Behind the Eight Ball by M.A. Church

again,” I said.
    We hung up, and I finished my sandwich. I took a shower and raided the fridge again. I finished off some pork chops and mashed potatoes I had made earlier in the week. After spending hours on the computer hunting for all the information I could find on Lawson—and not finding anything worrisome—I went to bed.
     
     
    ANOTHER WEEK had passed, and I was losing my mind. My Alpha was called away that next morning. His wife’s father was in a car wreck. While he was healing well, they still flew out to check on him. Since he lived in Hawaii, they stayed a few days to enjoy the island.
    Trying to keep away from Lawson during that time was agonizing, but I needed permission to claim him. There was also the fact I had no idea how to approach him. How did one go about convincing one’s mate he really wasn’t the ass he appeared to be?
    I was so screwed.
    My Alpha and his mate finally arrived home last night, and Dolf called me first thing Saturday with a time for me to meet with Alpha Armonty and the rest of the betas. What a way to wake up. Sighing, I dressed and ate breakfast. I had two hours before I was due at my Alpha’s, so I started getting ready.
    When I pulled up in front of the Alpha’s home, Dolf’s truck was sitting in the driveway with Aidric parked behind him. Remi had parked his work truck on the street. Everyone was there except Brier. I parked on the street too. I’d just locked my door when Brier pulled up behind me and got out.
    “Hey, man, you happen to know what’s going on?”
    “Dolf didn’t tell you?” I asked.
    “Nope. Just said we were meeting.”
    “Oh.” I led the way up the sidewalk to the Alpha’s house. “Yeah, I know what’s going on, but let’s wait until we get inside.”
    “That sounds ominous.”
    “Ominous?” I frowned at Brier, then knocked on the door. “I wouldn’t say that. Surprising, maybe.”
    “Surprising? Why would you say that? For that matter why do you know and I don’t? What’s going on, Heller?”
    “Um….”
    Alpha Armonty opened the door. “Gentlemen, thanks for coming.” He moved out of the doorway so we could enter. “We’re in my office, but swing by the kitchen and get yourself something to drink and eat. We have tea, milk, water, or soda. Snacks are on the bar.”
    I managed to keep Brier occupied with food and off why we were there. Once we loaded down our plates, we moved to the office. Armonty had a large round table in his office. Dolf, Tal, and Kirk sat together, with Tal in the middle. Remi sat on the other side of Kirk, which didn’t surprise me. The two had become close friends. Brier sat next to Dolf. I took the seat next to Remi, and Aidric sat next to Brier.
    Armonty, still standing, brought the meeting to order. “Okay, as for the reason we’re here. Before I left town, Dolf informed me Sam found his mate. Her name is Janelle Foles, and she’s also a paranormal. A Vetala.” Alpha Armonty explained who and what the Vetala were.
    “Pssst.” Remi poked Kirk in the ribs while Armonty spoke. “Did you see her?” he whispered.
    “Would you hush?” Kirk murmured.
    “Tell me,” Remi whined.
    Armonty continued speaking over Remi and Kirk. “I’ve talked to Sam. Since things are so new with them, they’re not sure what their plans are. But that’s not the only reason I called us together.”
    “Naw, I didn’t see her. Dolf was in the middle of something else when this went down,” Kirk answered Remi quietly.
    “And that’s the reason we’re here?” Remi asked.
    “Oh yeah.” Kirk nodded with a glance at Heller.
    Armonty frowned at the two speaking in whispers, and they abruptly hushed. “It seems one of my betas has found his mate. Heller? Would you like to take things over now?”
    “Um….” I froze in my seat.
    Remi jerked his head toward me. “Whoa, dude. A mate? Go Heller.” Remi punched my shoulder. “Who’s the unlucky soul? When do we get to meet…. Ah, is it a him or