Page 52 of Eclipse Pack

The Goddess has excelled with our fated mates. Maya has become the missing link from my existence that I never evenknew was missing. I have always felt whole as a being, but I know now that I have only been waiting for Maya to arrive.

‘Wow. That is very deep coming from one who only measured life in time spent chasing rabbits.’

You may scoff, but I know that is also how you feel. You have been a different shifter since Taria arrived. You have also been very considerate of my and Maya’s needs. That in itself was a pleasant surprise.

‘Just a minute, there. I have never been inconsiderate to you. When have I not taken you into account? I even asked for your input for my inner council, did I not?’

I didn’t say you were ‘inconsiderate.’ I said you had been ‘very considerate.’ I was thanking you, in my own way.

‘Oh, okay. I took it you meant something completely different.’

Knocking on the door ends that conversation and I call for whoever it is to enter. Eve walks inside and I gesture for her to take a seat at the desk, giving her a smile. I’m confident I know what is coming and I’ve been preparing myself for it.

“Alpha Bronze, I have rejected Miles as my mate, as you ordered.”

That is not what I was expecting. I hadn’t felt the order completed and was expecting an argument over it. That was something I could not have tolerated or overlooked, not for Eve or anyone. An alpha order is nothing short of law and must be obeyed. Some can fight against it, but it is ultimately obeyed by the very essence of the shifter.

“I would think that would be something of a relief, considering he did nothing to help you or your son. Being tied to someone so useless, Eve, was not allowing you to be the shifter you could be.I know that you can be so much more than you have been seeing yourself.”

“Alpha Bronze, I was brought up in the belief that you mated for life, in good or bad. It is hard for me to see past that.” Eve looks like she is going to be in tears shortly.

“In good or baddoes not relate to the partner or relationship. It means fighting throughgood or bad timestogether. Miles chose to be a bad mate. It was a conscious decision by a male to ignore his responsibilities to his female and, even more importantly, to ignore a life he created, his son, Coal. Males and females have failed bonds. That’s an unfortunate part of life. Choosing to ignore his responsibilities as a parent is unforgiveable. You could have been utterly awful to Miles and I would still have insisted that he be the best parent he could be. You were a good mate to him. You have not been to the pack and asked for help with bringing up your pup. You have been the best mother any pup could ask for. If you weren’t, you would not sit as a member of my council. It is that strength of devotion and purpose that has put you there. I am not the only one to see it.”

Seeing the tears run down her cheeks, I mind link Xander to come at once to the alpha office. I know he is not on border patrol today, so hope he is somewhere near the packhouse. I also tell the warrior on guard to let him know that Eve is present and upset. I don’t want him arriving and having a confrontation with me because he thinks I’m the cause of her tears. If Taria and I are correct and he’s going to be Eve’s next mate, he will be protective of her.

It's only a couple of minutes when I hear a knock and this time the warrior opens the door to allow Xander to enter as he is expected. Xander's attention is completely focused on Eve as hewalks directly to her and kneels by her side. Without a word, he takes her hands in his and looks into her eyes.

“What can I do to help?” He speaks so few words, and yet they speak volumes in their heartfelt tone. Eve stands and pulls Xander to his feet as she rises. Putting her arms around him she rests her head on his chest and sobs.

Walking quietly to the door, I stop and look back. Xander looks at me and gives a gentle tilt of his head. Leaving the office, I instruct the warrior on guard that no one enters until they have left.

Crossing the hall, I go to my Luna’s office and knock before entering. Seeing Taria look up from behind her desk, I grin and give a mock bow. “Our matchmaking skills have no bounds, my darling. I have just left the good maid Eve, in the strong and caring arms of Sir Knight Xander.”

“Oh, come hither, good sir, and spill thy beans promptly.” Jumping up, she bounds around the desk and launches herself into my arms. “How did that come about? And so quickly, too.”

Sitting in one of the chairs, with Taria comfortably ensconced in my lap, I give her the brief story and, surprisingly, get reprimanded because it is so brief.

Feigning my horror at being scolded, I point out to Taria, “I would have thought you’d be ecstatic that it happened so fast? I was half expecting a long, drawn out game of cat and mouse before they finally got together. They are both quite shy and reserved in normal day-to-day life, so this has been quite bold for them.”

“I am ecstatic,” she says unconvincingly, “but was hoping for something a bit more romantic and perhaps a bit more drama. Maybe Xander could have stormed to the Shifter Council warriortraining school and made an example of Miles. That would have been both romantic and dramatic.”

Laughing at her idea, I reply, “And probably got himself into some serious trouble at the same time. Eve has gone through enough drama, don’t you think? An attentive and supportive approach from a male could go a long way to giving Eve and Coal better lives. It will be interesting to see how Coal develops with a male to guide him.”

“My romantic side can get carried away occasionally, can’t it?”

“Don’t ever try to suppress it. It’s a very endearing character, and it shows just how much you care about those around you.” Giving her a long, lingering kiss, I feel myself getting aroused and decide it’s time I went back to some of my official duties again.

“Before you dash off, Alpha Bronze. I have a surprise for you in the alpha suite. It can wait until later, but you can’t go there without me. I forbid it.” Seeing the laughter playing across her face, I have to smile.

“You forbid the Alpha to enter the alpha suite, is that what you’re saying, Luna?” I ask her.

“It does sound a bit pretentious when you say it that way, I suppose.” She says as scrunches her nose up and tips her head on one side. “Please don’t go to the alpha suite without me, oh most powerful leader and key holder of my locked heart. Is that better?”

“Much. I’ll wait for you to grace my presence when I retire to my suite.” Watching as she sticks her tongue out at me has me laughing as I leave her to resume my next task.

Seeing my warrior nod from across the hall, I know my office is empty, so I make my way back. I sincerely hope that Eve and Xander work out, as I think they would be good for each other.

Once I’m settled behind my desk again, I run through my mental to do list.

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