They paused at the top of the stairs and looked down. Calum noted that the two guards were standing over Leroy where he still lay on the ground, mostly so no one would come up and stab him. He didn’t see Jerome or the smart one that surrendered, so with any luck they were chained to a wall in one of the cells they had put too many men in. Faye was surrounded by people, hugging and talking to them as they came up to her. Probably congratulating her on being free of Leroy’s clutches.
Turning, he saw Nona and Marilyn were with Devin and Rayne. He wasn’t looking pleased, which wasn’t unusual, but his mate was standing there wrapped in only a blanket, so that may be the reason. He looked around for Gage and then spotted the three white vans parked by the entrance of the village. The alliance had arrived, and Gage was mostly likely there filling the men in on what had happened.
“How do you acknowledge the clan alpha?” Shaelan asked him quietly.
He looked down at her for a moment and recognized the look that said her mind was going at top speed again. It dawned on him once again that this clan had a lot to learn about the way things were normally. “You kneel before them. It’s how you submit to an alpha or superior when in two leg form.”
Her eyes searched his for a moment. “I think this clan needs healing and a gentle touch right now. More than someone physically powerful.”
Nodding, he hugged her into his shoulder. “The alpha isn’t always the most powerful, but they are usually the most respected.”
Turning, she looked back down at the people below. Nodding her head slowly, she grasped his hand started walking down the stairs, pulling him along with her.
She didn’t speak again, and he wasn’t going to interrupt her thoughts to ask questions. Weaving among the people, she acknowledged each that spoke to her, but kept moving. It took him a few minutes to see who she was trying to reach. Her mother.
Faye stood on the steps to the hall, a look of complete understanding and contentment on her face. He supposed out of all the people here, she would have gone through the most, having to live with Leroy all these years, and yet she was completely steady in the wake of today’s events.
When they reached her, he expected Shaelan to let go of his hand and hug her mother. Instead, she stopped a few feet from her and dropped down to one knee and lowered her head.
“Shae?” Her mother came over. “What are you doing? I mean I know what you’re doing, but why?” There was nervousness in her voice.
Grinning, Calum realized what his clever mate was up to. This clan needed the gentle demeanor of her mother to heal the years of abuse. Turning, he slowly got down on one knee beside her and lowered his head in submission.
Lifting her head, Shae looked at her mother. “This clan needs you to recover, not a strong hand, just a loving one.”
Her mother’s eyes teared up for a moment, but she nodded abruptly and then placed her hand on her daughter’s head.
Calum smiled when she put her hand on his for a brief moment. When he pulled his mate to her feet, there were several people kneeling before her now. Backing away, he pulled her back against him and tucked him under her shoulder.
Going over to stand with Devin and Rayne, he stopped before reaching them when he heard the conversation.
“I want one of those do-dads, so I can see the babies growing,” Nona told Devin.
“I believe she means an ultrasound,” Rayne told him quietly.
Devin rubbed the back of his neck and looked around. “We’ll get your power supply more stable and I’m sure the alliance can get you equipment you need.”
Marilyn nodded. “I need me one of those microwaves, oh, oh and a jacuzzi.” She paused and looked to Rayne. “Is that the same as a hot tub, because Calum is already making me one of those.” She squealed. “And a car. I think I could drive. How hard could it be?”
Brock came running up, wearing a sheet like a toga and grabbed Marilyn’s hand. “Come, let’s kneel before our new alpha.”
They looked to where he pointed to see Faye surrounded by the rest of the community.
“Hot damn,” Marilyn said excitedly. “Hold my fork.” She handed Devin a large serving fork.
Calum covered his mouth so he wouldn’t laugh out loud. After they went to join their clanmates, he went over.
“They think I’m the alliance’s damn order desk or something,” Devin mumbled to Rayne.
Hugging him, she laughed. “It’s all very new and unknown to them.”
Devin nodded to Shaelan. “Wise choice on the alpha.”
She snuggled against Calum’s chest. “It’s always been someone in our family, or so I was told.” She looked up at him, her eyes searching his for a moment. “Maybe someday I’ll have a son or daughter that can take over, but for now my mother will nurture this clan back to a healthy state.”
Calum swallowed and refused to look anywhere but her mesmerizing eyes. He blew out a breath. “Can we at least have a day together without mayhem before that happens?”
She blushed and nodded her head. “I didn’t mean right now.”
Devin started laughing until Rayne whispered something in his ear.
With a grin to Calum and Shaelan she turned to go to the stairs, probably to get some clothes.
Devin looked at him. “I’m not ready to…” He looked to watch Rayne for a moment. “She wants…” He growled. “Shit.” Then, he ran after her. “Rayne, hun…”
“I didn’t ask earlier. It’s okay that I want children, eventually?”
Her soft tone had him looking down to her again. “Yeah. I just never thought you’d even want to discuss it…yet.” Glancing around, he noticed the children had come out from wherever they’d been. “With everything that happened here, I wasn’t sure.” He finished quickly before he could say something that would mar this perfect day.
Smiling, she glanced around quickly, then looked up at him with her eyes sparkling. “Well, you were captured for that reason, so it’s only right that you…”
Growling, he picked her up and squeezed her. “That is never to be mentioned in public, again.”
She hugged her arms around him, still giggling and then nodded her head.
“Calum.” He turned to see Gage and Devin’s father coming toward them.
“Ready to meet our king?”
Her face sobered immediately. “Yes.” She released him as he lowered her back to her feet and turned slowly to watch them walk over. She backed up so her back was against his chest.
He could feel the nervous anticipation going through her and looked to the man approaching them. He’d grown up around him, so to Calum he was Devin’s father, the same man that had helped raise him, and chastise him when the three of them would get into trouble. Calum could look him eye to eye on most things. To him, he was an older, more pleasant version of Devin, but to Shaelan, he guessed he was a larger-than-life representation of this new world she was now in.
When he stopped in front of them, Shaelan dropped to one knee and lowered her head.
Devin’s father gave her a wide-eyed look, then glanced to Calum, his eyes moving to his neck, one brow lifting at how his throat must look at this point. Then he did something that surprised Calum and from the look on Gage’s face, him as well. He dropped to one knee before her and lifted Shaelan’s chin with a touch.
“There will be no kneeling to me this day. I should be kneeling before you, asking forgiveness for my predecessors not doing something about this and helping your clan a long time ago.” Taking her hand, he stood and pulled her to her feet. Then stepped back a respectable distance so not to disturb the mating protocol. He smiled down at her. “If you could introduce me to your new alpha, I would appreciate that. We have many things to discuss.”
Shaelan glanced to Calum, shock plain on her face. Turning back, she nodded and motioned for him to lead.
He paused and looked back at Calum. “Chad is being moved, and when we can get a chopper in to transport him out. Gene’s family is on their way as is Chad’s clan.” He heaved a heavy sigh. “There are many living blood ties in this village to those at the grave. I think it’s best we proceed with the utmost care, and allow each person involved to pay their respects.”
Calum nodded. “I agree.” He glanced to where the guards were standing watch over Leroy to see a few men from the alliance picking him up. “I think those that put the men in that grave should begin penance and dig as many graves as there are bodies.”
Devin’s father smirked. “A feasible plan.”
He stood beside Gage and watched Shaelan move through the group, pausing to speak to people and introduce their new leader.
“So…” Gage leaned and made a point at looking at Calum’s throat. “We going to have to get you some turtlenecks or something?” He smirked. “So you can be seen in public from time to time?”
Calum sneered at him jokingly. “How often do you see me out in public?”
Gage nodded. “Good point.” He tapped him on the back when he spotted Kelsey coming back down the stairs. “Next time you decide to go off and find a lost clan, maybe bring backup with you at the start?”
Calum laughed as he looked to locate his mate. “I’ll keep that in mind.” He stood there alone after Gage went to Kelsey, just looking around at everything going on. The alliance men were dragging Leroy’s limp body toward the yard. Brock and Marilyn were excited about something, if the hand waving and expressions were any indication. Nona was walking toward him.
She stopped and stood beside him, her hands clasped together and looked over the commotion. “I knew you were strong enough to let her be her.”
He smiled down at her. “I’m glad one of us did.” He tracked his lovely mate with his eyes as she spoke to some children, her face animated and hands moving as she did. “Any words of wisdom to keep up with her?”
Nona chuckled. “Not a one. I spent years trying.” She patted him on the arm. “I think you’ll do just fine. Your both passionate people, it will be quite the adventure.”
That didn’t reassure him in the least. He glanced back to Faye, who was completely surrounded by her clan. “Faye is what this clan needs.”
She nodded, a thoughtful expression on her face. “She may not be able to shift, but she knows the pain and trials of what it means to be who we are.”
He thought she was talking about Leroy and surviving him for so many years, but a sadness came over her.
“Will do some good to have a ceremony for those poor fellas’ bones you found.” She tsked softly. “I don’t know how many others knew, but I’m certain Shae’s real daddy was Faye’s true mate.”
He gave her a surprised look.
“Oh, she loved the man she was with, but she was never the same after going into that yard to get Shaelan. Part of her was missing when the fella was gone.” Sighing, she nodded again. “Faye will steer this clan the right way.” Turning, she headed to the stairs.
Calum watched her for a moment. He couldn’t even fathom losing Shaelan now. How had Faye managed all these years he had no idea. Hell, between Nona and Faye both losing their mates…they made him look like a meek kitten.
He turned back to watch Shaelan walking toward him. She had the grace of her cat, even on two legs, and he’d be lying if he said he didn’t find it sexy as hell. She smiled and he couldn’t help but smile back at her, wondering how soon they could pack a bag and leave for the privacy of his cabin. He knew it may be selfish, but in his mind, they had both earned some quiet time alone. Of course, she wouldn’t require a lot of clothes during their time there. He frowned and wondered how he was going to prevent her from bringing a case of books as well.
“You look like you’re plotting something, Calum Dante,” she said quietly as she reached him.
“I could be.” He pulled her into his arms and hugged her.
“You can tell me all about it while we walk.” She rubbed her face against his chest.
“Where are we walking to?” He inhaled her sweet cinnamon fragrance and felt his cat brush against him with a contentment he’d never felt before.
She looked up and gave him a duh expression. “To your car. Unless you are carrying me to your cabin.”
Grinning, he picked her up into his arms and held her close. “If that’s what it takes, I will.”
She giggled. “I don’t doubt you could.” She rested her hand on his shoulder for a moment then licked over the bite in his skin.
He growled. “Doing that is going to make it a very long trip.” He turned to go up the stairs and pondered briefly whether he should tell her no books allowed this trip. Deciding it would be safer to just distract her from her books after they were there, he kept walking. His mate was going to be a handful, but it was the first challenge in his life he looked forward to.