Page 4 of Poet & Protector

We never encountered Banes while patrolling the mountain. The Keepers were careful to set clear boundaries between the packs. Bane wolves roamed the western face of the mountain, while Nightshades watched over the eastern side with the intent that never the twain should meet. That was good. The alpha of the elder Nightshades was Calla’s father, Stephen Tor. I liked him. He was a quiet, stoic leader who had earned the pack’s trust by ruling with fairness, reason, and an even temper.

Stephen’s counterpart, Emile Laroche, couldn’t have been more different as an alpha. Preferring dominance over cooperation, Emile bullied his way through life, and his style of leadership was reflected in his pack. At least, that’s the conclusion I’d come to after attending the same school as the younger Banes for the last eleven years.

Emile’s brutality created exceptionally ferocious warriors and infused Banes with a signature arrogance that infuriated Nightshades. We knew we fought just as well as our rivals, but it was no secret that Emile viewed Stephen and his pack as soft and encouraged Bane wolves to adopt the same opinion.

I reached the second door, which was identical to the first. This time I knocked without hesitation. The door opened, but barely.

“Employees only,” the voice behind the door, a woman this time, said.

I went through the same steps, telling her I was looking for Jack London.

Why Jack London? I didn’t get it.

The door opened and I stepped onto a landing. Stairs led down into a large room. I heard the low din of voices. Lots of voices.

“Welcome to the Bunker.” The woman gestured to the stairs. My nose crinkled. She was human, too.

I was no longer worried about walking into a trap, but my nerves still snapped, keeping me on edge. I descended the stairs, which led into a large open space.

Without knowing the origins of this place, I couldn’t be sure if it was an actual bunker or just a basement. Either way, compared to the bar upstairs, it looked like a five-star hotel. Ceiling fixtures and lamps lent the room a welcoming, warm glow and ambient electronic music emanating from surround sound speakers enhanced the laid-back atmosphere. Clusters of couches and chairs, arranged to encourage conversation, took up most of the space, but along the opposite wall I spotted a bar.

In a quick scan of the room, I estimated maybe twenty people milled around. I clocked most of them as Guardians, Banes and Nightshades, but there were also humans scattered among the wolves.

This is all so strange.

“Mason.”

I turned at the sound of my name and saw a Nightshade elder coming toward me. I’d met Jackie a few times when the entire pack assembled. She was a long-time friend of my mom and my Aunt Brigid.

Seeing a familiar face was a relief. “Hi Jackie.”

“I’m glad you came,” she said.

My brow knit. “Did you expect me?”

She replied by way of a mysterious smile.

I leaned closer, lowering my voice. “Are you the one who left the notes in my locker?”

Laughing, she shook her head. “We have a network for things like that. Someone with ties to the Mountain School took care of it.”

“Who?”

She wagged her finger. “One of the most important things to learn and never forget about the Bunker is there’s a lot we don’t talk about outside of this space. Inviting a Guardian here carries immense risk. There’s a process and it’s one you’ll only be privy to when you’ve been part of this community for a long time.”

“Sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize,” Jackie said. “And don’t be offended if people won’t answer some of your questions. We have rules for everyone’s safety and that includes yours.”

“I get it,” I replied. “And however I got the notes, I’m grateful.”

“It’s hard to be out there on your own,” she said. “We’re pack animals. Solitude takes its toll. If you like what you find here, you’ll have a place you can be yourself anytime you need it.”

“And everyone here…is gay?” I was still whispering, which I knew was ridiculous, but I couldn’t help it.

“Not only gay; you’ll find the whole rainbow is here,” Jackie answered in a completely normal tone of voice. “Anyone who doesn’t fit the Keepers’ mold when it comes to Guardians and mating.”

“Wow.” I glanced around the room again. “I…wow.”