Page 40 of Becoming One
“And yet, there is something wrong. Now spill,” Nelson insisted.
Sighing, Orion stopped and looked around. “I hear these men congratulating me on my new position, and yet I feel as though they doubt I earned it.”
“Orion, that’s not true. You almost died competing to be the new Regal,” Nelson quickly replied.
Shaking his head, Orion said, “I got the position because Nicu forfeited. That is not an honorable win.”
“Honorable? You talk about an honorable win? Nicu used magic, Orion. He used magic to fuck you up, so he could kill you in front of your own coven. How the hell is what he did honorable? You were never meant to come out of that fight alive, and yet you did… barely. You earned the position as Regal, and the only one who doesn’t see that is you,” Nelson said, his voice filled with the passion he felt.
“I won by forfeit, Nelson! Forfeit! Every time someone looks at me, that word will scream in my mind. You are supposed to see the other man lying on the mat, down for the count, not running out of the damn place, or just disappearing into the wind. When that happens with our enemy, it means they can strengthen and return and kill every man, woman, and child in our coven. I didn’t earn Regal… I was handed it.”
Nelson could hear the pain and anguish in Orion’s voice. It was unbelievable to him. “This isn’t how the coven feels, it’s how you feel, and there is nothing I, or anyone else can say, to make you see the truth. So I ask you, what can wedo? How can wefixthis?”
Shaking his head, Orion whispered, “I don’t know.”
Nelson took Orion’s hand once more and turned him, so their eyes met. Nelson cupped his mate’s scarred cheek. “We’ll handle it like we do everything else, Sexy. We’ll figure it outtogether. Until then, you take that position and you do this coven proud.”
Nodding, Orion said, “I will do my best.”
Orion and Nelson made their way to the leader’s tent. Jewel was laughing at something one of the Scion’s was saying as Ezra rubbed his baby bump. The second Ezra saw them, he stood, gently setting Jewel on his feet. They nodded and made their way to Orion and Nelson. “Let’s go to the police station. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
As they walked to the station, Orion said, “Jael said to tell you he was going to be about ten minutes late.”
“Oh? Did he say why?” Ezra asked with a smirk.
Nelson smiled. “It seems he had a pest issue he had to take care of first.”
Jewel laughed. “We know, he called and explained.”
“Then why did he tell me to tell you if he was going to call?” Orion asked in confusion.
“I think he wanted us to tell the why part, Sexy,” Nelson said with a smile.
Jewel laughed even harder. “Oh, he gave us the blow by blow of it, all right.”
“There was no blowing. No time,” Nelson giggled.
It didn’t take them long to get to the station. Walking in, Nelson was surprised to see Kragen, Strix, and Jorin sitting with a large, nice looking, dark haired man. He looked familiar, but Nelson couldn’t quite place him.
Everyone stood, except for the stranger. Ezra gave a stern look to the guy, however, it was Orion who admonished the man’s disrespect in a lethal tone, “Do you not stand when your Re walks in the room?”
Shaking his head, the guy replied, “Not really, no.”
Orion snarled and took a step towards the guy, but Ezra stopped him. “Stand down, Orion. If Mr. Maxwell is no longer interested in being part of our coven, then we can just go.”
Ezra turned as did the others. Everyone started out of the station, when the guy shouted, “Wait!”
Ezra didn’t turn around, but Nelson did, along with Orion and the other men. The guy looked genuinely shocked. “I apologize for my rude behavior, but I thought I was brought in here because of a trumped-up charge by my… never mind. I am sorry for my rudeness, Re, and I do wish to come to this coven.”
Ezra turned back around, asking, “My coven is one that prides itself on honesty, loyalty, family, and honor. Mr. Maxwell, if you cannot be all of those things than we have nothing more to discuss. However, if you are willing to be the man I describe, then we shall continue.”
Nodding, Mr. Maxwell said, “It will be a nice change and yes, I am willing to be those things.”
Ezra went around the desk and sat as Jewel took his place next to his mate. Nelson sat next to Jewel and Orion stood behind him. Ezra steepled his fingers as he pinned the man with his gaze. “I had planned on speaking to you in the morning, but I find myself too curious to wait. Why did you try for the position as Dire in my coven and not within your own? There were two open position in the Heskel coven.”
Mr. Maxwell didn’t say anything at first, but when he did, it was with a question. “Am I permitted to be honest, or am I expected to kiss ass?”
Ezra raised a brow, answering, “I told you that this coven is about four things, and honesty is one of them.”