Initiation

The Mission

*Kota*

I knew I didn't want her to join the Academy. I swore I wouldn't let them get to her. It's the only way for us all to be together without any secrets, any chance Sang could be taken away from us and without restrictions. I should have kept her wrapped up in my blankets for all eternity, curled up in that adorable little ball in my pajamas. If I did the rift it would have caused between the guys and I would have been catastrophic. For once I channeled North, "I am unwilling, but I will obey."

Once the Academy learned all the trouble Volto was causing, they felt the need to step in and assess who or what was interrupting our work. Sang was the answer. The ghost bird. It was like a feeding frenzy. All of the dog teams wanted her. All of the bird teams wanted her. Hell even the dog/bird teams wanted her. She declined every offer. I couldn't have loved her more than the day she stood in front of the board and announced her decision to stay with us permanently. Gabe had a business suit tailored for the occasion. Dark grey with thin white pin stripe pencil skirt and blazer. I'm not sure what turned me on more: how the suit hugged every curve on her pint size body or the fire in those green eyes when she pleaded her case like six figure attorney.

In the end they agreed. My jaw hit the floor. Even Mr. Blackbourne was shocked. If he is shocked by anything I have reason to worry. There was only one condition. We had to take one more serious undercover job to prove she was both trustworthy and talented enough to survive the Academy. We sat outside the office for what felt like hours waiting for Mr. Blackbourne and Dr. Green to return with the assignment details. North and I paced impatiently while Silas and Victor huddled around Sang like a protective shield. Nathan, Luke and Gabe went to grab some drinks from a nearby vending machine.

By the time they returned, Dr. Green and Mr. Blackbourne looked sick. Mr. Blackbourne's eyes were firmly fixed at an unknown point on the wall while Dr. Green slumped down next to Victor looking exhausted.

"Well the good news is we can leave Ashley Walters and we're going to New York City," Mr. Blackbourne began shifting his gaze to all of us.

At the thought of a new city we all brightened up. I couldn't get excited yet not until I heard the bad news.

"The bad news is we have to infiltrate a drug ring and Sang will be joining us for this mission."The silence in the room was terrifying. I looked at my Sang. It looked like all the courage she mustered to stand up to the board just got blown out of her. Her eyes started to water. Jesus please don't cry. I can't take it when she cries. Silas wrapped his arms around her and was whispering something in her ear. Victor was in an uproar with North yelling at Mr. Blackbourne about how this was too dangerous. Luke, Nathan and Gabe dropped every bottle they were holding. I slumped down next Dr. Green on the bench.

"What are we going to do?" I asked. I kept wringing my hands. I was terrified for Sang and furious at the board for demanding a mission more dangerous than we had ever attempted. It was as if they wanted us to fail.Dr. Green ran both hands down his face slowly and sighed, "We go to New York and protect Pumpkin with our life."