Page 30 of Blood Pearl

After the meeting is over and making sure the council members have everything they need I make my way to the kitchen, where I grab a small meal and take it to my room. That is where I can eat in peace and get my thoughts in order.

Chapter 17

AURORA

Walking from the dining area to my office, I give Raina a small smile, “Is everything ready for the Alpha’s arrival?”

“Yes, I have the table clean, pitchers of iced water at the ready. Glassware for drinks and stationery, if needed, is at every place setting. Do you need anything else?”

“No, if anything else is needed, we can get it at the time. I want you, Warrior Wallace and Warrior Gerry, at the meeting. Make sure you all have a place at the table.” Raina looks shocked that I want them in the meeting, but says nothing whilst giving me a nod of understanding. She will make sure Wallace and Gerry are available and present.

I look up when Flint walks into the office. Now he’s way more comfortable walking around the pack, and in and out of the office than he should be. But he has a personality that you can’t seem to get disgruntled at. Well, not for long anyway.

“Good day to you, Aurora.”

“Good day, Flint. What can I do for you?” I lean back in my seat and give him all my attention. Grin to myself when he takes a seat and lounges easily.

“I think it would be wise if I sat in with you for the meeting…” holding his hand up to stop me speaking, “I know you are the alpha of this pack, and technically it’s your meeting, but…I think my input could be of value and you would have the council on side, so to speak.”

“How did I know you were going to do this?” I ask, and my eyes must twinkle with the laughter I’m holding back. “I think I know you well enough that this is no surprise, and we already set you a place at the table.”

Grinning, Flint chuckles, then asks me a few questions of how I am feeling after getting away from the camp. “I’ve been a little worried that you may have nightmares or some other issues since you got back to the pack. You would tell me if you needed any mental help, wouldn’t you?”

At this moment, looking at Flint, he is more a father figure than a council member, and I appreciate the concern he is showing. “I would, but I am alright. Nothing terrible happened to me. I’m more worried about my pack members. I have spoken to them all individually, but I am thinking of getting them together to have a meal and just check them out in a friendly environment.”

“That is a good idea. You have always had an easy camaraderie with your pack and it’s something I’ve always admired. You not only have the strength when needed, but compassion in abundance.”

“As I am not a natural alpha, it has been difficult to find a balance that I can maintain, yet keep the respect of the pack. Taking over a pack is not easy, and not something I would recommend. You know, if we found an alpha that could lead the pack, I would happily stand down.” I see the shock on Flint’s face, but I also see it turn into respect.

“I know a few alphas that have never had a pack. Some never want one and are happy to continue as they are, usually in a beta position, head warrior, or some other important position. Those are the ones that I would cajole to taking a pack if necessary, and not the ones that are biting at the bit to have one. We all learned a valuable lesson with Alpha Connell’s sire, and leaving him in the alpha position when we should have removed him. I would support any decision you made, but know that I respect and admire all you have achieved and I hope you do not stand down because you are an outstanding alpha.”

I’m not sure what to say, as the last of his comment has left me somewhat flustered. I am not used to compliments, and that is one of the highest coming from a council member such as Flint.

Before I can reply a knock on the door takes our attention. “Come in,” I quickly say as I clear my throat of the emotion Flint created.

Raina opens the door and enters the office, giving Flint a tip of the head, showing her neck and respect. “Alpha, we have Alpha Lyle arriving.”

“Okay, I will come and greet him.” Standing from behind my desk, I give Flint a smile, “Thank you for your visit this morning, and your comments. They are appreciated.”

Walking out of the main door of the packhouse, I can’t help but grin when Alpha Lyle steps out of his vehicle. He is alone, and that is unusual, as alphas tend to always have an officer with them wherever they go.

“Good day, Alpha Lyle.” I quickly greet as he climbs the steps to the packhouse.

“None of that alpha bullshit, Aurora. We are in this together, and we are friends foremost. All this alpha, beta, gamma thing can get tiring when you are in a room together for long periods of time. I do, however, understand the importance when in certain situations, as I’m sure you do. Now I’m ready for a drink and to find out what is going on.”

Seeing another vehicle drawing near, I turn to Raina. “Please take Lyle to the dining area, where he can have refreshments. I’m sure the others will not be long before they arrive.”

I watch Raina lead Lyle away and smile at the easy way Lyle talks with Raina, grinning and laughing with her. He’s a wonderful male and a first-class alpha. I can’t help but sigh, thinking it would have been nice if I could have found someone like that, even though I’m not interested in an alpha chosen mate.

The next hour is spent greeting the other alphas, and they all three show respect and friendliness. Alpha Chet, however, is eager to see his son Bronze, and I can’t fault him for that. Raina, who had returned from settling Lyle, takes Alpha Chet to the room where Bronze is staying. I’m sure he will return to his pack once the meeting is over. I am just not sure what is going to happen regarding Taria.

Two hours later, Alphas Chet, Connell, Gabriel and Lyle, with myself, Raina, Wallace and Gerry, along with Flint, of course, are gathered and the meeting begins. “Before we start the meeting in earnest, can we cut the Alpha this and that to make it easier for the meeting to flow? It’s tiring with all that title business,” I ask, getting head nods of agreement from everyone, as well as smirks.

“This rogue who calls himself an alpha…” Lyle starts the meeting by asking, “have we any idea where he came from? If he is of alpha blood someone knows him, knows what he is capable of, and knows how to end him like the piece of garbage he is.”

Flint quickly responds, “I have feelers out in different areas, and one that has me thinking it is the Southern Parklands. I am hearing of discontent in a pack after an alpha heir killed some of his own pack members after being beaten by his sire, who is the recognized alpha in a challenge he himself set. I have a feeling this could be who this alpha is, but I’m waiting for confirmation from my source since I gave them a description Aurora gave to me.”

“So, we are talking about a greedy heir who tried to overthrow his sire, and lost. Stomped away probably with his tail between his legs and thought, ah-ha, I’ll start my own pack of rogues,” Alpha Chet states, with a look of disgust on his face.

---