Page 31 of Eclipse Pack

“I’ll never part with it. I love my bike. I haven’t had her out for a long time though and as I had a very rare free day, I thought I’d let her stretch her legs a bit. What can I do for you, anyway.You only get in touch when you want something.” I hear him laughing down the phone and think, yes, he’s probably right.

“I need you to clear your schedule for two or three days if you can, and come visit the Eclipse pack.”

“Two or three days from when and what for?” He asks suspiciously.

“Two or three days from tomorrow. My Luna is joining me any day now and my father will be handing over the reins.”

“That’s fantastic news, Bronze. Congratulations. Does Taria know?” Again, in his suspicious tone.

“Of course she knows. How would she not know?”

“I didn’t know if you’d just decided yourself and were going to Blackshadow Pack, throw her over your shoulder and drag her back, kicking and screaming. I wouldn’t have put it past you.”

“If she’d refused, that may have been an option to consider, but fortunately she is as keen as I am to be mates, and get on with our life together.” I don’t see myself doing that to my female somehow.

“I can certainly clear my schedule for something as momentous as that. Do the rest of the council know?”

Oh, my Goddess. What is with his suspicious nature today? “You’re always the first port of call when it comes to such ceremonies, you know that, Flint. I don’t think there’s a pack leader or heir that wouldn’t reach out to you before any other council member.” I’m happy that he can attend, although I doubt wild horses would’ve kept him away from a ceremony.

“Well, I’d better go and get packed if I’m going to be spending a few days with you. I’ll see you soon and thank you, Bronze.”

“See you soon, Flint.” Ending the call, I wonder where to turn next.

I should let the pack know there’s going to be a change, or should I leave that to my father? Yes, I think he should do that. I’ll mind link him and let him know it comes under his realm of responsibilities. First of all, I think I’ll grab some lunch.

Stepping into the canteen area, there’s a sudden silence and then a raucous cheer. I guess my father is a step ahead of me on the announcement front.

Taking a tray, I looked at the assortment of food available on the serving area and made my choice. Adding a bottle of water and a glass of fruit juice, I see Wesley gesturing for me to join him. Taking a seat, I don’t get a chance to say anything before I’m verbally accosted. He’s talking so fast I can’t follow what he’s trying to say.

“Hang on there, Wesley. Take a breath and start again, slowly this time, eh?” I don’t know what has got him so excited because he’s usually a laid back, placid and calm sort.

“Sorry, Alpha Heir Bronze. I was just saying that if Luna Taria is joining us earlier than expected, and coming straight from Blackshadow Pack, where she is currently, then perhaps it would be best if I head over there and begin my duties immediately. A lot could happen between now and her reaching Eclipse lands. I could take a couple of warriors and provide a safe escort for her. Giselle and Wylder are not on border patrol for the next 5 days, and if it’s okay with you, I’d like to take Ember, too.”

“Hold on a minute. Why do you think Taria needs to be escorted from the Blackshadow Pack? They will provide adequate protection to our border and then we’ll take over from there,surely?” This statement makes him look at me in horror, as I was hoping it would.

“No, no, no. That’s not good enough. This is our new Luna, your mate. We cannot trust her protection to others, Alpha Heir. What are you thinking? If necessary, I will go alone. I have no duties to perform until Luna Taria arrives, so I am surplus to pack requirements. Our new Luna needs to know that we, the Eclipse Pack, are there for her from the beginning, not just when she turns up at our border. No, no, no.”

“Also, I’m intrigued by your choice of escorts. Giselle and Wylder I understand, but Ember? She has not yet qualified as a warrior. Why take her?” I am genuinely curious as to that choice.

“Have you seen her wield that bat you gave her recently? She is the Devil incarnate with that thing, I swear. And she has more of them, too. She has been talking with Hannah from the carpenter's shop and between them, they have designed other bats that are suited for various purposes. She has a small one, like a cudgel, that she says is for personal defense. There is a longer one for taking into battle or on border patrols where trouble is to be expected. She has hard wood bats, aluminum bats. She even told me she was saving for a carbon fiber bat.” If I didn’t know better. I’d say he was in awe of Ember and her bat.

“Very well,” I say, and he looks at me, perplexed.

“Very well? What do you mean, very well?”

“Do it. Go meet our future Luna and accompany her safely back to the Eclipse Pack. I think it is admirable that you have already taken on the role of Gamma and thought through your first assignment so thoroughly.”

Jumping to his feet, he lets out an ear-piercing whistle and then heads for the door. Looking around, I see three pack membersrushing to follow him through the door. No surprise for which three they are. The third one looks me straight in the eye and has an enormous smile on her face. I certainly created a monster with that bat, I think to myself.

After finishing my lunch, I take my tray and Wesley’s to the kitchen, then head back to the office. Checking in with my father, I’m correct in assuming that he has informed the pack of the impending change in Alpha. He has also taken the liberty of announcing the earlier arrival of their new Luna. Well, one task less for me.

Informing Alpha Connell of the warriors heading his way to escort Taria here, I find that she has requested to go to the Wolfsfoot Pack before coming here. I’m surprised again that I’m not aware of her movements and decide I need to broach this subject with her. Mind linking with Wesley, I let him know that he will need to meet up with her at Wolfsfoot and escort her from there.

Next, I call Alpha Gabriel, who is aware that Taria is going to visit with Tati for an overnight stay on her way here. Letting him know that Wesley and three others will arrive as her escort, he states that he also has a designated escort for her, so she will have at least eight warriors in her protection detail.

I think my next call is going to have to be with Taria. She needs to tell me where she is going to be at any given time. If there is ever an emergency, I need to know where to get hold of her, or where to send help. I can feel my stress levels rising as I think of her needing my help and not being able to give it. As I reach for the phone, yet again, it rings before I pick it up.

“Alpha Heir Bronze speaking.”

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