Page 31 of Blood Pearl
Alpha Gabriel laughs. “Sounds about right, but at this point in time, we need as much information as we can get. Information is the key to bringing him down, and the rogues who are solidly behind him. I have been told about a few rogues that have come into Wolfsfoot town, and heard they are grumbling about the treatment they had. Trouble is, they run when you try to speak to them, and disappear as quickly as they can.”
“Yes, I heard similar,” Alpha Chet responds, rubbing his chin with his thumb and forefinger. “Do you think we could catch one of them?”
Alpha Connell speaks for the first time. “Worth a try, but it will be one of Gabriel's pack members that gets the opportunity.”
“Yes, it will. I agree with that, Connell, but it could be tricky. I’ll speak with my pack members when I get back. I’m sure Tati will want in on it, as she’s bored just now.” Chuckling more to himself than the rest of us.
“Warrior Gerry and I are aiming to go back into no-man’s-land and get as much information as we can,” I watch the reactions of everyone, and to say they are not happy is an understatement.
“No, I don’t agree with that, Aurora,” Alpha Lyle slaps his hand on the table, showing how strongly he feels.
“I don’t agree either,” Alpha Connell states, then surprises us all. “What about shadow warriors? Do any of you have one?”
“No, I do not have one in my pack,” Alpha Chet quickly states, but looks around the other alphas to see if they will admit to having one.
“We do not have one,” I add to the conversation.
“No, neither do I. What about you, Lyle, you Gabriel?” Alpha Connell asks, and it looks like he may know something!
“I don’t, but wish I did,” Alpha Lyle chuckles, more to himself than the rest of us.
“We had one, but he left for one of the other kingdoms when he met his mate. I won’t call him back because he is happy and has two pups he needs to nurture,” Alpha Gabriel firmly states, and we can all see he isn’t going to move from this stance.
“I know of one,” Flint admits, and we all give him a dirty look. “Well, I was waiting to see if any of you had one first. I will contact him and speak with him. I will update you all when I know more, but I won’t reveal his identity.”
We all agree because shadow warriors are just that, shadows. They like to remain anonymous and able to live a normal life when not needed.
“I have arranged for twenty of my warriors to move over to you Lyle, that should help ease your border issue somewhat. I am having more trained to patrol standard, but as you all know it takes time,” Alpha Chet looks at me before continuing, “do you have enough patrol warriors, Aurora? If not, I will see if I can send more to you. With my pack's position being the furthest from no-man’s-land, we don’t get the same problems you and Lyle have. But we are seeing rogues appearing on our borders. One of our female patrol warriors had a fight only last week when three rogues tried to take her. Luckily, her patrol partner was not far away and got to her in time.”
“With the council warriors, we have a patrol that works well at the moment. But any extra help would be appreciated, as I don’t want the warriors I have to become overtired with the number of patrols they must cover.” Aurora answered.
“Okay, I will look when I get back at the warriors, I have available, but it will only be four,” Alpha Chet says with an apologetic look.
“I can send you six warriors, Aurora. They are trained and will serve well. My border has some rogue interference, but we have been working hard to train everyone in the pack in case I have to call everyone to fight.” Connell looks from one of us to another, and I can see the pride he has in his pack members. He is such a different alpha to his sire, and a different male now he has his mate.
“I have sent as many as I can spare at this time. But we will come if called,” Alpha Gabriel adds to the conversation.
“Shall we meet again in a month?” I ask.
“I think that’s a good idea. We may know more if Flint gets the shadow warrior involved. We really need more information before we storm no-man’s-land and get pack members killed,” Alpha Lyle states, and we all agree with that sentiment.
“Okay, I’m going back to my pack. Nothing more we can do here, so it’s pointless staying,” Alpha Connell says, standing from his seat and leaving the office.
Alpha Lyle and Alpha Gabriel follow, but I quickly speak to Alpha Chet. “Could I have a word with you before you leave?”
“Yes, of course.”
Turning, I give my officers a sign to leave the office, and my eyes flick to Flint so they know to take the councilman with them. Raina grins as she grasps hold of Flint's arm and guides him out, not giving him the opportunity to resist.
Taking a seat opposite Alpha Chet at the table, I give him a serious look, but he speaks before I can. “Is this about Taria being Bronze’ mate?”
“Yes. I want you to know that I’m working on her attitude and all other aspects of her being a Luna. I want your thoughts on my sending her to the Wolfsfoot and Blackshadow Pack Lunas. To learn her role from a Luna, before coming to Luna Sage for her final assessment. Alpha Heir Bronze will give Taria six months before he rejects her. I understand his thinking, and if I’m honest, I respect the fact he is giving her the opportunity to grow into herself and the role. Many would reject her and move on without a single thought.”
“My thoughts are simple. Bronze has always wanted to find his fated mate. He will do whatever is needed to have her. He will not allow her to be a Luna that the pack won’t respect. I think what you are doing, and I have heard from Bronze some of the things Taria has been involved with, like the kitchen,” chuckling at something that Bronze must have told him before continuing, “will bring her down to earth. Being an Alpha’s offspring is not always easy, but for females, it can go either way. It has them, as Taria, being entitled, or they become so overwhelmed that they reject their mate on sight to avoid the Luna position. Not all heirs are fated to be Lunas of a pack, but whatever their fate is, they need to face it with grace and strength.
“Keep me informed and I agree regarding Taria being sent to other packs. It will break the habit she has formed here. But first give her the experience of different roles of the pack as you are doing. It is a great idea and one that I would be fully behind if it was my Luna suggesting it for a female offspring. Sadly, as you know we only had Bronze, but he is a magnificent male and I could not be prouder of him. I thank you for getting him away from that camp because we both know they would have killed him, given time.”
“I would never have left him behind, and I’m happy that he will be family to me when Taria gets her act together, that is.”