Chapter 19

Well after the hour was up, the mutual blowjobs had gotten…enthusiastic, Ross held Dylan's hand as they walked into the kitchen. He would stand between Dylan and the world to protect his mate. Or Dylan and the Cavalry.

Eli, Joe, and Niles were huddled over a laptop as Joe pointed at something on the screen. Cal, Milo, and the doc were chatting by the stove.

"What's wrong?" Ross asked.

They all looked up and to Ross's surprise, Eli beamed at him.

"You're late, but there's nothing wrong. This is good news. Two lots of good news."

Ross felt a knot of tension ease in his gut, and he swore Dylan breathed for the first time since they'd gotten the order to come to the ranch. "Okay. Shoot."

Eli focused on his mate. "Dylan, Milo found your birth pack in Ohio."

Ross heard the breath catch in Dylan's throat. "My parents?"

"They're fine and waiting for a phone call from you," Eli said gently. "They had no idea what to do when you stopped calling. They didn't know where you lived or worked. They thought you were dead."

Dylan winced. "Mom's gonna kill me. I know that up here." He tapped his forehead.

Eli smirked at him. "Be prepared to be reamed out and smothered in one call. But your feeling about the alpha was spot on. The previous alpha was thrown out for assaulting a lower ranking member of his pack."

Dylan absently touched his kidney and Ross felt that ache in his own kidney. "You mean me?"

"Yeah. Your father challenged the alpha and won. They know a little of what happened to you and want you to come home. You know what moms are like."

Dylan blinked, then turned to Ross. "Will you come with me? Not to stay, but to reconnect. I owe them that."

Ross leaned into him. "You know I will."

Dylan turned back to Eli and Niles. "You said you had two bits of news."

"We've found the shifters that went missing with Dylan," Niles said.

Dylan clutched Ross's hand painfully. "You've found them?"

Eli's smile was the brightest Ross had ever seen.

"They contacted us today. Ross, you didn't know but when you called one hospital to find Anderson, you spoke to a shifter from this pride. They're lions. She didn't trust you enough to give you the information until she'd checked us out and talked to her pride last night. Her alphas knew us and contacted me this morning."

"So what happened?" Dylan asked.

"We don't know all the story yet, but you saved them, Dylan. You drove them to the pride before the hunters could kill you all. You found out what the hunters were planning and rescued them all."

Dylan furrowed his brow. "Why didn't I drive them here? That would have made more sense."

"Because you told the pack the ranch wasn't safe because of something the hunters had planned. I think maybe it was Owen's abduction. You thought they'd be safer with the lions. I guess you'd intended to call us but then something happened to you."

"So what went wrong? Why did I lose my memory and get separated from the pride?"

"We don't know yet. One of the shifters said not long after you got there, you went out for supplies and didn't return. They didn't know what happened to you. They thought you'd been captured by the hunters."

Dylan licked his lips. "I didn't betray you?"

Joe shook his head. "You saved all those shifters."

Ross enfolded Dylan in a hug. You realize what this means? You're a hero, not a traitor.

Fuck. Dylan sounded bewildered. I don't know what to think.

Just lean on me, baby. You don't have to think yet.

"The alpha and one of the shifters you saved is driving up here to talk to us now. They'll be here soon," Eli said. "I wanted to give you the heads up rather than spring it on you."

Ross felt Dylan press back against his chest. "It's okay. I've got you," he murmured in Dylan's ear and felt him shiver.

"I don't remember any of this."

"I know you don't. That's okay. You don't have to. These shifters can give you back parts of your memory."

"It doesn't tell me what happened to me." Dylan sounded wrecked.

Ross understood. This should be good news. The Cavalry knew their man had done a good thing. But for Dylan, it just reminded him he still knew nothing about his life. The man who had saved the shifters was a stranger to him. "Let them talk to you and give you some of the pieces. The shifters might know more about you than you think."

Dylan nodded but he didn't pull away from Ross.

"We've got the names of all the shifters," Niles said. "Some of them have returned to their own packs. Others don't want to. The pride they're in can't support them for much longer. They're too small. Joe and Cal want to hold a meeting to talk about inviting them into our pack."

Our pack. Yes, Ross noticed that, but he kept his face blank. He saw Eli's and Joe's eyes widen, but they didn't call Niles out on it.

"We're a pack of gay men," Joe said. "It's a dynamic that works for us. I'm not sure whether changing that will be good for us."

Ross was used to working in a male environment and to be honest, he liked being around guys like him. He didn't have to watch what he said. On the other hand, their pack would be short-lived if they didn't bring in breeding couples.

"You have enough land to support two packs," the doc said. "Or more. I'm not surprised Wild Creek wanted to take over your pack."

"You are part of Wild Creek," Eli said pointedly.

"We've been talking about that," Cal said, joining them at the table. "The doc wants to join us."

The doc shrugged. "I'm gay. Being here has been a relief. Wild Creek will put up a fuss, but they can't force me to stay."

Ross tugged Dylan away from the conversation. He didn't care who joined the pack if they fitted and checked out. The doc seemed like a nice guy…as long as he kept his hands off Dylan.

Dylan chuckled through their link. He's a doctor. He's supposed to examine us.

Ross couldn't help the growl that escaped him. It still made his hackles rise to have an unmated wolf with his hands on his mate.

You'd never cope if I went undercover again in the human world. Humans don't know any of the rules.

They hadn't talked about Dylan's future. Ross knew his time with the Cavalry was over. He was going to take care of the critters. But what did Dylan want to do? Ross didn't want to hold him back if he loved working undercover. But Dylan was shaking his head before Ross could say anything.

I don't want to work away from you. Owen and I have been talking with Milo. We have an idea to help shifters, with the backing of the Cavalry.

You have? Ross hadn't been aware of any discussion.

We talked last night. Milo and Eli are moving onto one of the old farms and converting one of the buildings into an office for the shifters. It'll work for us to be away from the Cavalry. Niles and Eli need to focus on their jobs and leave the shifters alone.

Ross smirked at Dylan's wolfy grin. But one thing bothered him. He furrowed his brow. "You talked to them before you discussed it with me?"

"You were about to leave me," Dylan pointed out. "I needed to know I wouldn't be thrown out of the pack while you got your head straight."

"Go easy on the human," Cal called over. "It's not their fault they don't understand."

All the wolves in the kitchen smirked and Ross swore he heard chuckles from Owen, Peter, and Joe Senior over the pack link. Damn wolves and their excellent hearing.

Ross sighed. "Okay. You work for Shifter Cavalry. I work for Joe. We stay on Sapphire Ranch. I guess you and me are sorted."

Dylan leaned against him, slipping his arms around Ross's waist and reaching up for a kiss before he said, "I guess we are."

"We need to get the houses built fast if the whole pack are going to live here," Joe said. "I've found a building company owned by shifters. I thought it was easier not to have to explain ourselves to humans. They're willing to give us a quote. They know who we are and what we've done for shifters."

Milo nodded. "I…uh…know a guy who runs a car dealership who is willing to help us with vehicles."

Ross raised an eyebrow. "Barry Dilks's dad?"

Dylan squinted at him. "Who is Barry? Another shifter?"

"A gay kid with issues," Eli said. "Milo put him straight."

Milo snorted. "Or not. But whatever, Barry has quit drink driving and stealing cars, and is now planning to go to college. His dad is thrilled and promised to help me. I think he might know about shifters. I don't know how."

"We'll worry about that later," Eli said. "The other pack alpha has turned off the highway."

Cavalry men were still providing security at key points after the hunter's attempt to kidnap Cal. At least that's what Eli had said. Ross thought it more likely the other pack had had a tail on their ass since they left their pack. He knew Eli.

Dylan stiffened, but Ross held him tight.

"I've got you," he murmured in Dylan's ear.

Dylan hung on tight to him. "Don't let me go."

"Never." It was a promise Ross would keep.

Conversation died while they waited for the other pack to arrive. There was a firm knock and one of the guards opened the door and guided the shifters in. The woman was tall, over six foot, with long blonde hair. The man was smaller, with white, blond hair, a similar build to Dylan. He was a wolf; Ross could tell that.

Arctic wolf, Dylan said.

Ross knew immediately who the alpha was of the two. She radiated the same power Peter and Joe Senior did. If he had to guess, he'd say the man was an omega. He gave off a gentle demeanor like Cal did.

Joe smiled at the woman. "Alpha Deakin?"

She inclined her head. "Call me Rhonda. You must be Alpha Lowther." She sniffed, her brow wrinkled. "There's a strange smell here. You didn't tell me you had lions in your pack."

"We don't," Joe said coldly. After Jake's betrayal, they would never have lions in their pack, no matter the reason.

"But I can smell…never mind. This is Simon Johnson. He's from the shifters saved by Dylan Anderson." Rhonda surveyed the room and sniffed again, trying to make it discreet. She smiled when her gaze landed on Dylan. "Dylan, it's good to see you again. I was worried when you went missing."

Dylan licked his lips, staying close to Ross. "I'm sorry, alpha. I have no memory of our meeting."

She studied him for a long moment. "Your alpha told me. At least that explains your disappearance. But we can tell you what happened up to that point. And Simon worked with you. He'll know more than me."

The smaller man smiled at Dylan. "Hi Dyl, it's so good to see you again. You saved us, you know?"

"I wish I did," Dylan said ruefully. "I'm sorry, I don't remember anything."

Simon regarded him and then flicked his gaze to Ross. "But you found your mate."

Ross wasn't surprised he'd worked that out. Shifters could probably smell his scent over Dylan.

He was distracted by Rhonda making a chuffing noise in the back of her throat, striding across to Niles and grabbing his collar, almost shaking him.

"You're my mate! How can this be? Lions don't take humans for mates."

Niles looked terrified. "You must be mistaken, alpha."

She leaned forward into his space and sniffed. "No, I'm not mistaken. You're my mate."

Ross chuckled and clapped a hand over his mouth when everyone turned to glare at him. If looks could kill, he would be ashes right now. "I'm sorry, alpha, but Niles may need some persuading."

Rhonda tossed her head. "I can do that. Come with me." She seemed ready to drag him out of the house and back to her pride.

"I…I…" Niles turned to the pack, all of them staring in fascinated silence. It was like a National Geographic episode, shifter style. "Quit laughing and help me?"

"Alpha, Niles is a valued member of my pack," Joe said tentatively. He ignored Niles glaring at him. "If he is your mate, we need to talk about this. But could we discuss Dylan's situation first? Take a seat." He indicated the chair next to where Niles usually sat. Niles's glare grew deeper as Rhonda dragged him to his seat and plopped him down as if he were a child.

I wish I'd recorded this, Ross said to Dylan.

You think Eli doesn't have cameras everywhere? This'll be around the Cavalry before the hour is out. And maybe one more wolf found his mate.

What? Where?

Dylan nudged Ross who turned to see the doc with his arm around Simon's shoulders, guiding him to the seat next to his. The doc treated Simon as if he was the only one in the room.

Joe and Cal wore matching resigned expressions. They'd seen this all before. Their pack had just grown another couple and if the doc stayed, there would be another house to build. They'd need zoning to build a small town at this rate.

Ready to find out more about yourself? Ross asked. You must feel like the pieces are being filled in. And we don't even have to go on the road trip.

Dylan sighed. But we still don't know why I lost my memory. I feel like nothing will make sense until I know that. Who magicked away my memory and why?

We might never find out. Ross hated to be the realist, but no one had been able to fill in that piece of the puzzle.

Dylan tilted his head to look up at him and pressed a kiss under his jaw. "I should be grateful my memory is coming back slowly. I don't feel so lost now. I have you and the pack. And once we've talked to the alpha and Simon, I'll know at least part of what happened. It should be enough."

His sigh told Ross it wasn't nearly enough, but he'd live with it.

"We'll keep searching for the missing pieces." Ross dropped a light kiss on his lips. "There was a reason it happened, and we need to find out why."

"Do you think it could be connected to another attack by the hunters?" Dylan asked.

"I have no idea," Ross admitted. That was a scary thought, and one they'd have to discuss with the rest of the pack.

"We'll find out together." Dylan turned to kiss him properly, gripping his collar to hold him close.

Joe coughed, interrupting their kiss. "Guys? Do you want to join us?"

Ross raised his head, smug at the way Dylan stood on tiptoe, trying to chase his mouth. "One moment. I have a mate to kiss."

"You'll get used to this," Eli said to someone.

Ross didn't care who. For a moment, all the scary stuff could wait. The only thing that mattered was the wolf in his arms.

THE END