Page 25 of Eclipse Pack

“I was going to arrange a meeting with you in my office, as there are a couple of things I need to discuss. Nothing you need to be concerned about, but they are important. When are you free?”

“I can make myself available to suit you, Alpha Heir. I’m free for the rest of the day now.” Adaline looks at me and I think now’s as good a time as any.

“Okay. Let’s do it now then.”

Walking to the office, Adaline points to a few of the changes in the grounds that Herb has been making. Although I’ve noticed some, I’ve not noticed all of them. I’m impressed that Adaline has though, and her enthusiasm for them has me surprised too. She describes how the new flower beds and borders that have appeared have made an astonishing visual impact as you approach the packhouse. She’s quite right too. The whole place has taken on a colorful and vibrant feel. I need to speak to Herb and give him some praise for the work he’s doing.

Once we’re in the office, we take a seat, and I dive right in. “Adaline, I want you to be part of my inner circle. One of my trusted advisors, a counselor. Someone to bounce ideas off and someone that will tell me how it is. I don’t want people that will tell me what they think I want to hear. I need people that will be truthful and straight. Are you in?” Looking at the shocked look on her face, I might have dived in at the deep end, I think to myself.

“Wow. I wasn’t expecting that. I don’t know what to say, Alpha Heir Bronze. It’s not long ago that I was just a female warrior trainee. Now I’m Warrior Trainer, and you’re proposing to make me Chief Warrior if I stack up. To be asked to be on your inner council is such an honor that I don’t know if I can live up to it.” She looks at me with huge owl eyes, and I wouldn’t be surprised if her head did a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree rotation.

“Being on my inner council has no bearing on anything else you’ve mentioned. The warrior achievement is completely separate. That is something you have earned with hard work and dedication. My request that you join my council is based on my own observations of your character and inner strengths.” Did I just say those words? I sound like my father.

“I would deem it my honor to be a member of your council, Alpha Heir Bronze. I hope I can live up to your expectations.” Adaline is beaming with pride.

“Talking of your Chief Warrior status. I have arranged for you to go to Wolfsfoot and spend a week with their trainer. He is an exceptional warrior and you will learn a lot from him. He is a hard taskmaster, but he will evaluate your capabilities and then report back to me. He will work with you for a week and be sure he will also work you hard. I have no doubt that you will return fully prepared for the role of Chief Warrior.” Even as I say it, I know Adaline will give it her all and will pass Drake’s assessment.

“When will this be? Do I have time to prepare?”

“Oh yes. You have two weeks to prepare mentally and physically, for probably the toughest assignment I’ll ever give you.” I have to laugh at the pained expression on her face.

“Two weeks? Seriously? Wow, that’s not long. I guess my meditation starts after I leave here then.” Adaline laughs too, then I thank her again for joining my council and she heads for the door. Just as she goes through the door, I call to her.

“Adaline?”

“Yes, Alpha Heir?”

“Just one last thing. Can you climb trees?” I smile at her shocked expression at my random question.

“I haven’t climbed a tree since I was a pup. Is that some kind of requirement?”

“Oh yes. You definitely need to do that for the next two weeks. Climb as many trees as you can and as fast as you can. Have a good day, Adaline.”

Frowning so hard that her eyes are almost closed, she states, “You too,” and closes the door behind her.

Taking a few moments to gather my thoughts, I then mind link with Ethan and ask him to join me. My dilemma here is do I tell him I know he is a Shadow Warrior, which I feel would betray Titan, or do I wait and see if he tells me?

I would not feel betrayed. I knew the consequences of my revelation and am happy to face Valor.

A knock at the door comes sooner than I expected and when Ethan enters, I stand and greet him. Deciding not to have the desk as a barrier between us, I gesture to the armchairs near the fireplace. I’ve never had any dealings with Ethan and even during warrior training, we never came against each other in the ring. Nothing unusual about that though. There are many males in the pack that I have not trained with or against.

Ethan sits quietly, waiting to see why I asked for him. He exudes a calm confidence that, if I had not known he was Shadow, I could easily have mistaken for arrogance.

“I would like you to join my inner council of advisors. How would you feel about that?” He doesn’t show any signs of surprise at my request.

“Yes, I can do that. I would like to be more involved with the well-being of the pack. When will you hold the first meeting?”

“Now that I have all the members that I feel I need, I will look at scheduling a meeting for next week. I will do formal introductions at that time so you all know each other.” That went easier than I anticipated.

“Alpha Heir Bronze. You are aware that I am a Shadow Warrior. Certain responsibilities come with that title. You should know also, that I will never do anything that would hurt or endanger the Eclipse pack. If I have knowledge that will affect the pack, I will share it with you, though it may at times appear that this information has come to you anonymously.” Ethan stands, tilts his head to the side and offers his hand. I take his hand and we both give a firm shake.

As he leaves the office, my desk phone rings so I return to the alpha's chair and take the call. “Alpha Heir Bronze speaking. How may I help?”

“Bronze, it’s Lyle here. How are you?” His voice sounds strained and I detect a level of weariness there too.

“I’m good, thank you. More importantly, how are you? You sound tired.”

“Definitely tired but good otherwise. Have you spoken to Taria recently?” Now that’s a question I wasn’t expecting.

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