Gypsy Moon

Chapter Sixty-seven: Aiden

. . . . . . (early June)

I nodded to the wolves supporting me as the use of my limbs slowly returned. They helped me out of the building just before the tell-tale smell of smoke began to creep through the rooms.

I looked around at the group of wolves outside, counting silently. Twenty six. I scanned the group more carefully, matching names to faces.

"Jerry, Ian, and Drake." The group looked down and mournful growling answered my silent question. Three wolves lost because I didn't kill that d**k properly the first time. "Did they have mates?" Heads shook and I sighed for the small blessing. My limbs felt more solid and I pushed myself to stand free of support.

"Collect their corpses and transport them home, we will not leave our own behind." Wolves nodded and bowed. I shifted and began walking slowly away from the growing cloud of smoke starting to billow from the building.

The hot desert air and bone-dry wood combined to whip the fire into an inferno in short order, working to erase the darkness that had occurred within. I didn't even glance back, just kept pace west towards the familiar mountains, a dozen wolves jogging alongside me as I worked off the final vestiges of the tranquilizer.

I was lost in my thoughts as I ran, so spotting the giant bear in front of the packhouse startled me. Almost as much as noticing Kyle and Lilian packing some serious heat standing behind the monstrous ursine. I stopped suddenly and sat, blinking in amazement. Marcel's size always awed me, he rarely shifted due to his gargantuan form.The bear stood up and bellowed in my direction, an impressive noise, and I couldn't resist howling an answer to it. Kyle began jogging towards me.

"Alpha, are you harmed?" He slung his shotgun behind his shoulder when he reached me.

I shook my head absently, still admiring the enormous bear sitting stubbornly in front of the packhouse door. I understood why Gyam hadn't seemed concerned about leaving to go with me. I would like to meet the wolf that had the balls to test its might against what must be a solid ton of muscle, literally, armed with claws that I could clearly see from across the courtyard.

I stood up and paced to the packhouse, Kyle jogging easily beside me. Lilian made an adorable little gun bunny, her shotgun propped on her ATV's handlebars. She had a .45 strapped to her thigh and a hunting rifle slung across her back. Granted, she looked harmless next to Marcel, but she was adorable.

I heard the door bolts retract as I sat on my haunches in front of Marcel. I could not help but let a grin stretch across my muzzle. The massive beast seemed even larger up close, if that was even possible, I had to look up to meet his gaze. A deep rumble rolled through his chest as I put out a paw and let it sink into the fluff on his shoulder, his fur was so thick my paw disappeared up to my dew claw before I could feel his skin.

Bryce pushed my paw off his mate and held up a robe to both of us. We both shifted and I grinned at the enormous man.

"I pity the wolf that might manage to make it to this door." Tia stepped timidly out of the packhouse. Sinah stopped just inside after catching my glance, hugging Donovan.

"My mate?" I pulled her into a hug without answering at first.

"He'll be back." I kissed the hair on top of her head and turned to Kyle. "Keep the scouts on alert. I'm fairly sure the rogues were baited and driven onto the territory by Hunters, but there could be strays."

"Why would they do that?" Kyle's question earned an impressive growl from Lilian.

"Because a sudden rogue attack will almost always draw out the local pack's Alpha, defending his pack." I nodded grimly.

"And I fell for it, hook, line, and sinker." I growled at myself and kissed Tia's hair again. "I owe Gyam more than I can say." She nodded silently and pulled free from my embrace.

"I'm going to go to the suite and lay down until Gyam comes home." She hurried away, but not before I caught the tears on her cheeks. I knew she must be feeling bleeding-through from her mate bond and let her go.

"Three fell while fighting to recover me. They will be honored tonight." I turned my attention back to Kyle. "There were wounded wolves earlier?" Kyle nodded.

"The packhouse was on lockdown before they made it to campus, we have them in the medical center. All stable, but I'm sure they would appreciate a visit from their Luna."

"Until Gyam returns, Sinah will have a full guard at all times." I frowned. "Lilian, I'd be more comfortable if you were under full guard as well." She nodded and wolves began organizing around her with a few quick hand signals.

"All patrols will be done in double teams, four wolves, two on bikes with rifles." Several of my pack registered surprise at my order. Wolves don't generally fight with guns. "I will not lose another member of my pack to Hunters." I looked over the warriors waiting for final orders.

"Maintain a high alert until Gyam returns. No one moves alone, non-combatants are to remain on campus, high-risk members must have guarded escorts. Make our Gamma proud when he comes home." I moved towards my mate in the doorway. "Dismissed." Bryce stood outside with Samuel, the rest of the wolves split up and moved with purpose.

I wrapped my arms around Sinah and our son, lowering my head to kiss him, then her.

"I need you and Donovan to stay in the packhouse until Gyam comes home, medical emergencies can be brought to you here." I felt a soft tap on my arm and I released Sinah and turned. Rain was standing with her mate and a handful of wolves.

"Alpha, we can arrange the empty suites on the third floor into temporary quarters for the cubs." I nodded and smiled as the group turned as one and split up, each directing a different team of wolves.

I stood and watched the beehive of activity proudly. Even the cubs were doing perfectly. The teens all paired up, each pair had four younger cubs, each group had a wolf from the returning Campus Police guarding them. I gave Bryce a lopsided grin as he stepped up beside me.

"I can only hope everything goes this smoothly during an active threat." Bryce huffed at me.

"I'd rather hope we don't have any, but I may as well wish for the moon to stay full, both are impossible." He sighed and wove his fingers together with mine. "Samuel agreed to give Marcel primary control until Gyam returns home, and has chosen to remain at the door." I nodded.

"Sinah, will you check on Tia, she has to be worried sick." I kissed her quickly and propelled her towards the offices with a playful swat on her rump. I gripped Bryce's hand.

/:We need to talk, privately.:/

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