audience yelled out, bringing Dian back into the here and now. He frowned as he recognized the speaker. Ronald Rabbit.
“Kee’s pixie dust is no concern of yours,” Cam said quickly. Dian remembered Kee had spoken to Cam about how Ronald had behaved with Eagle when he’d asked for time off to bond. “It isn’t going to magically give you a personality transplant.”
“I wasn’t asking for me.” The ‘asshole’ was unsaid but implied. “My brother, Roger, he’s been having some trouble and he’s real sick. I mean really sick. He couldn’t even make the meeting today. He hasn’t left his bed in days.”
“Why wasn’t I told?” Doc said, sounding as grumpy as Dian felt. “I’d have come and seen him, you know that.”
“He’s suffering mating sickness,” Ronald snapped. “I didn’t think a regular doctor could help with that. I know not many people care about our little family in this town, but I care about him. Maybe if Pierce didn’t walk around flaunting his sweet, pregnant rabbit, Roger would have had a chance, but oh, no. Pierce has to stay in town to look after the Sensational Sarah, and who the hell cares that the wolf he sends to do his truck runs is the same wolf who rejected my brother.”
“Honestly?” Pierce, who was of course sitting next to Sarah stood up. “Why am I only hearing about this now? How long has Reckless known he had a mate?”
“Since the day you met Sarah, but what do you care?” Ronald yelled. “He told my poor brother that you, his boss and friend, hated the thought of anyone you were associated with having a same sex mate. He then heaped insult on injury and told my brother that he wasn’t going to stoop to having a skuzzy pool shark prey animal as a mate. He finished his one-two punch with the knockout blow – that he wouldn’t touch my poor brother if Roger was the last man on earth.”
Gasps and angry snarls sounded around the room – at least fifty percent of the couples in the hall were same sex, and the mixture of prey and predatory shifters were about the same.
“Tell me that’s not true!” Sarah cried, jumping to her feet. “Tell me, Pierce, in front of all our friends, tell me that’s not true and you didn’t insult same sex matings when you’re talking with your friends. Tell me!”
“I didn’t.” Pierce’s face was white. “I’ve joked a time or two, and yeah, me and my friends came from a pack where that wasn’t allowed, but I accepted you from the moment I met you, you know that and all your friends too. I don’t know what’s wrong with Reckless…”
“He’s an asshole, that’s what he is,” Ronald interrupted. “Kee please.” To Dian’s horror, Ronald sank to his knees, and this time he wasn’t faking anything. “My brother’s dying and now we’ve got no food in the house because Roger’s not making money on the tables anymore. I know I upset you, fainting and crying at your mate, and I did wrong by Eagle, but please, we’re desperate here. There has to be something you can do.”
Kee looked as if he was going to cry and Seth wasn’t much better. Thinking quickly, Dian said, “Mr. Mayor, I don’t think poor Roger’s troubles should be discussed in public like this. I know my mate would love to help in any way he can, but please, if we just have the vote, and then I promise we’ll do what we can.”
“If the rabbit has mating sickness the best thing that could be done is to bring his mate back which you might want to get onto, Pierce,” Doc said darkly. “But I agree with Obsidian, this isn’t the time or place. Ra?”
Ra nodded – he was holding Annabelle in his arms and she had tears on her cheeks. “Show of hands please – who votes Kee and Obsidian stay?”
Every hand in the hall went up.
“Any dissents?” Ra scanned the hall. “No? Great, Kee and Dian have now been granted sanctuary in our town, which means no one is allowed to disclose to any non-local their whereabouts. Let’s remember we do our best to keep everyone safe in our little town. Thank you all for your help and support. Enjoy your day. Ronald, can you stay behind please, the rest of you can go.”
Chapter Fifteen
Kee felt like an absolute shit. Some of his parent’s teachings had stuck with him after he’d left home – the