Page 28 of Ascendant Moon
Gray couldn’t stop smiling.
Not only had the meal been delicious, but RJ’s tour of the packlands amazed him with beautiful buildings, green forest, and abundant water and wildlife. The difference between Navajo land and upper Michigan couldn’t have been more complete, and this place made the perfect home for wolf shifters. Gray had already met quite a number of people, all friendly, welcoming, and concerned for his grandfather. Walter’s effusive praise for Gladstone now made more sense, and seeing it for himself brought his stories to life.
While they walked, RJ shared his story of meeting Jonah and the early struggles they’d faced. Being the first human mate of a pack member made him unique, though no one treated him differently. He’d also noticed that RJ seemed to share some shifter traits and asked him about it. The man gave him an awkward grin.
“Humans undergo some changes when they mate with a shifter: enhanced senses, longer life, intense sex, altered scent, and a different outlook. Jonah happens to be an Omega, so my experience would be somewhat different if I’d matedwith another shifter type. You haven’t met him yet, but he’s absolutely amazing, and I get to spend the rest of my life with him.”
Full of questions, Gray pondered RJ’s words for a moment.
“Are Omegas special in some way, other than their scent?”
RJ let slip a small rumbling growl, surprising Gray.
“Sorry. It took several months before I could do that, and I have to be careful when I’m around other humans. Anyway, to answer your question, I think Omegas are special for several reasons. Their calming scent and people skills give them an important role in pack life, and Jack tells me that Luna originally intended for them to mate with Alphas to balance their more aggressive traits. Unlike other types, Omegas are born bisexual and undergo heats in the fall. We only found out recently that they can also carry children by becoming a Change Mate.”
Stunned, Gray first thought that RJ was joking.
“You can’t be serious. How is that possible?”
RJ’s face held a shadow of sadness, though he didn’t hesitate to answer Gray’s question.
“I don’t know thehowof it, only that Luna makes it possible. You met Ben and his family last night, right? Besides Omegas, only Alpha mates can become Change Mates. Evan carried their pups for three months, locked in wolf form, and all you have to do is look at the kids to know who their parents are. The process only works for two shifters, which is why Jonah and I don’t have any pups together.”
Gray picked up RJ’s melancholy and heard the sadness in his voice. Unwilling to make things worse, he chose to ask about something else.
“So, based on what you said earlier, shifters mate for life just like wolves do?”
RJ was relieved by the change of subject, fairly certain Gray had done it on purpose.
“That’s right. During mating week, they mark each other with a bite and it seals the deal. If you’re parted by death, it’s still possible to find someone else. Take Jack for instance—William is his third mate, and they’re deliriously happy.”
Gray knew that was true, as he’d witnessed the love and commitment in their words, gestures, and body language. By this time, they had circled Schaawe Lake and were heading back towards the central compound. RJ pointed out the Westside homes, Jack and William’s house, the school and daycare building, and The Village before RJ ended the tour at the packhouse and made another suggestion.
“There are some great paths through the woods I think you’ll like, and then I’m going to take you downtown to meet Jonah and see the LRC office. Afterwards, we’ll have lunch together at a really cool fifties diner called the Dewdrop. Sound good?”
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Packhouse conference room
Ben, Nolan, and Tom Kilburn sat clustered at one end of the large table, examining Ben’s rough drawings on a nearby easel. He’d returned from the annual meeting in Missoula with some exciting ideas about creating Gladstone’s very own conference center. With the first Mingle & Mate event coming up in thespring, Natural Homes needed to get moving on the project. Realistically, they should have started months ago, leaving them in something of a bind.
“I realize we can’t get everything done by next April. What I’m hoping for is to complete the basics and then add the rest in phases. First is the social center that will include the kitchen, dining room, meeting spaces, restrooms, and bathing facilities—all under one roof. Then we need someplace for people to bunk down, whether it’s camping spots or a lodge with individual rooms. How much do you think we can get done in the next six months, accounting for available personnel and winter weather?”
Nolan and Tom accepted the challenge and came up with a preliminary plan. Since the construction site was two miles east, they’d be able to use human employees and contractors. That alone would enable them to get twice the work done in half the time, and prevent the human workers from seeing anything they shouldn’t.
Aside from needed road improvements and grading projects, most of their energy would be focused on the social center—a stick-built affair due to the site’s unsuitability for underground structures. Still, Tom was confident they could do it.
“If we get the building enclosed before the snow flies, the crew can finish the interior over the winter. Our real problem is housing. Spring can be both cold and wet, so expecting guests to camp out in those conditions would be asking a lot.”
Nolan had an idea that might work for temporary shelter.
“We’re going to need a building for yard equipment and storage, right? Quonset huts go up fast and we have a local contact who can do the work. It’s not the look we want, but we can cover itwith a matching facade later on. As long as it has heat and power it’s better than staying in a tent, and our first event only lasts two days.”
Ben had wanted something much nicer than that, but time wasn’t on their side.
“At this point, I’ll consider it as our fallback option. It’s not ideal, but it may be the best we can manage. If anything else comes to mind, let me know.”
Ben sent them out to inspect the site and returned to his office. By the time he sat down, a crazy idea popped into his head, and he dialed Carol Jo Dowling. If things worked out, he could kill two birds with one stone and add another pack-owned property to the growing list.
