Page 8 of Spirit Walker Pack (Kingdom of Wolves #5)

LYLE

Hunter is driving me crazy, ever since he smelled our mate on Alpha Falan he’s lost all rational thought.

I’m not sure, to be fair, how much rational thought he had to start with, but what he did have has gone south.

I want my mate as much as he does but we can’t just leave the pack and go wandering around other pack lands in search of her.

I’ve given in by agreeing to go to Blood Pearl pack and confirm that it’s not Beta Raina, but that’s as far as I’m willing to go at this stage.

You know we should follow Alpha Falan to his pack if she is not at Blood Pearl. We need to find her and make her ours!

‘At any normal time, I would agree with you Hunter, but with the rogue threat, these are not normal times.’

The pack is well defended, and we can be spared for a few days.

‘You sound like a spoiled human child. I am not going to Wolfsong Pack and that’s final!’

Ha! Now who sounds like a spoiled child!

Deciding that this is going nowhere I begin making plans for the journey to the Blood Pearl Pack.

Beta Earl and Chief Warrior Glen won’t be happy when I tell them they will be staying here to look after the pack and deal with any rogue incursions, but that’s why they have the positions they have.

I can trust that they will do whatever it takes and make any tough decisions that will need to be made in my absence.

Warriors Lucas, Eli and Sloane will go with me, and Glen can decide who the other three warriors will be that make up my escort. I know he will call it my protection detail, but I’m still stubborn enough to think I don’t need protection.

You will need protection when our mate finds out that you did not immediately go in search of her!

The phone on my desk rings and I snatch it up quickly, ending the chance for Hunter to continue his constant jibes. “Alpha Lyle speaking.”

“Good morning, Alpha Lyle. How are you this fine day?” Taria’s voice almost tinkles down the phone.

“I’m good, thank you, Luna Taria. Not as good as you seem to be. You sound like you just hung the moon, all on your own and with no step ladder.”

“That’s because I have something to tell you.”

“It sounds like good news, and that’s always welcome. Wait. You’re not having a pup already?” Not knowing where that thought came from, I hear Taria laughing on the line.

“Oh Goddess, no! I’m enjoying the practice too much to get pregnant and spoil it! Better news than even that.”

“I give in. I don’t know what could be better than that.” Waiting, I hear Bronze in the background telling Taria to stop teasing me.

“It seems the Goddess has seen fit to mate Lavender to one of our warriors.”

“WHAT? Seriously? That is fantastic news. Not for me, but for Lavender. At last, she’ll be able to get the attention she has craved. Oh, that is wonderful news. Are they both happy with each other?”

“Well, Lavender appears to have forgotten you in an instant. Her friend, Jade, tells me that Lavender has certainly transferred her addiction from you to Wylder in a heartbeat. Wylder is a bit more cautious. Happy to have found his mate, but wary of rushing in. I think Lavender may have frightened him somewhat with her intensity , shall we say?” Hearing Bronze laughing in the background, I have to ask what he finds amusing.

Taria continues, “Wylder is easily the largest warrior in the pack. In fact, he’s the largest anything in the pack.

He is enormous. Well over 6’ tall. His shoulders touch both sides of a door frame.

His wolf’s name is Goliath, so that should tell you something.

For him to be ‘on a back foot’ is so out of character.

Only our Chief Warrior Adaline’s wolf, Star, can beat Goliath in the ring.

Wylder refuses to fight her as his human self, because of their size difference.

She’s tried everything to get him in the ring but short of an Alpha order, he won’t do it.

Both Bronze and myself have spoken to him about it.

If Adaline is willing to fight him, he should do it.

He’ll go up against anyone else, but not her.

He is adamant that there would be nothing to be gained by having them fight.

They have a sibling relationship and although they have no blood ties, it’s wonderful to see them together. ”

“I wonder then how Lavender will react to Adaline? Lavender is known for her jealousy but not her patience or tolerance,” I respond.

“Have no fear there, Lyle. Adaline spoke to Lavender immediately she heard of the Goddess’ choice. If she steps out of line, Adaline will be there, waiting for it to happen.”

“I hope it all works out well for them. Thank you for breaking the news to me. I will rest easier now, knowing that Lavender has finally found someone.”

“I doubt Lavender will be returning to your pack, so be ready for her to leave. Goodbye, Lyle.”

“Goodbye, Taria. Say bye to Bronze for me.”

Wow! That was not something I ever expected to happen. I wonder how Jade will react to losing her best friend from the pack?

As I expected, Earl and Glen were not happy to be left behind.

I had to smile as I explained that they were not being ‘left behind’ but left in a position of great responsibility.

How many alphas have had this exact same conversation over the years, I wonder?

I suspect every alpha that has left their pack lands has gone through it.

I’m sure if I were a beta, I’d be just the same.

The journey to the border with Blood Pearl was uneventful, with no rogue attack, so perhaps they don’t have the spy network in place in Spirit Walker that they seem to have elsewhere.

FLINT

Arriving at our border, I instructed the border guards not to inform anyone of my return, only to be told that they had heard my motorcycle approaching and had already done so.

After scolding them for acting without seeing who it was first, they told me they had informed the duty warrior who was Roul.

Mind linking with Council Member Sage Blueblood, I inform her of what little I know in regard to Porter Riverrun and Arric being his son.

The former Eclipse Luna is probably the council member that I have had the least contact with, and as such the least likely that anyone would expect me to link with on such a matter.

Asking her to have the council assembled at the council building's entrance when I arrive is a precaution. I fully expect Porter, if the allegations are true, to have some of his network arrest me as soon as I return and make false accusations to muddy the waters. Being so close to home now, my senses would normally relax, but Bruno is on high alert. I wouldn’t put it past Porter to attempt something desperate to prevent my arrival.

Taking my lead from Bruno, I slow down to an almost sedate speed compared to the last few hours and pay more attention to my surroundings.

It doesn’t take long before I see the Council Headquarters in the distance.

As I get closer, I see more than the usual number of guards at the entrance and the allegations against Porter may be true.

Pulling up at the entrance, eight guards detach themselves and follow Roul down the steps to surround me. Roul then informs me I am under arrest for treason, and am to be escorted to a place of restraint immediately.

Hearing Roul’s voice in my mind, he states, ‘ Flint! Do not resist. We are taking you to the Council. I have spoken to Sage. ’

Maintaining my air of indignation, I allow myself to be shepherded into the building. Seeing how some of the bystanders are looking at me confirms my suspicion that Porter has begun his campaign to slur my name.

Once we are at the Council Chambers, Roul orders the guards to stay outside and to allow no one entry.

Inside the chamber, I see all the Council are assembled, including Porter.

Once the doors are closed securely, Roul steps away from me, tilts his head to the side and apologizes for the way I was greeted.

Sage then approaches me. “My fault, Flint, not Roul’s.

I made some discreet enquiries of my own after our conversation and discovered Porter’s plans to have you arrested and to discredit you on your return.

It was predictable and far from subtle. When I broached the subject with Roul, he knew more than anyone the lengths Porter has been going to.

Roul’s family has been held hostage for some time.

As we speak, they are being escorted to a safe place until we have this mess cleared up. ”

Looking at Porter, he hasn’t moved or said a word. “Don’t waste your time with him, Flint. He has been administered a large dose of wolfsbane. He won’t be mind linking with anyone anytime soon.” Lykos gives me a wolfish grin as he says this.

Taking my designated seat in the chambers, I tell them of the suspicion raised by Alpha Falan. I’m surprised when no one voices any doubts.

Chet Blueblood then informs me, “As soon as Sage was aware, she had all of Porter’s finances and records seized.

It didn’t take my beautiful and intelligent mate long to trace large amounts being transferred to several unlikely accounts.

It wasn’t all his own funds that were transferred, either.

She approached Lykos, and he suggested that we need to isolate Porter as soon as possible, and in such a way that we could keep up the appearance that everything was still running smoothly in his network.

In only the time it has taken you to get here, we believe we have the names of everyone involved.

Roul was extremely helpful once he knew that his parents and two sisters were safe. ”

“Porter had me in such a position that I dared not come to any of you. I will resign from the Council Warriors as soon as you are convinced you have everyone that has been involved. I am thoroughly ashamed that I was so easily bent to his will.” Roul hangs his head in shame, and I can only feel sorry for him.

To have been put in such a position is something we can all only fear.

We cannot say that we would have acted any differently when loved ones were at such risk.

“Well, I don’t know about the rest of you,” says Cinder Walker, “but if anyone asks me about Roul’s part in all this, I will just grin and infer that he was planted by this council into Porter’s network. It will not look good on all of us as the council otherwise.”

Grinning broadly, I agree with her sentiment.

“Indeed, we need to protect the packs more than ever, and for us to be seen to be deceived so easily will only weaken our cause, and strengthen Arric’s position.

I believe I have known Porter longer than anyone here, and I had no idea that he had any family whatsoever, let alone that Arric was his son.

What we do now will define how good we are as a Council. ”

The next hours are spent trying to come up with a plan to correct the damage done by Porter to not just the Council, but the sector as a whole. But in the end, we all agree that there is really only one solution, and Lykos is the voice of reason.

“Any action we take of our own volition right now will be seen as an attempt to cover up the facts. I can only see one course of action that would benefit our sector. We call an Alpha meeting, as we were going to anyway, but we travel to them. I suggest we hold the meeting at Wolfsfoot Pack with Alpha Gabe's approval, of course, as it’s the central point for everyone. We all attend, including Porter. We take any and all evidence we have and for want of a better phrase, throw ourselves on their mercy.” Lykos looks around the room and we all nod in agreement.

Cinder speaks. “In that case, let’s set the date for three days' time. Roman and I will speak to Lyle at Spirit Walker. Chet and Sage, arrange with your son Bronze at Eclipse. Merry, you can speak to Alpha Connell at Blackshadow. Lykos, arrange with Gabe for the meeting to be held at Wolfsfoot pack. That just leaves Flint to coordinate with Gerry at Blood Pearl. Let’s light a fire under ourselves and get this sorted.

We don’t have long before we need to be on our way.

Roul, you are now the head of our security detail.

Names, numbers, it’s all down to you. Ensure we are fully prepared for anything that the rogues may send at us in transit.

We may have missed one here and they will delight in wiping out an entire council. ”

Listening to Cinder, I regret not having a mate by my side. I envy all my council members for their relationships.