Page 69 of Blood Pearl

“Sweetpea? Is that me? Wow. I kinda like that, Pops.”

“It came out sort of naturally. I’ll keep that for just us, and maybe your Momma.” Hearing Taria laugh is music to my ears. I didn’t think I could get any happier than I was just ten minutes ago.

“I have to run, Pops. I’ll be ringing often, though.”

“As often as you like, any time you like. You just made me a very happy man.”

“No. I just made you a very happy ‘Pops’, and I became a ‘Sweetpea’. How cool is that?”

“It’s very cool.”

“Okay. I have to go. Talk soon. Love you, Pops.”

“Love you, too, Sweetpea. Take care.”

The phone goes dead and I sit there staring at it. What just happened? I’m a Pops with a daughter, a Sweetpea no less. She just said ‘love you’ and I responded without a second thought. Wow!

We have a pup. I always wanted a pup.

‘You and me both, Asher. I always wanted a daughter.’

It’s a pity you didn’t get your act together sooner. We would have had more time with her. Now she’s going to be Eclipse pack Luna and we won’t get to see her much.

‘We can visit there and they can come here. It won’t be too bad. I’ve heard that Taria is already planning Luna meetings and other get-togethers.’

Her wolf, Maya, will be a force to be reckoned with. She has much of her mother’s nature and little of her father's tolerance. She talks a good fight when pressed, already.

Seeing the time, I get out of the chair and walk to the door. I’ve a pack run to organize and refreshments after. Cook Ivy will think she’s getting out of the run by preparing the refreshments. Ha. Not a chance.

Opening the office door, I see Crispin on guard duty. I’m going to leave that custom in place now it’s been reinstated. I like customs and traditions. Having a warrior handy is never a bad thing, either.

“Crispin.”

“Yes, Alpha Gerry?”

“I’m a Pops. What do you say to that, eh?” Before he can even process what I’ve said, I’m gone. Leaving him standing there gulping like a stranded fish, I start to laugh. By the time I reach the packhouse doors, I’m in full belly laugh mode and everyone looks at me and laughs along with me.

Chapter 36

AURORA

After having checked on some of the processes we have in place, I’m taking a few minutes out to gather my thoughts. A lot has happened in a short space of time. Having pack members taken hostage shook me to the core. That was something I never envisaged happening. Not even in my worst nightmares, and I had a few as Alpha.

When I challenged the pack’s previous Alpha, I didn’t know if I could win. I couldn’t hold back any longer, though. Death was preferable to the alternative. The way the she-wolves were being treated had to stop. I was going to be no-one's breeder, and neither was my daughter. Arrangements had been made for her safety, had I failed.

Challenging the Alpha was no mean feat. For someone with beta blood and not alpha, it was even more daunting. Although it was not a quick victory, everyone that I spoke to afterward said it was destined from the start of the challenge that I would win.

Replacing the Beta was a no-brainer. He was as bad as the Alpha where she-wolves were concerned. It wasn’t difficult to get his resignation, after I offered him that option or the challenge circle.

Choosing my own Beta was an easy choice. I had known Raina since childhood. We had similar views on a lot of topics and those we differed on, we seldom clashed. We had a healthy respect for each other's views.

There were others that wished to be Beta, so in the interests of fair play, we had a beta challenge. Fully expecting Raina to excel, it was no surprise when she succeeded.

Working together, we built up our hierarchy with those we knew wanted to better themselves and the pack. It took time and patience, as with anything, there were a few stumbling blocks along the way.

I can say without any doubt that the success of the pack has been a joint effort, and I was a figurehead for that success. Others deserve their credit, where it’s due.

Seeing Raina approaching, I wave to show I’ve seen her. Watching the frown I get from her in return makes me smile. Waving? She’ll think I’ve gone mad.

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