Chapter 46: Ian’s Patrol, Bears, Bears, and Dragons


    Ian was out in the cold. Night fell. He could see the shadowed forms of the three wolves just ahead of


    him. They’re headed towards the front property. They’d turn around at the main entrance and then


    circle around back towards the packhouse. The moon showed through the scattered winter clouds,


    giving him light. He doubted that he’d catch sight of trouble before the wolves ahead of him within this


    lighting. The instructions he received were correct. He’d be the ace in the hole if anything happened.


    The small group stopped and returned to human form before they approached the guardhouse. No one


    wanted to answer the hard questions about wolves. Never mind three of them. He did marvel at the


    ease they possessed concerning those backpacks. Everything contained and at the ready. It was a


    miracle there weren’t photographs of wolves with these packs. Ian figured paranoia helped these


    shifters avoid messes like that.


    A quick check-in at the guardhouse told them. That several bear shifters arrived an hour before. It was


    a surprise to Ian, but he figured it wasn’t for the wolves. Scents and all that. He needed to remember


    things like that.


    After getting warm, Ian and his team left the guardhouse and continued towards the packhouse.


    Thankfully, not epted yet, they ignored him. Meaning he could study the situation better. The wolves


    moved fast, but with his training and fitness level Ian kept up. Rounding the bend in the drive, they’re


    greeted by several vehicles in front of the packhouse. The people milling around in the dark appeared


    toprise women and children.


    That’s when it hit Ian. This wasn’t another weird investigation. These people fled here for safety. If they


    were human. The world would consider it a humanitarian catastrophe. These people were seeking


    safety. Safety the RCMP or any other agency were unprepared for.


    He could hear kids crying and a soft grumble of adults talking. Ian wondered if that’s how they spoke or


    if they feared their voices would attract the Faes attention. From everything he’d learnt so far about


    these creatures. He’d not put it past them to hear things they shouldn’t. Or attracted by sound.


    His partners shifted again, with a few grunts and groans this time. Ian thought he heard Al’s gravelly


    voicein about the cold.


    Mario stepped up beside Ian and gave him some sage advice. “Ian, watch yourself around the visitors.


    Some older shifters don’t ept humans in theirmunities. These are bears, not wolves. If


    someone gives you a hard time. Speak up and make it clear you are a pack member as a shifter mate.


    It’s aw put into ce to protect mates. Mind what you do, though. You also make the pack


    responsible for your actions once you’ve said that.”


    “Good to know. Do I need to worry about getting mauled by a toddler? Dumb human here, remember?”


    Ian felt like a fool. He’d not asked anything about wolf shifters. Their lifestyle, customs, or lifespan. He


    didn’t remember seeing any wolf pups. But he’d not been there long.


    “Na. They look like human babies. They start shifting at about eight or nine years old. Then all hell


    breaks loose. So you see a ten-year-old or tween with an attitude. That’s the one you will need to


    watch.” Even in the dark Ian could tell Mario wasn’t joking. He’d love to have a beer with Mario and


    hear the story behind his long-suffering expression.


    “Teen hormones and shifting. The thought scares me, and I’ve never encountered it.”


    “You’re a mate, that means sooner orter, you will. Okay, let’s get in there and make sure none get


    lost. After that, back to patrol. Jay’s team is taking up where we left off for the time being.” Ian would


    admitter that Ynda thought of everything in that n. She’d included extra patrol groups in case of


    injury or need for back up. Because they were here first it would be their job to get the Bears where


    they needed to be. Others would meet with them and help them settle into their temporary home.


    John stepped forwards and they followed him as he waded into the crowd. Standing on the stairs of the


    packhouse was Gregory and Aricka. Stories always speak of the aura an Alpha gave off. What Ian was


    expecting was a dominate man, who threw their weight around. He found before him two Alpha’s sizing


    each other up. Therge stranger appeared taller than Gregory by several inches. He possessed a


    physique Ian would describe as bearish. A thick beard covered his face. Both men seemed in


    protective stances. Gregory, protecting hisnd and people. The Bear Alpha, struggling to ept help


    and protection for his people.


    “Lnd, you made it. Any trouble?”


    “We’ve made do. No sightings of Fae within our area. I’ve left people there to watch over things. With


    instructions to leave at the first sign things are going south.” Ian could only describe Lnd’s voice as


    gravelly and bearish. How could any human not sense, or see the differences in shifters? Ian watched


    the confrontation.


    “We’ll keep a mage ready if they need a portal to hasten their evacuation.” Lnd nodded at Gregory’s


    response.


    “I’ve brought our ambassadors here.” A knowing look passed between the two men.


    “You mean your father insisted on stepping up? I’m sure my mother would love the assistance. There’s


    a lot on the to-do list right now. I’m sure they know the way to her office. She’s barricaded in there


    without enough hands. She’ll be grateful for more hands. Aricka, you know Lnd. This is Emily, his


    mate. Their cubs, Marianne, and Quin. Why don’t take them in and get them settled?


    Ian realized now Emily was pregnant with two cubs who must be twins by the looks of them. The faces


    now around Ian appeared drawn, and not from the upheaval caused by the Fae threat. He could feel


    sadness too. This was not a pleasant situation.


    As he stood there, watching a mane forwards request that he take what medical supplies they’d to


    the medical centre and he would offer his support there. Ian figured this must be theirmunity’s


    medical doctor.


    The light overhead flickered right then. Like something transparent crossed between the moon and Ian.


    He looked up in time to see the dragons’ transformation from nothingness. He wasn’t sure how to


    describe the sight of dragons in flight. But phasing into view one by one and then numbers. There must


    be twenty or morending. How they organized theirnding Ian would never understand. No in air


    crashes or bumps. Silent except for a slight whoosh as theynded. Each one dropped something


    before theynded. As their feet touched down their form shimmered like the wolf shifters. When they


    finished, there were men and women in the ce of the dragons. Now Ian knew why they didn’t find


    dragon bones. Each dragon snatched up their package and ran off thending area for the next to


    “I’ll assume it’s your first time seeing a dragone in for anding. Impressive, isn’t it?”


    “Newly mated. I’ve seen an eagle shifter once. But I only found out a few hours ago that dragons


    existed. I’m a little overwhelmed trying to catch up on what’s real and what’s not.” The stranger beside


    himughed heartily. Even theirughter sounded bearish.


    “Well, mind your manners around the dragons. Most of them are older than all our ages added


    together. So, bear with them as they can be a little formal. I’m Berret, and this is Janine, my mate.


    We’re Lnd’s parents and the Bear Ambassadors. You are?”


    “Oh, sorry. I’m a little distracted. Ian. Ian Be. I’m mate to Ynda Redgrave. I think it’s time we help


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    your people find a safe ce to settle in for the time.” Ian became distracted by so many things. We’re


    all these Alphas rich, powerful people? Was influence something they used to keep their existence


    hidden? Janine gave off the feel of a rich man’s first wife.


    “Hmm. You’re the mate of the Luna’s head bodyguard?”


    “And head of the armoury. Don’t worry once I’m done catching up on the magic end of things. I’ll work


    along side of her there. I’ve got more than enough training and experience.” Ian wasn’t sure if


    Ynda’s positions impressed him or told him that Ian wasn’t important.


    “If all Bear shifters will follow my men here. We’ll get you settled into your temporary location.” Gregory


    pointed to Ian’s team including himself. “Have a good evening everyone. If you need food the


    packhouse will have ready made food avable at all hours. When you get to your site there will be a


    team of people there to help you with anything you need.” Gregory didn’t appear phased at his need to


    shift his attention from one group to another.


    The first dragons began to approach as Ian helped move the Bears on with the others. Ian nodded to


    Berret. “Good evening then Sir. They’ve given me my marching orders. I hope we’ll see more of each


    otherter.” Berret nodded to him solemnly, and moved off into the packhouse.