Page 29

*Barrik*

I cannot be happier. I have my mate and what a magnificent mate she is.

The Moon Goddess has to have looked down on me with favorable eyes.

I had always been an upright male, supporting my brother as Alpha and the pack anyway that I could, and if this is my reward I’m going to hold it in both hands and be thankful.

Sitting on the edge of the bed in what is now our room, I watch Adira dressing, ready for the day. “It feels strange that I am now an Alpha of a pack, well, two packs.”

“We will do it together, Barrik. I wasn’t ready to be an Alpha of a pack, either.

I think we’ll be fine if we discuss everything that is of importance.

Minor things we deal with as we meet them.

At the end of each day, we can spend a little time updating each other.

” Adira walks over and kisses me gently.

Holds her hand out, and of course, I accept it willingly, then follow her out of the bedroom and to the kitchen.

Thorn twenty minutes later walks into the kitchen where I’m just finishing breakfast. “You ready to patrol this morning, Alpha Barrik?”

Now, that sounds odd, but I don’t let my surprise show. “Yes. I’ll be with you in a minute, Delta Thorn.”

“Go. I have a lot to cover myself today,” Adira says, kissing me gently on the lips before walking to the sink with our dirty dishes.

Two hours later, I’m thinking that the patrol is tight and not sure where we can tighten it more.

Stopping, I watch Thorn as he shifts back and finds shorts in a hollow of a tree.

Now I realize why we stopped here. Shifting and grabbing a pair of shorts for myself, I take a moment before looking over at Thorn.

“Do we have any reason to be watching the border of the territory this tightly?”

Thorn sits with his back against a tree trunk, waits for me to sit, then speaks.

“We tightened security when the Elder Council threatened Alpha Adira. They wanted to throw her at any Alpha that fancied taking her. But the town became a pack to stop that, and to show we didn’t give diddly-squat what they thought.

We are a rogue pack and staying that way, so they have no control.

We did, however, take threats seriously, especially after Alpha Adira received letters from some alphas wanting her to be the Luna of their pack. She, of course, turned them down.”

“I didn’t know the Elder Council had been involved. Why do you think they jumped on this?” I ask.

“Well, Alpha Adira had just returned from doing all the luna training. They saw that as a huge positive because let’s be honest you don’t want to lose your top luna candidate, do you?

That is what Alpha Adira was at that time, and hunting was her forté.

I would imagine they saw her as an asset, and more than likely would have tried to dictate to her.

But our Alpha is not a meek and mild female.

She has determination, and strength, and a pack that loves her.

” Thorn looks at me with such admiration for Adira that I hold my fist up for a bump, and give him a chin lift to show I appreciate what he has told me.

“I heard about Adira’s royal blood. That is amazing, and to shift keeping her clothes on is even better.

I don’t have to worry about anyone seeing what’s mine, which delights me I have to tell you.

” I grin back at Thorn, who is chuckling.

“What do you think of the Mass Mountain Pack and the Blue River Pack?”

Thorn sits a little straighter before responding, “Alpha Owain has been in contact with Alpha Adira. There are no bad feelings, and he’s happy to be an ally.

Alpha Rudik, we are awaiting a report from two of the pack that went on a reconnaissance mission.

So far, he has not tried to contact. We strengthened patrols with his pack in mind, especially when it gets to him that Alpha Adira is the last survivor of the Strongbow Pack slaughter. ”

“I’ll speak to Adira about Rudik, and if I think we have any kind of threat, I’ll make sure I’m ready to take him out. I’m not messing around with anyone that threatens my mate.”

Thorn nods, slaps my shoulder, then grimaces when he realizes that I’m also the Alpha of the pack now, and he’s not sure how I’m going to react. “Sorry, Alpha Barrik.”

“Hey, no need. Yes, I am Alpha, but I’m also pack. We are not going to be standing on ceremony. I’d rather we be pack brothers, as it should be.”

“Have you met Alpha Adira’s Papa yet? They were not getting along, but I think things have settled more since he rejected that disgusting mate he had. Being here has done him the world of good. He’s helping Robbie in the garden now, and we can all see the improvement in his health.”

“No. But I’m sure I will today. Adira told me some of what occurred, but I’ll reserve judgement on him for now.

” Thorn doesn’t respond to that comment, and we head on foot toward the next patrol pair.

My eyes and ears are taking in the environment, and I am alert to anything that may occur.

Rawlin is alert also, but he’s not showing any sign of stress or worry.

“We have a meeting later today regarding Alpha Rudik. I’m not sure if you were aware. Stella and Warden are on their way back to the pack with information, if any, that we may need.”

“Yes, Adira mentioned the meeting. I’m eager to know what they have to say. I wasn’t fully aware of what happened at the Strongbow Pack, and with no pack left, I never thought the territory would be claimed. I’m going to have a discussion with Adira about how she wants to move forward with it all.”

Before he can respond two patrol warriors appear and give a report. Seems all is quiet, and they have had no issues with rogues wandering toward the border or anymore enquiries to join the pack. Nice and easy day for them!

Back at the farmhouse and a freshen up. I step into the kitchen and watch Robbie with a man that he is calling Earnest. I knew that was Adira’s adoptive Papa, so I watched briefly before making my presence known.

They are both busy cleaning vegetables they have picked, and from what they are saying, it is going to be used for some preserve or other. I don’t know as I am not good in a kitchen. I can burn water rather than boil it.

“Hi, Robbie,” I walk into the kitchen fully, and look at Adira’s Papa. “You must be Earnest?”

Turning and giving me a steady look, Earnest holds his hand out for me to shake. “I’m Earnest, yes. I am Adira’s Papa, and no matter what anyone thinks, I am very proud of her.”

“I’m sure you are, and should be. She is an incredible person, never mind an alpha female who has a rogue pack to command.

Now, she has a mate that loves her deeply, and will support whatever she desires.

” I, in my own way, am letting Earnest know I’ll not watch him hurting Adira, but if he supports her fully, then he’ll be fine.

Adira walks into the kitchen from the back door. “Oh, you are home,” rushing over to me and kissing me gently. I wrap my arms around her and draw her tightly to me. Turning her head, Adira smiles, “Hi, Robbie. Hi, Papa. I didn’t see you both there.”

“Well, you wouldn’t, would you? Your eyes were for your man only.” Robbie rolls his eyes and turns his back while mumbling something under his breath.

Papa grins and turns to Robbie, slapping him on the back. “You’ll find your woman, eventually.”

“Yeah, yeah, like you don’t have Joyce chasing you around,” Robbie grabs a handful of the vegetables and throws them into the large pan on the stove.

Adira giggles and after her Papa gives her a dirty look, I turn her around and lead her to the office. It won’t be long before everyone arrives for the meeting, but I want to have five minutes with her on our own first.

After having a little time with Adira, the door opened and everyone that was required piled into the office. I take a seat next to Adira and lean back, waiting and watching what is going to happen.

Adira addresses the room. “We are waiting for Stella and Warden. They have only just entered the territory, so will be a short while before they arrive. You know we are here to discuss Alpha Rudik and what we need to do. Either he wants ally status with us, or go to war.”

I look from Thorn, to Leo, Rom, Robbie, Mavis, Talon and Blaze. They are all alert and ready for whatever decisions are made. “Do we have any other allies apart from the Dark Water Pack and the Mass Mountain Pack?” I ask.

“No, we are too far away from any other packs. They wouldn’t care if we are annihilated or not, especially with us still be a rogue pack,” Adira responds.

“So, we have ourselves and the two packs. It will work if we have to go to war with the Blue River Pack. Personally, I don’t think he will want war.

I’ve met Alpha Rudik at Alpha meetings when I’ve been with my brother as his Beta.

He always came across as quiet, controlled, but honest. I’m not sure he’ll want to continue a feud his grandfather started,” I state, easing a little of the tension in the room.

Before anyone can speak out the door opens and a male and female enter the office. Adira smiles, “Just in time Stella, Warden. Take a seat.”

Stella smiles and takes a seat on one side of the room and Warden sits next to her. Both settling quickly and wait for what Adira is going to do or say next. “Stella, Warden, I’d like you to meet your Co-Alpha and my mate Barrik.”

Stella jumps to her feet with a huge smile on her face. Launches herself at Adira, wrapping her arms around her tightly. Rawlin surges to the fore and I have to fight him to go back, telling him that the woman is not a threat.

“Sorry, Alpha Barrik. Sorry Wolfie, I didn’t mean to upset you,” Stella says as she moves away from Adira swiftly.

‘Wolfie? She called me Wolfie!’

I don’t react to the indignation Rawlin is feeling, but the shocked look on his face is more than a little amusing. “My wolf is Rawlin, and it’s nice to meet you, Stella. I have heard much about you from Adira, and all good, too.”

“Hello, Rawlin. I look forward to meeting you one day. Thank you Alpha Barrik, I’ve heard nothing about you,” Stella must realize that sounds bad as she covers her mouth with her hand.

I turn to look at Adira, who is giggling while looking at a scarlet-faced Stella. “One of these days, Stella!” Adira laughs.

“I’ve been with her on the stake-out, and honestly, she could get you hung,” Warden states, but he’s smirking all the while he’s speaking.

Banter flows around for a few minutes, and it is well meant banter, no nasty comments and everyone takes it as it is meant, no ill feelings.

It’s a good pack, and the higher level sitting here are good people, or shifters.

I am finding I’m very lucky to have found my mate, and this beautiful bunch of pack members.

“What did you find, Warden?” Adira eventually asks.

“It, thankfully, is nothing we feared. Alpha Rudik has been building his pack financially. It seems his grandfather, and then father, ran the pack finances so low that it was struggling to continue. Alpha Rudik moved pack members into the nearest towns. They took jobs, and between them all they were able to open a pack construction business, and then a smaller business that the females wanted to open. He helps finance the business, and the pack then takes a cut of profits depending on the amount they put into it.” Warden looks at Stella as she takes over the telling.

“Alpha Rudik has a Luna. She is supportive of the females of the pack being warriors if they want and are good enough. Equal opportunities for all pack members, and it’s working well for them.

The three towns we visited all had a business or businesses with Blue River in the name, showing they were partly owned by the pack.

We didn’t meet anyone that disliked Alpha Rudik.

But not one person had a good thing to say about his father or grandfather.

” Stella rubs her hands on her thighs and gives everyone a look that tells us she wasn’t impressed with the later information.

“I didn’t know he had a luna,” I blurt without thinking.

“No, neither did I,” Adira says.

Mavis taps her pen on a notepad and writes something on it, “I’ll check that out, Alpha Adira, Alpha Barrik.”

“Do you think we should invite Alpha Rudik and his mate to visit. Put this issue to bed. See if we can form an alliance, instead of always worrying if they are a threat to us?” Robbie states, and I see Blaze and Talon nodding in agreement.

“Yes, let’s do that, Adira. It would be good to get it in the open. As I said earlier, I’ve found him more than reasonable.” I take Adira’s hand and give it a light squeeze.

“Okay, we’ll do that. Mavis, can you help me write that and get it sent?” Adira asks.

“Yes, I can do that. I’ll double check first if we have any information regarding his Luna.” Mavis scribbles something else on her notepad.

“Anything else to bring to our attention?” I ask.

“No, I think we covered what we found, Alpha Barrik. We only found that Alpha Rudik and his Luna are working hard to improve the status of their pack. They have not infringed on any other territory, and they have never placed any statements about the Strongbow Pack. When we mentioned the Strongbow Pack it only ever led to people saying how terrible it was and that Alpha Rudik’s grandfather should have been hung, drawn and quartered,” Stella states.

“Okay. Let’s get the letter of invitation to Alpha Rudik and see where it takes us. In the meantime, we stay on alert.” I look at Adira and she nods agreement.

“Let’s go eat. You better have something good in the kitchen Robbie, my stomach thinks my throat’s been cut,” Adira grins, and with that we all follow Robbie to the kitchen.