Page 52 of Welcome Home: When Shifters Unite!
Two hours later, I’m thinking that the patrol is tight and not sure where we can tighten it more. Stopping, I watch Thorn as he shifts back and finds shorts in a hollow of a tree. Now I realize why we stopped here. Shifting and grabbing a pair of shorts for myself, I take a moment before looking over at Thorn.
“Do we have any reason to be watching the border of the territory this tightly?”
Thorn sits with his back against a tree trunk, waits for me to sit, then speaks. “We tightened security when the Elder Council threatened Alpha Adira. They wanted to throw her at any Alpha that fancied taking her. But the town became a pack to stop that, and to show we didn’t give diddly-squat what they thought. We are a rogue pack and staying that way, so they have no control. We did, however, take threats seriously, especially after Alpha Adira received letters from some alphas wanting her to be the Luna of their pack. She, of course, turned them down.”
“I didn’t know the Elder Council had been involved. Why do you think they jumped on this?” I ask.
“Well, Alpha Adira had just returned from doing all the luna training. They saw that as a huge positive because let’s be honest you don’t want to lose your top luna candidate, do you? That is what Alpha Adira was at that time, and hunting was her forté. I would imagine they saw her as an asset, and more than likely would have tried to dictate to her. But our Alpha is not a meek and mild female. She has determination, and strength, and apack that loves her.” Thorn looks at me with such admiration for Adira that I hold my fist up for a bump, and give him a chin lift to show I appreciate what he has told me.
“I heard about Adira’s royal blood. That is amazing, and to shift keeping her clothes on is even better. I don’t have to worry about anyone seeing what’s mine, which delights me I have to tell you.” I grin back at Thorn, who is chuckling. “What do you think of the Mass Mountain Pack and the Blue River Pack?”
Thorn sits a little straighter before responding, “Alpha Owain has been in contact with Alpha Adira. There are no bad feelings, and he’s happy to be an ally. Alpha Rudik, we are awaiting a report from two of the pack that went on a reconnaissance mission. So far, he has not tried to contact. We strengthened patrols with his pack in mind, especially when it gets to him that Alpha Adira is the last survivor of the Strongbow Pack slaughter.”
“I’ll speak to Adira about Rudik, and if I think we have any kind of threat, I’ll make sure I’m ready to take him out. I’m not messing around with anyone that threatens my mate.”
Thorn nods, slaps my shoulder, then grimaces when he realizes that I’m also the Alpha of the pack now, and he’s not sure how I’m going to react. “Sorry, Alpha Barrik.”
“Hey, no need. Yes, I am Alpha, but I’m also pack. We are not going to be standing on ceremony. I’d rather we be pack brothers, as it should be.”
“Have you met Alpha Adira’s Papa yet? They were not getting along, but I think things have settled more since he rejected that disgusting mate he had. Being here has done him the world of good. He’s helping Robbie in the garden now, and we can all see the improvement in his health.”
“No. But I’m sure I will today. Adira told me some of what occurred, but I’ll reserve judgement on him for now.” Thorn doesn’t respond to that comment, and we head on foot toward the next patrol pair. My eyes and ears are taking in the environment, and I am alert to anything that may occur. Rawlin is alert also, but he’s not showing any sign of stress or worry.
“We have a meeting later today regarding Alpha Rudik. I’m not sure if you were aware. Stella and Warden are on their way back to the pack with information, if any, that we may need.”
“Yes, Adira mentioned the meeting. I’m eager to know what they have to say. I wasn’t fully aware of what happened at the Strongbow Pack, and with no pack left, I never thought the territory would be claimed. I’m going to have a discussion with Adira about how she wants to move forward with it all.”
Before he can respond two patrol warriors appear and give a report. Seems all is quiet, and they have had no issues with rogues wandering toward the border or anymore enquiries to join the pack. Nice and easy day for them!
Back at the farmhouse and a freshen up. I step into the kitchen and watch Robbie with a man that he is calling Earnest. I knew that was Adira’s adoptive Papa, so I watched briefly before making my presence known.
They are both busy cleaning vegetables they have picked, and from what they are saying, it is going to be used for some preserve or other. I don’t know as I am not good in a kitchen. I can burn water rather than boil it.
“Hi, Robbie,” I walk into the kitchen fully, and look at Adira’s Papa. “You must be Earnest?”
Turning and giving me a steady look, Earnest holds his hand out for me to shake. “I’m Earnest, yes. I am Adira’s Papa, and no matter what anyone thinks, I am very proud of her.”
“I’m sure you are, and should be. She is an incredible person, never mind an alpha female who has a rogue pack to command. Now, she has a mate that loves her deeply, and will support whatever she desires.” I, in my own way, am letting Earnest know I’ll not watch him hurting Adira, but if he supports her fully, then he’ll be fine.
Adira walks into the kitchen from the back door. “Oh, you are home,” rushing over to me and kissing me gently. I wrap my arms around her and draw her tightly to me. Turning her head, Adira smiles, “Hi, Robbie. Hi, Papa. I didn’t see you both there.”
“Well, you wouldn’t, would you? Your eyes were for your man only.” Robbie rolls his eyes and turns his back while mumbling something under his breath.
Papa grins and turns to Robbie, slapping him on the back. “You’ll find your woman, eventually.”
“Yeah, yeah, like you don’t have Joyce chasing you around,” Robbie grabs a handful of the vegetables and throws them into the large pan on the stove.
Adira giggles and after her Papa gives her a dirty look, I turn her around and lead her to the office. It won’t be long before everyone arrives for the meeting, but I want to have five minutes with her on our own first.
After having a little time with Adira, the door opened and everyone that was required piled into the office. I take a seat next to Adira and lean back, waiting and watching what is going to happen.
Adira addresses the room. “We are waiting for Stella and Warden. They have only just entered the territory, so will be a short while before they arrive. You know we are here to discuss Alpha Rudik and what we need to do. Either he wants ally status with us, or go to war.”
I look from Thorn, to Leo, Rom, Robbie, Mavis, Talon and Blaze. They are all alert and ready for whatever decisions are made. “Do we have any other allies apart from the Dark Water Pack and the Mass Mountain Pack?” I ask.
“No, we are too far away from any other packs. They wouldn’t care if we are annihilated or not, especially with us still be a rogue pack,” Adira responds.
“So, we have ourselves and the two packs. It will work if we have to go to war with the Blue River Pack. Personally, I don’t think he will want war. I’ve met Alpha Rudik at Alpha meetings when I’ve been with my brother as his Beta. He always came across as quiet, controlled, but honest. I’m not sure he’ll want to continue a feud his grandfather started,” I state, easing a little of the tension in the room.
