Chapter 19
AURORA
The days are stretching out and first thing this morning I have a meeting with the council members before they leave. I’m thankful they will leave the pack today, although none has caused a problem, all being polite and helpful apart from Eve Planter, of course. She has complained about the room, the bed, the food, and anything else she can think of.
I heard Flint roaring at her through her bedroom door as I passed last night when I was retiring to bed. I had to grin because I’ve never heard Flint raise a voice previously in this manner, but if he could get away with killing her and burying her body, I think he would.
After breakfast, I enter my office with Raina and Gerry, who had been eating with me. “This meeting can go one of two ways. A verbal match between Eve and myself or skimming over what we know so far. But whatever happens, I’ll be glad when it’s done and everyone has gone.”
“You are going to go out again, aren’t you?” Raina asks once she’s closed the office door.
“Yes, we need to know what’s happening. I’ll be more careful this time. We can’t wait for this Shadow Warrior to appear, if he even appears.”
Gerry grins, “Well, I’m coming so we’ll watch each other’s back as we did last time. But this time don’t do something stupid…” holding his hand up to stop me speaking, “I know it worked out okay in the end, but we can’t risk anything this time. Arric won’t allow you to leave again. He’ll mark you before you can stop him. Then you’ll be tied to him for the rest of your life.”
“You know Councilman Flint will go crazy, don’t you?” Raina grins at her own comment.
“Yeah, but I will put my pack first. They deserve safety and honestly, it’s not happening these days. The patrol has reported less movement from no-man’s-land, and I’m not sure if that is good or bad news.”
“The patrol warriors are doing well. Roul went out with them during the night and when he got back, he informed me they are taking everything out there seriously. Any sign of something not quite normal, as in a sound or movement they wait and hope to get a rogue to capture, but so far, none have gotten close enough.” Gerry adds to the conversation.
Tapping on the door has me looking at Raina, who gives me a nod before opening it and smiling politely at Flint and the other council members. They walk in and take a seat, but I notice Eve Planter is keeping her head slightly down and her eyes away from any of us. Now that is strange as she is never slow to cause confrontation of any kind.
Taking my seat with Raina on one side and Gerry on the other, I look at the door as Wallace enters, giving everyone a tip of the head before taking a seat next to Gerry.
“Let’s get this meeting started, as I have a lot of things I need to get done today,” I give the council members a warm smile. “I imagine you are all ready to get back to your homes.”
“It has been a most pleasant visit here, especially under the circumstances, Aurora. I personally would like to thank you for your welcome, and your pack members have been more than gracious.” Lykos gives me a smile and a nod of respect.
“I agree. It’s been nice speaking with the pack. It’s been a long time since I had a visit with you here Aurora, but you have done an incredible job with the pack grounds. They look tremendous compared to my last visit.” Merry is so sweet. She is a garden person I know, and she loves being outside with the herbs and flowers. Her entire aura smells of lavender and chamomile. Just to be in her presence comforts me.
Flint takes control of the table and I have to grin to myself, inwardly, of course. But Aztec butts into my mind.
Flint is a good male. He would make a mate very happy.
‘Now, don’t be thinking anything like that.’
I know he’s not our mate, but we can choose one now.
‘Yes, I suppose we can, but I don’t want to. We have too many things to do before we think about mates.’
“Are you interested in this meeting, or too busy speaking with your wolf?” Eve snaps, and the room quietens in an instant.
Aztec surges forward enough to snarl using my voice, “Be quiet, female. You do not want to mess with me or my person.”
Gerry leans forward toward me and speaks calmly to Aztec, ‘Calm, Aztec. All we be well. Nothing will happen to Aurora.’
Aztec retreats slightly and turns to look at Gerry. Whatever she sees in his body language soothes, and she retreats, but not before giving Eve another harsh growl.
“One more word out of you, Eve, and you will be dismissed.” Flint snarls, and it’s interesting to see the rest of the council giving her serious looks, too.
Take the bull by the horns is the saying, so I’m going for it. “Let’s get this done, shall we, Eve? You wanted to be the Alpha of what is now my pack. But you are not capable with your temperament to be a pack alpha. You would bully and humiliate all that you felt were not strong enough. Those, as you call lesser shifters just need nurturing, showing how special and cared for they are. How important their role in the pack is. If you had taken control of this pack, it would be gone now.”
What happens next, not one of us could predict. Eve shifts with a large snarl into her wolf, Misty, and launches across the table. Now I am more than amazed when Gerry is on his feet and snatches her out of the air before she reaches me.
Flint’s wolf Bruno comes forth and slams into Misty and Gerry. Gerry releases Misty and Bruno pins her to the ground. Bruno has his fangs dug into her neck and no one dares to move. We all are on our feet and waiting for what will happen next.
Lykos gives a chuckle, “Well, that sure was interesting. I think we need Eve back at the council and we’ll hold a special meeting. I, for one, don’t think she is fit to hold her position any longer.”
Bruno shifts back and Flint grabs Misty by the scruff and whispers into her ear. Whimpering at whatever he has said, Misty shifts and Eve stands defiantly staring at Flint, then the rest of the council members.
“Gerry, take Eve to her room, place two warriors outside her window and two outside her door. She remains there until we leave. She sees and speaks to no one. Oh, and put a silver cuff on her wrist so she can’t shift or communicate with anyone.” Flint states, and we all look at him shocked, because not one of us has heard of a council member having a cuff placed on them previously.
Gerry mind links with someone as he grasps Eve’s upper arm, and guides her out of the room. We all hear him telling her not to try shifting or link anyone because he didn’t want to have to hurt her by knocking her out.
Once the door is closed, everyone sits for a few minutes saying nothing. We are all shocked with what happened, and are struggling to come to terms with it.
Giggling has us turning to look at Cinder, who has her hand over her mouth. But when she throws her head back laughing, I think my eyes nearly pop out of my head. Roman, her mate, is looking at her aghast before taking her hand and patting it, obviously thinking it may help.
“That is the best meeting I have ever attended.” Cinder wipes her cheeks clean of the tears her laughter created.
Merry chuckles. “Yeah, I can see your point. It hasn’t been a stuffy, boring one.”
Flints gives them both an amused look before speaking, “Okay, let’s get to business so we can all be done. I’ve spoken to my contact regarding the shadow warrior, and he will get back to me today sometime. He thinks because of the issue we are talking about, the shadow warrior will assist. If this Arric takes any of our packs, he’ll not stop at that. He’ll want to spread his wings. If he sees himself as being a King he’ll want control of all packs throughout our Kingdom, so it will affect more than our area.”
Porter drums his fingers on the table. “We need to stop this, and we’ve known for a long time but never had the opportunity. If we can get the information, then we should strike. As the council, we need to speak with all the packs, in all of our areas, that includes the Northern, Southern and Western Parklands. No-man’s-land was once the Eastern Parklands, but after the bad rogues, as we should call them, took it over, it’s never been thought of as that again.”
“Let’s convene, get the information about the shadow warrior, and get Eve back to the council chambers. You have warriors now that have eased your situation on patrols. Alpha Lyle also has extra help. You have more warriors coming too, so hold your ground, Aurora. Call any of us if you need anything. Don’t think only Flint can and will help you.” Ulmer stands and walks over to me, and as I stand, he holds his hand out for me to shake. It’s not a common move for shifters, but I understand he is giving me a visual respect that cannot be disputed.
“Thank you. I will do my best.”
One-by-one the council members leave and Flint gives me a wink as he turns to leave. “I’ll let you know as soon as I hear about the shadow warrior. I’m going back with the other council members as we have someone to remove from the council and give out a punishment.” When he rubs his hands together and grins I giggle because who would have known he could be so amusing.
Gerry returns as Raina and I are settling into seats at my desk. “All done. She was a biter. She bit Roul as he was putting the cuff on her. But boy, he grabbed her neck and shook her. I think he scared the shit out of her, to be truthful. It was amusing and as we left he was humming jauntily.”
“Oh, my, it was a bit of a shock. But she’s been pushing the council for a long time, and doing this in a meeting put her in the line of fire. I don’t think she’ll keep her position after this, but I’ll be interested in her punishment,” Raina grins.
“You’ve got to come and watch Taria with Roul now that he’s back on the training field. She is strong, and she has surprised herself, I’m sure.” Gerry leaves the office and we walk along with him.
Watching Taria fight, I am surprised and very proud. I feel so bad that I let her down, but I hope she knows how much I love her, and I’d do anything I could for her. I still have to make the call to Blackshadow and Wolfsfoot Packs yet. But she’s not quite ready to go, so I’m not going to be pushing for her to go anywhere.
“When are we going to sneak off?” I ask Gerry.
“Tonight. We’ll wait until the pack is asleep, then we’ll make our move.”
“I will be ready.”
“So will we.” Both Gerry and I turn, hearing someone speak behind us.
Gerry groans when he sees two female council warriors standing behind us, both with arms folded over their chests and looking more than determined.
“You know you could be in deep trouble if you come with us? You may even lose your warrior placing,” Gerry warns.
“Look, if it’s important, we’ll do it.”
“Alpha Aurora, meet Sharon and Aggie.”
I give them both a nod of the head, but before I can speak, the one named Aggie asks, “So, where are we going?”
Gerry groans again, I giggle, and Raina full on laughs. The two female warriors smirk, but I leave it to Gerry to sort out and walk away, giving Taria a wave when she notices me watching.
Three hours later, I answer the phone in my office and Flint asks if I’m alone.
“Yes, I’m in the office alone at the moment,” I reply.
“The shadow warrior is okay with helping. He will be at your pack tomorrow late evening. He is from the Wolfsong Pack and Alpha Falan is okay with him coming to help. The warrior is a loner. He likes to work alone, but he will keep you informed of what he does as and when he can. He will come to you and you will call him Xavier. He does not use a last name. He is known only as Xavier.”
“Okay. Thank you for letting me know. I will prepare his room and be ready for his arrival.”
“I will speak to you again soon. I have a lot to do before I come back to visit, but I will be back. If you need me or anything you know how to reach me.” Flint cuts the call before anything more can be said. But as I’m not going to be here more than likely when the warrior Xavier arrives, it is probably a good thing that we don’t speak more.