“Apparently, you’re not his favorite,” Rance said with a chuckle.
“Thankfully,” Jack said.
“Ladies!” Bonnie said, standing from her lounge chair and raising her voice. “I just wanted to let you know that we’ve got some friends coming up to join us, they are members of the Variant community. We just didn’t want you to become alarmed. They’ve been our friends for a very long time and there is nothing to worry about.”
“Thank you,” a few of them said, but all seemed unaffected. They trusted Jack and Bonnie and their Pride to keep them safe since they’d officially been granted sanctuary.
“You alright with the Variant arriving?” Findley asked Brinnley.
“We can go right home if you feel like you need to,” Three said.
“I’m fine being here with them. They were very nice to me,” Brinnley said softly.
“You sure? I can help escort you home, too,” Draven said.
Brinnley looked over at Draven shyly before looking away again. “No, thank you.”
Draven nodded, but Jack caught the sigh Draven couldn’t hide.
Moments later they heard car doors, and a moment after that a dozen Variant males and females dressed in the Variant navy blue and gray BDUs strode around the same corner of the house Niko and Rance had come around twenty minutes prior.
Jack got up and started toward them with Rance, Draven, Vance, and Three at his side. “Now it’s a party!” Jack said, already extending his hand to Frenzy since Frenzy was in the lead and his brethren were surrounding him.
“Jack! How goes it my friend?” Frenzy asked, shaking his hand then pulling him in for a hug.
Jack pounded his back just as Frenzy did his, then released him when he reached for Rance. Jack shook hands with everyone of the Variant people as Frenzy worked his way through Jack’s people, then went back to stand beside Rance.
“Welcome,” Jack said.
Frenzy addressed his people. “This is Alpha Jack Laighin of the Laighin Pride. This is my best friend, Rance. This is little Rance, also known as Vance,” Frenzy teased as he introduced Rance and his twin brother Vance. “This is Draven, and I know you think you know this male, but you don’t. This is Three.”
“Damn, you look like Brutal,” one of them said.
“I’m nothing like Brutal,” Three said.
“He’s pretty, though. Just like you,” Frenzy teased.
Three laughed.
“If I may introduce you to my friends, I believe you’ve met Storm and Hail.”
“Sure have. Welcome back,” Jack said.
“Thanks,” they both said, inclining their heads at Jack, then at everyone else.
“This is my man Feral, wireman and technology spy extraordinaire. To his right are Savage, Rage, Grim, Menace, and Harsh, also known as SOT Team 3. Savage is their leader. And the last two over there, are Fierce and Valid, my partners in crime. Literally.”
Fierce and Valid both laughed.
“Welcome to the Laighin Pride. We’re pleased to have you.”
“Thank you,” they all said.
“This place is beautiful. Your own freaking mountain covered with trees and people that are happy to be here. No freaking military regulations or controls,” Feral said.
“We like it,” Jack said. He turned around and held out a hand, calling Bonnie to his side. She got up and went over tohim. “Hi!” she said, shaking hands and hugging Storm and Hail. “Welcome back,” she said.
“This is my Reigna, my mate, Bonnie.”
