Page 13 of Ascendant Moon
“Hello, William. Walter is napping, but we would love to see you tonight if you feel up to it.”
“It’s good to hear your voice, Tayen. How areyoudoing?”
“As well as anyone can. It’s hard for me to watch him struggle, and we still don’t know if the treatments will help. We’re taking it one day at a time. By the way, Gray was supposed to be here already but something came up at the museum. He said he’d arrive by early evening, but none of the rooms here are available. I need to find somewhere for him to stay.”
That gave William an idea and he raised an eyebrow at his mate. Jack could hear Tayen’s end of the conversation and nodded at William in agreement.
“It so happens that the B&B you recommended has one extra room that we’ve paid for and don’t need. He can join us hereafter our visit tonight, and then you won’t have to worry about it.”
William could hear the smile in her voice.
“That’s very generous, thank you. We’re usually done with supper by five-thirty, so any time after that works well for us.”
William ended the call and Jack pulled him close for a blistering kiss.
“A splendid idea, my clever mate. With Gray here, we can answer his questions and show him our wolves without revealing anything to Tayen. I will go downstairs and inform our hosts to expect an additional guest. When I return, I will join you in the shower for more kisses.”
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A few hours later
The B&B was a short walk from the Harrison House, and Gray was expected to join them shortly to get settled in. Conversing as they went, Jack shared his impression of their visit.
“I must admit that Walter’s appearance shocked me. As shifters, we are most fortunate not to face the realities of sickness and disease as our human friends do.”
William heartily agreed.
“And his scent! I heard that evendogscan smell cancer in humans, but I wasn’t prepared. Now I understand why Tayen and Gray feel so helpless, when there’s literally nothing they can do for him. It will break my heart if Walter dies—and don’t bother reminding me that death is a part of life!”
Jack knew better than to “lecture” William when his emotions were involved, so he chose a different approach.
“Then we shall focus on educating Gray. I suspect his knowledge of shifters is only the beginning for our young friend, and if Walter survives, Gray will have a loved one he can confide in. Do not think me callous, beloved, as I care deeply for Walter. It is only that… when you have lived as long and lost as much as I have, you learn to accept death and its proper place in the world.”
Chastened, William wrapped an arm around Jack’s waist.
“Forgive me. I sometimes forget the burdens you bear as a True Elder, and I’m not very good at hiding my feelings.”
They’d reached the B&B by this time, and Scott met them when they stepped inside.
“Myke just finished making cookies, and we’ve set them out on the back patio with some cool drinks. When our new guest arrives, I’ll show him to his room and then send him outside to join you.”
A single shifter, let alone four, could have demolished the entire plate of treats by themselves, and William reminded the others to save some for Gray. Fueling their need to feed while traveling was always a challenge, which was one reason shifters avoided it when possible. Before long, they heard and scented Gray’s arrival, and he soon joined them on the patio. Always polite, he thanked Jack and William for providing the room and coming to see his grandfather. Jack introduced him to the other men.
“This is Shane and Milo. They serve as my bodyguards when I travel, and can be trusted with anything we say here. It would have been difficult to discuss certain topics in front of Tayen, sowe thought it best to offer you a room here. I am certain you have many questions for us.”
He did indeed, though William urged him to have some cookies before they disappeared.
“Natural wolves live a feast or famine lifestyle and go days or even weeks between feedings, depending on what they can find. Shifters, on the other hand, enjoy frequent, heavy meals—you’ll see what I mean at breakfast tomorrow.”
Gray’s calm dark eyes noticed that all four men appeared to be fit and healthy, and he marveled that Jack looked far younger than someone in their seventeenth decade of life. These people were fascinating, and he wanted to know everything. Now, where to start?
“My grandfather told me many things, but I’m not sure I understand the types of shifters. Are all of you True Elders?”
When the chuckles died down, Jack, as expected, stepped in to teach.
“Allow me to explain. There are four types: Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omega. Alphas lead, Betas serve, Deltas guide, and Omegas balance. Both William and I are Deltas, though I am the only True Elder present. Both Shane and Milo are Betas, which is the most common. There are far fewer Alphas and Omegas, and both are gifted with special abilities that help our packs function. All of us have heightened senses of sight, smell, hearing, and taste, even in our human form.”
The questions flowed after that, with Gray asking about packs, how shifter life differed from human society, and their relationship to the moon.
