Chapter 600 Chapter 600
Devin dropped the folders on the desk and stared at the wall behind it. “Dad should be here doing this.”
“You know he has to stay at the Alliance Headquarters and make it look like nothing has changed.”
He turned around and looked at his beautiful, brilliant mate. Was he ever going to be able to look at her without his heart beating harder? He didn’t think so. Hoped not, actually. “I know, I just,” he waved his hand around, “I’m not a people person.”
Rayne grinned, “I’ve never noticed that about you.” She gave him a playful look, “I guess you were only taking a short vacation at the campground for a few years and not avoiding people.”
He growled and closed the distance between them; pulling her into his arms, he leaned down and nipped the side of her neck, “I miss the quiet a lot.” He looked down to see she was giving him that look that made him feel like there was nothing he couldn’t do.
“There will be time for holidays and quiet time once we fix our world.”
“I know.” He kissed her mouth softly and then stepped back. He still couldn’t help it, but every time he touched her, he wanted to take her as far from everyone as possible and spend hours, days just looking at her.
“This doesn’t look like a planning session.”
Devin looked at the doorway and gave Calum a brief look. “Guess that depends on what we’re planning.”
Rayne tapped her hand against his chest. “You man plan. I’m going to meet new faces and see if there’s anything they need.”
“Rayne, it’s team members only, not random clan members.”
She gave him a blank look, “They still need things, Devin.” she smiled at Calum, “Did everyone get here all right?”
Calum nodded, crossed his arms over his chest, and leaned against the door frame. “A few interesting events before we left, but the trip was good.” He smirked. “Probably not as much for Asher and those riding with him. I don’t imagine the wolf pup was content to just sit in a van that long.”
“Wolf pup?” Rayne looked from one to the other.
“Why does Asher have a wolf pup?” Devin sat on the edge of the desk. As far as distracting him from the pressure of talking to so many people, a wolf pup worked.
“It’s Journee’s.” Calum shrugged. “Asher brought him with him when he was left behind.”
Rayne smiled at Devin. “I’m going to go sniff out this pup.” Her expression sobered. “If I can’t have my own, then a wild one will do.”
He stood up, “Aw, Rayne, you know...”
“I’m kidding, I know a family will have to wait until after we fix the world.” She hugged him quickly and left the room with fast, determined steps.
“Asher has some doubts about Journee.” Calum leaned back against the door frame again.
“Because she was gone so long?” Devin went around the desk and picked up the folder again, he needed to know the team members that were there today—nothing like having to learn and know a few hundred names and faces.
“No, because she came back.”
He glanced at Calum, “does he think she’s a spy?”
“I think he’s just being cautious.”
Devin snorted. “With good reason.” He dropped the folder again. “This place,” he waved his hand around, “Dad has had this in the works for a long time.” He put his hands on his hips. “He never once told me how bad things were while I was...”
“Hiding from your responsibilities?”
He gave him a cold look, “Thanks, I need reminding of it.” He nodded slowly, “I know I should have been around more and helping; maybe then...”
“I don’t think you could have prevented anything that started long before we were born.”
“I know, I just...”
“Wouldn’t have met Rayne if you weren’t hiding.”
He jolted, like his friend had just cuffed him with one of his meaty hands. “This is true.” Blowing out a breath, he picked up the folder again and waved it around, “I can hear your dad in my head all the time telling me to pay attention, that the answers are out there if I look hard enough.” He smiled, “if I knew the damn questions, then it would be easier to find the answers.”
“That’s actually my mom’s line,” Calum shrugged, “according to my uncle.”
Devin hadn’t known that. “Well, it makes sense then,” he motioned his hand up and down, “that you’re as smart as you are because your mom sounds like she was very intelligent.” He frowned. “I don’t remember much about her except that she scared me when we got in trouble.”
“Can you repeat that,” Calum pulled out his phone, “I want to record it, the part about me being smart.”
Devin scoffed, “Not a chance.” He sobered, “What’s your take on Griffin? He’s nothing like I thought he’d be.”
Calum pushed away from the door, “It’s a good thing his shifter DNA crushed the human part,” he lifted a shoulder and let it drop, “for us.”
Devin nodded, “Yeah. His information so far has been right on the money. It’s going to help us end this a lot easier.”
Calum nodded.
“Do you think he’ll shift fully?”
Calum smiled, “I don’t think he needs to. Did they tell you he broke them out of a welded bin?” He motioned up and down his body, “He does that double-in-size thing that Noah does.”
“Really?” Devin clicked his teeth together and then nodded, “When we get all this shit cleaned up and start having the clan gathering and the games,” he nodded again, “Noah and Griffin are on our team for the touch football.”
Calum grinned, “wouldn’t that be cheating?”
“Absolutely not; shifting is against the rules, but they don’t fully shift...”
“We would slaughter the other teams.”
“Exactly.” Devin grinned, feeling optimistic about something for the first time in months.
“Are you ready to play the part of the leader?” Calum glanced at his phone, “they’ll all be in the cafeteria shortly.”
The good feeling vanished just like that, “I don’t even know everyone.” He tilted his head to the side, “you do.”
“Won’t be the same if I do the talking instead of the prince.”
Devin scowled at the folder for a second, “Just do the introduction part.”
“Is that an order?” Calum smirked.
“It can be.” Devin put his hand on his hips and glared at him.
“As you wish, my prince.” Calum bowed to him and then backed toward the door. “I’m going to go sniff out my mate before this begins.”
Devin snorted. “Make sure mine isn’t trying to kidnap that pup and hide it in a purse.” He called out to him after he left.