I would like to dedicate this chapter to eclubm2 for giving me that extra nudge when I need it. Believes in this story when I stop believing in me! Thank You! Xo

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  "Let's get this mission on the road, y'all!," Jessie looked at his watch, icy blue eyes intent. He wasn't a tall man, but he was a shorter package of muscles and bound up energy. He was sired by Ron and Lita and had never failed to make them proud. He was fearless and smart, a combination needed to lead a pack. And when the time came for the ceremony to occur and the Moonshadow pack to split into two parts, there wasn't a soul that would not be proud to follow Jessie as well as Ron or Dan.

  And the fact that Jessie and Dan were best friends made the situation an easy and  manageable one. Fun and friendly. They'd just hit it right off when Dan joined the pack, and that wasn't usually the case. More often than not, rogue wolves were not welcomed immediately into the pack. It took a while for them to make their place the order of the group. However, from day one, both males attempting to intimidate one another, for some reason found it funny. And it didn't take a significantly long time before they were wrestling around and horseplaying. Well, technically wolfplaying around, for that type of play hit whole new levels of violence and entertainment.

  When Ron decided to give Dan the title of Alpha for the Moonshadow Pack, alot of the wolves had  anticipated a bit of tussle about it, but considering the deep jab it would give to the Alpha of the Skinner Pack, by giving their Rogue such a high pack standing, it was so worth it! Combined with the fact that the Barker pack had once been a strong and highly respected group, that through betrayal and treachery of the worst sort, had dwindled down to nothing. Now came the perfect opportunity to bring the Barker's back loud and clear! And who better than Lita's own son! She was an original Barker member, her father the reigning Alpha when he she mated into the Moonshadow clan as Ron's mate. This would smell of sweet revenge!

   "Come on, you pokey motherfuckers!" Jessie hollered again. What have you all been doin' while we were gone? Playing fucking monopoly? We done been to New Orleans, talked to several folks and run all the way back here," Jessie shook his head in tired annoyance.

  Scarlett finally found her feet, and stood up with an unsteady shake still apparent in her balance. Her voice wasn't much better. She stood still for a few moments, her eyes closed and fists balled tightly. She took a deep, shaky breath and all the others could see her noble attempt to pull it together. Finally she spoke.

  "Where's Dan? Why didn't he or Red come back? What's going on? Where did Jean Luc take my  mama?" Her voice broke at mama, but she took another deep breath and lifted her chin high.

  "Umm, Dan is still in New Orleans with Red and a few others. He wants to be the one to talk to you. There have been some unexpected developments. I am supposed to take you there." Jessie looked at his feet like they were the most interesting things he had ever witnessed.

  "How about those freaky things?" Rune asked. "Are they still creeping around here?"

  The Giant Vampire, Kahn, made a sort of snorting laugh. He looked at Rune with that arrogant look his face seemed molded into. It was difficult to judge whether he meant to look down on others, or if that was just the way his features were. There was no doubt he possessed a very regal countenance.

  Nya decided to place herself into the conversation. Rune noticed her give Kahn a somewhat pissy look herself before speaking.

  "Julia and Amos are gone for the moment. But don't doubt they'll be back. There is something ugly and evil in the workings, and I don't think for a moment they aren't a part of it. They have always had their nasty hands in anything that has evil and chaos involved and there is definitely an ugly mess brewing, we just have to figure out what exactly. And once again, factions that usually avoid one another will have to come together to stop whatever they're planning ." She shifted uncomfortably for a second, like her skin didn't quite fit.

  "Your Wolf feels it too, huh," Nathan said from over by Jessie. "Mine has felt it strong! Crawling under my skin like a nest of bees! Sensing something unusual and therefore uncomfortable as all get out!" He shuddered at the idea or feeling itself.

" More like fleas" Kahn said in a deep, accented voice. He had a grin on his face, that  showed a less arrogant look. Dimples filled his cheeks and his large white teeth flashed, showing his frightening fangs.

"Well I'll be damned!" Nathan said in his slow country drawl.  "The Savage version of Hercules speaks! Miracles haven't ceased to exist!"

He quickly ducked and dodged the large hand, if one could hardly call it a hand, as massively big as Kahn's were! The smile stayed upon Kahn's face, proving a sense of humor existed within the large man after all. They all had a bit of a laugh, as to lighten the mood for all that may lie ahead. Gods knew they needed to let off a little steam.

  "Okay, guys! We gotta get movin'!" Jessie said. "We have to get back to New Orleans way before dawn. We are safe for now, but we have Vampire folk we must speak with tonight. I am to carry Scarlett, per Jessie's orders. Rune can either see what it is like to ride Vampire style with Kahn, ride werewolf with Nathan or I suppose even if it seems weird Nya could take you. Ron, I want you to go see Ms.Dirge. She always had a soft spot for you!"

   "Ooh, ! lucky me," Ron grumbled . Everyone laughed at the look on Ron's face. Even Rune had to laugh and he didn't even know what was funny.

So off to the City they were headed. Wolves went out back to change form. Kahn was going to carry the supplies and Rune decided to ride with Nathan. Off into the night they were set go!

  The smells of the night were strong and full of the sounds of bull frogs and other night animals. Cicadas sang their song in tandem with the crickets. The scents of flowers only found in this area of Louisiana, filled ones nose with delight. Deep beneath the flowery smell, was the earthy somewhat musky smell of the bayou, the brackish waters of the swamp. So many different scents, it was intoxicating.

  Especially for the Wolves running as fast as they could through the foliage of the woodland eve. Moon bright in the night sky. Rune was enamoured at the speed and grace that Nathan ran through the woods! It was amazing! Even more freedom inducing than the rides on the Harley Davidson bikes, that he had always believed to be unbeatable. This, however was something like magick! Arms wrapped around the soft fur of the wolf, watching the trees fly by in his vision, too fast to actually identify one from another! Nya would occasionally nip at them causing Rune to laugh heartily! It was an experience he could barely accept as real! But he was aware some real and serious shit awaited them in The Big Easy!