Chapter 30
Aurora
Breakfast time and I’ve called the pack to the training area to announce the change in the pack Alpha position. I’ve already informed Head Warrior Wallace, and he is going to inform the border patrols. They are the only ones not present at the training area. Raina and Gerry stand with me, and of course, Raina has several warriors in close proximity.
Listening to the buzz of conversation from the pack, they know what the announcement is going to be already. Calling for silence, I look over the pack and see mainly excitement. The odd bored expression is in evidence, but overall, the atmosphere is positive.
“Thank you all for being here. I have an announcement that concerns you all. I have taken a chosen mate…”
Before I can say more, the pack starts cheering, howling, clapping and foot stomping.
Shouts of, ‘about time,’ ‘good for you,’ ‘go Gerry!’ are just a few that echo around the area.
Allowing them time to settle down, I thank them for their enthusiastic response. I then carry on to the next order of business.
“Being chosen mates also affects not only Gerry and my dynamics, but also the dynamics of the pack leadership. Over the next few days, there will be a transitional period where I will become your Luna, and Gerry will take the responsibility of the pack Alpha. There are no current plans for any changes in how the pack operates. I will now hand over to Future Alpha Gerry to say a few words.”
Gerry steps forward and takes his place in front of the pack. The silence is so intense that you could hear a pin drop.
“First, I would like to say that Aurora accepting me as her chosen mate has been one of the best days of my life so far. I look forward to many more ‘best days’ together. I hope that you will share in some of these days in the near future.
“Second, as to the pack leadership, it will be my honor to serve as your Alpha. Future Luna Aurora,” this gets both gasps and giggles from the assembled pack, “will be showing me how the pack works both practically and administratively before I take the reins fully in the next few days. If anyone has any questions, please don’t hesitate to approach me. I will answer them as honestly and fully as I can.
“Finally, I will be organizing a celebratory feast for all to attend.”
The pack erupts at Gerry’s promise of a feast, and he gets no chance to add any further to his speech. As we walk back to the packhouse, a great number of the pack congratulate us. I notice a few sour faces among the crowd, but you can’t please all of them, all of the time.
Once at the packhouse, Gerry leads me to the dining area where we enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Having finished my modest helping, I watch as Gerry demolishes enough for three hungry warriors.
“You should be as fat as a pig with the amount of food you put away at every meal. I’ve never seen you eat what would be a standard portion for a grown shifter. And Asher is as bad with his rabbits. We could feed three wolves with what he eats, too.”
Looking at me with what I suppose is his ‘hurt’ expression, “I have a good metabolism, as does Asher. It’s why we’re both always so full of energy when we need to be,” waggling his eyebrows at me, I grin.
“Two hours does not count as stamina. That has yet to be fully tested. Perhaps we’ll put you to the test later this evening, if you’re not so full of food that you can’t move.”
“Never going to happen, my love. Not a chance.”
Seeing warrior Crispin approaching, I wonder what has happened now. We’ve had no issues with the rogues or their ‘wannabe’ king. Could this be a new skirmish?
“Taria has called and asked if you could return her call at your convenience, Alpha Aurora.”
Gerry nods at me to make the call. “I’ll be awhile finishing my breakfast. I’ll join you when I’m done.”
Giving him a peck on the lips as I take my tray to be emptied, I make my way to the office and place the call to Taria.
“Hi, Momma. That was quick.”
“Hi, Super Luna. How are things with you?”
Hearing Taria’s laugh echo down the phone has me smiling. It’s been a while since I heard her so happy.
“Super Luna? I’m not sure about that yet. You sound cheerful, Momma. That’s good. I had a great journey here. Bronze was very complimentary and attentive. We didn’t discuss me being a Luna, but we talked the whole time. He wants a large family, lots of pups. I like the sound of it, just not sure about the physical aspect. We’ll have to see after the first couple. I told him I expect some freedom in my thinking and actions. He said he’d expect nothing less.”
“It sounds like you’ve made quite an impression on each other.”
“Oh Momma, you would think we’d grown up together. There wasn’t an awkward moment during the entire trip. And when we arrived, Luna Tatiana and Alpha Gabriel were waiting for us. They treated us like royalty. We had such a lovely lunch, and you’d think they were entertaining VIPs. It was all so overwhelming. And then after Bronze left, Tati, Luna Tatiana asked me to call her that, took me on a tour of everything and everywhere. I met so many people my mind just blew at all the names and faces.
“You’re very quiet, Momma. Is everything okay? Do I need to come home? Has something happened? What are you not telling me?”
“Taria… Stop… There is nothing wrong. I’m fine. In fact, I’m finer than I have been in a long time. You’re talking so fast I can’t get a word in, but it’s lovely hearing all your news.”
“Maya says things have changed. She senses it. What aren’t you telling me, Momma?”
“Stop talking, just for a moment. I’m better than I have been for a long time because I have taken a chosen mate. I’m very relaxed and extremely happy.”
“A mate? Oh, my Goddess! I turn my back for just a moment and you find a mate? Who? When? Where? Tell me everything.”
“You know him as Council Warrior Gerry. He’s been helping with the rogue situation. That’s my chosen mate.”
“Oooooh, I like him. We got on really well. He eats so damn much, though. You’ll have to make the kitchen garden twice its current size, and maybe start breeding a deer herd. You’ll never be able to hunt enough meat. Cook Ivy is going to be beside herself trying to outdo his appetite.” Taria is excited and her voice is rising with each outburst.
“Well, I’m glad you like him. He likes you, too. He said he would be proud to be a father to you.”
“Oh, my Goddess! A Father! I wouldn’t know what to do to be a daughter to a father. You were always there for me as both, but to have a father? Oh, my Goddess! This is just the most awesome thing, ever,” her squeals of delight are going to hurt my ears soon.
“You’re going to wear the Goddess out if you keep calling her name. I’m glad you’re excited about this. I was worried about how you’d take the news.”
“Worried? Why would you be worried? I’m so happy for you. Momma, this is the best news you could ever give me. You’ll both be so happy, I’m sure.”
“There’s more to it, as well. I’ll get to spend more time helping you become a Luna. When you get back from Blackshadow pack and Luna Hope, we can see everything you’ve learned and maybe refine a few things to suit your personality better.”
“How on earth will you have more time? Being Alpha and a mate will surely take more of your time?”
“I won’t be the Alpha anymore, Taria. Gerry will take over as Alpha and I will be the pack Luna. We’ll both be Lunas. How exciting is that?”
“Oh my…Ooops! Yes, that’s so cool. We’ll be able to plan Luna meetings and have days out together with the other Lunas. We can plan mating balls, pack challenges, and things.”
“Well, that certainly set some ‘thought process’ juices flowing. I can see Bronze is going to have his hands full.”
“Can I tell anyone the news? Does it have to go through any formal channels or stuff?”
“You can tell who you like, Taria. I bet Bronze will be first.”
“Heck, no. Tati and Gabe will be first. I’ll grab them now. Congratulations Momma. I’m so happy for you both. Bye!”
The phone goes dead and I’m left bewildered by all the energy that just exploded at me. Wow! I hadn’t been expecting that, and damn, Raina had been right about Taria taking on a father. I’ll bet Gerry will be excited about that.
“What will I be excited about?”
Seeing Gerry standing there makes me wonder, “I didn’t hear you come in. How long have you been here?”
“I just walked in the door. You were thinking out loud, I believe!”
“I’ve just told Taria our news. She was excited about having a father in her life.”
“I always wanted a daughter. I would have spoiled her rotten. She would have been my princess in every way.”
A knock on the door spoils the moment. I’m going to have some do not disturb signs made, one of these days.
The guard looks in, and seeing us both, he looks totally confused as to who to address. “Shadow Warrior Xavier to see the Alpha,” and pops his head back out before we get chance to ask which Alpha.
Xavier walks in laughing and states that he’s happy to speak with either of us, but as the subject was the offer of a job on the Shifter Council, he thought Gerry might have more insight.
As I get up to leave, Gerry gestures for me to stay. “Aurora, Flint asked me to become a Council member as you are aware. You may not know all the reasons I turned him down. Stay, please, while I discuss them with Xavier. It may be important later.”
Once everyone is settled, and I’ve handed out bottles of water, Xavier starts the conversation.
“Flint asked me a few days ago if I would be interested in taking a position on the Council. He didn’t go into too much why or wherefore, just asked me to think it over. I’m not totally against the idea. Then he rang again and asked if I’d given it any thought. I said I hadn’t had the time to give it proper consideration and although he didn’t say much to that, I got the impression he wasn’t happy. Lo-and-behold, he’s left a message for me to ring him and the first thing he asks is ‘have I given it any thought, yet’.”
Xavier looks at me, and then Gerry. “I’ve known Flint a long time and I’ve never known him to be as he is right now.”
“Bear with me, Xavier, and I’ll tell you what I know, as I’ve had similar recent experiences. Flint approached me when I first came to help Blood Pearl with the rogue problem. He knew I’d been thinking of retiring again. I retired about a year ago, but when news of the fighting reached me, I was soon back as a Council Warrior. I wasn’t missing a good battle for nobody! Anyway, once posted here, Flint asked me to consider being a Council member rather than retire again. I said I’d consider it and only a couple of days later, he was quite short when he asked what I thought and I told him I’d been too busy to consider it seriously. Sound familiar? Well, a couple of days, or so, went by and he asks again. This time he also passes on an order from the Council. I witnessed something while completing a mission for the Council and they ordered me to silence. He made it quite clear that I was not to discuss what I had witnessed, whether it be in conversation, direct questioning or any other scenario.”
“Whoa. That sounds like some kind of cover-up. I wouldn’t be happy getting those kinds of orders. My confidentiality should be enough for the council. If they believe they have to order me not to disclose things, then I shouldn’t be doing things for them.” Xavier has sat forward in his seat and is not as laid back as he normally is. “Can I ask what the mission was? Or is that asking too much?”
“I was sent to apprehend Eve Planter, Shifter Council member and return her for trial at the Council. She was charged with financing the murder of Alpha Aurora of the Blood Pearl pack by mercenaries.”
“I was aware of the attempt on Alpha Aurora and that Eve Planter was involved. I was not aware of what happened after that or of any consequences that befell her.”
“She did not have any consequences as such, not from the Council anyway. When I confronted her and she knew she was to be convicted of the crime, she took her own life. She drank a poison right there in front of me, and I didn’t realize what she was doing until it was too late. This is what they want covered up. When I made my initial written report, it was naturally vague. On my return to the Council, I made a full verbal report to Flint. As we discussed what we believed the Council would do, we both had the same opinion. The Council would hold an Alpha meeting, let them know what had happened rather than throw it out to all packs that a member of the Council had first, tried to have an Alpha murdered, and second, evaded justice by taking her own life.”
Listening to the conversation so far had been impersonal, however, this revelation struck home hard. She was so cowardly that she took her own life rather than face a jury of her peers.
Feeling Gerry’s arms wrap around me, I lean into him. He continues talking to Xavier.
“When Flint told me of the Council's decision not to inform anyone, not even the Alphas, and they thought I was the only risk to them keeping it quiet, I quit. I tried to talk to him as his long-standing friend, but he wasn’t interested. I tell you all of this because when I refused to be part of such a Council, he told me he was going to approach you as a back-up.”
“This puts an entirely different light on things, Gerry, and thank you for sharing. I will not repeat anything that you have disclosed, but I will be having a different kind of conversation with Flint. I don’t mind being a back-up, or if the Council members decide to keep their own secrets, so be it. I will not be put in the position they tried to put you in, and I admire you for your conviction.”
“That is exactly what I said, Xavier. I would have done the same, too. I think we may have become three peas in a pod with this situation. I am not upset with Eve’s death. Far from it. The fact that she wasn’t held accountable is disappointing, to say the least. Having the Council try to hide the circumstances of her death and its cowardly manner, I find nothing short of shameful. Alphas and their packs deserve to know what manner of shifters are on the Council and that they are not above our laws.”
Asking for some time alone, Gerry and Xavier leave me to my thoughts.