Page 8 of Abundant Moon
Chapter 4
SCOOTER DIDN’T NORMALLYmind the post office run, but with Christmas coming the van was stuffed with cards, letters, and packages of every size and description. It took four stops to collect it all from the post office, on-line order lockers, and two shipping companies. It would have been easier to accept deliveries on packlands, but having so many humans in and out meant greater risk. Even intercepting them at the gate attracted too much unwanted attention, and Ben refused to allow it.
With today’s load on board, Scooter relaxed and concentrated on the road. Acquiring his driver’s license made him proud, and he didn’t want to disappoint the people who’d helped him reach such an important milestone. It wasn’t the only positive thing happening in his life, as he’d passed three out of four tests for his GED with high scores. He intended to tackle the last and most difficult one, language arts, after the first of the year. Afterwards, he’d enroll in the first available law enforcement class and get moving on his plan to become a deputy sheriff.
When Alpha Blair challenged him to take all this on, he feared failure would reveal him to be the stupid oaf his last pack thought he was. It hadn’t happened. In fact, he enjoyed learning, and did so well it gave his self esteem and confidence an enormous boost. Ben and the pack were so supportive and believed he could do anything he set his mind to. Well,almostanything. He hadn’t quite lost his penchant for unfortunate accidents of epic proportions. Murphy’s Law made regular, though less frequent, appearances despite his best attempts to bypass disaster.
Even with the recent heavy snows, the city and county did a great job of keeping the main routes cleared. Still, Scooter slowed carefully when he reached the turn off from highway two. Up ahead, the bright yellow security gates prevented unauthorized vehicles from entering packlands, and he slowed even further. As he stopped to check in at the gate, his ears picked up the harsh sound of snowmobiles. A glance in the rearview mirror spotted them crossing packlands from the east and turning south towards the central compound.
His wolf howled at him to STOP THEM before they got any further, but his recent security training made him realize he couldn’t do it in his vehicle. The only way to intercept them was on foot – four feet to be exact, and he leapt from the van, stripped down, and shifted even as the security guard at the gatehouse shouted something he didn’t catch. The snow hampered his speed slightly as he overtook the evil invaders and circled back around to come at them face to face.
The snowmobiles skidded to a stop when two frightened human males saw the enormous snarling wolf blocking their path. Muffled shouts of surprise were quickly followed by the gunning of engines as they turned around to escape. Snapping at their heels, Scooter chased them all the back to the highway, howling in victory as they scampered away at top speed. He watched them long enough to make sure they didn’t turn around before heading back to the gatehouse and his waiting vehicle. He shifted on the cold road, dressing hastily in the frigid air as the grinning guard approached, shaking his head.
“Uh, probably not the best idea you’ve ever had, Scooter. Caleb wants to see you in the packhouse when you get there.”
The gate went up and he carefully maneuvered the twisty lane leading to the central compound. What did he do wrong this time? He chased them off, no one got hurt, and his wolf seemed satisfied with the outcome. While he’d find out soon enough, he expected Caleb to patiently explain what he should have done instead, without making him feel like a moron. Working with such a man pleased him, and he appreciated being taught instead of yelled at.
The access road curved widely to the right before terminating at the large parking lot near the packhouse entrance. Scooter pulled up close to the main doors and began loading up a hand truck with boxes. Monday was cookie day in the kitchen, and the scent caused his stomach to rumble in anticipation. Back and forth he went, bringing the mail and packages inside to the large conference room. Everyone knew to check for them here, picking up their things at the next meal, thereby saving someone (probably him) the time-consuming task of door-to-door delivery.
Caleb arrived, helping him carry the last of it inside before they sat down at a table with a platter full of warm chocolate chunk cookies and a pitcher of cold milk. The security chief started out with casual conversation as they ate before getting to the main reason for their little meeting.
“All right, now what made you go after those snowmobiles?”
Scooter thought it obvious.
“I needed to stop them before they reached the central compound, and I knew I couldn’t do it in the van.”
Caleb smiled.
“I understand, but whyyouand why in wolf form?”
Calm as you please, Caleb exposed two big holes in Scooter’s impromptu mission.
“Uh, because the guard couldn’t leave the gatehouse and there was no way to catch them on foot? And... because my wolf told me to go after them.”
Caleb nodded his head, having anticipated Scooter’s reasoning.
“I see. Did you forget that security already knew they were there and were prepared to intercept them? Did you think firstbeforeshifting out in the open? Do you realize you could have been killed or injured?”
Scooter followed the line of thinking until the last question. A scrunched expression belied his confusion.
“What? I can outrun any human!”
The conversation paused as several people entered the packhouse. Carrying little Perry, Abigail came through the connecting door from Ben’s home, looking for a small package she expected among today’s delivery. Others, drawn by the chocolaty-sugar scent, came in search of cookies, including Zane and Trisha Metcalf. They stopped for a moment to scent Perry and ask how the new parents were getting along. Nolan burst through the door carrying his larger mate like a backpack, with nothing more than a “I lost a bet” for explanation. A little slice of Gladstone and a good reminder of who the security team protected.
