Chapter 124 Chapter 124
By dusk, Calum was craving a run. A real run on four legs, fast and long. So much anxiety, sadness, anger and just about every other emotion possible was grating on his nerves. If he didn’t run soon, he was going to snap. His cat was assaulted with the emotions he was, picking up from everyone else, and at times was rubbing so hard on the inside Calum was sure if he checked he’d see worn patches on his body.
“The tension here is crushing me,” Devin mumbled quietly. Turning, he looked to track his mate with his eyes. “Rayne, she’s got that look again—the one that means I’m going to be adding more cabins to the campground and bringing in more people for her to mother… or we’re going to be moving here indefinitely.”
Gage, who was sprawled out on the ground beside him, turned his head and looked at him. “Maybe you should make her an actual mother.”
Devin looked down at him, shaking his head. “I don’t even know if I’d live through her going through that.”
Gage grinned, “I don’t know if I would live through a miniature version of you.”
“Here’s hoping they take after mom.” Calum glanced around. Kelsey was standing smiling and talking on the phone. How was it she got a signal anywhere, and everyone else had to wander around and waved their phone in the air? He looked to Gage and motioned to her.
Gage lifted his head and looked at her, then sighed and lay back, rubbing his hand over his face a few times before he spoke. “She’ll be talking to Blair.”
“I was a bit surprised when he didn’t come with you…”
Devin snorted, “We wanted someone left alive.”
Calum shrugged, “Just as well I suppose. How’s he dealing with Kelsey being mated, finally?”
Gage propped himself up on his elbows. “Did everyone know but me?”
Calum grinned, “Probably, you’re not the most observant man.”
Gage lifted his lip in a half snarl at him, then he sighed, “He’ll be going to help Bruce out, once we get back.” He glanced back to Kelsey, “she keeps trying to find a way to be mated and keep him close.”
“Good luck with that. I have my own problems.” He looked at Devin. “So where are things with Tomas?” He needed anything to take his mind off the insane things swirling around in his head. Insane, as in they could get him severely maimed or killed.
“We’ve gotten several out. It’s going to be a long-term recovery for most of them.” Devin glanced to Rayne. “The campground is now a hospice for those in trouble, recovering, scared or just worn out.”
Calum couldn’t think of a thing to say that could make Devin feel better about that. The fact that Devin, the same guy that had been alone for years by choice, had accepted that, was shocking. Finding his mate had changed him. He wondered if it was going to change him. Aside from not being able to focus on anything longer than two minutes before he thought of Shaelan, he hadn’t noticed anything different, yet.
Gage sat up. “Noah is doing better, but I don’t think that he’ll ever be a normal guy.”
He didn’t know who Noah was, presumably someone they rescued. Calum realized he had a lot to catch up on. That’s what I get for traipsing around strange mountains. He thought of Shaelan, and a mate, he’d gotten her too.
Devin nodded his head to where Shaelan sat, a book open on her knees.
Calum turned to watch her for a moment. Rubbing a hand over his chest, because he was sure his heart jolted when he looked at her. “Yeah, she’s practically got the book memorized now—she’s trying to figure out how to connect the names and people that are still living—together.”
“What do you mean?” Gage frowned at him.
“Devin said the alliance will have names of those missing, she’s going to backtrack them from birthdates to times of conception, so we can confirm the names of some of the men that never went home… She thinks people have a right to know they have a blood relative here on the mountain. Also, thinks it will give the families that have been left wondering about missing members some closure.”
Devin leaned closer, lowered his voice. “She’ll be looking for her father’s family too?”
Calum nodded slowly. “Yeah.” He rubbed a hand over his heart again, “not looking forward to that emotion-fest.” Both her and her mother were going to be a whole whirlwind of feelings when that happened.
Gage got up and brushed off his jeans. “You have any missing male relatives over the years?”
Turning Calum gave him a blank look. “Why?”
Gage smirked. “Just what if…” He lifted his eyebrows and glanced to Shaelan.
Scowling at him, “I will kill you, if I have to.” He said in a quiet voice, only half meaning it.
Gage and Devin both started laughing. Calum growled low.
“If you don’t stop rubbing your chest and sending out waves of sappy emotion, I’m going to hug you,” Devin complained, “go soothe your mate and get away from me.”
Getting up, Calum nodded. “Fine then. I will.”
Before he could get two feet, Marilyn came jogging up the hill.
“Whew! I keep running up that every day and this ass…” she patted her backside, “might be firm again.” She laughed, nodding as she looked around before turning back to Calum. “I couldn’t come sooner, it’s like a contagious madness in the village.” She pursed her lips together for a moment, then sighed, “might have something to do with the herbs I used in the stink bombs.”
Gage sat down. “This, I have to hear.”
Nodding, Calum motioned to the rock he’d been sitting on. “We’re trying to let Chad get some rest, so we’re parked out here for now, until we’re ready to sleep.”
“How are they?” She shook her head as she sat down. “When Brock told me about that poor man, well, let’s just say Faye had to stop me from getting the fork.”
Calum debated on asking, but let it go. “He’s in rough shape. A lot of healing to do.” He sat on the ground.
“When Nona told me he shouldn’t shift...” She shook her head, “I knew how bad it was.” She motioned to the cave, “the other two doing okay though?”
He nodded, then turned to watch Shaelan come over. She sat down in front of him, leaning back against him.
“I have to ask,” Gage said with a smirk. “Why do you smell like a perfume factory?”