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*Adira*

S itting at the office desk, I hold the pen in my right hand.

I suddenly notice I’m twirling it, showing I’m somewhat nervous about writing this letter.

I’ve already replied to them, but I think it needs to be very clear that what they want is not going to happen.

Thinking about what the Elder Council wants from me; I push down the anger that I can feel brewing.

Some of the anger is coming from Blue, and that’s not helping my emotions.

“Blue, we won’t do what they are asking, so don’t get upset. I’ll write a letter and they’ll come here and we’ll tell them exactly what we feel about their idea.”

‘We will not have a mate we don’t want. I’ll rip him apart if anyone tries to mate with us. We can get a second chance mate, if the Goddess thinks we are good enough.’

“It will be okay, Blue. I’ll sort them out and let them know that whatever they plan is not going to be happening.

As you have said, we will wait and see if the Goddess gives you a second chance mate.

If not, then we’ll see what we want to do in the future.

” I see Blue in the back of my mind circle a few times before settling down and laying her chin on her paws.

Taking a breath, I put pen to paper. I have to be firm and clear on my decision. They have to realize I cannot be swayed.

Dear Elder Council Members,

I am sorry for the abrupt correspondence I have already sent to you. You have to appreciate that what you were asking of me, and the sudden interest from Alphas, was quite a shock.

Now, I’ve had time to think about what you have suggested, and I have to decline as I am waiting for my second chance mate that the Goddess alone has, or will, choose for me.

I have refused all offers so far from any and all alphas that have sent letters of introduction. Let’s not play around with what is happening here, and stop your hopes of any kind of alliance between packs.

I, Adira De Stormroar, (I have changed my name for the moment for official business) inform you I will not bend to the council.

As a pack, and a multi pack, we are not all bound to wolf law.

You may consider yourselves the council for all, but you are not recognized by the lions, panthers or other cat species.

So be aware that as the Alpha of the Hunters Bow Pack, I will not bow down to your wants or desires.

I am more than happy for you to visit and speak with me regarding this topic, but I can promise you it will not change my mind. If you would like to speak with me, contact my secretary Mavis before arrival or you will not be allowed through the borderline.

My best regards,

Adira De Stormroar

I’m pleased to have this written, and hope by using Leo’s surname it will stir them somewhat.

I know that it has had some alphas standing back in thought.

Wondering why I have a lion’s surname and not a wolf’s.

I really don’t care what anyone thinks as it’s about my pack, and what is best for the future of it.

Sealing the letter into the envelope, I leave it on the small desk we have placed for Mavis as she will take it into town when she leaves tonight. I give a sigh of relief that I’ve said a few things that will show I am not going to be a doormat for these people.

In the kitchen I nudge Robbie, who is humming a tune and seems to be in a world of his own. “Ahh, you scared the heck out of me, Adira.”

I laugh because it’s unusual to get a jump on Robbie. He’s usually so aware of his surroundings that he knows as soon as you step into the kitchen. “What had you miles away?”

“I was thinking about the downstairs rooms you want to turn into bedrooms. I think it’s a good idea because at the moment they are cleaned monthly, but nobody ever steps into the rooms. As bedrooms, they would be used and whoever had them could clean them too.

Same as the rest of us, well apart from you, of course.

” Robbie turns to the stove and stirs whatever he has bubbling away in a huge pan.

“You could speak to Arak. He’s here and in the loft getting the roof ready. ”

Nodding, I think it could be a good idea. “Can you ask him to come to the office and speak with me?”

Robbie chuckles. “I can do better than that.” Taking out a phone from the top drawer next to him, he makes a call, and then turns to me, smirking, “He’ll be with you in ten minutes.”

“Thank you, Robbie.” I quickly make my way back to my office and wait for Arak.

It really does only take ten minutes for him to appear, and after knocking on the door, he opens it and pops his head inside. “You wanted to see me, Alpha Adira?”

“Yes, please come in Arak.” I wait for him to step in and take a seat before I speak again. “I have three rooms downstairs here at the farmhouse and they are standing dormant. I would like to convert them into bedrooms. Would you be willing to have a look at them and see what would be involved?”

“Of course, I’ll do that for you. Would you want them converted in such a way that they would have a closet or anything?” Arak leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands together.

“Hmm, if you think you could do that without making the rooms small, then yes, that would be a good idea. But if it wouldn’t be viable, I would like your ideas on what we could do with them.”

“I’ve been in those rooms prior to you taking over the farmhouse, and I think we could put a medium-sized walk-in into all three rooms. It would leave you room for a dressing table, bedside tables, and depending on what sized beds you could have a king-size, or two smaller ones.”

“How about we do the conversion and keep in mind that we may have two beds in each room? That way, if one ends up that way, we know that we can.”

“Okay, but I have to finish the roof first.” Arak stands ready to walk out, but I have to ask because my curiosity is killing me.

“What actually are you doing with the roof?”

“I’m building flaps so if we are attacked, we can flip the flap open and shoot at anyone heading toward us, or even on the grounds near to the farmhouse. But the flaps are not noticeable from outside, so looks like a normal roof to anyone looking.”

Now Arak looks really proud of himself, and I look more than a little impressed. “I think that is one heck of a fantastic idea, and will give us an edge.”

“That was my idea.”

“Thank you, Arak. Let me know when, or if, you need my input for the bedrooms. Mavis is my secretary and if I am not available, you can speak with her about anything pack-related and she will keep me up to speed.”

“No problem, Alpha Adira.”

Watching as the office door closes, I settle back in my seat and close my eyes for a moment. The amount of work that I have to cover is immense, and it's mostly decision making. But I am relieved that I get to train with Leo, and now Thorn, in the evenings because it is stress relieving.

‘I’m ready to fight on Sunday morning.’

Blue is standing in the back of my mind with her teeth showing and a glint in her eye. Honestly, she’s so blood thirsty at times it’s a little worrying. “Calm yourself, Blue.” I shake my head and open my eyes just as the door opens and Mavis walks into the office.

“Oh, hello, Adira. I thought you were out of the office just now, but I’m pleased you are here because look what I found!”

“Is that the book Cayden is looking for?”

“Yes, it is.” Mavis hands the book to me and I can’t help but admire the name ‘Keepers’ in beautiful intricate text, with scrollwork flowing around, right to the edges.

I stroke my hand over the cover, but don’t open the book as I feel it’s private to the dragons. Something that nobody should look at, but themselves.

“Take it to the basement, Mavis, and place it in the safe. We will give it to Cayden when he arrives. In the meantime, we’ll keep it safe from prying eyes.” I hand the book back to Mavis, who carefully pulls it to her chest, wrapping her arms securely around it.

“I’ll do that now, but I will come straight back as we have to talk about the DNA thing.”

“Okay, I’ll be here when you get back.” I am more than happy that the book is in the safe, and as yet only myself and Mavis are aware of its presence. I know Mavis won’t speak of anything unless she has express permission, so she’ll be tight-lipped if anyone ever mentions it.

A few minutes later, Mavis reappears and takes a seat in front of my desk.

“I’ve spoken to Dr. Appleyard, and he has all the information regarding the DNA test you need doing.

I took the liberty of arranging an appointment with him for this afternoon.

You’ll get the results in two weeks approximately.

He said it would depend on how much work the lab has on hand.

It has to be the human lab that deals with shifter issues, and you know that it’s kept out of the mainstream so nobody can take advantage of the bloods that they take from any of us. ”

“Okay, can I pop down when I’m ready, or do I have a specific time?”

“No, on the time, Dr. Appleyard said anytime you have free after lunch. You just need to turn up and he will draw the blood for testing.”

“I’ll go a little later, but first I want to know if you have decided what you are doing about working in the library?” I know she’s been at the library a long time, and they trust and rely on her. That is one of the reasons I feel bad about stealing her away.

“Yes. I resigned from my position. For me to be your secretary here and help as it’s needed then I need to concentrate on what I am doing here. I did, however, tell them if they needed me at any time, then they could contact me and I would advise or assist.”

“That is an excellent solution, and I agree you need to be here most of the day. You are only halfway through organizing and cleaning the library. I think that is an important job all of its own. To help me with the pack structure, and all that the pack entails, I need you to be on hand. But, I am happy that if they need you, you can advise, or go to them to assist. They are all pack after all.” I point to the desk Mavis uses, “There is a letter to go to the Elder Council if you can mail it for me later, please?”

“Oh, I’ll do that when I go home. Do you think they are going to cause you trouble?

” Mavis walks over to her desk and picks up a stack of papers.

“I’m going through these papers I found in the library.

They are legal documents, and I want to find out what is relevant and what is not before I bring them to your desk. Is that okay with you?”

“Perfectly, Mavis. If you can filter out any that I don’t need to cover it will save me a lot of time. I really do not have the time to waste what with all the things that have to take priority. I can look at less important things at a later date.”

After visiting Dr. Appleyard and completing the DNA sample he needed to send to the laboratory, I take a gentle walk back to the farmhouse.

I’m nervous regarding the result of the test because it’s the proof of who I am.

I’m not interested in the bank situation; it will either be or not.

If we get the bank, it will help the pack, but if not, we’ll manage as we always have.

Now we wait. In the meantime, I’ll organize the pack and get Blue trained. I’m not sure what is going to happen, but I have a feeling something is and I want everyone to be prepared.