Page 14

*Rom*

W alking along the perimeter of the territory heading toward the main road into town, I can’t help but think that I’ve arrived where I’m supposed to be. “Are you happy now, Ramo?” I ask my tiger, who was curled up sleeping.

‘Yes, I like it here. We are part of something, and something that is good. I have watched and seen the other species. They show no aggression to each other. All supporting Alpha Adira, the pack, and what was the town. It’s a good place, and we can rest well and live here.’

“I’m happy here too, Ramo. I enjoy being relied upon. Trusted and I feel like it’s home.”

‘We like being alone. It is our nature, but as time has changed and hunters have arrived, we need to become pack to survive. That is all species, not just tigers.’

“Yes, many species have gone into hiding. The dragons are hardly seen anymore. I don’t know if they have become so few, or if they have somewhere safe to live in peace.”

‘Dragons are good at hiding. They may have found a place that is not seen by others. They can fly vast distances so would find out-of-the-way islands and other places I would imagine.’

“Let’s hope so, as they are a commanding species and will help if we come to a war with humans.

The hunters, I mean specifically. Most humans don’t care about shifters, and see us as just another type of human, which we are.

” Ramo, humphs in the back of my mind at my last comment, and lays down, closing his eyes once more.

Well, that tells me the conversation is over!

Continuing my own thoughts, I admit I have been lucky to find this place and to have an Alpha like Adria is unusual, refreshing, and has all the males in the pack protective.

I don’t think that is a bad thing because we have quite a few human women in the pack.

It feels odd calling it pack now instead of town.

But it is still a town where people come and purchase things, then go again.

That is only the main street that is still considered town, but it’s also pack members.

I suppose we’ll hear it called pack and town, but nobody cares.

We all are in it together, and that’s the point.

Ramos jumps to his feet in the back of my mind and viciously snarls. My neck tingles, which tells me Ramos has all the hair on the back of his neck standing on end. I smell something foul, and know that we have feral rogues somewhere close to where I’m standing.

Mind linking Leo, Stella and Thorn, I ask who is nearest to my location, and thankfully Stella is not far. Relaying she’s on her way as quickly as she can.

Three rogues come into view, and I can see they are past the point of saving.

They are in their animal form, with red eyes and drool pouring from their mouths.

This tells me they are past shifting back to their human form.

I have to kill them before they get into town, where innocent humans and children are vulnerable.

I shift into Ramos and give him the go-ahead to do what is needed. Snarling, Ramos squeezes his paws, allowing his claws to be ready. We wait for the first or all to make their move.

Hearing a growl behind me, I know Stella is here, and her wolf, Iris, is in attendance. Continuing to growl, Iris steps to my side, and as we train together I know she’ll watch my back and I’ll watch hers. I don’t think these three will be a problem to eliminate.

One of the rogues lunges forward in his wolf form, and Iris is on him before I get the chance to move. Now, I’ve seen Iris fight in training but I have never seen her in a fight to the death, and I have to say she is magnificent.

Before I can consider anything further, one of the other ferals, again in wolf form, lunges towards me, but as I lunge toward it, a wolf pushes past and engages with it. Quickly glancing, I note it’s Lars Frekin, one of the town council members.

I turn to look at the other feral who is shaking.

I’m sure the human side is trying to shift, but he’s too far gone to complete fully.

Seeing me slowly stalking towards him, in his leopard form, he turns and runs.

Now I can outrun him if I keep him to the hard parts of the forest. I can cut my running distance in places, where he will run wherever he thinks he can get away.

Leopards are marginally faster, and he could outrun me if the distance is long, but I’m going to push him over to the canyon and see if I get him to run over the edge!

Running through the forest, I jump fallen tree branches through underbrush and keep abreast to the right or left, steering the feral where I want him.

It is a good distance and I can see he’s tiring, but I keep pushing.

Bursting out of the tree line, the feral is running at full speed and has no time to stop, but he digs his claws into the earth, trying to slow himself before he gets to the edge.

Sliding on all four paws, he continues to the edge, and just when I think he’ll stop he tips over.

I hear him yowl and walk to the edge, looking over.

He hits the side of the canyon, bouncing from one ragged rock to another until he reaches the water with an enormous splash.

Squinting my eyes, I keep watching to see if he's alive because if he is, he may come back. But he’s floating on the surface, not moving for a moment or two.

Then the body starts to sink, and that’s when I know I did my job.

Turning, I make my way back to the others. I want to be sure they are both okay, and that they’ve taken care of the two ferals.

“Where have you been?” Stella asks when I get back to them.

Grinning because she’s wearing a beat up shirt and shorts. They look like they’ve seen better days. “I like your outfit, Stella,” I chuckle.

“Shut up. It’s all that was around. Now where have you been and did you get that last one?”

Lars is waiting too in a pair of shorts, and I give him a nod. “Thanks for turning up, Lars.”

“No problem. I was letting Marrok, my wolf, stretch his legs when I smelled the rogues. Nothing worse than the rotten way they smell. So, I came over to see if I could help. Marrok is bragging he’s still got it, and enjoyed the kill,” Lars smirks as he replies to me.

“The one I had turned and ran, no idea why. But you could tell he was trying to shift to his human form, but his animal was too far gone to allow it. I pushed him into the canyon and he ran that fast he couldn’t stop.

Plop! Over the edge he went. I checked that he was dead before I headed back here. ”

“Come on, get digging. Let’s get this done and then we can get back to normal duties.” Stella shifts into Iris and starts to dig a grave for the two rogues we have to get rid of. Myself and Lars sigh, knowing this is going to take some time and effort. But, we shift quickly and get started.

Two hours later, I follow children as they run to the school basement, which is the nearest for them.

Their little legs and arms are pumping, and it is as though they are competing to see who can get to the basement first. A little girl falls and as I head toward her, a little boy notices, stops running and gallops back to her, helps her onto her feet.

He keeps hold of her hand and runs with her.

Now, I can’t help but think he’s going to be a great pack member in the future.

Now I’ve seen the drill is working fine I make my way to the farmhouse. I want to check Stella reported on the rogue incident, and I’ll update Alpha Adira on how well the drill is going with the children.

Stepping into the kitchen door of the farmhouse, I take a deep breath because something smells mouthwatering in here.

Looking around, I see a pile of something that I’ve never seen before.

It’s a layer of pastry with bacon and cheese.

Oh, my, it looks divine. I can’t stop myself.

I reach forward to take one, but my hand gets a hard slap.

“No, leave them alone. They are for later.” Robbie gives me a fierce scowl.

“Sorry. I couldn’t resist. I’m hungry and the smell is divine. I came into the kitchen and the aroma hit my stomach, making it growl and roll. My mouth even watered. It’s a testament to how well you cook, Robbie.”

Robbie blinks a few times, then his lips tip up slightly, as though he's going to smile. “Okay, try one.”

Now, I’m not a fool. I quickly pick one up and take a bite.

The pastry is crisp but flaky, the bacon flavor pops through with a touch of saltiness, but the cheese tops it off.

I absolutely love this. It only takes a few bites before it’s gone, and I turn and give Robbie a huge smile.

“It’s a winner. I loved it. Not sure what you’ll call it, but it’s a success as far as I’m concerned. ”

“I haven’t made my mind up on a name yet, but I’m thrilled you think it’s a delightful combination.” Turning with a smile on his face, Robbie doesn’t see me snag another one as I walk into the hallway. It is eaten just as quickly as the first, and with the same amount of enthusiasm.

After knocking, I enter Alpha Adira’s office, and give Mavis a smile as she’s about to leave. “I’ll only be a moment, Mavis.”

“Oh, okay, but I’ll nip to the kitchen and be back quickly.” Mavis scurries past and closes the door.

Looking at Alpha Adira, she smiles. “What can I do for you, Rom?”

“Nothing really. I wanted to check in that Stella reported the rogue issue from this morning?”

“Yes, she did. I think it’s so sad when we see shifters turn rogue.

Mostly it’s because they have left their packs or been banished, and you know often they have done nothing to earn that punishment.

We have some bad rogues, of course we do, but the ones that are like we were had no hand in their fate.

That’s why I’m so passionate about keeping our pack open to all.

” Alpha Adira looks sad, but I understand what she is saying as I’ve met some good shifters on my travels.

“I watched the children during drill, and they are quickly making their way to the school basement. It was obvious they all knew where they had to go, and to get there with no messing around.” I recall the incident of the little girl falling, and her little hero.

“That’s so good to know. This alpha thing could get out of hand.

I’ve had seven letters now enquiring as to my becoming a luna for their packs.

Not happening, Rom. I am not interested in having a mate at this time.

If I have one, it will be a second chance mate, and we both know that it’s fairly rare for that to happen. ”

“I understand fully. I have also given up thoughts on a mate, although I never had to reject or be rejected. Being here, I have found a home I never thought I would find. You have created something incredible for the people of the pack.”

Alpha Adira gives me a tiny smile. “The town gave it to me, not the other way around. They stood firmly by my side and showed me how incredible they all are. I never wanted to be an Alpha of a pack, but be damned if I don’t do the best I can now that I am one.”

“Do you think these alphas are going to be an issue? They have not as yet turned up in the town. I expected a horde of alphas trying to find you.” I snicker because, honestly, my imagination had run riot with thoughts of fighting alphas.

“To be honest with you, Rom, I’m not sure. But all we can do is face it head-on if it happens.”

I can see Alpha Adira is tired as she unconsciously keeps rubbing the back of her neck. “I’ll catch you later, unless you need me, of course. I’m going to check on how the furniture situation is coming along in the basement.”

“Oh, it’s done. You don’t have to bother with that. But Rom, I need you to think about being a second Delta. You are far too important not to have a designated position. Will you consider it?”

“I will do whatever you need me to do, and I would be honored.” I swallow down a lump that pops into my throat, and Ramo purrs with delight at the honor we are being bestowed.

“Give me a little while, as I want to discuss it with Leo first. I don’t want to just push it on him as a ‘Fait accompli.’ He’s my Beta and I want him to know his opinion matters.”

Much later in the afternoon I walk into town, and take a seat in the small cafeteria that Jenni Trussle owns and runs.

She is a great human woman who helps everyone that needs it.

She has had a few run-ins, from what I’ve heard with Maisie Blackthorn.

Hence, from what I was told last week, Maisie can no longer eat or drink at the café.

Taking a seat by the window, Jenni brings my usual black coffee with a smile. “I heard you rousted some rogues, Rom. Is that true?”

“I don’t know what you were told, Jenni, but yes, we rousted three rogues, to be precise.”

“Well, the coffee is on the house, as a thank you for keeping us safe.”

Before I can say anything, Jenni bustles away to serve the next customer. I sit quietly, watching out of the window as I relax, sipping my drink.

Two humans and two shifters come into the café and take a seat behind mine. They order food and drinks as they continue talking and laughing. Then something they are talking about catches my attention.

“Have you all heard about that awful Joliee at the Blackbird Pack? She is fighting with other she-wolves, making everyone’s life miserable.” Voice One states.

Voice Two replies, “Yes, I heard that, and a friend told me she visited her aunt and the Alpha was arguing with the Luna something fierce. She thought they were going to come to blows.”

Taking another sip of my coffee, I lean back a little more in my seat so I don’t miss whatever else they are going to gossip about. But, humming of agreement sure has me thinking something could be true with what they are saying.

“I went last week.” Voice One speaks again.

“They were having a pack meeting, so I had to stay in my friend's house. Anyway, when she got back with her man, who is an excellent warrior and hates the pack now, they replayed to me what happened. To cut it down, the pack told the Alpha they didn’t recognize this Joliee as she was not his fated mate. That they had lied, and that Joliee was a horrible shifter and they would not tolerate her.”

“Goddess, that is bad. I wonder what will happen next?” I don’t know who said that, but they tittered with laughter before changing the subject.

Now, I best get back to the office and update Alpha Adira on what I’ve just learned. Information is a weapon in its own right, and this is more than a little interesting.