Page 59 of Eclipse Pack

“Oh, Bronze. This is one of the places in Luna Sage’s photos. It is even more beautiful than the picture gives it credit for. The water magically appears from the trees and just look at the rainbow! Oh my, it is spectacular. Thank you for showing me this.”

“It was one of my more inspirational moments, I admit. Of the many places in the photos, this is one of the most breathtaking.” I have my arm around Taria’s waist and she leans into me, gazing over the view before us.

We spend an hour in and around the pool, but with so many warriors present on protection detail, we have to keep a sense of decorum, so there aren’t any pups conceived here today.

Regrettably having to leave before we get to see the sunset, we agree that at some point in the future, we will return and perhaps spend a few days here. Arriving back at the packhouse late, and after dark, we make our way directly to the alpha suite, where we make up for our inability to be more hands on at the waterfall.

Chapter 31

TARIA

Waking up first for a change, I take great pleasure in waking Bronze and dragging him into the shower. I think dragging may not be the correct term as once I got him out of the bed and suggested it, it became more of a race! An hour later and we’re dressed, ready to go for breakfast.

“Have we got anything scheduled for today, duty wise, or have we got the day to ourselves, my love?”

“I have one or two things scheduled for us today, my darling, but nothing duty wise unless something comes up.” Bronze told me he had become accustomed to our little terms of endearment when we’re alone and wondered if it’s the same among all mated couples? I thought perhaps the older generation would be more prone to such things.

“Oh, and what one or two things may they be, if I’m so bold to enquire?”

“Well, m’lady. I ain’t telling, see. It’s what we commoners call a secret, so’s you’ll just have to wait and see.” Knuckling his forehead like some old sailor from days of old, has me laughing.

“I don’t know where you come up with some of this stuff, I’m sure, but I like it when you surprise me and make me laugh.” Gripping his arm, we walk into the dining hall, still wearing huge smiles. It does not go unnoticed by those already eating, and we see many of them smile at us as we walk by.

Once we have our trays loaded with food, we look for a table to sit at. I say loaded because we have used a lot of energy with traveling and not a small amount showering, so have a fearsome hunger. As we look around, we both see Xander looking at us, and it’s fairly obvious that he wants us to join him, Eve, and Coal at their table.

He is not so presumptuous as to openly invite us in front of the pack, but Bronze is sensitive enough to save Xander such embarrassment, so approaches and asks if we may join them.

Both Xander and Eve stand as we take our seats and Coal barely glances up from his food. When Xander coughs gently, Coal realizes his mistake and is on his feet in seconds.

“Sorry Luna Taria. Sorry Alpha Bronze,” he mutters, but he does make eye contact, which shows he is genuine in his apology.

Once we’re all seated, Xander points out to Coal that he should recognize the Alpha first, before anyone else in his apology.

Coal makes a face that suggests he’s sucking on a lemon. “But Poppa, the Luna is a lady, so I thought ladies came first with my manners?”

“You’re quite right in normal circumstances, son, but the Alpha being present makes things not normal.” Listening to howXander explains this to Coal, I see him being an outstanding role model for the pup. Seeing the glow of pride on Eve’s face also tells a story, but I’m not sure who she is more proud of, her son or her new mate.

“Alpha Bronze, we’d like to thank you for what you have done for Eve and Coal. Having her reject her mate was difficult for her, but it opened the way for us to become chosen mates. I’m quite sure that had we waited, the Goddess would have got around to making us second chance mates, although I’ve never had a first! I’d like to thank you personally for giving me the opportunity to be a mate and a father to such a wonderful female and her pup.” Coal stops eating as he hears this and positively beams at his poppa.

“Well, Xander, to be honest with you, it wasn’t all me. Luna Taria recognized it first and pushed me into making Eve reject that useless…I mean, her mate. I was looking into the thing that you had asked me about, but Luna Taria was way ahead of me when it came to matters of the heart. You’re not her first success, and I doubt you’ll be her last.” Eve gave Xander a quizzical look when Bronze said he was looking into something, so I hope he hasn’t overstepped a mark there.

“You make a wonderful family, the three of you. I’m sure if you were to become four, that would be even more perfect. I think Coal would be a great older brother for a baby boy or girl,” I say, and see Eve blush.

“Ewww. A girl brother! It would have to be a boy brother! I wouldn’t know what to do with a girl.” Coal’s reaction has us all in hysterics. When we can get our breath, it’s Xander that once again, is the voice of reason.

“Let me tell you something about a little sister, Coal. They look at their big brother as if he is a hero. A brother that takes care ofhis sister is like a God in the world of family, second only to her Poppa. Little brothers can be good fun but also can be terrors. You never know which from one day to the next. If you’re blessed with a sibling, it won’t matter whether it’s a boy or a girl. At some point, they will worm their way into your heart and grow on you.”

“A sibling? Oh my. A boy or girl was bad enough, but a sibling as well? I think we should just stay as a family of three and be done with it.” Coal plops his head onto the table in a show of despair.

Taking their leave, Xander gathers his new family, and thanking us again, walks away.

Bronze turns to me and wraps his arm around my shoulders, and whispers in my ear, “If I’m half the father that Xander is proving to be to Coal, I’ll be more than happy.”

“If I wasn’t confident that you’ll be the best father ever to our pups, we wouldn’t be spending so much time in the shower,” I whisper back.

Feeling him puff his chest out with pride at my words, I suggest we get on with his scheduled duties before he drags me back to our shower in the alpha suite, which I’m sure is already crossing his mind.

Walking out of the packhouse, Bronze turns me away from the direction I was going to take to see how the gardens are coming along and I find myself heading for the training area. As we get in sight of the training ring, I see two she-wolves going at each other, with reckless abandon.

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