Chapter 599 Chapter 599
“Are you sure this is where we’re supposed to be?”
Asher glanced at Kelsey in the mirror. She was still holding the pup—who was soaking up the loving from her.
“I watched him find it on the map, honey. It has to be,” Gage told her.
Asher glanced at Noah, and they both turned to look out the windshield again. A bridge that had seen better days was at the bottom of the not-undercarriage-friendly hill. Under it, despite the amount of snow on the banks, the river was rushing at an insane speed. After the bridge was a large metal gate that no one, not even Spiderman, could have climbed over, beyond that, surrounded by tall fencing, was a large building. He leaned forward and looked closer, with loading docks and two box trucks parked at them.
Something caught his eye, and he turned to see a cougar watching them from the trees. It was wearing a run pack. They were patrolling in animal form. That was a smart move. The animal would pick up more and could travel a lot faster than two legs.
“It looks like a factory.” Kelsey mused.
“We’re in the right place.”
Asher turned to look at Noah. He grinned at him and pointed, “Calum is standing by the gate with Blaise.”
Looking back, he saw Noah was right. “Okay. Hang on. This hill doesn’t look smooth.”
~
Everyone wanted out of the vehicle when they were inside the compound. A few times when the road dipped, Asher said a silent prayer that he wasn’t going to snap off a wheel or something important.
“I hope fixing that is on the list.” Kelsey looked around, “we could bring up the dozer and flatten that right out.”
Gage smiled down at her, “Maybe it being rough is part of a deterrent.”
“It would make me think twice.” Noah came around the front of the van and held the pup out to Asher. “He went to the bathroom immediately.”
Asher nodded, “I wouldn’t mind one after the ride down here.”
~
Wrangling the pup in his arm, he followed the others and then paused. Inside was just as much of a shock as the location. It may look like a factory on the outside, but inside was a complex of rooms and areas, from what he could see so far. He could smell the new lumber and paint, so he could only surmise this place had been renovated for the Alliance.
Gia came out of a door. “Welcome to the factory,” she grinned, “isn’t it something?” She pointed. “Webb is in the office helping with room assignments and check-ins,” she turned around and motioned down a corridor. “After you claim your spot, we’re to meet in the cafeteria. Devin said everyone else would be here within the hour.” With that, she smiled again and went down the corridor.
“I’m going to take a look around.” Gage kissed the top of Kelsey’s head, “Grab us a room, and I’ll meet you at the cafeteria.”
“Okay.” Kelsey nodded, “I hope they have the right tools for us to fix what needs fixing.”
Gage smiled, “I’m sure they do.”
Asher watched them walk away.
“Did you expect anything like this?”
“No,” he glanced at Noah, “this has been in the works for a long time.
Noah nodded, “I wonder how many people are here.”
“Fifty when everyone arrives.”
They both jumped and turned around. A large man with black hair and a few white streaks stood there smiling at Noah.
“Griffin.” Noah shook his head, “I didn’t expect you to be here.”
Griffin shrugged, “Me either. The King put Blaise in charge of here—the factory,” he shrugged, “so here I am. At least I’m safe here. Security is tight.”
Noah nodded and looked at Asher, “Sorry, Asher, this is Griffin.”
Asher gave him a quick nod. Everyone knew who Griffin was. He didn’t care one bit that he was Aiden Tomas’ half-brother. The fact that he had inside information to help was all that mattered to him.
“Shaelan is in medical. She says your lady friend should be able to shift in the next few days.”
Lady friend? As if the ball of fur knew what he’d said, the pup started to squirm and dug his back claws into Asher’s ribs. Lowering him to the floor, he wondered if there was a safe yard to put him in. “I just have to figure out what I’m doing with—” The pup took off across the floor and darted down a hallway.
“Guess he knows where medical is.”
Noah held his hand out, “I’ll take your bag, grab us a place to sleep, and meet you in the cafeteria.”
“I can take you to see Journee.” Griffin jammed his hands in his pockets. “I don’t need to understand animal to know she’s getting really restless.”
“No doubt.” Asher motioned for him to lead the way. “Being stuck in one form, either way, is never a good thing.” He recalled being afraid to shift back to two legs when he was new at shifting. It had taken a few hours, but then his body was going to do it whether he was on board or not. Journee must have incredible strength to stay in cat form this long. He adjusted her backpack on his shoulder and looked around as they walked. “How big is this place?”
“Big.” Griffin didn’t look anywhere but straight ahead. “It has rooms and bunks, a huge kitchen, and a cafeteria.” He motioned down a hall they went by, “a medical wing, what they’re calling education center.” He glanced at him over his shoulder at him, “An operations center.”
“We’re going to be operating out of here now and not the Alliance Headquarters?”
Griffin paused by a door, motioning for him to go in, “Very few know about this place. Only teams are going to be coming here, and we’re keeping the trucks coming and going, so it looks like business as usual.”
He was almost relieved to hear it. His worst fear was that the Alliance Headquarters traitors would undo all their work in finding others and rescuing them. Asher stepped into the room to see Shaelan squatting down, petting the pup.
“Cal said we’d have a tiny guest coming with you.” She smiled at Asher, “He isn’t going to stay tiny for long.” Standing up, she pointed to a door. “I have her mildly sedated, so she doesn’t panic and try to shift. She understands what’s happening.”
Going over, she opened the door and went in. The pup raced in right behind her. Asher went in and saw Journee lying on a giant cushion on the floor. The pup ran over and climbed her, licking her face. Journee lifted her head, nudged him a few times, and then lay back down.
“A few more days and her leg should have begun to knit back together, and then she can shift.” Shaelan gave him a quick glance. “Then we can repair the damage. I was worried if she shifted, the bone would come out of place completely, and then we wouldn’t be able to do much with it.”
He nodded, even though he knew nothing about that.
“Konner is going to fly a surgeon in when it’s time to repair it if I can’t put it back into place without cutting her open.”
He watched Journee and could see she kept her attention on Shaelan and was taking in everything she said. Going over, he set her bag on the chair. “You might need a new hat,” he jerked his chin toward the pup, “he’s been keeping it with him.”
She nudged the pup again with her chin.
“I’ll be back in a bit, Journee. Do you want the pup to stay with you?”
Journee lifted her head again and bumped against the pup, so he’d lay down near her shoulder.
“Okay, then.” She turned and looked at Asher. “I’ll wait out there and show you where the others are.”
Asher nodded and then looked down at Journee again. He had no idea what he was supposed to do or say. “I can’t imagine how much this sucks.” That was what he came up with. “But Shaelan’s good. She’ll get you through it.” He squatted where he stood so he was closer to her level. “I think I remember you.” He said quietly. “Or did when I saw your pack.” She watched him with a steady stare. “I have a lot of questions.” Her eyes drooped slightly. He stood up, “Get some rest, and hopefully, tomorrow, you’ll be back in your own skin.” He nodded abruptly and then left the room. His cat was suddenly restless, which he figured was because of all the driving the last few days. Later, once he knew what the plan was, he’d have to see where he could go for a run. He didn’t want to go out without asking first and come face to face with one of the animals patrolling the area.