Page 87 of Forbidden Moon
“Me, too. I know we’ll both have to return to work sometime soon, but for now, would you be willing to stay with me? If you’d rather, I’ll come here instead, or we can trade-off.”
Relieved, RJ kissed him.
“Yes. I wanted to ask the same thing but didn’t want you to think I was pushing for too much, too soon. I think... I think it would be safer if I stayed on the Preserve until they catch the people who are harassing you. This place is too remote, and I don’t want to risk your safety.”
“You will? I can’t tell you how much it means to me.”
They shared some lazy kisses and then rested in each other’s arms until Jonah’s phone alarm sounded. He sat up when he remembered why he’d set it.
“Uh oh. We have thirty minutes to get cleaned up before supper with Ben and Evan. First one to the shower gets the soap!”
Chapter 34
WEDNESDAY, EARLY EVENING
What a day! Ben leaned back in his office chair, eyes closed, to consider recent events and what they learned. One thing today’s incursion revealed was the gaping blind spot in their security net. Everything they’d done so far was predicated on the concept of stopping intruders at or near the border, thus preventing them from seriously endangering the central compound. They hadn’t even considered the possibility of stowaways being delivered right into the heart of their packlands!
No one blamed Doogie or Troy, as they happened to be in the wrong place at the right time. Caleb corrected the scheduling snafu, ensuring that men assigned to guardhouse duty underwent training first. The risk was too great to leave anything to chance.
The new escape route, now completed and ready for use, provided an essential safety valve. Everyone, of course, hoped to never need the thing, but having it there lifted the overall anxiety level. It also freed up more manpower to watch for intruders.
Discovering YooperTrooper’s identity gave Ben and the others a tangible enemy to confront, at least mentally and emotionally. They now knew the purpose of the incursions and attacks and the enemy’s ultimate goal. The information brought much-needed progress and opened up new possibilities for dealing with the Michigan Foresters and their deluded leader, Russell Hook.
Robyn and Artem made an unbeatable surveillance team, with both Oscar and Caleb singing their praises. Ben overheard Artem’s short-lived attempt to convince her to return to Duluth with them and work with Sheppard’s team. She shut him down without hesitation.
“I have everything I need here, Artem. This pack is... you have no idea what you’re asking me to give up. Gladstone is my home and family now. I’m not going anywhere.”
Even with the pack under duress, Ben’s people remained upbeat and flexible. He hadn’t heard any complaints about the restrictions or temporary changes in their way of life, and they were also watching out for one another. It certainly made his job easier, and he was enormously proud of his people.
Closer to home, he and Evan were hosting supper tonight for Jonah and RJ. So far, their relationship seemed to be on track, with RJ’s ever-deepening attachment to his mate. It remained to be seen how he would react to the news of their shifter nature. Ben agreed with Evan that it would probably be the cause of their temporary parting. Ben wished they could skip over this part and get to happily ever after.
Evan abruptly opened the mind-link, flooding him with love and support.
“They’ll be here soon, babe. Are you stuck in meetings, or can you make it home for supper?”
“On my way, Ev. Got any plans for bedtime?”
“I’m yours, love. Any way you want me.”
####
EVAN ANSWERED THE DOOR, ushering his guests across the threshold. He hugged Jonah and greeted RJ warmly. Behind him, the six youngest members of the Blair family fidgeted impatiently for their turn to say hello. Evan leaned over with a word of warning for RJ.
“I told them not to swamp you, but holler if you need help.”
