Hell Hounds

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 accepted 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

to comprise women and children.

That’s when it hit Ian. This wasn’t another weird investigation. These people fled here for safety. If they © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

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

voice complain 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 accept humans in their communities. 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 a law put into place 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 or later, 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

admit later that Yolanda thought of everything in that plan. 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. The large 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 his land and people. The Bear Alpha, struggling to accept help

and protection for his people.

“Leland, 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 Leland’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.” Leland 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 Leland. 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 man come 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 their community’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 more landing. How they organized their landing Ian would never understand. No in air

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

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

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

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

come in. Twenty plus dragons landed within minutes.

“I’ll assume it’s your first time seeing a dragon come in for a landing. 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

him laughed heartily. Even their laughter 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 Leland’s parents and the Bear Ambassadors. You are?”

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

your people find a safe place 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

Yolanda’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 available 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

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