Page 28 of Blood Pearl
I wait quietly for Raina to return with Taria, taking deep, calming breaths to prepare myself for what is coming. The door opens and a dirty, sweaty, and annoyed Taria stomps into the office and throws herself into a chair.
“Get up, and show respect to your Alpha,” I snarl. Taria looks around to see who I am speaking to, but as I am staring at her, she points to herself. “Yes, you…get up and stand with respect when in your alpha’s office.”
“Mother…” Taria starts to whine, but I look at Raina, who grabs Taria by the arm and yanks her onto her feet in front of my desk. “Ow, you are hurting my arm.”
Raina rolls her eyes and I hold back the grin that wants to show itself. I know Raina hasn’t held onto Taria hard enough to cause a bruise, and this is another way of Taria behaving badly.
“Stop with the theatrics, Taria. You are in a life turning moment. I know you found your mate. I know he is an alpha, and a powerful one. But what I also know after speaking to him is he will reject you if you don’t become the Luna that he needs, and to be truthful, he deserves,” the shock on Taria’s face nearly has me pausing, but she must grow up now or lose the best thing that ever could happen. “Do you want your mate?”
“Of course I want my mate,” Taria snaps, but to her shock Raina slaps her around the back of her head as she snarls, showing all her teeth and a touch of her wolf in her eyes.
“There is no, of course, Taria. If you want your mate, you have to show him you have grown up, taken responsibility and are worthy. Nothing in life is handed to us on a plate. You will shower and change, then go to the kitchen to help prepare the lunch menu. Once that is done including the cleaning afterward, you report to Raina for your next responsibility. I will show you how to grow up and become the Luna you are meant to be. But, be aware if you whine and resist, you are on your own and will lose Bronze as your mate because of it. I don’t have time to follow you around and,” using air quotes, “wipe your ass for you. Grow up Taria, grow up fast. I lost both my mates and life is very lonely without them. Your father, as I told you, died while on patrol duty, killed by a rogue. My second chance, I watched die in the same way, unable to get to him in time. I wouldn’t wish that on you, but you will lose your mate if you don’t take this warning and show everyone what a good Luna you can be. Dismissed, it’s up to you now.”
Raina pulls a stunned-looking Taria out of the office, and I can hear her laying down the law as they walk away. I rub my face with the palms of my hands, hoping we can teach her enough in the six months that she has.
Twenty minutes later, Raina returns with a huge smile on her face. “Oh dear, Taria didn’t enjoy having to prepare all the sandwiches for the lunch menu. Cook Ivy is finding this highly amusing, and will make sure Taria doesn’t slack off with the chores. Our little Taria has upset a few pack members with her attitude, and they are going to be making sure she knows it.”
“She has to learn, but I feel guilty that she is going through this because I didn’t teach her the right way. Allowing her to do as she liked because I was busy with pack business was the wrong way to be, and I will always regret that.”
“Aurora, you couldn’t be in two places at once. We all have to admit we spoiled her because she was yours, but we didn’t see the damage we were doing, either. Let’s do the best we can now to make sure she doesn’t lose her mate, and that she is the best Luna any kingdom could want.” Raina gives me an encouraging smile, and I take it with both hands, knowing I’m going to need it.
Chapter 16
AURORA
The day progresses well. I greet Flint and the rest of the council members. It’s obvious that Eve Planter is turning her nose up at everything she sees, but to be honest, I don’t care about the female, she is not any of my concern. I will make sure that the rest of the council members see the pack and myself in as good a light as possible.
Flint walks into my office and gives me a half smile with a tint of a grimace. “Everyone is settled and in the dining area eating lunch. I like the fact Taria is helping, that is a good trait for a Luna.”
“Taria has met her fated mate, but he isn’t happy about the attitude Taria displays, and the fact she is not a fighter, expecting the pack to ensure her safety. Her entitled attitude did not sit well with him at all, and to be honest, I do understand. I have spoken to him and he is happy to give Taria six months to pull herself around. I have spoken to her and I will push her in the right direction.”
“Who is her mate?”
“Alpha Heir Bronze of the Eclipse Pack.”
“Oh, okay. I see where the problem could arise. The Eclipse Pack are a strong and independent bunch. They train as hard, if not harder than your pack. Alpha Chet trains daily with his warriors, Luna Sage trains three times a week with the female warriors. It may not be a bad thing to send Taria to be trained by the other Lunas. I’m sure they would help her if she starts at the Blackshadow Pack, then Wolfsfoot Pack, before going to Eclipse, her destined pack.” Flint is rubbing his chin with his thumb, in deep thought.
“I agree, I think that is a good idea, but I want her to work here for a month first. Allow Bronze to return to his pack and give her the time to consider how badly she wants her mate. I have her working in the kitchen and she’ll work with the members that clean the packhouse, and in the laundry room. I want her to have firsthand experience as to how the pack works, and how hard they work.”
“Does Alpha Chet know?” Flint asks.
“I don’t think so as they have not arrived yet to see Bronze. You spoke to them about us finding him and getting him out of the camp, but unless they have spoken to him directly they won’t know.”
The door opens and a frazzled looking Taria walks into the office. She’s so busy muttering to herself she hasn’t realized that I have someone in the office with me. But, when she looks up and sees Flint, a look of horror crosses her face.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you had someone with you.”
“You need to knock on the office door the same way everyone else does. It is not appreciated that you burst in as you have. It’s called being respectful, having manners, and when you have your own Luna office you will understand that is also about privacy.” Flint gives her a look that she can’t but recognize and it’s called annoyance.
“Have you finished helping in the kitchen?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“Good. You can go and speak with Sharon to see what help they need in the laundry room.” I give her a stern look, as I can see she is about to argue, but she must recognize I am not going to back down. She gives me and Flint a nod before turning and exiting the office.
Chuckling has me looking at Flint. “She will make a good Luna once she gets past the entitled attitude. Her strength is going to be something that the Eclipse Pack will revere.”
“I hope this works out because the Eclipse Pack are a good pack, it will be a home to Taria and I’m sure she will fit in once she has grown up somewhat,” sighing because I feel most of this is because of my neglect. “What happened with Rona? Did she get settled with another pack?” I can’t help but be curious.