Page 32 of Blood Pearl

We both laugh at my comment as we leave the office, but laugh harder when Taria passes us, looking more than a little frazzled, pushing the laundry cart to the laundry room.

Chapter 18

TARIA

Walking down the stairs, I quickly step into the kitchen. The first job of the day is to put the large coffee pot on.

We need our mate!

Maya, my wolf, has done nothing but whine since we saw Bronze. I understand why he doesn’t want to touch me and start the mate bond. Yes, it hurts, but since I’ve spoken to Flint privately, I know I’ve not been doing all the things I should have been, nor learned the things I need to be an excellent Luna.

‘I know Maya, and I’m doing my best to rectify what’s holding back our mate from claiming us. Please, help me do this, not whine all the time.’

Okay. But you put this right. I told you to do more for the pack, and with the pack.

‘I know you did. I’m doing what I can, and I’ll make sure we get our mate.’

You better make sure or I may just leave you and go back to the Goddess.

Cook Ivy walks into the kitchen and gives me a smile. “Good morning, Taria. It’s nice to see you here already.”

“Good morning, Cook Ivy. I thought I would get the coffee started for everyone.” I give her a warm smile, which seems to startle her for a moment. Surely, I wasn’t that bad to be around?

Yes, you were at times.

Maya, as always, is brutal with her honesty. Making me flinch at the realization I have a lot to make up for, and a lot to prove.

“First thing for you Taria, is cracking all the eggs and making sure they are ready for when we start to cook.”

Giving Cook Ivy a nod, I grab the tray of eggs from the pantry and start cracking. Dozens of eggs are needed with the number of pack members we have, plus the council members and warriors.

The morning is full of following orders in the kitchen. Once breakfast is started in the dining area, I hasten to the sink and start to scrub the pans. I want to get finished here and join the training session, or Warrior Roul and Warrior Wallace will report me to my mother. That’s the last thing I need at the moment.

“You can get along to training now, Taria,” Cook Ivy says from beside me, and she gives me a pat on the shoulder as she turns to walk away. “You did great. Keep it up.”

For some reason that has my eyes tear up, the genuine praise for doing something worthwhile feels good. I’ve always done things, but not enough it seems to have been noticed.

Rushing to my room, I take a quick shower and throw on my training clothes. Sweatpants, training bra and t-shirt. Warrior Wallace is keeping me in human form for now, so I need clothing that is easy to exercise and fight in. These I have found are comfortable and not restrictive.

Standing on the side of the training field next to other pack members, I remain calm, keep my breathing even, and prepare for the start of today's session.

“This morning you will start by running the perimeter of the training field twenty times. I don’t want to see anyone stopping for a rest. If you can’t do this simple task, then you are not fit to even attend training sessions. No shifting, you will do this in human form, now run!” Warrior Roul demands, and we all start to run.

I’m an excellent runner. I often run by myself through the forest surrounding the pack. It’s a good way to let off steam, and let Maya do her own thing for a while. She loves to hunt and chase rabbits and other animals just for the joy of it.

Working my way from the back of the pack of runners, I reach the four at the front. I settle next to Troy, who is an up-and-coming warrior. He has a nice stride, and it’s easy to run alongside him.

“You doing okay, Taria?” Troy asks and I turn my head to look at him.

“Yes, thank you for asking.”

“I heard you found your mate. He’s a fit male, I’ve heard nothing but great things about him. You turning your life around is impressive, and I think you are perfectly capable of doing everything you need to do,” Troy grins. “Remember you from classes and you were feisty, but kind. You’ll make Alpha Heir Bronze a great Luna.”

“That means a lot to me, Troy. I know it’s going to be hard, but I’ll prove to everyone I can be a better person. If I’m honest I was bumbling through from day-to-day, not really knowing my purpose. Now I have a genuine reason to do my best, and I’m going to do just that with everything I have to attempt.”

We finish our run and I’m pleased that I stayed with the top four runners, completing the laps in a good time. Warrior Wallace gave me a small nod of respect and I have to admit it made me feel really good about myself.

After the grueling hand-to-hand defense lesson, I shower again, then head down to get something to eat. Maya, I know, is hungry and if I don’t feed her soon, she’ll pop out when I least expect it and go hunting rabbits.