Page 15

*Adira*

I t has been so busy around here that I’ve had no time to step away from the office or go into town.

I need to mix with my pack members, whether at the school, store, café, or on Main Street.

Looking up when I hear a gentle tap and the office door opens with Mavis stepping inside, giving me a look I’m not sure I like.

“I was caught by Bernice as I passed the Post Office, and she handed me two letters. One is from the Elder Council and I can bet they are going to be coming here soon to talk you into being their sacrificial lamb.” Mavis scrunches her nose up and shakes her head in disgust. I know how much she dislikes the Elder Council as she’s found some very underhanded things that they’ve done over the years, if the diary she found in the library can be believed.

“I’m sure they will, Mavis, but you know I’ll not be falling on my sword. I have made my mind up that I’ll stay alone, unless the Goddess herself decides to give me a second mate. Until then, I’m more than content working hard for my pack.”

Taking the two letters Mavis is handing to me, I open the one from the council, and yeah she’s right, they are coming to visit next week. I hand the letter to Mavis and grin, “File it.” Laughing at my disgusted look, Mavis takes the letter and places it on her desk.

Now, the second letter looks intriguing. The text on the envelope is the most beautiful writing, in a calligraphy style, with swirls and smooth lines. Whoever has written this has taken time to do so, because it would take me years just to learn.

I carefully tear open the envelope, as I don’t want to ruin the text. It’s taken someone time and I feel it would be a crime to ruin it. Taking out the piece of paper inside, I smile as the same stunning writing, but a little less swirled greets me.

Dear Alpha Adira,

I thank you for your letter informing me you found what I have been searching for.

If you can keep it under wraps until I can get to you next week, that would be much appreciated.

Best Regards,

Cayden–Spirit of Battle

Folding the letter, I place it in the top drawer of my desk, along with the envelope. “It seems we’ll be having two visits next week, Mavis. One from the Elder Council and one from Cayden, the dragon shifter.”

Mavis stops what she’s doing and gives me the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on her face, and she claps her hands before rubbing them together in excitement. “I’ve never met a dragon shifter. I can’t wait.”

“Well, neither have I, or most anyone else, but I hear they can be ornery devils.” I try to remember anything or all that I’ve heard about dragons, but can’t dredge much from my memory.

“Mavis, find me something to read on dragons before Cayden visits, please. I don’t want to insult him because we are ignorant of the ways of dragons. ”

“Will do, Alpha Adira.” Mavis doesn’t hesitate, she is out the office door and I’m sure heading to the library. I smirk because honestly, she’s going to be a handful around here soon, I’m sure.

Leo walks into the office without knocking, I may add, and throws himself down into a chair. He looks fairly haggard, and I give him a questioning eyebrow raised expression.

“I was on patrol most of the night. After the incident with the rogues, I felt uneasy, not sure why, if I’m honest. Kazi was pacing for some reason, unsettled, and on alert.”

“Do you think we are about to have a rogue problem?” I ask, rubbing my neck because I’m thinking, ‘Here we go again. More problems to be solved.’

“No, I don’t think it’s going to be a major issue. We will get a rogue now and again, bound to as they wander around, especially when they are turning, or have turned, feral.”

“As long as we keep it under control. I don’t want any of the pack getting hurt, especially the humans or children.” Leaning back in my seat, I think about Rom and my idea. “Leo, how about making Rom a second Delta?”

Leo, sits forward giving me more serious attention.

“Well, I was thinking he’d make a superb second Beta to be honest. He is reliable, and honest to a fault from what I’ve seen.

He’s a good fighter, and he, as a tiger, is territorial, so will protect the pack and you ferociously.

But, I’m happy with him being a Delta if that is what you prefer.

He would have made a good Gamma too if we start to nitpick. ”

“To be truthful with you, Leo, you are the Beta and I think you should decide.” I grin because I know he’d rather that was on my shoulders.

“Okay. That’s darn sneaky, but let’s think on this seriously. Beta, as you know, advises the Alpha, maintains discipline within the pack. We assist wherever we are needed to make your life easier. We take command if the Alpha is incapacitated. Goddess forbid that ever happens.

“The Gamma, third in command. Sensitive to the pack, and danger. A great guard on patrolling the territory. But as we’ve seen with Stella, they are always happy to do things, stick their noses in everything, and can be a little on the clingy side.

We’ve also seen that with Stella and Robbie, but thankfully Robbie doesn’t mind.

“Then we have the Delta. Patrol warriors in their minds, yet seem to be great when injuries are had, knowing exactly what to do. Thorn is great with the pups. He is teaching them all types of things, yet he brings pack thoughts and concerns to me. Which I bring to you in turn if it’s needed.

” Leo rubs his hands together, then leans back, giving me a serious look.

“Looking at the way Rom has been since we have given him responsibility, I can say he has surpassed my initial thoughts about him. In my opinion, he’ll make one heck of a good beta or delta.

If we make him a second Beta, he will be under my position, but if anything should happen to you, he would automatically become the Beta alone. ”

Leaning forward, I ask. “If he is a Delta and anything happens to me?”

“He would stay a Delta. It would be Stella as Gamma, who would step up to Beta. You know the pack structure Adira, you also know Stella would not be a good Beta. She gets far too adventurous to be a Beta.” Leo smirks, and I have to say that a tiny smile appears on my face too.

“Okay, I agree. What about Thorn? Will he be angry if we promote Rom?”

“No. Thorn always said he was happy to be a Delta, but didn’t want to be more. You know we had to push him to be a Delta. It would not be wise to make him anything more.” Leo nods to himself more than to me. It’s like he’s agreeing that with his own comments.

“Okay. I want you to speak to Thorn first. Then promote Rom to second Beta, but make sure he knows exactly what is expected. I also want one of the rooms downstairs for Mavis. She may not move into it, but it will be there for times we are here late and I don’t want her walking back to her home that late at night.

” I would like her here as some female company, too.

I spend far too much time with males, and I mean of any species.

A tap on the door has both myself and Leo looking up, and as it opens Rom steps inside. “Sorry to bother you, Alpha Adira, but I just heard some gossip from visitors in town, and I wanted you to hear it. It may amuse you some.”

“Oh, take a seat and tell all.” I smile and lean forward with my elbows on my desk. I’m ready to take a break from serious issues.

“Well…” and that is how I learn that the Blackbird Pack are rejecting their Luna and making life very difficult for the Alpha and Alpha Heir.

I can’t stop the smile that grows as Rom is speaking.

Leo chuckles and by the time Rom has finished, both myself and Leo are full on laughing, and Rom is struggling to remain serious.

“Leo, keep our ears to the ground. Their trouble is not ours. They can stew in it. I’m not going to speak to the Blackbird Pack to make it easier for Joliee to be the Luna.

She is not cut out to be anything other than another pack member.

She has no Luna qualities to speak of, and has had no training.

How they thought she was going to be adequate is beyond my reckoning.

Okay. You have something to discuss with Rom, but I’m going to check on Arak as he started the first bedroom this morning.

” I don’t give either of them an opportunity to say more because I dash out of the office and to the bedroom that Arak is working on.

Stepping into the room, I can’t help but stand with my mouth wide open. The room has been gutted. It really is the only way to describe it. Arak has removed everything in the room, including the shelves that had been on one wall. “Wow, you have made a huge start in here, Arak.”

“I wanted to start with a clean canvas. I’m going to remove that windowsill and put in a new one.

It was a mess and not worth messing around with.

It will be quicker and cleaner to replace it.

I’m going to start by building a medium-sized closet in that corner, but sweep around so a dresser is on either side. That way, all the space will be used.”

“Oh, I like that idea. Maybe when you’ve done these three bedrooms you could upgrade the ones upstairs?”

“We’ll see, Alpha Adira. I seem to have a lot of jobs to do.”

I chat with Arak for a while, listening to ideas, and okaying the ones that I like the sound of. Then I ease my way out of the farmhouse and take a slow walk into town. Breathing the fresh air and enjoying the peace.

‘It’s nice here, and much nicer than the Blackbird Pack. Even when it was a town, it was a better place for us.’

“I agree, Blue. This was a smart move, although initially a painful one.”

As I reach Main Street I stop to speak with various pack members and inwardly smile when Rom appears seemingly from nowhere. He walks quietly to my right and slightly behind. But never interferes in the conversations that I am having.

Reaching the café, I step inside and when Rom falters at the door, I grab his arm and drag him inside. “You are going to come in here and have a drink with me, Rom. Or do you want to disrespect your Alpha?”

“Of course, Alpha Adira.” Rom steps over to a chair against a wall and I take a seat, grinning at Jenni as she bustles over to us.

“Hi, Alpha Adira. What can I get for you?” Turning, she gives Rom a smile, and…is that a flush on her cheeks?

“I’ll have a cappuccino with some of those sprinkles on the top, please, Jenni.”

“Rom?” Jenni asks, and I notice she’s trying her hardest not to look directly at him.

“Black coffee please, Jenni.”

“Coming right up.” Jenni moves away quickly.

I look at Rom long enough that he squirms. “What’s going on between you and Jenni?”

Rom smirks, “Nothing, but I’m aiming there might be in the future.”

“Oh…” I look at Jenni, who is quickly making our drinks, but keeps giving covert looks our way. “Well, you may be lucky there, Rom. She looks interested to me.”

“I will be if she’s interested. Settling down never entered my mind before, but Ramo likes the smell of her and keeps purring when we are in her vicinity. He’s never done that before.” Rom gives Jenni a smile when she hands us our coffees, but she blushes and rushes away.

“You are going to have to get past her shyness, Rom.”

“Yeah, but I’m patient, so it’ll be okay.

” Rom takes a sip of his drink, then turns to give me his attention.

“Leo spoke with me regarding the position of second beta or delta. I don’t think I’m a Delta person, but I can and have been supporting the Beta position that Leo holds.

I would be highly honored to be a second Beta for the pack.

But I need you to give me your blessing on that, because Leo said you had given him the option of what he offered to me. ”

“I did, and I’m more than happy for you to be a second Beta. I offered you the other position, not really considering all the benefits you bring to the pack. But speaking with Leo convinced me you’d be a great second Beta, and I’m more than happy for you to step up Rom.”

Before I can congratulate Rom my attention is caught when Maisie walks through the door. Now, this is interesting as she’s been banned from coming in here.

Jenni rushes over to push Maisie toward the door, “Get out, you know you are banned from the café…”

Before Jenni can say more Maisie takes a swipe at her, but Jenni steps back so the hit doesn’t land. I’m sitting with my mouth open in shock, but Rom jumps to his feet, rushes over and takes Maisie by the back of her neck and frog marches her out of the café.

Everyone is watching the same as me, stunned, mouths wide open in shock. Shaking my head, I get myself together and head toward Jenni. “What’s going on?” I ask.

“I have no idea. But she is not welcome in here anymore.” Jenni walks back to the counter where a young shifter is waiting to be served and I walk out of the café and toward Rom, who is speaking with Maisie.

“You will behave from now on, Maisie. Pull your weight or you can leave the pack, and the town. We don’t need anyone that doesn’t want to be a part of what we have here, or someone riding on the back of others.

If I see you bother Jenni again, I’ll make sure, as the second Beta of the pack, you get punished or thrown out of the pack.

DO.YOU.UNDERSTAND?” Rom I can tell is more than pissed, and I think Maisie must see it too, as she nods her head and mumbles, ‘Yes.’ As soon as Rom steps back from her, she turns and scurries away, with some of the pack watching her, which has to be embarrassing.

“Do I have to get involved in that drama, Rom?”

“No, I’ll report to Leo and we’ll watch her.

She’s just trying to piss Jenni off because she’s jealous of the way Jenni has made something of herself with the café.

If she spent half as much time being productive, she’d get somewhere herself, but she’s one of those that never learns.

” Rom sighs, and I have to admit I smile as I link my arm in his and we head back to the farmhouse.