Page 2 of Mane Full Of Stripes
“I know why you stayed in after you came home, but that was months ago. Why not go out for an hour or so and then come back? You won’t know how you’ll react if you don’t try.”
“I know,” he whispered. He’d told himself the same thing so many times, but he still struggled to do it. Still felt like Jenrick was out there waiting for his chance to get him alone. “One day, Mom.”
“I hope so, Jost. You’re too young to be inside. Don’t let that shifter take your joy away. Go out and have fun.” Ella moved away and opened the oven, taking a piece of beef out. “Now that looks perfect.”
Jost inhaled the scent and moaned. “Smells perfect too. I’m starving.”
“And once your sister gets back, I can finish the potatoes, and we can eat.”
“I’m going to change and shower, then give you a hand.”
Ella kissed Jost’s cheek. “Go on.”
It didn’t take long for Jost to change and freshen up, then he was downstairs helping Ella when Freya came back from the shop. A few minutes later and they all sat around the table eating. Freya was home from college for the weekend and Otto was still moping. Oh, to be young again, and what did that say about Jost? Twenty-two and already jaded where romance was concerned.
Jaded or scared?
Jost could vividly recall the moment Anslem had burst inside Jenrick’s home, finding Jost naked and bleeding on the floor. That instant moment of shock and horror before Anslem had roared and gone after Jenrick. Even though Jenrick was the stronger alpha, Anslem had the fury of a parent behind him. Jost had crawled outside and waited until Anslem had come out and told him to pack everything he owned. Once he’d done that, Anslem had threatened Jenrick to leave or be dealt with and had taken Jost home.
That was then, yet it still affected him now.
After helping his parents to clear everything away, Jost went to his bedroom to go over what he would do with the cubs when they returned on Monday. Once that was complete, Jost sighed and closed his eyes. The weekend was his, only he had no plans but to stay in his bedroom and do nothing.
Maybe he should go out, even if it was only for an hour. The thought had his breath catching, but if he didn’t try, then he would be staring at the walls for who knew how long. He couldn’t let what happened with Jenrick rule his life. He was young and had years ahead of him.
Grabbing his phone, he found Tam’s number and called her. “Jost! Tell me you’ve changed your mind? No, okay. What can—”
“Can I come? Tonight?”
“I… what? Really?”
Jost closed his eyes. He could hear the shock in her voice and his own shook when he responded. “I won’t stay long—”
“You could stay thirty minutes. It’s the fact you’re coming out. This is huge, Jost, so five, ten, twenty minutes is fine. I don’t care, as long as you come. I’m driving tonight so I can come and pick you up. An hour? Will that give you enough time?”
“Yeah. I’ll have worked myself up by then.” Jost could feel his heart pounding in his chest at the thought of going, but he needed to face this head on and now was the time. “I’ll be ready.”
“Good. I’ll see you in an hour, Jost. You can do this. Bye!”
Tam hung up and Jost stared at his phone, aware his hand was shaking. Dropping his phone on his bed, Jost closed his hand into a fist and breathed deeply. “I can do this,” he whispered. “I can.”
Chapter Two
ApolloJadesonsatnursinghis beer. The packed bar did nothing to quiet his mind. Thoughts of his previous relationship kept popping up, and he sighed softly. Joelle had left him only a few short months earlier, stating he hadn’t been focused on her or their relationship. He hadn’t been entirely sure what she’d meant. They’d lived together, spent all their free time together. Just because he didn’t shower her with flowery words or extravagant gifts didn’t mean he didn’t care for her.
Finishing his beer, Apollo left the bar and walked the short distance to the local community hall where the dazzle meeting would take place. As dazzle leader, Apollo had to attend even when there were times he’d rather not be there. Zebra shifters could be a jittery lot, and with the lion pride nearby, they were more on edge.
Apollo couldn’t understand why. The lion shifters he’d met had all been nice and worked hard. They were a small pride too, and Apollo knew most of them on sight and a fair few by name. They’d moved to the area several years earlier and had fit right in, but for some in his dazzle, they were too close and needed to move away.
No doubt the lions and their pride would be on the agenda that evening as well. Again.
Entering the community center, Apollo stood and listened. No one was aware he’d arrived yet, so he had the perfect opportunity to listen in and hear what they had to say, unfiltered. He knew many didn’t say everything they wanted to in front of him. He knew what they said behind his back. They were entitled to their opinions, but he didn’t like the never-ending gossip. If you had something to say, then say it.
As he suspected, the talk focused on the pride and ways to get rid of them. Exhaling heavily, Apollo was about to speak when he heard someone mention cutting brake lines. That was it. “Cutting brake lines? So, we’re resorting to murder, are we Martha?”
Martha Helmer jumped, stared at him wide eyed, then quickly looked away. “I was only messing, Apollo. No one here would ever do something like that.”
“Then why make the suggestion? They’ve been here several years and have only offered their hand in friendship.”
