Page 19 of Eclipse Pack

Cerberus replies to Titan,I hear you, Titan, but it is difficult to understand why his wolf has not stopped this behavior. I have tried to reach his wolf but cannot get a response, though I sense he’s there.

“Wolfsbane. That’s why your wolf couldn’t stop you. You’ve been using wolfsbane against your own wolf…” The words are torn from me and even as I speak them, I know their truth.

I see my father's eyes blaze, and within seconds, the office door slams open. Four warriors rush into the room, and my father points at Michael. “Take him from my sight immediately, before I administer my own justice.”

Taking the Elder by his arms, they have to almost carry him from the room, he is so docile. The three remaining Elders watch and shake their heads as he is removed.

Francis turns to my father. “Alpha Chet, we had no idea any of this was going on. I assure you that none of us were involved.”

“And there, Elder members, is the problem. You have no idea what is going on within your own council, never mind the pack itself. How could you not see what he was doing? Drugging his own wolf and not one of you could see that?” My father shakes his head and takes his seat at his desk. “I was going to remove Michael as an Elder member today, for his actions against my son, but in light of what I have seen today, I am going to go one step further.”

The Elders look at each other and Isiah speaks for them. “Please don’t put Michael in front of the pack. They will kill him, we are all certain of that.”

“Your concerns are noted but that was not my intention.” My father stands and looks each elder in the eye. “As of this moment, there will be no more Elder Council, Elder meetings or indeed Elder members. I am disbanding the Elders as of this instant. I cannot and will not, in all good conscience, stand by and waste pack funds, or resources for something that will turn against the pack, or the pack leadership, my family. It endshere. From the end of the month, you will receive none of the remunerations or gifts that you have been getting. I suggest that you look at what talents you have that will benefit the pack going forward. You are dismissed.”

Fortunately, none of the Elders argue with my father. We can all see and understand his decision, and his reasoning is solid. How could they not know that one of their own was subduing his wolf? I watch as the Elders leave the office, and have to wonder what they will tell their followers. Some have developed what could almost be described as congregations. They will not be able to hide Michael's actions.

We all sit silently as we digest the recent events. None of us had foreseen such a dramatic conclusion to the Michael and Savannah issue. “Savannah?”

My father looks at me. “Already taken care of. I’m having her transported to Wolfsfoot to spend time with Luna Tati. I mind linked your mother and she has made Luna Tati aware of what has been going on. Luna Tati is looking forward to pointing out the error of her ways to Savannah.”

Knocking at the door has us all looking that way, and I’m sure we’re all wondering what now?

The door bangs open and Cook Ash comes bowling in like a whirlwind carrying a large plastic tub. Beaming at me in particular, she stops dead, holds out the tub and literally shouts…

“COOKIES!”

Chapter 10

TARIA

Sitting alone in the canteen, having finished a huge breakfast, I think about how I can make small but visible changes when I join Bronze at Eclipse.

I like the way you are thinking.Maya’s voice interrupts my thoughts.

‘Oh yes? In what way?’ I’m intrigued.

You obviously realize that if you go in there guns blazing, the pack will immediately think you know better than them. The pack has customs, traditions, and ways of doing things that may be centuries old. Charging in and changing things will not be received well.

‘That’s what I thought, but if I go in and make no changes, they will think I can’t stand on my own two feet. It won’t be easy, but I’m going to take some time-out for myself today, and make alist of my ideas in my notepad. Once that is done, I can prioritize what I think will be the way forward.’

You won’t need me for that, so I’ll just have a nice, long nap. Our run with Conan and Maiden this morning was enjoyable, and I got to chase rabbits. The amount you are eating these days, I don’t need to catch them every time!

Thinking back to our run this morning, there is no wonder I’m eating like a horse. With my morning run becoming a regular thing, and getting longer, I might add, the training sessions are becoming far more warrior based, rather than defensive. I must be burning calories at a hell of a rate.

I know I feel better for it, and my body is definitely liking all the exercise. I noticed when I got out of the shower a couple of days ago, although I still have all my feminine curves, they have firmed up and look toned. I made myself blush when I thought of Bronze finally getting his hands on me.

Clearing my table, I head outside to go through the herb garden. Seeing how it is laid out, I make a quick sketch in my pad. Noting what herbs are in close proximity and which are planted separately. I notice that the various mints are in their own bed yet still in pots. I remember Dahlia saying how they take over if left ‘loose’ in the soil.

One bed has lavender and rosemary in it. I bet that smells divine when it’s flowering and ready to harvest. I notice it has a bed of stones so the soil drains well, and it’s also well away from the building where it will get the most sun throughout the day.

Cilantro and dill dominate another area and I remember another of Dahlia’s lessons about how these attract predatory insects that eat aphids, and they also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. She is an encyclopedia for beginners like me.

Walking further, I pass through the vegetable garden and see the raised beds full of carrots, there's another of Dahlia’s pearls of wisdom. Carrot-fly can only fly around sixty centimeters high, so raised beds above this height prevent them from reaching the plant. Also, tagetes give off a scent that repels them.

Making notes, I’m filling my pad quickly and wondering how much the Eclipse head gardener already knows. Even if he knows every bit of information I gather, it will, at least, show them I have an interest in what they do.

Realizing the time, I rush back to the packhouse to change into my training clothes. Arriving at the training area, I see Chief Warrior Oscar finishing a training session with a female warrior.

---