The room was big enough to accommodate more than the council and many Arena Dogs crowded in. A full round of introductions followed, including the other three Arena Dog members of the guiding council and the two additional human members. Creek had not often been included in council matters. He’d only been expected to live by the rules they laid out.
He watched as Mercury studied each member as they were introduced, taking their measure. It relieved him to see that Mercury weighed each one because, though they were all worthy leaders, not all could be counted on in equal measure. Some had been softened by years of hiding while others had grown restless in the knowledge that many still suffered in slavery.
Lo had slipped to the periphery and worked his way to Saturn’s side only a few meters away from where Creek and Grace stood. He tilted his head and concentrated on hearing their whispered words.
Saturn looked Lo up and down. “You seem more relaxed than last I saw you. That’s good.”
Lo grunted. “You look more alive than last I saw you. That’s also good.”
Saturn laughed and nodded his head in acknowledgement. “Yes.”
As the two Dogs laughed together, Saturn’s expression turned cautious. “I heard you might have a reason to hold a grudge against the resistance. We heard you attacked one of their agents before you were freed.”
Lo shrugged. “Now is not the time to stir trouble. There is much at stake, and I owe these people a debt of gratitude for freeing my brothers.”
Saturn raised his eyebrows. “But not for freeing you?”
“No. Samantha saved me. Free or not, I was lost until her.” His words rang with the sound of his full heart beating in the syllables.
Creek shifted his attention away when he heard the unmistakable shuffle of Grail approaching from his other side. The scowl he wore let Creek know two years had not softened the man’s feelings.
Creek gently nudged Grace into a better position so she would not be between them, then waited until he was within reaching distance to acknowledge Grail with a warning growl.
Grail’s voice was sloppy and full of teeth. “You shouldn’t have come back here.”
“I won’t be here long. No need to get worked up.”
Grail snarled and leaned in. Creek held his ground and angled his head to look the other Dog in the eye. And then Lo was stepping between them, putting them shoulder to shoulder.
Grail stepped back at the obvious show of support.
“The boogie man letting others fight his battles now?”
Creek ignored the attempt to provoke him and smiled. For some reason he didn’t understand, Mercury’s pack treated him like a brother. He didn’t know how long that would last, especially now that they were among the others. He meant to enjoy it while he could. But there was no reason for the resistance not to accept them. And ultimately, he couldn’t get in the way of that.
“Sorry, I’m late.” Saturn stepped in and captured everyone’s attention. “I was trying to find Neri. She’s been spending more time away from the den, but I thought she’d want to know you’re back.” He looked straight at Creek.
Chapter Twenty
Haven,Umbria
EarthAllianceBetaSector
2210.200
Saturn’s voice had been too damned loud and the whole room was now looking at them.
“Wait,” said Samantha from across the room, sitting at the table where Mercury had made sure she was comfortable. “You have female Arena Dogs here? Why did I never ask this before?”
Mercury tapped her shoulder. “Because we know most here came from near death on the arena floor. It has been a long time since females were allowed to fight.”
“We only have one female,” said Max. “And she often grows tired of the males who think they can claim her.”
Creek laughed. “Only a fool would think to try.” As he spoke, he realized Grace had gone very still. He’d had no reason to speak to her about Neri, so it must be as much of a surprise to her as to the others.
Max yipped in agreement. “She’ll come back when she’s ready and not before.”
Grail growled. “Why are we talking about females when we should be talking about the consequences of Creek divulging the location of Haven. He brought humans with him, for fuck’s sake. A whole ship full of them if our intel is correct.”