Page 12 of Eclipse Pack

‘Five.’

How many females in the room?

’Twelve.’

If you had to exit the room quickly, how would you do it and how long would it take you?

‘Via the kitchen and less than twenty seconds to be on the lawn outside.’ I reply without thinking.

Less than fourteen days ago, you would not have known this. Now you are aware of your surroundings, and the people around you. I am proud of my human to have come this far. Maybe I will ask the Goddess to leave me here after all.

‘OH! Maya! That is an awful thing to joke about. The next time you are hunting, I’m going to trip you as you’re about to catch a rabbit.’

And I will shift back with no clothes, Taria, my human.

Letting my laughter slip out as a horrified giggle, I see Councilman Flint approaching.

“It seems that you and your wolf are entertaining each other while I’ve kept you waiting. I’m sorry I’m a little late. I was on acall with Bronze, and he again asks if you could give him a call when you have time,” Flint grins at me as I sigh, and join him as we go to the serving area and fill our plates with food.

“I need to have a talk with him about his communication style. It isn’t necessary for him to keep passing messages through people. He could just pick up the phone.” Giving Flint a frustrated look, he grins again. We sit back at our table and begin to eat while continuing our conversation. I can’t help but notice that Flint is eyeing the amount of food on my plate.

“He genuinely can’t wait for you and him to become mates.”

“Oh, really?” I bluster as I’m shocked that Flint would make that statement.

“No! Not like that. I meant as a couple, intellectually and emotionally. I wasn’t referring tosexually.”Flint blushes furiously as he whispers that last word, and I can’t help but try to keep him on his toes.

“So, he doesn’t think I’m attractive in that way? That’s a shame because I know that our wolves are very drawn to each other, and have already agreed on pups.”

“You are doing this deliberately now, I can tell. Changing the subject, how do you feel about everything that has been thrown at you so far? Are you coping with the barrage of information, advice, and training?” Flint raises his eyebrows, and I can see how much he wants to get away from being harassed.

“Funnily enough, that was what Maya and I were discussing just before you joined us.” Throwing the same questions at Flint that Maya had asked me, he was only able to answer two correctly. The exit question and when he stated that he could beat all the warriors. I couldn’t argue that point, but he was three off with his guess as to how many warriors there were.

Seeing him side eye my half empty plate, I grin. “All this extra training, fighting, running around.”

“I understand that. I just don’t know where it goes until it gets burned off,” he says. “It’s not as though you have anywhere that looks remotely like acalorie storage area.”

“I take that as a compliment, I think.”

While we eat, Maya and Bruno take the time to wolf chat and I’m sure there’ll be some juicy bits for me to catch up on later.

Wolf chat is not for your ears,Maya states.

‘Well, that told me, didn’t it?’ Maya shuts me out and obviously continues her chat with Bruno. Flint must know what just happened as he smirks at me.

“Wolves, eh? Can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em!”

Finishing our lunch, we take our dishes away and go our separate ways. I have some calls to make, so head to my room for some privacy, peace and quiet. My first call is to Blood Pearl, and Pops answers.

“Hi, Pops. How are you?”

“Hey, Sweetpea. I was just talking about you. Me and your Momma were wondering how you were getting on.”

“I’m doing great, even if I say so myself. Maya has been telling me some of the stuff I’m doing subconsciously, and I can see it more and more as I think about it.” Going over the lunchtime with Gerry, he sounds pleased with my cautionary table choice and my observations. Passing me over to Momma, I feel emotional when I hear her voice again. It seems like forever since I’ve seen her.

“Hi, Momma. Are you okay?” I feel near to tears and have to make an effort not to start sobbing.

“I’m good, but more important, how are you doing? It’s very strange knowing you’re so far away. I’m not used to this.”

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