Page 53 of Blood Pearl
As I walk to the dining area, the female warrior on guard at Aurora’s door assumes I’m going to the Alpha’s office, promptly opens the door and announces me. Breakfast will have to wait, then. Stopping at the warrior, I explain her mistake, but that I will save her any embarrassment on this occasion. Entering the office, I see Aurora with her shoulder bare and Doctor Patricia examining her.
Quickly retreating from the office, I give the guard a thorough dressing down for allowing someone to enter when her Alpha is in such a position. The door opens, Doctor Patricia marches past me, grinning, and a fully dressed Aurora is left standing there. “I gave her permission for you to enter Council Warrior Gerry.” Looking at the guard, she continues, “Ignore him. I give the yay or nay as to who enters my office. You were quite correct in your actions.”
“I was going to see if you’d had breakfast yet. If not, would you care to join me?”
“No, I haven’t had breakfast yet, and yes, I will join you.” Aurora closes the office door and we head to the dining area.
Once seated with our trays of food, mine dwarfing that of Aurora, she gives me a small smile.
“Aztec is not very happy this morning. Apparently, you have had words with your wolf and he has not taken it well. Those two have developed quite a friendship, it seems. They talk more than we do.”
Refraining from eating any more of my breakfast, I respond, “I’ve noticed that too. And they are quite open to sharing their conversations when it suits them. I don’t think we are privy to all that is said, though. I get the feeling there is more going on than we know.”
“Perhaps allowing them another run together will reveal more of what they are up to?” Aurora gives me a conspiratorial look and raises her eyebrows.
“I’m not sure that is such a good idea. I have a feeling that if we give them too much rope, they won’t so much hang themselves, but more than likely play ‘bondage’ games!” Aurora chokes on her mouthful of scrambled egg, and I wear a large part of it as she ejects it!
“Oh, my Goddess, what makes you say such a thing. I can’t believe you, Gerry. Even if Asher is so forward, Aztec would not be a willing partner in such things.”
Perhaps, Aurora, you don’t know me as well as you think you do. The thought does not shock or displease me. Asher, hold that thought for when we next run.
Almost losing my mouthful of coffee hearing Aztec’s open reply, I suggest to Aurora that we change the subject quickly. “What did the Doctor have to say about your shoulder? Is it healing well?”
It was nothing more than a flesh wound. I have healed it fully. Other than an ache now and again, it is to be forgotten.
‘Aztec! This has gone far enough. I can and will answer for myself.’
“Gerry, if you’ll excuse me, I have things that need my attention. Thank you for breakfast. Maybe next time, we should do it alone, eh?”
“Yes, alone. That sounds like a good idea.”
Asher speaks out. Hear that Aztec. Breakfast alone. Sounds like a romantic human proposition if ever I heard one.
Blushing furiously, I take my leave of Aurora, empty my tray quickly, and leave the dining area.
Before going to my room to place a call to Flint. Why he can’t contact me once in a while is beyond me, as I head out to the training area. I need to speak with Roul and get something off my chest. As I near the training area, I hear loud voices. Not shouting, but certainly above conversational tone.
“It worked, that’s all that matters. You cannot dispute the fact,” Roul’s voice is the first I clearly understand.
As I turn the last corner, I see Roul pretty much surrounded by both warriors and trainees from yesterday's nursery session. Listening to their heated discussion, they are definitely in agreement on the very thing I’m here to discuss. None of them are happy that the order to kill everyone in the nursery was given.
“It was totally uncalled for.”
“So was threatening the warriors with demotion and facing you in the training area.”
“You are a Council Warrior Trainer and should be above such methods. It demeans your status and your position along with all other Council Warriors.”
“It’s displicatory that you should stoop so low.”
This is where I feel I need to step in and try to diffuse the situation. “I think the word you are looking for is ‘despicable’. That may be a bit harsh. But rest assured, there will be no repeat of yesterday's instructions, rules or threats. You all performed excellently and should be proud of your achievements on both teams.”
Roul gives a look of shock that I am not siding with him. “It was your idea, Council Warrior Gerry, that we use the nursery as a motivator in the first place.”
“Yes, it was, and I think it would have been equally effective without such vicious threats to both teams. Threats, I might add, that you couldn’t have possibly hoped to fulfill. Had I not seen the nursery team and all the pups exiting by the rear doors, I would have stopped the exercise from going ahead. The exercise was a resounding success as far as the trainees realizing exactly what they are capable of. Far more than they believed of themselves.” Giving a nod of respect to the females. “Warriors. You displayed a commendable amount of restraint whilst being attacked and injured. You also gained access to the nursery as per your instructions. Well done.” Another nod of respect for the Warriors.
“Council Warrior Trainer Roul. Congratulations on helping both these teams realize their potential. I’m sure they will continue to show such marked improvements as they advance in their training.” Roul takes my offered hand in a firm shake, after which everyone appears to be satisfied, so I ask him to dismiss everyone so we can talk in private. Once we are alone, he speaks up first.
“I get it, Gerry, really I do. I got over zealous with the instructions. It won’t happen again. I don’t know what came over me. It was like an out-of-body experience. Even I don’t know why I came out with such out of character rules.”