Page 69 of Forbidden Moon
Responses came in from both teams, already on the move.
Artem sighed heavily and activated another drone. This one would have to remain out of gunshot range, but it would provide a bird’s eye view of the action. He spared a glance at the three men behind him.
“Those guys are playing with fire. I hope we can disarm them before they do something stupid.”
Growling and amber-eyed, Ben pulled out his phone to call the Sheriff. His wolf wanted to skip the human precautions, gut them all, and be done with it. This was the second incident in two days, and he could only guess what else these idiots were planning to do.
Chapter 28
MID-MORNING, DOWNTOWNGladstone
Mandy put final touches on the new window display and stood back to give it the once-over. Every member of the New Moon Artists Co-Op was allowed to display their work in this space on a rotating basis. The next two weeks would showcase an original line of earthenware pottery pieces using traditional glazes. Some people might consider it too plain to be pretty, but Mandy found beauty in the basic designs and simple, natural colors.
With a final nod of approval, she turned to give the shop a quick once-over. Two artists were working this morning, both busy with new stock or helping customers. She wasn’t needed at the moment and headed for Katrine’s studio in the back. She’d been unusually quiet all morning and wanted to check on her progress. Stopping at the threshold, Mandy found her mate staring off into space before a blank canvas. Katrine turned to smile and waved her in.
“You’re not interrupting anything. I guess I’ve lost my motivation.”
Mandy came up behind for a hug, kissing the back of her head.
“What’s going on, love? Aren’t you excited about Walter arriving today?”
Katrine worked her fingers to the bone to finish the museum contract pieces, as well as those commissioned by Walter for his personal collection. After months of toil, they were finished and ready for pickup—tomorrow, if the truck arrived on time.
“I am eager to meet him, but I can’t stop worrying about the girls and the new threats we’re facing. I’d feel much better if we could go somewhere else until this was all over.”
“In a way, I wish we could, too, but we can’t afford to close the shop, and I refuse to let those bastards win. Gladstone is our home, and I’m not going anywhere unless there’s no other choice. Pack means sticking together, especially at times like this, and I’d rather die fighting than run away.”
Katrine tried to smother a sob, and Mandy pulled her close.
“Sorry. That’s how I feel, but you know I’m not going to do anything. How about if you and the girls go visit Grandma and Grandpa, and I’ll stay here to keep the shop running.”
Katrine swiped the tears from her cheeks and gave her mate another hug.
“No dice! The last thing I want to do is split up. Besides, I’d only start worrying about you here all alone instead. I’ll be all right, and maybe Walter’s visit will distract me for a while.”
Mandy nodded, leaning in for a sweet kiss.
“It’s going to be interesting to have him on packlands. I know Walter’s aware of what we are, but I can’t imagine what it’s like for a human to step into our world. Make ittwohumans, with RJ coming around. I need to remember how to act around him.”
Katrine nodded, a small giggle escaping.
“I know we have to do it all the time here in the shop, but at home we’re used to letting our hair down. Luna help us because somebody’s going to have to keep Nolan and Garrett from their usual hijinks, or we’re in big trouble!”
They shared a good laugh, and Katrine managed to shake off the morose brooding. In a sudden burst of inspiration, she turned back to the canvas and made preparations to paint. Human meets wolf. It could be an entire series if the ideas kept coming! Mandy recognized the arrival of her muse and tiptoed out of the room to let her work.
