“Male egos, Ember, male egos. They have such an inflated opinion of themselves at times,” I answer her.
“I thought it would be along those lines when I heard what you were going to introduce one of my bats to.”
“He shouldn’t joke about having a harem then, should he?”
“Oh my. Perhaps we can persuade Luna Tati to lend us a dozen of her best physical specimen warriors to take back with us? That would shock Alpha Bronze. It might shake up some of the other pack males, too. I never had any males interested in me before I got my bat, and now they are all so afraid of me that not one of them dare show any hint of interest!” Ember shakes her head and giggles. “Not that I’m looking for one, but a female likes to know she has something that tickles their fancy, now and again.”
“You should wear one of those skintight uniforms more often. They always arouse male interest. I wear mine in the bedroom whenever I want a harder than normal session, and believe me, Bronze can’t help himself.” I grin at the thought.
“I don’t think I need to know any graphic detail, thank you, Luna Taria. So, are we ready to leave for Wolfsfoot town?”
“Yes. Let’s away to see your friend and punish Bronze by way of his wallet!”
Just as we set off to let Tati and Gabe know we are leaving the packhouse, Tati appears as if by magic.
“Would you mind if I joined you? It’s been a while since I went on a female-only jaunt to the town.” She looks as though she expects me to say no, for some reason.
“Of course you can join us. The more, the merrier. It doesn’t look like being a female-only jaunt though,” I say, nodding to the contingent of male warriors hovering behind her.
“Thomas! I don’t need a dozen warriors just to go to town for a few hours.” She stamps her foot in a mock tantrum.
“As Beta to the pack and still the head trainer, until you and Alpha Gabe remember to appoint a Chief Warrior, it is my duty to ensure not only your safety but that of your guest, Luna Taria. Once in the town, they will stay at a discreet distance from you. You will still have Luna Taria’s escort with you. I have no desire to go up against Alpha Gabe in the ring because you stamped your foot and then twisted an ankle!”
“Very well. But a discreet distance had better be far enough that I can buy lingerie without this lot knowing what Alpha Gabe is being treated to.” Thomas blushes, and the warriors take a step further back.
The journey to the town is uneventful, but I notice Ember has more than a casual grip on her bat. When I question her about it as we approach the outskirts of the town, she asks for a word with myself, Luna Tati and Beta Thomas.
“Someone is watching us from the woods. They have been keeping pace with us, I’m sure. I feel it more than I know it. I don’t think they mean to attack us, but they are not wanting our autograph, either.” None of us are stupid enough to look into the woods directly, and I trust Ember’s intuition.
“We should head back immediately.” Thomas turns to speak to his warriors, but Ember grabs his arm to prevent him turning.
“Beta Thomas, stop and think for a moment. We are at the edge of Wolfsfoot. They, whoever they are, cannot hope to do us harm in the town. Turning back now, gives them all the advantage. We don’t know their numbers, they know ours. We are not rested, but they surely will be. They have cover, we do not. Forgive me, but my Luna is going into the town where it is safer. I suggestthat you do the same for yours.” Ember has been respectful throughout, but her tone says her words are not to be ignored.
Ember looks at my escort and then flicks her eyes to the woods. The escorts walk to the opposite side of the road and sit down, take their rations from their backpacks and begin eating. There is the low muttering of a patrol taking their break. Five minutes pass, and they stand, and prepare themselves to move off. Ember nods at them and then gives me a satisfied smirk.
“If your escort are ready now they’ve had their picnic, maybe we can get to the safety of the town, as you suggested.” Thomas’s tone makes me bristle, but Ember gives him a charming smile.
“I’ll happily share a picnic with you sometime, Beta Thomas,” giving an exaggerated curtsy, she leads off.
Once on the busy main street, Tati’s voice suddenly states, “Beta Thomas, you will apologize to Bat Warrior Ember for your rudeness and unprofessional attitude. I will then have her explain to you in the simplest terms about their ‘picnic’.”
Thomas looks as though he has been struck by his Luna, and it is plain for all to see that he knows he has made a mistake.
“You have my sincere apologies for my earlier behavior, Bat Warrior Ember. Please do me the honor of explaining the purpose of having your team take an unexpected break.”
“I accept your apology. My team did not take a break, they performed a well-rehearsed covert maneuver. While they appeared to take the break, one of them shifted to their wolf and slipped away into the woods. As we speak, one of my team is in the woods alone, reconnoitering the enemy position. They will return shortly to make their report.”
“I saw what I expected to see. Very clever. One of your ideas, I presume.” Thomas tilts his head with respect.
Before Ember can respond, I intervene. “One of many ideas that Ember has brought to the table. Before we leave, you should consult with her on your Luna’s security. As much as I hate to have warriors around me at all times, I don’t feel in the least crowded or under scrutiny.” At this moment we see our scout returning, and he has a bloody mark across his chest.
Dropping to the floor in front of us, he is gasping for breath. Ember rips open his shirt, and although the wound is long, it doesn’t look deep.
“There was a single male trailing us. I wounded him, but he was as slippery as an eel. He had a message for you, Ember. He said that he had returned for Hannah, but would happily take your Luna in her stead.”
Ember stands and looks around the street. “Elijah!”
Tati turns to look at me and then Ember. “Leave your Luna in our hands. Warn Hannah, and this time, Ember, if the opportunity arises, kill him. I want that shifter dead.”
