Page 24 of Abundant Moon
His wolf continued to fixate on the one particular scent, but logically if the man were from Gladstone itwouldbe stronger here. He didn’t see any reason to examine the connection further and Robert’s attempt to quiet his wolf failed. He disregarded the chub in his pants as a simple reaction to the delicious security guard. End of story.
The gates began to lift and the friendly sentry waved him through. Whatever this pack had going on, they were certainly efficient, and he heartily approved of the paved road. If Donna’s verbal description of her new home was accurate, Gladstone promised to be full of surprises. Only minutes later, the winding lane curved sharply to the right, leading into a large graveled lot. Bundled up against the cold, Donna stood waiting for him next to an enormous tree and an empty parking spot.
Robert stopped the car and grabbed his coat from the passenger seat. Donna rushed over with open arms and a wide smile to greet him.
“Donna-bo-bonna!”
“Robbie!”
Without conscious thought, he took in his sister’s altered scent, along with a fresh pang of grief over the loss of her first mate. Another scent assailed his senses, and he prolonged the hug to steady himself. His wolf noticed too, wagging in pleasure for some reason he couldn’t fathom. He must be happy to see Donna - virtually the only shifter Robert ever came into contact with. He mentally thumped the stubborn beast on the nose, settling him down reluctantly.
Donna pulled back to get a better look at her big brother and reached up to snag the dark aviator sunglasses from his face.
“Better. I want to seeyou, not a reflection of me! It’s been too long, but I’m glad you’re here now.”
Robert smiled brightly, pausing to zip up his coat.
“You look great, sis! I figured you’d be working today.”
“I took some time off to spend with you. Who knows what kind of mischief you’d get up to otherwise? Let’s take your things to the house and then I’ll show you around.”
The sudden scent of ALPHA turned Robert’s head at the approach of a handsome, dark-haired shifter. The man looked friendly enough, joining them with his hand extended.
“You must be Robert! I’m Ben Blair, Gladstone’s Alpha.”
Robert managed a quick glance at a wide-eyed Donna and swallowed hard. He hadn’t been this close to an Alpha - any Alpha - since his youth, and it made his skin crawl. He could do this – be polite, say a few words, get away. He shook Ben’s hand and took a step closer to Donna on reflex alone.
“Robert Atherton. Pleased to meet you, Mister Blair.”
He was anythingbutpleased - his scent a dead giveaway. If Blair noticed, he hid it well.
“I’d like to invite you, Donna, and Lou to supper tonight with my family. Erin and Micah are welcome to join us as well if they’re free. My chef is planning something special and tells me he’s a huge fan of your work in the trades. He can’t wait to meet you.”
Chef? The man had a personal chef? What kind of packwasthis? Both surprised and pleased, Robert gave him a flustered smile.
“How kind. Tell him I look forward to sampling his work. If you will excuse me, I’m weary from the long drive and need to freshen up. Until tonight then.”
Robert turned to pull a suitcase, duffle, and garment bag from the back seat and looked up to find the Alpha gone and Donna stifling a laugh. He’d never traveled lightly and she’d teased him about it every time he came to see her. Something told him she found the situation amusing for some other reason.
“Just like a boy scout – always prepared for anything!”
Robert ignored the jab, looking down his nose at her.
“I haveneverbeen a boy scout, my dear, as you well know. You were behind that dinner invitation, weren’t you?”
Grinning, she shook her head and took the garment bag, leading the way towards her home.
“No, but it doesn’t surprise me. Ben and his family love meeting new people. You’ll like Evan and the kids, too.”
It took a moment for the non sequitur to register in his brain, almost falling as his dress shoes skidded on the slippery path.
“Wait – the pack Alpha has a male mate andchildren? Everyone knows there’s no such thing as a gay Alpha, and where did the kids come from?”
Donna’s smile faded and she shook her head.
“You have a lot to learn, Robbie. Let’s get you to the house and we can talk over a cup of your favorite coffee.”
“Don’t call meRobbie!”
