Leona’s chest rose and fell in the pattern of someone in a deep, exhausted sleep. The sheen of sweat still made her skin glow. Pallas had demanded a lot from her and she hadn’t denied him anything. He twirled a strand of her hair around his finger.
This was a new beginning. He usually didn’t like new things. They meant change and awkwardness and possibly mistakes. All things he hated. But this…he looked forward to discovering what this relationship with the sheriff would bring.
Her eyes fluttered open and she stretched along his body. “Good morning.”
“Night.”
“Ugh, I will never get used to this.” She rolled onto her side for a chaste kiss. “Good night.”
He caressed her bruised cheek. Her injuries looked worse. “I’m taking you to see a doctor.”
She kissed the palm of his hand. “I saw one last night before coming here. They just look bad. Nothing some pain killers can’t cure.”
The floor boards above creaked as shifters stirred.
“Hungry?” He asked.
“Starved.”
“The wolves are better at cooking than I am.” He rolled out of bed. “Come.”
“Let me rinse off first.” She jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom.
He let her go and dressed. He needed to discuss the pack’s future with their alphas. From his almost empty drawer in his desk, he plucked an envelope that Daedalus had sent him a few weeks ago. The last few days only proved that these wolves were ready to be released onto the world.
In the kitchen, he found the early risers. “Just the people I wanted to talk to.” He sat at the table where Ian, Clare, Darrell, Julia, Penny, and Alistair ate breakfast.
They exchanged worried glances.
Pallas clasped his hands on the table. “It’s graduation day.”
The alphas blinked as one.
“We have lots to prepare for,” he continued.
“Wait.” Clare raised her hand. “Are you kicking us out?”
He grinned. “Not exactly. I have a graduation present that I think you’ll like.” He handed Ian the envelope.
The alpha fingered the gift as if waiting for it to explode.
“Well, open it,” Pallas snapped.
Ian tore it and pulled out a slip of paper. “It’s a signed blank check.”
Pallas nodded. “My brother’s lawyers have been converting some of my collected baubles into currency over the last few months.” He fingered the plate of eggs in front of Ian. “I need the manor to continue training other shifters and you need a place to house the pack. You can’t stay here. It would be confusing for the new shifters. So I want to buy you a house.”
Clare plucked the check from Ian’s loose grip and tucked into her bra. “Done.”
Ian gave her an incredulous look. “Just like that?” He turned his attention back to her. “That’s it? So long nice to meet you? Fuck that.”
Pallas was touched that he didn’t want to leave. “No, there’s the contract you all signed when you started your training.”
They stared blankly at him. Maybe he should have waited until they were more awake. This wasn’t going as he had expected. There was a lot less enthusiasm than he wanted.
“He keeps the top five shifters.” Clare crossed her arms. “That’s us, right?”
“Yes.”
“We’re six.” Alistair smirked. “I never signed any contract.”
“True.” Pallas nodded. “I didn’t include you or Julia. Blain is number five.”
“Hey!” Darrell said. “Why not Julia?”
Pallas sighed. “Because she’s not suited for combat.”
Alistair sat straighter. “Are you saying I’m not either?”
Pallas rubbed his temples. He shouldn’t have left his bed. “When the others leave on missions someone needs to stay behind to take care of the pack.” He pointed to Alistair and Julia. “You two are best suited for this job. The Vanguards need an Elite task force. You five will be it.”
“To do what?” Ian rested his arm around Clare.
“Whatever is needed to safeguard shifter kind.”
The patter of footsteps superseded Leona’s arrival in the kitchen.
She joined them at the table. “I couldn’t help but overhear. You’re already registered as the pack in Alberg and I happen to know of a big blue house that will be a steal.”
Pallas chuckled. She meant Harold’s empty house, of course. Right by the woods. He should be able to buy the surrounding land. “You still retain hunting privileges here.”
Ian gripped his forearm. “Thank you.”
He clapped the alpha’s shoulder. This had been a long time in the making. “Good. You should wake the others and tell them the news.” Those who wanted to return to their old packs could. Those who didn’t would remain with Ian and Clare.
Pallas pulled Leona closer. She wore another of his shirts. He could get used to this very quickly.
A new chapter in their lives was about to start. He grinned baring his fangs. He couldn’t wait until the new recruits arrived. The Vanguards had been busy speaking with other packs about a unified justice system of their own. They would need a school to teach those shifters chosen to police their kind. It would be an unofficial capacity for now. But after this event, he had more hope for the future of mankind and supernaturals living side by side.
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