Chapter 25
HERB
Having met Luna Taria, I found her absolutely charming. I was taken with her openness and her genuine interest in anything garden related. I’m going to check through my project folder and make sure it is fully up-to-date before I show it to her. I know Alpha Bronze hadn’t been that interested, he has enough to be doing if I’m honest, but I was mildly put out that he never made the time to even look at it.
Everything is coming on well with the extra help that I have been given. Anyone that has qualified for pack punishment has been diverted to me rather than Chef Ash and her kitchen, which I am very grateful for. I have been able to dedicate more time to supervision, which has paid dividends rather than have my head down, ass up working on some of the simple menial tasks. Head down, ass up! That was a term my father used to use. Why I’ve suddenly come up with that, I don’t know.
My father would have been in his element working with the pups. He loved planting seeds and then repotting the seedlings, and seeing the pups' faces when their seeds began to sprout would have made him so happy. It was the beginnings of life itself, he used to say. Obviously where I got my love of everything green, I’m sure. Mother always wanted more flowers. She always said he didn’t grow her enough flowers and yet, never a week went by without her having vases of flowers in the house. We never went hungry for vegetables either. I don’t know how he did it when we had such a small garden. Every inch always had something growing, and we’d be harvesting something throughout the year.
Heading back to my workshop, I cast my critical eye over each of the beds as I pass, and to my surprise, I only pick up the absolute minimum of issues. Things are certainly going well. Walking into my workshop, I head over and sit at my bench. I use this for virtually everything from drawing designs, eating lunch, potting, mixing my different composts, even keeping my folder updated.
Taking my folder from the shelf above the bench, I start at the beginning and flick slowly through it. It still astounds me that so much has changed and such a high percentage of improvements have succeeded. I’m pleasantly surprised to find that the folder doesn’t need anything added, and is showing all the latest ideas.
Thinking over what my schedule is for the day, I could easily make time to stop by the Luna’s office and see if she has a few minutes to spare herself. I’m sure that she could give me some more suggestions for things that I haven’t thought of yet.
Entering the packhouse, I see Ember at the Luna’s door. She scares the hell out of me, I don’t mind admitting. Before she got that damn bat from Alpha Bronze, she was always such a sweet thing that I always smiled when I saw her. If I’d been her fated mate then, I’d have been over the moon. Now, though, I’d run a mile if she looked at me and said, ‘Mate!’
Approaching slowly, she watches me and I feel like a mouse being toyed with by a cat. “Hello, Herb. Come to see the Luna?” My folder flies from my hands and I jump a mile. Diving to the floor, I scrabble around for my folder, and the few sheets of paper that have fallen out.
“Erm, yes, Warrior Ember. I have, yes, come to see Luna Taria. Is that okay?” I stutter and must sound like a completely petrified lunatic.
“Herb, what’s got into you lately? You’re always on edge. Is something wrong? If you’re being bullied or are frightened of something or somebody, you just have to tell me and I’ll put them straight.” Slapping her bat into her palm has me nearly peeing my pants and I jump again, dropping my folder.
“No, nothing's wrong. I’m fine, everything is fine. No worries, no problems. Everything is just peachy. Can I go now?”
“Go? Go where? You just got here to see the Luna. Are you sure you’re okay?” Ember bends down to help me pick up the folder and loose papers, and I just stare at her.
“I’m not okay. You scare me.” I blurt it out and then look at her, horrified at my own admission.
“What? I scare you? Why on earth would I scare you? What have I ever done to make you afraid of me?” She looks at me with a look of shock on her face.
“You two, come inside at once.” Luna Taria is standing at the door to the office and points toward her desk. “Come in and sit down, the pair of you.”
“Luna Taria, I can’t leave your door unattended,” Ember states, still looking at me with wide eyes.
“That’s an order, Warrior Ember, not an invitation,” the Luna calls to the warrior at the alpha’s door, instructing him to get someone to watch her door immediately.
Before I sit, I start to babble an apology to the Luna making sure she knows that it was all my fault and that Ember had done nothing wrong.
“Herb, do shut up and stop stuttering. Ember, sit down and stop worrying about the door for just a minute.” Taking her seat behind the desk, she calmly looks at us both. “Right. Ember. Herb isn’t so much scared of you as he fears your bat. Practically all the males in the pack are scared of your bat, and I’m not surprised. Whenever your name is mentioned, the bat gets a mention, too. From what I can gather, you used to be a shy little thing that became a fire breathing beast when Bronze gave you that bat. Perhaps we can work on softening your reputation somewhat.” Looking at Ember, I see the recognition sinking in.
“I’m sorry, Ember. I know you would never hurt me, but I made the mistake of watching you train a few times with Dixon, and you’re just so fierce nowadays compared to before.” Seeing Ember’s eyes brimming with tears, I hate myself for causing them. Reaching over, I place my hand on hers and give it a gentle squeeze.
“Right, now that we’ve got this settled, Ember, take the rest of your shift off and get some rest. I’ll send Herb to find you once I’m done with him, and you two can get your friendship back on track. Go! No arguments,” Luna Taria sends her off and checks to see who is on door duty. She doesn’t seem surprised when she learns that Gamma Wesley is there.
“I’m sorry for causing all that drama, Luna Taria. It wasn’t Ember’s fault. All she did was speak to me and I just fell to pieces.”
“The Goddess should have made you fated mates. You would be perfect for each other, but who knows why these things do or don’t happen. Is that your project folder?”
As soon as I start to show her my folder, I become a different person. My confidence is back and Ember is forgotten, for the time being, at least. Going over the many projects I notice that Luna Taria asks insightful questions and has many wonderful suggestions. The more we talk, the more I’m taken with our new Luna.
When she tells me of Blackshadow Pack’s walled garden, I’m totally hooked on having one ourselves. Ideas are thrown back and forwards between us, and eventually we have a rough plan that we agree on for the layout. Our packhouse doesn’t have the ballroom that Blackshadow Pack has, which leads out to their walled garden, but we do have the ability to add one to the side of the packhouse with space to create the walled garden from that.
“Herb, what should we call the walled garden? Any ideas?” Luna Taria has a glint in her eye, so she must have thought of something already.
“No, Luna Taria. I think you have an idea, though. Am I right?”
“While talking with Alpha Bronze, he mentioned wanting to reward someone for doing a good job and it just struck me that maybe he could name the walled garden after them. You could make a name plaque too, like these you made for me. I haven’t said thank you for them either, that reminds me.”
“Gamma Wesley passed on your gratitude for them. I’m glad that they pleased you. I wanted to do more than just some potted plants and flowers to make you feel welcome.” It was a pleasant surprise when Wesley found me and passed on the Luna’s thanks face to face. He could have mind-linked me, but he wanted to express the pleasure that Luna Taria showed when she saw them.
“So, we have a name, but we will keep it quiet until the garden is ready for unveiling. We need it done as soon as possible. Draw up the full plans and list of materials, manpower, etc. I’ll get it signed off and we’ll make it happen. We are going to be one hell of a team, Herb. Let’s show the pack what we’re made of.” Laughing, I high five the Luna and then look at her horrified as I realize what I’ve just done.
“You just high-fived me? And I responded. It’s a good job there’s just the two of us in the office or Bronze may have had your head on the garden wall!” Seeing her laugh, I take a deep breath and promise myself to try to be less enthusiastic in the future. Leaving in good spirits, I go in search of Ember.
DRAKE
Having spent an hour in the training ring with Adaline, I’m confident that she can be the Chief Warrior that Alpha Bronze would expect. I’m a little surprised at just how good she is, to be honest. If it wasn’t for my size and strength, she could have bested me on more than one occasion. For someone so young and with no experience of an actual battle, she has shown exceptional skill and tactical knowledge. I wouldn’t have any problem going into a life-or-death situation with her either at my side or having my back.
When we went to the forest to begin her advanced training and stamina building, I noticed how she was evaluating the surrounding trees. My penchant for tree climbing has obviously preceded me, or she has done her homework, one or the other. When I explain what I expect when it comes to the tree climb, I see the corners of her mouth lift and know then that she has been practicing. I feel a little of Luna Tati’s handiwork here and I believe that is confirmed when I shout go, and see her fingers immediately become wolf's claws as she leaps for the trunk.
To give her credit where it’s due, she has certainly been putting in some hours of training as she achieves a creditable time and shows no signs of being out of breath. Well, I think we’ll just put that to the test a little more forcefully than a normal training session.
I’m interrupted when Luna Taria joins us and I see her infamous bat warrior alongside her. Nodding to them, I wait and see what develops.
“Instructor Drake, how are things coming along with Adaline?”
“Luna Taria, please call me Drake. I’m not one for titles myself and my past is best kept to a low profile at times.” I nod respectfully to her, and she smiles in return.
“I was not aware that you had a past that you didn’t want known, so my apologies, Drake, if I spoke out of turn.” She looks at me with a new light and I see the unasked questions in her eyes.
“It is merely a warrior's past, yet some may still live that would seek revenge for their family or comrades lost in otherwise long forgotten battles.” I have no doubt that there are some still out there that would hurt my Caroline or our pups if they could find me.
“I was wondering, Drake, if my disobedient warrior and I could join Adaline’s training session?”
“You have a disobedient warrior? I trust that is said in jest and not something that should be of genuine concern, Luna Taria?”
“I gave her some free time, but her dedication to duty apparently translates free time to dereliction of duty. So, I have a shadow for the afternoon.” The smile that passes between them speaks of a high degree of respect for each other.
“I may test the skills of your famous bat warrior before the day is out and see if her reputation is valid. Perhaps we could learn a few things from each other. I used to be quite proficient with similar weapons in my days of service.” I see something flicker across the face of the female warrior and wonder if I have offended her in some way. “It is of no importance, but I have not come across a skilled weapons fighter in a very long time. I would take it as a personal favor just to spar with someone again.”
Having regained her breath from the tree climbing, Adaline approaches. “If I may, Ember, this would be a once in a lifetime opportunity to gain some valuable experience and instruction. If I were in your position, I would grab the offer with both hands.” Adaline looks at Ember and is gently nodding encouragement. “I am learning so much from Drake, things that I would never have thought of and no one else has ever mentioned. I mean, tree climbing for a wolf shifter? Honestly? Yet it builds speed, dexterity and stamina all in one simple exercise. And I can call my claws forward at will. Who knew that would be such a useful skill to master!”
Ember looks from Adaline to Luna Taria and I see the indecision in her eyes. Luna Taria puts her hands on Ember’s shoulders and raises her chin as she speaks to her. “Ember. I told you that I would be your mentor and that I would do everything I could to help you. Drake can teach you things that no other shifter ever could. I think that the decision, although ultimately yours to make, is an opportunity you should not pass on. If it were anyone else, I would order them to do it, but I respect you more than that. You need to decide quickly, though, as I want to do some tree climbing with Adaline before we have to get back to the packhouse.”
Leaving them alone for a few moments, I step into the forest and go in search of a suitable branch to make myself a staff. I know that she will train with me now, as Luna Taria made the decision for her in a subtle and caring way. Luna Taria is very good at what she does, I must say.
Finding a suitable branch doesn’t take long and I soon have it stripped down to a training staff. Walking back, I see Ember warming up and I too do some stretches and prepare myself as I step into the training ring.
Ember steps forward, and I take my stance. As soon as I’m ready, Ember launches her first attack, which surprises me with its speed and accuracy. I was expecting more thought going into her attacks and less ferocity.
After only a few short maneuvers, I am defending more than I would expect to be from someone who has had no formal training. Taking the initiative, I begin to take the fight to her and find it difficult to find a way past her defenses.
It’s only when I begin to push her that I sense that she is holding back. Pressing home my attacks now, I see her beginning to counter some of my moves with exceptional skill. She manages to score an occasional hit, and they are not light training taps either, which is my own fault for pushing so hard.
Seeing her flinch as one of my staff strokes catches her, I foolishly drop my guard and the next thing I know, I’m on the floor and I see stars. Looking up from the ground, I see Ember grinning, and I know she played me perfectly into that move.
Holding out her hand, she helps me to my feet and asks if I am okay.
“A little embarrassed that I was so easily fooled into such a move, but you fight extraordinarily well for someone with no formal training in weapons.”
“Chief Warrior Dixon has been sparring with me and recommended some books for me to study. My love of my bat led me to study above and beyond what most would probably do. It gives me such a feeling that I can’t begin to describe when I fight with it.” Ember is bubbling with excitement as she speaks.
“I can help you for the short time I am here, if Luna Taria can spare you to join Adaline and I while we train. Is that something that can be arranged, Luna Taria?” I’m already sure of the answer before she confirms it, and I can’t help the smile as I think how much I am going to enjoy training these two warriors. It doesn’t enter my head to think of them as females.
“Right…now that you two are sorted, how about my tree climbing?” Luna Taria calls out as she heads for the tree line. “Last one to the top serves dinner to the pack!”