Page 66 of The Rabbit's Foot
“Why would you want it?”
Damon scrubbed a hand over his face. “This whole thing is a clusterfuck,” he admitted. “Between Gwyneth and Lydia, we’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s happened here and our response to it. I’ve put out a request to the packs looking for people to come here and help out.”
That sounded good, but it also led to other questions. “Why here? Wouldn’t it be easier to take them back to the packlands?”
“Before she left, Cece spoke with a psychiatrist who is a shifter. She wants to help out, but can’t leave her practice to come here. She’s offered to do Skype calls whenever she can, and she’s also spoken with a few of her friends who are counselors. They’ve agreed to help out as well.”
“That still doesn’t explain why here. This place stole their lives from them.”
“Yes, but you’re forgetting one very important thing. To many of them, this is the only place they know. As awful as it was, there is a sense of familiarity here for them. Maybe as we help them out, the people will be able to heal and step out into the world again.”
It was a twisted bit of logic, but Mal could see it making some sense. Better a place you know than to go somewhere totally new and have no idea how to deal with it.
“I was assured by the people who I’ve spoken with that we’ll be able to get this property. When I asked for specs, they told me the complex goes down three stories, and each is connected by stairs, ramps, and elevators. If I had to guess, I’d say Alp made his way outside via one of the ramps. There are many exits for fire safety, but only two main ones for entrance and egress.
“There are hundreds of labs and research rooms. Hyde was only using about ten percent of the space available, so most of the building is untouched, which works in our favor. The whole complex sits beneath forty thousand acres of woods, a lake, and some of the most beautiful fields I’ve ever seen, full of lush foliage, flowers, and plants bursting with color.”
It made Mal think of the day he and Alp had lain beside the lake and Alp had come to him, then shifted.
“I’ve also spoken with the Firsts and leaders of several packs. They’re all horrified that this happened, and worse, that no one knew about it. Hyde made people disappear, and no one questioned it. The leaders have pledged money and people to help get this place fixed up. They’re sending an advance team to see what needs to be done, but they’re figuring if things are in good shape, it’ll take a month or so to do it all. If they work section by section, at least people would have a place to live. There are three full kitchens, and several smaller ones throughout the building, so that’ll help. The equipment needs a desperate upgrade, but that’s easy to deal with.”
Mal frowned. “And the government is just going to sell this to you?”
“Well, you see, old chap, I’m an eccentric millionaire who wants to have a bunker for the hard times I know are coming.”
“That’s all well and good, and I’m glad you’re thinking about this, but how will you run the pack in Maryland and still oversee this one?”
“And now we come to the thrust of the story. I wouldn’t. It would be physically impossible for me to take care of two packs on opposite ends of the country and still serve their needs properly.”
“So you’d bring in someone? I mean, considering what happened, it would have to be someone you can trust not to abuse these people any more than they have been.”
“Yes, that’s my thoughts exactly. It would have to be someone strong enough to say no, but also flexible enough to understand that he doesn’t know everything and is willing to listen to others.”
The thought these people might get a real bastard made Mal’s stomach churn. He couldn’t imagine the hardships they’d have to deal with in the coming years.
“And he’d have to have a strong mate, someone who is kind, considerate, and won’t let anyone walk over them. They’d also need to have the balls to stand up for these people, even if it’s against their First.”
“Good luck. I don’t know where you’re going to find anyone like that,” Mal scoffed.
Damon shook his head. “Alp? Am I being too subtle?”
“No, I understood, and I think it’s a fantastic idea.”
Mal gazed from Alp to Damon and back again. “What are you two talking about?”
Damon waved a hand at Alp. “Go ahead and explain it to him.”
Alp went back to the bed and lay next to Mal. He stroked a hand over his hip, then leaned in and kissed his chin. “What Damon is saying is he wants this to be your—our—pack.”
Mal shook his head to clear the fuzz that settled in it, certain the toxins were responsible for him obviously being deaf. “He fucking wants what?”
Chapter 22
They’re fucking insane. They have to be. That’s the only answer. No way in hell could I run a pack.
Mal lay there, fuming. After Damon had dropped his bombshell, he left the room. Alp, the traitor, was grinning like a loon.
“Our pack,” he said, clutching Mal’s arm. “Maker, it gives me tingles to even think about it.”
