Page 75 of Ascendant Moon
Lincoln arrived at his borrowed digs for the night, scent-marking around the den’s opening. Inside, he had a thick bed of crinkly leaves to lay on, and curled up in a tight ball. For the first time in weeks, he wasn’t a prisoner with no rights, no voice, and no choices. Just the thought of Bruce made Lincoln shiver with fear and loathing. He didn’t know what the future looked like, but regaining his freedom was an exciting first step.
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Saturday, 1:30 a.m., Gladstone
Swirling mists ended the dream and Evan awoke where he’d fallen asleep—playing little spoon to Ben’s warm, bulky body. He’d had dreams involving Gladstone many times before but this one had a different feel to it. Something foreboding, a burst of hope, and then a happy ending of sorts. The first scene included a pregnant shifter in wolf form, confined and desperate to escape. Another wolf appeared and the two were seen running eastward toward the rising sun. Next, the first shifter arrived at the burn scar, followed by a collage of images that included the second wolf, Donna, and a vicious fight. The final vignette was of a smiling Scooter in human form with the pregnant wolf happily stretched across his lap.
Evan pondered the dream, analyzing the various elements for clues. He’d received a vision some time back regarding Scooter and his mate, but it only revealed a happy couple and no details. Clearly, this was a warning that his packmate’s life was about to change, yet there was an overarching darkness that meant he and his mate had, or would, face hardship and danger. If the outdoor scenes were accurate, the events would transpire soon. With Scooter out of town for most of next week, how would that impact the timing of what he’d seen in the dream?
As usual, more questions than answers, but at least Evan could put security on notice to watch for the strangers. In this case, it wouldn’t hurt to inform in Ben, Lou, and Donna as well. Luna seemed to favor complicated matings for the Gladstone pack, though perhaps it was because there was a strong support system here. In any case, Nate Scoon was about to have his life turned on its head.
Chapter 38
Saturday, mid-morning, Seney packlands
In the grand scheme of things, receiving visitors wasn’t particularly noteworthy, even for a modestly sized pack. Had the guard on duty not been notified ahead of time, however, he would have been alarmed to find a sedan and two full-sized passenger vans pulling up to the main gate. Instead, he smiled warmly and waved the Gladstone entourage through with a shake of his head.
Once word got out that Ben and Evan intended to consult with Alpha Claybrook and his mates, the kids insisted that they be allowed to go along. That triggered an avalanche of hangers-on including the Wilsons, the Erwins, and the Calhouns. Four security guards were assigned to go with them, and the inclusion of a pregnant Omega in wolf form created a convoluted menagerie of sorts. With all the personal and professional connections between Seney and Gladstone, it actually made sense to combine what could have been four separate visits into one.
As expected, they pulled into the parking area to find a group waiting for them that included security, the entire Calhoun clan (including Wilder), the Picketts, Seth and his mates, and finally Zara and Margo—both obviously pregnant. It took a while to work through the welcome with everyone sniffing, hugging, and exchanging greetings. The Seney folks, however, were shocked to discover that Jonah was pregnant, and that RJ now bore the telltale scent of a shifter. Ben rescued him from uncomfortable questions with a carefully worded announcement.
“RJ’s situation is the result of True Elder intervention, based on recently acquired knowledge. Jonah is now carrying his mate’s pup, and we couldn’t be happier for them. I know you’re all curious, and after we meet with Leland and Wilder, they’ll be able to answersomeof your questions. For now, please don’t share this news outside of the pack.”
While the adults were intensely curious and a bit shaken, the children present simply accepted what their noses told them about RJ. No, they’d never seen a dark-skinned shifter before, but the significance meant little to them at this point. No doubt, they would have an easier time accepting turned humans as the practice spread during their formative years.
In any case, the group lavished extra attention on Jonah and Finn, who were now like two peas in a pod. Pregnant male Omegas were rare as hen’s teeth, and seeing two together was unheard of. Since Finn could mind-speak with his mates, he relayed a question to Seth.
“I know you have business with Alpha Blair, but could you invite Jonah to go for a run with me?”
Seth relayed the request and Jonah yipped excitedly. Moments later, the rest of the group decided to join them for a romp in the woods, promising to be back by lunchtime. That left Ben, Evan, Seth, Leland, and Wilder to walk a short distance to the Alpha’s lovely home, now surrounded by a security detail. Inside, the three True Elders claimed seats on the living room couch with Evan in the middle, while Ben and Seth sat in the facing easy chairs. One of the primary reasons for today’s visit was to share the news of turning humans and what had been decided at the Montana meeting.
Evan grasped a hand on either side and began a teaching dream that also included recent Gladstone news and Dante’s unique pack in Arizona. Meanwhile, Ben and Seth conferred on multiple topics while they kept a sharp eye on their mates. Though Wilder had no one waiting to reclaim him after the session, he would not walk away unaffected by the sexual tension in the room. When they were done, Evan intended to send him home with a suggestion for some private “me time” to alleviate the pressure.
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Ninety minutes later…
Lunch was a noisy affair, with simultaneous conversations, laughter, and the passing of the Calhoun triplets from one table to another. At five months, they weren’t quite old enough for their first shift, words, or steps—though they would be in about thirty days, and everyone loved to tease Roman and Lance about the challenges they faced. One thing the Gladstone contingent found familiar here was the tasty food. Unsurprising, since Zara and Margo had borrowed dozens of recipes from Michelle and Perdy before moving here with their pack.
The Erwins and the Picketts shared a table, enabling Perry and Orion to sit together for the meal. The boys were very close, and the two could get into more trouble than kids twice their age without any particular effort. Sofia and Abigail were delighted to discover that each of them were planning their next pregnancy before long, providing yet another bonding experience for them and their families.
Missing his mentor, Wilder chose to sit next to Evan so he could ask and answer questions. He spoke about school, his newfound family, and life at Seney. Evan told him about Donna’s twins, the next movie night coming up on Friday, and all the little thingsnot conveyed in his earlier exchange of teaching dreams. Ben and Seth’s conversation was filled with various pieces of advice on a wide range of topics that any young pack Alpha might encounter. One truly exciting bit of news was the possibility of adding new members.
“There’s eight families in Timber, a few miles south of here along the eastern border of the Seney National Wildlife Refuge. Until a couple of years ago, they were part of a pack, but their Alpha died, and no one has any interest in leading them. They reached out to us last month and we invited them up here for a visit. Nice people, with kids of all ages, and the property is owned by an older couple in the group. They’d sell it and use the money to build new homes here in the spring. We invited them to join us and expect an answer any day now.”
Following lunch, Seth and his mates took Ben and Evan on a quick tour of the current building sites. As they walked, Ben asked about the search for red wolf shifters, and Leland gave him the latest news.
“Alpha Sheppard’s teams have located only one so far—an older man living alone in the reintroduction area of eastern North Carolina. I have been told that he was quite pleased to learn that he is not the last of his kind. The man has asked if I would come and visit him, and it is my hope that he has knowledge of others in the area who have remained hidden.”
Ben had been waiting for this opportunity to speak with Leland in person about a somewhat radical idea. He wasn’t entirely certain that those in leadership would approve, but somehow he’d neglected to ask.
“Leland, I have an idea that may provide a way to reboot the red wolf shifter population. This is strictly between us, and I haven’tshared it with anyone except Evan. If you can locate a living red wolf Alpha, Beta, and Omega, the four of you could turn well-vetted humans to create the first pack.”
Seth hissed in surprise while Finn yipped excitedly at their feet. Leland’s face and scent revealed his astonishment first, followed by the ache of long buried hopes, and he burst into tears. His mates moved closer to reassure him, and it took a few moments for him to find his voice.
“Ben, I… I have not had time to consider such a method, but you may have found the way forward. The idea has merit, and my mates and I will certainly discuss it. Alpha Sheppard, I presume, has not been informed of this proposal?”
Ben shrugged his shoulders, an impish expression on his face.
