Page 66 of Welcome Home: When Shifters Unite!
Spinning around, I blush fiercely as Barrik, Leo, and Rom are standing in the doorway. I have to say they all are showing signs of withholding laughter at my expense.
“Oh, I didn’t hear you come in.” I try to steer away from my last comment.
Barrik walks over, scoops me into his arms, and I snuggle against his chest, my chin resting on his chest. The scent of him fills my senses as I look up at him coyly.
“So, you think I’m a good kisser?” Barrik chuckles.
“Shh…” I wriggle with embarrassment, but hearing Mavis, Leo and Rom laughing isn’t helping.
“Okay. I wanted you to know Bernice came over to the farmhouse and gave me a special delivery letter that has arrived from the Elder Council. We have a special, all alpha meeting next week.”
“Wow, that didn’t take them long. Let’s hope all goes as it should and the Elder Council doesn’t give the council warriors a command.”
“Don’t worry, Adira. We are ready if they do, and so is every other Alpha. None of us will be caught unaware, and we all are ready to step forward and protect our nearest packs if anything occurs.” Barrik kisses the top of my head and leads me out of the hall. “Leo, stay and help Mavis, please.”
“I was supposed to be helping Mavis,” I splutter.
“Well, Leo is doing it now. Come on, we are going to raid Robbie’s cookie jar.” Barrik has us trotting over to the farmhouse, and I can’t help thinking he is going to need extra training if he keeps eating all these cookies.
*Barrik*
Things with the pack are settling nicely. The Town Hall office is ready for the sit-and-greet days. The poster that Mavis has designed is quite cool, she’s kept it along the lines of relaxed and nonconfrontational. I liked the way she thought about this, and how to put over a calm and welcoming feeling.
Adira keeps teasing Mavis about the dates with Alan, but she also is making friends with Greta. Greta mated Tarlow Pawfoot, and they have formed a warm friendship. The three of them get into a little mischief, but it’s good to see Adira come out of her Alpha role now and again to just relax and be herself.
We have spent the last week talking to pack members and finding who would move to the new packhouse once the Dark Water Pack vacates. Leo, as our Beta, is going to live over there, and maintain order. Adira and I decided for now to stay here at the farmhouse. We have so much to still organize and learn about the town pre-pack that it is going to be easier to work from here. For now, at least.
Tomorrow we are attending the Elder Council meeting. I have spoken to Rudik, James and other alphas and we are as ready as we are going to be. I hope and pray to the Goddess that all will go smoothly and no bloodshed will occur. Trouble being we have an inner animal that is not scared of fighting.
‘We can fight. It sorts problems quickly.’
“Rawlin, I know, but we can’t go around killing others just because they don’t agree with us.”
Huffing, Rawlin replies again,‘When dead, no argument.’
The door opens, and Adira walks into the office, smiling when she sees me. “I’ve been looking for you.”
“Why?” I ask, grabbing ahold of her and putting her on my lap, while stuffing my nose into her neck and breathing her in. This creates a soft growl from Rawlin.
“I thought we could spend some time upstairs, you know, cleaning out the closet!” Adira is giving me a look that says she’s up to something, but studying her for a moment more I realize.
“Yes, you are perfectly correct. We need to clean the closet.” I pop her onto her feet, grasp her hand and rush out of the office, up the stairs and into our room, closing and locking it before looking at my darling mate who is already stripping out of her clothes.
“You going to show me how well you kiss, Barrik?” Adira all but purrs, and yeah you guessed, I sure show her, and more of what I’m good at.
Stepping into the large auditorium at the Elder Council Headquarters, I look around and see what must be thirty Alphas along with their Betas taking seats ready for the meeting.
Turning, I give Adira a wink, as I can see how tense she is. It has to be hard because she is only one of two females that lead a pack as Alpha, but she is also the only Alpha born female here.
Leo and Thorn are along with us. Leo will sit on my left, while Adira will be on my right. To Adira’s right will be Thorn. James and his Beta will sit next to Leo as we pre-arranged, keeping us tightly together.
“Good morning,” I hear and turn to see Rudik and his Beta taking a seat next to Thorn.
“Good morning.” We all respond, but we say nothing more as we wait for the meeting to commence.
Adira reaches out and squeezes my hand. I wrap her hand in both of mine and look at her, sending as much love to her as I can. Rawlin is ready to rip anyone apart if that is needed, and I can feel Blue is on alert, too.
Turning when the door behind a staged area opens and the eight Elder Council Members appear. They look so sure of themselves that their downfall will be a blessing. I watch intently as they take their seats, looking like kings of old look over their subjects.
