Page 73 of Ascendant Moon
“Your name is very pretty. What does it mean?”
An inner struggle she didn’t understand encouraged her to embrace the attractive man, but she resisted the silly idea.
“Sakari means “sweet” and Nez is the word for “tall.” Are you also one of the new owners?”
“Yes. I am the Alph.. uhhh, leader of our group. I would be honored if you would show us around the ranch.”
Sakari, with Dante at her side, began at the house, followed by the guest cabins—including one she’d been using temporarily. By the time they reached the barn, Dante ached to touch her, and asked if he could hold her hand. She gave him an odd look, along with permission, and he lifted it to his lips for a soft kiss. Somehow he hadn’t frightened her, yet, and Sergio marveled at his old friend’s self-control. The tour continued until they’d seen most of the operation, firing off questions as they went.
While the house was clean, it lacked furniture and all things kitchen. Gray and Nick agreed to make a run into Springerville for groceries, dining implements, cookware, and other household basics. Meanwhile, Sergio stayed behind to act as the budding couple’s chaperone and make sure Dante didn’t push for too much too soon. Sakari seemed to be holding her own, totally unaware that a wolf shifter was prepared to claim her as his mate.
Following supper, they observed Sakari’s evening routine with the animals, getting them fed and settled for the night. She answered more questions, and Gray’s work experience helped him understand how the operation worked. Bedtime, however, became something of a problem. While Alpha Sheppard had arranged for an open-ended charge account at a furniture store in Tucson, getting it here would take time.
The only beds available were those in the guest cabins, and since they needed four and only had three, someone would have to share. Sakari solved the problem by inviting Dante to her place for the night. He responded with a lusty growl, picked her up, and headed for the cabin without a backward glance.
Chapter 37
October 1st, Eagle River Wisconsin packlands
In chaos, there is opportunity.
Melva had no idea where the saying came from, but she’d adopted it as part of her plan to free Lincoln. That pesky cougar had been slinking in and out of packlands, avoiding capture but causing plenty of disruption. Lockdowns, added patrols at dawn and dusk, and periodic hunting parties had upset the normal ebb and flow of pack life, and Melva was waiting for the right moment to pounce.
She’d taken to rising before dawn, like this morning, watching out the window and listening carefully for the all-clear signals from the patrols. As a safety measure, they were the only ones allowed outside their homes before sunrise and after sunset, and their systematic howls let everyone know that it was safe to move about. Melva listened and counted as the patrol teams sent the all-clear messages until… wait, where was the last one?
A few more seconds ticked past until an agonizing alarm rent the air and was suddenly cut off. Alpha Richmond’s emergency howl soon followed, requiring every able-bodied male in the pack to report for search and rescue,including Bruce. The packlands exploded with fevered activity as the men left their homes, heading to the challenge circle for their assignments. This was it—the opportunity she’d been waiting for!
Growling in anticipation, Melva opened the front door, stripped down to shift, and darted into the woods. Bruce’s home wasn’t far, but she took a route that would bring her around the back where she wouldn’t be seen. Breathing heavily, she paused onthe small porch, ears cocked and nose madly sniffing the air—only picking up the scents of Bruce and Lincoln.
As Richmond’s Second, Ballard’s place was at his Alpha’s side, and surely he’d already left the house. At least she hoped he had, or this rescue attempt would fail spectacularly. Melva shifted and tried the doorknob. It was unlocked, saving her the noisy and difficult job of breaking in. An empty kitchen greeted her, and she called out.
“Lincoln! Where are you?”
A series of anxious yips reached her from the basement, and she yanked open the door to head downstairs. Anger surged as she found him locked in a dog kennel, beside himself to see her. She released the catch and Lincoln nearly knocked her down with relief and excitement.
“No time, sweetheart. We’re getting out of here!”
He ran up the stairs ahead of her, and waited at the open back door while she caught up.
“Everybody’s out searching, so don’t worry about the patrols. Run as fast as you can, and I’ll meet you at Gladstone as soon as I can get there. I love you, now go!”
Lincoln gave her hand a quick swipe with his tongue and darted outside. He was already out of sight by the time Melva shifted, heading for the eastern border as quickly as her old bones could carry her. They were free!
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Hours later…
Worn out and discouraged, Stu Richmond returned to his office for a few moments of peace and quiet. How could thingshave gone so terribly wrong? Two of his enforcers were dead—ambushed by the cougar while on patrol. Fortunately, they’d finally caught and killed the dangerous beast, but Lenny and Kurt paid the ultimate price. Richmond had tried to comfort their families, promising one of those new memorial service things when the dust settled.
That wasn’t the worst of it, though. Somehow, this craptastic day had gone even further downhill when Bruce discovered that Lincoln and Melva were missing. The pack was madder than hell, and Richmond had no choice but to send out search parties to track them down. All this fuss over a meddling old bitch and a useless Omega! While no one openly said so, the pack was blaminghimfor this fiasco. He could smell their discontent, read their body language, and see the fury in their eyes. Damn it all!
Richmond dropped heavily into his office chair, wishing he could sweep this mess away and start over. Would he have done things differently? Maybe, maybe not. Hindsight and what ifs weren’t going to soothe tempers and restore the respect of his people. He’d been a pack Alpha long enough to know that the passage of time cured most ills, and folks would eventually forget why they’d been upset. Bruce’s scent preceded the knock on his door, interrupting Richmond’s introspection.
“Come!”
Ballard entered quietly, eager to avoid the tongue-lashing he knew was coming.
“Well? Did you find them?”
