Chapter 601 Chapter 601
Shaelan motioned down the hallway. “Cal was telling me that Journee’s been gone for eighteen years.”
He nodded. “I barely remember her.”
“That day won’t be very clear to you. Your brain was still forming, and it is going to only remember what was important to you then. Trauma is like that.”
He could only nod. Trauma was the best way to describe it.
“Cal said there are sketchbooks in her bag.” He turned the corner she motioned to. “Do you think it’s a way to trace her path?”
He had considered that briefly, but the one thing he never did was get his hopes up and wish for things until he had all the facts. Too many times, he had fooled himself into thinking he was almost to his end game. “I guess we’ll find out in a few days.”
“Yes. She’s very strong, so don’t worry about any complications.”
When they reached a big double door, Calum came out of it. “There you are.” He smiled at his mate. “How’s the patient?”
“She’s doing good.” Shaelan went over and hugged him.
“Aunt Mari showed up at Ed’s.”
Shaelan’s expression was shock and horror. “Is everything all right at home?”
“Seems to be. She decided she needed to come help look after all the young ones at Blair and Noah’s.”
“Oh my.”
“Her hair is lime green now.”
“Really?” She grinned, “is it better than the pink?”
“I’m not sure if any color your aunt picks is better.”
Shaelan laughed. “It will be interesting for them with her around.”
“She went into a homeware store and found out there are more kinds of forks.” Calum opened the door and waited for Shaelan to go in.
“How many did she bring?”
“A small duffle bag full.”
Shaking her head, she kept walking.
“Devin will be done in a few minutes.”
Asher stopped and looked around. It looked like a cafeteria that a school would have. The tables and chairs were set up to occupy most of the space. The front of the room was clear, and down the one side was a long open window. Before he could even take a step, his nose told him that coffee was coming from the direction of those windows. “I’m going to grab a coffee.”
“Right behind you.” Noah walked up beside him. “We’re in room twenty-two.”
“Okay.” Asher went around the tables and toward the window. “I’ll let you show me where that is.”
Noah snorted. “If I can find it again.”
“Maybe they’ll give us a map.” Asher reached the counter and leaned down. Inside was a full kitchen, and there was more than coffee going on in there.
“Two more big men, Holly.” An older short woman with salt and pepper hair and bright rosy cheeks came over. “I’m Yolanda. What can I get you, boys?”
“Just coffee.” Asher gave her a polite smile.
He glanced at the other woman as she walked down to the coffee urn. She was probably in her late fifties or early sixties and had greyed-out red hair. She glanced at him, and he inclined his head to be polite.
“There will be food after the meeting.” She said abruptly.
“Appreciate it, ‘mam.”
She eyed him for a moment and then turned and went into a big walk-in fridge.
“Here you are.” Yolanda smiled and motioned to the end of the window. “All the fixings are down there.”
“Thank you.” He took the cup and nodded.
“Thanks.” Noah followed him. “A lot of faces here, I don’t know.”
Asher glanced around as he stirred his coffee. Most of the bodies were team members, but there were several he didn’t know. “I don’t recognize many either.”
“I’m sitting near the back.” Noah turned around and headed toward the door.
Asher looked around as he blew on his drink. He recognized some of the incursion team and special operations. He took a sip, Illias was here and had his head down talking to a woman beside him, so she was likely part of the tech team. He started walking toward the back when Webb, Gia, Deacon, and Amari came in the door. Tripp, Jesse, and Evanna were right behind them.
As he reached them, the room went silent. He glanced to the front. Devin stood there.
“To make this easier, can we, for today—” he glanced at Rayne, and she smiled, “sit with our teams.” Rayne said something to him. He gave her a tender look and then shrugged. “So everyone will know who to go to later on when they need to.” He turned to look at his mate again. She gave him a beaming smile.
There was a lot of movement, and chairs were dragged across the floor for a few minutes. Asher sat down at the table that Jesse did. Tripp grabbed Amari and kissed her for several seconds before he went over and sat down at the table with Blaise Morgan. Deacon winked at Gia and then went over and sat with Konner.
As the commotion settled, Rayne stepped over to stand beside Devin. “Welcome to the Factory, everyone.” She smiled. “Our King is hoping to be here in the next few days, but we’re here to get everything in motion.” She looked around the room for a moment, “this is going to be the new base of operations for the Alliance.”
In Asher’s mind, it made sense. The headquarters was in a city, and it always struck him as strange that the world of shifters was operating in a city. To him, if there was too much concrete and noise, it was hell functioning. His animal needed fresh air and open space.
Devin watched his mate for a moment and then glanced around the room. “All members of all of our teams have been cleared to be here. Anyone not cleared is not going to get past the gate.” That got everyone’s attention. “The shifters you may have spotted patrolling in the area are from several rogue factions that we have brought in.” There were a few whispers about that. “They want the Alliance protection against the Tomas empire just as much as the rest of us.” He nodded. “They stay off-site, but they keep watch for anyone trying to get to this compound in any way other than the road.
Asher shrugged. He’d never considered that the rogues were in more danger than most clans were. He spotted Deacon giving Gia a look and wondered what that was about.
“They’re not officially a part of the Alliance, but they are earning their way to it.” Devin finished and then sought out Calum with a focused look. “I’m going to let Calum go through those here.”
Calum grinned and got up.
Asher didn’t blame the prince at all. He looked about as comfortable speaking to this many people as Asher would. He likely wouldn’t be able to.