#greg keaton

Summary: As an unempowered person, Angel’s life goal is supposed to be straightforward: match with any empowered person who would take them and secure a real future. But when the infamous Quinn Fox invades Dahlia and citizens are asked to defend their home, Angel makes an impossible choice. To prevent their ailing foster-alpha from having to serve, Angel impersonates an empowered person and lands right in the middle of a whirlwind adventure. With a helpful empathy-daemon by their side, a rag-tag crew led by one grumpy (but handsome) alpha, and the smarts that come along with living in a magical world as an unempowered person, Angel sets out to save their home and bring honor to their pack.

Rated: T ; Word Count: ~34K over 26 chapters

Characters: Angel, David Shaw, Caelum, Quinn, Gregory Keaton, Milo Greer, Sweetheart, Asher, Colm Greer, Marie Greer, Gabe Shaw, Avior, Morgan Kyne, Damien, Huxley, Freelancer, Geordi, Treasure, Porter Solaire, Cutie, Alexis Getty, Felix, Corvus, Vega, Gavin, Warden, Brachium, Scorpius, Darling, Sam Collins, Lasko, Xavier

“By order of the Empress,” Colm continued, “One empowered person from every family must serve in the Dahlian guard.” He pulled out a stack of envelopes from his pocket. “The Watkins family!” He held out an envelope with the surname written in decorative script. 

A contra water-elemental stepped forward and accepted the proffered envelope. “I’m Janine Watkins,” she said simply. “I am ready to serve Empress Marie.” 

Colm didn’t bother giving her a second glance. “The Tamât family!”

An old polar bear shifter started to wobble forward to meet Colm, but a younger man from behind him said, “No, Aataa.” Standing tall, the younger polar bear extended a meaty hand to take the envelope from Colm. “My name is Everett Tamât. I will serve in my grandfather’s place.” 

“Very well,” Colm allowed with a nod. “The Belutti family!” 

Angel watched as the pattern continued, with empowered people of all kinds volunteering to protect their people from Quinn’s ruthlessness and brutality.  

“The Keaton family!” Colm finally called. 

“No…” Angel quaked, descending the roof as quickly as he could. 

Head bowed, Greg put aside his cane and took slow, deliberate steps towards Colm. His limp was pronounced as he hobbled forward. The crowd parted for the wolf, clearing his path. “I am ready to fulfill my duty,” he declared. 

“No!” Angel screeched, running through the empowered crowd. “Alpha Greg, no! You can’t go!” They stepped in between Greg and Colm, keeping the former behind them. “Please, sir, you have to understand, my alpha has already served his time in the guard. He w-” 

“Silence!” Colm growled, cocking his head to address Greg. “You’d do well to remind your… pack member…” He spat the phrase with disbelief and disgust. “Of their place.”

Greg looked away. “Angel… Go home,” he instructed darkly. “You don’t belong here.” 

“But…?” 

Treasure and Geordi helped escort a shocked Angel away from the commotion. 

Swallowing, Greg accepted the envelope. He tried to massage his hip joint without anyone noticing. The last thing he wanted was for it to lock up and prevent him from returning home without help. 

“Report tomorrow to the Dahlia Academy for Security and Strength campsite for your training,” Colm reminded Greg with a sneer. 

Still… Greg wasn’t naive. Angel was the only one of the trio who had yet to find their match. Now Geordi had his cute telepath partner and Treasure, their vampire named Porter. Both loved his children with their whole hearts. If Angel could find an empowered partner as Gerodi and Treasure had, Greg could breathe a little easier. He wouldn’t need to worry about his youngest’s prospects any longer. 

“Alpha Greg!” Angel called, carrying a tray of roasted nuts, assorted meats, and a variety of cheeses as they weaved through Aggro’s dizzying route. 

“Angel…” Greg began in that nagging tone he often took with them. He eyed the food, deciding between a piece of turkey or a handful of nuts. 

Jingly ball forgotten at the scent of the platter, Aggro leapt up onto the tray to snatch the piece of turkey right out of Greg’s fingers. 

“Ah!” Angel quickly scolded, though they did take the opportunity to remove the almost-bare duster from Aggro’s collar. “No problem. There’s venison here,” they pointed. 

Greg’s annoyance was not meat-related. “Angel…”

“You know what the healer said,” Angel affirmed, hoping that avoidance might finally be an effective method to steer the conversation away from anything but their upcoming match. “High protein throughout the day will help you retain the muscle you do have.”

“Angel…” 

Angel took the opportunity to shove a slice of venison into Greg’s open mouth. It was savory and perfectly cured. He couldn’t help the smile as he chewed. “Angel,” he said after swallowing and reaching for another. “You should already be in town. I’m counting on you to…”