Page 5 of Ascendant Moon
“I’ve asked Garrett, Tom, and Lou to keep an eye on things, and if something comes up, we’re only a phone call away.”
A brief discussion followed, allowing some Q & A before Caleb moved on to something new for Gladstone.
“Our first Mingle & Mate event has been put off until mid-April. I know Robert is disappointed that we couldn’t do it this fall, but there wasn’t enough time to work out the logistics. Housing will be our biggest problem, along with meals, and we may have to limit the number of attendees if the response is too heavy.”
Ben’s annoyed growl bounced off the conference room walls, prompting everyone’s scent to change.
“Sorry. Evan and I have been talking about hosting events, and we keep running into the same frustrating issues. Let me think on it some more and see what I can come up with.”
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After the meeting broke up, Ben found Evan and the kids were waiting for him near the fireplace, and they began making the rounds. The Calhoun boys were already being passed around, snuggled and fussed over while Lance and Roman chatted with those nearby. Donna and Lou caused a stir when they arrived—packmates interested in her pregnancy and his campaign for sheriff.
Cheers went up when the Post family walked through the doors. Micah glared and Erin beamed as Ben and Evan guided them to a central spot where everyone could see and hear. Jonah and Evie stood close by, allowing their scent to calm Micah’s agitated wolf. Ben lifted a hand to catch the crowd’s attention, and they settled down to listen.
“One of the pack’s happiest events is welcoming new pups. It isn’t just numbers, but a sign of life and growth that keeps us strong. Erin and Micah have been blessed with a beautiful beta daughter, and as part of their extended family, we have a responsibility to help protect and guide her in the years to come.”
Ben paused to lay his hand gently on the baby’s head and sample her scent. The little one watched him, wide-eyed and still in the presence of an Alpha for the first time. Ben gave her a wide smile and completed the brief ceremony.
“Kaylee Christine Post, welcome to the pack.”
Applause and verbal congratulations followed as Ben and Evan took a moment to dote on the little one. Most people had assumed the child would be a rare blond like her mother, but it hadn’t worked out that way. While Kaylee’s elfin face matched Erin’s, the little one had been born with a shock of wavy dark hair that mimicked Micah’s tangled, messy man-bun.
Pack members lined up to say hello and get a glimpse of the infant. Those at the back headed for the victuals: finger foods, sweets, and refreshing cold drinks. The old joke was that shifter gatherings were impossible without offering something to eat, but it was true. Pack life relied on food to grease the wheels of conversation and interaction, similar to the way hunting in wolf form bonded the group together.
After grabbing their snacks, the Blairs ran into Jack and William. The twins were off playing with the other kids, leaving their parents a few moments of uninterrupted conversation. Evan got the impression that William had made peace with the travel plans that would soon separate him from his mate and children. Though unhappy about it, he understood the necessity, and decided to focus on the side benefits instead.
“Kiah and Marie can’t stop talking about staying with Jonah and RJ while we’re gone, and I’m grateful they’re willing to watch after them for so long. As for me, I look forward to seeing Walter again, though I wish it were under better circumstances. He’s undergoing chemo at a medical center in Albuquerque, and is prepared to tell his grandson, Gray, about our true identity in case the treatment fails. It makes me nervous, though Jack seems to think it will all work out.”
Jack leaned over to kiss William on the cheek while keeping one eye on his energetic Alpha son.
“Do not fret, beloved. Since learning of the lost pack, my dreams have revealed that Luna has something special in store for Gray. There seems to be a connection between our Navajo friends and the Mexican pack, though I do not yet understand what it involves. In the worst case, Gray’s memories can be easily altered and no harm will have been done.”
As the party began to wind down, a relieved Micah took his family home where he could stop growling at everyone. Others soon followed, putting children to bed and making preparations for tomorrow. Ben and Evan collected their offspring, said goodnight to the last hangers-on, and slipped through the connecting door to their home.
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Eagle River Wisconsin packlands, later that week
Nothing was the same now that she was gone.
Rosalee Winchell had been the pack Omega all of Lincoln Hart’s life, and for decades before. More than that, she and her sister Melva had given him a home when he’d shown up out of the blue, and taught him everything he needed to know. Though male Omegas weren’t exactly rare, there weren’t any besides Lincoln in the packs surrounding Eagle River. Unfortunately, their old-school Alpha, Stu Richmond, and his Second, Bruce Ballard, didn’t think much of weak, useless shifters like Lincoln, wondering why Luna allowed them in the first place.
Though they’d tolerated him while Rosalee was alive, the responsibility of pack Omega had devolved to him upon her death, and they weren’t happy about it. Worse, Lincoln often caught Ballard looking at him like his next meal—barely suppressed sexual interest evident in his pheromones whenever the skeezy man came near. Alpha Richmond got a kick out of it but never said anything one way or another, which gave Lincoln a good reason to watch his back.
It was a blessing that he now shared the house with Melva. She’d always been a good friend and a shoulder to cry on, showering him with the love and affection he desperately needed. Neither she nor Rosalee had found mates or had pups, and were happyto care for Lincoln when no one else wanted him. Now, as things in the pack were changing, Melva clearly understood that Ballard was not to be trusted.
“Lincoln, stay far away from that man! I hate to say it, honey, but maybe it’s time to leave here before something happens. Rosalee and I talked about it before she passed, and we thought you’d be happier in a bigger pack with lots of young people. You just say the word, and I’ll find the both of us a better place.”
Lincoln didn’t think he was ready for such an extreme step, but found the offer comforting. And, if things got worse, at least he had one person he could count on.
Chapter 4
Saturday morning, Gladstone
Who knew that making a trip to see family could be so… complicated? Scooter had been posted inside Lance and Roman’s home as his three teammates, Troy, Shane, and Milo, loaded up the passenger van. First the three car seats, followed by everyone’s luggage and a ton of baby stuff. The family was headed to Seney for an overnight visit with Roman’s family, and it was quite the affair. A harried Lance approached holding one of his boys, now freshly diapered.
“Help me out for a minute? This is Quinn. Watch it—he likes to kick.”
