Pandemonium by R.E. Butler
Chapter One
Pandemonium “Demi” Bennett watched as the last of her lion shifter students was picked up at the curb in front of the pride school. She smiled and waved at the young male, who gave her a wide grin, showcasing two missing front teeth. Demi shouldered her bag and headed to her car in the teachers’ parking lot. Fridays were her favorite for a number of reasons, the main one being that she had a full two days ahead of her with nothing to do except enjoy her free time.
Her mind spun with the possibilities for the night as she drove to the split-double home she shared with her brother, Hemi, and his new mate Annie. She could give herself a mani-pedi and binge-watch one of her favorite standby shows, or she could invite her bestie, China, over for popcorn and a girls’ night.
Her phone rang through the speaker in her car and she pressed the button on the navigation screen to answer.
“Hi Mom,” she said.
“Hello, dear,” her mother, Tabitha, said. “Are you on your way home?”
“Yep.”
“How was your day?”
Demi smiled. Her relationship with her parents had been super-strained the last few weeks. An alpha lion from another pride had decided that Demi was his mate. Aside from her lioness not being remotely interested in Benecio, she didn’t like asshats who simply decided that she was going to do something and expected her to toe the line. She’d told the alpha in no uncertain terms that she wasn’t the female for him, but he was persistent, even going so far as to convince her parents that he was the right choice for her.
They’d tried to pressure her to mate him. At the time, they’d been very pro-lion and arranged matings, and it had nearly ruined their relationship entirely.
But then her brother had found Annie, who was human, and they were heart-matches, chosen not through an arrangement, but through desire. Annie had tried to sacrifice herself to save Demi’s parents, and that had changed her parents’ views on mates. They’d welcomed Annie into the family and told Demi they supported her right to say no to Benecio. Her dad had even gone with their alpha to tell Benecio to take a hike and never speak to anyone in their family again.
Demi’s relationship with her parents was healing. Her mom reaching out like this was just proof that things were on the mend. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed her mom’s check-in calls until they’d stopped.
“I had a pretty good day.” She’d been teaching at the pride school for a few years. Before Annie had come along, Demi had taught kindergarten. When Annie joined the ranks of teachers at the school, she had taken over the youngest class and Demi had moved up to a combination first and second grade class. Their school was small since the pride wasn’t too large, and most of the classes were combinations of grades with one teacher. Demi had only three kids in her class, but they were a lot of fun to teach.
“We were outside for gym and Wyatt climbed a tree and nearly scared me to death when I couldn’t find him.”
Her mom chuckled. “The young males always keep us on our toes. Do you have plans for tonight?”
“Nah. I was just trying to decide what I wanted to do.”
“You’re welcome to come over and watch a movie with us. Your father and I are rewatching the movies from the first year of our mating.”
“Oh? Why?”
Her mom hummed. “Just feeling nostalgic, I suppose. You know what amazes me?”
“What’s that?”
“How many people smoked in movies thirty years ago. I mean, honestly. Everyone did! Now you hardly see anyone but a villain smoke.”
“I never really thought about it, but I guess you’re right.”
“So, if you want to do something fun, like listen to your father explain every single movie an actor or actress has been in, then come on by. I’m making kettle corn.”
Demi smiled. Her father loved to figure out what other things he’d seen actors in. It was both endearing and frustrating, especially when he chatted during important scenes in movies. “I would love some of your kettle corn. I’ll let you know.”
“I’ll save you some either way. Love you, honey.”
“Love you too.”
The call ended just as Demi pulled into the driveway of her place. She grabbed her bag and headed to the front door.
“Hey Demi!”
Demi turned around and waved at Annie, who was getting out of her own car. “Hi. How were the munchkins?”
“Great. Do you miss them?”
“Sometimes. But I love my new kids.”
“I’m glad. We’re going to Tails tonight to hear a band audition. Wanna join us?”
“When?”
“We’re eating first. So maybe eight?”
Suddenly, that sounded like the best idea for how to spend her night. “I can do that. I didn’t have plans tonight, anyway. I’ll meet you there.”
“We’ll save you a seat.”
Annie disappeared into hers and Hemi’s side of the house, and Demi walked into hers. Her side of the split-double had two bedrooms, a large kitchen, and a cute back patio with a lounger where she often spent sunny weekend afternoons reading.
She dropped her bag on the counter, then took out her phone and dialed China, using the speakerphone so she could rummage in the fridge for something for dinner.
“What’s up girl?” China asked when she answered.
“Hey! Not much, just looking to see if I have any of your fabulous chicken spaghetti left.” China was a great cook and shared a lot of meals with Demi, filling her fridge and freezer with tasty food. “Ah, dang it. I must’ve finished it all.”
“Sorry, babe. My cousin Zeke was over earlier today and snarfed the rest of it. And then he ate half of the pepperoni and sausage calzone I made, so I’m fresh out of food.”
“Boo. But anyway, part of the reason I called is because Annie invited me to join her and Hemi at the bar tonight to listen to the new band. I guess one’s auditioning?”
The bar—Tails—had lost its house band when the members attacked one of the bouncers and attempted to get him to give up his human mate. The owners had been auditioning bands since then, but Demi had never heard any of the auditions. Hemi worked at the bar as a bartender, and China was a waitress. Demi sometimes waitressed if she was needed, but she really preferred to hang out and listen to music in the bar rather than deal with customers.
“Yeah, they’re called Midnight Grizzlies.”
Demi hummed. “I take it they’re grizzly shifters?”
“Yep. There’s four of them. I don’t know the whole story, but I heard Titus and Duke talking about how if they became the house band that they’d have to decide whether they could hunt in our territory, or if they’d need to secure a place outside of Kedrick for that.”
“That’s pretty cool. So, are you in?”
“You bet. What time?”
“Eight.”
“I’ll meet you there.”
“Cool. Tomorrow I’ll bring over a calzone for you for lunch.”
“You’re the best.”
“I know. And you’re damn lucky to know me.”
“I am, you loon.” Demi laughed and said goodbye to her bestie, then turned her attention back to the fridge. She had a few hours to kill until she needed to head to the bar, so she pulled out sandwich fixings and closed the door with her hip. “Sandwich, mani-pedi, and a few episodes of my favorite show. Sounds like just the way to unwind after a long day.”
Her interest was piqued by the grizzly shifters playing that night, and she decided it would be a good night for new things. New nail polish color, new skirt she’d been wanting to wear, and new shifters in Kedrick.
Who knew what the night would bring?
