Page 42 of Ascendant Moon
“This is going to surprise and disturb our people, and the four of you will be in the spotlight. The discussion might make you uncomfortable, so I’ll be happy to speak on your behalf if it’s easier.”
Both couples agreed to attend, and RJ made a comment that seemed to sum up their reasoning.
“This is a personal choice, not a pack decision, and we have no reason to hide or feel guilty.”
Evan encouraged both couples to sit together near the front for the meeting as they made their way into the packhouse to mingle with the crowd. Ben sought out Donna and Jack to make sure they were ready for a lively discussion. He’d presided over many contentious meetings in the past, shocking his people with fresh information or disturbing announcements. It would be no different this time, since Luna had a habit of testing out new ideas on his unsuspecting pack. Frankly, Ben preferred to bein the knowfrom the beginning rather than catch yesterday’s news from someone else.
Chapter 23
As the starting time for the meeting drew closer, Dante, Sergio, Nick, and Gray found a convenient spot on the carpeted floor by the large stone fireplace. Once Jonah and RJ joined them, Evie settled in on Jonah’s lap, with her brothers clustered around. Jack, William, and the twins had claimed one of the nearby couches, and all three Omegas had been instructed to produce a generous amount of calming scent before Ben stood to begin the meeting.
“Thanks for coming on short notice, but you’ll understand the reason in a few minutes. First, I want to extend a special welcome to our guests from Arizona and Mexico. Among them, we have our newlymates, Nick and Gray.”
The crowd hooted and clapped in welcome, happy that Luna had brought them together.
“I also want to thank Perdy for taking care of them over the last few days, and I know they appreciated it. Dante and Sergio have told Evan and I that they’ve already learned a lot from our pack just by observing, and I’ve come to expect nothing less.
“Before we get to the main business, I have a happy announcement to share. This afternoon, after months of study, training, and testing, Nate Scoon has been offered a position as Gladstone’s newest deputy sheriff!”
The crowd went wild with delight, mobbing Scooter where he sat, flushed red as a beet, but smiling and proud. Amid the hullabaloo, Nolan shouted out his own two cents’ worth.
“Way to go, Scoot! No speeding tickets for pack members, right?”
Once the laughter died down, people retook their seats and settled in so Ben could continue.
“You’ve come a long way, Scooter, and we’re all very proud of you. On a related note, everyone knows that Lou is actively campaigning for sheriff, which is the reason he’s not here tonight. Near the main doors, he’s posted a list of community events and meetings where he’ll be speaking. If you can show up to support him, he’d really appreciate it. Keep in mind that if Lou is elected, he’ll be the first shifter to hold the position of sheriff in recent history.
“I think it’s safe to say that Luna is preparing us to take a more active role in human society, and local law enforcement is one way to do that. Personal relationships may be affected too, and that leads me to the primary purpose for our meeting. Jack recently discovered something during his trip to Mexico that you will find difficult to accept, just as I did. I’ll let him explain.”
Curious murmurs swept through the crowd as Ben sat down and Jack stood to speak. Calm and collected as usual, his scent, nevertheless, carried an atypical scent of disquiet. In this case, dancing around the issue only delayed the inevitable, and he decided to simply rip the bandage off.
“Contrary to what we have all believed, humans may be safely turned.”
The initial bombshell momentarily prevented speech as the entire pack stared at him in silence. Then a wave of skepticism, doubt, and suspicion filled the room with angsty denials and questions.
That can’t be true!
Why tell us now?
It’s too dangerous!
Is this a joke?
Jack waited patiently for quiet before telling them the whole story. Understandably, they were upset that True Elders, of all people, were behind the lies they’d been taught to believe. Jack explained that he, too, was astonished by that fact, but he understood their reasons.
“The purge of natural wolves was decimating packs everywhere and our people died right along with them. Using fear was one way of reducing the contact between shifters and humans, and though it worked, there were unintended consequences.
“I spoke to some of the True Elders in the Afterworld who were responsible, and they were aghast that the truth had never been reintroduced after all this time. They had no way of knowing that shifter society was all but destroyed following the purge, or that so much of our history would be lost. If it makes you feel better, it shames them now, but assigning blame serves no useful purpose.”
Robyn voiced a question that many in the room also wanted to ask.
“Why are you telling us this now? Is there some reason we need to know?”
Evan stood to field this one.
“Yes, there is. Not only is this an important issue for us to understand, but Gray and RJ have asked to be turned. It wouldn’t be fair to you or them to find out after the fact. Jack now knows how it’s done, Nick has personally attended a number of turnings, and Donna will closely supervise the process.”
That sent a rumble of excitement and cautious approval through the group, though Linda Kilburn wanted additional input.
