Page 30 of Eclipse Pack

“Hello Bronze. To what do I owe this honor? I’ve just been thinking about you,” I say playfully.

“Hi Taria. How are you? I was just thinking about you too and I’ve got something I want to run by you, so I thought I’d see if I could catch you at a good time.” I wonder what he wants to run by me?

“Well, you’ve caught me at a good time, I’ve just got out of the shower and I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy. What would you like to ask me?”

“You were thinking about me in the shower? Hmm. That sounds like something I could delve into at another time.” Damn, he picked up on that fast, I think to myself. “Yes. I’ve been thinkingabout us and how much progress you’ve made in such a short time. I was wondering if the timescale we set wasn’t perhaps a bit too long.”

“Well,wedidn’t set a timescale,youdid, and I always thought it was too long, but it wasn’t my call. Why has this come up now?” I sit up with my back against the headboard, as I’m not sure where this is leading. “What were you thinking about us?”

“I was thinking that perhaps this was something we should be doing together now. You’ve made such a good impression on everyone that you’ve come into contact with, and I am so proud of you I thought we should stand together at this stage. What do you think?”

“Are you asking me to join you at Eclipse now?” I’m stunned and not sure if I’m understanding him correctly.

“Yes, that’s precisely what I’m asking.”

“Just give me a minute.” Putting my phone on the bedside table, I bounce up and down on the bed like a child on a trampoline. Getting too close to the edge in my excitement, I slip off the edge and land on the floor with a tremendous crash, knocking my phone off the table.

“Taria! Taria, are you okay?” Hearing Bronze shouting, I snatch my phone and I answer breathlessly.

“Yes, I’m fine. Why would you think I’m not?”

“You fell off the bed, didn’t you?” How could he know that?

“Of course I didn’t. Why would you even think such a thing?” I brazenly deny his suggestion.

“You so fell off the bed. I used to spend hours bouncing on my bed as a kid. I’d recognize that sound anywhere, and I fell offmore times than I can count.” Hearing him laugh, I know I’m busted.

“Are you saying that I’m a kid? That’s a quick swap from ‘come and be my Luna’ to ‘you're bouncing on a bed like a kid’, isn’t it?” I can’t put a harsh tone in my voice because I’m so damn happy.

“Guilty on all charges. So, when I can expect you to arrive?” He sounds as excited as I feel.

“Do you need to run this by anyone else before we get carried away?” How will his parents react? Or the Eclipse pack? Or my parents?

“Everyone will be fine with it. Don’t worry about them.”

“You’ve already spoken to your parents! I know you have,” I accuse him.

“I’ve already spoken to your Pops, too. It was him that made me see how much time we were wasting that we could be spending together. He called me, and Taria, he was so right. We should be making this journey together, not so far apart. Don’t be angry with him.”

“Angry with him? I could kiss him. I’ll speak to Alpha Connell immediately and I’ll let you know when I’ll be arriving, but it won’t be too long.”

“Yes, and I’ll go tell my parents it’s on the cards for the next couple of days or so. Bye, Taria. Talk soon.”

Staring at the dead phone, he didn’t even give me a chance to say bye. He must be excited. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I stare at my reflection. I’m going to the Eclipse pack!

Chapter 16

BRONZE

Waiting for Flint to pick up his call is killing me. This is the third time I’ve rung and he hasn’t picked up. It’s not like him not to answer a phone call. If he doesn’t pick up this time, I’ll have to try to speak to another council member, and I don’t want to do that if I can help it.

“Hello, Flint speaking.”

“Is everything okay there?” I don’t bother with a greeting.

“Oh, yes. I went for a ride on my motorbike and forgot to put my phone in my pocket. Sorry about that.”

“I didn’t know you still had that old thing.” I remember him riding it when he visited the pack when I was a pup.

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