Chapter 27

Cale seemed to know that Blair wasn’t in the mood for words and sat there silently on the drive back.

When Blair got out of the truck, Cale gave him a quick nod. “I’ll go run the perimeter.”

“Appreciate it.” Blair headed for the house, pausing once he reached it to look at the sky. It matched his mood. Dark and churning. They were in for some kind of storm.

Blowing out a breath, he went inside and glanced around the kitchen. It was empty. Turning, he headed to go to Jay’s room when Nichelle came down the stairs. “Have you seen Kobie?”

Nichelle grinned and pointed up, “she’s up in the Alpha den.” She motioned to the door. “Mika and I are going for a quick run.”

“There’s a storm coming in, try to get back before it hits.”

“We will.”

He took the stairs two at a time and then made fast work of the steps up to the attic. Kobie was up here alone. She stood in the middle of the room, looking at the window.

“Hi.” The smile faded as she looked at him. “What’s wrong?”

In two long strides, he reached her and pulled her against his chest. He held her, resting his face in her throat. Inhaling slowly, he assured his cat and himself that she was here and well.

“What’s going on?” She didn’t pull away, just wrapped her arms around his waist and let him stand there and breathe her in.

“In a minute.” He straightened and cupped the back of her head. He’d intended a gentle but thorough kiss but felt starved for her. His kiss was rough and close to devouring her. She didn’t pull back or even hesitate as she returned his heated kiss with just as much passion and need.

Blair’s cat was quite happy with being this close, in fact, he wanted closer. Usually, in synch with his animal, Blair ended the kiss slowly. If he continued in his current mental state, he would end up going too far and he did not want their first time to be on a dusty, unfinished wood floor. Rubbing his cheek against hers, he slowed his breathing. “What are you doing up here?”

She returned the rub, a very cat-like gesture. “Trying to decide how you want this room decorated.”

Lifting his head, he looked down at her lust-filled eyes. “I don’t care, just as long as you’re sharing it with me.”

“I thought that was the plan…”

He kissed her mouth softly. “Then do it however you want it.”

“Okay.” She licked over her lips, making him want to kiss her again. “What happened?”

Blair straightened and stepped back. He needed to feel her near, so he settled by keeping his hand on her waist. “There’s news.” He brushed the hair back from her face. “I was going to share it with your brother…”

“Okay, I’ll come.”

He started for the steps and pulled her along with him.

“Is any of it good news?”

He shook his head and started down the steps, holding his hand over his head so he didn’t have to release hers. “No.”

“Wonderful.” She followed him down the next flight of stairs, not once trying to reclaim her hand.

As they reached Jay’s room, Blair’s phone rang. He pulled it out and looked at it. It was Cooper. He frowned. “I’ll be a minute.” He reluctantly let go of her hand.

When she closed the door, he answered the phone. “Coop?”

“Last time I checked.”

“What’s…”

“Calum was saying you have had no time with your lady.”

Blair rubbed his hand over his hair. “There’s always the next urgent event…”

“Why don’t you take her to the lookout,” he paused, “after the storm passes. It’s a good spot. No one can sneak up you there or bug you.”

Blair nodded slowly. “Yeah. That’s a good idea. Thanks, Coop.”

“You almost lost it today, kid. You need to solidify this with your gal. It will make you stronger.”

Blair looked at the door she’d closed. “I definitely need to do something.”

Cooper chuckled, “just don’t be an ass and you’ll be fine.”

Blair smirked. “Got it. Thanks.”

“At least I’m doing something other than just sitting here. Advice is better than nothing.” He hung up.

Blair looked at the phone. He’d have to remember to ask Shaelan how much longer Coop was to stay off his leg. He couldn’t have done this long if it had been him. Tucking the phone back in his pocket, he went to share the not-good news with the twins.

He didn’t even get the door closed before Kobie asked.

“So what is it?”

Blair shut it and turned to look at Jay. He was almost sitting up today. “How are you feeling?”

Jay rolled his eyes, “marvelous.” He sighed, “sitting up is better than looking at the ceiling.”

Blair leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. “You’re healing, that’s what counts.”

“I suppose.” He looked at his sister. “Better talk before she lays into both of us.” He grinned at the bored look Kobie gave him.

“It’s all shit news.” He wanted to be straight with them. “I don’t even know which part to begin with.”

“Wherever you want,” Jay told him.

“All right. Your friend Fischer called Devin, Tomas’ people are still hanging around the area hoping the women, or anyone, comes back.” He waited while they exchanged a quick look. “They wondered if they should go to their cabin for a while and wait it out. Dev’s dad agreed they should.”

“Okay, that’s good, keeps them out of it from now on,” Jay whispered.

“Yeah, but it also means we don’t have anyone keeping an eye out for them, so they’re going to send someone to be in that area.”

“Do they think any more of the men will come back?” Kobie asked quietly.

Blair blew out a breath. “As far as we know, the only surviving ones were taken. Six, wasn’t it?”

Jay nodded his head slowly.

“They found the site where they ambushed you and,” he looked at Kobie, “fresh graves.”

She put her hand over her mouth.

“How many?” Jay asked.

“Six,” Blair said without hesitation.

“If, uh,” Jay looked at his sister, “any of them have any marks or distinguishing features, we could probably identify them.”

Kobie nodded but said nothing.

“I’ll let Devin know that.” He wanted to go to Kobie but knew she probably needed space for a minute. “It will also let us know who was taken captive.”

Jay nodded. “To know who we’re looking for.”

“Yeah.” Blair rubbed his hand over his hair. “There’s another thing.”

Kobie raised her eyebrows as if to say how can there be.

“It seems my brother, Lindon wants one thing in particular.” He had to take a moment to keep his anger under control. “He’s desperately trying to get his hands on the black cat.”

Jay’s expression hardened.

“He wants me?” Kobie stood up. “Why?”

“To take control of what’s left of the clan,” Blair said in a lethal hiss.

“Shit,” Jay mumbled. “That’s why they keep coming.”

Blair nodded. “We’re going to have to tighten security.” He pushed away from the wall and started toward Kobie. “At this point, they’ll take whoever they could get their hands on and use them as bait for you.” He stopped in front of her and gave her a look that told her no one, on this earth or elsewhere would touch her.

“Kobie told me about the team going to rescue people?”

Blair pulled Kobie against his side and kept his arm around her before he looked at her brother. “That’s right. The Alliance is sending someone to do weapons training with us and hopefully, once Jesse is back we’ll be going to get people out and back to their clans.”

“Weapons training?” Kobie looked up at him.

Blair nodded, “it won’t always be a situation where claws and teeth can be used.”

“She’s crazy good with a spear,” Jay said, a note of pride in his voice.

Blair looked down at her. “Yeah, I figured that when she caught fish with a stick.”

“It was bigger than a stick.” She informed him.

“So, if you’re both going with this team, where does that leave the clan?”

Blair cleared his throat and looked away from Kobie. “I’ve asked Cale to join the clan, and he agreed. I’m hoping Robbie is healed enough to shift before we have to go, but even if he’s not, the guys from Ed’s clan are going to keep a watch over here.”

All of them turned to look at the door when there were many voices all of a sudden.

“I’ll go see what’s going on.” Kobie gave Blair a squeeze and then left.

Jay looked at the door she’d left open and then back to Blair. “How’s,” he motioned to the door, “that going?”

“Well, if we can ever get five minutes without some sort of urgent happening, it would be much better.”

Jay chuckled softly, then held his ribs.

“She agreed that we’re going to be sharing the top floor of the house together…”

“Did she say when?”

Blair shook his head.

“She’ll drag this out for months if you don’t change her mind.”

Blair had already figured that out.

“If you’re going off on stealth missions together, you need to be solid with each other.” Jay said quietly, “have that mate’s bond and way of communicating or it’s going to get crazy.”

“I know…”

“But I want to go to school.”

They both stopped and looked at the door, at the upset tone Daisie was using.

“I’ll go see what now,” Blair said, shaking his head.

“You’re doing great if that helps,” Jay told him before he stepped out.

“It does. I think.” Blair gave him a nod and went out to the kitchen.

Beth was there with piles of boxes and bags on the table. Blair took a quick inventory. Laptops and tablets, it looked like.

“Oh, Blair.” Beth motioned to the items. “I have everything set up for the girls to do the online school.”

Blair gave her a questioning look.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, I told Shep to get you on the mail list so you got notices,” she pulled out her phone and started tapping the screen impatiently, “I mean he is the damn King, he could bypass the ceremony and such and get you on the Alpha email updates.” She held her phone out to him. “It was sent out a few days ago.”

Blair took the phone and started reading the email. Cortney and Kobie were beside him, reading along with him. “So, until we’ve put a stop to Tomas, we’re not sending any kids to regular schools?” He let the women finish reading before handing her back her phone.

“That’s right. We have many teachers in the clans, so they’ve been working to get some online classes set up.” She motioned to the girls, “it would be different ones, of course, being the age range…”

“I was considering College,” Annamarie said quietly.

Beth nodded, “The clans are paying for distance learning at the college level for now.”

“I guess that works.”

“I had co-op this year for my final year,” Nichelle said quickly. “If I don’t do that, I won’t graduate.”

Beth nodded again, “there’s a conference meeting taking place for that this week.” She gave her a soft look. “We will figure everything out.”

“I want to go to school and see other kids.” Daisie visibly pouted.

Blair inhaled deeply and then released it as he squatted down to look at her face to face, “tell you what, you do what Beth and your mom say and get started on this online stuff and I’ll talk to Bruce and see if he’s up for a house guest at the farm.”

“Are there kids there?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

Blair nodded, “three girls around your age and two boys.” He smirked when she scrunched up her nose at the mention of the boys. “Just as long as your mom agrees.” He glanced at Cortney, who nodded.

Daisie chewed on her lip for a few seconds and then nodded. “Okay.” She held out her hand to him, “I’ll do my work.”

Blair shook her hand and then winked at her. He stood up. “Same goes for the rest of you girls, there are a lot of young people at Bruce’s farm, but if you go, you may have to help with chores.”

“Are there boys there?” Kasia asked quietly.

“Some.” Blair grinned at Torrey, who rolled her eyes at her daughters’ questions.

“I wouldn’t mind helping,” Nichelle shrugged, “it’s better than having nothing to do.”

“All right, I’ll talk to Bruce and see if he agrees with one or two visitors at a time.” He pointed to the table, “but all of you have to buckle down and make this work until we have a better arrangement.” All the girls nodded.

“I thought to get them out of the house, they could come over and work at our place during their course times,” Beth suggested.

Blair gave her a quick look. She was asking, not telling. “If that’s what you’d like, I don’t see a problem with it.” He glanced at Torrey, then to Cortney before seeking Kobie’s approval. She gave him a soft look and a slight nod of her head. “Okay, set up a schedule and make sure all those involved know their times.” He looked at the table again. “And what do I owe you for all of this?”

“Nothing.” Beth grinned. “The Alliance is paying for the equipment.” She nodded. “We need our future to be educated.”

Blair nodded. A horn honked outside interrupting him.

“Furniture’s here.” Cale stuck his head inside the door. “And the storm is almost on us.”

“Jake still here?”

Cale nodded.

“Grab him.” Blair exhaled again and looked at the women all watching him. “I don’t know who does what best, but we’re also going to need someone to keep the clan books, keep up with grocery lists, and all that.”

Mika smiled, “I’ll do the clan books.”

“Done.” He grinned.

She nodded, “I’m going for a run.” She grinned and wiggled her eyebrows, “I love running in storms.”

“Uh, pass.” Nichelle said with a smirk, “I don’t think my cat likes water.”

Beth’s smile was so wide he wondered if something was wrong with her. “I have some more bags in the car, a few TVs, and stuff.”

Blair knew the Alliance wasn’t paying for televisions.

“They will hook up the internet and cable tomorrow morning.” Beth continued.

There were several loud cheers in the room.

Blair went over and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “Have I told you lately how amazing you are?”

She shook her head. “No, you’ve been too busy being pretty amazing yourself.”

“Thanks, Beth.” He cleared the lump out of his throat and then glanced to Kobie, “you want to direct what goes where?”

She nodded, a soft-hearted smile on her face.