Page 24

*Adira*

S tepping out of the kitchen door, I lean against the wall and watch Robbie teaching Papa how to weed around the vegetables he has grown.

They are laughing and talking between themselves.

It hasn’t taken long for Robbie to put Papa at ease, and I can see a marked improvement in his body language already.

An arm settles around my neck, and looking up, I smile at Leo. “Those two are having a great time,” I say and turn to watch the garden once more.

“Your Papa is going to be okay now. In just two days he has less rounded shoulders, a smile on his face, and he ate a hearty breakfast.” Leo kisses the top of my head.

“You did the right thing, Adira. Watching how your Papa watches you when you are not looking says such a lot about how much he cares about you. He told me he had no regrets about rejecting his mate. He just wishes he’d done it years before and taken you out of the pack with him.

But it’s so easy to look back on things and say, if only. ”

“That is so true. I feel easy around Papa, I have to admit. But he was always the one that showed me love and care, so I suppose it’s natural to gravitate toward him.”

“I asked him why he had A in his name, Earnest instead of Ernest, and he laughed and said his mother couldn’t spell, so that was that.”

“I asked him that when I was younger, too. It makes him different from every other Ernest. I think, given time, we can reconnect fully. I hope so anyway.” I lean my head on Leo's upper arm and watch Robbie laughing with Papa, before heading inside where Rom, along with Talon, is waiting for me to discuss the training schedule. “Come on, Leo, let’s talk about training.”

“Everyone is training and doing what they can. I made sure those that were missing sessions were told they step up or they would be on their own if anything happened,” Rom smirks. “You should have seen the reaction to that statement.”

“Oh, I can guess,” Leo chuckles.

“Do we have enough warriors to cover patrolling the border without making them too tired to remain vigilant?” I ask, and turn to look at Talon as he sits forward.

Talon responds before Leo or Rom can speak.

“We could always do with more, but we are making sure everyone has days away from patrol, to charge their batteries if you like. I’ve heard we have word out that we are taking new pack members.

That was a little information Tyson Proudfoot told me, and I have to say, he’s one heck of an outstanding warrior. ”

“He has a family, which means he has a lot to lose if anyone attacks the pack,” Rom states.

“Yeah, but have you seen Cato fight? She’s as fierce as Tyson. She would protect their pups like no other. We could do with more families. They would make a formidable force,” Leo adds to the conversation.

“Well, we’ll see what happens. The only threat I see now is if Alpha Rudik has an issue about my having royal blood, and as such, being the last heir to the Strongbow land.

I’ve mailed a letter to every Alpha that contacted regarding me as their luna,” I can’t stop the eye roll that I give, which has Talon smirking.

“But we never know, as a rogue pack if we have a quiet enemy or not. I’d rather we have defenses we can count on, and protect what is ours. ”

“Did you know Robbie has taken to bringing pots, pans, cutlery, and crockery to his training session. Everything is a weapon . That is his quote of the month, I think.” Rom chuckles.

“Okay, if you have everything under control, then we can call it a day on this topic. Keep me informed if anything changes.” After receiving head nods and positive responses, we all look up when the office door opens and Stella, along with Warden, walks in.

“We are ready to leave, Alpha Adira,” Stella states, and gives me a look I’m not sure of.

“Do you have everything you need?” I ask and give Warden a questioning look.

Warden nods before answering. “Yes, Mavis made sure we had information on the town near the Blue River Pack. She booked us a room at the local hotel. We can play it by ear once we reach our destination.”

“Okay. Any sign of trouble you come back here, and fast. You hear me, Stella? Warden?” I give them my Alpha look so they know it is not a request, it is an order from their Alpha.

“Yes, Alpha,” they both reply together.

“Okay, then. Stay in touch, stay safe. You only have a week, then I want you back home.” I know that is a brief time span, but the longer they are out of the pack, the longer they could be in danger.

After they have left the office, I inform Robbie and Mavis I am heading into town. I want to speak to the Town Council if they are available.

I know Thorn is following me, as I can sense Kaabya. Stopping my walk, I turn and place my hands on my hips. “You may as well come out Kaabya, I know you are following me. Thorn, you should know better than trying to sneak, although you are good at it.”

Thorn walks out from between two buildings and gives me a huge smirk. “Well, you are getting better at detecting threats. If we didn’t keep stalking you, how would you improve?”

“Actually, I agree, your stalking has upped my awareness. I am sensing far more than I used to. Thank you Kaabya, you are a gem.” I quickly walk away when I hear Kaabya purr at my statement, and Thorn cough in an attempt to cover it up.

Walking into the Town Council offices, which are in the town’s main hall, I knock on the door of their chambers and wait. Thorn fidgets, and dropping his voice, asks, “Do I need to come in, or stay out here?”

“You can come in. It’s not a secret why I’m here.” I look away from Thorn as the door opens.

Thomas Weaver gives me a surprised look. “Alpha Adira! This is a surprise. Come in, come in.”

“I’d like a word with you all, if that is possible. It’s not something to worry about, but something I’d like to discuss, nonetheless.”

“Take a seat while I call the others.” Thomas disappears, and I take a seat at the long table in the middle of the room. Thorn places himself against the wall behind me. I give him an amused look, to which I receive a scowl.

A few minutes is all it takes for all four council members to enter the room and take a seat at the table.

“What can we do for you today, Alpha Adira?” Tato Shaw asks.

“As you all are aware, we are training everyone within the pack. It is, as far as I know, not needed. However, with everything changing since I arrived in the town, becoming the Alpha, changing status from town to pack, we have moved from a place others overlooked, saw as nothing, to what could be a threat. All without us being housed under the Elder Council’s control.

” Pausing, I wait for anyone to speak, but when nothing is said and all four wait expectantly, I continue.

“We need more pack members. We will be stretched to protect the border of the territory. I have heard that word is spreading that we are taking new pack members. What I would like is for you four to be involved by putting the word out where you can. Let others know we are looking for families, of any species, and that we are happy to take rogues or shifters who want to leave their pack.”

“I have thought this myself, Alpha Adira. Especially since the Elder Council started taking an interest. I think it is time the Elder Council was replaced by a council that truly represents the packs. If each pack Alpha held a seat, it would be deemed democratic and the thoughts of all would be considered. One Alpha elected by the others could be the one who sat without a vote, but oversaw all was legitimate and fair. We all know skullduggery can happen if left unchecked. An independent Alpha would see this never happened.” Lars Frekin shocks us all with this statement, but I actually can agree with his reasoning.

The room is quiet for a few minutes, then is broken by Tarlo Pawfoot speaking out.

“I agree with that, Lars, but it is how to put it into practice. Now, let’s get back to why Alpha Adira is here.

What you are asking is we let it be known we are taking new pack members.

We are staying in a rogue status, for now at least. We are also happy to take families, which Alpha Adira is unusual, but in my opinion needed.

Some families are trapped in their packs as no other packs will risk taking them. ”

“Exactly my point. We need families in the pack to help it grow, and parents are the toughest warriors when a conflict arises.” I see all of them think this over before giving me what I need.

“We will do our best to get the word out. Make sure the old buildings are prepared for new occupants, Alpha Adira. We don’t want new pack members to sleep in the street,” Thomas Weaver responds as he stands and heads towards the door. “Let us work on it and see what happens.”

“Thank you, Council Members,” I respond as I leave the room with Thorn right behind me.

Walking out of the building, I hear Thorn quietly speak. “Good work, Alpha Adira. Good work.”

Walking back to the farmhouse, I veer to the right and head for Bella’s cottage. I’m hoping she likes it, but if not, I’ll find her somewhere else to live.

Before I can knock on the door, it opens, and Bella gives me a massive smile. “Hello, Alpha Adira. I was just going to work. Can I help you in any way?”

“No. I just wanted to check you liked the cottage and everything was as you would like.”

“Oh, the cottage is lovely. I like the fact it’s small and not a lot of rooms to clean,” closing the door behind her and stepping closer.

“I don’t want to spend all my spare time cleaning.

I want to make friends, get into this training that’s happening, and meet the children.

I’ve got my eye on your Papa, too. He’s a good man, who sadly had a horrible mate. ”

Now, I’m shocked, and it must show because Thorn chuckles as Bella laughs. “You are interested in my Papa?” I must sound like an idiot, but I can’t help it as I’ve never given my Papa having someone else a thought.

“Oh, yes. He’s one heck of a good shifter, and his wolf Radar is scrummy, well my wolf Caila thinks so. She keeps saying second chance mate, but I’ve not been able to get near enough to Earnest to check.”

A giggle builds from deep in my chest and crawls up my throat until it pops out of my mouth. It builds until I’m full on laughing and have to hold my knees as tears run down my cheeks.

“What’s so funny?” Bella asks with some indignation.

“Bella, if you could have been with my Papa instead of the witch he was with, my life would have been amazing. Instead, he suffered with her, and so did I. But to top it all we had to put up with Joliee too.”

“Well, Joliee is his daughter.” Bella is looking at me questioningly.

“Is she? Because I’m not sure. I saw my Papa in pain at times and my suspicion was Moma was not faithful.” We are at the front of the café, and I give Bella a smile. “If you need my blessing, you have it. Make him happy. He’s not my real father as in blood, but he has been my father in my heart.”

Admitting that, even to myself, tells me I can forgive him for being weak where his mate was concerned. Bowing down to her and demeaning his own self-worth.

Jenni opens the café door and grabs hold of Bella. “Come on, we need you now.”

Before either I or Bella can say anything else, she is dragged through the door and I look at Thorn, who is still shadowing me.

“That’s going to be fun to watch, Alpha Adira. Do you want to take a bet how long before they get together?”

“Not likely, Thorn. The first time they touch, it’ll be all over apart from the mating.” I laugh and turn back toward the farmhouse, all the time thinking my Papa is in for a shock because Bella is a dynamo and she’ll have him whipped into shape and all loved up before he knows it.