Page 6 of Blood Pearl

“Come in, Amos, tell us what you have found.” I lean back in my seat and rub my temple because I can feel the throb of a headache starting.

“I’ve been in the trees along our territory perimeter. I always keep a check on the patrol from the rogues, but they always, and I mean for the last few months, have passed by the spot I watch from, every hour, on the hour, never fail or miss. But this morning they have been passing every ninety minutes. I’ve been watching since five this morning, and it’s never wavered. For some odd reason, they have changed their patrol times.” Amos gives me a worried look, and I think he knows me well enough that he has an inkling that I’m going to do something soon.

“They either have lost some rogues, and by that I mean they’ve deserted, or they’ve killed them. They could have a change in the structure which you told us they have put together. I mean, it sounds stupid that they have formed a rogue pack, but it would make sense from their point of view. To have a pack gives them stability, others to rely on, others to watch their backs. We still have no information about who is the supposed Alpha or his Luna, if he has one!” Warrior Roul states, rubbing the back of his neck.

“We know that you have pack members that will fight alongside you if necessary. That’s not a bad thing Aurora, if they want out of that situation they may have to fight for their freedom.” Flint gives me a worried look, knowing that I’ll die before any of my pack does. “Trust them, allow them to do what they can. Don’t do it all yourself. It never works. In a situation like this, work as a team, and Gerry can do that. He can organize quickly and efficiently. He can get everyone in the same frame of mind, and working together before you could allow that to happen, and you’ll get your pack members free.”

Raina had updated me first thing this morning about the rogue patrol, so the change has happened in the last twenty-four hours. She had monitored for the last two days, getting the timing and the route they take. It seems the timing of the patrol has changed, but the route has stayed the same. It’s odd, something has to have happened, but none of us knows what that is, and it’s going to mean we have to be on high alert the whole time.

Aztec speaks again in our mind link. Aurora, we can do this. We just have to be careful, no taking risks and no rash decisions.

‘I know, Aztec. I’ll do my best to stay calm and not put us or Warrior Gerry in danger.’

Flint stands, gives me a look I cannot interpret, then nods at Warrior Gerry. “You go in, check out what’s going on and if you can’t get them out, get the information that will help us go back in with a team and get them out. No heroics, just in, out and stay safe.”

“We will. Come on Alpha Aurora, let’s get ourselves fed, watered and ready. We’ll not carry anything. We’ll sneak across the territory as soon as it is dark.” Warrior Gerry gives me a firm look, and I return it with a nod.

Chapter 4

AURORA

Darkness has fallen, and it’s time. Taria is standing in front of me, wringing her hands together in worry. “Stop, Taria. I will be back. I won’t do anything that I don’t have to do. I have Warrior Gerry with me, and he’ll be watching my back, as I will watch his.”

“Call me Gerry, because all this warrior talk is long-winded. Taria, your Momma is an Alpha. She can handle herself. Now, let’s see that strength we all know you have.”

Taria gives him a small nod of the head, before turning back to me with a glassy-eyed look, but she steels her spine, nods to me and walks back into the packhouse.

Raina is coming along to the territory border with us and will lead the pack until my return. I am determined to bring back my pack members or not come back at all. I cannot in all honesty lead the pack any longer, knowing I have ten members suffering.

Flint is speaking quietly with Gerry as we head toward the border. Raina is quiet, and I know she’s worried.

“Raina, make sure the pack members remain safe. If the Shifter Council tries to push for something you don’t like, you push back. You are the acting Alpha, and you will act like it. I would not leave you in my stead if you were not capable. Remember, you represent me and our members.”

“Yes, Alpha Aurora.”

Placing a hand on Raina’s shoulder, she looks up at me and I can see the worry in her eyes. “Strengthen yourself, Raina. Remember, I wasn’t an Alpha until I had to be to save us all. If I could do it, so can you. Make sure Taria stays strong. She’ll never be an Alpha, and we all know it. She’s waiting for her mate. She’ll be the most amazing Luna because that is what she is, a Luna in waiting.”

“She’s never going to meet her mate unless she gets herself out of the pack, and we both know we’re going to have to push her. She’s so unlike you…”

Interrupting Raina, I smile, “Taria is like her father. He was a Gamma, having all the traits, being gentle, loving, and kind. He was in the wrong place, at the wrong time, when he was murdered by three rogues. When I look at Taria, I see him and it warms my heart that she is so much like him. I’m also sad that he never knew her, but for a few weeks. He loved her so much, and he’d have spoiled her something terrible.”

“I wish I had met him.”

“You would have liked him. Everyone did. He had that type of aura that everyone felt easy with. If I hadn’t Taria to look after I would have allowed Aztec to take us to the Goddess and be with him. But I just couldn’t leave her to grow up without me. It has been lonely at times, I have to admit. Being the Alpha has given me purpose since Taria is now ready to meet her mate.”

“Do you think it’s odd that members are not finding their mates until they are eighteen now? Unlike the sixteen we’ve always had throughout history.”

“I think the Goddess has reconsidered when we are grown enough to find our mates. If you think about it, there had been a lot of rejecting mates as they were not ready, or they were messing with others while they grew up. Some were even considering taking chosen mates. But doing this, it’s taken the onus from finding a mate early and allowing more time to mature. I think it’s a good thing, but only time will tell.” I look up when I hear my name called.

“Are you ready?” Gerry asks.

“Yes, if it’s time to slip into no-man’s-land, then let's do it.”

Gerry looks me in the eye, which is hard for him with my being Alpha. “You follow my lead on this, Aurora. I can keep us safe, but you have to follow me, not try to lead me.”

“I can do that, Gerry. Let’s get the information we need, or get my pack members if we can. But whatever we do, we need to get it done and get back here.” I’m also thinking if I have to give Gerry the slip to get my people, I will.

Flint gives me a stern look after he’s given last-minute orders to Gerry. “Aurora, take care and come back safely. We don’t want to be saying we have eleven pack members being held hostage or, worse, dead.”

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