Page 7 of Ascendant Moon
Seth’s eyes glowed, and a rumbling lusty growl quieted all three babies. Luna had given the trio a unique combination,enabling either Finn or Leland to carry pups using the Change Mate process, just as Ben and Evan had. They had decided that Finn would go first, mostly because he’d insisted, and the men couldn’t wait to begin their family.
“Well, if it weren’t for the national meeting next month, I would already be pregnant. Since we’re planning on a three-way genetic mix, we’ll have to wait until the full moon in September, and I should deliver near the end of December.”
When it became obvious that the boys needed a diaper change, Roman and Lance coached their friends through the process. They got the job done, despite their unfamiliarity with wet wipes, wiggly babies, and onesies. Once that was taken care of, the conversation moved on to other topics, including Lance’s involvement in shifter education. Seth wanted to know how it might impact Seney.
“Our pack is still on the small side, and educating our kids is a real struggle. We’re in talks with several other packs in the area to form a daycare and school like Gladstone did, but where do we find teachers and get quality materials?”
Lance had already planned to fill them in, and he was excited to have good news.
“I’ll have my education degree finished in the fall, and the Council has offered me a position as the National Curriculum Director. My job is to create shifter-based coursework that also satisfies GED requirements, and provide all the workbooks, reading materials, and tests. I’m hoping to have the first batch of resources available by the end of the year.”
The front door opened just then, heralding the arrival of Zara and Margo, on a break from their work in the pack kitchen. While they fussed over Alastair and Quinn, Roman scooped upa sleepy Logan and laid him across his lap. Minutes later, the Pickett family arrived, and little Orion scurried over to see the boys. Wide-eyed, he scented each of them and then turned to his parents while pointing at the babies.
“Too eldo, mama, too eldo!”
Gabe chuckled as Sofia responded.
“Yes, they are True Elders, just like you.”
As he often did, Orion climbed up in Leland’s lap—his favorite person, and the first one he’d known that shared his own scent. Now seated, Gabe asked Leland a curious question.
“The team was supposed to call this morning. Any news yet?”
Roman and Lance had no idea what he was talking about, so Leland included an explanation with his answer.
“Nothing yet, Gabe. Generations ago, red wolves and their shifter cousins flourished in the southern region of this country. I am eager to find them, if they still exist, and a recent dream provided a location to begin looking. Alpha Sheppard was kind enough to send a team, and we expect to hear from them at any time.”
Lance and Roman understood the importance of such a search, just as Jack had informed Gladstone about Lobos, who were only now being brought back from the brink of extinction. The problem, of course, was that shifters couldn’t thrive unless they could hide among natural wolves of the same type. If there were few, or none at all, such shifters were forced into seclusion—resulting in an unhealthy and severely restricted life among humans. Lance was more than encouraged by the news.
“That’s wonderful, Leland! I’ll tell Ben, but please let us know what they find. I have to believe that if Luna gave you the dreams, there must be others who survived the purge.”
Leland nodded.
“That is our hope as well, and I trust Luna to give us the answers we need when the time comes.”
Chapter 5
Saturday, July 24th, Albuquerque, New Mexico
After three hours of driving, Gray Claw finally reached the city, allowing the phone app to direct him to Harrison House—a short-term housing facility for medical patients on the Albuquerque Cancer Center campus. His grandmother, Tayen, had phoned yesterday with the latest update and an invitation to come and see them over the weekend. He’d agreed to house-sit while they were out of town, and brought the mail, some clothing, and other items Tayen had requested.
Gray pulled into a parking space out front, surprised that the building looked something like an expansive ranch house with two large wings connected by a veranda. He put on the mask he’d been instructed to wear, grabbed the laundry basket with their things, and locked the pickup. While he was eager to see them, Gray couldn’t shake the nagging fear that his beloved grandfather might succumb to cancer. It ran in the family, after all, killing his great-grandfather in his fifties.
His relationship with Walter ran deeper than with any other family member, including his own mother. Gray had what was called an “old spirit,” mature beyond his nineteen years, and deeply respectful of his heritage. He and Walter had been close from the beginning, with shared interests, open minds, and similar views of the world. To lose the man now would leave him anchorless and achingly lonely, but he refused to do or say anything that might discourage Walter in the midst of his treatment.
Now inside the lobby, Gray turned left down the hallway, stopping to knock softly on door number seven. Tayen, alsomasked, opened the door and waved her tall, slim, long-haired grandson inside.
“Gray! I’m so glad you’re here, and thank you for bringing our things.”
She took the basket and set it next to the small closet. Walter waved at him from the sitting area, propped up with pillows in an overstuffed chair. He’d lost his hair and looked worn out, but Gray tried to hide his dismay and leaned down to hug him gently.
“Grandfather, I have missed you. Mother sends her love, and your friends at the museum asked me to bring this for you.”
Gray handed him a sealed greeting card, which Walter set on the side table.
“I will open that later, but tell them I appreciate their kindness. I regret dragging you all the way to Albuquerque, but the drive is too long for Tayen and I to shuttle back and forth, and I need to be here for all the tests and appointments. But enough about me. Right now we want to know how things are with you.”
Gray sat next to Tayen on the nearby loveseat while he brought his grandparents up to speed on his life, his work with the new Lobo wolf packs, and tribal news. Before long, Tayen announced that she had errands to run while someone else was here to keep Walter company.
