Page 26 of Eclipse Pack

“No. Why? Should I have? Or should I be worried about something?”

“No, not at all. She kindly offered to come here and help me out, which I said I had quite a backlog of things she could do for me, if she spoke with you first. It would only be for a couple of days and she would be at the packhouse the whole time, so safe. I’ve tried to call her but she hasn’t picked up.” Lyle is speaking fast but I don’t think it’s nervousness.

“It’s the first I’ve heard of it, but if she can help and be safe, why not?” I’m a little surprised that she has made that offer, but I’m also proud of her.

“Well, that’s just the thing. We caught a rogue spy trying to make his way across our border, and when we interrogated him, he was supposed to be observing our packhouse defenses. As I said, we got him at the border, so no worries there, but he may not be the only one. If you speak to Taria, can you explain and thank her again for the offer, but I can’t risk her being here at the moment.”

“I’ll contact her immediately and thank you for your concern. What if I were to send you our Beta for a few days? Would that help you?” I’m thinking of ways to support Lyle in any way I can.

“Thank you, but there’s nothing that can’t wait. It’s mainly admin stuff. I can get one of my inner council to step up if it gets too much. Please express my thanks to Taria though for the offer.” Lyle sounds like he needs to get off the phone, so I quickly say bye and cut him loose, as it were.

Sitting back in the chair, I steeple my fingers and think about my future Luna. That was a good offer to help another pack leader, and that’s the sort of thing that would sit well with the Eclipsepack. I think I’m going to leak that bit of information out while I’m at lunch.

Rising from the chair, the phone rings again. Picking it up and answering as always, I hear Alpha Gerry on the line. “Hello Bronze, how are you? Is this a good time for you to chat?”

“To chat? Gerry, I don’t remember the last time I had a chat! What would you like to chat about?” I genuinely don’t remember having a chat, let alone with an alpha. I’m not sure I’d call the times I’ve spoken to Taria chatting.

“How about Taria and when we can call it a day on her training period? That sounds like a fit topic.” Gerry sounds very upbeat and in a positive mood, so I wonder where this has come from. And I mean the topic, not the good mood.

“Fine by me. I was just talking to Lyle and Taria was the topic of that conversation, so I can roll with this.”

“Why were you discussing Taria with Lyle?” Ouch. That soon cooled his mood to frosty.

“Lyle was explaining that Taria had offered to go to Spirit Walker Pack and give him some help. He’s tried to ring her but she didn’t pick up, so he called me and asked me to pass a message on.”

“Yes, I was aware that she had.”

“It seems then, Gerry, I was not on the memo, because I knew nothing of it.” I’m getting a little touchy with this now, and I feel it could be a tinge of jealousy. I’m not liking being the last to know, so to speak.

“Bronze, can I be frank with you?” Gerry has that tone of voice that my father uses when he wants to give me advice, without it sounding like advice.

“I’d prefer that to beating around the bush, any day, Gerry. What’s on your mind?” Well, here goes. I asked for it.

“How much do you know about Taria’s journey so far?” That took me by surprise, I wasn’t expecting that.

“I have checked on her progress on a regular basis.” That sounds all wrong. “No. Wait. I haven’t checked. I have followed her progress, to be more accurate. There have only been good things said about her, and it seems to me that rather than learning new skills, she has awakened skills she hasn’t used before. Does that make sense?” As I try to explain, that feeling of pride comes over me again.

“I understand exactly what you’re saying, and I feel the same way. I’ve only been her Pops for a short time, but I’ve seen the change come over her. Her level of maturity is far beyond where she was when I became Alpha of Blood Pearl, yet she still retains all the things that make her who she is,” He takes a deep breath at this point. “So, don’t you think she could awaken these things as your Luna, now, rather than in a few months' time? I haven’t spoken of this with Taria or anyone else. Not even her momma. I do believe, wholeheartedly, that this is a journey that you should now be making together.”

Oh, wow. Gerry’s last statement hits me like a sledgehammer. I think he’s right. No. I don’t think, I know what he’s saying is right.

“Gerry, I need to speak to my parents. Thank you for the call and, more importantly, thank you for being frank.” Closing the call with the usual byes, I go in search of my parents.

Chapter 14

BRONZE

Sitting in the alpha’s office with my parents, I don’t know how to begin this conversation, so I’m going to dive right in. They have always been supportive, so unless I’ve missed something important, I don’t see them having any issues with what I want to discuss with them.

“I want Taria to join me as soon as possible.” There, it’s out. “I know we said six months, but I think she’s already shown that she is capable of taking on the Luna position. Everyone that speaks of her has nothing but praise and positive things to say. What do you think?”

Watching as they look at each other, then look at me and back at each other, I feel sure I’ve missed something important. But what? Suddenly they both grin and high five each other like a couple of teenage pups.

“Fantastic idea,” my father states.

“When do you want her here?” Asks my mother.

“Seriously? That’s it? No discussion, arguments, just ‘when’?”

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