Page 39 of Welcome Home: When Shifters Unite!
Shifting back, Jenni, who must have heard the ruckus, had come out of the café along with the diners. Pissed is what I am because Joliee came here thinking she was going to order me around. She needs to see someone who can sort her head out because her thinking needs an adjustment.
“From this moment, you are banned from the Hunters Bow Packlands. If you come back know it will be seen as an act of aggression and will be met accordingly by the pack warriors that are on patrol at the time. Now, leave and sort your own damn mess out.” I turn, place my arm through Bella’s once more and walk away, leaving Conris to sort Joliee out.
I’m not surprised as we walk away to hear Joliee screeching at Conris, but I know he’s not going to be fazed by any of her dramatics. “Let’s go visit the kitchen and Robbie. He’s going to be in his element that he has people he can feed and fuss over.”
Grant chuckles. “He sounds interesting.”
“He is, and although he is human, and you see him as no threat, don’t ever underestimate him. He is one feisty man and has taken on shifters and won. He also is excellent using his kitchen appliances as weaponry.” I can’t help but smile, thinking about Robbie using his skillet in training.
Two hours later, I have the three of them initiated into the pack. Leo and Rom, along with Blossom of course, lead Grant and Warden to the room they will share in the farmhouse. They will renovate the cottage off Main Street and take ownership. But for now, it is the only spare place for them to sleep. Arak still has one bedroom to finish before he moves on to his next chore.
Bella has taken herself back to the café as she said she needs to get settled in and ready for work in the morning. Already taking control of her situation, and that has always been one of the things I love about Bella. She is an independent female, but still has the capacity to help anyone who needs it.
The phone on my desk rings, and picking it up, I am surprised who the caller is.
“Hello, Alpha Adira. This is Alpha James of the Dark Water Pack. I am calling in regard to your Papa.”
“Well, he isn’t my Papa, it turns out Alpha James,” I respond.
“Yes, that is what I have been told. But, he still sees you as his daughter although he is berating himself for his part in the Joliee and Travis fiasco.”
“What is it you need to inform me of? Let’s get it over with.”
“Your Papa rejected your Moma, and although she accepted that rejection, it has hit him hard, causing a detrimental effect on his health. He is fighting it, but his wolf is giving up, and if it continues, your Papa won’t last much longer. He would like to see you before that happens.”
Sighing as I rub the back of my neck, I think of the man who raised me. Who gave me love and support until I realized it may have not been genuine. “What is it you want? I cannot leave my pack at this time. I have too many things to do without coming over to your pack.”
“If it is okay with you, I will bring your Papa to meet with you. I’ll stay until he is ready to leave, then bring him back with me. He has been staying here for weeks, and the decline has been rapid. He is rogue also, and will not accept my pack, or I would have done that for him.” Alpha James seems genuinely concerned, and I can hear it in his tone of voice.
“Okay, bring him over tomorrow and I’ll speak with him.”
“Thank you, Alpha Adira. It is a good thing you are doing. I am very sorry about what happened to you, but fate is a funny thing, after all. Our Moon Goddess has twists and turns in our lives and we never know the reason, but we have to trust in her.”
“I lost my faith in her for a while, but I agree with you. The Goddess moves in mysterious ways. Only she will know the reasons for things she does.”
“We have to trust in her. But let me leave you in peace. I will see you tomorrow. Have a good day, Alpha Adira.”
Sitting back in my seat, my mind wanders back to growing up. It was noticeable that Joliee took priority where Momawas concerned. I have to admit that Papa stood by me on major issues, which often caused problems between himself and Moma. Maybe, just maybe, I owe him the opportunity to see and speak with me. At the end of the day, I do not want to see him, or Radar, his wolf, die.
Chapter 20
*Adira*
Istand laughing as I watch Grant and Warden throwing out all the furniture from the cottage they are cleaning out to live in. The cottage, upon inspection, is in good repair, it just needs tender loving care. That, however, means the place needs all the old out, and new in. But these two are so argumentative with each other I’m not sure how living together is going to be.
Grant drags out the mattress that has definitely seen better days. His nose is curled up to his eyebrows in disgust, and when he sees me watching him, he drags even harder. “Not sleeping on that.”
Shaking my head, but I have to agree it is rather nasty. “Okay, if you need anything, let Rom or Thorn know. I’m going to check out the training schedule they are working on. You will be added to the schedule starting tomorrow, so you best get moving with what you are doing.”
“Yeah, yeah, Alpha Adira. Very funny, and we are working as quickly as we can.” Grant grunts as he places the mattress next to all the other junk they are removing from the place.
Warden steps out of the cottage carrying a small table, places it on the pile, gives me a smirk and walks back into the cottage. Shaking my head one again, I walk away because you have to shrug off some things they all get up to, and I have a feeling Warden is up to something. But you know, I don’t want to know!
Reaching the farmhouse, I give Robbie a smile before stepping over to the sink where I wash my hands.
“Do you want a drink, Adira?” Robbie asks. He knows me so well, and I’m delighted he left my title off with being alone together.
“Yes, please. I’m due to have a meeting with Leo and Rom in a few minutes. Have they arrived yet?”
