Page 99 of Ascendant Moon
“No worries, sweetheart. He’ll never take you or the pup away from me, and I’ll kill him myself if he shows his face around here. My mate. MINE!”
Lincoln managed a mournful howl and then went suddenly still and quiet. Scooter looked up to find Evan staring at his beloved, evidently doing that mind thing. Good. His words weren’t enough right now to calm his frightened mate, but a True Elder had the power to do that and much more. With a gesture from Ben, Scooter said nothing, silently monitoring Lincoln’s scent.
Evan saw that Scooter understood what was happening and focused solely on the petrified Omega. While he wasn’t prepared to delete Lincoln’s memories of Bruce, hecouldbring his fear down to a manageable level.
Believe your mate.
You and the pup are safe.
Be strong and fearless!
Trust your packmates.
No one will hurt you.
We stand together.
Several slow minutes passed as Evan replaced Lincoln’s natural responses with bold confidence, pack strength, and the protection of his mate. There was absolutely no doubt that Scooter’s promise to kill Bruce was sincere, and based on his dreams, that day was coming. It didn’t mean the danger was insignificant or that they could skimp on security, but in the end, Ballard would no longer be a threat.
Lincoln had stopped shaking; scent changing to one of relative peace and mild concern. Evan further reinforced his trust in the pack and his mate, assuring that Lincoln could go about his daily life without jumping at shadows. His work was done when the Omega began to doze, content with his mate’s warmth, scent, and touch. Scooter noticed the changes and looked up with unshed tears.
“Thank you. Will he be all right?”
Evan nodded.
“Yes. He’s a lot stronger than we might think, but only because he can’t express himself right now. Lincoln trusts you and the pack to protect him, and we aren’t going to let him down. Take him home to rest, but don’t be afraid to talk about his concerns if he brings them up.”
Scooter nodded and stood with Lincoln cradled in his arms. Ben got up to open the door and make sure security was there to escort them home. Oscar turned to Evan with an admiring look as Ben rejoined his mate, kissing the top of his head.
“The work you do fascinates me. Is that a gift you use often?”
Evan’s scent revealed mild amusement.
“Lately, yes, but for the most part it’s only needed here and there. Lincoln’s traumatic situation means he needed more intervention than most. It’s a privilege to be able to help my packmates with issues like this instead of watching them suffer. On the other hand, come back and visit in a few years when Lance and Roman’s triplets or Donna and Lou’s son are a bit older. Jack and I will probably be in their heads all the time, trying to keep the little boogers from taking over!”
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Later that week…
Lincoln was lonely without his mate.
Scooter had returned to work, unable to take more time off for his purported illness, leaving Lincoln to fill his days with activity. He’d spent some time with Melva helping in the daycare, going on runs with Jonah, visiting various families formeals, or resting at home where Scooter’s scent helped him deal with the separation. The possibility of Bruce finding him here didn’t strike terror in his heart the way it had, though Lincoln wasn’t quite sure why. Security followed him everywhere, which was annoying at times, but he appreciated knowing that someone had his back when Scooter wasn’t around.
He'd been astonished when Ben revealed to him and Melva that money was available to build both of them new homes. Alpha Sheppard clearly had to have doubled or tripled the value of Melva’s old house in Eagle River to come up with the sum now sitting in the bank. Construction wouldn’t begin until the spring, but he and Scooter had been scoping out possible sites and trying to decide what type of home they wanted. It would have to be big enough for a family, because Lincoln wanted more than a few pups with his wonderful mate.
With only five weeks to go until he delivered, they’d already begun to plan for the little one. The easy solution was to use the spare bedroom as a nursery. Besides basic furniture, pups needed a lot of stuff to care for them properly—diapers, clothing, blankets, toys, bottles, and pacifiers, among other things.
Thankfully, he and Scooter wouldn’t have to deal with it by themselves. The pack was ready and willing to help with whatever they needed, taking off a great deal of pressure. Lincoln was also excited that Jonah’s delivery date was only a month later than his, meaning their pups would have someone the same age to play with. Once they were walking, talking, and shifting on their own, it didn’t matter because watching the kids became a community responsibility. Gladstone, he’d discovered, seemed like the perfect place to raise a family, and Ben was the nicest Alpha he’d ever met.
Lincoln’s ears perked up when he heard the distinctive sound of Scooter’s sedan pulling into the lot. He’d been watching the kids use the school playground and took off with a series of friendly yips when his mate arrived home. People waved or said hello as he zipped past, knowing he wanted to be the first to welcome his mate every day. Scooter was just getting out of the car when Lincoln spotted his handsome mate in uniform. The sight always got him excited, and though humping Scooter’s leg was undignified, he was sorely tempted.
“There’s my mate! Come and give me kisses.”
Lincoln wiggled with excitement, threading between and around Scooter’s long legs. Next came the promised kisses—long slobbery licks that rasped over five o’clock shadow. Once they’d completed the welcome home ritual, Lincoln trotted alongside to the apartment, eager for Scooter’s knot and then supper. Once the pup arrived, they’d probably have to change the routine, but until then, they were happy with the way things were.
Chapter 50
Friday, October 15th, Rancho Lobo (Arizona)
