Page 47 of Healing Creek
Feeona and Seneca stayed behind with theHawleyand would leave the area immediately to avoid drawing attention to the location.
Creek led the group up to the edge of the dense vegetation. Thick trunked trees reached far into the sky, heavy vines weighing sturdy branches down nearly to the ground. Wide leaf plants reaching a meter tall lined the rim of the ravine like sentinels. He searched for familiar markers that would guide them in. He’d only been on this edge of the ravine a few times.
Arena Dogs did not patrol the perimeter or go anywhere they might chance being seen.
“Remember, there’ll be human guards. Don’t be alarmed.”
He spotted a carving high on the trunk of a tree and headed for it. Reaching it, the others on his heels, he looked for the next. In minutes they were pushing aside low branches to reveal the path. Wide enough for only a single file line, Creek took the lead with Grace’s hand in his. If a step down was too steep, he had only to turn and steady her. He saw Mercury doing the same for the much shorter Samantha.
Creek spotted the first sentry and yipped a warning for the others. Their ears stood tall, and their eyes searched the trees until they spotted him. The sentry gave a wave to proceed then spoke softly into his radio, calling down the line and to the base below.
Even if the man hadn’t recognized Creek, the other males were unmistakably Arena Dogs. Getting past the sentries would be the easy part.
An hour down the path they reached the sudden drop leading into the top level of the facility. Armed Arena Dogs waited on either side of the area below. Max stood in the middle, his expression difficult to read. Not anger or greeting. Relief maybe.
Creek dropped into the hallway, the landing jarring forever sore joints.
Max extended his hands. “It’s good to have you home.”
A grunt from one of the Dogs and a growl from another made it clear the welcome was not universal, but Creek took the offered hands anyway. A quick bark from Max quieted their complaints.
“Can the others descend?”
Max nodded.
Creek turned to look up at Grace and lifted his arms. Like a trusting child she jumped down to him without hesitation. He held her against his chest a moment longer than necessary. Her scent settled him like nothing else could. The sound of the others landing around them forced him to set her on her feet.
“Mercury, this is Maximus. Haven’s alpha.”
Mercury extended his hands in greeting just as Max had earlier. When the man accepted the gesture and none of the others complained something inside Creek calmed. He hadn’t tainted Mercury’s arrival with his reputation.
“Let’s save the introductions until we get down to the meeting room,” said Max. “I could probably name you each anyway. The tales of your exploits are everywhere.”
Max looked them over and his gaze lingered on Grace longer than Creek liked. “Your story is a bit different,” said Max. “I’ll look forward to learning more from you.” He motioned them all through a doorway with a wave of his arm. “This way.”
They followed him several levels down the spiral staircase and through the stone corridors to the meeting room.
“It’s like a fortress,” muttered Samantha.
Max made a gruff noise of agreement. “The lower levels were carved out as large hollows that have been divided up by wooden walls. But yes, it is as much a fortress as we could make it.”
“We knew our secret would get out one day.” The silky feminine voice of Eve slid along the stone. “Our main goal was to give everyone time to get out before they could simply blast us out of existence.”
She was a statuesque beauty of middle years. A few whisps of gray streaked through the black curls piled atop her head. She stepped up to Grace and visibly noted their hands intertwined. “A lot of people are looking for you.”
“My family.” Grace tightened her grip.
“And Roma.” Eve frowned. “We weren’t expecting you here.”
Max released his mate and led the way into the large stone-walled room. Like many of the rooms on the ravine side of Haven, one side was a half wall. Unlike other rooms with a half wall, the top half was enclosed by glass. The windows allowed beautiful views of the ravine and when closed they’d provide privacy. The windows stood open now.
The entire room went on alert when clawed hands appeared on the ledge and an Arena Dog vaulted in.
“Saturn!” Mercury strode forward to embrace the Dog. “I thought you were dead.”
Jupiter joined them in the embrace. When Mercury released Saturn, he turned to his mate with a wide smile. “We grew up in the same kennel.”
Samantha grinned back at him. “That’s wonderful.”
