Page 10

*Thorn*

M e! A Delta for the pack, who would have imagined that I would even want to be a member of a pack, never mind an officer of one. But I have to admit to myself I feel very proud to have been chosen by Alpha Adira, and I’ll do everything in my power to be the best Delta any pack has ever seen.

I pack up the small room that I rent in town and quickly carry my meagre belongings to the farmhouse. It feels odd coming to this place, and I hope I fit in with everyone, especially Robbie, who is around the place more than anyone else with basically being the cook, cleaner and go-to man.

Walking into the kitchen, carrying the corrugated box I packed my clothing into, Robbie looks up from where he’s peeling potatoes, and asks. “Oh, is that all you have? Or, you going to fetch more?”

Sighing, because I knew someone would mention how little I have. “Nope, this is what I have.”

“Well, that’s not going to do, now is it? You know Mavis and Adira will get you more,” Robbie cackles to himself and peels faster and I’m thinking he best be careful or he’ll have no fingers left.

“No need. I can only wear one thing at a time,” I grumble because honestly, I don’t need anyone feeling bad for me. When you’ve moved around as much as I have you tend not to own much as you have to carry it everywhere, which makes it heavy baggage.

“Fourth door on the right is yours,” Robbie informs me as I leave the kitchen and head into the hallway and the staircase.

Half an hour later I’ve left my few things in what is now my room, had a freshen up and stood looking out of the bedroom window for a few minutes. “You think we’re doing the right thing, Kaabya?”

‘We will be happy here. We have been alone for a long time, and I’m good at that, as it is my nature. But it feels different here because of the way everyone supports each other.’

“I hope we won’t start to feel caged in, and need to wander. Taking on the role of Delta is important and makes us important to the pack.”

‘The pack isn’t just one species, Thorn. The bears, lions, and wolves are all working together. We are all animals, and should live more peacefully.’

“Let’s see what happens, but if we need to leave, I will make sure that I give Alpha Adira time to replace us.”

Now, I’m caught off-guard when Kaabya yowls with anger in the back of my mind.

‘Nobody replaces us.’ I hear right before Kaabya throws a wall between us in my mind and cuts off the conversation.

It seems my leopard likes it here and doesn’t want to leave.

He also likes the position and the responsibility that comes with it. Who would have thought it?

Downstairs in the kitchen, Stella is sitting at the table sliding an empty plate away from herself. “Oh, hi, Thorn. Are you ready to go on patrol? I want to show you an area I found yesterday. I think it may need adding to our patrol schedule.”

“I’m ready when you are. Are you saying we have a blind spot on our border?”

Stella stands and steps away from the table, picking up her plate and rinsing it in the sink. “I think we have, but I’d like a second opinion. If it is as I think it is, then you would have to discuss it with Leo as you both organize the patrols.”

“Come on, let’s get out of here and look at this area you are worried about.”

Two hours later, we have patrolled the usual area we cover and made our way to the area Stella is worried about.

It’s silent, which has Kaabya on alert. It’s too quiet.

I’m hearing no birdsong or any animals moving in the underbrush.

I flick my eyes to Stella and her wolf, Iris, is standing with her ears pricked and on full alert.

As I decide to shift back to my human form I notice a movement, and freeze waiting for what I saw to move again. Iris growls under her breath, and I see her hackles rising.

I allow Kaabya full control, and settle back in our mind, watching what was catching both his and Iris’s attention. It only takes a few minutes before a tiger shifter surges through the underbrush and tries to dart past us.

Iris jumps on top of the tiger, and a fight ensues. I jump in, as and when I can, but I have a feeling the tiger isn’t trying to kill Iris, just keeps her away from himself.

Using the pack link, I shout out to Stella. “Stop, Iris. I don't think the shifter is trying to hurt you severely. More like he just wants to pass us.”

We both shift back to our human form, and as the tension eases, the tiger shifter also shifts. “What are you doing in our territory?” I ask.

“I want to speak to the Alpha. I left my family as it was getting too large. But I don’t want to be solitary anymore.

I’m sick of having to watch my back all the time.

I heard about the town becoming a pack, and that you have all species here.

Shifters and humans who live in harmony.

I want to join if the Alpha would allow it. ”

“Okay, you can come and speak with Alpha Adira, but we’ll be watching you.”

Stella takes the lead, with the shifter behind, and I bring up the rear. “What is your name?” I ask.

“My name is Romulus, but I prefer to be called Rom.”

“Okay, Rom. We all work here. No-one has a free ride, so you will need to give our Alpha details of what you are good at, and how you will be a good pack member, bringing something worthwhile to the table.” I am not sure why I am giving him information to get Alpha Adira to allow him the opportunity, but I have a feeling he’s a good shifter.

Back at the farmhouse, Stella and I lead Rom to the small office Alpha Adira has created.

Leo is inside the office already, so I give him a chin lift, and leave Stella to explain what happened.

I’m sure he’ll become a pack member as he has a good aura about him, and he made no fuss when he walked here with Stella and I.

Walking into the basement, I inspect the area. The work so far has been excellent. A metal girder has been installed to strengthen the ceiling, and ceiling to floor shelving, which can be used as storage or book cases. The safe is now standing proudly, and the studded wall is fixed.

I think the idea of using the school basement is ideal, but this one can be used in the same manner if anyone is near at the time danger ensues.

We may need to think of a stronger door, something that can’t so easily be broken down in a forced entry.

It’s something we’ll have to consider. I want to discuss this with Alpha Adira, and the school basement which I know is being emptied of the piled up old books and other things that have been stored for years.

Walking back upstairs, I see the office door is open, but the room is empty. I make my way to the kitchen, which seems to be where everyone congregates. Yes, it’s where everyone has grouped together.

Alpha Adira is sitting at the head of the table, drinking what I imagine is the chamomile tea she seems to love. Leo, Stella, Robbie, Mavis and Rom are talking pleasantly with each other.

“You’re back, Thorn. We are going to initiate Rom into the pack in a few minutes.

He’s going to stay here in the bedroom next to yours.

That’s all the bedrooms taken, but if needed, we can change some of the empty rooms downstairs into bedrooms. Let’s face it, we only use the kitchen, office and the living room.

Then we have three rooms sitting vacant.

” Alpha Adira gives everyone a smile because she’s fixing every problem she faces, and I have to admit it warms my stony heart to see it.

“Is there anything you need me to do specifically today, Alpha?” I ask, but turn to look at Leo when he chuckles.

“In the farmhouse we call her by her first name, so Adira is enough. We say Alpha Adira, or Alpha when we are in meetings, outdoors around others or in a specific official capacity,” Leo states in response to my raised eyebrowed look.

“Okay,” I respond, but look at Adira for the reply to my question.

“He’s right. I like to be Adira when I’m home.

Being Alpha Adira is wearing, it drags you down somewhat, but when here I’m just me,” Adira gives me a gentle smile, then continues.

“I’d like you to pop over to check on the school basement.

I think they should get it empty today, then we can clean it and give it a lick of paint. You know, freshen it up.”

“I can do that. I’ll go over there now.”

“Good. While you do that, I’ll get Rom here into the pack and find out what he’s good at, so we can put him to good use.”

I head out to the school and it’s only about ten minutes after I arrive that I feel Rom join the pack.

Adira mind links everyone to introduce him, and stop any panic arising from a sudden addition to the pack.

The pack is growing slowly, but with solid people who care about each other and standing firmly in what we believe is right.

The basement is empty, but it is filthy, and is going to take a lot of cleaning. I look around when I hear my name called and see Tarlo, one of the Town Council Members walking towards me.

“How are you, Thorn?” Tarlo asks as he stops at the side of me, rolling his sleeves up above his elbows.

“I’m good. Thanks for asking. And yourself?”

“I’m good. I’m here to help clean out the basement. I’m sure Maisie Blackthorn is going to need a boot up her ass to get her helping, but if she doesn’t, I’m more than happy to run her out of town.” Tarlo gives me a smirk that says he’s right behind his words.

“Well, I hope she pulls herself together because it’s hard out there on your own. She has no idea what being a true rogue means, but she will if she keeps up her lazy ways.” I turn when I see Maisie walk in with Greta, one of the young mothers right behind her.

“Get a broom and get moving. We have to get this done today, not next week,” Greta snaps at Maisie.

Oh dear, trouble already, I’m thinking. But I have to admit it is amusing watching someone put Maisie in her place.

She is renowned for being lazy, and living off everyone else's kindness. Tarlo strolls over to Greta and wraps an arm around her shoulders, guiding her to the other end of the basement. What surprises me is Greta doesn’t push his arm off!

“Maisie, get the damn broom and get moving. I don’t have all day,” I snap at her because she is looking at the broom like it will magically jump up and do all the sweeping for her.

Four hours later, a tired Greta, Tarlo, Elena, Troy and I walk out of the basement with a bedraggled, filthy and whining Maisie behind us.

Not one of us cares a cuss that she’s had to work hard, and that has to have been a fresh experience for her.

I bet she’s going to be stiff tomorrow, maybe even walking like a zombie! I can’t wait to see it.

As we walk away, I hear Troy and Tarlo muttering to Elena.

I only catch a few words, but it seems that they are trying to convince her of something, and she is not readily agreeing.

It has something to do with the school, and unless I miss my guess, they want her to step in as the new school principal.

I have enough to deal with, so I leave them to it and wish them good luck with their endeavors. Elena is no pushover.