Page 81 of Forbidden Moon
Evan diverted the question.
“Finish your food, boys, and let Uncle Jonah eat his breakfast. RJ has to take care of his own house and can’t be here all the time.”
Jonah picked at his food, trying not to feel sorry for himself. It wasn’t working very well, though Evie’s scent helped, and Lance steered the conversation toward neutral topics. He asked Evan what Ben’s meeting was all about.
“They’re planning new fences to limit the number of entry points. It’s supposed to make it easier to intercept intruders by giving them fewer places to cross our borders. And, I heard the new emergency exit will be ready today as soon as they install the false gate. The connecting road runs behind the apartments to the north and...”
The crowd burst into excited chatter as Jack, William, and the twins came through the doors with their human guest. Everyone knew about Walter by this time and wanted to meet him in person. Better yet, they didn’t have to worry about doing or saying the wrong thing when he was around. Knowing Ben wanted to meet him, Evan opened the mind-link.
“Sorry to interrupt, babe. Walter is here.”
“Thanks, Ev. I’ll be right out.”
Evan admonished the kids to behave and excused himself to join his mate and introduce themselves. Robyn took advantage of the opportunity and made her way to Jonah. She gave him an awkward side-hug and crouched down next to his chair.
“I can only imagine how difficult this must be. When will you see RJ again?”
Throat tight, he managed to answer without breaking down.
“Lunchtime. I think he’s feeling it too, which Evan tells me is a good sign that he’s becoming attached—even if he doesn’t quite understand why. I just want to be with my mate, Robyn! Shifters aren’t designed for dating, though I wish somebody would explain that to Luna!”
She gave him the stink eye.
“Believe me; I’ve already given Luna an earful! Listen, the dreams say you’ll be together, so you’ve got to hang on. You’re stronger than you think.”
Jonah shrugged.
“I hope so. I’m going to ask RJ to stay the nights with me, even if we can’t be together all day. How areyoudoing? Any nightmares or anything?”
Robyn grimaced and shook her head.
“I didn’t sleep well, but no. I’m not looking forward to going back to the office. It’s going to remind me of the whole thing all over again. Anyway, I need a favor. While you and RJ are out, swing by and pick up the security tape from yesterday. I need to doctor it up a bit to keep the Sheriff’s office from seeing some things. Without it, I can’t file charges or prove that I wasn’t at fault. Can you do it?”
Hell, yes, he would do it. Jonah nodded.
“Let me take care of it. I’ll make the alterations and provide a copy for the authorities. Maybe Lou can take it in, so you don’t have to. There’s no way I’m going to let you watch that shit over and over. I owe one you anyway.”
Robyn stood and kissed his forehead.
“You don’t really, but thank you. Listen, Artem is expecting me any minute, so I have to go. Give your man a big smooch when you see him!”
“Ha! He’s going to get more than a kiss if I have anything to say about it!”
####
WALTER COULDN’T RECALLhaving a more enjoyable breakfast than this morning. So many wonderful people to meet, along with a delicious meal. Seeing the packhouse for himself filled in the knowledge gaps from conversations over the phone. Being here and interacting with the pack in person made all of Jack and William’s stories come alive! Matching names to faces helped, too, giving his mind visual associations for things he already knew.
Aside from the vast quantities of food consumed and the occasional growl, Walter found it challenging to distinguish these people from any other. They’d become experts at blending in, and he knew the reason why—yet he’d expected something different and was unsure how to phrase it. Perhaps in another setting, their wolf nature would manifest itself more openly. He hoped so because he wanted to see these people in their true element and observe what happened when they were in lupine form.
Walter’s phone buzzed with an ETA text from his team, confirming they would arrive by ten o’clock. He followed his friends to the daycare building, where they dropped off the twins before heading for town. William pointed out the LRC office, Donna’s clinic, and the famous Dewdrop diner on their way in.
Two minutes later, they pulled up to the New Moon Artists Co-Op, where Mandy was busy blocking off several parking spaces in front. She’d used overturned buckets, empty paper boxes, and trash cans to save plenty of room for the truck when it arrived. They’d officially closed the shop until noon to keep customers out of the way while the men worked. Walter was given a brief tour of the place before being guided to the studio where the artwork waited.
Gray Feather’s portrait, the largest single piece, dominated the room. Katrine gently removed the protective drape and then stood back to give Walter the best view. Mesmerized, his eyes devoured the image, noting every detail, the accuracy of his ancestor’s clothing, and the vitality of his weathered face. Next, he stepped back to view it from a distance and then from different angles. Finally, Jack came alongside, placing an arm around his shoulder. Silently they wept, sharing the moment together, as it was meant to be.
Wiping away the tears, Walter turned to Katrine with a tremulous smile.
“I have spent my career curating thousands of objects, and this piece exceeds them all. What you have created here is beyond amazing. Jack’s boasts were not exaggerated in the least, and I feel as if Gray Feather, himself, is standing before me. In every sense,thisis a work of art.”
