Chapter 28
GERRY
I’ve had some stern words with Asher over his and Aztec’s behavior yesterday. He is sulking quite openly about it in the back of my mind. He’s curled up, his back to me, with his nose tucked under his tail. I’ve never known him to sulk, ever. He refuses to respond to any of my attempts at reconciliation. Well, so be it. I don’t have time for his puppy like attitude.
As I walk to the dining area, the female warrior on guard at Aurora’s door assumes I’m going to the Alpha’s office, promptly opens the door and announces me. Breakfast will have to wait, then. Stopping at the warrior, I explain her mistake, but that I will save her any embarrassment on this occasion. Entering the office, I see Aurora with her shoulder bare and Doctor Patricia examining her.
Quickly retreating from the office, I give the guard a thorough dressing down for allowing someone to enter when her Alpha is in such a position. The door opens, Doctor Patricia marches past me, grinning, and a fully dressed Aurora is left standing there. “I gave her permission for you to enter Council Warrior Gerry.” Looking at the guard, she continues, “Ignore him. I give the yay or nay as to who enters my office. You were quite correct in your actions.”
“I was going to see if you’d had breakfast yet. If not, would you care to join me?”
“No, I haven’t had breakfast yet, and yes, I will join you.” Aurora closes the office door and we head to the dining area.
Once seated with our trays of food, mine dwarfing that of Aurora, she gives me a small smile.
“Aztec is not very happy this morning. Apparently, you have had words with your wolf and he has not taken it well. Those two have developed quite a friendship, it seems. They talk more than we do.”
Refraining from eating any more of my breakfast, I respond, “I’ve noticed that too. And they are quite open to sharing their conversations when it suits them. I don’t think we are privy to all that is said, though. I get the feeling there is more going on than we know.”
“Perhaps allowing them another run together will reveal more of what they are up to?” Aurora gives me a conspiratorial look and raises her eyebrows.
“I’m not sure that is such a good idea. I have a feeling that if we give them too much rope, they won’t so much hang themselves, but more than likely play ‘bondage’ games!” Aurora chokes on her mouthful of scrambled egg, and I wear a large part of it as she ejects it!
“Oh, my Goddess, what makes you say such a thing. I can’t believe you, Gerry. Even if Asher is so forward, Aztec would not be a willing partner in such things.”
Perhaps, Aurora, you don’t know me as well as you think you do. The thought does not shock or displease me. Asher, hold that thought for when we next run.
Almost losing my mouthful of coffee hearing Aztec’s open reply, I suggest to Aurora that we change the subject quickly. “What did the Doctor have to say about your shoulder? Is it healing well?”
It was nothing more than a flesh wound. I have healed it fully. Other than an ache now and again, it is to be forgotten.
‘Aztec! This has gone far enough. I can and will answer for myself.’
“Gerry, if you’ll excuse me, I have things that need my attention. Thank you for breakfast. Maybe next time, we should do it alone, eh?”
“Yes, alone. That sounds like a good idea.”
Asher speaks out. Hear that Aztec. Breakfast alone. Sounds like a romantic human proposition if ever I heard one.
Blushing furiously, I take my leave of Aurora, empty my tray quickly, and leave the dining area.
Before going to my room to place a call to Flint. Why he can’t contact me once in a while is beyond me, as I head out to the training area. I need to speak with Roul and get something off my chest. As I near the training area, I hear loud voices. Not shouting, but certainly above conversational tone.
“It worked, that’s all that matters. You cannot dispute the fact,” Roul’s voice is the first I clearly understand.
As I turn the last corner, I see Roul pretty much surrounded by both warriors and trainees from yesterday's nursery session. Listening to their heated discussion, they are definitely in agreement on the very thing I’m here to discuss. None of them are happy that the order to kill everyone in the nursery was given.
“It was totally uncalled for.”
“So was threatening the warriors with demotion and facing you in the training area.”
“You are a Council Warrior Trainer and should be above such methods. It demeans your status and your position along with all other Council Warriors.”
“It’s displicatory that you should stoop so low.”
This is where I feel I need to step in and try to diffuse the situation. “I think the word you are looking for is ‘despicable’. That may be a bit harsh. But rest assured, there will be no repeat of yesterday's instructions, rules or threats. You all performed excellently and should be proud of your achievements on both teams.”
Roul gives a look of shock that I am not siding with him. “It was your idea, Council Warrior Gerry, that we use the nursery as a motivator in the first place.”
“Yes, it was, and I think it would have been equally effective without such vicious threats to both teams. Threats, I might add, that you couldn’t have possibly hoped to fulfill. Had I not seen the nursery team and all the pups exiting by the rear doors, I would have stopped the exercise from going ahead. The exercise was a resounding success as far as the trainees realizing exactly what they are capable of. Far more than they believed of themselves.” Giving a nod of respect to the females. “Warriors. You displayed a commendable amount of restraint whilst being attacked and injured. You also gained access to the nursery as per your instructions. Well done.” Another nod of respect for the Warriors.
“Council Warrior Trainer Roul. Congratulations on helping both these teams realize their potential. I’m sure they will continue to show such marked improvements as they advance in their training.” Roul takes my offered hand in a firm shake, after which everyone appears to be satisfied, so I ask him to dismiss everyone so we can talk in private. Once we are alone, he speaks up first.
“I get it, Gerry, really I do. I got over zealous with the instructions. It won’t happen again. I don’t know what came over me. It was like an out-of-body experience. Even I don’t know why I came out with such out of character rules.”
“We got the result, but we also proved that ‘the end doesn’t always justify the means’. Let’s put this one behind us and have a drink in the dining area, eh?”
“A drink? You’re going to a dining area and only having a drink? This I have to see.” Roul looks at me in astonishment.
“I’ve just come from having breakfast!” I exclaim in mock horror. “I can be in a place of eating without having to eat.”
“In all the years I’ve known you, that has never happened, EVER! You can’t let your wolf run in the forest without catching a rabbit or a squirrel. The last time we ran together, Asher took down a large buck, and my wolf, Havoc, only ate a haunch. You finished the rest.”
“Oh, shut up with your whining. Get your own drink if that’s how it’s going to be. I’ll go ring Flint and see what he wants.” Seeing him laughing, I give him a mock scowl and stomp away to my room.
Throwing myself on the bed, I lean my back against the headboard and call Flint. My phone call list shows that my last five calls are all to Flint and not one was an incoming call. It only rings twice and his voice booms from the speaker.
“Ah, Gerry. I’ve been waiting for your call. Been busy have you?”
“You may not believe it, Flint. I do have other people to talk to and things to do other than just for you.”
“Ha. As well as that may be, have you given any more thought to joining the council? You would certainly give us a new perspective at meetings with your military mind. It could be invaluable when it comes to strategies or logistics.”
“I haven’t given it any further thought since our last talk. I’ve had a lot on since then.”
“Very well, but give it some thought. I have Xavier in mind if you decide it’s not for you. Also, I have discussed Eve Planter’s suicide with the Council, and despite my misgivings, they have decided not to tell the pack Alphas. They believe that this could do irreparable damage to the Council’s credibility after the Anika and Holah incident.”
“You obviously pointed out that this will eventually come to light, and will do way more harm to the Council in the future than if they disclose it themselves at this time?” I can’t believe they would be this short-sighted.
“Almost my exact words. They believe there is only one way that it may come out. Ahem, you. They have instructed me to inform you that you are under Council orders NOT to disclose what you witnessed in regard to Eve’s death, to anyone or at any time.”
Standing slowly from the bed, I look at my reflection in a mirror on the wall. The person I see looking back at me, I believe to be an honorable shifter. A shifter that has a good moral compass, scruples and dignity.
“Councilman Flint. If someone asks me a question directly related to that subject, I will not lie or be deceitful. If this is what the Council expects of me, I can tell you in all honesty that it will not happen. I lie for no-one. I have lived my life for a pack or for the Council and have lived that life to a code of honor. I will die with that firmly intact. You may give the Council my answer and we’ll see what they have to say about it. Good day Councilman.”
How dare the Council ask someone to lie for them? I am shocked to the core by this revelation. A knock at the door brings me back to earth and I open it to see Aurora standing there.
“Gerry? What’s happened? Are you okay?”
Stepping back from the door, I gesture for her to enter. When I see her glancing down the corridors, I realize how insensitive I’m being.
“Forgive me, Aurora, I didn’t think. Is there somewhere else we can talk privately?”
Stepping into my room, she closes the door. “It’s my packhouse, and these are my rooms. I’ll go where I damn well please, and if someone doesn’t like it, they can see me in the training circle! Now, tell me. What’s happened? You look like someone’s given you some terrible news.”
“I’ve just hung up on Councilman Flint. He was instructed by the Council to place me under a Council order that forbids me to talk, discuss, or answer questions about something I witnessed. I, outside the Council who I informed, am the only one privy to certain facts. They want these facts suppressed and, upon my honor, I refuse to lie for them or to be silenced should these facts need to be known at some time in the future.”
“I don’t know what to say, Gerry. I’ve never heard of anything like it. Surely they’ve known you long enough that you would be confidential, anyway? I can only imagine that this must be something of considerable magnitude for them to go to such lengths.” Aurora sits on the edge of my bed and shakes her head. “What did you say to Flint when he told you of the Council's order?”
Giving her my response to Flint has her eyes widen and a smirk on her lips. “Oh my. I bet that’s not going to go down well. I admire you for the strength of your convictions, though. You would make an excellent pack Alpha. Where were you when I had to challenge for this pack? We would have made a formidable team.”
“You mean you would have happily been my Luna?” This takes me aback somewhat, as I have never envisaged Aurora as anything but an Alpha.
“Wow. Talk about digging myself a hole. I wasn’t thinking that far into it other than our values and strengths would certainly have been on a par with each other. I could certainly see us having each other's backs.” Aurora has a blush to her cheeks, and it certainly makes me look at her as more of a female than an Alpha. Seeing something flash in her eyes, she stands up from the bed. Feeling Asher pushing forward, I fight him back, but not before I have taken a step forward that puts me directly in front of Aurora. Seeing confusion in her eyes, I wonder what’s going on and I’m still pushing Asher to stop him from shifting.
I feel something washing over me, my eyes close and before I know it, I’ve given in to it. After several moments, the feeling is still raging and opening my eyes, I’m kissing Aurora! Seeing her eyes locked on mine has me breaking the kiss and stepping back.
I told you they’d like it if we could get them to do it, Asher.
It’s not the same as the rush we get when we do it, Aztec, but it certainly got their hearts racing, didn’t it?
“Aurora, I don’t know what to say…”
“Did you like it? Did it make your heart race?”
“Yes, on both counts.”
“Then maybe we should try it again. This time on our terms, not theirs?”
Before I take the step forward, Aurora is in my arms. Beginning gently, the kiss doesn’t take long to become hard and passionate. When we break away, we are both breathless.
“Oh, wow. I haven’t felt like this for a very long time.” Staring into Aurora’s eyes, I see them widen.
“And just what is that feeling?”
“Overwhelmed would be a good start, though I doubt that there is a single word that could do it justice.”
“That’s a good start. I think I know what you’re trying to say. This will certainly need further investigation, don’t you think?” By the time the last word is out of her mouth, I’m kissing her again. This investigation could take some time, and needs to be very thorough, I think to myself.
Feeling Aurora stiffen in my arms, I break off the kiss. “What is it?”
“I am summoned to the Alpha’s office. Xavier has returned.”
Opening the door, I check the corridor outside. Nodding that it’s all clear, Aurora grins at me. “My packhouse, my rooms, remember?” Watching her walk confidently away from me has me seeing her in a whole new light. Not just a confident Alpha, but a confident female. Someone I’d be proud to have as a Luna. All I need now is a pack!
Walking into the office only a couple of minutes later, I see Aurora, Raina, Xavier, Wallace and Roul sitting at the table. Raina offers me a bottle of water, which I take gratefully. Listening to Xavier give his report, I find my attention wandering. This is very difficult. I’m finding it hard to focus in light of these new developments in my life. Asher isn’t helping as he keeps pacing back and forth in my mind.
Roul breaks into my thoughts, “Gerry! What’s wrong? You’re not paying attention. Where’s your head at?”
“I’m very sorry. I’ve just had an unpleasant conversation with Flint. And I hung up on him,” the last sentence said in a whisper as though they wouldn’t hear it.
Xavier bursts out laughing. “Well, good for you. It’s about time somebody did. I’m sick of being at his beck and call lately. He seems to think phones were invented for his convenience. I keep changing my number without telling him. That’s putting a cat amongst his pigeons, I can tell you. Damn Council members!”
“Where were we before I disturbed the meeting?”
“Xavier only found one other structure about the same size as the first, but there were so many rogues out and about, he decided it was best to return here and do another recon at a later date.”
The meeting breaks up and as I go to stand a hand pushes on my shoulder, keeping me in my seat. I see it’s Raina. With only Raina, myself and Aurora now sitting at the table, I look questioningly at the beta.
Seeing her wolfs claws stretch from her fingers, I wonder how this is going to end. Slowly, the claws draw across, first one of my shoulders, then the other. The claws are left displaying several of Aurora’s dark hairs.
Aurora looks directly at Raina and says, “And your point is what?”
Smiling happily, it seems, she replies, “Nothing. Absolutely nothing. It is about damn time, though. Don’t you think?”