Page 48 of Ascendant Moon (Gladstone Shifters #6)
Saturday, mid-morning, Seney packlands
In the grand scheme of things, receiving visitors wasn’t particularly noteworthy, even for a modestly sized pack.
Had the guard on duty not been notified ahead of time, however, he would have been alarmed to find a sedan and two full-sized passenger vans pulling up to the main gate.
Instead, he smiled warmly and waved the Gladstone entourage through with a shake of his head.
Once word got out that Ben and Evan intended to consult with Alpha Claybrook and his mates, the kids insisted that they be allowed to go along.
That triggered an avalanche of hangers-on including the Wilsons, the Erwins, and the Calhouns.
Four security guards were assigned to go with them, and the inclusion of a pregnant Omega in wolf form created a convoluted menagerie of sorts.
With all the personal and professional connections between Seney and Gladstone, it actually made sense to combine what could have been four separate visits into one.
As expected, they pulled into the parking area to find a group waiting for them that included security, the entire Calhoun clan (including Wilder), the Picketts, Seth and his mates, and finally Zara and Margo—both obviously pregnant.
It took a while to work through the welcome with everyone sniffing, hugging, and exchanging greetings.
The Seney folks, however, were shocked to discover that Jonah was pregnant, and that RJ now bore the telltale scent of a shifter.
Ben rescued him from uncomfortable questions with a carefully worded announcement.
“RJ’s situation is the result of True Elder intervention, based on recently acquired knowledge.
Jonah is now carrying his mate’s pup, and we couldn’t be happier for them.
I know you’re all curious, and after we meet with Leland and Wilder, they’ll be able to answer some of your questions.
For now, please don’t share this news outside of the pack. ”
While the adults were intensely curious and a bit shaken, the children present simply accepted what their noses told them about RJ.
No, they’d never seen a dark-skinned shifter before, but the significance meant little to them at this point.
No doubt, they would have an easier time accepting turned humans as the practice spread during their formative years.
In any case, the group lavished extra attention on Jonah and Finn, who were now like two peas in a pod. Pregnant male Omegas were rare as hen’s teeth, and seeing two together was unheard of. Since Finn could mind-speak with his mates, he relayed a question to Seth.
“I know you have business with Alpha Blair, but could you invite Jonah to go for a run with me?”
Seth relayed the request and Jonah yipped excitedly.
Moments later, the rest of the group decided to join them for a romp in the woods, promising to be back by lunchtime.
That left Ben, Evan, Seth, Leland, and Wilder to walk a short distance to the Alpha’s lovely home, now surrounded by a security detail.
Inside, the three True Elders claimed seats on the living room couch with Evan in the middle, while Ben and Seth sat in the facing easy chairs.
One of the primary reasons for today’s visit was to share the news of turning humans and what had been decided at the Montana meeting.
Evan grasped a hand on either side and began a teaching dream that also included recent Gladstone news and Dante’s unique pack in Arizona.
Meanwhile, Ben and Seth conferred on multiple topics while they kept a sharp eye on their mates.
Though Wilder had no one waiting to reclaim him after the session, he would not walk away unaffected by the sexual tension in the room.
When they were done, Evan intended to send him home with a suggestion for some private “me time” to alleviate the pressure.
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Ninety minutes later…
Lunch was a noisy affair, with simultaneous conversations, laughter, and the passing of the Calhoun triplets from one table to another.
At five months, they weren’t quite old enough for their first shift, words, or steps—though they would be in about thirty days, and everyone loved to tease Roman and Lance about the challenges they faced.
One thing the Gladstone contingent found familiar here was the tasty food.
Unsurprising, since Zara and Margo had borrowed dozens of recipes from Michelle and Perdy before moving here with their pack.
The Erwins and the Picketts shared a table, enabling Perry and Orion to sit together for the meal.
The boys were very close, and the two could get into more trouble than kids twice their age without any particular effort.
Sofia and Abigail were delighted to discover that each of them were planning their next pregnancy before long, providing yet another bonding experience for them and their families.
Missing his mentor, Wilder chose to sit next to Evan so he could ask and answer questions.
He spoke about school, his newfound family, and life at Seney.
Evan told him about Donna’s twins, the next movie night coming up on Friday, and all the little things not conveyed in his earlier exchange of teaching dreams. Ben and Seth’s conversation was filled with various pieces of advice on a wide range of topics that any young pack Alpha might encounter.
One truly exciting bit of news was the possibility of adding new members.
“There’s eight families in Timber, a few miles south of here along the eastern border of the Seney National Wildlife Refuge.
Until a couple of years ago, they were part of a pack, but their Alpha died, and no one has any interest in leading them.
They reached out to us last month and we invited them up here for a visit.
Nice people, with kids of all ages, and the property is owned by an older couple in the group.
They’d sell it and use the money to build new homes here in the spring.
We invited them to join us and expect an answer any day now. ”
Following lunch, Seth and his mates took Ben and Evan on a quick tour of the current building sites. As they walked, Ben asked about the search for red wolf shifters, and Leland gave him the latest news.
“Alpha Sheppard’s teams have located only one so far—an older man living alone in the reintroduction area of eastern North Carolina.
I have been told that he was quite pleased to learn that he is not the last of his kind.
The man has asked if I would come and visit him, and it is my hope that he has knowledge of others in the area who have remained hidden. ”
Ben had been waiting for this opportunity to speak with Leland in person about a somewhat radical idea. He wasn’t entirely certain that those in leadership would approve, but somehow he’d neglected to ask.
“Leland, I have an idea that may provide a way to reboot the red wolf shifter population. This is strictly between us, and I haven’t shared it with anyone except Evan.
If you can locate a living red wolf Alpha, Beta, and Omega, the four of you could turn well-vetted humans to create the first pack. ”
Seth hissed in surprise while Finn yipped excitedly at their feet. Leland’s face and scent revealed his astonishment first, followed by the ache of long buried hopes, and he burst into tears. His mates moved closer to reassure him, and it took a few moments for him to find his voice.
“Ben, I… I have not had time to consider such a method, but you may have found the way forward. The idea has merit, and my mates and I will certainly discuss it. Alpha Sheppard, I presume, has not been informed of this proposal?”
Ben shrugged his shoulders, an impish expression on his face.
“Not exactly, no. He can always be told later, and I trust you to make the right decision.”
More hugs ensued, and not long after Ben and the others left for home. Later that night, around the supper table, a passionate discussion took place that lit a fire in Leland’s heart and mind. With new urgency, he and his mates laid out a plan that could rock the shifter world.
############
After dark, near Iron Mountain Michigan
Lincoln had made good time today, traveling over thirty-five miles to reach the Menominee River—the border between Wisconsin and Michigan.
Determined not to swim across, he made a mad dash over a highway bridge instead, disappearing into the woods on the opposite side.
He might have startled a passing car or two, but staying dry this late in the day was more important than lying low.
Instead of following Highway Two south, he altered his direction by continuing east/northeast to skirt past Iron Mountain until reaching Spring Lake.
There weren’t many houses on the south side of the lake, and the trees extended all the way to the shoreline, creating perfect cover.
Prey was plentiful here too, and he found a slow opossum for his supper.
It took a while to find shelter for the night, but Lincoln finally located a suitable spot in the underbrush that still smelled of white-tailed deer.
It had probably served as a place for mama and fawn in the spring and was then abandoned.
It wasn’t as comfy as the bear den from last night, but at least he was protected from the wind and out of sight.
If he needed water, a narrow stream fed into the lake within a stone’s throw.
Just as he got comfortable, Lincoln felt the tiniest flutter of movement in his belly. He didn’t know exactly what it was until it happened again a few moments later, and he licked the spot with his tongue while sending warm thoughts to his growing pup.
“Hello little one! Yes, I’ve finally stopped for the day. You’re probably tired of all that movement, but I’ll make you a deal. If I lay still and you stop moving around, we can both get some sleep. What do you say?”
It was probably just a coincidence, but it seemed to do the trick, and Lincoln curled up again to stay warm and drifted off.
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At the same time….
Passing through a popular campground, Melva’s nose led her from one tidbit to another until her hungry belly was full.
She felt bad for stealing from innocent campers, but her old bones were too weary to chase after prey.
She was careful not to be seen, but there would be stories to tell around campfires tonight!
Unfortunately, she didn’t spot any smores, since those would have made a lovely dessert.
Thinking she would easily find a place to rest, Melva was still searching long after dark until stumbling upon an abandoned farmhouse.
It was weathered and forlorn, but looked far more comfortable than anything else nearby.
With no one around, she shifted to human form and went inside to scout out the accommodations.
Everything was covered with dust, mildew, and mouse droppings but she located a rickety old bed with a mattress.
Turning it over, Melva found the underside much more agreeable, shifted, and jumped up to settle in for the night.