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*Barrik*

I couldn't help but feel cheerful as I walked back to the farmhouse. I'm blissfully happy and deeply in love with my soulmate; the intensity of my feelings is breathtaking. Who would have thought my mate was so close without my knowing it.

‘We have good mate, love her and Blue.’

“Yes Rawlin we love them both. We are very lucky the Goddess gave us such an excellent mate. Maybe losing our first mate was for a reason. We learned not to take things for granted, and cherish what we have. I think of Greta occasionally, but she is our past, and as we didn’t actually mate with her, her loss wasn’t as hard as it could have been. ”

‘We have what the Goddess gives us, and we live and die for them.’

“Yeah, Rawlin we do.” I close our link as I walk into the kitchen.

“Hello, Alpha Barrik.” Tassy greets me as I open the fridge and take out a bottle of water.

“Hello, Tassy, Idena. You two alright?” They are looking a little worried, so I take a moment to watch them.

“Can we speak with you for a moment?” Idena asks after she’d given me a greeting.

“Of course you can. Shall we sit here while Robbie and Earnest are outside?”

They both give me a nod as they take a seat at the table opposite from me. Tassy is the bolder of the two and I expect her to tell me what’s bothering them.

“We like it here, but our mates are not here and we would like to search for a Leap or Growl. Some call it one, some call it another. It is unusual for leopards to band together, but we would like to have somewhere we belong and can have cubs.” Tassy looks embarrassed but I understand they want a partner.

“I have heard of a Growl. What if I contact them and ask if you can visit? Then if you don’t find a partner, or mate, or whatever you want to call it, you can still return here?”

“Actually, I think that is better than us just going and then feeling unwanted or unsettled. We love it here, and we enjoy cleaning and keeping the farmhouse in order.” Idena looks a little embarrassed, but she has no need.

“I’ll speak with Alpha Adira and then contact the Growl.

I’ve heard it has a good leader. He is called King from what I’m told.

But it’s not a title it is his name. Leave it with me and I will let you know when I have a reply from them.

It could take a while, so don’t be thinking I’ve forgotten.

” I give them both a smile and take the bottle of water with me as I head to the office.

Nearing the office, I notice the door is slightly open and hear Adira speaking.

“I just wanted to thank you, Leo, for helping me when I felt lost and alone. Also, for giving me your family name to help hide me from prying eyes. I want you to know how much you mean to me. I don’t care you are a lion and I am a wolf.

We are family, and that is how I will always see us. ”

Leo’s lion, Kazi, purrs and it’s loud enough I can hear it in the hallway.

I smile because hearing our animal's happiness gives us a warmth we cannot describe. “Oh, you are the family I needed at that time too, and I’m happy that we found each other at a time the Goddess chose. I am more than happy you found your mate. You deserve that happiness, and I can’t wait for you to have pups I can spoil.

I’m going to teach them lion traits, too. ”

Adira laughs, and I take that opportunity to open the door. “You best not teach them bad lion ways. We only want the good lion traits,” I chuckle.

Adira walks over and wraps her arms around my waist, resting her chin on my chest whilst giving me a bright smile.

I kiss her forehead while pulling her tightly to me, before looking up at Leo.

“You can consider yourself my brother as well. I too don’t care what species we carry, it is about our hearts and what we carry within them.

You have been a substantial support to Adira, being her beta and brother.

Giving her your name wasn’t something most would do, but you did it with no hesitation.

You will, I agree, always be family to us. ”

“Thank you, Alpha Barrik.”

“Now, now, that is no way to speak to a brother. When we are alone as we are now, you call me Barrik.” Leo gives me a nod and then smiles at Adira bustling out of the office.

“I think we embarrassed him,” Adira says with a smile on her face.

“I have to speak with you about Tassy and Idena. They have had a conversation with me regarding finding a Growl. They are looking for a mate, if they even call it that. But, anyway, I know of a Growl, and I suggested they let me speak to King, the lead leopard, and see if the sisters can visit. That way, they have a choice of staying within the Growl or coming back to Hunters Bow Pack.”

Nodding while thinking over what I’ve said, Adira speaks out. “I agree with that. If they want to settle with a male, then they should have the right to do so. But they can stay with us if they don’t find what they are looking for. I’ll leave this with you.”

Kissing her nose first, I follow it through to her cheeks, chin and neck, before kissing her thoroughly and leave her with a glazed look on her face as I pick up the phone to make a few calls.

*Adira*

The last week has flown past and we are at the moment waiting for Alpha Rudik and Luna Serena to arrive, with three warriors he mentioned.

After speaking with King, the sisters left yesterday to visit King’s Growl.

That has left us a little short on help around the farmhouse.

Luckily, I overheard Yarik speaking with Barrik, and he mentioned Greta needed to find work now her son Romley, has enrolled for school.

Tarlow has moved Greta and Romley into his home, and wasn’t happy about her working, but she insisted.

That is how Greta is now bustling about singing under her breath while working at the farmhouse.

Greta is also happy to step back if the sisters come home and want to continue with the farmhouse chores they had been doing. Personally, I am hoping they find a male to settle with, have cubs and a good life. They deserve it, and they are beautiful people, loving, kind and honest.

My office door opens, and Barrik leads in Alpha Rudik and Luna Serena.

I quickly make my way around my desk and air kiss the Luna.

She is giving me a warm smile and I return it while hoping this is going to be a friendly visit.

I hold my hand out to Alpha Rudik, “Welcome Alpha Rudik, Luna Serena. It is lovely to meet you, and kind of you to come and visit with us.”

“Hey, we don’t stand on ceremony. We came to make sure the air was clear,” Alpha Rudik waits until his Luna is sitting before taking a seat beside her and taking hold of one of her hands.

“We know of the disgusting and despicable acts of my grandfather and father. I did not know there was a living heir to the Strongbow name, but I am thrilled that someone survived. I apologize for being what you would call an enemy, but I quickly state that I am not an enemy. If my grandfather and father were not dead, I would have killed them myself when I learned of what they did.”

I interrupted when I can see this was making Alpha Rudik agitated.

“You did not do this, Alpha Rudik. I don’t hold you responsible for what your family has done in the past. I didn’t know my parents or anything about any of this up to a short while ago.

I have no great sorrow, although I have sadness I never met my family or pack.

But, saying all that, my aim is to have an alliance with your pack.

I don’t want bitterness to rule our lives. ”

Luna Serena I notice squeezes Alpha Rudik’s hand to comfort him. We all in the office can see his upset. “Why don’t we become friends? Leave the past where it belongs in the past?” Luna Serena asks sweetly.

Barrik wraps an arm around my shoulders, giving a nod. “I agree. Let’s move forward and not backwards. What say you, Adira?”

“I say…Hello, my name is Adira, and this is my mate Barrik. We are the Alphas of the Hunter’s Bow Pack.” I give them both my brightest smile.

Luna Serena beams as she replies. “It is lovely to meet you, Adira and Barrik. My name is Serena, and this is my mate Rudik.”

Rudik gives a slight nod of the head, but I notice his eyes are a little watery as he looks directly at me. “It’s my pleasure to meet you Adira, and Barrik. I would like to suggest an alliance between our packs, and from this day forward we be friends and allies.”

We spend the day talking about our packs, our lives, and what we see in our future.

Discussing the pack territory situation, Rudik suggests we speak with James, and offer him the exchange and a few miles of territory, so it’s a very sweet package.

It would leave his pack and ours clear to move around our borders.

I will have to have a pack meeting and see if the pack is happy to do that, and to let the Strongbow Pack name end with my parents. But, to strengthen the Hunters Bow Pack in the process.

Taking tea in the garden before Rudik and Serena have to leave, I ask a question that has Rudik scowling. “Can I ask your opinion on the Elder Council?”

“I know they tried to push you into a mating, which is wrong on so many levels. I know they like their own voices and push their opinions, right or wrong. I also know it’s time they were disbanded.”

I nod, along with Barrik. I notice that Leo, Thorn, and the three warriors from Rudik’s pack are all nodding in agreement, too.

“I think we should vote them out of office, and have every Alpha of every pack stand on the council. With a single Alpha that has no vote, but can give the final decision if votes are evenly divided on a subject. I have heard of two alphas that would suit that purpose, and Alpha James is one I would select.”

“That is an excellent idea. But we’d have to consider how to go about getting the Elder Council out of office. They have eyes and ears everywhere. It won’t be easy,” Serena nearly whispers.

“Let’s think about how to do that. Oh, and how about we do a face-call every two weeks or so to stay in touch?” I ask.

“I think that is a great idea. How about every two weeks on a Friday evening, say around 9:00 in the evening?” Rudik suggests.

“Good. We can do that,” Barrik agrees.

It is not long before Rudik and Serena leave, and I turn to Barrik, “Where is James? Why isn’t he here? He said he wanted to be here when Rudik came, so where is he?”

“James had a fight with a rogue who came onto his land. The rogue challenged him for the pack. The fight was harsh and James has some injuries that his wolf is healing. It’s going to take a few days as he has a broken leg and a tear on his side that is going to leave a nasty scar.”

“Oh, my Goddess. Should we visit and check how he is doing?” I ask, and feel like crying because I already love James as the brother he has become.

“No, he’ll be fine. He killed the rogue, and has the pack calmed down again. His new Beta is doing a great job and is informing me of how things are. James said to not worry, he is fine, it’s just a matter of time.”

“Barrik!” But before I can say more Robbie appears.

“I’ll go over in the morning to check the garden project and I’ll see how Alpha James is. If I think he’s worse than they are telling you, I’ll inform you so you can go see him.” Robbie waits for our response, and Barrik is frowning but nods.

“Yes, that will work, Robbie. James would hate us to fuss over him, but I would like to know he is not worse than Beta Toral has told me.”

Left alone, I snuggle into Barrik and think how lucky I am. But, I am worried about James, and I may go over to see him, whether he likes it or not.