Page 10 of Eclipse Pack

There’s a calm, relaxed feeling to the lunchtime crowd. Not the boisterous laughter that sometimes echoes around the packhouse at this time of day. It helps to see the different sides of the pack mentality, so I can get a feel of how things are in general. I have to visit Spirit Walker pack with my father this week, so knowing the pack has no issues will make the trip more enjoyable. No one wants to travel when there is trouble on the horizon.

Having enjoyed my meal, I remain a while longer and drink my bottled water. Just as I’m thinking of taking my plate away, I notice a chilly silence come over the room. Looking around, I see Savannah has entered and is walking to the serving area. Now, I say walking but I suppose sashay would describe it better, but it’s not in a good way. It’s so exaggerated that it doesn’t look normal. I’m not the only one that thinks so either, as there are several comments directed at her relating to herneed for the toilet, or thatit looks like she’s too late,maybe should haveworn a diaper. The room is quickly filling with laughter and it’s all at Savannah’s expense.

Reaching the serving area, Savannah takes a handful of smashed potato and throws it at the nearest table. Before she sees where it lands, she grabs more and throws a second handful in the same direction.

“Ha! Not laughing so much now, are you?” She screeches at the room in general. The room is totally silent with all eyes on the person wearing the smashed potato. Cook Ash stands up and wipes the mash from her face, neck and hair. Looking from Savannah, then to me, she quietly speaks. “Alpha Heir Bronze. Her ass is mine and I’ll still bake you the cookies.” Launching herself at Savannah, she just misses as Savannah bolts for the kitchen, with Ash in hot pursuit. There’s a scream and the sounds of pans crashing, so it sounds as though her escape was unsuccessful. Trusting that Ash won’t actually kill her, I leave Savannah to her fate and head back to the Alpha office.

No sooner does my ass hit the chair than the phone rings. Answering, I’m surprised when I’m greeted by Shadow Warrior Xavier.

“Alpha Heir Bronze, just the person I was hoping to speak to. How are you?”

“I’m very well, thank you. And yourself?” I probably sound a little wary, as I’m not sure why a Shadow Warrior would want to speak to me about anything.

“I’m good. Thank you for asking. I was hoping we could discuss one of your pack members, if you have time?”

“I’m sure I can always make time for one of our most esteemed Shadow Warriors. Wouldn’t you rather speak to my father, though?”

“Our discussion will, I feel, be relevant to some future event after your father has relinquished the reins to yourself, so I don’t believe I’m being disrespectful by coming directly to the future alpha. This may also save some repeat conversations going forward.” His voice appears calm, and I don’t detect any kind of deceit.

“Very well. Though I should point out that I may still discuss this with my father at some point,” I want it clearly understood that I will keep nothing from my father.

“I would expect nothing less. You’ve recently gained a new pack member, a young female by the name of Hannah, if I’m not mistaken.”

“Yes, that’s correct. She came from the Northern Parklands, as I recall. She was picked up by one of our warrior patrols at the border.”

“It’s come to our attention through our communication network that her brother has had a resurgence of interest in his sister’s whereabouts. I thought I should pass this on to yourself should he decide to pay your pack lands a visit, and try topersuadeher to return with him.”

“Why would he want to do this?” I ask myself. “Have you any thoughts on this?” We’re talking about a hell of a risk for someone to travel such distances, and cross borders to kidnap a sister that took such lengths to escape in the first place. She would not go back quietly, and for him to get caught would certainly bring death to his door.

Xavier surprises me when he says, “She ran because her brother was going to sell her into a mating, so he could gain power in the Northern Parklands. When she ran, she put him in a seriously bad position, he procured another bride and narrowly escapedan early grave. Instead of keeping his head down though, as any sane shifter would, he was caught bragging that his sister was far superior in every way to the new bride. This caused some consternation in the groom's quarter, and so he’s been given an ultimatum. Supply the original superior bride or meet the Goddess with his head under his arm, and not on his shoulders. He may already be on his way to your lands.”

I don’t waste my time asking how accurate this information is, as I know that a Shadow Warrior wouldn’t waste his time on uncorroborated intel. “I will speak to Dixon, my Chief Warrior, and have him make the border patrol warriors aware. I will also explain to Hannah that no matter what happens, the pack will not give her up.”

“Those were the actions that I thought you would take. I respect your decisions, Alpha Heir Bronze. I will keep you aware of any further information, and be assured that should you require our assistance, the Shadow Warriors will be happy to oblige.”

“Thank you for that, Xavier, and for the heads up on Hannah’s brother. I seem to recall he’s called Elijah, if my memory serves me.” Something else recently gleaned from the files I so diligently read.

“Correct. You obviously pay attention to your pack members and any issues they may have. I’m impressed. You don’t have a small pack, so to know such a level of detail is commendable.” I almost blurt out how I know, but decide it won’t hurt to be well thought of in such circles as the Shadow Warriors. “I’ll leave you for now then, Alpha Heir Bronze. I’m sure you have a lot you wish to put in place before your visit to Alpha Lyle at Spirit Walker pack with your father.”

Before I can ask how he knows about my impending visit, I hear a soft chuckle and the call ends. I shouldn’t be surprised that heknows. There are probably Shadow Warriors in the pack that I am unaware of. I’ll ask my father about that while we’re traveling to Spirit Walker Pack.

CHET

Knowing that the pack will be in excellent hands with my Luna, Sage, and Beta, Xavi, I still couldn’t help checking that Bronze had made sure everything was in place for our visit to Spirit Walker Pack. As we have six warriors accompanying us, he has audited the patrol rosters with Dixon to ensure there are no weak spots.Check. He has requested travel permission across Wolfsfoot lands, and arranged a stopover for us on the way to Alpha Lyle and on our return.Check. Alpha Lyle has agreed to the visit, its purpose and duration.Check. Communication protocols are in place in case of emergencies, either at the pack or on our journey.Check.

I haven’t spent this much time with my son in years, if ever. The traveling alone, with breaks, will account for two whole days. I don’t expect to see him much while he’s with Alpha Lyle, but it will be good for him to see how a much younger Alpha does things. Pack life has a lot of custom and tradition within its culture. However, that doesn’t stop change or evolution playing its part. It wouldn’t do if we all still lived in caves or in the woods.

Alternating between human and wolf, we are making good time. Shaman and Titan are getting hungry and they both share their fondness for rabbit. It won’t be long before we call a break and I know what that will entail for those two.

Titan has already discussed our food requirements, humans are not food focused enough.Shaman’s statement echoes through my mind.

‘Shaman, that does not surprise me. You should both be overweight with the amount of food you put away.’

We get to run more than most other pack leaders, so we burn off the calories. No chance we will get fat.Shaman snorts with some indignation.

‘What do you say, Titan? Do you get to run more than most?’ Waiting for his response, I’m taken aback when it arrives.

Running is all well and good, but need mate more than food. Wolf cannot live on rabbit alone.

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