Page 15 of Ascendant Moon (Gladstone Shifters #6)
Wednesday morning, en route to Gladstone
“We need to hurry, Gray. Our connecting flight is at the other end of the concourse.”
Their flight from Albuquerque to Chicago had arrived late, leaving the pair very little time to collect their bags and make it to the small commuter terminal for their connecting flight to Gladstone.
With airlines, it was always an annoying and stressful hurry up and wait game.
When traveling with Jack, William was normally the laid-back picture of calm.
Today, however, he was responsible for someone who’d never flown before, and was nearly desperate to get home—even if his mate wouldn’t be there to greet him.
Their luck held, however, and they made it to the terminal in the nick of time.
As the last to board, they found the craft only half-full, and chose an isolated pair of seats at the rear.
Both men put on the noise-canceling headphones they’d brought along as the plane taxied to the runway, and they settled in for the ninety-minute flight.
Unfortunately, it meant they really couldn’t engage in conversation on this stretch of the journey.
William took out his phone and brought up the book app he’d installed, eager to finish the Sci-Fi trilogy he’d been reading.
Once they were airborne, Gray reclined his seat, closed his eyes, and tried to sort through everything he’d learned about shifters.
The last thing he wanted to do was to embarrass himself by saying or doing something that would offend his hosts, though William had already told him not to worry.
“Everyone knows that you are human and still learning about us. Walter had the same fear when he visited Gladstone, but enjoyed himself immensely and made a lot of new friends. I have no doubt it will be the same for you. If you’re not sure about something, you can always ask me, Jack, Ben, or Evan.
The only caveat is to avoid the topic of shifter sex with Nolan—he would likely overwhelm you with too much information! ”
Prior to his life-changing conversation with Walter, Gray had never imagined the possibility of wolf shifters.
Their existence was, in and of itself, fascinating and mysterious, but he envied their dual natures, heightened abilities, and deep connection to nature.
As Diné, his people probably came closer to identifying with shifters than the average human.
Both had struggled for survival, and lived in a harsh, greedy, self-absorbed world that cared for little except personal gain.
Suddenly, the plane shook and rattled with turbulence—disturbing Gray’s train of thought and his stomach.
William simply grunted, reached over to pat his forearm, and kept reading.
Apparently, the man often napped on longer flights, though Gray couldn’t imagine being comfortable enough to fall asleep while being bounced around this way.
Recapturing his earlier thoughts, Gray now understood why his ancestors had befriended and protected shifters in days gone by.
He was proud that his own family had become an enduring link between them, beginning with Gray Feather and Hezekiah Matson.
Today, it was him and his grandfather, though he wondered if his people could ever enjoy a broader connection to shifters.
Probably not, as it would put them at increased risk of being discovered.
Guarding their secret had now become a cornerstone of Gray’s life, as it had been for Walter, and neither of them were the type to shirk their responsibilities.
Thoughts of his grandfather brought a wave of concern and future sorrow if he succumbed to cancer.
They’d grown even closer in the last few weeks, sharing an amazing secret that few had been privileged to know.
Gray couldn’t predict what the future held, for him or his shifter friends, but he had a feeling this trip to Gladstone just might provide a hint.
############
Wednesday afternoon, en route to León
While Alpha Cruz’s Second did the best he could on short notice, their eight-person contingent ended up in economy class—together but cramped.
Fortunately, the relatively short flight passed quickly, and they landed at the Guanajuato International Airport around two-thirty in the afternoon.
Next, they caught an airport shuttle into the city, arriving in León shortly after three o’clock.
Since Jack had called ahead, they were greeted warmly by Hector Alvarez and Alpha Javier Navarro before being whisked away to Navarro’s home for their first meeting.
Since it was a weekday afternoon, the rest of the pack (including Javier’s mate, Elena, and son, Dante) were either working or making arrangements to attend the meeting that evening.
Javier gave his guests the chance to refresh themselves before settling in the high-ceilinged, tile-floored living room.
Natural light and ventilation added to their comfort as Alpha Cruz introduced himself, the other three Council members, Juan Ortega, Jack, and his bodyguards.
Cruz then addressed Hector and Alpha Navarro directly.
“It’s wonderful to finally meet part of the infamous “lost pack,” though I hadn’t envisioned things quite this way! Luna has a habit of turning expectations upside down when you least expect it, but I hope our presence here demonstrates how serious we are about helping you and your people.”
Hearty chuckles filled the air and Navarro responded with a wide smile.
“We are as grateful as you can imagine, Alpha Cruz, and are amazed by the way you have adapted to living among humans and yet retained the freedom your wolves crave. Our lives here have not been terrible, yet at every turn there were restrictions, trade-offs, and limits. Once we realized that you had found us, it opened up a treasure chest of buried hopes that we might find a better life elsewhere. Luna has brought us a precious gift, and you’ll find that my people are ready to accept it.
“Jack, I am particularly eager for you to meet your relatives. Many have come and gone in the years since our ancestors sought refuge in León, but those living today are delighted to have a True Elder relation in the States. I warn you—they want to know everything about your long life and travels, so be prepared.”
Jack simply smiled while the others chuckled.
“It is fortuitous, then, that Luna has blessed me with a good memory and over a hundred and seventy years-worth of stories. I suspect we will have plenty to talk about.”
In the time they had before supper, Alpha Cruz gave Hector and Javier a quick sketch of what they intended to say to the pack at the meeting.
Questions were answered and clarified to avoid any misunderstandings, and all agreed that the entire operation would be a process rather than a single event.
No one in modern shifter history had ever attempted the wholesale relocation of an entire pack over such an enormous distance, though Cruz was determined to succeed as quickly and efficiently as possible.
“We’ll need a great deal of cooperation and coordination, but the transition from León to Chihuahua is just the first step.
I’ll admit it gets a little messy after that, but once we work through all the details, I believe we can get everyone settled by the end of the year.
No one will lack support or help, but the important thing is that your people will no longer be bound by the limits you’ve had to accept here.
You and your wolves will be free to live as Luna intended. ”
############
Later that night
The meeting itself ended up being more of a Q&A session rather than a group decision to relocate north.
Though a few were reluctant to leave and start over somewhere new, they would have been left alone in León without their friends and loved ones nearby.
The added incentives of freedom for their wolves and generous financial help, made the decision to leave much easier.
Once the questions petered out, the Chihuahua delegation (except Jack and his bodyguards) met briefly with every family or single person in the pack to confirm personal and contact information.
Those who had homes or businesses would receive assistance in selling, and those living in apartments would be given the necessary funds to break their leases.
Furniture and belongings would be loaded into containers, shipped to Chihuahua, and held in storage until needed.
Except for those tying up loose ends in León, the rest would be transported by bus to the Full Moon Ranch.
Arrangements would then be made to visit other area packs who were accepting new members.
No one would be forced to live or work where they were not comfortable, and the goal was to get people settled as quickly as possible so they could begin building their new lives.
Meanwhile, a teary-eyed Jack had been surrounded by his relatives, all trying to talk at once.
Initial introductions were made, and Jack showed them photos of William and the twins.
Since his time here was limited, he gave them an abbreviated account of his long life and travels, and listened to their stories in return.
After he’d been hugged to within an inch of his life, Jack opened the mind-link with Sergio and asked him to stay behind.
He agreed, and they found a quiet spot behind a stack of chairs to share a few quick memories.
Sergio thought it was about their family connection, and was surprised when Jack shared one of Luna’s dreams with him instead. When the scene ended, Jack released him so they could discuss it.
“I did not know until recently who you and the others were, but Luna was very clear that the three of you needed to join me at Gladstone.”
Sergio couldn’t deny the clarity of the dream, though his friends might not be so easily convinced.
“I’d love to come, Jack, but should we tell Nick that he’ll meet his mate there? And what about Dante? His hope has always been to lead a pack of his own. Why should he come along then?”
Jack understood Sergio’s confusion, though he clearly needed further mentoring. Jack only had a mandate for them to come with him, not the reasoning behind it. Besides, as True Elders, they had the power to convince both men to come with them if need be.
“Luna does not always provide the answers we seek. The dream’s purpose and timing were meant to bring the three of you to Gladstone, and I am confident that the information you desire will be revealed.
Come. We must speak with Nick and Dante, and convince them to join us.
Do you have any experience influencing minds? ”
Sergio shrugged.
“Very little, but then I haven’t had reason to use it often. Why don’t you handle that part while I present the idea?”
They found Nick comforting an older pack member who was struggling with the upcoming move.
He hadn’t yet spoken with Jack, but agreed to help locate Dante so they could talk.
The young Alpha had just finished a tense exchange with his father, red-faced and bristling with anger.
Nick took his hand, enveloped him with a wave of calming pheromones, and dragged him to a quiet corner.
Dante cooled off quickly and Jack began his clandestine influence on both men before Sergio got started.
“Jack has invited the three of us to come with him when he returns home. We’d have a chance to see how a modern pack operates, and I’ve never been to the States before. How about it, guys?”
Glassy-eyed and still, they were unable to give him an answer.
Outwardly calm and relaxed, Sergio watched their faces as Jack silently urged them to accept the invitation.
He needed to learn how this was done, and Jack had even more life experience than Hector.
He would benefit greatly if Jack mentored him when they reached Gladstone.
Abruptly, both of his packmates inhaled deep breaths and blinked several times before looking at Sergio. Dante answered first.
“Sounds great to me! I need some distance from my dad before I say something I’ll regret. How soon would we go? I’ll need to quit my job and pack up my apartment before we leave, right?”
Nick nodded his head in agreement.
“That’s what I was thinking. I wouldn’t mind going, but I’d feel guilty leaving the pack while all of this is going on.”
Jack approved of his sense of duty, but there were forces at play he knew nothing about.
“Do not be concerned, my young friend. The Chihuahua pack has two Omegas who are prepared to help anyone in need, and your guilt serves no useful purpose.”
Moments later, Hector joined them and was informed of their plans. He, of course, already knew that Jack had intended to take them to Michigan, and was happy to see that Luna’s dream would be honored.
“I suggest the three of you resign your jobs first thing tomorrow and begin packing up your things. I’m sure the other details can be seen to whether you’re here or not, so let the planners take care of it. I only wish I could go with you!”