Page 14 of Welcome Home: When Shifters Unite!
I lay beneath a tree in the shade and listen for anything out of place. With nothing to worry about at the moment, Kazi lays his chin on his front legs and relaxes.
‘We need to check that the lions are not going to cause more trouble.’
“Yeah, I agree, but if we go too close to the Pride, we could end up getting caught. It’ll be best to see what happens. We’ve already killed some of them and it has to have made them wary of trying again,” I respond to Kazi, and I hope what I’ve said is true.
‘We are pack now, and we live, fight and die here.’
“I agree, Kazi, I agree.”
We waste away an hour before making our way back to the farmhouse, retrieve our clothes and walk into town to get Robbie’s shopping. Reaching the store, I’m greeted with Joyce, Dottie and Elena, all talking happily together.
“Hi, Leo. What can I do for you today?” Asher asks from behind the counter.
“I have a list from Robbie. Can you fill the order and deliver?” I pass the list over to him and he flicks his eyes over it before giving me a nod.
“Sure can. It’ll be later this afternoon if that’s okay?”
“You can do it first thing in the morning if that’s any better. I know we don’t need it today because Robbie already has stew on the stove.”
Joyce’s ears pick up when she hears the word stew, and walks over, giving me a huge smile. “Tell Robbie to save me a serving.I’ll be over later. I don’t have anyone in the B&B at the moment, and you know I don’t do evening meals anymore.”
Sighing, “I’ll tell him. Is Bernice at the Post Office today?” The office only opens three days a week now, but Bernice the Post Mistress will do business if you knock on the house door, if it’s urgent.
“Yes, it’s a Post Office Day today,” Joyce replies. I give the money to Asher for the groceries before walking out of the store.
Opening the door to the Post Office, the bell above tinkles and as I walk to the counter, Bernice enters from the back room.
“Good day, Leo. How are you?”
“I’m okay. You?”
“As good as can be expected.” Bernice is a bear shifter, and she has a wicked temper if it’s riled. I’ve thankfully never been on the receiving end of it, but I’ve seen grown men run when she’s been after them in anger.
“Do you have anything for the farmhouse?” I ask, and she knows that means for any of the four of us. We receive nothing, but I always ask when I’m in town and the Office is open just in case.
“Yes, we have two letters for Alpha Adira.” Bernice grins, which she follows with a frown. Looking behind me to check no one is in the Office with us, which we know there aren’t, Bernice whisper-growls. “One is from that horrible pack Adira was with before she came here. The other is from Grayington Pack.”
“Okay, thank you. I’ll make sure Adira gets them.” I take the two letters and tuck them in the pocket of my jacket before giving Bernice a smile, and quickly escaping from her gossipmongering. Now, I know she’s lonely, but she is theworld's worst gossip if you feed her any information, and she’s getting nothing from me.
Entering the farmhouse, I give Robbie a nod as I wash my hands at the kitchen sink. I know better than eating or drinking anything in his kitchen until hands are washed when coming in from outside.
“Hi, Leo. Is everything okay on the border?”
I turn and give Alpha Adira a smile. “Yes, I’ve checked the border and everyone is taking their duties seriously. Thorn is overseeing the patrol change-overs, and he’s giving training to anyone that needs more fighting experience. He’s still working at the school, so his evenings are busy.”
“Okay. I’ve found, well actually, Mavis found a book of passwords, codes and personal details and we were able to open the safe. Leo, there is jewelry, cash and even some gold bars inside.” Adira’s eyes are nearly popping out of her head, and I can’t help the chuckle that escapes.
“What do you want to do about it?” Leo asks.
“We should keep quiet and keep it. It’ll be good for the pack, and would cushion anything we may need to keep us all secure,” Robbie says as he opens the oven door and takes out a tray of cookies.
“No. It’s not ours. I’ll see if I can find any family members for Blaflono. If we can, we can offer to give them what we have. In the meantime, Leo, there is a problem with the basement. Troy noticed the ceiling is going to need to be reinforced and even doing that he is not happy that children could be buried if anyone tries to bomb the building.
“I’m not sure why they would bomb it, but it’s a worry. He’s suggested we speak to the Town Council about having the safe place under the school where there is a huge basement which was reinforced when the school was built.”
I give Adira’s words consideration, “It, in actuality wouldn’t be a bad move, because the school is central in the town and would be nearer for everyone to get to. It also has a flat roof, which means townsfolk could be armed at a higher vantage point to keep the building safe.”
“Okay, I’ll speak to the Town Council about it. I cannot see them having an issue with it, but you never know.” Adira rubs her forehead before sitting at the kitchen table, and giving Robbie a warm smile when he places a mug of herbal tea in front of her.
