Page 62 of Eclipse Pack

As his mouth begins to move to form any words at all, she shuts him down. “I think it is best that you don’t, as you could very well ruin what has so far been the best day of your life. Alpha Bronze, have you anything you’d like to add?”

“Nope, I think Luna Taria, you have been accurate in your assessment of his performance in the role to date. I’ll leave you to conclude.” I am so close to laughing right now that I have to cough to hide it.

“Gamma Wesley, it is the decision of your Luna, me that is, that so far you have not only performed admirably as my Gamma, but that you have gone far beyond what would be expected of someone in your position. You have given your free time to enhance my protection detail, you have spent your own time training members of my team, including Ember, for which I know you suffered several injuries.” Taking a moment, she looks him up and down as if he were on a parade ground undergoing an inspection. “You will recall our first official conversation when I gave you my expectations of you and your role. I am pleased to say that you have met all those expectations, and then some. Now, do you have anything you’d like to say?”

“I have no words, Luna Taria, other than my life is yours to command as you see fit.” He looks as though he is going to explode, he is so pumped with pride.

“I have your loyalty, and your friendship, Wesley, I do not wish to command your life. That is something that you need to do, and I suggest you need a mate in it too. A male such as yourself has a lot to offer a female and it should not go unappreciated. I can always help if you need a push in any direction.”

“We are all well aware of your prowess in the matchmaking arena, Luna Taria. Rest assured, that if I feel the need for any advice or aid in that direction, I will come to you first.” Wesley almost spits that out in haste, but I don’t think Taria has picked that up.

“I am commissioning a house built on the grounds, one that I feel is not only suitable for my Gamma, but that is suitable for my friend and any family he may have in the future. I won’t hear a word about it, it is a gift and you cannot refuse. If you try, I will simply make it a Luna order, so let that be an end to it.” Walking around the desk she approaches Wesley, and he clearly doesn’t know what to do.

“Give her a big hug and then get out of here before she thinks of something else.” I shake my head at him as he looks so bewildered.

Not only does he give her a big hug, but he kisses her on the top of her head. Titan is on his feet in my mind in a flash and watches for anymore contact. Wesley puts Taria down, gives her an exaggerated bow, and then leaves the office.

“You can be so cruel at times, my darling. I’ve never seen him so frightened by anything in his life than he was of your words. I think I’ll just have to stay in your good books, won’t I?”

“That’s easily done, my love. Take me to another of your mother's special places and you’ll be halfway there.”

Chapter 33

TARIA

Having just returned from another of the special places that Luna Sage, Bronze’s mother had left us in her photos, I feel invigorated. It was simply a clearing, a glade if you will, only an hour or so from the packhouse, and this time we were early enough to see a sunrise. Again, it was beautiful in its simplicity.

Lounging in the alpha suite, we are taking a little personal time before we have Bronze’s parents here for a visit. When I last spoke to them, I got the distinct impression that they were already bored and that the slower pace of council life wasn’t as fulfilling as it had been enticing. I could see former Alpha Chet settling into council mode far easier than former Luna Sage. She has always been involved in at least one ongoing project and to suddenly be sitting on a porch in a rocking chair, so to speak, must be difficult for her.

I’ve been in secret meetings with Chef Ash at every opportunity and practicing my cookery skills using one of Luna Sage’s recipes. It has turned out surprisingly well, and I’m confident that when I present the meal at our alpha suite dining table, our first meal there will be a memorable one.

I am happy eating rabbits, thank you.

‘You have never tried my cooking, so how can you even say that?’

I have seen how you humans mess with your food. You chop out all the good bits, mess with what’s left so you don’t have any big bits to chew on, and then put it on fire until all the goodness is burned out of it. You’re disgusting when it comes to food. I can’t bring myself to watch you barbarians eat.

Hearing Bronze calling to me in a mind link, I immediately head for the alpha office. Walking in without knocking, as he told me to do in the link, I see an angry Bronze behind his desk.

“What’s happened, Bronze? What’s wrong?”

“We made a mistake allowing Elijah to go free. He killed one of Alpha Gabe’s warriors at the border and escaped. An innocent shifter died because of our decision. We showed him mercy, and this is what happens. I have told Alpha Gabe that we will do everything we can to support any family that the warrior has. He has been gracious in the fact that he stated that no one holds us responsible, but I hold us accountable.” Taking a deep breath, he tries to get his anger under control, but I can see by his flashing eyes that Titan is not helping the situation.

Maya speaks to Titan.Titan. You need to calm down and then help Bronze to become calm. He cannot make rational decisions when you are both so angry and letting it cloud his judgement. We know it was because of one of our pack members that we made the decision, but ultimately, the death of the warrior liessquarely with Elijah. We need to focus on what we do about him in a calm manner.

That is easy for you to say, Maya. As Alpha, the decision was ultimately ours and the death is on our conscience.

Don’t be so selfish. I won’t have it. We are Alpha and Luna of the pack together! It weighs on both of us equally. Never forget that.Maya is calm in her speech, but theimpact on Titan is not lost. He quietens down and I see Bronze’s eyes clear.

“Bronze, what would you like to happen now?” I already know half the answer. “Other than finding him and ripping him apart yourself, I mean.”

“I would like to hand him over to the Wolfsfoot Pack so they could conduct their own retribution as a pack,” I’m surprised by his answer.

“I was thinking more along the lines of sending out a hit squad to just end his miserable life. I bet we wouldn’t be short of volunteers for that task, either.” I know one bat wielding warrior that would be first in line, I think to myself.

“I’m sure that one bat wielding warrior would be happy to go alone and she would be more than capable of being successful. It’s only the trail of other bodies along the way that prevents me from saying ‘yes’.” His look tells me he has already considered that course of action.

“Ember will take it hard and personal when she finds out what has happened. She was regretting her decision to let him live for the sake of her friend, and I’m not sure that the friendship will survive this.” Ember is cut from sterner cloth than Hannah. Hannah’s sibling love will probably override the atrocity that Elijah has committed, just as she seems to forgive that he has been trying to kidnap and then sell her, too.

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