Page 52 of Blood Pearl
“Asher did the same. I have no idea what was just discussed or what the subject may have been.”
Making sure I can be heard by both wolves; I mind link with them. ‘We will have a serious talk about this later. This will not go unanswered.’
Both wolves speak as one. Of a certainty, this ‘will’ be discussed further. We look forward to it.
Gerry looks as though he’s swallowed a lemon. “I think we should go watch the females at the nursery. It may distract these two for a while. I have a bad feeling about them!”
As we leave the office, Gerry holds the door for me. As I walk past him, I feel his hand on the small of my back, guiding me through. An electric shock shoots up my spine and I let out a small gasp. The guard looks at me curiously, but I keep walking and ignore him.
Joining Raina by the nursery, we listen to Roul laying down the guidelines for this training session to the two groups. The attacking warriors and the defensive females are both stood at attention and giving him their utmost concentration.
“The rules are simple. There are no rules! Warriors, you are to gain entry to the nursery and KILL everyone inside. There are to be no prisoners and no survivors. Is that understood?”
The warriors look at each other in shock. Before I can say anything about these rules, Gerry draws my attention to all the pups and nursery staff sneaking away.
“Warriors! Are these rules FULLY understood? No prisoners, no survivors.”
Stepping up to Roul’s side, I address them myself. “You will answer Roul’s question, OR you will answer to me!”
A very shallow “yes” comes from the warriors.
“Trainees! Some of you have pups in the nursery, those that don’t, KNOW of someone in there. You will defend that building at all costs and with anything at your disposal. No warrior is to gain access to that building. If they do, some WILL die. Do you understand the rules?”
A very loud “yes” comes from the females, who are all standing straight and looking very determined.
Roul gestures for the warriors to gather behind him, and then addresses them further. “If I see anyone of you holding back, you will answer to me at the next training session. When I’ve finished with you, you will be stripped of your warrior status and be demoted to any and every menial task within the pack. Is that clear?”
There is a loud and clear “yes” and Roul comes to stand with us.
“BEGIN!”
As soon as the words are out, the warriors move forward. I was expecting a concerted rush, but they form a line and move toward the females. The females form two lines, one behind the other. There are more females than warriors, but I wouldn’t have allowed the training to go ahead with equal numbers. The warrior's skills give them a three to one advantage against the females.
When the line of warriors meets the front line of females, I am shocked when the females go berserk. Before a single warrior makes an attacking move, they are swamped by the defenders. Each warrior is attacked by a pair of females and they give no quarter. The first warrior to make it past the defenders is set upon by more defending females from the second line. It quickly becomes clear that Roul’s warning to the warriors about taking it easy has been ignored. They clearly do not want to injure the female trainees. The same can’t be said for the trainees.
Many of the warriors have now got injuries, and blood is flowing. The warriors fall back as one and they look at each other in bewilderment. They clearly were not expecting this level of commitment from the trainee females. Gathering themselves into their line, you can see the way the shoulders are set that this time, they mean business.
It still takes the warriors another ten minutes to gain entry to the nursery. By this time, there are injured warriors and trainees everywhere. No one, however, has a serious injury. Roul walked through the battlefield and stopped all those that were at risk, declaring one or both dead and told to sit out the rest of the session.
Once the warriors have gained entry, they each return to the battlefield each holding a small fluffy pup. Handing it over to a trainee still fighting, the battle quickly ends. Once the trainees realize they are holding a stuffed toy, they look at each other and then descend on Roul, who quickly goes to the ground under the onslaught of soft toys.
Calling everyone to attention, I congratulate them on a such a demonstration of self-discipline on the part of the warriors and sheer determination on the part of the trainees. Dismissing them all and sending them to be checked over by Doctor Patricia, I walk back to Roul, Gerry and Raina, where they are all pleased with the results of the session.
Raina and Roul head back to the packhouse, while Gerry and I stroll in no particular direction but discuss the way the session gave the trainees that motivation to win. Gerry is happy with everything except telling the warriors to kill everyone. That does not sit well with him and I can imagine quite a conversation with Roul taking place at some point. As we talk, we reach the edge of the forest. I see Gerry suddenly sway.
Asher suddenly makes his appearance, taking me by surprise. Aztec pushes forth and before I know it, I’m dashing through the forest in wolf form beside Asher. Resigning myself to the fact, I let them run and enjoy the freedom. Asher veers off and bolts through a bush. Seconds later, he returns with a large rabbit in his jaws. Dropping it at Aztec’s feet, he trots off, returning in a few minutes with another rabbit, they each eat their meal.
Having eaten and then rested for an hour, I hear Gerry giving an instruction to both Asher and Aztec.
“You WILL return us to human form and you WILL ensure that we are fully dressed. Baser instincts be damned, Asher. That’s a conversation that I will have with Aurora at a later date.”
Baser instincts? I like the sound of that. Yes. I thought you might once we got you round to thinking of it! Aztec states as she gets ready to shift.
Chapter 28
GERRY
I’ve had some stern words with Asher over his and Aztec’s behavior yesterday. He is sulking quite openly about it in the back of my mind. He’s curled up, his back to me, with his nose tucked under his tail. I’ve never known him to sulk, ever. He refuses to respond to any of my attempts at reconciliation. Well, so be it. I don’t have time for his puppy like attitude.