“No. You may not, Fenya Stormhowl. You are a guest of this pack, and of me personally. As Head Warrior for the Wolfsong Pack, you are also aware that guests should be accompanied byan escort at all times.” I raise my hand to silence her when I know she is going to argue that she was with Sloane. “And that said escort should be in relation to any danger that the guest may be put, or put themselves in. Running free in the woods far from the packhouse warrants more than a single warrior, wouldn’t you agree? I doubt that it varies between packs. Knowing that, you took it upon yourself to not only risk your own safety, but that of one of my warriors. One that will now face punishment for the same reason.”
I look at Sloane who is holding her head up but clearly worried that she did not think of this earlier. I know she is not worried about any consequences, but it is clear that when setting out on the run she did not consider Fenya’s status as a guest.
“When we return to the packhouse, you will go immediately to the guest suite where you will remain, under guard, until I see fit to talk further on this infraction.” I try not to snarl, but it is said sharply.
Turning back to Glen, I listen to his description of the camp and the details that he was given by both Fenya and Sloane of the mysterious Number Seven, as they call him. I am particularly interested in his all-black eyes. This fact alone triggers something within me, but I’m not sure what.
We will talk later about these all-black eyes. I know what they could represent.Hunter nudges my awareness.
After a short break, we begin the return journey to the packhouse. Although much calmer now that I know Fenya and Sloane are safe, I’m ashamed to admit that Fenya’s safety was higher on my priorities than one of my own pack.
I sense someone approach my right side and I glance to see Fenya running beside me. “Whatever you are about to say, HeadWarrior Fenya Stormhowl of the Wolfsong Pack, you can save for later. I told you I demanded the same respect from you, that I afforded you, did I not? Do you think putting yourself, as my guest, and no matter what your opinion of me is, my fated mate, and one of my warriors in danger, shows that respect? Think on this while in the guest suite. We will talk later. After we have spoken, you may feel differently about joining me for the ‘pickernic’ I had arranged for us. Now…kindly return to your position within your escort and remain there for the rest of the journey.”
“Escort, or guard now?” I hear her ask quietly and almost subserviently.
Watching for her response, I state, “I’d prefer escort while in the woods, but I’m happy to reassign it as whatever is deemed necessary. It will be guard at the packhouse as you clearly cannot be trusted with your own safety.”
“Whatever damage I have done here, you should know, I am truly sorry.” With that, she drops back, and we return to the packhouse without further words between us.
The interview with Earl and Glen is short and brutal. I do not waste time with niceties or formalities. I accept Glen’s explanation that he wanted to get to Sloane and Fenya as quickly as possible, and that it was not due to any feelings of self-recrimination by letting them run alone. I was intrigued when he stated that he hadn’t thought of her as a guest during training and more of a pack member or even warrior comrade.
Earl admitted to concerns over Fenya’s safety and wanted clearer information before speaking to me. I know that he was also trying to have Glen’s back in all of this, but reminded them both that they should have my back, first and foremost. They were both to engage in tactical theory training with the warriorsfor an extra two hours per day. I later thought I may have punished the warriors more than my chief and Beta.
Before they leave, I arrange the recon mission to no-man’s-land that Bronze thought up, and that I discussed with Fenya. Reiterating the importance of secrecy for this mission, I allow Earl to lead it and Glen to choose the team with him. Only the two of them are to know the mission's purpose, and Earl can inform the team as they arrive at their destination.
Sloane’s punishment conversation was equally enlightening. When told that her punishment was to guard Fenya for the rest of her stay in shifts of sixteen hours on, eight off, she asked for a more severe punishment. She did not feel that it was severe enough for her mistake, as she liked Fenya and considered her a friend.
“Sloane, you have just said yourself, you made a mistake. You are not being punished for a crime, only for a mistake in judgement. They seem to be prevalent at the moment. You will be in close proximity to Fenya for sixteen hours, however, as her guard you will not have the luxury of conversation or friendship.”
Finally, alone in the office, I get time to consider the day's events. I can’t recall ever having lost my cool so much, ever. Lost my cool enough to curse, too.
Hunter says reassuringly.That was because you were concerned for Fenya. It is understandable and forgivable.
‘I still have to deal with that issue.’
I suggest you do so in a much calmer manner than in recent conversations. Your feelings for her mean that your buttons are much more easily pushed.
‘What has Astra had to say? Anything useful?’ I ask, nosily.
We are not discussing it. We have no problems regarding the Goddess’ choice. You humans, however, are a different story. You need to resolve them yourselves and quickly. The Goddess doesn’t like to have her choices questioned and may withdraw the mating.
‘I’m going to get freshened up before I have to face anything else. Maybe when I’m all clean and sparkly I’ll be able to deal with Fenya in a reasonable manner.’
Clean and sparkly? You sound like Flick or Blossom. Have you been spending time around them I don’t know about?Hunter chuckles in his deep wolfy way.
‘I don’t know where that came from. I’m tired. Leave me be.’
Laughing at myself, I head for the Alpha Suite and a long, hot shower. Passing the guest suite, I’m tempted to get this over and done with, but decide discretion is the better part of valor, and the shower is a better place to be right now.
Opening the door to my suite I stop and stare. The pickernic! I forgot that I’d asked Flick to set it up in here. We’re supposed to be having storms today and tomorrow, so I asked if she could make it realistic indoors. Perhaps this atmosphere will relax my mood enough to stay civil. Good luck with that today.
Out of the shower and dressed casually in a t-shirt and jeans, I poke my head out of the door and call to Sloane. “Warrior Sloane, please escort our guest to my suite at her earliest convenience. Casual attire is the order of the day.”
I’m sure that my own warrior guard would love to smirk at what he thinks is going to happen behind these closed doors, but he wouldn’t dare.
Sloane is knocking on the guest suite door as I close my own door. Expecting to be kept waiting a ‘femininely’ amount of time, I’m surprised when only moments later there is a knock on the door.
“Enter.” The door opens and Fenya steps in. She looks around the room before her eyes settle on the blankets and food set out across the floor.
