Page 33 of Mane Full Of Stripes
Jost giggled, then covered his mouth with his hand, his eyes wide. “Mashed potatoes?”
“My mom makes these awesome ones, and she mixes things in like garlic or mustard or herbs and spices. They are so good. What do you like to eat?”
“Food? I don’t really have a favorite because there is so much good stuff out there. Why limit myself? But when I’m ill, nothing beats my mom’s chicken soup.”
“Oh same.” Apollo stroked Jost’s hand. “When I was young,” he gave Jost a small smile, “she always added her special ingredient.”
“What was that?” Jost leaned closer, watching Apollo’s fingers on his hand, feeling the heat from the pads soak into his skin.
“Love.”
“Oh, you sap,” Jost laughed, but was touched Apollo had told him. “My mom gave medicine and soup. No special sprinkle of anything.”
“Bet you got lots of hugs, though.”
Jost flushed and nodded. “Nothing beats your mom’s cooking.”
“I go home every Sunday for lunch with my family.”
“What’s it like being the alpha of your dazzle? Are they proud of you?”
“My parents had a party for me.” Apollo threaded their fingers together. “Now they give me advice.” Apollo grimaced, then shook his head. “All part of being leader, I guess.”
“Tell me what it is. We’re mates, so let me help.” Apollo had listened to him, so now it was Jost’s turn to be there for his mate.
Chapter Sixteen
“Idon’twanttoburdenyou with it.”
Jost frowned at him. “You listened to me, so I’m here for you and I might be able to give you a different perspective. “
Apollo hadn’t considered that. “Okay. I have a family in my dazzle who aren’t happy I’m not doing things the way they want me to. They weren’t happy when I became dazzle leader, and there are rumors they want to merge our pack with another one that they have friends or family in. It would push them up the hierarchy.”
“The Helmers.”
“How did you know?” Apollo clasped Jost’s hand between his. “Have they said something to you?” Apollo would rip them a new one if they’d said something mean to his mate.
“Not to me, but they haven’t been nice to some of the pride. They’ve made it known they don’t want us being here, but the rest of you have been so nice and welcoming.”
“They’re causing me some issues.” Apollo sat back in his seat and stared out of the window. “If it carries on, they’ll leave me no choice.”
“How is the rest of the dazzle? Do they support you?”
“Yes. We had a vote recently and only two voted against me.” He gave Jost a quick smile.
Jost returned his smile. “I wonder who they were.”
“Hmm. Who knows? The others have spoken to me privately and said they have no issue with how I’m running the dazzle.”
“That’s good to know. Do you know what you’re going to do about them?”
Apollo sighed and shook his head, briefly closing his eyes. “Fuck, no.” He opened his eyes and blew out his breath. “I want to give them another chance, but that will be on top of the chances they’ve had. It’s never a huge issue, you know. It’s always minor, but done in a way to undermine me as leader. Little digs and quiet words about how I’m performing. I want to expand the dazzle. A member told me about another dazzle that has too many elders and the leader wants to step down. But can I invite them in with the Helmers?”
“You want to be able to offer them a place to stay and live their lives without having the Helmers undermining your every decision. It wouldn’t be a good dazzle, would it, if they joined and had to witness them?”
“You get it.” Apollo exhaled heavily, then rubbed his forehead with his fingers, a headache developing. “I have no reason to force them out. Not right now.”
“But they may give you one if the rumors you heard are true. Whatever you decide, I’m here with you.”
