Chapter 44: Everyone has a Place. Where’s yours?

Yolanda was up to her ears in weapons prep while she cursed herself for letting Ian getaway.

He’d have been an excellent help here. She handed packets or ready collections of weapons for the enforcers. One of her assistants would finish handing out the rest.

She sent the revised list of things that they needed to Jeff, and she was on to the next thing.

* * *

Gregory got messages from all over. So his leading was as a mediator between the actual people that ran the thing. After a series of meetings, he sat there going through various messages and reports. Passing on information, deciding on other information. Setting other things into action. All the while, others researched around him.

He’d a coffee machine added to the corner of the office and it was getting well used.

The men made headway on how to track down the renegade Fae. They’re identifying what they summoned. The cave collapse was a good thing. That closed the gateway by damaging the markings that gave it form and control. Or so Dean insisted.

The day went on and Gregory felt it was now getting repetitive oddly. He’d received word that three dragon representatives would fly in this evening. More mages and Fianna would be here this afternoon. He’d need to track down his mother to find out whether there would be others.

He’d written to one of his contacts within the RCMP echelon and put in his suggestions about the changes that needed to happen. A quick phone call added what he could put in writing.

Every time he’d a moment to think, Gregory found himself overwhelmed by the sheer size of another mission like that. The thought that this was just the beginning and there’d be more missions like this flitted through his mind, but his dread wouldn’t let him think about that possibility.

He’d just got his first private coffee machine in his office and he turned around to see his pregnant mate making off with it. But before he could protest, Hilda bustled over and intercepted him.

“We need it and it’ll be in the lobby where you can visit it whenever you want. The one we used last time gave up the ghost and I can’t get another one later.” Gregory wanted to protest. But what was he going to say? Soon there’d be no cups to get a coffee. He’d hide one in his desk to fix that.

“Fine. But why is my mate carrying it?”

“You want to tell her no? It’s a full-time job, and you don’t pay me enough.” Hilda followed Aricka out the door. Leaving him to sigh.

* * *

Ian and Allan were now in the sunroom office of Edith. Today it was humming and busy with people coming in and out. Ian’s laptop was there. Someone brought his laptop from the cabin he was staying in.

“Don’t worry, we only charged it and left it for you. Nothing worse than working on a strange computer. The USB key beside it has a few noes to help you out. If you get into a bind as you’re writing your report, just ask and we’ll figure out something together.” Edith left the table with his laptop on it and returned to her desk and what she was currently working on. The table was his extra workspace, and he’s expected to get to work.

So, that’s what he did. He discovered the woman was thorough. There appeared to be reasonable explanations for every question. If he didn’t know it was full of lies, he’d believe it. He found it impressive.

An hour later, his report written and submitted. Time to get upstairs. Face the music of what living in a pack meant for him. That’s when it hit him. He was the only human. His best friends weren’t fully human. They're related to the enemy. An enemy they only knew through legends and lore. He believed them. There was a little doubt in the back of his mind.

He got upstairs to the conference room. Ian found he was the last person to enter the conference room. It was like walking into any full conference area. All heads turned to him. The faces held a mix of expressions. Ranging from begging for the meeting to end. To the look of, ‘Oh god again?’

“Oh, well, you made it. Everyone the is Ian Bennet. The first asshole comment about him smelling like me gets the fun job. Of course, he smells like me, he’s my mate, get over it.”

“Okay, I’m not the only one that gets the attitude. Here I thought I was special.” Ian didn’t think twice about mentioning her attitude. Though it got a few half-hearted comments from the group.

“Nice to see you again, dear. Hey everyone. Sorry, about being late. I have to make it look like I’m working in the human world.” He found a seat and caught a folder thrown at his head. He was glad for the days of tossing a ball around.

“You missed little, I just got here. Now back to the folders. It’s standard fare. Your orders and team selection are in there. Everyone in the dream realm is always to stay in contact. No one wanders about by themselves. Remember, these guys have the upper hand because they created this space.

But it’s been our hunting grounds for generations. They may not know that we still use that realm. For those that in our realm. We’ve got three new members. They’re Ian, Hal, and Jaxon. The twins will need to be watched. Not because we don’t trust them. But because they are part Fae. What type of Fae? What their strengths and weaknesses? That’s what we need to discover? Ian is a human mate who’s still in transition. So fair warning. Those in his group, I am trusting you with his survival if he encountered any ill effects or complications. All three have military and police training. Deal with it. And not whining. We’re wolf shifters now, coyotes. You have twenty minutes to consult your packages and form your groups. If you have picked up your weapons kits, then make it a stop before you go. This isn’t a drill, and I don’t want you flat-footed. Okay, I’m done. See you on the other side. I’m going into the Dream Realm. Ian, I’ll see you later tonight after shift.” With that. She just left the room. Leaving everyone to figure out what they were doing on their own.

Ian then returned to looking at the room full of wolf shifter Enforcers. Many were looking at him. “The first one to baby me gets bear maced. Is she always so clingy? Or because it’s a new thing?”

“You need education about she-wolves. You poor man. Let’s get you settled in your team and get you familiar with our routines. Don’t expect any special treatment. You’ll need to prove to us you aren’t an idiot. So don’t be a hero. You need a full explanation of your weapons kit on how to use everything and when to use it. So your group is over there. To discuss your shift route with them and then get your weapons kit.” An old man informed Ian and with a nod, he moves to them.

The team had four members, including Ian. They looked like seasoned fighters. Each bore scars visible on their bodies. Clearly made by claws. “You can call me Bennet. So, what do I call you guys?”

“John. Mario. Al.” John, a sandy-haired man with a scar across his forehead that broke up his left eyebrow, named the team for him. Marco was dark-haired and had dark eyes. His scar ran up his arm like someone took their time, creating them individually. Al wore his hair long, half hiding the claw marks on his neck. His eyes were as icy as the mood he presented.

“Alright. We have the living quarters as our patrol spot.” John dropped a map on the table, showing the route they would take. “It’ll be easy as long as the Fae don’t use the dream realm to surprise us. For the newcomer. We travel in spirit form only in that realm. So for us, we can’t just pop in on them.”

“So know the land. Expect a quiet night, but prepared for trouble. Got it.”

“With other creatures entering our lands, think before you attack. Dragons travel similarly to the Fae. They arrive tonight. Be prepared to spot dragon form or human form. We don’t have images of who is coming. Don’t be surprised if the Fianna. Send a few hunters too. They might try to horn in on our patrol.”

“Don’t forget we’re the ones who will watch the area where the bodies of those patrolling the dreaming are. If a Fae tracks them to their body. That Fae will show up in our patrol area.”

“Good point. I’ve survived being shot at, blown up, and other things I’d rather forget. I’m not the type to act first and question later. Anyway, one of you should be near. Just in case. I mean, I don’t have claws.”

“Blown up?”

“Why do you think I got sent home from the military?” Ian lifted his right pant leg to reveal an old angry scar where still a chunk of muscle was missing. “Well, most of me came home.”