Haven 4: Back Roads Read Free Page B

finished with a disgusted huff.
    “That’s stupid.”
    Galen couldn’t agree more. “He won’t leave me alone, though. I don’t know what to do.”
    “If Bannon says you’re his mate, maybe it’s true.” Jory shrugged when Galen glared at him. “It seems like he would know better than anyone. Just because you don’t actually shift doesn’t mean that you don’t have some shifter blood in you somewhere.”
    “That’s the same thing Bannon said.” Galen sighed and rested his head on Kendall’s shoulder when his friend’s arm went around his back. “I’m scared.”
    “No shit,” Aslan said with a snort. “I don’t know how any of you guys do it. Your men are enormous! Don’t you ever worry about them squishing you while you’re sleeping? And how the hell does sex work with them? I’d think they’d crush you.” There was a moment of silence before Jory, Kendall, and Galen burst into laughter. “Oh, just wait,” Kendall gasped. “Your turn is coming.”
    “Sooner than you think,” Galen added with a smirk. “Have you talked to Torren yet?”
    Aslan wrinkled his nose and looked away. “I haven’t even met him. I know what Jonas said, but I think Torren showing up in my room as a ghosty thing was just a fluke, though. If I was really his mate, wouldn’t he be here with me now?” Galen didn’t have a good answer for that, so he said nothing at all.
    He had the exact opposite problem. His “mate” wouldn’t leave him alone. “We’re a mess, aren’t we?”
    His friends chuckled in agreement. “Yeah, I guess we are,” Jory answered. “You guys have it easy, though. They want me to be a freakin’ elder! What do I know about being in charge of anything? Hell, I still need Stavion to order my breakfast half the time because I can’t decide what I want to eat.”
    “You care, though,” Galen said seriously. “You have the biggest heart, and I think you could do a lot of good.”
    “Besides,” Aslan butted in with a smirk, “you’ll outrank Stavion if you accept the position.”
    This sent them all into more fits of giggles, and Galen was feeling much better. He was so lucky to have such wonderful friends.
    “I don’t think Stavion has realized that yet. I can just picture his face when I tell him.” Jory grinned mischievously and wiggled his eyebrows.
    “How long do you have to make a decision?” Aslan asked.
    “I told Layke that I’d let him know by Halloween.” Jory became serious again. “There’s just a lot to consider.”
    “Well, if it makes a difference, I think you’d be a wonderful elder.” Galen took Jory’s hand and squeezed it gently. “There are a lot more out there like us who need someone to speak for them, Jory. I know you’re supposed to represent the demons, but you’ll have the clout to help others, too.”
    Everyone was quiet for a long time, and Galen was sorry that he’d ruined the light mood. “How about pajama night? We haven’t had one of those in a while. No mates, though,” he added sternly.
    “What about Malakai?” Jory asked. “I haven’t seen much of him since he’s been back.” He shrugged and smiled. “I like him.” Galen liked the little vampire, too. “Okay, we can invite Malakai.
    I say we do it in your room, though. Kendall has the baby, so that’s out, and mine and Aslan’s rooms are too small.”
    “Stavion can stay with Cassius tonight if he doesn’t mind crashing on the couch and possibly a crying baby,” Kendall offered.
    Jory grinned. “I’ll convince him.”
    Happier than he’d been in weeks, Galen flopped back on his bed and sighed. He still didn’t know what to do about Bannon, but for one night, he wasn’t going to worry about it.

Chapter Two
    “I need you to locate a faerie by the name of Camdin Maywater.” Bannon frowned at Elder Winters. “I thought I was to find a witch?”
    “You will, but we need Camdin located as well.” Torren rose from his seat and walked around the big oak