Page 64 of Eclipse Pack

“I don’t know what you’re laughing at! I almost poisoned the ones I love most in the entire world. I’m so ashamed.” I stamp my feet in temper and this just results in more peels of laughter echoing around the room. “Stop it! Stop this at once, I tell you!”

Chef Ash then dashes into the room, stops dead in her tracks, takes in the scene and also starts to laugh. Before I can get any angrier, Bronze pulls me to him, kisses my head and hugs me for all he’s worth.

“Taria, it’s fine, everything is fine. No harm done.” He still has tears running down his face as he shudders with laughter. “I think you may have overdone the spices a bit, that’s all.”

“But it tasted fine. Chef Ash, I tasted it, just like you showed me. I did it all, just as you showed me.”

“You got over confident, my Luna, that’s all. I spoke to the kitchen staff, and they said that after you had tasted it, you ran around the kitchen muttering it needed a little kick. Unfortunately, the little kick you added wasn’t so little. You used the hottest chilies and sauces that we have.” Wiping away her own tears, she continues, “I was trying to get here before you started to eat as the kitchen staff were worried that you’d got a little overzealous with the extras.”

“I’m never cooking again. That’s it, I’m done, finished, kaput. Never again. You will feed me and mine for the rest of our lives, Chef Ash. I refuse to even set foot in your kitchen ever again. Idon’t care if the place is on fire and I’m the only one available, I won’t spit on it. I AM DONE!”

With everyone still laughing, I can’t help but join in, but I am still so done with cooking.

Chapter 34

BRONZE

The morning after our family meal and I still keep having a little chuckle, which is not going down well with Taria. I can’t help it though as I recall all our wolves ejecting the hot food from our stomachs. They sure didn’t like it and acted far faster than our human selves could.

Flint has announced that as my parents have come to visit anyway, the rest of the council was going to have an impromptu visit now that I was settled in as Alpha. I think they are just being nosey and seeing how my Luna and I are getting on. They’ve timed their visit with the grand opening of the new walled garden, which is coincidental, but they can see that things are progressing nicely under the new leadership.

My parents were doing an excellent job with the pack, but as with all changes of administration, it is good to have fresh eyes and a new perspective on things. I’m looking forward to the newgarden and the new ballroom we had built to complement it. We poached the idea from another packhouse, but hey, it’s a good idea, so why not.

I’ve declared a day off from all pack activities, except border patrol, of course, and I’ll make it up to anyone that misses the festivities in some other way. Chef Ash went into excitement overdrive when I told her, and immediately called her team together and asked for their input for themes for the food. Taria has kept to her word for the last few hours and hasn’t even been in the dining hall again, never mind the kitchen. I’m sure, given time, Chef Ash will convince her to have another go at cooking something. If that’s going to happen, I’ll have to stop these giggles that keep popping up every time I see the look on Taria’s face as we all… See! I need to get it out of my head once and for all.

Heading out into the surrounding gardens, I take a few deep breaths and catch the scent of a few newly opened blooms. If the gardens all smell as exotic as Herb is planning, this is just a taste of what’s to come and honestly, I can’t wait. Walking by the training area, I see quite a crowd gathered.

As I approach, a path opens between them as they recognize their Alpha walking amongst them. Nearing the training ring, I see Ember with four other females and four males, all with a copy of her bat. Not sure that I can stand by and watch as eight of my warriors get hospitalized for the benefit of Ember’s training, I’m about to call a halt when Ember wields her bat in an intricate move and they all copy her exactly. I watch this for five minutes, and then they begin sparring with each other.

Adaline walks among them and corrects some stances and the way some hold their bat. Ember is doing the same with othersand I realize that it is in fact the eight that are training. Seeing me, Adaline comes over and explains the purpose of it all.

“Alpha Bronze, welcome. Ember and I were talking, and she happened to mention that when she ‘interrogated’ the rogues, there was some mention of her bat. Everyone apparently is aware of the ‘bat warrior’ and her ferocious nature in battle. We gave this some thought and came up with differing points of view that both had merit. My concern was ‘what if someone else armed their warriors?’ How would our warriors cope with that? Hence, we began training them in self-defense techniques against that eventuality.” Looking at me with obvious pride in the idea, I nod at her as I think she is on to something here. “Ember, on the other hand, Alpha, came up with a different train of thought. What if we trained more with the bat as a sort of berserker force? You know, shock troops, as it were. If our foes are afraid of one female bat warrior, how would they react if they saw a dozen coming at them waving bats? It could be enough to weaken an enemy's resolve or even break their lines.”

“I think you are both brilliant. That is pure genius on both ideas. Carry on with what you’re both doing and if you need anything, don’t hesitate to speak with me or Luna Taria. I’ll tell her of your actions, and I’m sure she’ll be as enthusiastic as I am.” Thanking Adaline and waving to Ember as she glances over, I start to walk away.

Adaline rushes over to Ember and no doubt tells her of our conversation because Ember squeals and then runs on the spot with excitement. She stops suddenly when she sees me watching and laughing at her antics.

Knowing that the other Shifter Council members will arrive shortly, I make my way to the walled garden and seek out Herb.Finding him dashing around like a lunatic, I wonder what has gone wrong and if we will be opening the garden after all.

“Herb, stand still and take a deep breath. What’s happened? What is wrong?”

“Happened? Wrong? Why? What are you saying, Alpha Bronze?” Herb throws the words back at me.

“Why are you rushing around in a panic?” I talk slowly and precisely to try to get the words to register with him.

“I’m not panicking. I’m ticking off all the last minute jobs that needed doing. Everything is exactly as it should be. What makes you think I’m panicking?”

“Very well. If you’re happy, I’m happy. The Shifter Council members will be here shortly, and then we’ll start the grand opening. I’ll see you in a little while.” Starting to walk away, I hear his panicked voice return.

“Shifter Council members. Oh my! We need more seats. Nathan, Ezra! More seats, we need more seats.” Herb dashes off once again.

Arriving back at the packhouse, I almost fall to the floor as I see a new plaque outside the Luna office. It is made from a tree trunk that has been cut from a tree that was at least five feet across. The lettering is huge and flows like Taria’s own handwriting. ‘Luna Office’ stands in letters twelve inches tall. I know what’s going on here. This is one-up-man ship at the next level.

Laughing, I walk into the office and see Taria’s huge grin. “Well, Alpha Bronze. What do you think of my new plaque? Two can play at that game, eh?”

“I think it’s hilarious, however the Shifter Council are due at any minute and I can’t have that sat there for the world to see.”

“Oh my god. I’m sorry, let’s get the darn thing in here out of sight, quickly.” Taria rushes by me and I’m not sure what she thinks she’s going to do with it on her own. It’s huge.

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