Taking a dozen fully armed werewolves in three SUVs to Simon’s house was probably a bit of overkill on Gray’s part, but he wasn’t willing to take any chances. Six of his pack members guarded the perimeter of the house while the rest of them went inside to pack up Simon’s belongings.
He watched as Simon looked around for a moment. Gray didn’t think he knew where to start. Aunt Maggie stepped up beside him. “Let me get your clothes,” she offered. Simon nodded and led her back to the bedroom. Gray followed to see if he could help.
“Just grab whatever, Aunt Maggie. There’s a suitcase in the back of the closet. Let me get it out for you.”
“Don’t worry, hon. I’ll take care of it. You go on and get the rest of what you need.” She gave him a quick hug and shooed him out of the room. Simon waited until she put the suitcase on the bed, ready to pack, and started to open the dresser.
Gray took his hand. “Simon, let her do this for you. Come on.” He led Simon back into the living room. Gray longed to hold him, but it wasn’t the right time. He tried to ease Simon’s worry with a smile and a quick wink. When Simon didn’t respond, he gave Simon a little push. “What next?”
“Grandfather’s journals.” Simon ran his hand through his hair and sighed. “I don’t want to leave them here. Just in case.”
“Okay, we’ll grab those,” Gray said. “What else do you need?”
“Probably some of the books from the library. I don’t know. I don’t like leaving here. This is my home, Gray. I don’t want to abandon it.”
“I know you don’t like it, but you aren’t abandoning your home, Simon. It’s just for a little while. We’ll bring it all back, I promise. Once we know you’re safe.”
“Okay.” Simon still looked lost, but it was all the encouragement Gray could give him. None of them knew what was going to happen next, but Gray wasn’t willing to risk Simon being attacked again without the pack as protection.
Gray turned to Liam. “Go grab the boxes from the SUV and start in the library.” Liam and Cade both left and returned a few moments later with the empty security equipment boxes they’d taken from the trash. They made a big pile in the middle of the room.
“Simon, any books you want me to make sure I get?” Liam asked.
“Um, some of the history books. And the herb books. Hell, I don’t know.”
“Don’t worry, man. We’ll just grab what we can.” Liam left a few boxes for Gray, patted Simon on the arm, and went into the library. Cade and two of the other men followed him.
“Come on, let’s grab the journals and get this done.” Gray turned to the last wolf remaining in the living room. “Chris, keep an eye outside, and let me know if there’s any trouble.”
“Yes, Alpha.” He moved to the front door to keep a lookout.
Simon led Gray into the workroom. Gray looked around at all the plants and herbs carefully labeled and hung to dry above them. More lined several shelves in small glass containers. Simon took a key off a hook inside the door and went to an antique cabinet. He unlocked it and handed Gray the stack of journals. Gray loaded them into a box, surprised by how many there were. They quickly filled the first box, and Gray started on the second.
When the cabinet was empty, Simon closed and locked it, even though there was nothing left inside it. He returned the key to itshook on the wall, then looked around the room and let out a breath. “I want to take some of my herbs too. Is that okay?”
“Of course, Simon. Bring whatever you need.”
Simon pulled a small satchel from under one of the cabinets. It was made to carry the little glass jars Gray had noticed earlier. He loaded them up and seemed to be carefully selecting the ones he wanted on hand.
“Okay, I think I’ve got everything. We can come back if I’ve forgotten something, right?” Simon sounded completely heartbroken, but Gray knew he understood why they were doing this and that he shouldn’t be left here alone.
“Yes. Simon, this isn’t forever. You’ll be back.” Gray took the opportunity to pull Simon into his arms. Simon held on, and they stood there for a moment while the others finished their packing.
They returned to the living room just as Aunt Maggie was wheeling the suitcase down the hall. “I think I’ve got what you need, sweetie,” she said. “I gathered up stuff from your bathroom too. You’ll want to grab some shoes, though. I wasn’t sure what you wanted.”
Simon got one of his reusable grocery bags from under the sink in the kitchen and put a few pairs of shoes inside it. Everyone started loading the vehicles while Simon wrote the note for the mysterious vampire. He discussed with Gray what he should say, and they decided that vague was best. “Grandfather, I need your assistance. Please call.”
Gray provided a cell phone number, and Simon added it before taping the note to the front door. As they left, Gray watched Simon stare out the back window, the pain in his eyes easy to see. Gray hoped it would be over soon, for Simon’s sake if nothing else. He quieted the little voice in his head that rejoiced at Simon being with them, where he belonged.
WHEN they arrived back at the compound, Aunt Maggie led Simon inside while Gray and the others stayed out in the yard to discussheightening their security measures. She took him to a nearly empty mudroom at the back of the house.
“Gray thought you’d be comfortable working in here, even if it is a bit small,” she said.
Simon loved the space, even though it was different from the work area he used at home. The walls here were a sandy taupe, and the floor was tiled in similar tones. One wall was full of windows, and there were doors leading both inside the house and outside to the deck. He guessed at one point it had been a screened-in patio.
“It’s great,” he replied, smiling over at her. “I love how much light I’ll get from the windows.”
“Be right back,” she said, and left the room, then returned a moment later with a broom, mop, and a bottle of window cleaner. Simon swept and ran a damp mop over the tiles, grimacing when his still-sore arm began to ache. He leaned against the mop for a moment to listen while Aunt Maggie wiped down the windows.
