24. Twenty-four

twenty-four

My head was spinning. They sheltered us from so much while in captivity, and the influx of people and talking chickens was too much to take in. I knew my brothers were also struggling. They'd moved in closer, crowding me, Kendal and Kragen where we sat at the table.

As kids, we piled together for comfort, and as adults, the instinct was still there. Huddle up, protect our pack.

Kendal sensed it. I noticed her muscles tense and her shoulders raise. "Um, Zeus?"

"Yes, Kendal?"

It bothered me he addressed her so informally, but I learned that most normals didn't require the formality that our captors did.

"I think this is a little overwhelming. Maybe we should adjourn, let the boys read over what Bacon brought, and then get together again later?"

"Of course. I apologize. This situation is so novel, I find myself a little out of my depth. I'll try to be more mindful in the future."

"They'reoverwhelmed?"

The one Zeus called Ghost mumbled from behind Behemoth, who I recognized from our first meeting. Behemoth's elbow shot back, causing Ghost to bend and grunt.

"Dude, I just meant they look cool as cucumbers. I wish I had a fraction of their control."

"Shut up, Ghost."

I nodded my thanks to the bear shifter, who nodded back.

Kragen stood, and Kendal and I followed suit. "Thank you for your assistance. We are grateful."

I gathered the binders and we turned to leave, but Kragen was still.

"You said at our last meeting that the council may provide a refuge for us?" His voice trailed off, leaving the question in the air.

"Yes. It's my understanding they are still deciding how to proceed, but I want you to know that no matter what you decide, Supe Sec will take care of you."

"Bull?"

The man at the laptop paused typing and looked up at Zeus, who tilted his head in our direction. "Oh, right. Yeah, we have tagged a few nearby properties that will work for a wyrfang compound. We're just waiting on the council to declare their intentions, and of course, you'll want to look before we put an offer on anything. All three are at least one hundred acres and most have a house already on site."

Kendal grabbed my forearm and I almost dropped the binders.

"Did you say one hundred acres?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"And you're going to buy it for them?"

Zeus chuckled. "Kendal, Society takes care of our own. Don't worry about the cost. Actually, I had Bull set up bank accounts for each of you. I deposited a bit of seed money, but the council will likely add a significant amount."

Bull slid a stack of envelopes from his bag and laid them on top of the binders. "Identities, bank cards, and cellphones, plus all the paperwork that goes with all of it. All the usual stuff. Each identity is new, but has a digital trail so you shouldn't have any trouble. Most people do everything online these days anyway, so it won't be suspicious that you aren't seen in person anywhere.

"I picked fairly common names, so I hope you don't hate them."

"I'm sure they'll be fine."

"Once you choose what name goes with what wyrfang, you shouldn't swap. Pick a name and stick with it."

"I understand."

I'm glad Kragen did. The only thing keeping me from shredding the table in frustration was Kendal pressed to my side. Roul's hands were clenched in tight fists, Cavi had shrunk in on himself and the others weren't faring much better.

We left the room in a single file, with Kendal pausing at the door. "How long will you and your brothers need to go over the binders?"

"Four days."

She seemed shocked at my answer, but didn't question it. She addressed Zeus from the doorway. "Meet again in five days? Same time?"

"That's fine." He looked around at his team. "I'll make sure most of them stay home."

She smiled, and a zing of jealousy stabbed my belly.

"Thank you." She nodded and then tilted her head to look up at me.

Her smile widened, and her eyes sparkled, erasing the jealousy completely.

"Let's go home."

I kept my hand on her lower back as we made our way from the building. When we arrived back at the cave, I set the binders and envelopes on the table and then swept her into my arms.

She squealed and swatted my chest playfully. I buried my nose deep into her hair and took several long, deep breaths. The world righted itself and I could think again.

My brothers were already digging into the envelopes by the time I could set Kendal on her feet.

Kragen distributed them randomly. "If you're seriously opposed to the name you got, we can trade."

Roul was the first to open his. "Butch Fisher. I like it."

Kendal giggled. "Butch suits you."

My brother grunted, but I saw him stand a little taller. One by one, the others opened their envelopes and read their official names. The shifter chose well, and everyone was happy with the aliases. Not that we would use them outside the normal world.

The identifications provided included a picture. I wasn't sure where Bull found the people depicted, but he chose well. They appeared to be strong, military type men. It would have been awkward if one of us was supposed to look like some of the scrawny scientists at the lab. I didn't think any of us could pull off meek or mild-mannered.

We turned our attention to Bacon's binders and Thurl rubbed at his neck.

"Kendal, would you mind reading in my place?"

"Of course not." She held out her hand and he gently set the binder on her palm.

I saw the relief course through him.

"Thank you."

She didn't ask why he didn't want to read, or tease him. She just gave him a smile and opened the book.

He stepped back, giving her a look of adoration, and my heart swelled for her. She didn't know he'd lost sight in one eye years ago. She didn't know how self-conscious he was.

She just stepped in to help.

It took everything I had to not grab her and swing her around in joy. My mate was perfect. She was kind, and brave, and everything I never knew I needed.

I swallowed a lump in my throat and opened my binder. Kragen had given me the information on shifters, and in the neatly typed table of contents I found "The Fates Fated Mates."

My heart raced. As much as I wanted, I couldn't flip directly to that information. We'd agreed to brief each other on the topics in our binders, so none of us would need to read the entirety unless we wanted.

Kragen and I would read everything, but the others would pick the subjects they were interested in from each.

I wanted to make sure Kendal had a choice. That she could leave with no adverse effects. It was the last thing I wanted to happen, but it was important.

She shouldn't be tied unwillingly to a monster like me.