Hell Hounds

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 novelbin

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.”