Chapter 892 Chapter 892
Foster watched Ena come back outside. He didn’t know what it felt like to learn you could be alpha, but judging by the expression on her face, she hadn’t decided anything.
He was glad his family wasn’t attached to any part of the leadership of his clan. The bickering between some of them alone would have him quit and hide in the mountains. Except that’s where wild bears lived, he wasn’t keen on those.
Deacon had been on the teams before he had his own clan, but now Foster wondered if he was volunteering for more things than before to avoid clan things.
Ena stopped and looked around.
Jesse came out of the front of Zach’s house. Leah was with him. She really was nothing like Evanna, he thought. He needed to get a handle on the random thoughts. His coyote acting out was to blame. He knew that. He didn’t blame the animal, but focus was impossible when he was like this.
Ena began to walk toward them. If anyone could offer her words of wisdom, it would be Jesse.
He started to go over and then stopped. She had enough to think about right now. His standing there staring at her wasn’t going to be helpful. His animal objected, but he ignored him. As soon as he’d seen the gobsmacked look on her face when Jesse told her she could be alpha, Foster knew their talk needed to be postponed.
His phone buzzing was the perfect distraction to get out of his own head. Pulling it out, he looked at it. It was Margie Taylor, his alpha. He answered it without hesitation because that’s what you do when your alpha calls. “Hello, Margie.”
“Foster. How are you?”
It didn’t matter what was going on. She always asked that. ”I’m good. How are things at home?”
She scoffed. “The usual. The almost spring season is always hard on the younger ones.”
That was code for bored kids getting on everyone’s nerves.
“Your folks have been helping keep them busy.”
Foster grinned. His parent would have scavenger hunts set up. They did that every year. “That’s great.”
“I heard through the grapevine that a coyote clan has been found.”
He never understood what a grapevine was and why older people used that saying. He looked around. “Yeah. It’s small. They’ve been on their own for a long time, but the Alliance has sent help and supplies.”
“Good. Our princess told me that some of the rescued clan were going there to help.”
“They’re here.”
“Oh, good. I offered residence here with us, but only a few of our clan type decided to take me up on it.” She sighed. “I’m just happy another clan has been found. There used to be ten coyote clans spread out all over North America.”
He hadn’t known the number, but did know that gatherings when he was a kid used to have quite a few people at them. He was looking forward to the general gatherings happening again. Races, games, and everyone having a good time. He looked at Ena and Jesse. Clans like hers would benefit from seeing the shifter community united.
“If there anything we can do, you tell them not to hesitate to ask, Foster.”
“I will.” He watched Ena for a moment more. “There might actually be something you can do.”
“Of course, what is it?”
He knew she hadn’t said she would, or they’d be having a meeting, but it didn’t hurt to think ahead. “This clan lost their alpha several years ago…”
“Who’s even running things?”
He blew out a breath. “No one, really.”
“That makes me sad that they were on their own like that.”
He nodded. “One of the women around my age is from the original bloodline, and Jesse has asked if she will accept being the alpha.”
Margie blew into the phone. “I remember following my dad around, trying to learn things at that age. It can be a lot, Foster.”
“I figured.”
“Is there a second family? Someone to help?”
He looked at Orson’s house. “An old gentleman is the last of the second line.”
“Older is good. He’ll be steady when she’s not.”
He nodded. Orson had already been keeping this clan together.
“You tell her she can call me anytime, even if she hasn’t made up her mind yet. I can talk to Shepard and tell him I’ll sponsor her for a while.”
“What’s that?” He’d never heard of it.
“It’s something we do when a clan is in transition for a new alpha that hasn’t had a lot of training. A few experienced alphas will coach them until they’re ready.”
Foster turned and looked at Ena, Jesse was handing her his phone. “That would be good. I’ll tell her.” Who was she talking to?
“What’s her name?”
He blinked. “Ena —” He had no idea what her last name was. “I don’t know last names yet.” He admitted.
“That’s fine. You tell Ena I’m here when she needs me.”
“I will, Margie, thanks.” Did he tell her that Ena was his mate? He decided not because nothing was sorted out.
“All right. I have to go. It’s account balancing day. My least favorite thing in the world.”
Foster grinned.
“You take care, Foster. We’re all very appreciative of what you’re doing to help our community.”
“I’ll try to get home soon.” He didn’t know what to say to what she said.
“You do that. Bye.”
After she hung up, he tucked the phone in his pocket and looked to see Ena sitting on some lumber, talking on Jesse’s phone.
Sighing, he went over to his van. She needed a phone of her own. Andi had given her one, but she gave it back to her after the op. Locating the case, he got out one with the box so there would be instructions. He knew someone had programmed the most important numbers in every phone, but he’d make sure she had Margie’s number too.
When he closed the door, he stood there and looked at her. What happened when he had to go out on the next op or errand? He was going to have to leave her. He knew a few of the mated couples on the teams did things apart, but most of them weren’t apart very long. If ever. Amari and Tripp had been joined at the hip since they’d found each other. He smirked. Tripp had literally found her.
Blowing out a breath, he assured his tense animal that they would figure it out. Hopefully, he wasn’t lying to himself and himself.