Page 32 of The War is Coming

Ashton closed down his finished design project, opened his email and sent it off. He hoped they liked their new branding and that he had incorporated all the elements they had requested.

He loved his job as a graphic designer but wondered how much time in the future he would have for it, with all his new duties. He would just have to make time. He had worked too long and hard to build his reputation to stop now.

Ash also thought about the designs he had done for the Archangel Hotel Group, and how amazed he had been to learn that Paris owned that business. To know he had unknowingly designed something for his mate’s business was incredible.

He had also been playing around with different designs for the pack and for Blake to use on official royal stationery, and a design for the three kings.

He sent an email to Blake, attaching all the designs to see what he thought, then emailed Tudor and Puff with the three kings’ stationery design.

As his emails were open, he started reading through them. As pack Beta, he had reports from the generals and team leaders, and Frederick with daily updates and any queries he needed to deal with. As Regent to Blake, he had even more. He was sent things that weren’t important enough to be sent to Blake, which Ash was learning was a lot.

He was currently reading an email from the council when his phone pinged. He picked it up and saw it was a message from one of the gargoyle guards, who was patrolling the drive entrance, saying a man had arrived and was requesting sanctuary.

He shot back a reply saying he was on his way, and locking his laptop, went to see who wanted sanctuary.

He wouldn’t offer someone sanctuary without Blake, Puff or Tudor’s say-so, and Blake was still training, Tudor resting and Puff busy.

Ash arrived at the drive entrance and saw the dragon and gargoyle guards standing watching the newcomer, who was sat in his car, with the car door open. The car was a fancy black BMW; by the looks of the number plate, it was also less than a year old.

Ash walked to the guards’ side as the driver got out.

“Oh hell no,” Ash muttered, recognizing him.

“What’s wrong, Beta?” the gargoyle guard asked.

“He’s the Hayes Pack shaman,” Ash replied, with a small growl.

Ash had never liked the shaman. He had a creepy vibe and was only interested in sucking up to the Alpha. He ignored the needs of the rest of the pack and made as much money as he could from the few pack members he actually helped. His help always came at a steep price, which enabled him to get the best of everything.

The two guards gave low growls as well.

The shaman moved closer to the wards and stopped about a foot away.

Ash noted the shaman seemed to have aged considerably since he had last seen him. His dark brown hair was almost all grey; he looked like he had lost weight and had wrinkles all over his face, which for a wolf shifter was unheard of, and he seemed even creepier than before.

“Ashton,” the shaman said in greeting.

Ash crossed his arms over his chest. “That’s Beta Ashton to you, or Regent Ashton, I don’t mind which.”

The shaman scowled but said nothing.

“Why are you here?” Ash demanded.

“Like I told these two,” he said, waving his hand dismissively at them. “I’m here to request sanctuary.”

“Why?”

“What do you mean why, Ashton?”

Ash glared at him.

“Beta,” the shaman hurriedly corrected.

“I mean, why are you requesting sanctuary here?”

“Everyone knows this pack is the safest place, probably in the whole country, and that Blake is offering sanctuary to those who need it.”

Ashton raised a brow. “Blake?”