Page 25 of Ascendant Moon
Hearty chuckles filled the air and Navarro responded with a wide smile.
“We are as grateful as you can imagine, Alpha Cruz, and are amazed by the way you have adapted to living among humans and yet retained the freedom your wolves crave. Our lives here have not been terrible, yet at every turn there were restrictions, trade-offs, and limits. Once we realized that you had found us, it opened up a treasure chest of buried hopes that we might find a better life elsewhere. Luna has brought us a precious gift, and you’ll find that my people are ready to accept it.
“Jack, I am particularly eager for you to meet your relatives. Many have come and gone in the years since our ancestors sought refuge in León, but those living today are delighted to have a True Elder relation in the States. I warn you—they want to knoweverythingabout your long life and travels, so be prepared.”
Jack simply smiled while the others chuckled.
“It is fortuitous, then, that Luna has blessed me with a good memory and over a hundred and seventy years-worth of stories. I suspect we will have plenty to talk about.”
In the time they had before supper, Alpha Cruz gave Hector and Javier a quick sketch of what they intended to say to the pack at the meeting. Questions were answered and clarified to avoid any misunderstandings, and all agreed that the entire operation would be a process rather than a single event. No one in modern shifter history had ever attempted the wholesale relocation of an entire pack over such an enormous distance, though Cruz was determined to succeed as quickly and efficiently as possible.
“We’ll need a great deal of cooperation and coordination, but the transition from León to Chihuahua is just the first step. I’ll admit it gets a little messy after that, but once we work through all the details, I believe we can get everyone settled by the end of the year. No one will lack support or help, but the important thing is that your people will no longer be bound by the limits you’ve had to accept here. You and your wolves will be free to live as Luna intended.”
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Later that night
The meeting itself ended up being more of a Q&A session rather than a group decision to relocate north. Though a few were reluctant to leave and start over somewhere new, they would have been left alone in León without their friends and loved ones nearby. The added incentives of freedom for their wolves and generous financial help, made the decision to leave much easier.
Once the questions petered out, the Chihuahua delegation (except Jack and his bodyguards) met briefly with every family or single person in the pack to confirm personal and contact information. Those who had homes or businesses would receive assistance in selling, and those living in apartments would be given the necessary funds to break their leases. Furniture and belongings would be loaded into containers, shipped to Chihuahua, and held in storage until needed.
Except for those tying up loose ends in León, the rest would be transported by bus to the Full Moon Ranch. Arrangements would then be made to visit other area packs who were accepting new members. No one would be forced to live or work where they were not comfortable, and the goal was to get people settledas quickly as possible so they could begin building their new lives.
Meanwhile, a teary-eyed Jack had been surrounded by his relatives, all trying to talk at once. Initial introductions were made, and Jack showed them photos of William and the twins. Since his time here was limited, he gave them an abbreviated account of his long life and travels, and listened to their stories in return. After he’d been hugged to within an inch of his life, Jack opened the mind-link with Sergio and asked him to stay behind. He agreed, and they found a quiet spot behind a stack of chairs to share a few quick memories.
Sergio thought it was about their family connection, and was surprised when Jack shared one of Luna’s dreams with him instead. When the scene ended, Jack released him so they could discuss it.
“I did not know until recently who you and the others were, but Luna was very clear that the three of you needed to join me at Gladstone.”
Sergio couldn’t deny the clarity of the dream, though his friends might not be so easily convinced.
“I’d love to come, Jack, but should we tell Nick that he’ll meet his mate there? And what about Dante? His hope has always been to lead a pack of his own. Why should he come along then?”
Jack understood Sergio’s confusion, though he clearly needed further mentoring. Jack only had a mandate for them to come with him, not the reasoning behind it. Besides, as True Elders, they had the power to convince both men to come with them if need be.
“Luna does not always provide the answers we seek. The dream’s purpose and timing were meant to bring the three of you to Gladstone, and I am confident that the information you desire will be revealed. Come. We must speak with Nick and Dante, and convince them to join us. Do you have any experience influencing minds?”
Sergio shrugged.
“Very little, but then I haven’t had reason to use it often. Why don’t you handle that part while I present the idea?”
They found Nick comforting an older pack member who was struggling with the upcoming move. He hadn’t yet spoken with Jack, but agreed to help locate Dante so they could talk. The young Alpha had just finished a tense exchange with his father, red-faced and bristling with anger. Nick took his hand, enveloped him with a wave of calming pheromones, and dragged him to a quiet corner. Dante cooled off quickly and Jack began his clandestine influence on both men before Sergio got started.
“Jack has invited the three of us to come with him when he returns home. We’d have a chance to see how a modern pack operates, and I’ve never been to the States before. How about it, guys?”
Glassy-eyed and still, they were unable to give him an answer. Outwardly calm and relaxed, Sergio watched their faces as Jack silently urged them to accept the invitation. He needed to learn how this was done, and Jack had even more life experience than Hector. He would benefit greatly if Jack mentored him when they reached Gladstone. Abruptly, both of his packmates inhaled deep breaths and blinked several times before looking at Sergio. Dante answered first.
“Sounds great to me! I need some distance from my dad before I say something I’ll regret. How soon would we go? I’ll need to quit my job and pack up my apartment before we leave, right?”
Nick nodded his head in agreement.
“That’s what I was thinking. I wouldn’t mind going, but I’d feel guilty leaving the pack while all of this is going on.”
Jack approved of his sense of duty, but there were forces at play he knew nothing about.
“Do not be concerned, my young friend. The Chihuahua pack has two Omegas who are prepared to help anyone in need, and your guilt serves no useful purpose.”
Moments later, Hector joined them and was informed of their plans. He, of course, already knew that Jack had intended to take them to Michigan, and was happy to see that Luna’s dream would be honored.
