Page 23 of Eclipse Pack

The phone clicks and I’m left thinking…climb trees? Then I laugh as I remember.

Chapter 12

TARIA

Waiting for Alpha Connell to arrive at his office, I sit quietly and reflect on my time here. I’ve learned so much that I couldn’t begin to list it all. Once I’m at the Eclipse pack, I’m hoping that most things will come naturally without having a blank moment at a time when I’m needed to stand up and be counted.

My fighting and fitness training has improved so much that I don’t recognize myself in the training ring anymore. I do so much by reflex now that I would be happy to be helping on border patrol. I asked Chief Warrior Oscar if I could go on a patrol and he outright refused and told me not to ask again.

Luna Hope has been a marvel. She flows through the pack like a tornado wherever she goes, but instead of leaving a wake of destruction, she leaves organization, peace and tranquility. You’d never know it without experiencing it. Her admin skillsare out of this world. If there’s paperwork involved, it’s done to the highest standard, schedules are met, journals are kept.

I’ve been to every department and spent time there, occasionally left in charge while someone had a day resting, or they were concentrating on a project they hadn’t had time for. I’ve learned about things I’d never thought about before, and I wonder how Momma ever coped with it all by herself. I should have been there for her.

Alpha Connell's voice brings me back from my thoughts as he invites me inside. Following him into his office, he motions to a chair in front of his desk. Taking his seat, he smiles at me.

“So, Taria. What can I do for you today?”

“I was wondering if you could spare someone to go with me to Spirit Walker pack? I know how busy Alpha Lyle must be and was wondering, with everything I’ve learned so far, maybe I could be of help to him for a couple of days?” I thought about this last night after supper and decided to see if it would be viable. “What do you think? I haven’t spoken to him, obviously. I wanted to speak to you first.”

Looking at me with an intense stare, I feel uncomfortable and perhaps I’ve overstepped a boundary or something. “I think the idea is extremely noble and if it was me, I’d accept your offer. I will need to speak to Alpha Lyle and see what he thinks. It may be too dangerous for you to be there right now with all the rogue issues he’s currently battling with. Let’s give him a call and see if he’s free.”

Picking up his phone, he presses a single digit, which tells me he has the Alpha’s on speed dial. Something else I can use when I get into my own Luna office, I think to myself.

I listen to half a conversation as Alpha Connell talks with Alpha Lyle. It appears to be a positive reaction to my idea and I’m keen to hear how it plays out. The call ends and Alpha Connell looks at me with an expression I can’t read.

“Lyle could use some help from someone with your newly acquired experience and is grateful for the offer. His concern is the rogue infractions across his borders are more frequent, and driving further into Spirit Walker pack lands at the moment. He wants you to speak with Bronze first, and if Bronze is good with it, you can go for two days. In two days, you should be able to ease his workload significantly with regard to admin tasks, and a few other issues that his Luna would normally take care of, if he had one.”

“Why do I need to speak to Bronze about where I go and who I help? We are fated mates, but I’m not a member of the Eclipse pack, yet! He does not control my actions, or where I go. I am doing everything I can to be a good Luna, but I’m not at his beck and call, or under any obligations to him, as yet. If I needed to speak to anyone it would be Luna Aurora, my mother.” I’m feeling more than a little feisty being told that I have to ask permission to help someone or go somewhere, and it manifests in my tone of voice. I think I’m doing enough on the Luna learning front, without having to ask to be allowed to go somewhere.

Alpha Connell seems a little surprised by my response, especially my petulant tone, and he sits back in his chair and watches me closely.

“I don’t think you’ve thought it through, before you gave that display of the old Taria.” Leaning forward, he rests his elbows on the desk and links his fingers. For some reason, just this posture makes me nervous. “It isn’t so much asking permission,as it is doing the right thing, morally and politically. How would you like it if your betrothed, and let’s face it, that’s what you are as fated mates, suddenly went off and stayed at a female’s pack, without your knowledge, or having the courtesy to explain this action? Lyle is a single alpha male, don’t forget, and don’t try telling me you wouldn’t mind.” His voice has risen only slightly, but with a dramatic effect. “You wouldn’t be worth a damn as a mate if you didn’t care. You’re asking to go into what is basically a war zone between the rogues and the rest of us. Spirit Walker are currently under the rogues’ microscope, and you are aware that there are skirmishes on a regular basis. I’ve just told you that they have become more frequent, and are penetrating deeper. You are the fated mate of not just a pack member, but an Alpha Heir. If you were to be injured or killed while staying at another pack, without that mate knowing you were even there, you could potentially start a war between those packs. Lyle will be held responsible for your safety while you're at his pack, whether you like it or not. As none of this seems to sit well with you, Taria, I deny you permission to leave Blackshadow pack lands. You are currently under my protection and as such will remain here until I have spoken to Alpha Gerry as your pack alpha.”

I am completely taken aback by this turn of events. My outburst seems to have touched a raw nerve, and I don’t know what to say or do to make things right. “I apologize, Alpha Connell, if I spoke hastily and without thinking. I have been trying extremely hard to prepare myself for my role as Luna, so I didn’t think of my own importance as a shifter. I was only thinking of others and how I can be productive for them. My importance as a mate or as a Luna was not in my thoughts.”

A sudden weariness comes over me and I feel myself begin to sag under its weight. No. I’m not giving in to it. Taking a deep breath, I pull my shoulders back and look him in the eye.

“It happens to all good leaders at some point. Go get some food and then get some rest. You have indeed been putting a lot of effort into everything since you arrived, and you’re looking tired. You’ll take tomorrow off from all training, learning or Luna related activities. I order you to have some ‘Taria time’. Do something for yourself, as long as it does not involve work. Now, go.”

Entering the canteen, I realize it is only lunchtime. While grabbing a small selection of meats, I spy the desserts. That’s what I need. Sugar, cream, sweet stuff. Loading every inch of available tray space with desserts, I spy a corner table and prepare to gorge myself silly. I don’t care if I spend the rest of the afternoon being ill. I’m going to demolish it all.

Laying on my bed in my room, I’m seriously regretting my sugar rush. I cleared my tray and was silly enough to go back for more. Having seen some of the other pack members watching me, I couldn’t bring myself to waste any of my second helpings. I feel so sick right now. Oh. My. Goddess!

Hearing my phone ring on my bedside table, I debate whether to ignore it or not. It keeps ringing so my decision is made for me. Reaching over, I see it is my Pops. Grabbing my phone, I quickly sit up and take the call.

“Hi Pops. Is everything ok?”

“Hello Sweetpea. Everything’s good here. Me and your momma are doing fine, Raina says hi, too.” I’m not sure, but I think I detected a slight emphasis on the word, ‘here’.

“I take it this isn’t just a social call, Pops. I think you’ve had a call from Alpha Connell.” I wait for confirmation and to see what he has to say.

“I called Connell to see how things were going before I rang you. It was an interesting conversation, and he was very complimentary about you and your progress. I’m very proud of how hard you’ve worked and so is your momma. I hear you’ve been playing cupid too.” He gives a small laugh at that, and I wonder just how much everyone discusses me.

“It didn’t take much, believe me. It was more of a gentle nudge than a match make. One party just needed to see the wood for the trees, that was all. They certainly suit each other and are a wonderful pair together.” I smile as I recall how Dahlia and Silas are now joined at the hip, and you rarely see one without the other.

“Has something happened that you think Connell needed to call us about?” I’m not sure if this is a test or not, but I don’t see Pops as that type, so I explain the recent conversation, including my attitude.

“Well, Sweetpea, I can see where you would jump to that conclusion, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. You’re becoming a strong, independent, and confident female. Making decisions for and about yourself is part of your learning curve on this journey. You’ve just learned that you don’t always take everything into account at a moment's notice. Welcome to the world of leadership. You’re not being trained to be infallible. None of us are.”

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