Page 24 of Healing Creek (Arena Dogs #3)

Chapter Nineteen

Umbria was a lush, verdant world with only a few medium-sized cities.

The resistance base was far from anything resembling a town, hiding in the green.

The Hawley flew over the heavy foliage that covered a deep ravine and the resistance base built into its walls.

Before they’d boarded Feeona’s personal transport, Creek had explained that the base was inaccessible from the air.

There was a secret hangar where a very few resistance ships remained hidden, but it was a long, difficult hike from the base.

They landed much closer to the edge of the ravine for the benefit of Samantha, who’d insisted on accompanying her mates, and for Grace.

Grace—his sweet, strong, but fragile heart.

He hadn’t claimed her formally. It seemed wrong to trap her in promises before she had seen the truth of him, but in his heart, she was already his.

Creek was surprised that Mercury had allowed the females to come.

They were meeting allies, but those allies had refused to respond to any attempt to make contact over the communications system.

That didn’t surprise him, but he’d expected Mercury to be concerned.

Instead, he’d taken Creek’s word that it was normal.

Only Carn and Hera had remained on the Abundance to keep an Arena Dog presence there.

Creek pushed open the ship’s door and stepped onto the ground that had been claimed for the Arena Dogs. But shouldn’t they be making their own claims? Hadn’t they always settled for what was given? He turned back to face the open door. “We walk from here.”

He extended a hand to help Grace, already following his lead, to step down onto the ground.

Her grip on his hand was strong and her delicate steps brought her to his side.

He’d insisted on wrapping her ankles for extra stability before she slipped into the sturdy boots he’d found for her.

Unless things had changed, the way would be rocky, and he wouldn’t have her spraining her tendons or slipping and risk her falling down the steep path.

He led her a little away from the ship and waited for the others to gather.

Feeona and Seneca stayed behind with the Hawley and would leave the area immediately to avoid drawing attention to the location.

Creek led the group up to the edge of the dense vegetation.

Thick trunked trees reached far into the sky, heavy vines weighing sturdy branches down nearly to the ground.

Wide leaf plants reaching a meter tall lined the rim of the ravine like sentinels.

He searched for familiar markers that would guide them in.

He’d only been on this edge of the ravine a few times.

Arena Dogs did not patrol the perimeter or go anywhere they might chance being seen.

“Remember, there’ll be human guards. Don’t be alarmed.”

He spotted a carving high on the trunk of a tree and headed for it.

Reaching it, the others on his heels, he looked for the next.

In minutes they were pushing aside low branches to reveal the path.

Wide enough for only a single file line, Creek took the lead with Grace’s hand in his.

If a step down was too steep, he had only to turn and steady her.

He saw Mercury doing the same for the much shorter Samantha.

Creek spotted the first sentry and yipped a warning for the others. Their ears stood tall, and their eyes searched the trees until they spotted him. The sentry gave a wave to proceed then spoke softly into his radio, calling down the line and to the base below.

Even if the man hadn’t recognized Creek, the other males were unmistakably Arena Dogs. Getting past the sentries would be the easy part.

An hour down the path they reached the sudden drop leading into the top level of the facility. Armed Arena Dogs waited on either side of the area below. Max stood in the middle, his expression difficult to read. Not anger or greeting. Relief maybe.

Creek dropped into the hallway, the landing jarring forever sore joints.

Max extended his hands. “It’s good to have you home.”

A grunt from one of the Dogs and a growl from another made it clear the welcome was not universal, but Creek took the offered hands anyway. A quick bark from Max quieted their complaints.

“Can the others descend?”

Max nodded.

Creek turned to look up at Grace and lifted his arms. Like a trusting child she jumped down to him without hesitation.

He held her against his chest a moment longer than necessary.

Her scent settled him like nothing else could.

The sound of the others landing around them forced him to set her on her feet.

“Mercury, this is Maximus. Haven’s alpha.”

Mercury extended his hands in greeting just as Max had earlier. When the man accepted the gesture and none of the others complained something inside Creek calmed. He hadn’t tainted Mercury’s arrival with his reputation.

“Let’s save the introductions until we get down to the meeting room,” said Max. “I could probably name you each anyway. The tales of your exploits are everywhere.”

Max looked them over and his gaze lingered on Grace longer than Creek liked. “Your story is a bit different,” said Max. “I’ll look forward to learning more from you.” He motioned them all through a doorway with a wave of his arm. “This way.”

They followed him several levels down the spiral staircase and through the stone corridors to the meeting room.

“It’s like a fortress,” muttered Samantha.

Max made a gruff noise of agreement. “The lower levels were carved out as large hollows that have been divided up by wooden walls. But yes, it is as much a fortress as we could make it.”

“We knew our secret would get out one day.” The silky feminine voice of Eve slid along the stone. “Our main goal was to give everyone time to get out before they could simply blast us out of existence.”

She was a statuesque beauty of middle years. A few whisps of gray streaked through the black curls piled atop her head. She stepped up to Grace and visibly noted their hands intertwined. “A lot of people are looking for you.”

“My family.” Grace tightened her grip.

“And Roma.” Eve frowned. “We weren’t expecting you here.”

Max released his mate and led the way into the large stone-walled room.

Like many of the rooms on the ravine side of Haven, one side was a half wall.

Unlike other rooms with a half wall, the top half was enclosed by glass.

The windows allowed beautiful views of the ravine and when closed they’d provide privacy. The windows stood open now.

The entire room went on alert when clawed hands appeared on the ledge and an Arena Dog vaulted in.

“Saturn!” Mercury strode forward to embrace the Dog. “I thought you were dead.”

Jupiter joined them in the embrace. When Mercury released Saturn, he turned to his mate with a wide smile. “We grew up in the same kennel.”

Samantha grinned back at him. “That’s wonderful.”

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.