Jacob picked Keamon up and drove him to the den. Marcus greeted his friend with a hug and invited him to his special room. The two walked to the man cave where they would often sit and just enjoy visiting. The man cave was a room Marcus created in his home when he wanted absolute privacy. No one entered without an explicit invitation.
He was a creature of comfort, so he had a stereo system with copies of his favorite music on compact disc. There was a small television that he could watch the game on. He even had a section with a computer in case he wanted to go online or play games. The furniture was simple, one overstuff sofa with two adult size bean bags, a private frig which held his favorite drinks, a small bed to nap in, and a small electric heater/air conditioner to adjust the temperature when he needed to. It wasn't aesthetically beautiful, but it fulfilled his needs, and for Marcus, that was enough.
Keamon had a seat and Marcus offered him a drink. He had in stock different beverages from all over the region. In truth, Marcus could make any type of mixture one desired, but that was a secret he only shared with his best friend. Years earlier, after Alpha Jermyo passed, Keamon was visiting with him and was curious. He asked Marcus, "Why have a private room? Just ban everyone out of your bed room or create a private office?
Marcus laughed, but there was no real joy in his laughter, and said, "I tried that. But since Papa passed, I've been acting Alpha here. The wolves all report here, day and night. Since this is a temporary alpha home, the pack has free access. So I made my space, my man cave. No one enters unless I invite them." He walked over to a wall where he had pictures of his father, mother, cousins, and other beloved pack members.
Keamon nodded. Then he suggested, "Why not simply open the main house? You can work from there and leave your home for you."
Marcus eyes became moist. "I am not Alpha Keamon. I will not take up residence of any kind in the Alpha home." Marcus shook his head to dismiss that memory. Keamon waited a moment and allowed his friend time to remember.
Marcus Kingsley was a good man, a strong leader, but too often he doubted himself. Soon he turned to his friend and smiled. His joy at seeing him evident in his eyes, "Hey, Keamon, I'm so glad to see you. It's been too long. But something tells me this is not a social visit." Marcus stated.
Keamon smiled, "Old friend, you are right. I have dire news, but if we act we can stop evil from taking hold." He explained.
Marcus offered him a seat and sat down beside him and said, "Explain."
Keamon asked one question. "Do you remember Alpha Jermyo telling us about the Were princess before he passed? We had to be vigilant and keep her safe."
Chills, Marcus felt chills course through his tall frame. He stood and walked away from his friend. "Keamon, what has happened?" he demanded, knowing that his friend had special gifts. If he came to him, then their world was about to change.
Keamon took a breath and continued. "The Old Shaman, Frank, has left this plane. He passed months ago. His power went into his only living relative, Lionel."
Lionel, Ja'Mal said that guy hates him. Marcus stopped breathing and nodded, "Keep going." He ordered.
"Lionel is Shaman and he is powerful now, too powerful. He wants to obtain the highest level of a power and become a demi-God. To achieve this he needs to mate with the wajanlpi. She is key to him ruling over both human and Were alike." Keamon took a breath. "He knows who she is. He has always known. She is in danger. He will force her to mate with him, even if he has to destroy the ones closest to her to do so. I am afraid Marcus. Lionel is worse than Frank ever was. He has no conscience, no moral meter. If we unite, we can buy some time until he can be stopped." Keamon explained. Marcus listened, but he had to ask.
