by Brenda Trim
“Mama G,” Zane greeted and gently hugged the petite woman. Her name was Gladys, and when Zane was born, she refused to be called grandmother, granny, nanny, or anything remotely associated with the elderly term, so Mama G was born. “You know I don’t waste my time or money on those places.”
“Are you gay, Zaney? I have yet to see you with a woman, and I know they throw themselves at you,” his grandmother said as she reached up and patted his cheek. “Those money-hungry floozies probably toss panties at you when you walk down the street,” she added. Zane couldn’t help but laugh. His Mama G had no filter, and one never knew what was coming out of her mouth next.
“No, Mama G, I’m not gay. And, no one has been good enough to meet the likes of you,” he told her and placed a kiss on her cheek.
“Good point. This is why you’re the lawyer in the family,” his grandmother observed then made her way to the kitchen table and sat down beside his father.
“Where’s Papa Sam?” Zane asked, referring to his grandfather.
“He’s taking his third nap of the day, the lazy bastard,” Mama G blurted with a laugh. “So, tell us where you’ve been hiding, if not between the legs of some harlot,” she said with a wave of her hand.
Zane shook his head and glanced to his mom. She rolled her eyes as she swirled a spoon in her large mixing bowl. His dad chuckled but didn’t look up from his card game.
“I was in Tennessee. Chattanooga to be exact,” he replied and leaned against the kitchen counter.
“Whatever for?” his mom asked as she poured the contents of her bowl into three cake pans. If Zane wasn’t mistaken, she was whipping up her famous strawberry cake.
Zane carefully considered his next words. He wasn’t sure how they would react to his involvement in the shifter case. “I went there for a murder case,” he relayed and reached over and swiped his finger through the leftover batter. His mom quickly swatted his hand away but not before he scooped a mouthful.
“I thought your caseload was full here. Why go all the way to Chattanooga?” his dad piped in. He didn’t appear to be listening to the conversation, but Zane knew he was soaking in every word.
“This case was unique. Erika Pittman was on trial for murder, but the truth was she protected a man from being murdered,” he explained.
“Is Erika Superwoman?” Mama G interrupted. “Why did a man need her protection?”
“You could say she’s Superwoman. She’s a shifter.”
The room fell silent.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at Zane like he suddenly sprouted two heads.
“Why in the world would you get involved with them, Zane?” his mother finally blurted.
“Because it was the right thing to do, Mom. They need someone to fight for their rights. It’s reprehensible how shifters are treated.”
“Let someone else come to their rescue, Zane. This is not an issue you want to get involved with,” his dad advised and set down his stack of cards as he pinned Zane with a glare.
“The pack leader, Lawson Scott, has asked me to return. I can live with them until I find a place of my own. It’s unstable in Chattanooga, and someone needs to help shifters take a stand against existing laws. Someone who possesses my knowledge,” Zane admitted as he met his grandmother’s gaze. The most outspoken of the group had yet to say a word, and he wondered why.
“Please don’t go, Zane. We’ve lived our lives just fine until now. We don’t need this,” him mom pleaded.
“I thought you’d be proud of me taking a stand. It’s our heritage,” he countered as he locked gazes with each of his family members. How could they turn their backs on who they were? It didn’t make sense to him.
His mom tossed her dishtowel aside and fled the room. His dad quickly followed but not before he shot Zane a menacing glare. Zane looked to his grandmother and shrugged. “I don’t understand, Mama G. Your mother was a shifter. Wouldn’t you want me to defend them?”
She sat and stared at him for several seconds. Her warm brown eyes sparked with life and she smiled. “Yes, Zaney. I do want that. You know, I was forced to suppress my natural instincts because my mother hated what she was. I was taught to hate shifters my entire life, but I never accepted that. At least, not in my heart. I will tell you what I wish I’d been told. And that is to follow your heart. Don’t let anyone tell you what or how you should feel. It scares me to think of what you might face, but if you don’t do this, you’ll regret it for the rest of your days. Trust me. You don’t want to live your life that way.”
And she stood from the table and walked to stand in front of Zane. “I don’t know what the future holds, or if we’ll see each other again in this lifetime, but know we will meet again. I love you, Zaney. I, for one, couldn’t be prouder of you,” she declared and wrapped her arms around his waist.
Zane wanted to tell her she was being silly. Of course, they’d see each other again. But something stirred deep inside, and told him this was one of the moments when words weren’t needed, so he held his grandmother tight and whispered, “I love you more, Mama G.”
He hadn’t decided if he was returning to Hollow Rock until his grandmother spoke. She’d obviously lived a long time full of regret, and didn’t want him to follow in her footsteps. And, she was right. He’d never forgive himself if he didn’t go. The shifters needed him, and he owed it to his ancestors to fight for what they deserved.
Authors’ Note
With new digital download trends, authors rely on readers to spread the word more than ever. Here are some ways to help us.
Leave a review! Every author asks their readers to take five minutes and let others know how much you enjoyed their work. Here’s the reason why. Reviews help your favorite authors to become visible. It’s simple and easy to do. If you are a Kindle user turn to the last page and leave a review before you close your book. For other retailers, just visit their online site and leave a brief review.
Don’t forget to visit our website: www.trimandjulka.com and sign up for our newsletter, which is jam-packed with exciting news and monthly giveaways. Also, be sure to visit and like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TrimAndJulka to see our daily themes, including hot guys, drink recipes and book teasers.
Trust your journey and remember that the future is yours and it’s filled with endless possibilities!
DREAM BIG!
XOXO,
Brenda & Tami
Other Works By Trim And Julka
The Dark Warrior Alliance
Dream Warrior (Dark Warrior Alliance, Book 1)
Mystik Warrior (Dark Warrior Alliance, Book 2)
Pema’s Storm (Dark Warrior Alliance, Book 3)
Isis’ Betrayal (Dark Warrior Alliance, Book 4)
Deviant Warrior (Dark Warrior Alliance, Book 5)
Suvi’s Revenge (Dark Warrior Alliance, Book 6)
Mistletoe & Mayhem (Dark Warrior Alliance, Novella)
Scarred Warrior (Dark Warrior Alliance, Book 7)
Heat in the Bayou (Dark Warrior Alliance, Novella, Book 7.5)
Hellbound Warrior (Dark Warrior Alliance, Book 8)
Isobel (Dark Warrior Alliance, Book 9)
Rogue Warrior (Dark Warrior Alliance, Book 10)
Shattered Warrior (Dark Warrior Alliance, Book 11)
King of Khoth (Dark Warrior Alliance, Book 12)
Ice Warrior (Dark Warrior Alliance, Book 13)
Fire Warrior (Dark Warrior Alliance, Book 14)
Ramiel (Dark Warrior Alliance, Book 15)
Rivaled Warrior (Dark Warrior Alliance, Book 16)
Dragon Knight of Khoth (Dark Warrior Alliance, Book 17)
Ayil (Dark Warrior Alliance, Book 18)
Dark Warrior Alliance Boxsets:
Dark Warrior Alliance Boxset Books 1-4
Dark Warrior Alliance Boxset Books 5-8
Dark Warrior Alliance Boxset Books 9-12
Dark Warrior Alliance Boxset Books 13-16
Hollow Rock Shifters:
Captivity, Hollow Rock Shifters Book 1
Safe Haven, Hollow Rock Shifters Book 2
Alpha, Hollow Rock Shifters Book 3
Ravin, Hollow Rock Shifters Book 4 Don’t miss out!
Click the button below and you can sign up to receive a FREE copy of Heat in the Bayou plus emails from Trim and Julka about new releases, fantastic giveaways, and their latest hand made jewelry. There’s no charge and no obligation.
