Page 55 of Eclipse Pack

Stopping off for a break and some food, Wesley found us a lovely spot. As I sat with Bronze we looked out over the beautiful scenery, I realized why Wesley had picked the spot. There was a wide-open view for a couple of miles and no cover for anyone to hide in. Far from being the beauty spot I first imagined, it was the best defensible position for miles around, too.

“You’re becoming quite the warrior Luna, you know that, don’t you?” I hadn’t been aware of Bronze watching me so closely and reading my thoughts.

“Watching how closely Wesley and Ember take their job so seriously, I am learning more than I realize, I think. Maya is rubbing off on me, too. I am more in tune with my wolf-side than I believe I have ever been. Though don’t tell Titan that! He’ll be unbearable if he thinks I’m developing their sexual appetites.” I can’t help but laugh when I see Titan flash in Bronze’s eyes.

Lunchtime over and we’re back on the move, shifting between wolf and human, we are making excellent time. We have nostragglers, and everyone appears to be coping well with the pace that Wesley has set. I am very impressed with my Gamma and he is living up to everything I expected of him.

Ember looks like she is out for a Sunday stroll, but I notice how she misses nothing that goes on around her. One of the warriors strayed from his pack position twice, and on the third time she tripped him deliberately, bringing him to the attention of the others. One weak link could cause the death of one or all of us, and I can see him being brought to the attention of Adaline on our return, if Wesley or Ember don’t deal with him first, that is. The rest of the run is uneventful and our wayward warrior manages to steer clear of Ember’s radar.

Arriving in Wolfsfoot Town, Wesley gives Ember the rest of the evening off and I agree to meet her at the carpenter's shop in the morning. Bronze and I meet with Alpha Gabe and Luna Tati, and plan for a pleasant evening of catch-up. Wesley, too, gets the night off, as we can be sure that Alpha Gabe and Luna Tati have enough security in place that he can have a night to recharge his batteries, ready for the next leg of the journey to the Spirit Walker Pack.

Our evening goes well, and it’s easy to see how Alpha Gabe and Luna Tati have become comfortable with each other. That doesn’t mean that they take each other for granted or do their own things, more that they seem to sense what the other is thinking or what they need. I can only hope that mine and Bronze’s relationship develops into such a close knit bond. I can’t see why it shouldn’t.

Breakfast over and I take Bronze into the town to see the carpenter’s shop. I’m sure that they are all expecting us, and are nervous to see their Alpha’s reaction to their work. Wesley seems to be on high alert this morning and I’m going to sit downwith him and find out what’s going on. His heightened sense is rubbing off on me, and I’m looking for any sign of trouble from every direction.

When a mob charge at us from a shop doorway I grab one and before I can strike him, Bronze has my attacker away from me. “Taria. It’s just a bunch of kids running out of the diner. What’s the matter?” Bronze obviously hasn’t picked up on the tension, or has some prior knowledge, perhaps.

“Wesley! Come here.” I watch as he approaches, still looking around at everything and everyone. “What’s going on, Wesley? Why are you so hyped up?”

“It’s nothing, Luna. Everything is fine.” He isn’t even looking at me as he answers.

“Gamma Wesley. You will address me as Luna Taria, not just Luna. You will give me the truth right now or I will have you removed as my Gamma this instant. Do I make myself clear?” Wesley’s eyes pop open and I see him begin to come back to some form of himself. “What is wrong, Wesley? Your nervousness is affecting me and I almost killed a teen because of it. Speak, now.”

“I heard a rumor that Elijah may be in the area, but it is unconfirmed. My gut tells me it is true, but that is all. If he is near, then there may be other rogues, too.” He stands before me at attention.

“And you did not share this with your Alpha or Luna? To say I am shocked that you would keep such information to yourself is an understatement, at best. I am bitterly disappointed in your decision process, Wesley. We could have made alternative arrangements had we known, and could also have told our hostsof this danger to themselves and their pack. Instead of that, here we are in the middle of the town and open to any sort of attack.”

Bronze takes the opportunity of me stopping for breath to step in. “The poor decision making was mine Luna Taria, not Gamma Wesley’s. He told me of his suspicions and I informed Alpha Gabe. We didn’t tell anyone else in case it was leaked or anyone behaved differently. I was not expecting you to pick up on the tension. I apologize, and this will not happen again. It was not that you couldn’t be trusted, or that there was any doubt in your abilities, just that we wanted as few as possible to be aware. Alpha Gabriel has warriors in and around the town on high alert should we find Elijah or any other intruders.” Bronze has his hands on my shoulders and is looking deeply into my eyes. If he could sense the hurt and anger I currently feel, he would be running for the hills.

“I understand, Alpha Bronze. Let us discuss this at a later, more appropriate time.” Turning away from Bronze, I look directly at Wesley. “You are the Gamma, Wesley. As such, you report directly to the Luna as your Alpha has ordered. Your Alpha will always be your ultimate leader, but you report to me as the new Luna of the pack, and as your Alpha wanted. Am I making myselfperfectlyclear?” I look between Alpha Bronze and Gamma Wesley. Wesley, to his credit, does not look to Bronze before answering.

“Perfectly clear, Luna Taria.”

“Alpha Bronze, it appears to have slipped your mind that only yesterday, you referred to me as a warrior Luna?” I look at him with raised eyebrows and a smile so he can see that my tension is slipping away.

“Yes, it would appear I had forgotten that. I will not let it slip my mind again. I should have included you in the information andplanning, my apologies. Although you are, as I said, a warrior Luna, I will always be the one who has the last word on our defenses and security. I don’t doubt that the good intentions of Alpha Gabe are being similarly straightened out by his Luna, too.”

Taking his hand, he squeezes mine, and I squeeze back. Disaster averted, and no one injured, thank goodness. I would have been devastated if I’d hurt an innocent teen. I do understand why Bronze stated the security issue, and I know I am second under him.

As we approach the carpenter’s shop, we become aware of shouting and suddenly a body comes crashing through the front window of the carpenter’s shop. The male jumps up and, seeing us, he runs away as fast as he can. Wesley is at my side, and Bronze signals for two of the warriors to join him, and he rushes into the shop. Moments later, he returns, and the two warriors have a struggling male between them.

Hannah is begging Bronze to spare the male and I can guess that this must be her brother, Elijah. Ember walks out of the shop and has blood all over her clothes and her bat. My look must tell her what I’m wondering. “None of it is mine, Luna Taria. This coward brought three more males with him to kidnap his little sister. If she hadn’t intervened, he’d be just as dead as those two inside.”

Looking from Elijah to Hannah, I can see that she doesn’t want her brother harmed, but I can’t say I get the same vibe from him. I don’t think he cares about anyone but himself, even standing there held by two warriors, I see him scheming.

“Hannah, this has got to stop. We cannot keep looking over our shoulder all the time, and we cannot allow rogues to wander in and out of each other’s pack lands because of some family bond.”

“I understand, Luna Taria, but he’s still my brother.” Hannah’s eyes are pleading and I can see that Bronze is also torn with the decision, having known Hannah longer than me. I see him mind linking with someone and although I’m not included in the link, I’m confident that he is speaking to Alpha Gabe.

Bronze looks at Hannah and then at Elijah. “You are going to be given one chance, and one chance only, to give up this ridiculous quest of yours to sell your sister, a member of my pack now. She lives under the banner of the Eclipse Pack and, as such, my protection. Do you give your oath that if you are released, you will return to your own pack lands and leave Hannah in peace to live her life as she wishes?”

“I will leave her be.” Elijah looks at his sister as he says the words, but I know they are false. Everything that I can read about his manner and body language screams falsehood.

“Alpha Gabriel has agreed to give you this chance. You have invaded his pack lands to attempt this kidnapping, and he wants you to know that you are never to set foot on these lands again. You will be shown no mercy if you ever cross his borders again. Is that clear?” Bronze has eyes of steel as he speaks and watches Elijah.

“I understand, completely.” Elijah is trying not to grin, and Bronze is trying not to show how angry he is.

Four Wolfsfoot pack warriors appear and take Elijah into their custody. As they walk away, I see the swagger returning to Elijah and I sincerely hope he puts a foot wrong before he reaches the border and the Wolfsfoot warriors kill him.

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