Page 35 of Eclipse Pack

“Gamma, come in.” Sitting behind the desk, I watch him march in, close the door and stand in front of the desk. Sitting there, staring at him in silence, I realize I don’t even know his name.

“Name?”

“Wesley, Luna.”

“Wolf’s name?” I snap.

“Duke, Luna.”

“Show me Duke. I’d like to meet him. See if he’s as dim as you are.”

“He is certainly not dim, Luna.”

“Neither is Alpha Bronze, but he made you Gamma!” I see him flinch at that comment and take note.

Watching closely, it is certainly a fast shift, and Duke stands before me. I have to force the stern look to stay on my face as I want to smile at the size and color of him. He’s a magnificent wolf.

“Alright, Wesley, come forth.” I watch as he shifts back and their transition again is both slick and smooth.

“I don’t expect a repeat performance of today's debacle. Do I make myself clear? You will perform your duties, not only to the best of your abilities, but you will make all other gammas pale in comparison. This is not for my personal gratification, it is for the honor of the Eclipse Pack. Wherever I go, I want all other Lunas swooning in envy at the way you take care of my protection. I don’t want a butler, but I do want the best from you at all times, day or night. Are we perfectly clear on that, Gamma Wesley?”

“Yes, Luna. My life is yours to command.”

“I don’t want your life, but I do want your mind, your body and your wolf at my disposal, twenty-four-seven. Now. When you fetch the rest of my escort in, you will seat them and then stand at my right shoulder, slightly behind me. I intend to show everyone that we are on the same page and are united in our roles. Bring them in.”

Wesley steps to the door and invites the other three in. Sitting them in front of the desk, I ask him to introduce them and their specific talents.

He introduces the female that is unknown to me first, as Giselle, and she is a high-ranking warrior. Her wolf is called Fox. Next is Wylder. Another high-ranking warrior whose wolf is called Goliath. Presumably then, another large wolf. Finally, heintroduces me to Ember. Ember is a pack member who hasn’t qualified in her warrior training as yet.

“How on this green earth has Ember NOT qualified in warrior training? You were all subdued, and yet she had disabled two warriors and was the last man standing. Ember, I will be taking you under my wing as my personal project when I get to the Eclipse Pack.”

“Thank you, Luna Taria. Chief Warrior Dixon has been giving me one-to-one tutoring with my bat, as the normal warrior training doesn’t cover it. There isn’t a qualification for bats, either, so that’s why I haven’t qualified.” There’s that smile again.

“Just because there isn’t a bat test doesn’t mean you are not a warrior. I want you on my protective detail from now on. Gamma Wesley, make sure that Bat Warrior Ember is now on my detail.”

“OH! Bat Warrior Ember! I love it. I’m exclusive. I’m the only Bat Warrior in the Eclipse Pack. That is awesome!” Her excitement is catching as I see Wylder and Giselle grinning from ear to ear. “Oh, I’m sorry, Luna Taria. I get carried away at times.”

“So, I see. Right, down to business.”

I spend the next half hour explaining to them what my expectations are going forward when they are chosen for my protection detail. I let Wylder and Giselle know that they will take turns with the other warriors fulfilling this task. I can’t help but see the pride bursting from Ember that she is on full time Luna protection.

Chapter 18

BRONZE

Talking with my parents in the office, I can’t believe my mother is laughing and my father is high-fiving me when I tell them about Taria killing Savannah, in a dining room full of pack members trying to have their lunch. I’m not convinced that I know my parents as well as I thought I did. They were aware that something had happened when the pack link broke for Savannah but thought that they’d been lucky and she had left the pack for pastures new, thus resolving the problem for me. They are positively glowing that Taria was so decisive about her actions and can’t wait to tell her how proud they are.

The border warriors have announced that Shifter Council member Flint is on his way, and I know I’ll have to explain this all again shortly. I wonder what his reaction will be? Not a high-five, I’m sure. Although looking at my parents and their obvious delight, I’m not sure of anything anymore.

Leaving my parents in the office, I take a walk through the gardens and get some fresh air. Taking some time to myself will help me get a clear head before I have to speak with Flint.

I spoke to Alpha Gabriel about the incident and he was apologetic that Savannah had managed to contact the rogues and pass on Taria’s travel arrangements. We’ll probably never know how she managed it, and I assured him it was not a reflection on him or his pack. If we’d known that she was that mentally unstable, we would have dealt with her ourselves. He did tell me a bit of the riot scenario and that he was impressed with our gamma. Four warriors to subdue him would not surprise me knowing Wesley as I do. I had to smile at his description of the female maniac with the stick. That sounds like the sort of thing that Ember would do. Being the only one still standing surprised me, even when Taria told me, but that stick, as he put it, of hers is very unnerving in her hands.

Taking a walk through the gardens, I see how much more Herb has done since I last saw him. If I’m not careful, he’ll turn the whole pack land into a farm and garden. I should catch up with him and his project folder, see how everything is going. I don’t want to put a dampener on his enthusiasm by not showing an interest.

One thing I do notice as I enjoy my walk is the lack of flowers. Everywhere is clean and tidy but there is a lack of color around the packhouse and grounds in general. It could be that there is nothing in bloom yet rather than nothing planted, so that’s another thing to discuss with Herb.

Walking by the children’s nursery as I return to the packhouse, I hear raised adult voices and children’s giggles. Immediately my thoughts turn to Coal and I wonder if he’s behind another prank. Entering the building I see an enormous pair of eyes stuck to thedoors of the building. I have to smile as they appear to watch me as I walk in.

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