AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Kids?” Jason challenged. “They’re not kids. I was in ‘Nam when I was their age.”
“And you weren’t a kid?” Benny asked. “We sent kids to that war.”
“We did,” Jason agreed with a sigh. “We weren’t kids very long.”
No, Benny agreed.
“So round up someone with trucks, and get a team up there, just in case,” Benny directed. “We don’t want the woods to go up in flames. I don’t think that’s likely, but it’s worrying me.”
“Anything else?” Jason asked dryly.
“Who’s been running the kitchen?”
“Cass and Amanda,” Jason answered nodding to two women who were at a nearby barbeque grill. “The other women have been in wolf form. Jessie’s idea. And it was remarkably effective. They felt safer; and trust me, if you’re a raw recruit, being herded by a wolf does inspire obedience.”
Benny huffed. He just bet it did. Jessie’s idea, he thought. The woman was pretty damned effective at marshalling her troops for having never been taught to fight. He needed to get her a mentor. He looked at Jason thoughtfully because Jason wouldn’t be a bad one.
“I’ll serve under her as my CO anytime,” Jason added.
Benny chewed on his cheek. No, not a mentor for her, he decided. A staff officer? He had to admit he was a bit fuzzy about military hierarchy. A bit of rebellion against all the veterans and their lingo in the Okanogan pack.... Jessie needed Jake or Okami.
Or Abby? Margarite? Maybe military metaphors weren’t the right way to go at all? He’d talk to Abby about it when he got home. And have them add her to the women’s virtual book club Cujo’s mother was starting with Olivia.
He wanted to rejoin the huddle around Ryder and Jessie, but realistically, he knew he couldn’t do anything there —and there was a lot to be done here. “OK, listen up,” he said loudly, projecting his voice to the men who were crowded around the edge of the yard. “They’re going to be fine. The Alpha and his Second are mates. And mates are amazing when it comes to helping each other heal. So let’s leave them at it, and we need to get things done around here.”
Benny let them feel his own dominance, and his confidence in Ryder and Jessie —however faked that might be. “So, squad leaders? Each of your men needs to grab someone who isn’t in a squad as their buddy. Move three squads back here. Make sure everyone knows the drill about showers and bathrooms. Everyone needs to eat — wolves don’t let other wolves get hungry —and to be hydrated. Guards without squads? See Jason. He’s got some tasks for you.”
“I thought you promised not to ever use that line again?” Jason said humorously. Benny grinned at him. Humor was good.
“Still true, though,” he said loud enough to be heard. He could see some grins. Good enough.
“Duncan will know where to get trucks,” Benny said quietly. “Probably from the feed store? And we’re going to need an honor team to escort Duncan to the funeral pyre of his brother. Obviously Ryder and Jessie can’t go, but Duncan needs to be there. And Dennis,” he added reluctantly.
Duncan overheard. “Yes,” he agreed. “Can Michel handle their care while he goes? Their heartbeats did steady.”
Sometimes the weirdest shit worked, Benny thought, shaking his head. “Michel can,” he agreed. “And you two have to be there. Anyone else? Miles?”
“Miles would be good,” Duncan said. “But he’s linked in to Jessie. I’m not sure what happens if we pull him loose.”
“Probably nothing,” Benny said thinking about his own experiences with his link to Abby. “He might find it harder to communicate, or it might not affect it at all. But it won’t hurt either of them. My experience anyway.”
Duncan glanced at him as if he was going to ask, but Benny ignored it. He was more interested in Jason’s flinch at the idea. Was he still linked to Mei? Not the place or time. He approached Cass and Amanda. “We’re going to need to fire up that grill again,” he said, somewhat apologetically. They looked tired. “We need protein that we can feed Ryder and Jessie both. Protein shakes would be good if Duncan has any. Meat — ground hamburger — if not. How are we doing on supplies?”
Amanda brushed her hair out of her eyes. “Duncan has a walk-in locker full of meat,” she said. “And I swear the man’s a hoarder. But I think I saw some protein shake mix in the pantry — also the size of a small bedroom.”
Benny grinned. “Let’s get some of that then,” he encouraged her. “Would you like a half-dozen of these young men to fetch and carry for you? Please, say yes.”
Amanda snorted. “Busy work?” She considered it and then grinned. “Dishes are in the kitchen. And the pots and pans are stacked a mile high.”
“Good,” Benny said, and turned to Cass. “You two are amazing,” he said sincerely. “If you need anything, I’ve got a herd of boys who need things to do.”
“We’ll put them on KP duty for now, and then we’ll do a housekeeping chart in the morning," Cass promised. “And restoring these lawns and flowerbeds are high on the list.”
Benny was grateful. For all that he was appalled that the pack families had allowed their daughters to be sold into brothels — and let’s call it what it is, he thought grimly —it meant that he had women here who knew how to run a large pack house and extended family.
Although this might be a larger crowd than even the Vancouver pack house.
He wandered back to his brother and Jessie and watched for a moment. Ryder’s biker wolves were standing around, looking lost. That won’t do, he thought. “Go into their cabin, grab a mattress,” he ordered. “We’ll use it as a stretcher when the doc OKs it.” Two men nodded and went into the cabin. “Mucho? If you could volunteer to help Amanda and Cass? They’re about done in. And the rest of you? I need you as guards. I’m not sure those woods have been cleared out. Can you get with Jason and organize a patrol? He’s short on experienced — and trustable —men.”
