Chapter 19

The drive ended up being a little over four hours, with two bathroom stops added to the agenda. Blair spent most of the trip worrying about—everything. He had no idea what the state this house was in, he just hoped it would be livable until it was fixed up. He couldn’t remember how long it had been empty—that alone told him he could have a lot of repairs over the next few months. Winter in their area tended to arrive earlier than the rest of the province, so it could be even less than that.

His cat was no help the entire drive, not with Kobie sitting in the passenger’s seat and being so close to him. If it hadn’t been for Daisie’s chatter in the back seat, Blair may have lost his mind completely or done something stupid, like confessing more things to the woman beside him.

He didn’t know who Daisie had grilled, but she knew more about the Alliance and the politics of the clans than he did now. There were two hundred clans in North America and an unknown amount around the world. Also, Devin’s father didn’t have to run all of them personally, Daisie had informed the adults in the car because he had ambassadors in other countries that took care of everything.

The only thing she said that he knew, was all clans looked out for one another no matter if you had fur, hair, or other stuff.

He wasn’t sure what the ‘other stuff’ was, but trying to figure it out had distracted his brain from worrying and his cat from jumping out of his body onto his mate beside him. He needed to ask more questions about the clans and Alliance, he decided once they got through all of this.

“I am so over long trips.” Rayne’s unamused voice broke the call’s silence.

Blair hit the mute button on his phone. “Five more minutes.” He informed everyone. Then his nerves hit him, making him tenser. Five minutes and hopefully he pulled in to see a habitable home. He pointed down the dirt road as they went by. “That’s where my Alpha lives and we work.”

“I haven’t seen a house in twenty minutes,” Cortney said quickly.

Blair glanced at her in the mirror. “That’s the way we like it.”

She smiled, even though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I suppose it makes going for a run easier.”

Blair nodded. “Just have to be careful of the bog areas.”

She gave him a quick, curious look and then turned to look back out the window.

Blair pulled into the long drive. “We’re here.” He glanced at Kobie, who had been silent most of the ride. “It’s going to need some work, but it’s a safe place to live.” He slowed as he crested the small hill and saw three trucks he recognized. He grinned. “Looks like you get to meet some of my clan that I work with.” He shrugged one shoulder, “most of them are like brothers. We’ve been together since we were kids.”

Kobie turned, and he could be sure, but it looked like she was scared. Blair reached over and squeezed her hand, then winked at her, trying to assure her it was all good.

Parking beside Jake’s truck, he got out and stretched.

As the other cars pulled in, Jake and Gary came out of the house. Paint was splattered all over their clothes and faces. Blair hadn’t realized until this moment how much he’d missed them.

The women and girls got out of the vehicles, and all stood together in a little cluster beside the van that Jay was in. Blair’s heart ached for them, having left their entire lives behind. He’d be damned if he would let anything happen to them again.

Blair’s cat was on edge with other men near their mate. Mentally shaking it off, he went over to Jake.

Gary turned and looked up at the roof. “Noah, come down. Beth will be back soon, and we’ll need a hand.”

Blair looked up to see Noah crawling like a crab down the roof to the ladder.

Jake grinned, “he’s not good with a paintbrush.”

“Or a hammer,” Gary added.

“Who’s running the shop if you guys are here?”

Jake wiped his hands on a rag. “Ed and Gage have it covered. Kels is with Coop—who is demanding one of us big assholes carry him to a truck and bring him over here to supervise.”

Gary nodded, “Beth left early this morning to pick up some groceries and things for the kitchen.” He shook his head, “she’s been barking orders and buying things for the last few days.”

A lump formed in Blair’s throat, “I can’t thank you—”

“Fuck that.” Jake glared at him. “We need your ass back at the shop before the fall hits and everything comes in for repairs and painting.”

Nodding, Blair glanced over to see Kobie watching. “All right, come meet the girls.”

“Brave son of a bitch.” Jake mumbled under his breath.

The van door flew open, and Rayne jumped out looking frazzled. “I think we need to start flying everywhere.” She flipped the hair back off her shoulder and watched her mate get out and stretch.

Jake and Gary bowed their heads to him.

Devin waved them off and then looked from one to the other. “How much did you get done?”

“Five rooms upstairs and the lower one for,” Jake motioned to the van. “They’ll have to double up until we get some more ready.”

Gary pointed to the closest of the small buildings. “We got that one all cleaned up.”

Devin nodded his head and looked at Blair. “The crew Dad sent are doing the fencing and setting up alarms along the property edge, so Gage volunteered his guys to get the house ready.”

Blair glanced over to see the emotional expression on some of the women’s faces. “I appreciate it.” He said to no one in particular.

“We’ll stay and lend a hand for a few days.” Calum put his arm around Shaelan, “Shae wants to keep an eye on Jay for a while.”

“I can help paint too,” Shaelan said, then covered a yawn. “I don’t travel well,” she smirked.

Kobie stepped away from the girls and held Blair’s look.

He motioned to her, “I guess I should introduce everyone.” He went over and stopped beside her because his cat demanded it. “This is Kobie,” he winked at her and then placed his hand on the back of her neck. To all the shifters it was an obvious display that would let all the males present know she was off-limits.

Keeping his hand resting there, he motioned to the women, one at a time. “Franki, Mika.”

Mika inclined her head.

Franki smiled, “I’m good with a hammer and saw.”

Jake tapped his chest, “I’m Jake. We will put those skills to use.”

Blair gave him an appreciative look. “This is Torrey and her daughter Kasia.”

Torrey pulled Kasia to stand in front of her.

“I can help paint,” Kasia said.

“We have a lot of trim to do.” Jake gave her a thumbs up.

Blair pointed to Nichelle, then Annamarie. “Here we have Nichelle,” he glanced at Jake, “who will set you straight with a verbal lashing like you have never heard.”

Jake placed his hand over his heart and patted it. “She’s on my team for all future disagreements.”

Nichelle grinned at him.

“And this is Annamarie.” He watched her smile and turned to see it was Gary she was looking at.

“And what’s your name?” She all but purred at Gary.

“Annamarie,” Blair warned softly.

Huffing out a breath, she glanced at him. “Sorry, but he is cute.” She added quietly.

Jake chuckled as Gary’s face went red. “His name is Gary,” he told her, then grinned at the blushing man.

Clearing his throat, Blair motioned to the remaining two, “This is Cortney and her sunshine, Daisie.” He winked at Daisie.

Cortney nodded, “thank you for all the work you’re doing. We’ll pitch in wherever we can.”

Daisie walked away from her mother and over to Noah, who was standing off to the side. She held out her hand. “Hi. I’m Daisie, what’s your name?”

Noah hesitated for a moment and then took her hand. “Noah.”

Daisie nodded, then turned his hand over. “You should be very careful when using tools. That’s what my mom used to tell my dad.”

Noah tilted his head, “good advice. I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Can we get a hand moving Jay inside?” Devin watched Shaelan get out of the van after checking him over.

Noah, Jake, and Gary went over and took a corner of the stretcher. Jake looked down at Jay and did a terrible job of keeping the shock off his face when he saw him. Glancing over at Blair briefly, one look conveyed his thoughts, and ‘holy fuck’ summed it up.

“We did a room downstairs with lots of windows.” Jake gave Jay a quick smile, “there’s a small patio just outside it for when you’re feeling better too.”

Blair couldn’t hear if Jay replied.

“Let’s all move inside,” Rayne suggested. “We’ll need to get a list going on what needs to be picked up.” She went over and held the door open for the men.

Blair stood there with Devin and watched everyone go inside. “I appreciate all the Alliance is doing,” Blair told him while trying to keep his emotions on a tight leash.

Jesse finally got out of the car, he was looking at his phone. With a shrug to Devin, he lifted his hands. “I have to bail. I’m needed elsewhere.”

“You just don’t want to paint,” Devin said.

Jesse smirked, “with the size of this place, there will be painting left to do when I get back this way.”

“Take care,” Blair told him with a nod. “Call if you ever need backup.”

Jesse saluted and turned back to the car.

Cale closed up the van and came over. As he did, he pulled his thick curly red hair behind his head with an elastic. He grinned. “This place is the epitome of private.”

Blair nodded. “That’s the only way to have it.”

“I had that.” Devin mused. “Now my campground is full of people in every direction I look.”

Blair watched Rayne run out the door to the van and grab her purse. “But your mate is happy.”

Devin nodded as he tracked her with his eyes until she was back in the house. As the door closed, he looked at Cale. “If you want to stay here, Dad says that’s fine. Blair is going to need all the help he can get.”

Cale nodded and looked around. He pointed to the small building down the driveway. “I was going to claim that and stay there if that’s okay. I just need a bed.” He glanced at the house, “my cat is afraid of staying in a house with nine females.”

Devin laughed.

As if cued, there was the sound of high-pitched squabbling between Nichelle and Annamarie carried through the emptiness of the house.

“Yeah,” Blair rubbed his hand over his hair and started for the door to find out what the problem was. He didn’t even get the door closed before a horn honked outside. Looking back, he saw Beth climbing out of her SUV.

Jake and Gary pushed past him; both had haunted looks on their faces. Her arrival was a good excuse for them to get away from having to see how broken Jay was.

Beth started toward him. In her usual fast walk. He loved that woman, she was the only mother he’d ever known. She was a tiny thing, but he’d learned the hard way to never piss her off.

She smoothed back her wavy, red hair, which was now streaked with grey highlights, and then stopped in front of him.

He smiled down at her.

“Glad you’re home, Blair.” She patted him on the chest.

“It’s good to be back, Beth.”

She bobbed her head a few times, “okay enough chitchat, we have a lot to do.”

Kobie, Franki, and Mika were standing in the kitchen when they went in.

“Hi, I’m Beth,” she grinned, “from the clan next door.” She pointed over her shoulder, “the boys are carrying everything in. I bought some groceries and all the dishes and things for the kitchen.”

She smiled at Franki. “I need sizes and then I’ll go out and grab some clothes. I only bought towels and linens this trip.” She looked over at Blair, “I gave Shep an earful—expecting an entire house to be set up in two days. It’s ridiculous.” She looked back at the women, “I spoke with Irene this morning and as soon as possible, they’re sending some people to pack up all of your homes and ship everything here.” Beth paused again to smile at Cortney and Daisie as they came in. “Shep is working with some Fish man to sell the houses and get some accounts set up for you.”

She nodded and smiled at Torrey, Kasia, and Nichelle when they appeared in the doorway. “Hi, I’m Beth—the Alpha’s mate in Blair’s clan.” She bobbed her head. “What else? Oh, Blair,” she didn’t even look to see if he was paying attention, “there’s a phone in one of these bags. You get it set up with all of our numbers in case they need something. We have three cars and a van being certified for you. Do you all drive? Beth waved her hand around, “it doesn’t matter, Cooper can teach anyone to drive.”

Jake and Gary came in and set down some bags.

“Now, more furniture will be here,” she glanced at her watch, “Oh, it’s late now,” she shook her head, “I’ll call and rattle them about it in a minute.”

Blair grinned, knowing how rattled they’d be once she was done with them.

“Don’t worry about dinner. Ed and I will be over and bring some once the shop is closed up for the day.” She looked over at Blair, “and I believe Gage and Kelsey are going to bring Cooper over to meet everyone later too.”

Clasping her hands in front of her, she turned back and surveyed the women standing there. Before anyone could speak, she waved a hand at Blair, “well, get to putting this away.”

Blair took the bags from Jake and went over to the counter.

“I have a list started.” Rayne came in, “Oh, good you’re back,” she smiled at Beth, “we need to go over this and see what you’ve already taken care of.”

Beth nodded and started for the door, “everyone, I need sizes and preferences, so once this is all sorted, come and tell me.” She nodded again and went into the other room with Rayne.

Devin came in carrying more bags. “I think she bought a grocery store.” He mumbled.

“Is that your mom?” Daisie looked up at Blair.

He smiled, “only one I’ve ever known.”

Daisie smiled back at him, “I like her, she’s happy.”

Jake snorted, “and that’s the way you want her to stay.”

Daisie watched her mother emptying a bag onto the counter and then darted over when she spotted cookies.

Setting the bags down on the counter beside Kobie, he gave her a questioning look. “Are you okay?”

She looked up at him and his heart jerked in his chest to see those deep blue eyes swimming in unshed tears.

“They’re doing so much.” She whispered.

He checked to see that everyone else was occupied, then took her hand, “come here.” He headed for the first door in sight. Opening the door, it surprised him to see it was a small bathroom. Leaving the door open, he pulled her in and then turned and perched on the counter’s edge, so they were the same height.

The tears were now trickling down her cheeks. “Oh, babe,” he pulled her to stand between his legs and gently wiped them off, “don’t do that. My heart will shatter if you cry.”

She sniffled, “I just—I didn’t expect…”

He leaned forward and kissed her mouth softly. “This is how my clan, my family is. They know you all mean a lot to me, so they’re going to look out for you just as much as I am.” He frowned when she didn’t look happy about that. “What?”

Casting her eyes down, her lashes shielded them and so couldn’t see what she was thinking.

“I wanted you to be a big jerk once you got home.”

Blair grinned, “sorry to disappoint you, babe. What you see is what you get.”

When she looked back at him, the expression in her eyes had changed. His cat nudged him as if he didn’t recognize a heated look when he saw it. She was playing with the material of his shirt on his chest and just that slight contact had his blood simmering. Touching her chin with just a fingertip, he leaned closer. His cat was practically chanting inside him and it was distracting as fuck.

“Oh, there you are.”

They both turned to see Beth standing in the doorway, smiling at them.

“Kobie was feeling a little overwhelmed.”

Beth’s expression changed to that understanding motherly look. “You poor, dear.” She tsked. “You’ve endured so much.” She gave her a soft smile. “You are so brave,” the smile widened, “and absolutely gorgeous.”

Before Kobie could say a thing, Beth pulled her into her arms and hugged her. Grasping her arms, she leaned back. “Don’t you let him step out of line, you hear? You have my blessing to give him a wallop upside the head if he does.”

Blair couldn’t see Kobie’s face, but she nodded.

“You are a sweetheart.” Beth whispered, “and you can trust that all my boys are the best catches in any clan. I raised them up right. There’s none of that he-man stuff in our clan. If you want to drive a rig and have your nails hot pink, then that’s what you do.” She released her and looked at him. “Gage wants to know if he should toss your belongings and bed in the truck when he comes over.”

Kobie watched him, waiting for him to reply.

He nodded, “yeah, I’ll bunk out in that building they cleaned out.

“Okay, then. I’ll tell him to bring your dresser and things over.” She smiled at Kobie and then was gone in the other direction.

Kobie smirked at him. “How do you keep up with her?”

Blair shrugged, “You don’t.” When she went to leave, he blocked her with his arm and turned her to face him. “Not so fast.” Holding her eyes with his, he leaned down and kissed her lightly on the mouth. It wasn’t nearly the kiss he wanted, but he wasn’t going to push the issue. “That will have to do for now.” He straightened and grinned down at her.

“Do you have to be so damn charming all the time?”

Blair chuckled, “It’s built-in, babe. I can’t turn it off.” Taking her hand, he pulled her out of the room and went down the hallway. “Come, show me who’s called dibs where.”