Page 11

*Adira*

S itting in the office I state, “Robbie needs to do more weapons training, Leo. I know you have been doing some with him, but I think with all the threats, we need to step that up. Maybe Thorn can do some with him, and Rom, he has told us he’s a good fighter.

” I look up from the letter Bernice had brought to the house this morning.

She was in a hurry to hand it to me, so she must have considered it important.

She had handed me two, in fact, this one and one, with an official Elder Council stamp on the front.

“Okay, I’ll speak with Thorn and see what time he can find to teach Robbie more fighting, because his weapon training has gone well.

He can fire anything you hand over to him at this point in time.

He’ll make an excellent sniper one of these days.

But if he gets in a scuffle he’s the underdog, and not just because of being human against a shifter, but he has no fighting skills whatsoever. ”

Leo turns to leave the office, then stops and gives me a serious look. “We need to up your training too, Adira. I know we are doing some in the evenings, but that’s only for an hour, and it’s just not enough. Blue needs to learn more, even though she is fast on her feet.”

“Yes, I think you're right. Blue has mentioned she wants to learn more, so how about we keep the hour in the evening, and add Sunday morning up to lunch at least?” I’m hoping he’ll agree to that because time is limited with everything I’m having to learn in regard to running the pack.

“Alpha Adira. We have a Travis Blackbird at the edge of the border demanding to speak with you.”

The mind link is from one of the patrol warriors, and I know he is a great warrior as I watched him fight last week.

He has speed and agility, which you would expect from a panther.

I quickly reply, as I want nothing happening before I can get to the border.

“Tell him he has to wait outside the border or it will be seen as an act of aggression and we will act immediately. I am on my way.”

Walking out of my office I pass Leo, who is speaking with Robbie, but seeing my urgency he chases me out of the kitchen, and farmhouse.

I am not going to arrive at the border sweating and looking out of place.

I’m the Alpha of this pack and I will appear as one.

I walk swiftly, as I don’t want to leave my patrol warriors worrying.

“What’s going on?” Leo asks, and I am not a bit surprised he is keeping pace with me.

“We have another visitor from the Blackbird Pack. My ex-mate, you know, the one that mated to my ‘not’ sister.” I did finger quotes on the not, and it had Leo smirking at my sarcasm.

“I’ve called Thorn and Rom to the border. We don’t know if this asshole has brought any backup with him. But he’ll find he’s not so brave when he’s met with a lion, tiger, panther and leopard. Oh, and of course, let’s not forget a furious she-wolf named Blue.”

I smirk because I can just imagine what that would look like to anyone coming here thinking they could intimidate us. Nodding at Leo, I give a push on my pace because, honestly; I want to see what happens next.

As I’m walking, I think about the letter I’d just opened which I’d left on my desk for my attention when I get back. It is from Cayden, Spirit of Battle. Well, that’s how the letter was signed. Sounds regal if you ask me, but then all dragons think they are something special.

I don’t have time to think about what the letter entailed as we reach the border and the standoff between an angry Travis in his wolf form, which is Cloud, who I know didn’t want to be rejected, as he wanted Blue, for his mate.

Rajah, Talon’s panther is pacing in front of the border, letting it be known he’s ready for a fight if one is coming. But what surprises me is Travis is alone. The vehicle behind is empty.

I take a stand behind Rajah, with Leo on my right. I hear footfalls and in seconds Thorn and Rom appear, both in human form, but they are both looking ready for anything that may develop.

“What do you want, Travis?” I ask and ignore the whine that Cloud gives to Blue. Blue ignores him, as she is of the opinion he could have stopped Travis from mating with Joliee. But both myself and Blue know he had to be compliant to complete the mating mark bite.

“I need you to come to the pack. Explain that Joliee is my mate, and that you were not. I need the pack to find peace, and they are not accepting that I mated and marked Joliee thinking you were my Goddess given mate.”

“But it’s the truth, isn’t it? I was your mate, and if you think I’m coming to your pack to tell lies to save you and Joliee, you are very much mistaken.

The mess you are in is of your own doing.

It has nothing to do with me. I rejected you, and you accepted it.

Now move on, sort out your own dirty laundry.

Maybe you should have realized that Joliee isn’t Luna material before you put that mark on her neck.

Now, move along before my men here, show you what real shifter men are made of.

” I don’t wait for his reply. I walk away, blocking out his shouts.

I don’t stop when I hear fighting erupt, and I don’t care which one has taken him on, either.

Back at the farmhouse, I’m sitting behind my office desk and studying the letter.

Thank you for contacting me regarding my cousin Blaflono. I knew he was deceased as I felt the familial connection snap. He disappeared from my life when his mate died, becoming a recluse, which is natural for a dragon unless they find a new mate quickly.

As for his possessions! Well, I think he would have liked the town to benefit from what you may find.

I am going to schedule a visit, and while with you, I will sign anything that will dot I’s and cross T’s completing legalities.

I would, however, like to retrieve our family Bible, which has our family lineage registered within it.

Oh, I will check his bank details, as I know he had sold his gold and jewels when Melusinda died. His mate collected pretty things, particularly blue, hence he had a lot of sapphires in his collection. I will update on this when I visit.

Again, thank you for contacting, and I look forward to meeting you.

Cayden–Spirit of Battle

To say I’m relieved is an understatement.

We all know dragons can be ornery creatures, and they have the worst tempers you could imagine.

We also cannot fight them as we’d end up cremated from the flame they’d easily breathe on you.

I’ve only seen a dragon once, and that was when I was a pup.

It was a female, and she was huge in my eyes, but now thinking about it, she’d be around six feet in height, I would think at a guess.

She was fit, not even a little fat on her bones. She was spectacular; I have to admit.

Taking out a piece of paper from the top drawer of the desk, I write a reply.

Dear Cayden-Spirit of Battle,

I thank you for your speedy response. We are happy to know we didn’t alert you to Blaflono’s passing.

I asked in the town what happened, and it appears a hunter found him, and after setting a trap, killed him.

The town heard Blaflono’s roar and ran to help, but it was too late.

They did, however, kill the hunter, not allowing him the escape he was in the process of making.

I hope that helps ease your feelings of loss, and wanting retribution.

We also thank you for the kindness you are showing us regarding the farmhouse, which the town council had claimed.

We are living in the house, as the pack house.

It’s a long story and one I will tell you when you visit.

I will also look for the book you mentioned.

I have a librarian cleaning the library at the moment and she may come across it.

I look forward to your visit, and making your acquaintance.

Best Regards,

Alpha Adira Strongbow of Hunters Bow Pack

Folding and sliding the letter into an envelope I make sure it’s sealed and write the address before sitting back in my seat and taking in a deep breath.

Before I can relax, mind you, the door opens and Leo, Thorn and Rom walk into the office.

Rom looking like he’s a little bloodied, which surprises me, but I keep quiet and wait for the drama they are going to inform me of.

Settling into their seats, a smug look comes over their faces. I raise a skeptical eyebrow, waiting for one of them to break the silence. Leo is the one who cracks, and I mean cracks out laughing before spluttering, “Well, he went home with a rip in his arm, shoulder and left butt cheek.”

Rom chuckles, “Well, it was near Ramo’s face, so he took a chunk.”

With a chilling smirk and a pointed finger at Leo, Thorn recounted, “I got a hold of his shoulder and left a nice long gash,” the words dripping with cold satisfaction.

“He made sure he had a rip in his arm, but Talon was the one who set it off. Rajah had more than enough pacing in front of Travis’ wolf Cloud, and when Cloud made a move Rajah was on him.

That’s when hell broke out, but we all got a nip in.

I think if he comes back, he’ll bring more people with him. ”

“If he comes back with his pack, we’ll declare war.

We are not messing about with them. If Travis wants to create war, we’ll give him war.

Leo, you make sure that everyone is ready, and I mean everyone, that includes every female in the pack.

I want every child to know where to go and how to get there quickly from wherever they may be.

” I give all three a serious look. They all three give me a nod, showing they understand and they all leave to get everything in motion.

We all know we may not have time to spare.

Mavis appears a few minutes later and hands me a cup of chamomile tea. She knows me so well at this point. “Are you okay, Alpha Adira?”

“Come on, Mavis, you know to call me Adira when we are not in an official capacity. But, yes, I’m okay. It’s been a hard day so far and it’s not anywhere near over yet.” I take the cup and sip, sighing with gratitude to Mavis and her thoughtfulness.

Pointing at the desk, Mavis asks, “Do you want me to mail your letter because I’m going into town?”

“Oh, yes, please. It’s a reply to the dragon relative, and it’s a wonderful letter. A relief we don’t have another problem on our hands regarding the farmhouse, and what we found in the safe.” I hand the letter from Cayden and the reply to Mavis and she reads Cayden’s and gives me a smile.

“That is great, Adira, and I’ll start looking for this book he mentions.

I’ve not seen it so far, but I am only halfway through cleaning the library.

I’ll make it a priority so we can give it to him when he arrives.

We don’t want to mess with a dragon!” Mavis gives me a look that shows we need to play nice with Cayden.

“No, we don’t want to mess around with him. I don’t want my butt set on fire.” We both giggle at that comment, and then Mavis changes the subject.

“I’ve found some information regarding the Strongbow Pack, Adira.

It seems they were a fairly wealthy pack before they were destroyed.

I have a feeling they were decimated so the wealth could be stolen.

But, thanks to your family being sensible, they placed the wealth in a human bank.

They left instructions that the bank could only give the account to a living and proven relative.

Hence, to get that wealth, you would have to give some blood, Adira.

You need to have a DNA test done to prove you are your parents' offspring, and the bank will then sign the account over to you. But be aware this thwarted the Blue River Pack Alpha, so we could get repercussions.”

“Okay, can I leave you to organize that for me, Mavis. I’ll get it done, but I’m so busy at the moment I need to delegate more.”

“Yes, I’ll organize it. It’s only a blood test as far as I know. I’ll look for this book too, and anything else you need, let me know.” Mavis attempts to walk out of the office, but I stop her.

“Mavis, you need to give me your information so I can organize your salary. Before you complain, you may need to speak to the library about working only part of the time, or to stop working there. You are doing more and more here, not just the library, and we need you. I need you, and you are more a secretary than just someone that was helping in the library.” I give her my sternest look, so she knows I’m not playing around.

“Okay, Adira. I’ll see what I can do about hours, and get back to you.” Mavis gives me that sweet smile she only shows now and again, before closing the door quietly and leaving me in peace.

I sigh and open the letter from the Elder Council, and that’s when the day turns from decent to total crap.

These idiots think they can boss me around?

They can think again. Demanding that I show interest in some Alpha who may think I’m suitable, they can kiss my wolf’s ass, because it’s not happening.

The growl from Blue in the back of my mind tells me she is in full agreement with how I’m feeling about this total bullshit.

On top of that, they are demanding a personal meeting. They want to come here and speak with me without the town council in attendance. Well, they can come and they will get more than they bargained for because I’m more than ready to put them in their place, once and for all.

I don’t waste any time as I write the reply and seal it in an envelope. I rush out of the office to catch Mavis before she heads into town. That way, she can mail both the letters at the same time.