Page 7

*Leo*

B eing Adira’s Beta is a source of pride for me.

I had left my own kind due to the internal politics.

The place I used to see as home has become a vicious fight to survive in the Pride, and I want nothing to do with it.

I have no family and my mate is no longer alive.

Although mates to lions are not always bonded for life I had felt I wanted that, and the mate bonds I see in the wolves appeals to me.

I will wait and find someone to live a good life with, or I’ll remain single.

The safe is proving to be a problem. We’ve tried every combination we can think of and now we are waiting for Mavis, who is scouring the library in the farmhouse for anything that may have personal codes or passwords.

Knowing dragons, I can imagine something valuable inside the safe, but it’s not ours even though we purchased the place. We need to find any family members so we can return whatever is inside.

Stepping into the kitchen, I smile inwardly at the sight of Robbie, talking to himself, wearing a frilly apron he found in one of the kitchen drawers. He’s stirring a huge pot of something on the stove and oblivious to everything around him.

“Robbie, what are you doing?”

“Shit, you scared the crap out of me,” he squeals, turning to look at who is speaking, and now dripping something from the large ladle he has in his hand.

“I’m doing a stew with the last vegetables from the pantry.

We’ll have to do an order at the store today.

I have five rabbits in it that Stella caught, so it’s a nice stew and will be good with some fresh bread tonight. ”

“Well, it smells good. I’ll see if I can catch a hog or something while I’m patrolling later. But vegetables, speak with Asher. I’m sure as we are all pack now he’ll not overcharge for them.”

“He never overcharges anyway. He’s always taken enough profit to survive nicely without being greedy and ripping off the town. I don’t know what pack he came from, but he’s been here in town nine years now.”

“Okay, changed my mind. Write what you need and I’ll hand it to Asher when I go into town later.” I make myself a drink and wait for Robbie to write his list before heading out the back door.

Stepping out the back door, I breathe the fresh air, and mentally remind myself of my jobs for the day, before shifting into Kazi, my lion. We take off for the border of the town territory where I want to check the patrols are running as they should be and not slacking.

Two hours later I’ve seen the patrols are taking this seriously, and although we don't have many to walk the border, it’s got to be enough at this time.

I lay beneath a tree in the shade and listen for anything out of place. With nothing to worry about at the moment, Kazi lays his chin on his front legs and relaxes.

‘We need to check that the lions are not going to cause more trouble.’

“Yeah, I agree, but if we go too close to the Pride, we could end up getting caught. It’ll be best to see what happens. We’ve already killed some of them and it has to have made them wary of trying again,” I respond to Kazi, and I hope what I’ve said is true.

‘We are pack now, and we live, fight and die here.’

“I agree, Kazi, I agree.”

We waste away an hour before making our way back to the farmhouse, retrieve our clothes and walk into town to get Robbie’s shopping. Reaching the store, I’m greeted with Joyce, Dottie and Elena, all talking happily together.

“Hi, Leo. What can I do for you today?” Asher asks from behind the counter.

“I have a list from Robbie. Can you fill the order and deliver?” I pass the list over to him and he flicks his eyes over it before giving me a nod.

“Sure can. It’ll be later this afternoon if that’s okay?”

“You can do it first thing in the morning if that’s any better. I know we don’t need it today because Robbie already has stew on the stove.”

Joyce’s ears pick up when she hears the word stew, and walks over, giving me a huge smile. “Tell Robbie to save me a serving. I’ll be over later. I don’t have anyone in the B&B at the moment, and you know I don’t do evening meals anymore.”

Sighing, “I’ll tell him. Is Bernice at the Post Office today?” The office only opens three days a week now, but Bernice the Post Mistress will do business if you knock on the house door, if it’s urgent.

“Yes, it’s a Post Office Day today,” Joyce replies. I give the money to Asher for the groceries before walking out of the store.

Opening the door to the Post Office, the bell above tinkles and as I walk to the counter, Bernice enters from the back room.

“Good day, Leo. How are you?”

“I’m okay. You?”

“As good as can be expected.” Bernice is a bear shifter, and she has a wicked temper if it’s riled. I’ve thankfully never been on the receiving end of it, but I’ve seen grown men run when she’s been after them in anger.

“Do you have anything for the farmhouse?” I ask, and she knows that means for any of the four of us. We receive nothing, but I always ask when I’m in town and the Office is open just in case.

“Yes, we have two letters for Alpha Adira.” Bernice grins, which she follows with a frown.

Looking behind me to check no one is in the Office with us, which we know there aren’t, Bernice whisper-growls.

“One is from that horrible pack Adira was with before she came here. The other is from Grayington Pack.”

“Okay, thank you. I’ll make sure Adira gets them.

” I take the two letters and tuck them in the pocket of my jacket before giving Bernice a smile, and quickly escaping from her gossipmongering.

Now, I know she’s lonely, but she is the world's worst gossip if you feed her any information, and she’s getting nothing from me.

Entering the farmhouse, I give Robbie a nod as I wash my hands at the kitchen sink. I know better than eating or drinking anything in his kitchen until hands are washed when coming in from outside.

“Hi, Leo. Is everything okay on the border?”

I turn and give Alpha Adira a smile. “Yes, I’ve checked the border and everyone is taking their duties seriously. Thorn is overseeing the patrol change-overs, and he’s giving training to anyone that needs more fighting experience. He’s still working at the school, so his evenings are busy.”

“Okay. I’ve found, well actually, Mavis found a book of passwords, codes and personal details and we were able to open the safe. Leo, there is jewelry, cash and even some gold bars inside.” Adira’s eyes are nearly popping out of her head, and I can’t help the chuckle that escapes.

“What do you want to do about it?” Leo asks.

“We should keep quiet and keep it. It’ll be good for the pack, and would cushion anything we may need to keep us all secure,” Robbie says as he opens the oven door and takes out a tray of cookies.

“No. It’s not ours. I’ll see if I can find any family members for Blaflono.

If we can, we can offer to give them what we have.

In the meantime, Leo, there is a problem with the basement.

Troy noticed the ceiling is going to need to be reinforced and even doing that he is not happy that children could be buried if anyone tries to bomb the building.

“I’m not sure why they would bomb it, but it’s a worry. He’s suggested we speak to the Town Council about having the safe place under the school where there is a huge basement which was reinforced when the school was built.”

I give Adira’s words consideration, “It, in actuality wouldn’t be a bad move, because the school is central in the town and would be nearer for everyone to get to. It also has a flat roof, which means townsfolk could be armed at a higher vantage point to keep the building safe.”

“Okay, I’ll speak to the Town Council about it. I cannot see them having an issue with it, but you never know.” Adira rubs her forehead before sitting at the kitchen table, and giving Robbie a warm smile when he places a mug of herbal tea in front of her.

Mavis walks into the kitchen, taking me by surprise as I didn’t realize she was even at the farmhouse.

“Oh, hi Leo. Alpha Adira I found a family tree for Blaflono, but there is only one address. We could write them and see if we get a response?”

“Yes, let’s do that Mavis. If we cover all bases and then we hear nothing we’ll just claim it as part of the property. But I’d rather we make the effort, to show we are honest.”

“Okay, I’ll write a letter and get it sent in the next day or two.” Mavis takes a mug from Robbie and sits next to Alpha Adira.

“Oh, speaking of letters. I have two for you, Alpha Adira.” I take the letters out of my jacket and hand them to her. Taking a mug from Robbie I sit across from Adira and Mavis at the table.

Alpha Adira opens the first letter and her nose scrunches up like she smelled something bad before she looks at me, shaking her head. Passing me the letter, I look and a frown easily crosses my forehead.

Dear Alpha Adira,

My name is Alpha James Cornerstone of the Darkwater Pack. I have heard via the Elder Council that you are open to invitations for mating.

I would like to arrange a visit to meet with you. See if we are compatible. I would be happy to have you join my pack and leave your rogue status behind.

Now I don’t even bother reading the rest. I pass the letter to Robbie, who stands next to us as he’s easily picked up the change in atmosphere. I’m sure Bernice said the letter was from the Grayington Pack, but she must have been wrong!

“What a piece of shit the Elder Council has become. I’m more than happy to be human, and not be under their rule.

Honestly, they need to get with the program.

They are going to cause an uproar in the town if they keep this up.

No, you are not meeting any jackass Alphas and I will tell the Town Council to take this up and fight it. ”

Robbie’s face is red as a tomato and he’s sure gotten riled. But seeing Mavis read the letter then stands with a face you can only describe as thunderous takes me aback somewhat.

“Come Robbie, we have a Town Council to sort out. They have to get the Elder Council under control where our pack and town are concerned. We may be human, but by the shifter’s goddess, we are going to rattle some rafters in this damn town.

If the Town Council don’t stand up and do as they should I’m going to get a vote of no confidence and have them all thrown off the council.

” Mavis storms out of the kitchen with Robbie right behind her.

I turn to look at Alpha Adira, who is chomping on a cookie but has an amused smile on her face.

That smile, however, doesn’t last long when she opens the next letter.

“What horrible people my past so-called family are. They want me to go to the pack and speak to the pack members. Support Joliee’s bonding because it appears some members are not happy about a fated mate being stolen, and in the manner that it happened.”

Now, I allow the chuckle that surfaces because if anyone deserves shit to fly, it’s that family, and that Alpha. He’s got to be worried that he threw away a diamond from his pack once he realized that Alpha Adira had old royal blood in her veins…well, I bet his he’s kicking his own ass.

“Throw the letter away. They are not worth bothering with, and not worth losing sleep over. Let them send an emissary and I’ll meet them with Thorn and Troy. It would be an enjoyable experience.”

Passing the letter to me, Alpha Adira takes her mug and rinses it out before turning to me when I speak again.

“I’m going to teach Blue how to fight. I watched your last session, and she needs to fight economically, energy wise. She’s wasting strength with trying to use force more than ability.”

I can see Alpha Adira speaking with Blue, as her eyes have that faraway look in them. When the look clears, she gives me a huge smile. “Blue says, you’re on.”