Page 30 of Welcome Home: When Shifters Unite!

“Oh, I like that idea. Maybe when you’ve done these three bedrooms you could upgrade the ones upstairs?”

“We’ll see, Alpha Adira. I seem to have a lot of jobs to do.”

I chat with Arak for a while, listening to ideas, and okaying the ones that I like the sound of. Then I ease my way out of the farmhouse and take a slow walk into town. Breathing the fresh air and enjoying the peace.

‘It’s nice here, and much nicer than the Blackbird Pack. Even when it was a town, it was a better place for us.’

“I agree, Blue. This was a smart move, although initially a painful one.”

As I reach Main Street I stop to speak with various pack members and inwardly smile when Rom appears seemingly from nowhere. He walks quietly to my right and slightly behind. But never interferes in the conversations that I am having.

Reaching the café, I step inside and when Rom falters at the door, I grab his arm and drag him inside. “You are going to come in here and have a drink with me, Rom. Or do you want to disrespect your Alpha?”

“Of course, Alpha Adira.” Rom steps over to a chair against a wall and I take a seat, grinning at Jenni as she bustles over to us.

“Hi, Alpha Adira. What can I get for you?” Turning, she gives Rom a smile, and…is that a flush on her cheeks?

“I’ll have a cappuccino with some of those sprinkles on the top, please, Jenni.”

“Rom?” Jenni asks, and I notice she’s trying her hardest not to look directly at him.

“Black coffee please, Jenni.”

“Coming right up.” Jenni moves away quickly.

I look at Rom long enough that he squirms. “What’s going on between you and Jenni?”

Rom smirks, “Nothing, but I’m aiming there might be in the future.”

“Oh…” I look at Jenni, who is quickly making our drinks, but keeps giving covert looks our way. “Well, you may be lucky there, Rom. She looks interested to me.”

“I will be if she’s interested. Settling down never entered my mind before, but Ramo likes the smell of her and keeps purring when we are in her vicinity. He’s never done that before.” Rom gives Jenni a smile when she hands us our coffees, but she blushes and rushes away.

“You are going to have to get past her shyness, Rom.”

“Yeah, but I’m patient, so it’ll be okay.” Rom takes a sip of his drink, then turns to give me his attention. “Leo spoke with me regarding the position of second beta or delta. I don’t think I’m a Delta person, but I can and have been supporting the Beta position that Leo holds. I would be highly honored to be a second Beta for the pack. But I need you to give me your blessing on that, because Leo said you had given him the option of what he offered to me.”

“I did, and I’m more than happy for you to be a second Beta. I offered you the other position, not really considering all the benefits you bring to the pack. But speaking with Leo convinced me you’d be a great second Beta, and I’m more than happy for you to step up Rom.”

Before I can congratulate Rom my attention is caught when Maisie walks through the door. Now, this is interesting as she’s been banned from coming in here.

Jenni rushes over to push Maisie toward the door, “Get out, you know you are banned from the café…”

Before Jenni can say more Maisie takes a swipe at her, but Jenni steps back so the hit doesn’t land. I’m sitting with my mouth open in shock, but Rom jumps to his feet, rushes over and takesMaisie by the back of her neck and frog marches her out of the café.

Everyone is watching the same as me, stunned, mouths wide open in shock. Shaking my head, I get myself together and head toward Jenni. “What’s going on?” I ask.

“I have no idea. But she is not welcome in here anymore.” Jenni walks back to the counter where a young shifter is waiting to be served and I walk out of the café and toward Rom, who is speaking with Maisie.

“You will behave from now on, Maisie. Pull your weight or you can leave the pack, and the town. We don’t need anyone that doesn’t want to be a part of what we have here, or someone riding on the back of others. If I see you bother Jenni again, I’ll make sure, as the second Beta of the pack, you get punished or thrown out of the pack. DO.YOU.UNDERSTAND?” Rom I can tell is more than pissed, and I think Maisie must see it too, as she nods her head and mumbles, ‘Yes.’ As soon as Rom steps back from her, she turns and scurries away, with some of the pack watching her, which has to be embarrassing.

“Do I have to get involved in that drama, Rom?”

“No, I’ll report to Leo and we’ll watch her. She’s just trying to piss Jenni off because she’s jealous of the way Jenni has made something of herself with the café. If she spent half as much time being productive, she’d get somewhere herself, but she’s one of those that never learns.” Rom sighs, and I have to admit I smile as I link my arm in his and we head back to the farmhouse.

Chapter 16

*Adira*

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