Page 4 of Blood Pearl

Opening my eyes, I look at Flint. “Yes, I have ten members held by whoever is leading the rogues in no-man’s-land. Six females and four males. All the males are capable. Two were training as warriors. Three of the females are what you would consider troublemakers, but in the nicest way. They are mischievous, get into trouble often, but never because they have hurt anyone. It’s always a silly prank. But they are also the three that will stand up and protect any of the pack. They are the ones I am most worried about.”

“Tell me about each of them. I want to be able to visualize them, know them as best I can before any decisions are made. My warriors will be here as fast as they can travel. They will need a room and will need to eat.” Flint walks over to the table and takes a seat. “Okay, let’s begin.”

I walk over to the table and take my seat before speaking about my kidnapped members. I remember as much about each of them as I can. Relaying memories, knowledge and even my personal views of each. But the more I speak, the more I feel like vomiting. It’s the thought of what they have been, and what they are, going through in no-man’s-land.

“We need as much information about the patrol they may have along your territory border and the Spirit Walker Pack border. Lyle would help you Aurora, you both are the Alphas of the two packs that are at most risk. The three other packs will come when called. They will have no problem that you have kept your pack closed and safe. It is what each of them would have done.”

“My Beta is on patrol at the border, as we speak. She has two of my warriors with her, and they are looking for a weak spot in the rogues’ patrol. A gap that is long enough to allow me to pass through. I’m not sitting any longer on this mess. I want to know if they are alive, and if I can get them out. Nothing you can say will change my mind, so don’t even try talking me out of it.”

Flint pinches the bridge of his nose. “Okay, do nothing until my warriors arrive and we’ve looked at the layout, checked everything that may be relevant to the area. We cannot afford for you to get caught or killed.”

“Was the member of my pack Rona Whitewater?” I ask, taking Flint by surprise.

Sighing, he knows if he wants to keep my cooperation, he has to be honest, too. “Yes.”

“Thank you. I, Alpha Aurora Pearl of the Blood Pearl Pack, hereby banish Rona Whitewater from the pack forthwith and forever.” I take an intake of breath and release it slowly as the link to Rona breaks and she leaves the pack.

“You didn’t have to do that, Aurora. The female wanted what was best for her pack.”

I cut him off with a sharp snarl. “She did it behind her alpha’s back, and by breaking the order her alpha gave every pack member. I have put a lot of my life to the side Flint, for the good of the pack. I ask that my members are true to me, and she never spoke to me once. She didn’t try to persuade me to change any tactic I was thinking or suggest a way of getting the members released. She ran to the council like the bitch she is. Neither I, nor the pack, need a member like that. We have all been doing our best to find our pack members and get them home safely.

“For all she knew, the council could have gathered the packs and flew into no-man’s-land like a raging army. The first thing they would have done was murder my pack members, so you tell me Flint, how you would feel about Rona if she did that to you.”

“She came to me and has not spoken to other council members. I came after considering what should be done. I will have to inform the council once I know what is happening and how we can help get this resolved.”

“Do you know Jackson, the banished member of the Blackshadow Pack?”

Flint looks at me curiously. “Yes, I know of him.”

“He is the Beta of the no-man’s-land pack. He told me that himself. When I take the food parcels, he is the one that speaks to me. He stinks like a rogue, but I can still feel his wolf. He’s not strong anymore, but he hasn’t lost him. Yet, anyway.”

“Jackson was friends with Bellamy, who in turn was a close friend of Connell. But Bellamy, Jackson and Zoella disappeared from the pack.” Flint leans forward in his seat, brow frowning and thinking hard. “Didn’t Zoella come here?”

“Yes, and she was banished from here. Seems they were all rotten to the core. I heard that Zoella went into no-man’s-land, but I didn’t bother to have it confirmed.”

“Show me what you know about the area on the map.” Flint stands and walks over to the map on the wall. I step up to the side of him and point out where we know the pack members were being kept previously. But I don’t know if they are still held in that position.

“I want one of my warriors to sneak across and check this out.” Flint states, turning to look at me.

“If one of your warriors goes over the territory border, then I’ll be going with them. I know the area. Before the rogues took the land, I used to hone my hunting skills there. I can get us in and out if we know the border check times. My Beta will have that information later today. By then, your warriors will be here and we can have a meeting.”

Flint nods his agreement and we leave the office, heading to the dining room to find a hot meal. One that I will need if I’m going to be at full strength for the dash into no-man’s-land, and out again, safely.

Chapter 3

AURORA

Small talk isn’t easy when your mind is darting from one thought to another. Flint keeps looking at me curiously, and I don’t want to give him full control of the situation. I know the Shifter Council has more authority than I have, but it’s my pack and I’ll do what I know is right for them, regardless of the likes of Eve Planter, who hates me and the feeling is mutual.

“Eat Aurora, we’ll make sure we do whatever is needed for your pack members. You can’t do anything if you become weak. To get into and out of no-man’s-land, you need your strength. If you come across any rogues, you will have to fight, and you need to be fully fit and alert.”

I nod in agreement, acknowledging his words, and take a few bites of the food on my plate. I have no idea what I'm eating or if it even tastes good. I am desperately looking for a way to bring my pack members home, and my mind is consumed with finding a solution.

‘Alpha, two warriors are here wanting to come to the packhouse. They say they are here for Councilman Flint.’

The border warrior links and I give him a fast reply. Bring them to the packhouse. I knew they were coming, but don’t allow them to wander. Bring them to where I’m eating alongside Councilman Flint.

‘Okay, Alpha Aurora, we will be with you in fifteen minutes.’

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