Page 7 of Eclipse Pack

“Taria, please join us.” Flint waits for me to proceed him into the office, and gestures to a chair at the table that Alpha Connell uses for his formal meetings.

The council members, Flint, Porter, Lykos, Roman, and Cinder, all introduce themselves formally, smiling and nodding. I must look a little puzzled, so Flint explains that not all council members are present. I certainly remember there being more when they came to the Blood Pearl Pack. There was one female member that my mother used to rant about whenever the council was mentioned. I wonder which she is?

“Taria, we visit all packs and especially when new leaders are emerging. As the Shifter Council, we try to encourage the best traits we can from each new Alpha, or Luna to benefit not only the individual packs but also the kingdom as a whole. The kingdom remains strong and safe for all when the packs are in harmony,” Flint recites this as though it has been said a million times before, and it probably has.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let me assure you that not only do I have my mother’s strength running in my veins, but also my father’s compassion. That does not make me a tyrant nor a pushover. In the last few months, I have seen that I was unaware of responsibilities that I could, no… should have taken onboard to assist in the running of the pack.” Taking the time to look each council member in the eye, I continue. “While being here, Luna Hope has opened my eyes further to simple acts that enhance the pack's morale, and their bond with each other. I have no doubt that with each Luna I visit, I will find things that will help me become the Luna that I’m expected to be, both for the Eclipse pack and my mate, Alpha Heir Bronze.”

The next hour involves the council members asking me questions, giving me scenarios and them giving lots of umm’s and ahh’s. Councilman Flint is supportive of me throughout, and Councilman Lykos says very little but watches me like a hawk the whole time with an occasional grin.

I am surprised by the questions that are put forward, as they are far more insightful and not as personal as I was expecting. When they have exhausted their questions, I thank them for their time and ask several questions of my own. How did my answers compare to their expectations? Was there anything else they needed to clarify? Would I get feedback on this experience, and would each member care to give me their own thoughts of the meeting, rather than just a simple, ‘It went well’ or ‘It could have gone better.’

Being escorted from the room by Councilman Flint, he asks if I would join him for lunch? He would be free in just a few moments and would be pleased if I would sit with him. Agreeing, I walk into the canteen area and find a quiet spot to wait for him.

Someone throwing themselves into the chair next to me has me letting out a little squeal and I turn to see Luna Hope. Eyes as wide as an owl’s she starts to fire questions at me so fast that I can’t possibly answer her. When she finally stops to draw breath, I can’t help but burst out laughing.

“I have no clue what you’ve just asked me, Hope. The questions came so fast I don’t know a single thing you said.”

“Well, I want to know everything, of course.” Luna Hope’s excitement is interrupted as Councilman Flint asks if he can join us.

As he takes a seat, Hope jumps up to leave, but I grab her arm and pull her back into her seat. “I’m not worried that you hear anything that Councilman Flint has to say, Luna Hope. What I’ve learned since being here has only been positive, so any negativity won’t reflect badly on you.”

“First of all, Taria, let’s dispense with the Councilman title when we’re not being formal. The meeting went on longer thanany of us expected, but in a purely positive way. Your answers were more in-depth than we expected, and this led to more questions being asked than normal. Lykos thinks that you and his daughter, Tati, will become great friends. He believes that you are so alike that you could be sisters.”

“He didn’t say much, but I was aware of how he observed me throughout, and he kept having a sly grin at some of the points I raised,” looking from Flint to Hope to see what reaction they had to this.

“He said that some of your clarifications could have come straight from Tati’s mouth, and he grinned when he recognized her frustration in you, too.” Flint was also grinning as he passed this information on.

“Oh, I’m so relieved that it all went well. Not that I didn’t expect it to, but when you’re in front of the council, they can be so cold and impersonal sometimes.” Realizing that she’s saying this in front of one of them has Hope blushing furiously. “I have to get back to work,” she squeaks, jumps up, and runs into the kitchen.

Flint laughs as he watches her back disappear and says, “She is such a good Luna you can’t help but love her, even if she thinks I’m cold.

“You have impressed the council greatly, Taria. We have no doubt that unless something serious happens to throw you off track, you’ll be a great addition to the Eclipse pack and an excellent mate to Bronze.” Flint tilts his head to one side before uttering his next words. “Umm… Bronze asked me to ask you to contact him after the meeting, if you would be okay with it. He didn’t know how to approach it directly without it appearing he was checking up on your progress, rather than it being a genuine case of concern on your behalf.”

“I’ll do it straight away and thank you, Flint. You have been very kind throughout this meeting and I hope that our friendship will flourish in the future. I’d be happy to count you as one of my circle of good friends.”

“I have things to attend to, so perhaps we can have a rain check on lunch?”

“I can do that. Whenever you have some free time, let me know and I’ll be happy to join you. I’ll go put a call through to Bronze and let him know how the‘Cold and impersonal’council treated me.” Both laughing, we go our separate ways as we leave the canteen area.

Sitting in my room with my phone in my hand, I suddenly get butterflies and come over all girlie and giggly.

It’s only a phone call. You’re not going to mate with him.

‘Trust you to jump straight to mating, Maya. You wolves have a one-track mind.’

Two, if you want to be precise. You forgot food. There’s nothing like a warm rabbit in your teeth to make you feel good.

‘I haven’t fully got used to that yet. Not sure I ever will.’

When we’re out in the forest and you’re hungry, you’ll appreciate it then. Now get this call made while I rest and don’t have to listen to you gushing.

Maya turns around a few times and then throws herself to the floor of my mind with her back to me.

Placing the call to Bronze, it hardly rings when I hear his voice. “Taria, thank you for calling. Are you okay? Did it go well? How hard were you questioned? Flint passed my message okay, then?”

“Yes, yes. Not too hard and yes.”

“I’m sorry. That was a bit of a mouthful, wasn’t it? I was just concerned that they would find something to delay you coming here.”

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