Chapter 27
AURORA
Today is not going to be one of my better days. I am waiting for a call from Flint, and they have not gone well recently. Taria leaves for Wolfsfoot pack and Luna Tatiana today, too. That is going to be hardest on me, I know. We have never been apart for, probably, more than a couple of days since she was born. I know why we’re doing this and I wholeheartedly support it, but that doesn’t make it any easier. I have insisted that four warriors accompany her on the journey. I would have left them there with her, but I can’t justify insulting Alpha Gabriel and Luna Tatiana in such a barefaced way of saying, ‘I trust you to train my daughter, but I do not trust you to guarantee her safety’. If someone did that to me, I would be cutting all ties with their pack. Being an Alpha is one thing, being a parent is something completely different. I’m learning that in many ways recently.
A knock on the door has me calling, ‘come in’ before Raina’s guard can announce who wishes to see me. The guard doesn’t bother me so much as the over-protectiveness it demonstrates. That is grating on my nerves.
Seeing Taria walk into the office, I realize it must be time for her to leave. Standing, I meet her halfway across the office. We throw our arms around each other and just stand there for a few minutes. Taria is the one that breaks the embrace.
“I have to go, Momma. I’ll try to make you proud.” I see her holding back tears.
“I’m already proud of you. As your Momma and as your Alpha. Learn as much as you can while with these other packs. Learn how each Luna takes care of her duties, but take notice of how the Alpha’s behave too. When you are a Luna, you will see things differently to an Alpha. You can be a valuable advisor and confidant. A good Alpha will listen to his Luna and heed any advice, as well as feeling he can discuss anything with her.”
A mind link with one of the patrol warriors interrupts me and fills me in on what’s happening. I turn and speak to Taria once more.
“Taria, it seems you will have more company on your journey than our warriors. Alpha Heir Bronze is at the border. Apparently, he wishes to ensure your safety on the journey to Wolfsfoot pack. I was not aware he knew of your departure plans?”
“He didn’t learn of my plans from me. I suspect Raina has had a hand in this. She has been very present in my life since the attempt on your life. If I’m honest, I think it struck home that she could have lost you and she has decided that, by default, I fall into the ‘need to be protected’ category.” Watching Taria smile, I can see that she is okay with it, but like me, it will be grating on her. Having someone in attendance at all times, especially when you are used to having your own space, can be challenging.
“Well… If he’s traveled this far, I suggest you accept his protection. It shows he is thinking of you and it will give you an opportunity to get to know a little more about him. Just don’t touch and set off the bonding. What do you say?”
“I agree. I will be having words with Raina, though. I need to know who is aware of my plans at all times. No more of this cloak and dagger matchmaking crap!”
“You do that, my daughter. Don’t let anyone push you in a direction you don’t want to go.”
“I have good ancestry, Momma. No way that is going to happen. Now, I must be going. Can’t keep my ‘betrothed’ sitting at the border too long.”
“Go. Show them what you’re made of. Keep in touch when you can. I’ll always be here for you.”
Walking Taria to the door, I see her warriors ready, each carrying a small pack, as does Taria. They have obviously split her luggage between them to make traveling easier and without reducing their fighting ability, should it be required.
Watching as they leave the packhouse, a lump comes to my throat. Closing the office door behind me, a tear runs down my cheek. Wiping it on my sleeve, I sit behind my desk and take up my phone. I’m not sitting around waiting for Flint’s call anymore, I’ll call him, again. I don’t have the patience for all this ‘waiting for other people’.
The call goes as I expected. He still won’t release any information on Eve Planter. It has been confirmed that ‘Alpha’ Arric came from a pack in the Southern Parklands. He tried to take over the pack without challenging the Alpha. That, to me, means he tried to murder the Alpha because he knew he couldn’t stand up to him in the challenge. He was afraid to die. You can read a lot into what is not being said sometimes. This may be a conversation I need to have with Raina and Gerry.
Hmm. Now that’s interesting. Why would I include Gerry in that conversation? He’s not pack.
Knocking on the door has me looking up and before I can call, ‘come in’, the warrior beats me to it.
“Beta Raina and Council Warrior Gerry to see you, Alpha Aurora.”
Seeing Raina give the guard a stern look has me smiling. Once the door is firmly closed, I have to tease her. “Created a monster there, have you Raina? Won’t even let you through the door without being announced? Reap what you sow, as the saying goes.”
Knowing that she is being baited, she replies, “Oh, shut up. I’ve come to see if you want to watch the females defending the nursery for their training today. It was Gerry’s idea, and I think it will be an eye-opener for Roul.” Looking at Gerry, I catch him smiling as he’s looking at me. Apparently so does Raina.
“Will you two just get a room and get it over with!”
Both Gerry and I turn to look at her aghast. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I stare at her, afraid to look at Gerry. I’m blushing so hard I can feel the heat all over my face.
“The entire pack can sense it. They are even talking about it. They believe you are made for each other. This has the feel of the Goddess about it. The only ones that can’t see it are you two. Gerry! You need to make it happen because if you wait for Aurora, you’ll die a lonely old shifter. I’ll see you at the nursery, or not. I’m out of here.”
The door slams shut behind her and we look at each other, totally lost for words.
Aztec stands up in the back of my mind. Asher, you know Raina is right. As humans, they are not going to make this happen anytime soon. We already know that we are destined to be together, although we haven’t spoken of it. I know this is what the Goddess wants.
Aztec, I sensed their attraction to each other many times. I have also sensed a bond with you. My human is too honorable to see what is in front of his nose. He sees an Alpha still, and although he is aware of her beauty, he is not yet aware of his desires. I will speak with him and try to make him understand his ‘baser desires’.
Ooh, Asher. Baser desires? I think I like the sound of that. I may try that here too.
Forcing Aztec to release my mind back to me, I quiz Gerry. “What were those two saying? Aztec blocked me from hearing them.”
“Asher did the same. I have no idea what was just discussed or what the subject may have been.”
Making sure I can be heard by both wolves; I mind link with them. ‘We will have a serious talk about this later. This will not go unanswered.’
Both wolves speak as one. Of a certainty, this ‘will’ be discussed further. We look forward to it.
Gerry looks as though he’s swallowed a lemon. “I think we should go watch the females at the nursery. It may distract these two for a while. I have a bad feeling about them!”
As we leave the office, Gerry holds the door for me. As I walk past him, I feel his hand on the small of my back, guiding me through. An electric shock shoots up my spine and I let out a small gasp. The guard looks at me curiously, but I keep walking and ignore him.
Joining Raina by the nursery, we listen to Roul laying down the guidelines for this training session to the two groups. The attacking warriors and the defensive females are both stood at attention and giving him their utmost concentration.
“The rules are simple. There are no rules! Warriors, you are to gain entry to the nursery and KILL everyone inside. There are to be no prisoners and no survivors. Is that understood?”
The warriors look at each other in shock. Before I can say anything about these rules, Gerry draws my attention to all the pups and nursery staff sneaking away.
“Warriors! Are these rules FULLY understood? No prisoners, no survivors.”
Stepping up to Roul’s side, I address them myself. “You will answer Roul’s question, OR you will answer to me!”
A very shallow “yes” comes from the warriors.
“Trainees! Some of you have pups in the nursery, those that don’t, KNOW of someone in there. You will defend that building at all costs and with anything at your disposal. No warrior is to gain access to that building. If they do, some WILL die. Do you understand the rules?”
A very loud “yes” comes from the females, who are all standing straight and looking very determined.
Roul gestures for the warriors to gather behind him, and then addresses them further. “If I see anyone of you holding back, you will answer to me at the next training session. When I’ve finished with you, you will be stripped of your warrior status and be demoted to any and every menial task within the pack. Is that clear?”
There is a loud and clear “yes” and Roul comes to stand with us.
“BEGIN!”
As soon as the words are out, the warriors move forward. I was expecting a concerted rush, but they form a line and move toward the females. The females form two lines, one behind the other. There are more females than warriors, but I wouldn’t have allowed the training to go ahead with equal numbers. The warrior's skills give them a three to one advantage against the females.
When the line of warriors meets the front line of females, I am shocked when the females go berserk. Before a single warrior makes an attacking move, they are swamped by the defenders. Each warrior is attacked by a pair of females and they give no quarter. The first warrior to make it past the defenders is set upon by more defending females from the second line. It quickly becomes clear that Roul’s warning to the warriors about taking it easy has been ignored. They clearly do not want to injure the female trainees. The same can’t be said for the trainees.
Many of the warriors have now got injuries, and blood is flowing. The warriors fall back as one and they look at each other in bewilderment. They clearly were not expecting this level of commitment from the trainee females. Gathering themselves into their line, you can see the way the shoulders are set that this time, they mean business.
It still takes the warriors another ten minutes to gain entry to the nursery. By this time, there are injured warriors and trainees everywhere. No one, however, has a serious injury. Roul walked through the battlefield and stopped all those that were at risk, declaring one or both dead and told to sit out the rest of the session.
Once the warriors have gained entry, they each return to the battlefield each holding a small fluffy pup. Handing it over to a trainee still fighting, the battle quickly ends. Once the trainees realize they are holding a stuffed toy, they look at each other and then descend on Roul, who quickly goes to the ground under the onslaught of soft toys.
Calling everyone to attention, I congratulate them on a such a demonstration of self-discipline on the part of the warriors and sheer determination on the part of the trainees. Dismissing them all and sending them to be checked over by Doctor Patricia, I walk back to Roul, Gerry and Raina, where they are all pleased with the results of the session.
Raina and Roul head back to the packhouse, while Gerry and I stroll in no particular direction but discuss the way the session gave the trainees that motivation to win. Gerry is happy with everything except telling the warriors to kill everyone. That does not sit well with him and I can imagine quite a conversation with Roul taking place at some point. As we talk, we reach the edge of the forest. I see Gerry suddenly sway.
Asher suddenly makes his appearance, taking me by surprise. Aztec pushes forth and before I know it, I’m dashing through the forest in wolf form beside Asher. Resigning myself to the fact, I let them run and enjoy the freedom. Asher veers off and bolts through a bush. Seconds later, he returns with a large rabbit in his jaws. Dropping it at Aztec’s feet, he trots off, returning in a few minutes with another rabbit, they each eat their meal.
Having eaten and then rested for an hour, I hear Gerry giving an instruction to both Asher and Aztec.
“You WILL return us to human form and you WILL ensure that we are fully dressed. Baser instincts be damned, Asher. That’s a conversation that I will have with Aurora at a later date.”
Baser instincts? I like the sound of that. Yes. I thought you might once we got you round to thinking of it! Aztec states as she gets ready to shift.