Page 9

*Adira*

M avis walks into the farmhouse library and gives a smile, “Morning, Alpha Adira. Did you sleep well?”

“Good morning, Mavis. No, actually, I have this thing playing on my mind.”

“What thing is that?” Mavis sits in the easy chair near the table we are using to clean and restore any of the books.

“It was mentioned to me about the Mass Mountain Pack, and I should not be mated to anyone there, as it would make that pack stronger. I’m not sure why that is?” I raise a questioning eyebrow because if anyone would know, I think Mavis would.

Mavis does her usual going still and her face looking blank, as she thinks about whatever it is she needs to at the time.

Now, I don’t know if she is trying to dredge up a memory, or she’s recounting what she knows before she speaks?

Being human, I at least know she’s not speaking to her inner animal.

‘She should have had an animal as she’s a great person, and I think she’d have made a good rabbit, or squirrel, but for sure, a wolf.’

“Shut up, Blue.” I inwardly laugh at the thought of Mavis being a rabbit.

“I can check, but if my memory serves me right, the Mass Mountain Pack had the royal blood. Luna Nalaria, who is the Great, Great, Grandmother of the current alpha, was the niece of the King at that time. As you know we don’t have royals ruling anymore as they were wiped out, apart from anyone that has a blink of royal in them.

The vampires hired a witch to cast a spell on the Royal Family, and one-by-one they died. ” Mavis gives me a sad look.

“So, only a few have royal blood and I’m one of them?” I ask. This is really worrying because it could make me a target for vampires. “Oh, why did the vampires want the Royal Family dead?”

“Yes, and yes, but I don’t know why they wanted them dead. To be honest with you, I don’t think anyone but the vampires know.”

Sighing, followed by pinching the bridge of my nose before looking up at Mavis. “We need to find out, in case it will come back to me. We also need to find this relative of Blaflono. You know he may have a library, too.”

“I’ve written to the address I found, but have heard nothing as yet.” Mavis turns and starts working on the book she was restoring yesterday, and I see I’m dismissed from her thoughts so make my way to the kitchen where I’ll make a cup of chamomile tea.

I’m sitting quietly outside the kitchen door on a bench that Robbie restored from the garden shed. I can hear the birds singing, bees buzzing and the low humming Robbie makes as he’s working. It’s all comforting and brings me peace. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m home.

Sipping from the cup of chamomile tea, my mind wanders back to my childhood and the way I felt unwanted by my mama and sister.

Now I understand why, as they were not actually family to me, but my papa was warm and gave me birthday gifts and hugs, unlike my mama.

Joliee was always spoiled and spiteful, with her always being in the right, no matter she was or not.

In that house she could do no wrong, and when the Alpha chose for me to go to Luna camp once it was discovered I was Travis’ mate it caused even more trouble.

Tantrums became the daily occurrence, and more nasty comments thrown my way.

I really was happy to go to the camp, just to get away from the stress of the house.

What I didn’t foresee was Joliee stealing my mate in that year, and everyone going along with it.

“Alpha Adira!” I hear shouted, and turn to look who’s rushing towards me.

“Oh, Thorn, what’s wrong?” I stand from the bench and wait for Thorn to reach me.

“We have Alpha Benedict and one of the Elder Council at the border. What do you want us to do? I told the patrol to keep them at the border until you confirm what you want.” Thorn is holding his mid-section as he gasps for air, which tells me he’s run in his human form.

“Did they say what they wanted?” I ask, but know what it is. They want me back to placate the pack who have found out I’m the one who was a fated mate, and not a chosen one, as Joliee and Travis said.

“I didn’t wait to find out, Alpha Adira. I came here to inform you quickly.” Thorn is a powerful man and a phenomenal leopard when shifted. Thorn’s leopard, Kaabya, is near the surface. I can smell his cat scent, which shows me how agitated he is.

“Okay. Contact the border and tell one of them to lead the two, and only those two to the town hall. I’ll see them there, but you will stay with me as Leo and Stella are working.”

Thorn mind links one of the leopard shifters on border patrol, and we both make our way to the town hall.

Taking a seat at the table we keep in the hall, just in case of emergency meetings, we wait.

Thorn keeps giving me lingering looks, as though he’s nervous of what’s about to happen.

Me, I don’t care about Alpha Benedict or the Elder Council.

They have proven to me they are corrupt, and not worth my allegiance.

Twenty-five minutes it takes for them to arrive. I remain calm, not standing to greet them, which quickly informs them of how I view them at this time. Thorn sees my non-reaction, so takes the lead, which I’m grateful for.

“Please, take a seat.” Thorn indicates the opposite side of the table to myself, but positions himself at the end of the long table. It is easy to see he is at-the-ready if they make a wrong move.

“What can the Alpha of the Hunters Bow Pack do for either of you?” I ask, keeping my voice calm but firm.

“The pack needs you to come and verify that Joliee and Travis should be together. We have internal pack arguments about the mate bond, and it’s causing more issues than is necessary. You know there is nothing that can be done now, Adira…”

Alpha Benedict is stopped from speaking when I hold my hand up. “I am Alpha Adira to you, and what does your internal mess have to do with me?”

The Elder, who I recognize as Levi Forest, mainly because of his massive nose, something you can hardly overlook, speaks. “Alpha Adira, I understand how you must feel about being rejected by your mate…”

“I wasn’t rejected, per se, by my mate. After catching them in the act of bonding at a ceremony, Alpha Benedict here was presiding over, and the Elder Council granted, I rejected the so-called fated mate, Travis.

Let’s keep things as they should be, shall we, Elder Forest?

” I remain calm, which I can see irks both of them.

“Beside the semantics, you are required to return and smooth the pack…” Elder Forest tries to continue.

“No, I do not need to return to smooth over the mess you have all made. You can deal with the mess the Moon Goddess is punishing you for. I have my own pack to look after, and that’s exactly what I intend to do, with the Moon Goddess' blessing because here we would never reject our fated mate,” I end with a slight snarl along with a sarcastic tone.

Alpha Benedict throws out his Alpha power, intending to make me bow down, but Blue snarls and before I can stop her, she is standing on the table with her nose in the Alpha’s face. All teeth showing and drool dangling from either side of her jaw. I am no longer in control. Blue is!

Thorn immediately snaps into his Leopard, and Kaabya, who is known for a quick temper, jumps onto the table to stand at my side. Wolf and leopard are both at the ready.

Elder Forest quickly sizes up the situation, and it’s easy to see he wants out of here, quickly. “Stop, there is no need for this to escalate. We will leave and give you time to think on the situation.”

Blue growls deep and threateningly, letting everyone know she is not interested in anything the Elder has to say. As the Elder and Alpha Benedict head for the door, I see them both look at each other, and I know they are going to shift and fight in a moment.

Thorn, however, shifts back to his human self, and I keep my eyes away from him as he is naked, and I honestly don’t want to see anything I shouldn’t. “If you want to shift, please do so, make our day,” Thorn throws that out easily, and shifts back to his leopard form and stands ready by my side.

Alpha Benedict shifts first, with Elder Forest seconds behind him.

The fight is on! Rudin, Alpha Benedict's wolf, jumps toward me, and Blue is ready. She snarls and we clash on back legs, smashing into each other hard. I’m happy that Blue has had a few lessons with Leo, or this might have been a nasty fight for us.

I move back into Blue’s mind, allowing her to do what is needed. She is biting, snapping, and digging her claws into Rudin as much as she can. We have taken a few bites and scratches ourselves, but we are holding our own.

From where I am in Blue’s mind, I can hear Kaabya fighting with the Elder.

Now leopards are agile, strong and very territorial, so knowing he is defending his Alpha, he isn’t going to hold back.

He is quick, and in training I have seen him outmaneuver many of the patrol fighters, and some of them are vicious.

Hearing a loud yelp right before it goes quiet, I know Kaabya has taken down the Elder’s wolf. But when he jumps on the top of Rudin pushing Blue back, I’m more than surprised.

Blue stands, puffing, but still alert. ‘Kaabya, protecting me. We need to promote him to Delta!’

I’m shocked that Blue is thinking, and sending that thought to me at this moment in time. But watching Kaabya moving around Rudin, clawing and biting, is like poetry in motion. He is moving fluidly, so light on his feet that I’m going to have to train alongside him to pick up some tips.

Rudin takes an opportunity to back away from Kaabya, easing his way towards the exit door. I know that he’s not going to fight more, but he’s leaving the Elder to struggle to his feet as he’s shifted back to human form. I keep my eyes away from him as I don’t want a naked Elder in my memory.

Kaabya shifts, and Thorn stands with his back to me.

Yeah, you guessed I didn’t close my eyes quickly enough, and I got an eyeful of a nice firm butt.

Thorn’s back is muscular and toned, and as he moves his muscles ripple.

I rub my face, trying to stop the thoughts that are sure to pop into my head if I keep looking at a naked Thorn.

“Get out of my packlands and stay out. I will not ever return to your pack Benedict, so don’t come here again.” I make sure by missing his title I am disrespecting him. “Thorn, when you have shown these two off the packlands, I want to see you.”

“Yes, Alpha Adira,” Thorn responds.

The door flies open and Leo, along with Stella, rushes into the hall.

They eye up the situation and everyone can see they would quickly jump into a fight if another one was started.

“Leo, would you and Stella walk with Thorn to the border, to see these two off the packlands. Tell the patrol they are not to be allowed into the pack again.”

“Yes, Alpha Adira,” Stella quickly replies, and I watch as the three push Benedict and the Elder out of the door.

“It’s not the end of this, Adira,” Benedict shouts, and I turn my back, showing him I don’t care what he has to say, or threaten.

I make my way to the farmhouse and quickly inform Robbie of what has occurred while he has been oblivious in the vegetable garden. I can see he’s angry he missed it all, but honestly, he would have been at risk if he’d been in the fight.

The door opens and I look up to see Leo, Stella and Thorn. We all take a seat at the kitchen table and Robbie provides us a drink and a cookie. I calm myself before I speak.

“Let me make it clear for everyone. I will not now, or in the future, return to that abysmal pack to smooth over the issue they caused. As you all know, the fated mate bond is precious and should be treated as such. Thorn, as we all know, you are solitary creatures, leopards, that is. But you have been a valued member here and after today I would like to promote you to Delta of the pack. Do you think you could live with that commitment?” I am really not sure if he wants to stay forever, or move on, so this is a tricky question I’m asking.

Thorn looks at me, and gives me a softened look, well softer than his normal stone-like features.

“My leopard, Kaabya, is happy to be wandering alone, but my human side needed companionship. I was sick of wandering around from one place to another. Living rough in the wilds gets tiring, and it’s not so pleasant, especially during the winter months.

Kaabya, however, likes it here, and he feels protective and territorial over you, Alpha Adira.

I don’t know why, but he is more than happy you are the leader, and to follow you. ”

“You can all call me Adira when we are alone. This alpha business is annoying, I have to tell you. No matter I have become Alpha of the pack, I am still, foremost, Adira.” I look from one to another, and they all smile and give me a nod or an ‘Okay.’

“So, what is your answer Thorn, will you be my Delta?”

Thorn gives me a serious look, then responds. “Yes, I will be happy to be your Delta, and Kaabya agrees as well.” Now, Thorn grins and we can all see the amusement at the comment he’s made regarding his leopard.

“Good, then that’s agreed upon. You’ll move into the farmhouse pronto,” I know he’s not realized he’ll have to move in here, but I get up and make my way out of the kitchen quickly as I hear Thorn spluttering and stammering.