Page 36 of Blood Pearl

Three hours later, I answer the phone in my office and Flint asks if I’m alone.

“Yes, I’m in the office alone at the moment,” I reply.

“The shadow warrior is okay with helping. He will be at your pack tomorrow late evening. He is from the Wolfsong Pack and Alpha Falan is okay with him coming to help. The warrior is a loner. He likes to work alone, but he will keep you informed of what he does as and when he can. He will come to you and you will call him Xavier. He does not use a last name. He is known only as Xavier.”

“Okay. Thank you for letting me know. I will prepare his room and be ready for his arrival.”

“I will speak to you again soon. I have a lot to do before I come back to visit, but I will be back. If you need me or anything you know how to reach me.” Flint cuts the call before anything more can be said. But as I’m not going to be here more than likely when the warrior Xavier arrives, it is probably a good thing that we don’t speak more.

Chapter 20

AURORA

Staying calm and doing my normal day-to-day things while keeping my eye on everyone, because the last thing I want is someone noticing that I’ve been to the laundry and collected all my clothing myself, and not waited for the house females to deliver them to my room.

In my bedroom I pick out leggings, a long-sleeved t-shirt, and underwear. All black to help go unnoticed while traveling in human form. In the walk-in closet I open and close drawers until I find a black beanie which Taria had given me as a joke. But it will cover my hair, keeping it out of my face.

We move fast in human and my form. Gerry is good at concealing us when needed. The two females are trained and their wolves have spoken with me, deferring to me as the alpha wolf for the journey.

‘That’s good, Aztec. You are good at running with Asher. You both help each other and I’m not going to give myself up this time.’

No, we don’t give ourselves to them. I will fight you as well as them if I need to. We find out what is happening, and we come back.

‘Yes, that’s all we are doing.’

I feel Aztec slide into the back of my mind and curl into a ball, tucking her nose under her tail and closing her eyes to sleep. She’ll be well rested when, and if I need her to run for any length of time, or fight if we are caught.

The time for the evening meal rolls around and I quickly make my way to the dining area. Taria is placing trays of food out for the pack, and catching her eye, I call her over.

“Take a seat.”

“I’m busy, Momma.”

“Take a seat. I want to speak with you,” I stress, giving her a frown.

Sitting next to me, Taria composes herself, and I can see she would like to throw one of her tantrums but thinks better of it. I smile as I pat her hand. “You are learning to stay composed. Well done, Taria. You know I am very proud of you. The way you have taken to all the tasks has not gone unnoticed, and the pack feels proud of you, too.

“I’ve not spoken with either Luna as yet, but I will. I want you to be ready and feel comfortable before you go to them. You will be a great Luna, Taria. I know that you and Bronze will make a magnificent couple and will lead the pack well.”

“Thanks, Momma, but as well as proving to Bronze that I can be what he needs, I’ve told him and the current alpha that he has to prove himself too. I know he meant nothing bad with what he said, and I know he wants me. I also understand that I can’t roll over and be a doormat, it’s not who I am, and it’s not who I want to be,” hitting my shoulder with hers, Taria smiles with eyes sparkling with mischief, “it’s going to be fun seeing if he can catch me.”

“Well, don’t run too hard or you may miss each other. But I agree, although you have to prove yourself, so does he. I’m sure it will come together at some stage. Six months isn’t a long time.”

“Oh, it may be longer than six months, because I may not want to jump that fast into being his mate, supporting all his ideas, notions, and whatever. I may go to the pack and make sure I like the pack first, because from where I’m standing, and what I’ve heard, they are all a bunch of shifters that value you for what you can do, and not for who you are.” Taria sounds far more grown up than she has in a while, and I can’t help but think this is going to be good for her.

“Whatever you decide, I’m 100% behind you. You know I love you and am proud of the way you are turning yourself into someone the pack is looking up to.”

“I’ve got to get back to the kitchen Momma, I’ll see you later,” Taria kisses my cheek and runs back to the kitchen.

I quickly finish my meal and get to my room, as I need at least two hours of sleep before I sneak away from the pack. Quickly undressing and climbing into bed, I look to the back of my mind and see Aztec still curled up, sleeping. She’s been asleep for quite a while and should be refreshed when she wakes. I make sure my alarm is set, then close my eyes and quickly fall asleep.

Buzzing wakes me and realizing it’s my alarm, I tap it to stop before climbing out of bed and freshening up. I wear the all black outfit I selected earlier and push my hair under the beanie. Listening to the packhouse, it’s all quiet.

‘Do you hear anything, Aztec?’

Nothing, it’s all quiet. Someone is using the tap in the kitchen, but that’s all I hear.

‘Okay, let’s get moving and meet up with the others.’

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