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“Now who’s starting something we don’t have time for?” Logan muttered as Rusty lay half sprawled on top of him.
“We made you a plate,” Rusty murmured. “Roark’s warming it now. The pups are all playing in the nursery if you want to look in on them before you eat.”
“I do,” Logan said, “and kiss them all goodbye.”
“Was that my goodbye kiss, or can I have another by the door?” Rusty asked.
“You can have as many as you’d like.”
“Don’t tell me that, or you’ll have to put your hunt on hold for two, make that three hours, at least,” Rusty replied as he eased off Logan, allowing him to get up.
His entry into the nursery prompted a race, with Clover, Anais, and Bowie crawling across the floor while Acer rocked, like he was revving himself up before he quickly scrambled to catch up and join them in the circle they’d formed around Logan’s ankles.
One by one Logan picked them up, gently tossing Clover in the air to make her giggle when he caught her and blew raspberries on her cheek. Acer, he tickled before kissing his forehead and setting him down so he could scoop Bowie up and fly him like an airplane. Anais just wanted to be cuddled, so Logan held her before kissing her and putting her down.
Wren walked to the door with Logan, holding his hand.
“You don’t have to worry, Papa, I’m going to be with the pups, and Papa Roark said we can have a movie in the nursery tonight.”
“I’m not worried with you protecting them, Pup, Logan replied. “What movie are you going to watch?”
“Uncle Kale showed The Grasshopper and the Ants earlier at school, so I asked if we could show it to the pups.”
“Look at you, already sharing what you learned with them,” Logan said as he picked them up. Wren rested their head on his shoulder while Logan rocked them, hating that a time would someday come when he might not be able to lift them.
“Go enjoy your movie, and Papa will do his best to catch one of your favorites,” Logan replied. “Provided they’re not all enjoying a long winter’s nap.”
Giggling, Wren kissed him before he put them down and let them return to the nursery, leaving only his mates to say goodbye to.
“Reach out when you’re on the way back, and Charlie and I will meet you guys in the processing room,” Rusty reminded him.
“I will.”
“Be safe,” Roark said as he hugged Logan and rubbed his nose against the side of his neck.
“Always,” Logan murmured, squeezing him.
Logan left his clothes in a puddle on the floor and shifted before Rusty opened the door for him and headed out to meet Baz, who sat at the edge of the lawn.
The east trail leads to a thicket the deer sometimes bed down in, Baz conveyed in Logan’s mind. If we’re lucky, this’ll be one of those nights.
Lead the way. Logan replied, welcoming the chance to learn the lay of the land from Baz.
The forest here was carefully cultivated, with signs of dead trees having been removed and smaller ones being thinned out so they weren’t competing for resources. Tall pines provided plenty of shadows to slink through, while cloud cover blotted all but a sliver of the moon. They startled a bunny but let it escape, the tiny morsel of no consequence when they were hoping for large game to fill their freezers with.
Logan caught glimpses of the river to his right and realized that if they were to run into danger, or Goddess forbid, Baz were to suffer an injury, Logan would be able to follow it back to the house to get help.
Brooks let slip that one of those friends of yours who’s on the way here is interested in opening a hatchery, Baz conveyed.
The mind-to-mind connection allowed for more than just communication during the hunt. They were strengthening the bonds that had been forming since Logan and Wren arrived, as the already established family embraced them and helped them get settled.
Tate loves to fish. Being by the water lets him forget about the things he’s seen and had to intervene in, Logan replied. He was at it for at least five years before I met up with them. He always talked about wanting to build a hatchery so he could keep his favorite ponds stocked.
In this case, he’d also be contributing yet another protein source to the pack. Once they’re settled in, Roark will walk him through the process of submitting his proposal and get him set up with everything he needs. Charlie and his crew will handle the build once he selects the location.
Sounds like the paperwork is just a formality.
Because it is. Brooks ran it past a few key councilmen, and they were instantly on board.
