Page 2 of Ascendant Moon
“More importantly, our desire is to see the lost pack’s True Elders reconnected with their brothers, and to offer them any training or help they may need. Jack, since this situation involves you personally, my hope is that you would take part in the mission. Juan may find your experience and family connection quite useful in the negotiations.”
Heads nodded in agreement, and Alpha Cruz responded before Gladstone’s senior True Elder had a chance to speak.
“Our thoughts, exactly, Alpha Sheppard. Jack is an ideal choice for this mission, and waiting until after the annual meeting gives us more time to plan. The Mexican Council will gladly cover his expenses, including bodyguards, and give him leadership authority over the team. What do you say, Jack?”
Eby’s placid face revealed nothing unusual, though Ben and Evan detected his mildly amused scent.
“Thank you, Alpha Cruz. Luna’s recent dreams have already confirmed my presence on the team, and I look forward to working closely with you. May I ask what the council plans to offer the pack?”
Cruz indicated that Juan would answer for him.
“We don’t know much about their actual situation. At the very least, we want to bring their True Elders up to speed and let the pack know that they have choices. If they wish to remain in León, we’ll support them. If they decide to join us in the north, the council is prepared to offer homes, employment, legal documents—whatever they need to start over in a new place. We won’t try to force them either way.”
Further discussion allowed them to come up with a basic framework of who, what, when, and where. After some time, Sheppard, Cruz, and Ortega said their goodbyes, leaving the Gladstone trio alone in the conference room. Lost in thought, Jack didn’t notice Ben’s look of concern.
“This isn’t going to be easy, is it Jack?”
The man looked up as a mild growl escaped his throat.
“I welcome the mission and reestablishing contact with my family. The greater concern is my beloved mate. William loathes separation, and he will be upset that he cannot come with me.We had already planned to leave early for the conference and stop in Arizona to see Walter. Perhaps if we extend his stay there, it will distract his wolf until my return. I think it would be best not to ask him about our plans for a few days.”
Ben and Evan shared a knowing chuckle, offering their love and support before sending Jack home to face the music.
Chapter 2
Monday July 12th, Donna’s medical office
Erin accompanied their last patient for the day to the front door and locked it after her. Between her pregnancy and Donna’s, they only worked half-days now, except for an occasional emergency appointment. While her mother still had two months to go, it had been twenty years since her first and only pregnancy. Between her age and the intense six-month term, her body tired more quickly than usual.
Erin, on the other hand, was literally due any moment, and she’d been feeling odd since sending her mate off to work this morning. Poor Micah! He’d been fearful of leaving her side today since the worksite was in Hiawatha—nearly an hour’s drive from Gladstone. There was nothing to be done for it, though, as a crucial inspection was scheduled for the home they were working on, and Ben had no one else to send in his stead.
Erin smiled and sighed on her way down the short hall to Donna’s office. She couldn’t have asked for a better mate than Micah Post. The gentle, hard-working man loved her with unparalleled devotion, even for a shifter. Their mating had been as wonderful as it had been unexpected, and was the deciding factor in settling at Gladstone. To Micah, Erin’s pregnancy was nearly as exciting as their mating, and he couldn’t wait to meet his first pup.
Donna’s office door was open, and Erin leaned against the frame when her mother looked up from the patient chart she was working on.
“Ready to go? I think I’m going to take a nap when we get home!”
Erin laughed, knowing exactly how Donna felt.
“I’m whipped today, mom, and I think a nap sounds great. Let me turn off the lights and I’ll be right there.”
Donna gathered her things and waited for Erin in the breakroom. The moments stretched into minutes with no sign of her daughter, and Donna went to see what had caused the delay. Her shifter senses heard a muffled groan and detected the scent of low-grade pain. Up front, she found Erin leaning heavily against the receptionist desk, one arm wrapped protectively around her protruding belly.
“Contraction, Honey? Let’s get you to an exam room so I can check you over. Your scent tells me it’s time.”
Erin allowed herself to be guided down the hall, despite her concern.
“What? Why didn’t you say anything?”
Donna answered the question while helping Erin slip into a patient gown.
“Because we were about to leave, and I didn’t want you to worry. I’ll just take a quick look and see how much time we have.”
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Meanwhile, in Hiawatha
As the offsite projects manager for Natural Homes, Micah Post did a great deal of local travel—roughly defined as any worksite within an hour’s drive of packlands. While inspections were necessary, he wished this one could have been scheduled for another time. He hated being this far from home with his mate so close to delivery, especially since shifter females experienced a much shorter labor. Erin chose to give birth in human form sothat Micah could have the full experience of welcoming his first pup into the world. The last thing he wanted was to make her go through all of that if he ended up missing the whole thing anyway!
