by SJ Himes
Glen nodded, face clearing, his frown turning thoughtful. Cat leaned over and patted his knee, and he gave her a small smile. Cat sat back up, and turned back to Ghost and Kane. “So, what prompted your visit?”
Kane rubbed a warm hand along his bicep, and Ghost sighed. He looked to Cat first, her bright smile and wild curls, then to Glen, his solid presence and absolute personal strength as reassuring as ever. “We’re leaving Baxter in the morning.” He just blurted it out, unable to think of another way to say it. Kane chuckled, an indulgent sound that made his face grow warm.
“Leaving? Who’s leaving?” Cat asked.
“All of us. Well, the Black Pine wolfkin. I guess that’s me, too,” Ghost explained, frowning. He hadn’t really thought about it much—he had trouble seeing past his nose too many times. A wolf focused on the present, rarely concerned for the future. He was indeed a Black Pine wolfkin—Red Fern and Baxter were not his home. Nor was the wolf sanctuary in Canada, despite his years spent there. “We questioned the human doctor, and we have leads on the missing wolfkin. Caius, and Kane,” he looked up to his mate, who gave him a small nod, “decided it was best we go to Augusta, to Black Pine’s home territory. That’s where Remus is—that’s where we’re likely to find our missing wolves. We need to end this.”
He could see when the truth of what he was getting at sunk in. Cat’s eyes filled with tears, and Glen’s expression went blank, but his white knuckles clutching the armrests of his chair gave him away.
“You’re still my family. My packmates. I love you,” Ghost whispered, playing with Kane’s fingers, trying not to give into the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes. He looked away, blinking fast.
A slim, delicate hand covered one of his, holding tight. Cat smiled at him, despite her own damp eyes. “Sweetie, a lot has changed in the last few weeks. Our lives are different now. But one thing that’ll never change is how we feel about you. You’re part of our family. We love you, too.”
Glen gave him a nod, his eyes damp. Ghost clutched Cat’s hand in both of his, holding tightly as he could without damaging her. “I don’t think you can come with us,” Ghost said, hesitant. He knew the answer before he even looked to Kane with hope in his eyes.
“They are most welcome here in Baxter, but in Augusta, at the clan house, is another matter. We need to be focused on hunting Remus and our lost wolfkin—they might be safe, but they would be just as likely to cause upheaval with their mere presence. Caius maintains firm control over those who live in the clan house, but that doesn’t mean Cat and Glen would find the same welcome there that they have here.”
“That’s okay—we know how rare it is for humans to be this involved in your people’s lives,” Cat murmured, and Ghost nodded, agreeing. It was unusual, even he knew that.
“Do we stay here, or go home to New Brunswick?” Glen spoke up, rubbing a hand over his eyes in quick, short movements. “I’ve got an email inbox full of reports for wolves—the normal kind—needing rescue, and a few from the police back home, wondering where we are. I told some of our friends that we had a family emergency here in the States, and that the wolves we had at the sanctuary were sent to other facilities before we left. I don’t know if they bought it or not, and I need to give some people more definitive answers before this goes on any longer.”
“There is no longer any reason for Remus to go after you,” Kane said. “You may be in danger still, but I don’t think Remus will risk himself or anymore of his people by going after you again. Losing Roman and his rogue wolves must have depleted the ranks to some degree. I think it’s safe for you to go back to your home. Maybe we can discuss it with Andromeda, see if we can spare some wolfkin to go back with you, provide protection until Remus is taken out.”
“Could we stay here?” Cat asked, looking back and forth between Ghost and Glen. “I would love to learn more about your people, and if we can reassure the people back home in New Brunswick that we’re fine, I think we’d be okay here, right?”
“We can ask Andromeda,” Kane started to say, and Cat got up like she would charge up the mountainside and corner the Red Fern clan leader that very minute.
“Hold on,” Ghost said, turning his focus inward before reaching out with his mind. He was no alpha or Speaker, but it was only a matter of a few minutes walking distance between this cabin and Andromeda’s.
Finding her was easy—she shined the brightest amongst the stars in the heavens that swirled within his mind. A white-gold star that burned with an intensity that was no easier to look upon now than it had been the first time. She could sense him as he did her—and when he reached out, she caught him, her mind opening to him like a flower, petals sharp and icy.
*Shaman.*
Her consciousness was vast, and he realized with a sense of awe that she hid herself away from everyone, perhaps even from her children. Her mind felt different than Burke’s—she wasn’t a Speaker. The female alpha was a mystery in all things, maybe even to Caius.
He found his words and tried not to have them quaver. *May my humans remain while we go south? They would go home, but I would feel better if they had protection. May they stay here, safe in Baxter, or return to their home over the border, with Red Fern’s protection?*
She mused, white and gold light spinning slowly, somehow peaceful despite the power that sang quietly along the link between their minds.
*They may remain. I would rather they stay where I can see them. Your humans are pack now.*
It took him a moment, but he was able to whisper his sincere thanks, pulling his mind back when she released him.
Ghost blinked, dragging in a deep breath. Cat and Glen were both watching him with expression varying between confusion and concern. He smiled wide, relieved.
“Andromeda said you can stay. That you’re pack now—and I think she meant more than just your connection to me. She claimed you both.”
Black Pine Clan
Cat hugged him long and hard. She pulled back and held him by his upper arms, while she looked him over head to toe, as if memorizing everything about him. Glen gently disengaged his mate, and gave him a hug of his own, lifting Ghost off his feet. Glen set him down, and ran a large hand over his hair and down his neck to the shoulder. Ghost had a feeling that his human alpha had no idea that he had scent marked him like any wolfkin alpha would. Ghost smiled, doing his best not to let his tears fall. This goodbye was not for forever—he would see them again, Goddess willing.
“Be careful,” Cat said with a sniffle. “Stop that awful man and then come back and tell us all about it. And if you need us, make sure you call. I gave your handsome mate our numbers. At least this time you have fingers now and you know better than to eat the smartphone.”
Ghost winced as the memories came back, a rueful smile lifting his lips. While a wolf, he had found smartphones to be crunchy and entertaining to gnaw upon. Thinking back, he’d destroyed a quite a few.
Glen chuckled. “We’re going to miss you—and you’ll always know where we are. Home doesn’t have to be a place. Home can be the people who love you the most.”
“I understand. Stay in one piece. Defeat the bad guy. Don’t eat the smartphone.” His recitation got him another smile from Cat and a laugh from Glen. He would miss his humans, but there was no safer place in the whole world than under Andromeda’s watchful eyes. They would be well, and all he had to do was keep himself and everyone else alive.
“It’s time, little wolf,” Kane murmured, taking his elbow and gently nudging him toward the black SUVs laden down with gear and Black Pine wolves.
“Take care of him,” Glen reiterated again, something he’d already said multiple times that morning as they loaded up the vehicles. Kane, to his credit, only nodded respectfully to the demand from the human alpha.
Glen wrapped an arm over Cat’s shoulder, holding her close as Ghost and Kane headed to the SUVs. Andromeda and he
r family stood on the porch, their goodbyes given over an early breakfast. The female clan leader gently reminded him that they lived for a very long time, and no goodbye was meant to be forever. He would return to Red Fern. Sooner or later, all wolves crossed paths.
Gabe jumped into the front passenger seat while Burke got behind the wheel. Kane held open the door to the rear passenger seats, letting Ghost get in first. Kane hopped in behind him, shutting the door with a solid thud. Ghost watched with interest as Burke and Gabe clicked their seatbelts into place. He looked for his and tried to decipher how it fit together.
Big hands took over the task, Kane buckling him in before tending to his own seatbelt. Ghost shifted on the seat, unaccustomed to being secured in place. He’d ridden in plenty of vehicles growing up at the sanctuary—he just had four paws and stretched out on the backseat.
He could see through the front window, and saw Caius get into the SUV in front of theirs, a blonde wolf hopping in the backseat. “Who’s the Red Fern wolf?”
Kane spared the other SUV a quick glance. “That’s Marjorie. Andromeda put her forward as a temporary First Beta replacement for Sophia. If she fits in and does well, she’ll become a Black Pine wolf.”
“Oh.” Ghost shrugged. It seemed very…human of them all.
The human doctor was bustled into the rear of Caius’ vehicle, hands bound and legs hobbled. Two Red Fern wolfkin all but tossed the human into the back of the SUV, securing him in place before slamming the door shut. Ghost frowned, not wanting to be anywhere near that miserable excuse for a human, but he could understand the practicality of it. Getting information out of him would be easier if he was present in Augusta instead of hours away in Baxter.
“We all set?” Burke asked, looking back over his shoulder.
“Wait!” Ghost leaned forward as far as the belt allowed, and patted at Kane’s arm to get him to reopen the door. Michael hurried down the path, a backpack slung over his shoulder and a blush on his cheeks. He scrambled into their SUV, ducking down as he worked his way to the last bench seat all the way in the back. “Sorry! I’m ready now.”
Kane grumbled, but he shut the door without a word. Ghost gave Michael a sympathetic glance before he nudged his mate with a frown. Burke and Gabe wisely said nothing, the Speaker grinning wide at Kane before turning back around and starting the vehicle. “Homeward bound we go.”
Three SUVs started, theirs in the middle, with Caius leading the way and the rest of the Black Pine wolves in the rear. Ice crunched underneath tires as the large vehicles pulled away one by one. Ghost peered over his shoulder, looking back at the cabin where so much of his life changed. He got a quick glance of Cat and Glen, and Andromeda on her front porch, before the pines blocked his view.
The drive wasn’t too long, just under three hours. Ghost spent the drive curled into Kane’s side, his mate’s arm draped over him protectively. Gabe and Burke chatted back and forth, talking about Gabe’s aborted college career, Kane occasionally sharing a comment. Michael read a book, though somehow that made Ghost feel ill just thinking about it. He barely recalled how to read, but the thought of doing so while the SUV rumbled along the highway left his stomach feeling odd and his head swam. Ghost dropped his head down on Kane’s shoulder, and Kane hugged him tighter.
“Try closing your eyes, little wolf,” Kane murmured. “First time in a car in your human form probably isn’t helping the nausea.”
Ghost nodded, closing his eyes, letting out a long sigh.
“He okay?” Burke asked.
“Car sick,” Kane replied, and Burke made a sympathetic hum.
“Want to stop? There’s a rest area a few miles ahead.”
“I’ll be okay,” Ghost sighed. His head lolled when the SUV hit a bump, and he groaned. A part of him felt like he was about to fall over, despite being firmly seated and held against Kane.
“Stop at the rest area, Burke,” Kane ordered, putting a hand on Ghost’s head and holding him tighter. His stomach flipped, and Ghost whined, feeling as pathetic as he sounded. “Tell Caius we’re taking a break.”
“Wait,” Michael said, and there was a warm, light touch to his shoulder. “I’m not much of a healer, but I can…” Soft warmth spread from where his fingers touched the back of his shoulder, and Ghost could feel a lessening of the nasty sensation that ate at his stomach and head. He felt grounded, more secure, and didn’t feel like he was about to fall anymore. Ghost went limp, whimpering with relief. “There you are,” Michael murmured, pulling away his hand. “Better?”
“Thank you,” Ghost whispered, and yawned, cuddling closer to his mate.
“So, not stopping?” Burke sounded amused, a chuckle in his voice, and Kane gave a soft growl, which only made Burke chuckle more.
“Just get us home,” Kane growled quietly, and Burke laughed. Ghost smiled, and fell asleep.
Ghost wasn’t sure what he expected, but the huge stone and wood mansion surrounded by a wide lawn and high trees wasn’t it. Three stories tall, with arching gables and numerous chimneys, huge windows that caught the light, and iron torches that stood tall on either side of the pathway that led to the double front doors. A paved and plowed driveway split, one route going to the front of the huge mansion where it circled a large, dormant fountain, the other swinging around the back where a long, multi-bay garage waited. The doors opened at some hidden signal, and the SUVs all pulled into spots that must be designated. The engines cut out as the automatic garage doors began to close, shutting out the winter air. It was just after lunch, and he should be hungry, but nerves ate at his stomach. His nap left him refreshed, but he woke with minimal time to prepare mentally for the arrival at the seat of Black Pine Clan.
Kane helped him down from the vehicle, Michael squeezing out with his bag. Gabe exited the SUV and glued himself to Ghost’s side, the young alpha looking as nervous as Ghost suddenly felt. Ghost grabbed Gabe’s hand and held it tight, earning him a small smile from his friend.
Caius and his entourage disappeared through a wide door that presumably led into the rest of the mansion. Marjorie held the human prisoner by his arm and marched him inside after the clan leader. The rest of the tactical team were organizing their gear and luggage, Burke and Kane each hefting two large duffel bags apiece.
“Follow me,” Kane said with a tilt of his head. Burke went ahead, then Kane, with Gabe and Ghost on Kane’s heels, Michael bringing up the rear.
The door into the house opened to a wide hallway, arches on each side. They followed Burke and Kane, the two alphas marching ahead down the hall without deviating. Their footsteps echoed, the noise of excited wolves speaking loudly in the garage following them down the hall. Burke bumped the door at the end of the hallway open with his shoulder, holding it open to the side with his foot to let them pass.
They were in a large, high foyer. Stone and wood made up the walls, the floor a patchwork of tile and hardwood. On each side was a fireplace, and in the rear of the room was a tall staircase that curved off to the left and right with a stain-glass window on the first landing that cast muted colors across the floor and walls.
Kane dropped his bags in the center of the space, Burke doing the same. Betas came out from almost nowhere, picking up the bags with bowed heads and quiet feet, disappearing as quickly as they appeared. Gabe gave him a confused glance and raised brow, Ghost echoing the sentiment.
“How many wolfkin live in this place?” Gabe whispered, leaning down a bit. Ghost shrugged, eyes wide as he tried to take it all in. Above them and on each side of the large foyer were balconies, and assorted wolfkin were gathering, curious and talking excitedly to each other as they examined the newcomers and returning clanmates.
The remainder of the tactical team came out from the hallway, and greetings came from those assembled on the balconies. Wolfkin came down the stairs in pairs and alone, greeting friends and clanmates among the returning wolves. They all no
dded to Kane and said a short greeting before heading to their loved ones and friends. Ghost could feel curious eyes resting over him and Gabe, and every time he made eye contact with a strange wolf they looked away quickly. Some few gave him a respectful nod in greeting before looking away.
“Wolfkin in the higher rankings, perhaps?” Ghost murmured to Gabe, since no one was close enough to hear him. A small crowd was growing around Burke and Kane, wolfkin darting in to get a quick smile from the Heir and Speaker, a couple words before slipping away.
Michael was known to a few, the shaman nodding to quiet hellos and greetings, but none came close to the three of them, the buffer between them and the Black Pine wolfkin somehow impenetrable.
Ghost breathed in, his senses assaulted by the intense multitude of individual wolfkin. It smelled like fur, blood, sweat, a spicy twinge of excitement and…home. He did it again, and held it in his chest, his nerves buzzing. He might not remember this place, but his senses did—he had been here before, when he was Luca.
He could hear the thud of running feet, high pitched giggles and excited yips. Warm hands lifting him in the air, a kind voice chiding him with a rueful laugh. He swallowed, all but able to taste the cookies and hot chocolate he ate at a large, dark wooden table in a long, stone and steel kitchen. A tall wolfkin male with a wide smile and bright eyes sat across from him at the table, laughing. His heart raced and his body thrummed—he knew that laugh.
“Little wolf?” Ghost blinked, clearing away the memories. Kane was smiling down at him, his head tilted inquisitively to the side, long dark hair falling over one shoulder. “Ghost?”
“I was…I’m fine,” Ghost whispered, dragging in a fresh breath, clearing away the clinging memories. “I saw…I remember my father.”
