Aleron: Chosen Champions Book Three, page 6
“Excuse me, gentlemen. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Augustus left the room, and Silenus turned back to Logan and Aleron. “I don’t like what’s happening with the magic in the realm,” Silenus said. “Fae creatures are particularly sensitive to it, but I’m finding that the fae who’ve been in the human realm for years aren’t as aware of it as I am.”
“Honestly, I don’t know much about magic, your majesty,” Logan confessed. “I’m just following the clues as best as I can.”
“Please, call me Silenus,” the king said. “I appreciate your work. As Augustus explained to me earlier, your pack has proven to be quite efficient at these matters.”
“We look at things differently. It helps that I’m new to the alpha gig and unfamiliar with a lot of the normal ways of doing things.” Logan didn’t seem to have a problem conversing with a king, though. Aleron’s pride in their alpha grew. His intelligence and leadership would continue to keep their pack safe and helping the ones who most needed them.
“A fresh perspective is always useful,” Silenus said. “As I’m newly living in the human realm, if my thoughts would be of use, please feel free to reach out.”
Augustus returned with a scowl on his face, which he quickly masked. “Where were we?”
“I was preparing to offer any help to Logan and his pack they needed from the fae realm and my people. I’ve already assured him he has my full support.” Silenus turned to them and met Aleron’s gaze before staring at Logan. “I want Nio caught.”
“We’re working on it. I promise. Our pack also has an interest in catching him.”
Silenus nodded. “Yes, the incubus who is mated to the vampire was part of the same attack as my mate. Apologies, I’ve forgotten his name.”
“Taj,” Aleron supplied.
“Yes. I’ll make it a point to sit down with him at some point this weekend. I understand there were some strange circumstances that led to his banishment. I’d like to hear them for myself.”
Logan nodded. “As long as you let his mate attend, I have no problems with you speaking privately with a member of my pack.”
Both Logan’s and Aleron’s phones dinged at the same moment. Logan frowned and pulled his out. Aleron did as well and read a message from the oracle.
It seemed they wouldn’t have to wait long for the next phase of the investigation. The oracle had a new case for them.
“Excuse us. We have some work to do.” Logan bowed again before turning to leave. Aleron met his uncle’s concerned gaze before following.
6
ALERON
Even though Logan assigned Dasan to handle the oracle’s message, Aleron and Logan both kept their earpieces in during the afternoon festivities. It had taken a conversation with Aleron, Gideon, and Coal to convince Logan not to pack them up and head back to the warehouse immediately.
Coal offered to shift into his dragon form and fly, but Aleron and Gideon both convinced Logan it wasn’t necessary. Dasan had backup from Jamal, the fae detective they’d worked with several times, and Randy, a local cop who’d become what Bailey called “pack adjacent.” If Dasan needed him, the oracle would alert them.
Eduard hosted the first event of the afternoon as Augustus’s son and heir. He’d arranged for a garden party, and instead of a cocktail party, he’d arranged more of a small barbecue. Everything was tapas-sized, as they had several more events to attend, but Aleron enjoyed spending time with his cousin and his mates.
He also got a kick out of watching his little nephew, Gus, who’d decided to take advantage of distracted adults and swipe food from their plates while his father chatted with them. It was pretty cute, and Gus got quite the sampling of appetizers from everyone before he wiggled out of Riggs’s arms. Riggs turned away for a second, and Gus made a dash for a very brightly colored beverage sitting unattended on a nearby table.
“Jus,” Gus said as he grabbed the glass with a happy smile. Before Aleron could get to him, Gus had slurped down part of the cocktail. He let out a little cough and frowned when Aleron scooped him up and took the cocktail out of his hands.
Then he caught a whiff of Gus’s breath and the slightly dazed expression in his eyes. It appeared Gus had quite the buzz on after his few sips. Aleron couldn’t wait to hand him over to his fathers.
Orsen Riggs, Victor’s mate and a giant bear shifter, appeared to be looking around the party frantically for his son, and he let out a huge sigh of relief when he spotted Gus in Aleron’s arms.
It was about the time Gus lowered his head to Aleron’s shoulder and giggled, letting out a tiny but adorable burp. Aleron passed him over to Orsen, who got a whiff of Gus’s breath and groaned. “Victor’s going to murder me.”
“Let me guess, you were on Gus duty.”
“Yes. I only turned away for a second, and then he was gone. I swear this kid is going to make me old before my time.”
“Hey, at least now he’ll be relaxed for a while and you won’t have to worry about it. Although, the idea of a toddler with a hangover is kinda terrifying. I caught him before he got more than a few sips, though.”
Orsen groaned again. “I’m a dead man. If I disappear, please make sure some effort is made to locate my body. I want a decent funeral.”
“What in the Goddesses name are you talking about?” Victor said.
Orsen whimpered. The guy was a giant and he actually whimpered. Aleron cracked up and patted him on the back. “Good luck.”
He escaped before Victor heard the news, but his screech of outrage caused everyone to quiet and look at him. Aleron, who had a heart after all but mostly wanted Victor to owe him one, called out over the crowd. “I think it’s time for some music, my friends. Who’s with me?”
The distraction worked, allowing Victor and Riggs to escape. Music drifted through the small crowd, and after most of the early mingling had settled, Aleron located Spencer standing with Logan at the edge of the party. He joined them with a smile. “Spencer, would you like to meet Sawyer?”
Spencer’s eyes widened, which was enough of an answer.
“Come on. I’ll introduce you.”
Aleron had never seen Spencer nervous before, but he definitely was as they approached Sawyer and several of his mates. Eduard happened to be with them, and Aleron smiled his way.
“Eduard, wonderful party. I’m sure you met Spencer last night, but he didn’t have an opportunity to speak with Sawyer. I wanted to introduce them.”
Spencer’s hand shook as he reached out toward Sawyer. “It’s an honor to meet you, Chosen One.”
Sawyer smiled. “The honor is mine. Eduard tells me you’re attempting to decipher some damaged runes. I’d love to hear more about them.”
Aleron let out a sigh of relief as Spencer leapt into conversation about his research.
Eduard pulled him to the side after a moment. “Henry filled us in, of course, and he’s been working on the runes as well. Which means Sawyer’s working on them too.”
“We can use all the help we can get. Dare I ask how much sleep you’re getting these days?”
Eduard grunted instead of replying. Between his eight mates and three children, Aleron didn’t know how Eduard functioned. He couldn’t imagine how he kept everything together. Eduard gestured, and they moved farther away from the others.
“Sawyer isn’t sleeping well again,” Eduard said softly. “Something is definitely going on.”
Aleron recalled Eduard telling him before that Sawyer’s dreams had been prophetic and often warned of dangers. He didn’t always recall them, though. Henry, the mage mate of the group, also had visions, but Eduard hadn’t spoken of any lately.
It seemed, to Aleron at least, that their limited communication with the Gods might impact those who had prophetic abilities. Then again, what did he know?
“You seem happy,” Eduard said suddenly. “And you can’t keep your eyes off the witch.”
Not much got by his cousin. Eduard was shrewd and brilliant, and that was on a bad day. “I’m… in flux,” Aleron said.
“You never liked change, even when we were children.”
“It’s not change so much as I’m feeling on unsteady ground. It’s odd.”
“Is the pack not supporting you?”
Even the thought of his cousin having that idea sent Aleron’s stomach flipping. “No. They’re incredibly supportive. Down to earth. Loving.”
“We didn’t get that kind of closeness in our clan,” Eduard said softly. “I recognize it now because of my mates. Henry grew up in a pack, as did Pip. Andvari had the vampire clan, who are extremely close. Draco had his parents and cousins. Dakota, his adopted siblings. Saeward, Loch, and I, though, our clans weren’t as…”
“Homey,” Aleron supplied. “Warm.”
“That’s it exactly,” Eduard agreed. “My life is filled with warmth now.”
“I bet it is,” Aleron winked. “Just think of all the—”
“Don’t you start. I swear, a guy ends up with eight mates and all everyone wonders is how we manage to have sex.”
“You gotta admit, it’s a good thing to wonder about. Hell, it’s given me a few ideas. Uh, not that I’m thinking about you having sex.”
Eduard laughed, and it immediately drew Sawyer’s attention. He smiled at Eduard, and the love Aleron could see in the look sent a tendril of longing through him. He wanted someone to look at him like that too, the same way Logan and Bailey looked at each other. The way his uncle couldn’t take his eyes off Jamie. The way Gideon loved nothing more than being with Taj.
His strange obsession with Spencer wouldn’t end that way, though. Spencer was a solitary witch. He’d made that clear to them from the beginning. And Aleron wasn’t so clueless to not realize Spencer would ask to go home sooner rather than later. He needed to be on his land to do his best work, and the time away added to his inability to focus clearly.
Gideon had already spoken to both Logan and Bailey about it, preparing them for Spencer’s departure. Aleron couldn’t seem to stop thinking about it, though, and it bothered him on a deep level. His cousins and mates fit in a way Aleron couldn’t imagine him and Spencer fitting.
Their worlds couldn’t be more opposite. He glanced over at Spencer and found him in a deep conversation with both Sawyer and Henry, no doubt discussing every minute detail of the runes. The focused expression on Spencer’s face was one Aleron recognized well.
“You’ve got it bad, cousin,” Eduard said softly.
“And it leads to nothing but heartbreak. Solitary witches don’t join packs, and I have somehow bonded myself to this pack. I didn’t expect to care so much about them when we first began working together.”
“You’ve always been the adventurous one,” Eduard said. “It didn’t surprise me you when you started focusing on doing the good of our world. You’ve never been quite the playboy you wanted us to think you were.”
Eduard wasn’t wrong. And that made Aleron squirm. Only years of griffin training kept him from showing just how uncomfortable he was with his cousin’s observations.
“Our clan didn’t need me to protect its treasures. You and Victor are the money men. Always have been. You take after your father that way.”
“Managing finances isn’t the only work griffins do, Aleron. Our history is longer and more in-depth than that. Perhaps you should ask your witch friend to find you some books to read on the matter.”
Aleron scoffed. “I’m good, thanks.”
But Eduard’s words gave him food for thought. He still didn’t want his current crush on Spencer to develop into anything more. His place was with his pack for quite some time, and Spencer’s was on his land, doing his solitary practice. Those two worlds didn’t combine, and no matter how fascinated he was by Spencer, he’d made a commitment to the pack that he wouldn’t give up.
“I’d better go make the rounds as host,” Eduard said. He placed his hand on Aleron’s shoulder and squeezed. “Take care of yourself. Our world is a dangerous place these days, and you’re right in the middle of it.”
Aleron planned on circling the crowd as well, but the flash of a familiar figure darting around the corner of the house caught his eye. He moved quickly while trying to avoid drawing attention. By the time he rounded the corner, he thought he’d been imagining things, but a sudden quick draw of breath revealed his prey’s hiding place.
He moved around a large plant and found Scout sitting on the ground, leaning back against the house. He looked devastated, but the moment he realized he wasn’t alone, his expression became carefully blank. Funny how so many of them tried to hide their true emotions. Bailey wouldn’t let them get away with it, though, so Aleron figured he’d better not either.
Aleron moved to Scout’s side, then slid down the wall and sat down beside him. He crossed his feet at the ankles before leaning his shoulder against his younger pack member.
“I forgot how much I don’t like people,” Aleron said. “They’re tedious.”
“That they are,” Scout said. “It’s nice to see my family, though. Especially Henry and his mates.”
“I noticed the entire Jerrick horde isn’t present.”
Scout laughed. “My siblings are around here somewhere, but my dads took a pass on the estate crawl. They’ll probably stop by your place, though, since it’s last.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes before Scout looked up at him.
“You aren’t going to ask, are you?”
“Nope. But I’m happy to listen if you want to talk.”
Scout shrugged. “Just having some confusing thoughts, and they’re, well, confusing.”
“Tell me about it,” Aleron said.
“Right. You and Spencer. Odd combo. Sorta like me and… ugh, never mind.”
Aleron tried to figure out exactly who Scout had feelings for. He’d not noticed anything unusual, but then again, he’d been spending most of his time with Spencer or traveling. He didn’t have to wonder long. They heard footsteps heading their way, and a few seconds later, Coal stood above them. His scowl was impressive. Right up there with Logan’s, and Logan was a scowl master.
“I’ll take that as my cue to get back to socializing.”
Scout grabbed his arm. “I’ll go with you.”
Coal actually growled. Smoke might have come out of his nose, but perhaps Aleron had imagined that part.
“I’d like to speak to you. Privately.” Coal’s words were soft but sharp, his annoyed tone clear as day.
“And I’d like for you to go fuck yourself,” Scout said.
Coal growled again, but Aleron put a hand on Coal’s chest. “Now’s not the time, my friend. You need to change your tone and find somewhere to cool off.”
Coal took a step back, and Aleron guided Scout around to the rest of the party.
“Thanks,” Scout said.
Aleron wanted to be nosy and ask questions, but Scout didn’t seem up for it. He’d keep an eye on him for the rest of the night and sic Bailey on him if he needed an intervention.
“No problem,” Aleron said. “Looks like we’re getting ready to head to the next estate. You ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
Bailey came over to them with a concerned scowl, but Aleron made a quick gesture and he backed off. “We’re going to Helena’s next,” Bailey said. “I wonder what theme she came up with?”
“I don’t know, but did you see how many of those little barbecue meatballs Jamie ate? Like, three hundred,” Scout said with a laugh. “Eduard’s chef is infamous. Everyone we know has tried to steal her, but Val’s loyalty is to them.”
“Well, they were delicious,” Aleron said, “but I’m thinking three hundred might indicate that our groom-to-be has a case of the nerves. Why don’t we see if he wants to ride with us to Helena’s? I’m sure we can figure out a way to keep his mind off things for a minute. Or Ashley will do her twenty-questions thing. Could go either way, but both would be a distraction.”
“Good idea,” Bailey said. “Come on, Scout. Let’s go invite him. I made Logan promise to let me drive one of the golf carts.”
His evil grin sent a shiver of fear down Aleron’s spine. Ever since they’d taken that defensive driving class, Bailey had been a terror behind the wheel. “No donuts on the golf carts, Bails! We do not want to have to clean skid marks off the road like we had to do in our parking lot. You’re a menace.”
Bailey cackled. “Deal. No donuts.”
Aleron shook his head again. No doubt he’d find something to do that would give Logan gray hair. He’d leave those worries to the alpha. He went to pry Spencer away from Sawyer and Henry so they could all make their way to Helena’s.
He touched Spencer’s back when he drew close, as he was in the middle of what appeared to be a very long explanation of… something. Honestly, from midsentence, Aleron had no clue what they were talking about. Spencer finished his thought, then turned to Aleron with a beaming smile.
“His guardians are his mates,” Spencer gasped. “And they held the magic. So fascinating.”
Aleron had zero clue what he was talking about, so he just smiled. “It’s time to head to the next estate.”
“Oh wow, so soon?” Sawyer said. “I hope Eduard isn’t annoyed. We monopolized Spencer and didn’t socialize with everyone.”
“I doubt it. Everyone’s changing locations, so I’m sure you’ll be able to socialize with the next group passing by.”
“True. This was a good idea,” Sawyer said. “It’s nice not to have to talk to hundreds of people. I still can’t believe how many people are attending the wedding. It’s crazy. Then again, that’s Augustus for you.”
Aleron grinned. Sawyer and Augustus had developed a special friendship that had gone a long way to soothing ruffled feathers after Augustus discovered the Chosen One was actually a human, and one with no magic at that. Of course, a lot had changed since then, including the fact that Sawyer wasn’t actually human after all.
“We’d better go call dibs on a golf cart,” Aleron said. “Bailey is insisting on driving one, and let’s just say things might get a little crazy.”
