Hell Hounds novel Chapter 46

Ian was out in the cold. Night fell. He could see the shadowed forms of the three wolves just ahead of him. They’re headed towards the front property. They’d turn around at the main entrance and then circle around back towards the packhouse. The moon showed through the scattered winter clouds, giving him light. He doubted that he’d catch sight of trouble before the wolves ahead of him within this lighting. The instructions he received were correct. He’d be the ace in the hole if anything happened.

The small group stopped and returned to human form before they approached the guardhouse. No one wanted to answer the hard questions about wolves. Never mind three of them. He did marvel at the ease they possessed concerning those backpacks. Everything contained and at the ready. It was a miracle there weren’t photographs of wolves with these packs. Ian figured paranoia helped these shifters avoid messes like that.

A quick check-in at the guardhouse told them. That several bear shifters arrived an hour before. It was a surprise to Ian, but he figured it wasn’t for the wolves. Scents and all that. He needed to remember things like that.

After getting warm, Ian and his team left the guardhouse and continued towards the packhouse. Thankfully, not accepted yet, they ignored him. Meaning he could study the situation better. The wolves moved fast, but with his training and fitness level Ian kept up. Rounding the bend in the drive, they’re greeted by several vehicles in front of the packhouse. The people milling around in the dark appeared to comprise women and children.

That’s when it hit Ian. This wasn’t another weird investigation. These people fled here for safety. If they were human. The world would consider it a humanitarian catastrophe. These people were seeking safety. Safety the RCMP or any other agency were unprepared for.

He could hear kids crying and a soft grumble of adults talking. Ian wondered if that’s how they spoke or if they feared their voices would attract the Faes attention. From everything he’d learnt so far about these creatures. He’d not put it past them to hear things they shouldn’t. Or attracted by sound.

His partners shifted again, with a few grunts and groans this time. Ian thought he heard Al’s gravelly voice complain about the cold.

Mario stepped up beside Ian and gave him some sage advice. “Ian, watch yourself around the visitors. Some older shifters don’t accept humans in their communities. These are bears, not wolves. If someone gives you a hard time. Speak up and make it clear you are a pack member as a shifter mate. It’s a law put into place to protect mates. Mind what you do, though. You also make the pack responsible for your actions once you’ve said that.”

“Good to know. Do I need to worry about getting mauled by a toddler? Dumb human here, remember?” Ian felt like a fool. He’d not asked anything about wolf shifters. Their lifestyle, customs, or lifespan. He didn’t remember seeing any wolf pups. But he’d not been there long.

“Na. They look like human babies. They start shifting at about eight or nine years old. Then all hell breaks loose. So you see a ten-year-old or tween with an attitude. That’s the one you will need to watch.” Even in the dark Ian could tell Mario wasn’t joking. He’d love to have a beer with Mario and hear the story behind his long-suffering expression.

“Teen hormones and shifting. The thought scares me, and I’ve never encountered it.”

“You’re a mate, that means sooner or later, you will. Okay, let’s get in there and make sure none get lost. After that, back to patrol. Jay’s team is taking up where we left off for the time being.” Ian would admit later that Yolanda thought of everything in that plan. She’d included extra patrol groups in case of injury or need for back up. Because they were here first it would be their job to get the Bears where they needed to be. Others would meet with them and help them settle into their temporary home.

John stepped forwards and they followed him as he waded into the crowd. Standing on the stairs of the packhouse was Gregory and Aricka. Stories always speak of the aura an Alpha gave off. What Ian was expecting was a dominate man, who threw their weight around. He found before him two Alpha’s sizing each other up. The large stranger appeared taller than Gregory by several inches. He possessed a physique Ian would describe as bearish. A thick beard covered his face. Both men seemed in protective stances. Gregory, protecting his land and people. The Bear Alpha, struggling to accept help and protection for his people.

“Leland, you made it. Any trouble?”