Page 29 of Welcome Home: When Shifters Unite!

Dear Alpha Adira,

I thank you for your letter informing me you found what I have been searching for.

If you can keep it under wraps until I can get to you next week, that would be much appreciated.

Best Regards,

Cayden–Spirit of Battle

Folding the letter, I place it in the top drawer of my desk, along with the envelope. “It seems we’ll be having two visits next week, Mavis. One from the Elder Council and one from Cayden, the dragon shifter.”

Mavis stops what she’s doing and gives me the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on her face, and she claps her hands before rubbing them together in excitement. “I’ve never met a dragon shifter. I can’t wait.”

“Well, neither have I, or most anyone else, but I hear they can be ornery devils.” I try to remember anything or all that I’ve heard about dragons, but can’t dredge much from my memory. “Mavis, find me something to read on dragons before Cayden visits, please. I don’t want to insult him because we are ignorant of the ways of dragons.”

“Will do, Alpha Adira.” Mavis doesn’t hesitate, she is out the office door and I’m sure heading to the library. I smirk because honestly, she’s going to be a handful around here soon, I’m sure.

Leo walks into the office without knocking, I may add, and throws himself down into a chair. He looks fairly haggard, and I give him a questioning eyebrow raised expression.

“I was on patrol most of the night. After the incident with the rogues, I felt uneasy, not sure why, if I’m honest. Kazi was pacing for some reason, unsettled, and on alert.”

“Do you think we are about to have a rogue problem?” I ask, rubbing my neck because I’m thinking, ‘Here we go again. More problems to be solved.’

“No, I don’t think it’s going to be a major issue. We will get a rogue now and again, bound to as they wander around, especially when they are turning, or have turned, feral.”

“As long as we keep it under control. I don’t want any of the pack getting hurt, especially the humans or children.” Leaning back in my seat, I think about Rom and my idea. “Leo, how about making Rom a second Delta?”

Leo, sits forward giving me more serious attention. “Well, I was thinking he’d make a superb second Beta to be honest. He is reliable, and honest to a fault from what I’ve seen. He’s a good fighter, and he, as a tiger, is territorial, so will protect the pack and you ferociously. But, I’m happy with him being a Delta ifthat is what you prefer. He would have made a good Gamma too if we start to nitpick.”

“To be truthful with you, Leo, you are the Beta and I think you should decide.” I grin because I know he’d rather that was on my shoulders.

“Okay. That’s darn sneaky, but let’s think on this seriously. Beta, as you know, advises the Alpha, maintains discipline within the pack. We assist wherever we are needed to make your life easier. We take command if the Alpha is incapacitated. Goddess forbid that ever happens.

“The Gamma, third in command. Sensitive to the pack, and danger. A great guard on patrolling the territory. But as we’ve seen with Stella, they are always happy to do things, stick their noses in everything, and can be a little on the clingy side. We’ve also seen that with Stella and Robbie, but thankfully Robbie doesn’t mind.

“Then we have the Delta. Patrol warriors in their minds, yet seem to be great when injuries are had, knowing exactly what to do. Thorn is great with the pups. He is teaching them all types of things, yet he brings pack thoughts and concerns to me. Which I bring to you in turn if it’s needed.” Leo rubs his hands together, then leans back, giving me a serious look. “Looking at the way Rom has been since we have given him responsibility, I can say he has surpassed my initial thoughts about him. In my opinion, he’ll make one heck of a good beta or delta. If we make him a second Beta, he will be under my position, but if anything should happen to you, he would automatically become the Beta alone.”

Leaning forward, I ask. “If he is a Delta and anything happens to me?”

“He would stay a Delta. It would be Stella as Gamma, who would step up to Beta. You know the pack structure Adira, you also know Stella would not be a good Beta. She gets far too adventurous to be a Beta.” Leo smirks, and I have to say that a tiny smile appears on my face too.

“Okay, I agree. What about Thorn? Will he be angry if we promote Rom?”

“No. Thorn always said he was happy to be a Delta, but didn’t want to be more. You know we had to push him to be a Delta. It would not be wise to make him anything more.” Leo nods to himself more than to me. It’s like he’s agreeing that with his own comments.

“Okay. I want you to speak to Thorn first. Then promote Rom to second Beta, but make sure he knows exactly what is expected. I also want one of the rooms downstairs for Mavis. She may not move into it, but it will be there for times we are here late and I don’t want her walking back to her home that late at night.” I would like her here as some female company, too. I spend far too much time with males, and I mean of any species.

A tap on the door has both myself and Leo looking up, and as it opens Rom steps inside. “Sorry to bother you, Alpha Adira, but I just heard some gossip from visitors in town, and I wanted you to hear it. It may amuse you some.”

“Oh, take a seat and tell all.” I smile and lean forward with my elbows on my desk. I’m ready to take a break from serious issues.

“Well…” and that is how I learn that the Blackbird Pack are rejecting their Luna and making life very difficult for the Alpha and Alpha Heir. I can’t stop the smile that grows as Rom is speaking. Leo chuckles and by the time Rom has finished, bothmyself and Leo are full on laughing, and Rom is struggling to remain serious.

“Leo, keep our ears to the ground. Their trouble is not ours. They can stew in it. I’m not going to speak to the Blackbird Pack to make it easier for Joliee to be the Luna. She is not cut out to be anything other than another pack member. She has no Luna qualities to speak of, and has had no training. How they thought she was going to be adequate is beyond my reckoning. Okay. You have something to discuss with Rom, but I’m going to check on Arak as he started the first bedroom this morning.” I don’t give either of them an opportunity to say more because I dash out of the office and to the bedroom that Arak is working on.

Stepping into the room, I can’t help but stand with my mouth wide open. The room has been gutted. It really is the only way to describe it. Arak has removed everything in the room, including the shelves that had been on one wall. “Wow, you have made a huge start in here, Arak.”

“I wanted to start with a clean canvas. I’m going to remove that windowsill and put in a new one. It was a mess and not worth messing around with. It will be quicker and cleaner to replace it. I’m going to start by building a medium-sized closet in that corner, but sweep around so a dresser is on either side. That way, all the space will be used.”

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