Page 16 of Ascendant Moon
William was just getting to that.
“Yes. In fact, she’s creating a special line featuring Lobos to raise support for their reintroduction. A few pieces may already be seen on her website, and she expects to offer much more before the holidays.”
Cognizant of Walter’s appointment, they finished up their conversation and left the building. After final farewells in the parking lot, and a promise to see them again on Friday, Gray and William took off for Window Rock.
############
Meanwhile, Eagle River Wisconsin
The moment Alpha Richmond left for the airport, Melva and Lincoln prepared to make their escape. Their personal belongings had already been taken to Newald, and since it was unlikely they would ever return to Eagle River, someone else would eventually claim the house and furnishings for themselves. None of that mattered at the moment, only getting away before anyone noticed. They’d just reached the car when two pack enforcers, Lenny and Kurt, showed up to grab Lincoln. The frightened Omega struggled to get away while Melva growled and tried to intervene.
“What are you doing? Leave him alone!”
Lenny wasn’t having it.
“Bruce wants to see him, right now. Go back inside and mind your business.”
Melva ignored the order, following along behind as they marched Lincoln towards Bruce’s isolated home. Had their plan been discovered? How could she protect her friend? Had AlphaRichmond really given Bruce permission to impregnate Lincoln against his will?
Ballard opened the door as they approached and Melva threw caution to the wind.
“What are you doing? Lincoln isn’t your property, and the pack won’t stand for this. I demand that you release him!”
Bruce wasn’t fazed by her little show of courage, allowing an annoyed growl to slip past his smarmy grin.
“Lincoln isn’t safe with a cougar running around, and we can’t risk losing our pack Omega, now can we? He’ll be staying here with me from now on. Go home, old woman, before something unfortunate happens to you.”
Bruce reached out to pull a cowed Lincoln inside the house and slammed the door. Melva started to protest, but a backhanded slap from Kurt bloodied her lip and shut her up. He and Lenny each grabbed an arm, brought her home, and left her with another warning.
“Bruce won’t tolerate your interference. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep your big mouth shut. Got it?”
Melva’s eyes burned with a hatred that no shifter could possibly miss as she growled out a response.
“Luna’s watching, and you’ll all pay for this—even if I’m not here to see it!”
The enforcers laughed as she went inside the house, plans already forming in her busy mind.
#############
Montana, late afternoon
It was nearly suppertime before Jack, Shane, and Milo landed in Missoula. Like all the other True Elder arrivals, they were met just inside the terminal by two friendly bodyguards to provide additional security. After picking up their luggage, they were escorted to a waiting shuttle van for the thirty-mile drive to the Missoula packlands. As they approached the pick-up lane, Jack caught the scent of someone he’d been eager to see in the flesh. Sure enough, there stood Everet Kern and his family, attended by his own security team.
Everet met Jack with open arms, pulling the smaller man into a bruising embrace, followed by a thorough scenting.
“Jack! How I have longed to see you. I notice that Shane and Milo are still watching over you in your travels. Come, say hello to Mia, and meet my boys.”
Mia, too, greeted him with a hug and an affectionate smile.
“Your invitation to Fairbanks is still open. When can we expect to see you, William, and the twins?”
“It would be a pleasure, though I do not know when we might work it in. William regrets not being able to come with me, but I can tell you about that later. Right now, I need to make the acquaintance of your sons.”
“This is Wesley and Kallik. Boys, this is Jack, our dear friend from Michigan.”
Jack bent down to shake their hands, scenting each of them without getting too close. Wesley had certainly grown, his smiling face framed by wavy red locks. Though almost two and a half in apparent age, he was still a bit shy around strangers. Kallik, on the other hand, was filling out nicely with a steady dietand a good home, and seemed interested in everything around him. Jack offered a neutral question to break the ice.
“It is a long way from Alaska to Montana. Did you enjoy riding on a plane?”
