I approach Silas with a sigh. “Sinking the ship isn’t going to go without punishment.”
“I know,” I admit. And who am I to argue? I sank the ship and I’m not sorry about it. I’ll take my sentence as a badge of honor.
I allow Silas to lead the way, stepping out behind him to where Kade and Leah stand by the entrance. Kade looks cleanedup but irritated, while Leah beams at me. Leah gives me a hug while Kade rolls her eyes. I embrace Leah lightly.
“Well, how did your first night go?” Leah asks, pulling back.
“It went well,” I say simply.
Silas chimes in, “Jackie’s already claimed. We are waiting for Jabari to receive his claim mark. It’s just going to take some time.”
“Jackie is a strong woman,” Kade remarks. “I picked up on that quickly while on the ship with them. She will want to keep a semblance of her independence.”
Leah looks at Kade, then slaps her arm. “Stop sulking, sweetheart. We’re working on getting you a new ship to Wintermoon, and we’ve already accommodated all the rescues.”
“What about the human Jabari defended against his mate?” Silas asks.
Kade glares at me for a moment but then relaxes her shoulders. “That’s taken care of. There was footage of Kendrick shooting Jabari and Jackie. His reaction has been justified with human authorities.” She pauses. “However, Jabari just gave the radicals more ammunition. This doesn’t stop them from twisting the footage to feed their false narratives.”
“I am not apologetic for Kendrick,” I state, “but I am apologetic for the shame I’ve brought Wintermoon.”
Silas puts a hand on my shoulder. “You didn’t bring Wintermoon shame, brother. You were defending your mate, and the clan would have done the same for you.” He looks at Kade and lets out a low growl, almost as if to let her know she needs to get on board and defend me.
“Silas is right,” Kade concedes. “You did not bring shame upon Wintermoon. Radicals are simply radicals. It doesn’t matter if Kendrick would have survived; they still would have looked for someone to blame.”
“What of the human that was in his company?” I ask.
Kade furrows her brow. “That clueless human India? Oh, she’s fine. Relieved, even. Apparently, he’s had a history of this type of behavior. She was forgiving about it because he helped her socials.” She flashes a wicked grin. “Now, his death is helping her socials. She doesn’t miss him, but she’s good at faking it.”
Silas and I share a knowing look. Humans are weird.
“I’m not even going to get into humans and social media,” Kade continues. “Some of them will sell their own children for a high follower count. Weird shit.” She shifts topics. “Need to make sure Jackie is happy here. She had a business—while a failing business, she still had it. I’m sending Koda and his pack into the city to pack up her things. I’ve got her keys. I managed to salvage a few of her things on the ship before it sank.” She glares at me momentarily, then holds up her hand. “Don’t worry, I know how you shifters are. You want her to have everything new.”
“I saw the new retail space on the tourist island. I was thinking—“ I begin, but Kade interrupts.
“That space is reserved for House of Zorah. Kane’s gained some popularity with his hand-carved toys. And Nia will be working the space, also selling her handmade quilts.”
I look toward House of Zorah’s retail space in the market. “They can’t have both spaces. We’ll take the space here in the market then.”
Kade sighs. “No, Jabari, I don’t think a retail space in the market would work for a woman like Jackie.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “I made a promise to her—my mate. I have to do something. She doesn’t want to spend her life in the clan, and I told her she wouldn’t.” My bear grows anxious, ready to fight for space for our mate.
Leah gently brushes her hand over my arm, and it instantly calms me down. “We are working on a solution,” she says. “Wethink the best option is to transfer Jackie’s business to the tourist island. But we need to build an additional space.”
“And how long will that take?” I ask.
“Levi is already working on the floor plans,” Kade explains. “With your help being lumberjacks, maybe six months, tops.”
I sigh at that timeline.
“Could we speed it up by having the clan assist?” Silas asks.
“I’m sure Levi would love the additional help,” Kade responds. “His brothers help when they can, but they have their own passions.”
“We will go meet with House of Zorah to make the offer,” Silas says, looking at me.
“This is so exciting!” Leah exclaims. “We are going to have a fashion boutique on the tourist island, and more bear cubs. You know how much Kade and I love the babies.”
