Chapter 741 Chapter 741
Zain stood at the entrance with Oaklyn and Kobie. Most of the others had gone outside.
“Why is everyone rushing out?” Zain whispered.
Kobie grinned. “It has to be Aunt Mari. Cooper was coming to pick us up because we didn’t bring our own cars. Asher picked us up on the way here.”
“Who is Aunt Mari?”
“What? My girl is here?” Brock came running up. He wiped his damp cheek. “I was watching videos, and some should come with warnings that they will make you cry.” He sniffled and then leaned and looked out the door. He sucked in a breath. “It’s her.” He rushed outside.
“Are they all like that? Excitable?” Kobie looked at Zain. “Shaelan’s clan?”
He shook his head slowly. “I don’t know, but Brock is unique.”
They stood there as everyone started to come inside. Blair was with an older man, who was nodding to whatever was being said.
Brock came back in with an older woman with neon green hair.
She stopped, put her hands on her hips, and looked around. “I don’t know what a factory is supposed to look like, but this looks like one of those shopping malls I saw on the television in the movies.” She glanced at Brock who nodded. “I like it.”
Devin and Rayne came down the hall.
“There he is, Mister Prince.” Mari bent at the waist and leaned over. Zain wasn’t sure if she was trying to bow or curtsy.
“Marilyn.” The surprise in Devin’s voice was obvious. “Were we expecting you?” He looked over at Calum who shook his head.
Mari shook her head. “No. Ol’ Coop said it was all right if I tagged along, to keep him company on the drive.” She smiled.
Zain watched Blair give the older man a raised-brow look. He shrugged and then smiled at Mari.
“It's a boring drive. I didn’t want to nod off.” He took off his beanie and rubbed his head and then put it back on. “There’s no chance of that with Marilyn beside you.”
Mari smiled at him. “It was fun, Cooper.” She turned back to Devin. “Is your dad busy? I wanted to talk to him. I have ideas and need to see the top wolf about them.” She nodded.
Devin and Calum exchanged a look.
“Mari.” Calum came over. “Shepard’s not here.”
“Well, shoot. I thought he would be.” She sighed. “Well, is it far to go to him? I need to share my ideas in a face-to-face way so he understands.”
Zain watched Calum hold the look of Cooper. The older man’s brows furrowed.
“What’s going on?” Mari looked from one to the other.
“Come on, Aunt Mari, let’s go get a hot drink and we’ll talk.” Shaelan came over and put her arm around her.
“I could use something warm. There’s a chill out there, and once it’s set in my bones they don’t stop hurting until spring comes back.” She nodded and let Shaelan steer her toward the cafeteria.
No one spoke until they went through the doors.
“What’s going on?” Cooper looked around.
“Shepard was taken, Coop,” Blair said quietly.
“What?” His eyes narrowed. “You mean Aiden Tomas got his paws on him? How? The man travels with a football team to watch him.”
“We don’t know.”
Cooper took off his hat again and rubbed his hand over his head. “Well, shit. Marilyn is going to want to load up with forks and be part of the cavalry to find him.”
“We know where he is.” Calum nodded. “We just have to wait a few weeks to go get him.”
The cafeteria door opened, and Mari stood there. “Do you want me to get you a coffee, Cooper?”
He nodded. “I’d appreciate it.” He smiled.
“No trouble.” She smiled back at him.
Blair’s mouth quirked. “So, what have you been up to, Coop.”
Cooper turned and scowled at him. “Don’t go getting nosey.” He slapped his beanie against his knee and started toward the cafeteria.
Zain looked to see Oaklyn was as lost as he was.
“Did he say load up with forks?” She leaned closer to Kobie.
Kobie laughed. “Yes and no. I can’t explain it.”
Zain sipped his coffee. He’d had four today and wasn’t doing anything, so if he drank too much more, he’d be doing jumping jacks, trying to get tired enough to sleep. They were all sitting at a table talking about what had been missed. He heard a lot about the island trip, so he was glad about that. He also had to give Deva what for, because it sounded like she’d taken a lot of chances. He couldn’t believe she had a mate now too.
“What?” Mari stood up. “Why are you all just sitting here then? We have to go find my king.” She motioned to the door. “Why aren’t we on our way to get him right now.”
“Marilyn.” Brock sighed. “Sit down and let the man finish. Gosh. You’re going to ruin my surprise about why I’m here.”
Mari sucked in a big breath and then blew it out. “All right I’ll sit for now, but you better be telling me that we’re going to get my king. I didn’t have one all my life, but I do now, and I’m not giving him up.” She pointed at Devin. “You’re a good prince, don’t get me wrong, but I like a little grey around the temples in a leader.” Her eyes rounded, and she looked at Shaelan. “Except for your mother. She looks younger ever day. Alpha suits her.” She nodded her head and sat down.
Oaklyn leaned closer to him. “Her Alpha is a woman?”
Zain nodded and glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “There are several female Alphas.”
“Interesting,” Oaklyn mumbled and moved away again.
They were going to have a lot of time to talk once they were in Chicago, and he planned on explaining to her what normal clans were like. She hadn’t been raised in one, and he wanted to her to know what a normal functioning clan was like. He technically wasn’t in one, but he knew enough about all the dealings in the Alliance clans and had enough examples to give her. She wanted to be part of the Alliance, and he wanted it for her, so she was going to have to understand and trust the way things were. He blew out a silent breath. At least the way things were going to be, just as soon as they got Shepard back.