Chapter 30

The pack house is in complete chaos when we return. The new refugees have no place to go, and the old pack lacks a leader. Ashton and I climb a few steps so we can see everyone. I put my fingers in my mouth and whistle as loud as I can. Everyone stops what they’re doing and turns to face us. I look over everyone. “It’s been a long night. I’m sure we’re all tired and confused about how to move past the grudges and fighting. We are not enemies. We share the same fate. What happened to the Canyon Ridge Pack has happened to most of you. You’ve been in their shoes, remember that. Now, first of all, Hunter and Trixie can join Alph… Greg in the cells. Has anyone seen either of them?”

We all look around, but they’re nowhere to be found. They must have snuck away while we were interrogating Greg. Ashton shrugs his shoulder. “They’ll show up eventually.” I nod then move on.

“How many are in your pack?” I ask as I try to figure out sleeping arrangements.

“We have about four hundred, give or take.” Shit, that’s a lot of bodies. Ashton’s and my father both enter the pack house. They join us near the stairs but don’t move to step up.

“Let’s get our refugees some clothes. If you can spare a few items, please do so. We have a community shower on all four floors. Some of the larger rooms have their own.” I point out the kitchen and dining area along with where they can find toiletries and other supplies. “Ashton and I will assign all of the spare rooms to families with children; they’re quite large, and some can hold up to six people. We also have meeting rooms that we can fill with cots.”

I point to Peter, Weston, and a handful of members from my pack to set up the four meeting rooms. Peter and Weston both respond, “Yes, Luna.” My mouth drops open, and I look around to all of the faces of our new pack. No one objects to the assumed title.

I shake my head, confused. “I’m not the Luna.”

Ashton grips my shoulders and whispers in my ears. “You are now. Can’t you feel them? They accept us. They’re following your orders.”

I knit my brows. “I don’t even have a pack bond.” Ashton closes his eyes. Every member of the pack raises their chin in submission.

My head begins to buzz like a bee hive in my ear, yet I feel stronger. I look up to Ashton, his face is covered in sweat, his forehead tightly creased. The buzzing gets louder, and I feel my strength increase. I cover my ears and close my eyes as the noise turns into a stinging pain in my head. I cry out when Ashton’s voice calms my head and the buzzing stops. “Gypsy? Are you alright? Can you hear me?”

“Of course, I can hear you. I’m okay now. I just had a strange sound in my head.” I look up to Ashton. His eyes are still closed, but he’s smiling.

“Can you hear me, Gyps?” I look over to Peter. He’s across the room, but I could swear he was right beside me. How did I hear him? I close my eyes and listen to the many whispers in my mind, and it finally dawns on me. I can hear the pack. I open my eyes and give him a smile. He nods then sets off to the meeting rooms followed by the group I pointed out.

I’m part of the pack, and they accept me as their Luna. I bite my lip to stop my jaw from quivering and wipe at my eyes. I’ve never felt such a connection. I try to link my dad and feel him chuckle in my mind. “Yes, princess. I’m in your pack too.” I chuckle as my smile spreads across my face.

Ashton gets me to focus on the task at hand and then calls out family names. I assign them a room number since I know which rooms are empty and how big they are. Forty-eight families make their way up the stairs and find their living quarters. I offer Hunter’s room to Ashton’s parents since he’s long gone by now. Gran takes my dad back to her place. Peter links me and offers his room. Ashton calls out to another family to go upstairs.

Single pack members divide into the four meeting rooms, fitting twenty in each, but there are still over a hundred people left to place. I have Ciara bunk in the shed and give her room to the largest family. She doesn’t fight me and leaves immediately. “What about that place we had the dinner?” Ashton suggests.

“It’s technically off territory, but we could fit another sixty or so there. It has three large rooms.” I have Holly lead the new members to the meetinghouse.

With about forty remaining, I notice they’re mostly elderly. Crap, they really should have been placed first. I wonder how many cabins are available. I link Ciara, but she has no clue. I tell Ashton that I’ll be right back and head straight for the Alpha’s office. I know where just about everything is having cleaned it every week. I open the key cabinet and grab all the open cabin keys.

I begin assigning cabins when Ashton begins signing with an elderly woman. He smiles and then gives her a hug. “Gypsy, this is my Aunt Cora.” I ask him how to sign nice to meet you, and he shows me. She smiles and gives me a hug. I give her the key to the nearest cabin, and I’m left with four keys and zero bodies to place. I let out a breath and then return the remaining keys. I plop on the couch in the main room. Ashton picks me up and lays on the couch with me on top of him. He kisses my head and wraps his arms around me. “Get some rest, Luna. We have a lot to do in the morning.”

The sunlight shines through the windows, and I stand up and stretch. Ashton wakes up right away. “I’m sorry. I was trying not to wake you,” I tell him as he stands up to stretch. Two stacks of clothes are folded neatly on the coffee table beside us.

I lead Ashton to the showers and leave him so I can retrieve towels and the soap. Ashton is already under the spray in one of the stalls. I hang our towels then stick my arm in to give him the soap. He pulls me in the shower with him, soaking my clothes. “Ashton,” I whine as my wet clothes stick to me.

He chuckles. “They were dirty anyway.” He raises my arms and pulls my top over my head. “I have thought of nothing but you since I was thrown in the damned cell. I am not spending another second away from you. I promise I’ll behave.” I turn around and get rid of my chafing shorts. I cross my arms over my tiny chest and then peek over my shoulder. Ashton stares straight into my eyes, so I turn to face him. He pulls me against his body and kisses me deeply. I close my eyes, elated to be in his arms again.