“We have time,” Mandalay said.
“Yes, we do, but I have some arrangements to make. We need to talk to your family.”
“They already know,” Mandalay replied. “They’re on their way.”
“Okay,” Nic said. “I’ll make my calls. Kaylee will keep you company, Mandy.”
“You’re leaving, too?”
“I have no choice,” Kaylee said with a sigh. “My family is staying.”
His own family arrived twenty-five minutes later. After getting them drinks, they sat down. Kaylee went outside to give them some privacy.
“I know no one wants to go,” Serena said. “Our lives will all be uprooted and torn apart.”
“Different with no status in a new pack,” Cross said quietly. “We could do some good here, but we won’t let you go alone, Manly.”
“I’ll go,” Serena said. “Robert is going, and he’s not gay. I want to be with him. I think he’s my mate.”
“This is just so hard, and wrong,” Mya said.
“But it’s been a long time coming,” Cross said with a sigh. “There’s too much dissention between gays and straights, but I don’t want to leave despite the danger.”
Mya reached for Mandalay’s hand, and he saw the resignation in her eyes. She’d stay if her father decided that was best.
“Honey?” Mya asked.
“No,” Cross said. “We wouldn’t be having this conversation if Mandalay wasn’t gay. He’d be preparing to take over as head healer, but he’s not. I can’t leave my home.”
“Be careful, Mandalay. Call us and let us know where you are.” His mother got to her feet, tears in her eyes.
His father followed suit. After a round of goodbyes, his parents were gone.
“I can’t let you go alone,” Serena told him. “I’ve looked after you your whole life and don’t intend to stop now.” She gave him a hug. “I’ll get my bag from the car. I can buy more stuff once we get there.”
Mandalay sighed when she exited. He hated this, but he knew there was no choice. He went down the hall to the small office where Nic was finishing up with his calls.
“Talked to your family?”
“They’re staying.”
“Why?” Nic frowned. “I know your father has some skills as an engineer but honestly staying isn’t a wise choice.”
“They want to.”
“Okay,” Nic replied. “We’re heading to Nightshade. The alpha offered us a place there and a high rank for me. He needs a healer with some poison experience, and he’ll welcome you.”
Mandalay nodded. “Okay.”
By dusk they were inside the tunnels. Mandalay had no idea what Nic, Kimble, Artisan, and Jody talked about for twenty minutes, but the four groups separated into two. He knew they were headed north and the others south, but he had no idea beyond that.
The trip in the tunnels seemed long, but there were supplies of food and drink to refresh them. They rested for an hour and then got back to their trek. When they ascended, it was dark, and six cats were waiting for them.
“Nic.”
“Alimi,” Nic said and shook hands with the brown-skinned man.
“Sax is expecting you. I’ll show your mate and the others to quarters. Bowen, Artisan, Robert, and Kylee will be put to work soon, but they’ll meet with Sax tomorrow.”
“Fine,” Nic said.
* * * *
“Thanks for taking us,” Nic said once he was alone with Saxon in his small office.
“No problem,” Saxon replied quietly. “I heard about what’s happened. I’ve seen something similar with the wildcats in wildcat country.”
“They managed to win.”
“They had larger numbers and alphas that could do the job,” Saxon said. “I’m not knocking Jody, because I’m easily in the same position he was, but I’m not walking away.”
“And you welcome those who’ll be loyal to you and bolster your numbers.”
“You also have some insight into the people we’ll probably have to fight,” Saxon told him. “You can stay or go elsewhere from here, but I meant what I said. I have a position in my top leadership for you. Artisan and Bowen won’t be ranked far below you.”
He nodded. “They’re good soldiers.”
“If they aren’t happy, they can head to Peyton City and go to work at the Containment Center. Voss would love to have them. But the position I have in mind for you will make them part of your team.”
“I’ll let them know. What about Robert?”
“I need a tech guy who can help maintain control of the tunnels.”
“You’ll get it in him,” he said.
Saxon stuck out his hand. “Welcome to Nightshade.”
“Thank you. My uncle might want to join us. He’s working with my mate, teaching him how to hone his abilities.”
“I have no problems with him joining us,” Saxon told him.
Nic spent another thirty minutes talking to Saxon before heading to his cabin. The small home, he learned, had two bedrooms, two and a half baths, and the kitchen and living area with a place to do laundry.
“So, what’s going to happen?” Mandalay asked after ending the brief tour with their bedroom.
“Saxon’s offered me a position to man his northern border. We’ll leave in a few days. Serena and Robert won’t be coming with us, but the drive is only twenty minutes. She can come out whenever she wants.”
“He’s worried about invasion?”
“He thinks it’s certain if our pack doesn’t hold,” Nic told him. “Reno is smart and some good men are under his command, but with the moles, he might not make it.”
“You’ll tell them what you know?”
“I’ll send Reno a message,” Nic told him.
“Well, the fridge has some food if you want to eat.”
“No,” Nic said. “I just want to rest.”
“Let’s go to bed then,” Mandalay said.
They undressed and climbed into the big bed. Nic was looking forward to getting a good night’s sleep.
Mandalay curled against his side. “I love you, mate,” he murmured.
“I love you, pretty boy,” Nic said. “Thanks.”
“For what?”
“Making sure we mated, or I’d be here without you,” he said quietly. His wolf wanted to howl at the thought.
“I would’ve have chosen you still,” Mandalay told him, stroking Nic’s chest. “My wolf wouldn’t have allowed anything different.” Mandalay kissed Nic’s chest. “Sleep well, my love. I have a feeling we’ll both need it for the adventure ahead.”
Epilogue
“It’s done,” Grace said. “The wolves have had a break. Jody’s gone along with some of their key personnel. Our men are in place. It’s only a matter of time now before we kill Reno and take control of the pack.”
“Without a healer, they won’t be able to survive,” Chico agreed from the chair he occupied. “With a leader, they won’t pull it together. We’ll defeat them.”
Manuel grinned as he sat back on the couch. Grace joined him.
“I think this will gain me my own command,” Manuel told her. “I’ll let them know.”
“Then, it’ll be time to move on Nightshade?” Chico asked.
“Once we have the wolves under control, but there is some speculation about going after them. We’ll have what we need in the wolves’ den.”
“Nightshade might be a problem down the line,” Chico said.
“I have moles inside. They’ll go dormant until we need them. If it’s decided we don’t, I’ll pull them,” Manuel said.
“I hope we get to run an operation from here,” Grace said. “Well, from the wolf den. I think I could get used to living there.”
“Me too,” Manuel said. “Where did Jody go?”
“Peyton City,” Chico replied.
“A good place. The leaders will be glad to have him in place there,” Manuel said with a smile. He grabbed his bottle of beer. “Here’s to the dest
ruction of the wolves.”
THE END
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