Page 3 of Mane Full Of Stripes
“Because they’re predators and we’re prey. That’s why,” Brenner Helmer snapped.
“They’re also human, like we are. We’re more than our animal part, as are they. They’ve done nothing to harm us and in fact, after the flood, they helped us, and the humans clean up and rebuild. They had been unaffected by the flood but still helped.” Shaking his head, he walked over to the head of the table in the center of the community hall. “Let’s get started.”
“I still want to discuss having them so close.” Brenner yanked his chair out and sat. “We need to be prepared.”
“They’ve been here for several years now. What is it we need to prepare for? They’ve had plenty of time to do something to us and yet all they’ve done is help. Remember, they are human as well. They are not led by those baser instincts, just like we’re not.” What Apollo kept to himself was that he knew the reason the Helmers didn’t like the pride being there was because they were no longer the top shifters in the area.
They were zebra shifters and as such, their animal half was classed as prey, but amongst humans, they were more dominant, and Brenner liked being in charge. Sighing softly, Apollo saw more beers in his future.
“You might want to play nice with them, but we don’t have to.” Brenner folded his arms over his chest, his green eyes narrowed. He lifted a hand and pointed a finger at Apollo. “Remember who put you where you are.”
The room fell silent, and Apollo stared at Brenner. “Is that a threat? Be careful, Brenner. I’m alpha here, and I can have you removed from our dazzle. Your attitude is putting many of our young and weaker members at risk. They crave security and protection. How do we provide that if we’re picking a fight with a more dominant species? We should make alliances with them, not start a fight. If you were alpha, you would realize that.”
“Are you calling me stupid?”
“Not at all, but you look at this from one perspective only. I, as alpha and leader of this dazzle, have to see it from multiple points of view. Yes, they are a predator species, yes, they are stronger than us, but they’ve only offered friendship.” Apollo moved in his seat, the plastic uncomfortable. “I’m the one who has had meetings with their alpha. I have spoken to some of their pride. They only want the same as us. Home, family, safety, a job to earn money to provide for their families.”
“That’s what you say. How can we trust you?”
Apollo reared back in his seat, a gasp from others in the hall echoing around the room. Apollo saw the look of shock on Brenner’s face that he’d said the words, but then it hardened, and he glared at Apollo. “Choose your words carefully, Brenner.”
“Why? You’re young. Far too young to be leading us.”
“And who should be the alpha of this dazzle? You?”
“Yes, maybe I should be.” Brenner pushed his chest out, a smile on his face. Apollo glanced around the table, seeing the looks of shock and horror on the faces of those gathered.
“Well? Who agrees with Brenner?”
“Not me!” Lillian Hill spat out. “Only an idiot would follow Brenner. He’d have us dead before the sunset with some stupid idea of overthrowing the lions.”
“You whiny stuck-up bitch—”
“Enough!” Apollo slammed his hand on the table and pushed his alpha power out to cover Brenner. He didn’t like to use it, preferring to talk through difficult situations, but he believed this warranted it. Brenner’s hands fisted and his jaw hardened, then he bowed his head. He might be an alpha, but he was no match for Apollo. “Anyone else want to add anything?” Everyone shook their heads. “I’m still in charge?” Nods followed except from the Helmer family. “Martha? Brenner? I notice you didn’t agree. There are options available for you if you find that my being alpha is unacceptable.”
“You’re kicking us out?” Brenner shot up, his chair falling back onto the floor.
Apollo remained impassive. “That depends on you. I can’t have you behaving like this, attempting to undermine my authority within the pack. We all have to work together and that includes working with humans and the pride. We all live in this area, and it would make things easier if we could get along.”
“This is wrong! They’re predator shifters. They could eat us!” Martha screeched.
Apollo arched an eyebrow. “They’re human as well. I imagine if you were in your animal form and something happened, all you’d have to do is shift back into human form in front of one and they would immediately stop, shift, and apologize.”
“Well, I don’t want them to be around to find that out. Go and speak to them and kick them out of this town!”
“No one here has the power to order anyone from their homes. Shifter or human. They have purchased their properties legally and have a right to live here.” Brenner went to speak, and Apollo held his hand up. “I’ll put the question to everyone about how they feel.” Looking around the table, Apollo said, “Do you want them to move? You can answer anonymously if you wish. I’ll leave a box outside and, on your way, out simply answer with yes or no. Again, the question is: do you want them to move?”
Apollo went into one of the rear rooms and grabbed the box they used to place their votes in. When he returned, he showed them. “Answers in here, please. I’ll let you know the results as soon as I have them.”
Walking out, he left the box where he knew everyone could see it and walked over to his car. Getting in, he started it and drove to his parents’. They’d both been at the meeting, so he knew they would arrive home soon. He needed to discuss the situation with the Helmers with them. Their comments and actions were a direct attack on his leadership, and he wanted to talk about the ramifications of it.
Inside, he grabbed a soda from the fridge and sipped the refreshingly cool liquid. Minutes later, he heard their car pull up and waited for them to enter their house. As soon as they did, his dad, Arvo, grimaced. “What a pair of idiots.”
Apollo grunted in agreement. “They won’t stop until they get what they want.”
“To be leader of our dazzle.” Lida put her handbag on the chair next to the table and shook her head, her long silver locks flowing down her back. “This has been building since the pride moved here. You need to put a stop to it, but in a way that they can’t use against you.”
“The anonymous voting was a good idea, Apollo.” Arvo pulled out a chair and sat. “When the vote comes back in your favor, it will shut them up for a while.”
