Page 19 of Welcome Home: When Shifters Unite!
“Yes, Alpha Adira,” Stella quickly replies, and I watch as the three push Benedict and the Elder out of the door.
“It’s not the end of this, Adira,” Benedict shouts, and I turn my back, showing him I don’t care what he has to say, or threaten.
I make my way to the farmhouse and quickly inform Robbie of what has occurred while he has been oblivious in the vegetable garden. I can see he’s angry he missed it all, but honestly, he would have been at risk if he’d been in the fight.
The door opens and I look up to see Leo, Stella and Thorn. We all take a seat at the kitchen table and Robbie provides us a drink and a cookie. I calm myself before I speak.
“Let me make it clear for everyone. I will not now, or in the future, return to that abysmal pack to smooth over the issue they caused. As you all know, the fated mate bond is precious and should be treated as such. Thorn, as we all know, you are solitary creatures, leopards, that is. But you have been a valued member here and after today I would like to promote you to Delta of the pack. Do you think you could live with that commitment?” I am really not sure if he wants to stay forever, or move on, so this is a tricky question I’m asking.
Thorn looks at me, and gives me a softened look, well softer than his normal stone-like features. “My leopard, Kaabya, is happy to be wandering alone, but my human side needed companionship. I was sick of wandering around from one place to another. Living rough in the wilds gets tiring, and it’s not so pleasant, especially during the winter months. Kaabya, however, likes it here, and he feels protective and territorial over you, Alpha Adira. I don’t know why, but he is more than happy you are the leader, and to follow you.”
“You can all call me Adira when we are alone. This alpha business is annoying, I have to tell you. No matter I have become Alpha of the pack, I am still, foremost, Adira.” I look from one to another, and they all smile and give me a nod or an ‘Okay.’
“So, what is your answer Thorn, will you be my Delta?”
Thorn gives me a serious look, then responds. “Yes, I will be happy to be your Delta, and Kaabya agrees as well.” Now, Thorn grins and we can all see the amusement at the comment he’s made regarding his leopard.
“Good, then that’s agreed upon. You’ll move into the farmhouse pronto,” I know he’s not realized he’ll have to move in here, but I get up and make my way out of the kitchen quickly as I hear Thorn spluttering and stammering.
Chapter 10
*Thorn*
Me! A Delta for the pack, who would have imagined that I would even want to be a member of a pack, never mind an officer of one. But I have to admit to myself I feel very proud to have been chosen by Alpha Adira, and I’ll do everything in my power to be the best Delta any pack has ever seen.
I pack up the small room that I rent in town and quickly carry my meagre belongings to the farmhouse. It feels odd coming to this place, and I hope I fit in with everyone, especially Robbie, who is around the place more than anyone else with basically being the cook, cleaner and go-to man.
Walking into the kitchen, carrying the corrugated box I packed my clothing into, Robbie looks up from where he’s peeling potatoes, and asks. “Oh, is that all you have? Or, you going to fetch more?”
Sighing, because I knew someone would mention how little I have. “Nope, this is what I have.”
“Well, that’s not going to do, now is it? You know Mavis and Adira will get you more,” Robbie cackles to himself and peelsfaster and I’m thinking he best be careful or he’ll have no fingers left.
“No need. I can only wear one thing at a time,” I grumble because honestly, I don’t need anyone feeling bad for me. When you’ve moved around as much as I have you tend not to own much as you have to carry it everywhere, which makes it heavy baggage.
“Fourth door on the right is yours,” Robbie informs me as I leave the kitchen and head into the hallway and the staircase.
Half an hour later I’ve left my few things in what is now my room, had a freshen up and stood looking out of the bedroom window for a few minutes. “You think we’re doing the right thing, Kaabya?”
‘We will be happy here. We have been alone for a long time, and I’m good at that, as it is my nature. But it feels different here because of the way everyone supports each other.’
“I hope we won’t start to feel caged in, and need to wander. Taking on the role of Delta is important and makes us important to the pack.”
‘The pack isn’t just one species, Thorn. The bears, lions, and wolves are all working together. We are all animals, and should live more peacefully.’
“Let’s see what happens, but if we need to leave, I will make sure that I give Alpha Adira time to replace us.”
Now, I’m caught off-guard when Kaabya yowls with anger in the back of my mind.‘Nobody replaces us.’I hear right before Kaabya throws a wall between us in my mind and cuts off the conversation. It seems my leopard likes it here and doesn’t wantto leave. He also likes the position and the responsibility that comes with it. Who would have thought it?
Downstairs in the kitchen, Stella is sitting at the table sliding an empty plate away from herself. “Oh, hi, Thorn. Are you ready to go on patrol? I want to show you an area I found yesterday. I think it may need adding to our patrol schedule.”
“I’m ready when you are. Are you saying we have a blind spot on our border?”
Stella stands and steps away from the table, picking up her plate and rinsing it in the sink. “I think we have, but I’d like a second opinion. If it is as I think it is, then you would have to discuss it with Leo as you both organize the patrols.”
“Come on, let’s get out of here and look at this area you are worried about.”
Two hours later, we have patrolled the usual area we cover and made our way to the area Stella is worried about. It’s silent, which has Kaabya on alert. It’s too quiet. I’m hearing no birdsong or any animals moving in the underbrush. I flick my eyes to Stella and her wolf, Iris, is standing with her ears pricked and on full alert.
