Page 27 of Ascendant Moon (Gladstone Shifters #6)

They passed Scooter on the way to the snacks, still surrounded by pack members excited about his new job.

Lou had known before he got the call from Sheriff Tucker, but hadn’t said anything.

Starting Monday, they would be working together for the first few weeks so he could learn the rules and procedures.

When Ben and Evan stopped by to offer their congratulations, Scooter teared up and gave both of them warm hugs.

“I didn’t think this would ever happen, but you believed in me. Nobody had ever done that before, and I promise to make you proud. You guys are the best!”

As the couple walked away, Evan was stopped in his tracks by a vision. Ben waited patiently for him to come around and opened the mind-link as they headed for the food.

“Your scent is all mixed up, babe. Wanna share?”

Wearing a knowing grin, Evan hooked a thumb over his shoulder, back the way they’d come.

“Not a lot of detail, but it looks like our new deputy sheriff is going to have his hands full this fall.”

############

Eagle River packlands, Wednesday evening

Lincoln’s humiliation took a new turn when his libido went crazy, attracting Bruce like flies to shit.

He hadn’t realized that being pregnant would make him horny and willing to take any available knot, including his captor’s.

The repugnant swine tried to pretend he was doing Lincoln a favor by servicing him—even though he was straight. Right .

Now, Bruce insisted on knotting him every night before locking him in the basement crate.

Lincoln couldn’t fight him off or refuse to cooperate, and the worst part was that his traitorous wolf wanted it.

Though Omegas could control their output of comforting pheromones, the scent of his arousal was an unstoppable siren song that would catch any wolf’s attention.

Perfect, if it’s intended for your mate, but Bruce was a depraved abuser with a diseased mind.

Lincoln wanted nothing more than to rip him to shreds if he ever got the chance.

Never satisfied with one pounding, Bruce had taken him three times in succession tonight.

The only solace was that the discomfort was far less in wolf form, making it easier for Lincoln to endure the couplings.

As usual, Bruce pulled out as soon as the knot went down and shifted.

He pulled on a soiled pair of shorts, staring down at Lincoln as he rested on the floor.

“All right, bitch, that’s all you get from me tonight. I’d let the others have a go at you, but I don’t want nobody damaging my pup. Stay there until I get your supper ready.”

Lincoln stretched his legs when Bruce wasn’t looking, wondering what would happen after he delivered the little one growing in his womb.

He couldn’t imagine what kind of monster might result from being raised by Bruce Ballard, assuming he lived long enough to see it.

No. He couldn’t think that way. Survive.

He must survive. Someday an opportunity to escape would arise, and Lincoln would be free—he and the pup.

He didn’t know when or how, but refused to accept any other outcome.

############

Thursday morning, Gladstone

Carol Jo Dowling considered herself a competent and creative real estate agent, and with good reason.

The most recent call from Ben Blair, however, had taxed even her abilities, sending her on a lengthy and contorted fact-finding mission.

With persistence and a bit of sleuthing, she’d tracked down the owners of the old Highway Two Motel, just a stone’s throw from the Preserve on the opposite side of Highway 2.

The building was nothing to look at, though the property held potential, and she’d wondered why Mr. Blair was interested in it. She watched a familiar vehicle pull in, and noticed that there were three people inside. They approached, each carrying a notebook and pen. Ben greeted her warmly.

“Good morning, Carol Jo. You remember Nolan and Tom, I’m sure.”

She shook their hands, metal bracelets jangling in the breeze.

“I do indeed! It’s so good to see you all again, and after the miracles you performed at the Delta Avenue Apartments, I can only imagine what you might do with this place.”

Ben smiled, knowing her investment in that property was producing a significant source of income.

“We’d like to take a closer look at the exterior first, and then we’ll join you inside.”

She readily agreed.

“Take your time, but watch your step. The property has been vacant for some time and is overgrown.”

Carol Jo and her husband, Larry, had already done a walk-about yesterday, noting anything that might be useful in negotiations.

Structurally, it appeared to be in decent shape, though it needed minor repairs and a facelift at minimum.

The guest rooms, however, were hopelessly worn and out of date.

In her opinion, it would be easier to tear the thing down and start over, but the location simply wouldn’t support a thriving motel in this day and age.

Perhaps Blair intended to do just that, and use the property for some of his lovely homes instead.

She waited in a plain but serviceable lobby, leaning against the faded check-in desk until the trio arrived for a grand tour.

Behind it lay a small office, storage, and the laundry area—all sandwiched between two rectangular wings on either side, each containing fifteen identical guest rooms. After only a few minutes, the men walked in and Ben asked for some basic information. As always, Carol Jo came prepared.

“The building dates back to 1971 and was a thriving family-owned business for many years, catering to vacationers from the lower peninsula. As other places opened up in the region, the motel was never able to keep a steady clientele. I’m sorry to say that the owner passed away late last year, and the property now belongs to his grandson.

Mr. Hurst lives in Tennessee, and travels widely for his employer.

He isn’t interested in keeping the property and there have been no offers or showings until now. ”

Ben nodded, hoping the circumstances would be to his advantage.

“I’m thinking the land itself has a lot more value than the building or business, but let’s take a look.”

Using the master key, Carol Jo opened each door in turn, giving the men a quick look.

The rooms were all the same: bland, outdated, musty, and thread-bare.

Two in the east wing had some minor water damage, and Ben acknowledged that they’d noticed some missing shingles on that portion of the roof.

She wrapped up the tour at the administrative area off the lobby, waiting patiently while her clients poked around and compared notes.

At length, they exited the building and she locked up after them. Ben gave her his verdict.

“My interest is more personal than commercial, so it may surprise you that I still want the building. Unfortunately, it’s going to cost a lot to make the rooms usable again, and that will be reflected in my offer.

Hopefully, you can convince Mr. Hurst that the only thing worth purchasing here is the land itself. ”

Carol Jo’s expression brightened considerably.

“I understand completely, and will present your offer as the best he’s likely to receive. I honestly don’t expect him to reject anything reasonable, but you never know how sellers will react.”

“That’s all I can ask. I’ll email you the offer when I get home.”

Carol Jo waved farewell as they returned to their vehicles and left the forlorn property.

Her curiosity worked overtime on the way back to the office, trying to figure out why on earth the man needed all those rooms. She wouldn’t be able to concentrate on anything else until she found out what Ben Blair was up to!