Chapter 17
AURORA
Walking from the dining area to my office, I give Raina a small smile, “Is everything ready for the Alpha’s arrival?”
“Yes, I have the table clean, pitchers of iced water at the ready. Glassware for drinks and stationery, if needed, is at every place setting. Do you need anything else?”
“No, if anything else is needed, we can get it at the time. I want you, Warrior Wallace and Warrior Gerry, at the meeting. Make sure you all have a place at the table.” Raina looks shocked that I want them in the meeting, but says nothing whilst giving me a nod of understanding. She will make sure Wallace and Gerry are available and present.
I look up when Flint walks into the office. Now he’s way more comfortable walking around the pack, and in and out of the office than he should be. But he has a personality that you can’t seem to get disgruntled at. Well, not for long anyway.
“Good day to you, Aurora.”
“Good day, Flint. What can I do for you?” I lean back in my seat and give him all my attention. Grin to myself when he takes a seat and lounges easily.
“I think it would be wise if I sat in with you for the meeting…” holding his hand up to stop me speaking, “I know you are the alpha of this pack, and technically it’s your meeting, but…I think my input could be of value and you would have the council on side, so to speak.”
“How did I know you were going to do this?” I ask, and my eyes must twinkle with the laughter I’m holding back. “I think I know you well enough that this is no surprise, and we already set you a place at the table.”
Grinning, Flint chuckles, then asks me a few questions of how I am feeling after getting away from the camp. “I’ve been a little worried that you may have nightmares or some other issues since you got back to the pack. You would tell me if you needed any mental help, wouldn’t you?”
At this moment, looking at Flint, he is more a father figure than a council member, and I appreciate the concern he is showing. “I would, but I am alright. Nothing terrible happened to me. I’m more worried about my pack members. I have spoken to them all individually, but I am thinking of getting them together to have a meal and just check them out in a friendly environment.”
“That is a good idea. You have always had an easy camaraderie with your pack and it’s something I’ve always admired. You not only have the strength when needed, but compassion in abundance.”
“As I am not a natural alpha, it has been difficult to find a balance that I can maintain, yet keep the respect of the pack. Taking over a pack is not easy, and not something I would recommend. You know, if we found an alpha that could lead the pack, I would happily stand down.” I see the shock on Flint’s face, but I also see it turn into respect.
“I know a few alphas that have never had a pack. Some never want one and are happy to continue as they are, usually in a beta position, head warrior, or some other important position. Those are the ones that I would cajole to taking a pack if necessary, and not the ones that are biting at the bit to have one. We all learned a valuable lesson with Alpha Connell’s sire, and leaving him in the alpha position when we should have removed him. I would support any decision you made, but know that I respect and admire all you have achieved and I hope you do not stand down because you are an outstanding alpha.”
I’m not sure what to say, as the last of his comment has left me somewhat flustered. I am not used to compliments, and that is one of the highest coming from a council member such as Flint.
Before I can reply a knock on the door takes our attention. “Come in,” I quickly say as I clear my throat of the emotion Flint created.
Raina opens the door and enters the office, giving Flint a tip of the head, showing her neck and respect. “Alpha, we have Alpha Lyle arriving.”
“Okay, I will come and greet him.” Standing from behind my desk, I give Flint a smile, “Thank you for your visit this morning, and your comments. They are appreciated.”
Walking out of the main door of the packhouse, I can’t help but grin when Alpha Lyle steps out of his vehicle. He is alone, and that is unusual, as alphas tend to always have an officer with them wherever they go.
“Good day, Alpha Lyle.” I quickly greet as he climbs the steps to the packhouse.
“None of that alpha bullshit, Aurora. We are in this together, and we are friends foremost. All this alpha, beta, gamma thing can get tiring when you are in a room together for long periods of time. I do, however, understand the importance when in certain situations, as I’m sure you do. Now I’m ready for a drink and to find out what is going on.”
Seeing another vehicle drawing near, I turn to Raina. “Please take Lyle to the dining area, where he can have refreshments. I’m sure the others will not be long before they arrive.”
I watch Raina lead Lyle away and smile at the easy way Lyle talks with Raina, grinning and laughing with her. He’s a wonderful male and a first-class alpha. I can’t help but sigh, thinking it would have been nice if I could have found someone like that, even though I’m not interested in an alpha chosen mate.
The next hour is spent greeting the other alphas, and they all three show respect and friendliness. Alpha Chet, however, is eager to see his son Bronze, and I can’t fault him for that. Raina, who had returned from settling Lyle, takes Alpha Chet to the room where Bronze is staying. I’m sure he will return to his pack once the meeting is over. I am just not sure what is going to happen regarding Taria.
Two hours later, Alphas Chet, Connell, Gabriel and Lyle, with myself, Raina, Wallace and Gerry, along with Flint, of course, are gathered and the meeting begins. “Before we start the meeting in earnest, can we cut the Alpha this and that to make it easier for the meeting to flow? It’s tiring with all that title business,” I ask, getting head nods of agreement from everyone, as well as smirks.
“This rogue who calls himself an alpha…” Lyle starts the meeting by asking, “have we any idea where he came from? If he is of alpha blood someone knows him, knows what he is capable of, and knows how to end him like the piece of garbage he is.”
Flint quickly responds, “I have feelers out in different areas, and one that has me thinking it is the Southern Parklands. I am hearing of discontent in a pack after an alpha heir killed some of his own pack members after being beaten by his sire, who is the recognized alpha in a challenge he himself set. I have a feeling this could be who this alpha is, but I’m waiting for confirmation from my source since I gave them a description Aurora gave to me.”
“So, we are talking about a greedy heir who tried to overthrow his sire, and lost. Stomped away probably with his tail between his legs and thought, ah-ha, I’ll start my own pack of rogues,” Alpha Chet states, with a look of disgust on his face.
Alpha Gabriel laughs. “Sounds about right, but at this point in time, we need as much information as we can get. Information is the key to bringing him down, and the rogues who are solidly behind him. I have been told about a few rogues that have come into Wolfsfoot town, and heard they are grumbling about the treatment they had. Trouble is, they run when you try to speak to them, and disappear as quickly as they can.”
“Yes, I heard similar,” Alpha Chet responds, rubbing his chin with his thumb and forefinger. “Do you think we could catch one of them?”
Alpha Connell speaks for the first time. “Worth a try, but it will be one of Gabriel's pack members that gets the opportunity.”
“Yes, it will. I agree with that, Connell, but it could be tricky. I’ll speak with my pack members when I get back. I’m sure Tati will want in on it, as she’s bored just now.” Chuckling more to himself than the rest of us.
“Warrior Gerry and I are aiming to go back into no-man’s-land and get as much information as we can,” I watch the reactions of everyone, and to say they are not happy is an understatement.
“No, I don’t agree with that, Aurora,” Alpha Lyle slaps his hand on the table, showing how strongly he feels.
“I don’t agree either,” Alpha Connell states, then surprises us all. “What about shadow warriors? Do any of you have one?”
“No, I do not have one in my pack,” Alpha Chet quickly states, but looks around the other alphas to see if they will admit to having one.
“We do not have one,” I add to the conversation.
“No, neither do I. What about you, Lyle, you Gabriel?” Alpha Connell asks, and it looks like he may know something!
“I don’t, but wish I did,” Alpha Lyle chuckles, more to himself than the rest of us.
“We had one, but he left for one of the other kingdoms when he met his mate. I won’t call him back because he is happy and has two pups he needs to nurture,” Alpha Gabriel firmly states, and we can all see he isn’t going to move from this stance.
“I know of one,” Flint admits, and we all give him a dirty look. “Well, I was waiting to see if any of you had one first. I will contact him and speak with him. I will update you all when I know more, but I won’t reveal his identity.”
We all agree because shadow warriors are just that, shadows. They like to remain anonymous and able to live a normal life when not needed.
“I have arranged for twenty of my warriors to move over to you Lyle, that should help ease your border issue somewhat. I am having more trained to patrol standard, but as you all know it takes time,” Alpha Chet looks at me before continuing, “do you have enough patrol warriors, Aurora? If not, I will see if I can send more to you. With my pack's position being the furthest from no-man’s-land, we don’t get the same problems you and Lyle have. But we are seeing rogues appearing on our borders. One of our female patrol warriors had a fight only last week when three rogues tried to take her. Luckily, her patrol partner was not far away and got to her in time.”
“With the council warriors, we have a patrol that works well at the moment. But any extra help would be appreciated, as I don’t want the warriors I have to become overtired with the number of patrols they must cover.” Aurora answered.
“Okay, I will look when I get back at the warriors, I have available, but it will only be four,” Alpha Chet says with an apologetic look.
“I can send you six warriors, Aurora. They are trained and will serve well. My border has some rogue interference, but we have been working hard to train everyone in the pack in case I have to call everyone to fight.” Connell looks from one of us to another, and I can see the pride he has in his pack members. He is such a different alpha to his sire, and a different male now he has his mate.
“I have sent as many as I can spare at this time. But we will come if called,” Alpha Gabriel adds to the conversation.
“Shall we meet again in a month?” I ask.
“I think that’s a good idea. We may know more if Flint gets the shadow warrior involved. We really need more information before we storm no-man’s-land and get pack members killed,” Alpha Lyle states, and we all agree with that sentiment.
“Okay, I’m going back to my pack. Nothing more we can do here, so it’s pointless staying,” Alpha Connell says, standing from his seat and leaving the office.
Alpha Lyle and Alpha Gabriel follow, but I quickly speak to Alpha Chet. “Could I have a word with you before you leave?”
“Yes, of course.”
Turning, I give my officers a sign to leave the office, and my eyes flick to Flint so they know to take the councilman with them. Raina grins as she grasps hold of Flint's arm and guides him out, not giving him the opportunity to resist.
Taking a seat opposite Alpha Chet at the table, I give him a serious look, but he speaks before I can. “Is this about Taria being Bronze’ mate?”
“Yes. I want you to know that I’m working on her attitude and all other aspects of her being a Luna. I want your thoughts on my sending her to the Wolfsfoot and Blackshadow Pack Lunas. To learn her role from a Luna, before coming to Luna Sage for her final assessment. Alpha Heir Bronze will give Taria six months before he rejects her. I understand his thinking, and if I’m honest, I respect the fact he is giving her the opportunity to grow into herself and the role. Many would reject her and move on without a single thought.”
“My thoughts are simple. Bronze has always wanted to find his fated mate. He will do whatever is needed to have her. He will not allow her to be a Luna that the pack won’t respect. I think what you are doing, and I have heard from Bronze some of the things Taria has been involved with, like the kitchen,” chuckling at something that Bronze must have told him before continuing, “will bring her down to earth. Being an Alpha’s offspring is not always easy, but for females, it can go either way. It has them, as Taria, being entitled, or they become so overwhelmed that they reject their mate on sight to avoid the Luna position. Not all heirs are fated to be Lunas of a pack, but whatever their fate is, they need to face it with grace and strength.
“Keep me informed and I agree regarding Taria being sent to other packs. It will break the habit she has formed here. But first give her the experience of different roles of the pack as you are doing. It is a great idea and one that I would be fully behind if it was my Luna suggesting it for a female offspring. Sadly, as you know we only had Bronze, but he is a magnificent male and I could not be prouder of him. I thank you for getting him away from that camp because we both know they would have killed him, given time.”
“I would never have left him behind, and I’m happy that he will be family to me when Taria gets her act together, that is.”
We both laugh at my comment as we leave the office, but laugh harder when Taria passes us, looking more than a little frazzled, pushing the laundry cart to the laundry room.