Page 23 of Ascendant Moon
William appeared just then, wiping away tears and waving off Gray’s concerned expression.
“Not to worry. I miss my mate and children terribly, and Jack expects the mission to last several days at least. He’s at the airport now, waiting for the flight to Chihuahua. I’m going to return home and wait for him there. Would you consider coming with me?”
Gray nearly dropped a platter of food. He’d just been thinking about Gladstone, and here was an explicit invitation! He and William sat down to eat, while Gray considered the possibility.
“I would love to come with you, but… I can’t afford the tickets. Who would watch the house while I’m gone? What would I tell my employer?”
Gray had no idea that William’s career as an attorney left him with unparalleled skills at demolishing arguments and obstacles. Besides, Jack was counting on him to convince the young man, based on what Luna had shown him in his dreams. While they ate, William addressed Gray’s concerns.
“Jack and I will pay for your travel costs, so don’t worry about that. As for the house, perhaps your mother can keep an eye on it while you’re gone. Now, if you told the museum that Walter and Tayen need additional help for a short time, I’m sure they would let you go without question. What do you think?”
Gray didn’t like to lie, but he had vacation time he could use, and it was very likely that his grandfather would have suggested the idea himself. There really wasn’t any reason to say no, and he gratefully accepted the generous invitation. The remainder of their meal was spent discussing the fine details as Gray’s imagination worked overtime, wondering what awaited him at Gladstone.
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Early evening, Chihuahua, Mexico
It was six in the evening before Jack, his bodyguards, Juan, and Alpha Cruz were picked up at the Chihuahua airport. The True Elders had spent much of the flight discreetly exchanging memories or consulting with Santiago about the mission. Until they met with the Lost Pack, they could only make logical guesses about their needs. No doubt the operation would be expensive, time consuming, and a logistical challenge if they agreed to move north.
Fortunately, it wasn’t a long drive to the Full Moon Ranch, and Alpha Cruz’s delighted growls filled the van as they passed through the security gate. The familiar scent of cattle and horses permeated the warm air, and people were gathered outside the packhouse to greet them with smiles and waves. Cruz introduced his American guests to the other council members before leading them all inside for a hearty meal. Jack quickly sent William a text saying that he had arrived safely and would call in the morning. Milo also made a brief call to Ben, learning that the Gladstone contingent had returned home without incident.
Following a delicious supper, Jack’s human half wanted nothing more than a soft bed. His wolf, however, insisted on stretching his legs before calling it a night and Jack couldn’t blame him. Alpha Cruz also felt the need and volunteered to lead the group of travelers on a brief run through the hilly, wooded terrain that formed the northern border of the property. As the last day of the full moon, the lupine troop felt Luna’s invigorating beams every time they passed through breaks in the overhead canopy. Their joyous howls could be heard for miles.
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Hours later, Luna roused Jack from sleep with another dream. Oddly enough, he found himself at Gladstone, playing host to three other Lobo shifters. Though their faces were obscured, he had the sense that they knew one another well. Their scents clearly identified them as an Alpha, a True Elder, and a male Omega—all on the young side.
The scene faded, only to be replaced by a vignette that included the Lobo Omega with his arm around the waist of a lanky, dark-haired human. Mates? They were surrounded by his Gladstone packmates (including Ben, Evan, and Donna), engaged in a heated argument over the topic of turning a human. This, too faded, and just before the dream ended, he saw a pair of frisky Lobo wolves running through the forest with tails held high.
Troubled, Jack lay quietly in the darkness of his room, replaying the dream several times. There were numerous ways to interpret what he’d seen, though most of it seemed straightforward based on what Luna had already shown him. But turning a human? Why would anyone risk such a thing? Delving into his considerable memory, Jack realized that he’d never specifically discussed this topic with his mentor, nor had it been mentioned in the journals. What was he missing?
Needing answers, Jack intended to ask Hezekiah while the full moon was still up. He opened the bedroom door, only to find Shane and Milo waiting for him in wolf form; heads cocked and no doubt wondering why he was up at such a late hour.
“My apologies, men, but I must contact the Afterworld while the full moon remains. I promise not to keep you up too long.”
Both wolves chuffed and led the True Elder to the back door of Juan’s home, escorted him out, and stood guard while he consulted those who’d gone before. They’d spent many a dayprotecting Jack, and at this point, there was very little he could do that would surprise them.
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Chihuahua Council meeting, Tuesday morning
The room crackled with anticipation as the full Council listened to Juan and Jack describe their dreams. Unbeknownst to them all, Luna had been watching over the lost pack for generations, waiting for the right time to bring them back into the fold. Lobo shifters were on the very brink of major changes, and Santiago Cruz presided over both the Council and the largest pack in the country—a point of pride and great responsibility that he would handle with meticulous and deliberate planning.
Assuming the entire pack was willing to relocate, discussion centered around the immediate needs: transportation up north, moving trucks for their belongings, and the sales of homes and businesses. After their arrival, they would need housing, jobs, financial assistance, legal documents, and plenty of emotional support as they adjusted to their new lives. It was uncertain if the León transplants would remain together or spread out among the many packs located in Sonora and Chihuahua, and Alpha Cruz halted the discussion momentarily to address their right to choose.
“While we are prepared to welcome the entire pack to the Full Moon Ranch, it’s likely some of our new friends will settle down elsewhere. Choosing a new pack in a strange place will be difficult and stressful, and our job is to help them find the perfect fit. To that end, we have a list of places willing and able to accept new members, and financial help is available to those who need it.”
During their lunch break, Jack called Hector in León to inform him of the Council’s deliberations and confirm the timing of the team’s arrival.
“You may expect eight of us on Wednesday afternoon, and I will send you our flight information. Are your people prepared to meet with us?”
Hector growled excitedly.
“Of course, Jack. We’ve rented a meeting space in town on Wednesday night, large enough to accommodate everyone. I must tell you, brother, that the information you’ve already provided has been well received, and our people are busy making plans to leave León as soon as it can be arranged. There were a few who needed convincing, but Sergio and I met with them privately to discuss their concerns. Most are embracing the move as a long-overdue adventure, and our wolves… well, let’s just say that we may be spending a lot of time in lupine form after reaching Chihuahua!”
Though they couldn’t exchange memories over the phone, Jack quickly shared a verbal account of his recent dreams with Hector. The man easily identified the three individuals that Jack expected to meet and bring with him to Gladstone, unsurprised that Luna had a different path for his young packmates. When Jack mentioned the purpose of his late-night contact with Hezekiah, he was met with startled silence from Hector.
“I know nothing of the Afterworld, Jack. It seems we both have gaps in our memories that need to be corrected, and I hope we have a chance to exchange teaching dreams while you are here.”
