Page 37

*Barrik*

T oday, Adira and I are walking around the pack, speaking to each and every member we come across. Trying to remain casual but getting opinions for and against us handing the Strongbow territory to the Dark Water Pack in return for two-thirds of their territory.

If I’m honest, I expected quite a fair amount of objection, but that isn’t the case.

Only one has objected from the dozens we have spoken to so far.

That, of course, was Maisie. I controlled the smirk I wanted to give when Adira asked Maisie if she had any real constructive objections.

Objections that we could place before the advisory council.

Maisie looked like she’d swallowed a lemon as her face soured with the none retort she had, right before she scurried away.

Sitting in the café we bring up the subject to all that are here eating, and again the positive response gives us confidence that we can do this if James’ pack agrees.

It would expand our territory enough that we would have growth, and would not stretch both myself and Adira.

Nobody can be in two places at once, and I don’t want one of us to live on one pack territory and the other one in another.

“It looks promising Adira, and I’m not sure we will even need a pack meeting on the matter. What do you think?”

Adira frowns in thought, then turns to me.

“I think we should do a secret voting system. We have Leo, Rom, Stella or Thorn with a box and each pack member has a vote. They put a tick or a cross on the paper and pop it into the box. They only have one vote, and that would be why we need someone to watch over the voting box.”

“That’s a good idea, democratic, and would stop any arguments about it afterwards. Okay, let’s have Mavis make a poster and we’ll make a box with a slot where they can post their votes.”

The day of the voting has arrived. The voting box is outside the post office. Leo is standing over it, showing everyone that we are going to have no skullduggery going on with this voting.

Bernice, the postmistress, has had a notice posted outside for two days, and she’s spoken to as many people as she can. If anyone misses their vote then they will have to abide by the vote result.

The patrol warriors cast their vote before going on patrol, and those coming back from patrol quickly did theirs before heading to bed.

You can feel excitement in the air, and it’s fairly infectious because the children are over-excited and causing trouble at the school.

Elena contacted Adira this morning and told us she’s starting an extra training session for the shifter children so they can spend their excited energy before causing a human child bodily harm.

At the end of the day, the voting box was taken to the town hall where the advisory council sat in the main hall for all to see, and counted the yes and no votes.

It was fairly amusing when the voting was completed. Thomas stood and looked around at everyone that had arrived and quietly waited for the result.

“All votes were yes apart from one.” Thomas slowly looks around the crowd until he spots Maisie and gives her a look of disgust. “The yes votes have it, and we will begin with the territory deal if the Dark Water Pack agrees.”

I step forward with Adira at my side. “Thank you, everyone that has turned out today, voted, and shown how much you are an active part of the pack. Alpha Adira and I are so proud of you all. It doesn’t matter that someone didn’t want this to happen.

That is their choice and we hear them, although they are out-voiced.

” Everyone at this point turns to look at Maisie who is beet red and looks like she wants the floor to open up and swallow her.

“Negotiations will be held with Alpha James and his pack. But I cannot see why they would not agree to this deal. We would, of course gain a large packhouse, which would be ideal as the pack grows. Once we know more, we will inform you all.”

The meeting quickly unwound, and we watched as the hall became silent. Looking down at Adira, I can see she’s tired. “Come on, let’s get home. Tomorrow we are sending the letter to the council, and if they react quickly, we’ll need to be rested and ready.”

“Come on, Barrik, the last one home is a fool.”

Before I can respond Adira is out of the hall and sprinting for the farmhouse.

As I leave the hall, I see Thomas is speaking with Lars, “Close up please, I have an alpha female to catch.” I don’t wait for a reply but allow Rawlin to lend me some speed, but alas, so did Adira and Blue, and it’s going to be impossible to catch them…

unless…that trellis may just be strong enough!

I’m standing in our room as Adira bursts through the door and comes to a halt in front of me. “How did you get past me?”

“Well, I have my ways my beautiful alpha…” I grab her around her waist and throw her on the bed, watching her bounce a little as the motion settles.

It’s the giggling that Adira is having that spurs me on, and I climb on the bottom of the bed and devour my woman.

Once I’ve stripped all her clothes off, of course.

I’m standing listening to Bernice chatter about how exciting it was yesterday to have the vote.

How many people had admired that their Alphas wanted their opinions, and not just do something major that would change the pack without speaking of any concerns they may have.

She also said how people were mocking Maisie, but she’d put a stop to that because it was Maisie’s opinion and she was entitled to it.

“I need you to get this mailed quickly, Bernice. It is of high importance and has to be delivered today.”

Bernice frowns, takes the letter and checks the address. “I’ll send it by special courier, Alpha Barrik. Don’t worry I’ll get it to the council today.”

“Thank you, Bernice.” I kiss her cheek, which has her blushing deeply, and as I walk back to the farmhouse, I can’t help but chuckle at her reaction.

Adira is in the kitchen, drinking her herbal tea, which I have to tell you I don’t like at all. Dishwater is what it tastes like to me. She said it calms her and since drinking it she feels less stressed. Apparently, it can be a wonderful aid for sleeping, but I’ve not noticed that in Adira.

“James is coming over. He’s had a pack meeting and wants to discuss with us what happened, and what the outcome has been.” Taking my arm, she tucks herself in and leans her head on my shoulder.

“Come on, let’s wait in the office.” I look up and give Robbie a smile. “Can you bring refreshments for us when James arrives?”

“Yes, of course I will.” Robbie turns to continue whatever he was doing, then surprises me when he speaks again. “Oh, I heard from Tassy and Idena. They are going to stay with the leopards. You were not here when they tried to call you, so they called me as I’ve been keeping in touch with them.”

“That’s good to hear. We wanted them to be happy, and if that is with other leopards and with King then we can be thankful for that. He’ll make sure all is right or he’ll contact us. That was the one thing I made him agree to when I said the sisters could go visit.”

“Well, all is well, that ends well.” Robbie again turns back to his work.

Back in the office, Adira and I kiss and canoodle a little while we wait. Our love is growing each day, and my heart is fuller than I could ever have imagined. I am more than grateful to the Moon Goddess for giving me a mate so beautiful and dynamic as Adira.

The door opens and James walks into the office, followed by Toral, and Joseph, his Beta and Gamma. “Robbie is bringing refreshments.”

Rubbing his hands James grins. We both know how much James loves Robbie’s pastries. “You are such a pig when it comes to food.” Adira laughs at James.

“Well, I need to get a better cook. Ours is damn useless. He burns water if given the chance.” James takes a seat, then looks at us seriously. “I’ve got the letter sent to the council. Now we wait for the inevitable response.”

“I don’t think it will take long. They will burst to know why so many alphas want their attention at one time. I can bet my boots that they’ll call everyone at once, and do a mass meeting,” I look at Toral who is nodding in agreement.

“I think you are spot on, Alpha Barrik. They are so arrogant they’ll not see what’s coming.” Beta Toral looks at James and smirks. “Oh, I’m going to be there to see it happen. The downfall, it’s going to be epic.”

Adira grabs everyone’s attention when she speaks. “Okay, so none of us can wait for them to get what’s coming, but can we now talk about the pack territory swapping, please?”

“Okay, Adira. I’ve held two pack meetings.

Placed all the information out for the pack to discuss in the first one.

They had three days to get any questions together, anything they were worried about.

When the pack came for the second meeting I answered questions, and any worries, and then had a general idea of how many were going to go for the new territory and who were still a little hesitant.

” James leans forward with his elbows resting on his knees, “I spoke to those individually, and after that the pack as a whole agreed it was an excellent deal for our pack. We gained more from it than yourselves. The only thing some didn’t like was losing the packhouse.

But the Strongbow packhouse is still standing, and it’s a beautiful building.

It needs people to care for it, bring it back to how it should be. ”

“When we walked around it, I loved it. But I couldn’t see myself living in it. If you come across any important pack papers or a secret safe remember that those will always belong to me and I would like them where they belong, which is with me,” Adira states firmly.

“Of course. That goes without saying, Adira.” James looks at the door with a gleam in his eye when Robbie walks into the office with a large tray of refreshments.

“We can do the swap once the legalities of the new territory boundaries are established and we have new deeds in place. It’s got to be done legally so future generations will know it was not any kind of hostile takeover.

” I lean forward and rest my elbows on the desk, “Any offspring we have will be related and I can’t see that happening, but it’s not unheard that siblings hate each other. ”

James laughs. “Well, we all know about the Silver Birch Pack twins. Goddess, they ripped each other apart. They hated each other so much.”

We all groan because that was a terrible thing and everyone knew what had happened. Thankfully, the twins had a younger brother who didn’t have a twin, and he has the pack thriving and well respected.

The visit went well, and Adira is loving having a brother in James.

He teases her mercilessly, but she takes it and gives it back just as much.

We decide to get legalities dealt with, and if necessary to wait for the Elder Council business to be concluded before we make the move.

We can only control one thing at a time, and the council could cause trouble!

Later in the afternoon, I stand watching the shifter children's training. Some are vicious and Talon has to keep putting them under orders. It’s going to give us tough warriors in the future, and I can see them giving it their all if trouble brewed.

Rom steps up beside me. “Alpha Barrik, have you seen Blossom?”

“No, why?”

“Well, she’s the one with the mud all over her.

She said every warrior needs camouflage.

She is tough, and all that sweetness she has disappears if you mention a fight.

A tiger cub at the fiercest and Ramo loves her.

I never thought my tiger would love someone else's offspring, but he sees her as ours and he’d die to protect her.

” Rom folds his arms and puffs out his chest with pride as we both watch Blossom fight like her life depended on it.

Talon has had to walk over and calm her.

I give Rom a pat on his shoulder as I walk back to the farmhouse, chuckling to myself at the fierce nature of those children.

Walking into the kitchen, I overhear Mavis telling Adira she’s going on a date with Alan Letterman the estate agent. Now, romantic liaisons are not my thing, so I sneak past and head to the office. I’ll let Adira handle that discussion.