worried about. Taking on all this extra work with Ra and the others. You’re not getting enough sleep. Look at you. You look like a panda bear around your eyes and I’m sure you’ve lost weight.”

  “I’m a big boy. I’m sure I can handle my own health. I’ve been doing it long enough.” Simon crossed his arms and for some reason the sullen look on his face made something inside Darwin snap.

  “You’re not all right.” Darwin sat up too. “You’re tired, stressed out and the doctor said your blood pressure was getting too high. You’re supposed to be taking things easy. Instead, I come home and find you crashed out, yet again and it’s only bloody nine o’clock.”

  “I was just getting a few hours nap before you got home. Holding back my snake has been difficult lately.” Simon’s face was tight.

  “Why? What’s happened? I know you’re busy with Ra and the others, but surely they’d be the first to tell you to get some rest if you need it.” At least Darwin hoped that was the case. Although he was wondering if Simon wasn’t doing the whole macho bullshit often seen in men about doctor’s advice.

  For a long moment, it seemed Simon wasn’t going to answer. But then he reached over the side of the bed and pulled something out of the drawer. “I got this today.” He shoved a small gift box into Darwin’s hand.

  He got me a present? But then Darwin noticed the bow with Simon’s name on it. “You’ve got an admirer?” He managed to say with a twisted grimace.

  “Open it.”

  Reminding his timid animal half Simon would never put him in danger, Darwin cautiously opened the box; his mouth dropping open as he saw the contents. Nestled on a cushion of black velvet was a thick gold chain with a diamond encrusted pendant on the end of it. He turned the pendant over, his keen eyes picking up the inscription easily.

  “Property of Theodore Western? Does that asshole know you’re mated?” Darwin could barely keep his voice below a screech.

  “Yes.” Simon’s S came out as a long hiss and Darwin tried to pull back his agitation. Easier said than done.

  “He sent you a freaking collar, with a fucking dog tag on it, just out of the blue?”

  “He’s sent other things; flowers, books and stuff and I threw them away. He calls every day. I blocked him but then he started calling the house.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Darwin’s mouse might be timid, but his human side was furious. He’s pregnant, he’s pregnant, it’s not his fault he’s got a fucking stalker.

  “I didn’t want you to get worried. I thought I could handle it. I can handle it. It’s just….”

  “This,” Darwin picked up the chain. “Is a fucking statement. He’s trying to claim you. What type of fucking shifter is he anyway that he doesn’t respect true mates?”

  “A lion.”

  Fucking brilliant. A mouse going up against a lion. But then I don’t need to shift to take out his fucking kneecaps. Darwin snarled.

  “He doesn’t believe we’re true mates. He doesn’t believe in them full stop.”

  “Did you tell him you were pregnant?”

  “He’s a lion; to him th
at’s a minor inconvenience that he can take care of as soon as they’re born.”

  “Why are you letting him even talk to you about things like that?” Darwin was incensed. Not only had Simon hidden this whole saga from him, but from the sounds of things, he wasn’t sticking up for their mating or their precious babies.

  “He’s not the type to listen. He won’t listen and now he knows I’m pregnant he thinks I’m hormonal and disregards anything I say as nonsense.”

  “Why didn’t you tell him you LOVED ME?” The sudden silence after Darwin yelled was deafening. Simon’s mouth dropped open and he snapped it shut.

  “Because I hadn’t told you yet, and I figured seeing as it was you I was in love with, you should be the first to know.”

  Whispered words, but fuck they struck Darwin straight in the heart. “Oh, Simon, are we ever going to get our shit together?” He huddled into Simon’s chest and after a moment’s hesitation, he felt Simon’s arms wrap around him. “I love you. I was going to tell you the other night, but I thought actions spoke louder than words. That’s why I’m cutting down my hours, so I can prove to you I can be the mate you deserve. I’m gutted you never told me any of this before now.”

  ~~~~/

  He loves me? He loves me. He loves me! Cuddling Darwin close, Simon felt as though the weight of the world had suddenly dropped off his shoulders and the relief was immense. His snake stopped pushing him; his mind was clear and for the first time in what felt like forever, he could breathe. Simon’d never meant to hide what Theodore was doing; there just never seemed to be a right time to talk. It’s just with every gift received, every call and email and the longer the assault went on, Simon was fighting his snake who wanted his mate and didn’t agree with hiding something from Darwin.

  “I love you so much,” he whispered softly, his every inhale pulling in more of Darwin’s scent and soothing his soul. “I fear once you have more time off, we’re going to be one of those sickly sweet couples that have their hands in each other’s pocket and are never apart.”