Page 43 of Ascendant Moon (Gladstone Shifters #6)

Wednesday evening, Gladstone

Most celebrations took place on the weekend, but with Gray and his pack leaving in the morning, it was now or never.

William had drafted Robert to help him with the planning and menu selection, and with Perdy and Michelle on board, they were guaranteed to throw a bash their new friends would never forget.

Colorful balloons and streamers gave the packhouse a festive air, with dessert tables placed in strategic locations, loaded with Mexican favorites.

With Nick’s encouragement, Gray gorged on the desserts along with everyone else, despite his ingrained Diné avoidance of sweets.

It seemed his new shifter nature was stronger than his upbringing, and nearly everything he tried became a new favorite.

First was a moist, rich tres leches cake, topped with lightly sweetened whipped cream.

Since the Navajo eschewed milk, Gray had been hesitant to eat it.

Nick’s considerable charms might have influenced his reluctant mate, who finally took a bite and then gobbled down two more pieces.

Next came the churros—strips of fried pastry dough, dusted with cinnamon sugar.

Lime cake, caramel-topped flan, round and nutty wedding cookies, and honey-dipped sopapillas could also be found.

As the men mingled and ate, they got to speak with nearly everyone, hold babies, ask and answer questions, and say their goodbyes.

The last month had given them a well-rounded exposure to an American shifter pack and established important connections that would serve them well in the future.

As Gladstone knew from experience, being the first to do something could be exciting, challenging, and often scary.

Dante had learned much from Ben, as well as his own father, but nothing could adequately prepare him for the kind of group he was meant to lead.

There were no Lobo shifter packs in America.

No Diné shifters except one. No previous mixing of cultures, heritage, and language.

No guarantee they would succeed. The daunting task before them could only be taken one step at a time, and Dante knew that help was available if he needed it.

As the celebration wound down, Ben gathered everyone for a few parting words.

“It’s been a privilege to host Dante, Sergio, Nick, and Gray for the last few weeks. We’ve made new friends, but they’ve grown and changed in unexpected ways.”

Gray blushed and RJ shouted, “You got that right!” from the back. The crowd laughed with the two newest shifters in the room and Ben continued.

“Remember this—whatever challenges you face, Luna is watching, and Gladstone will always have your back. I look forward to hearing about your progress, my friends, and I know Jack will be keeping tabs on you.”

Ben went on with a thumbnail sketch of their upcoming journey and a description of their new home in Arizona. After fielding a few questions from the crowd, he invited the men to speak. Though he loathed being the center of attention, Gray stepped forward.

“I didn’t know that my visit here would change my life, and Gladstone will always have a special place in my heart. My grandfather also asked me to express his thanks for your concern as he undergoes treatment. To us, you are not only friends, but family, and you honor us with your love.”

Amid tears and soft growls, Dante took Gray’s place at the front for a few words of his own.

“I’ve been itching to lead a pack for a long time, and learning from Ben has opened my eyes.

He’s the kind of Alpha most packs want but never get, and I hope you appreciate him.

I’m glad Sergio has such a good memory, because I’m not sure I’ll remember all the great things we’ve heard and seen.

Come visit us if you can, and don’t be surprised if our pack looks something like this one. ”

Those with little ones said their goodbyes first, followed by others who had invested in their lives, including Ben, Evan, Jack, William, Donna, Perdy, RJ, and Jonah.

Now that the time had come, it was hard to leave these people, and even Nick got teary-eyed.

Sergio and Jack joined hands briefly for a quick exchange of recent memories and final words of advice.

Before parting, Scooter volunteered to take a keepsake group photo; one they would no doubt cherish.

In the morning, they enjoyed one last meal at the packhouse, loaded up their new SUV, and headed towards the future.

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

Thursday, Dewdrop diner, downtown Gladstone

RJ spotted his co-worker’s vehicle when he pulled in.

Chad agreed to meet for lunch today, and RJ had something important to share with him.

His mama would turn over in her grave if she knew the string of lies he was about to tell in order to keep certain things secret, but there really wasn’t any choice.

For everyone’s safety, shifters routinely took liberties with the truth, and while RJ understood the reasons and agreed, it went against the grain to be so blatant about it.

“Sorry, Ma. I know you taught me better, but there’s no other way. Wish me luck.”

RJ exited the vehicle and went inside. Darlene grabbed a menu and greeted him with a thousand-watt smile.

“RJ! I was just thinking I could use some eye candy about now, and here you are! Come on, sugar, your friend’s waiting for you in the corner booth.”

Chad waved as they approached, and Darlene jotted down their orders.

“We’re one cook short today, boys, so it might take a little longer. If time’s a problem, we can make that order to-go.”

Chad shook his head.

“It’s all good, Darlene, but uhhh… there’s a guy over by the door making eyes at you.”

Darlene grimaced and lowered her voice.

“Lord Almighty, he just don’t give up! Next time his wife comes in, we’re gonna have a little chat.”

She waltzed off to the kitchen, leaving the old lecher disappointed and the men in the corner booth laughing. Their food arrived just as quickly as always, and they talked about the job while RJ worked up the courage to tell his friend the news.

“Before you hear it from someone else, I wanted you to know that Jonah and I have a little one on the way.”

Chad’s fork stopped in mid-air, a confused expression on his face.

“You… what? Are you adopting?”

RJ could have worded that better, but it was too late. Time for damage control.

“Not exactly. You see, Jonah’s sister, Meredith, volunteered to be our surrogate, and the baby is due in December.”

Chad reached out to clap him on the shoulder.

“That’s great! Congratulations, my friend. Boy or girl?”

“Not sure. Meredith figures she won’t get too attached if she doesn’t know, and we don’t mind waiting to find out.”

Chad pondered for a moment before answering.

“That’s kind of smart, if you ask me. It must be hard to carry a baby you won’t be keeping.”

Chad’s easy acceptance enabled RJ to relax through the rest of their meal, though not everyone would react the same way.

A gay black man had enough prejudice to handle without adding interracial children to the mix.

It shouldn’t be a problem among shifters, but the human community would have other opinions.

RJ couldn’t control what ignorant people thought or said, but their views often put limitations on how he lived his life.

Following lunch, Chad encouraged RJ to keep him updated and they went their separate ways.

The only other person who really mattered was Glen Toomey, his boss.

He’d have to give the man a reason for taking family leave around the holidays, but Glen wouldn’t bat an eyelash.

In fact, he’d be the first to shut down nasty gossip with a verbal thrashing for anyone dumb enough to speak their mind.

Now all he had to do was keep the phony story straight no matter who he was talking to.

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

Sunset, Eagle River, WI

“All right men, quiet down and listen.”

Alpha Richmond and every able-bodied man in the pack was gathered outside the packhouse before they went looking for the cougar.

The stubborn animal had decided not to travel through the area as originally hoped.

Instead, the dangerous cat was hunting inside their borders, leaving occasional paw prints and half-eaten kills here and there.

Richmond had no choice but to hunt it down or his people would never be safe.

“Cougars are most active at dawn and dusk. They’re stealthy, quiet, and will stalk prey for hours until they’re ready to pounce.

This one’s a lone male, and I estimate he’s bigger and heavier than me.

Unlike us, he can climb trees, but with a lot of the leaves on the ground already, he can’t hide up there very well.

He’s not likely to attack a group of wolves unless we get him cornered.

In that case, we strike en masse and kill him before he gets away.

“One last thing. Stay sharp and watch your back. For all I know, we’ve walked right by him without knowing it. The wind finally died down, so we have a better chance of scenting him tonight. Let’s go.”

After a quick shift, the men split into three groups and headed for the northern boundary, leaving the central compound unnaturally empty.

As ordered, Melva and the rest of the pack watched from the safety of their own homes.

Her first instinct was to sneak out and spring Lincoln from his prison.

Unfortunately, Bruce had appointed three of the older men to surround his home “to protect the pack Omega.” No one really believed his lies, but it was mighty risky crossing both him and Alpha Richmond. Damn!

One day soon, Ballard would make a critical error, and Melva intended to take advantage of it. She’d made a promise to get Lincoln out, and one way or another, he would be free—even if she died trying.

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

Later that night, Gladstone guest house

With all the kids in bed and sleeping, Karol had coaxed Jim to the relative privacy of the living room so they could talk without being overheard.

They settled on the sofa; Karol leaning back against her mate’s muscled chest with his arms around her midsection.

She lifted her chin for a kiss and Jim gave her several before the conversation began.

“Our son is changing. I know Evan said he would, but every day he’s… I don’t know exactly. More mature? Calmer? More confident?”

Jim growled quietly.

“All of the above, I think. He’s always seemed younger than his actual age, so maybe that’s why the changes stand out. If I recall correctly, Alpha Claybrook said the same things about Wilder Calhoun, though he’s even younger than Colton.”

Karol’s scent alerted Jim that she was unhappy.

“I don’t like them cramming all that history into his head and then expecting him to serve on the national council. He may have a lot of knowledge when this is over, but not much life experience. Everybody keeps saying he’ll be fine, but will he? Really?”

Jim had some of the same doubts, though he believed Evan and Jack were being honest with them about the process and Colton’s future.

“If he’d been born back in the day, he would have started serving at a much younger age.

Of course, that was a different era and a much simpler time.

I’m sure Luna wouldn’t have chosen him if he couldn’t handle the responsibilities, and he’s not mated yet either.

Jack says that the bond has a stabilizing effect on younger True Elders. ”

Karol nodded her head, mulling over his words.

“I can see why it might, but Luna! It’s hard to imagine Colton mated and producing pups. Not that I want him to be lonely, but it’s such a huge step. This is all moving so fast!”

Jim gave her a squeeze and kissed her cheek.

“I know, love, I know. After everything he’s been through, he’s finally getting the answers to his questions, and I bet he’s eager to get the training over with and start living his own life. Can you blame him?”

Karol realized that, ultimately, it didn’t matter what she wanted, felt, or thought because this was not about her at all, but Colton.

Her son and oldest child. The boy she fought for, supported, and protected for seventeen years so he could be happy and live his best life.

Now he had that chance, and she was being selfish.

“No, I don’t blame him. I need to get my head in the game and my nose out of his life—and thank you for not saying so! You know that gets my fur up.”

They enjoyed a chuckle together, because they both knew it was true. Being mated for nineteen years provided a tremendous amount of useful insight. Jim lifted her off his lap and they stood. Before going upstairs, he remembered something that Evan had told him.

“I think we should call the Reids tomorrow and get their perspective. I suspect we have a lot in common, and Evan said his parents would love to hear from us.”

Karol cupped his cheek and kissed him.

“Good idea, mate. I have a lot of questions, and I’m not about to turn down free advice!”