Page 60 of Ascendant Moon
Tonight’s celebration had become another learning experience for Dante and his friends. The León pack had created somewhat different customs, and except for the birthday part, Gray was almost completely out of his element. Eventually, they joined the Blairs by the fireplace for cake and conversation. Evie was immediately drawn to Nick and Gray, the Alpha twins soughtout Dante, and the triplets peppered Sergio with questions. As they talked about the future, Ben reminded them that Gladstone’s way wasn’t the only one.
“You’ll learn to establish traditions and celebrations that fit your pack and its people. There’s really no wrong way to do things, though I would encourage you to gather together often. If you need ideas, just pick up the phone or ask Sergio to search his memories. Some of what we did tonight was based on traditions that are hundreds of years old.
“Given the mix of Navajo and Mexican cultures, your pack will be unique among our people. If you associate with the American Shifter Council, there will be certain rules and guidelines to follow, but the rest is up to you. It may take a while to get established, but by the time you’re all mated and have families, the pack will have taken on its own identity. Just remember that we’re always available if you need help.”
Chapter 31
Saturday morning, Gladstone
After breakfast, Evan had taken over the dining room table to finish what he’d called the “preggo project.” Starting with his own memories, he’d designed oversized flashcards with different terms or symbols that Jonah could use to communicate with RJ while he was locked in wolf form. Being unable to express yourself, ask for something, or share needs would be exasperating and stressful—especially when mixed with unpredictable hormone swings. He'd also consulted Ben and the soon-to-be-expectant couple to incorporate their ideas.
As often happened, life got in the way, and he only had until lunch to finish the set for Jonah and RJ. Thankfully, Zane and Trisha Metcalf had volunteered to take the kids for a run, giving him time to finish. Evan fired up the laminating machine and began feeding the cards through. Most every topic was covered, including food, sex, entertainment, sleep, emotions, and the names of people Jonah might wish to visit or hear from.
Evan also included a set of alphabet letters and numbers to lay out on the floor, enabling Jonah to use his paws to spell out what he wanted to do or say to his mate. The system wasn’t perfect by any means, but it was better than leaving RJ to guess what Jonah couldn’t verbally express. If it worked as intended, Evan toyed with the idea of making a pregnancy kit available to other Change Mate couples.
By the time he’d finished, it was almost eleven-thirty, and the kids would be returning home soon for lunch. Ben was busy meeting with Dante and his pack about their upcoming move to Arizona, so he’d have to deliver the cards himself. He tuckedthem inside a sturdy kraft envelope, slipped on a light jacket, and headed for Eastside. It was sunny and breezy today, though the temperature hadn’t yet reached sixty. As an Arctic wolf, he enjoyed cooler days, and couldn’t wait for the cold and snow of winter.
The area around the Eastside apartments was now dotted with cabin-style homes, spaced far enough apart to give homeowners a bit of room and privacy. Jonah and RJ’s place was tucked in amongst a cluster of red maple trees that were now coming into their color. Within a couple of weeks, the packlands would resemble a painter’s pallet, bursting with red, orange, gold, and yellow. Evan reached the front door, pausing to listen and scent carefully. The couple was spending the day together in human form, and if they were busy in the bedroom, he certainly didn’t want to interrupt.
Fortunately, the sounds and smells of lunch preparation indicated that it was probably safe to knock. Jonah knew who it was before opening the door, and gave his brother-in-law a warm hug before pointing at the envelope in his hand.
“Is that what I think it is? Come on in and let’s take a look!”
The couple scanned through the cards with interest—nodding at most, laughing at several, and growling at some of the intimate ones. Evan explained the letter and number cards and then asked if they had everything they needed. RJ shrugged.
“I think so. We have a sandbox all set up in the bathroom, bowls for Jonah’s food and water, a soft bed in the living room, and some warm blankets to cover the mattress so we can sleep together in wolf form. Did I forget anything?”
Evan thought of a few more things to mention.
“I spent a lot of time curled up next to Ben on the couch, so you might want a light blanket to keep the hair off of everything. Jonah will rely on you for his meals and snacks, and he’ll be hungryall the time. Oh, and don’t forget that he won’t be able to open and close doors or turn the lights on and off by himself. You’ll probably discover a few other things that will make it easier for your mate, even if they seem strange to you.
“Jonah, you’re welcome to join us during the day while RJ is working, and if you need to be alone, the spare bedroom is all yours. We’re going to make this pregnancy as easy as possible and see that you’re taken care of. The kids are really excited to spend more time with you, and they have a list of things you can do together. RJ, if you don’t feel like cooking, you can eat at the packhouse or ask the kitchen to deliver. And don’t worry about Jonah’s safety—security will make sure he’s protected whenever he’s outside.”
Right on schedule, Evan’s rumbling stomach reminded them all it was time for lunch, and he gave both men a hug before departing for home. While a Change Mate pregnancy was an enormous blessing, he knew from experience that those three months often seemed twice as long. Evan had hoped to be pregnant again himself by now, but with everything going on, it wasn’t practical to be out of commission and leave Ben with all the responsibility. Would things ever settle down, or was this what his future looked like?
############
That afternoon
The Ramseys arrived from Duluth in a stuffed SUV, topped with a luggage carrier. Given the normal stresses of travel and unfamiliar surroundings, it was decided they would receive asimple welcome that wouldn’t overwhelm the family. Ben and Evan greeted them warmly outside the packhouse, grabbed a few of the bags, and led them to their home away from home. A stay of several weeks for a family of five might have been impossible anywhere else, but the new guesthouse provided modern, comfortable, and spacious accommodations. Once they’d claimed bedrooms and refreshed themselves, Ben and Evan led them back to the packhouse for a mid-afternoon snack, pointing out buildings and features as they went.
A scent of something sweet and spicy hung heavy in the air as they were given a quick tour of the building. Being a Saturday, the baking schedule normally featured pie or cake, and Michelle brought out generous servings of warm Harvest Cake, chock full of nuts, apples, and spices—slathered with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Evan purposely sat next to Colton, giving the young man a quick side hug.
“I’m so glad you’re here! Your training won’t begin until Monday, so just relax and have fun today and tomorrow. Everyone knows who you are and why you’re here, so there’s no need to explain. You’ve already met Jack, but we have four True Elder infants and a guest from Mexico that I’ll introduce to you soon.”
Colton wasn’t nearly as anxious as he’d been at their first meeting in Montana, though he was naturally curious about the pack and what his training would involve. No doubt he’d picked up bits and pieces at the national meeting, besides what Evan had told him and his parents. Evan’s own True Elder education had begun very shortly after arriving at Gladstone and mating with Ben, leaving little time to wonder and worry. He’d been a college graduate, however, and eager to know his place in theworld—not an angsty seventeen-year-old with raging hormones and an uncertain future.
Following refreshments, Ben and Evan completed the central compound tour, ending up at home where the kids were spending time with Cody and his family. The minute they arrived, Evie made a beeline for Colton, lifting her arms to be picked up. He didn’t seem to mind, and settled her on his hip. She’d picked up on his disquiet and let her calming scent do its work while Ben made the introductions.
“This is our chef, Cody Erwin, his mate Abigail, and their son Perry. The rest of these are ours: Derek, Dawson, Marco, Max, Mitchell, and Evie. This is Jim and Karol Ramsey and their children—Naya, Willow, and Colton.”
The little ones drafted Naya and Willow to read them a story, settling on the living room floor near the bookcase. The adults, including Colton, found seats to relax for a few minutes and talk. After a bit, Evan presented the Ramseys with an invitation.
“We would love for you to join us for supper tonight. The other True Elders and their loved ones will be here for dessert so Colton can meet them all. Meanwhile, feel free to unpack or look around, and if there’s anything you need, please ask.”
############
Later that evening
