“It fits now, you arrogant prick!” There is a stunned silence all around her until one of the rogues lets out a cheer. Before you can say, ‘the king is dead, long live the king,’ the rogues are giving three cheers for the bat warrior.
As Ember walks back toward us, she gets handshakes and pats on the back from both our warriors and rogues alike. Looking at Taria she shrugs and smiles. “Well, he wanted his crown to fit, and I’m no jeweler!”
Chapter 34
LYLE
It’s been a month already since we defeated Arric, and his planned ‘Kingdom’. I still can’t help smiling when I recall how Fenya describes how he met his end on Ember’s bat. I shouldn’t think this way, but I do wish I’d been there to see it firsthand. Ember stating, ‘I’m not a jeweler!’ Priceless.
Not sure what to do with all the captured rogues, it was Tati that put forward a suggestion that we all, at first, thought was madness. When she explained it and we put it to a small group of the rogues, it became a rollercoaster and was soon embraced by the majority. Of the few who were vocal in their opposition, we left it to their peers to decide what should be done with them.
Tati’s suggestion? For the rogues to go back to their no-man’s-land and build their own town, much like Wolfsfoot had done years before. Our packs would supply any knowledge and expertise that they lacked to get it up and running.
When we took stock of all the skills available to them, they were already well covered. There were architects, construction crews, shopkeepers, hunters, bakers. They were all there just waiting for a chance to showcase their abilities.
It was agreed that the town would be a minimum of three hours from our borders. This was purely a security measure as that was a reasonable distance if another Arric should try to rise from the ashes, not that we expected one. The rogues had made it very clear that they were not going to be railroaded into becoming someone else’s army again.
We agreed that once they were established and began to produce excess food or trade goods, we would trade with them. We would help support them until they could reach the self-sufficiency. All of our packs were happy with this. All stood with the rogues to help them attain a better life for themselves.
They decided among themselves to run elections for the town council. Something we never broached. Tati said that she would ask the Wolfsfoot Town Council if they would help with that being set up. All-in-all, it seemed that it was going to be a brighter future for all concerned.
There’s a victory celebration being held in Wolfsfoot Town in the morning, and all the packs will send representatives. All the Alphas and Lunas will be attending, along with the Shifter council. Flint has been told that although he has since resigned from the council, he is expected to be there as an honorary member.
Since moving to the Spirit Walker pack lands, he’s supervised the construction of a new home for himself and Flick, and what a home. Fortunately, he’s been too busy to pester me. I know that time is coming, though. I feel it in my bones!
I know they discussed the design because Flick told Fenya that she had reduced the number of bedrooms from seven to five. She said she didn’t want to become a grandma before she’d got all her own children off to school!
All the packs held their own celebrations after the war, and some of the rogues were allowed to attend. When the dust had settled from the fighting it became clear that Arric had been maneuvered into the war by the Shadow Clan. Although the full extent of that organization is still shrouded in mystery, enough were uncovered to get the message across that this would not be tolerated in the future. If necessary, all packs would again unite to put an end to their shenanigans, once and for all.
Traveling to Wolfsfoot, it is surprisingly quiet and calm in the woods and forests. I suppose after being on alert for so long, it will take a while to adjust to a peaceful life again.
It’s a large group of us, what with Alpha and Luna protection, pack members attending the celebration, and rogues that we have accepted responsibility for while they are there. Of course, we have Flint as part of our entourage, too.
Fenya had been surprisingly quiet when I returned to the pack. I was worried that something had happened during the battle, that no one had told me about, and that it had upset her. After a couple of days, she opened up and told me it was nothing to worry about. She had wanted to face Arric and be the one to rid the world of him. He had come for her or Taria, after all. I don’t think she’ll ever lose that bloodthirsty warrior side of her personality, and to be honest, I wouldn’t want her to.
Fenya has quite a social circle now, and I’m pleased for her. Flick, Blossom and especially Sloane are almost her inner circle. She could easily extend well beyond that if she chose. She hastaken over the responsibility of the Spirit Walkers' help for the rogues, and is doing well with it.
I spoke to her at length when she was thinking of being their mentor for warrior training. I explained that although they would need to look into that, it was far into the future for that kind of thing. I also pointed out that it would be unwise for our best warrior to be training what could still be an enemy force, if things didn’t work out.
One thing that I noticed that surprised me a little was seeing Jade as a team leader in the Luna Protection Detail. It took a little prodding, but Fenya eventually told me of Jade’s request to leave the pack and her response. I was proud of the way she handled that, I must say. Jade has taken to her role with gusto, and I’ve noticed a few of the males eyeing her with a little more than professional interest.
Arriving at Wolfsfoot, I see that we are the last pack to arrive. Greeting all the other Alphas and Lunas, we join them for refreshments and a buffet meal. It isn’t long before Flick has deserted Flint, and is deep in conversation with Summer Bowhunter, Wolfsfoot’s new kitchen manager.
She is the mother of Tati’s best friend and honorary brother, Brod. It will be interesting to meet Brod again. I haven’t seen him for a couple of years at least. Since becoming a fully qualified warrior and leaving home, his mother has been at a bit of a loose end living at the farm she and her mate, Adam, took over from Lykos and Akela Greyfoot, Tati’s adopted parents. It didn’t take Tati long to persuade her that her talents were wasted at the farmhouse, and Tati had her eating out of her hand in no time.
There is a ball planned for this evening, a victory ball. We all know that the real purpose, especially with having all the packsrepresented, is that it is a mating ball. The packs look for any excuse to mingle and bring in fresh blood, as it were.
Once we’ve all eaten, we retire to our various suites, cottages or wherever Gabe and Tati have made room for us. After a quick shower to freshen up, I lay with Fenya tucked into my side, and we relax, preparing for the evening's events. I know we won’t have long because I’ve arranged a surprise for Fenya.
A leisurely hour later and there is a knock on the door. Asking Fenya if she could see who it is, I carefully hide my smile. Watching the door open and her body stiffen with surprise I let my smile escape.
“Falan! What? I didn’t know you were going to be here.” Turning to me she squeals with delight. “Did you know Falan was coming? Why didn’t you say something? This is a wonderful surprise. Come in.”
Falan walks in, and they share a hug, which has me unable to stifle a growl, I have to say. After only a brief few words, Falan asks if he can whisk me away for a chat. I think Fenya is going to lose her cool for a moment, but then calms down and accepts Falan’s request gracefully.
As we reach the door, Falan turns to Fenya once again. “I brought a little diversion with me I thought you’d appreciate while I steal your mate from you.” Opening the door, I see a female standing there. They stare at each other for a second and then launch at each other with a scream.
“Zephyra!” Fenya squeals, and they literally burst into tears at the same time. Getting an outrageous wink from Falan, we leave the room and let them have their catch-up time together. I’m sure they’ll have a lot to talk about.
