Page 34 of Welcome Home: When Shifters Unite!

Tipping my head slightly to one side in thought, I quietly respond. “I don’t know, Mavis. But I can tell you there is no way they will push me into a mating. We are still a rogue pack, so they have no real authority over us. We only give them respect so it doesn’t cause trouble, but that could end if they don’t stop with this issue.”

“The trouble is, you are the only female alpha at this time. That we know of anyway. They don’t want you leading a pack and giving other she-wolves any ideas about becoming more than lower pack members. Even Stella being Gamma, won’t sit well with them. My advice, if it’s worth anything, Adira, is to let them see you have two Betas, a Gamma and a Delta. That will show them you are not fooling around with your pack hierarchy. Oh, and don’t forget, you have some royal blood in your veins. That will be something they’ll want to get control of.” Mavis sits back in her chair and folds her arms over her chest.

Looking up at Robbie, I have to contain my grin because he is standing, also with his arms folded over his chest, and is leaning on the counter looking for all the world like he’s ready for anything.

“Okay, I need to get to the office. Are Leo, Thorn and Rom out on patrol?” I ask nobody in particular.

“Yeah, Rom is running with Talon, who they seem to have made head training warrior. He’s been giving other warriors a thorough workout, from what I’ve been told.” Robbie turns back to the sink once he’s finished speaking, obviously feeling the conversation is over.

Two hours later and Leo walks into the office, looking dapper now he’s all cleaned up from his patrol. “Wow, you look smart,” I can’t help but blurt.

“Well, I thought if the damn council are coming I’d make a little effort. Only black pants and a button-up, Adira.”

“Suits you, and if you were after attracting yourself a female, I’m sure it wouldn’t take much looking at you now.”

Leo shakes his head, but I can see he has one of those smirks that only lifts one side of your mouth. Even that is damn cute I have to admit. Shaking these thoughts out of my mind, I look down at the paperwork that I have been perusing. Before I can speak again, a knock on the door has Leo stepping over and opening it.

“Come in, and take a seat,” Leo states. That’s when I notice it is Elder Forest, Elder Montgomery, and Elder Abernathie. Three Elder Council members in one visit!

Once they are all seated, I speak. “Good morning, Elders, and what is this visit about?”

Elder Forest, of course, is the first to speak, and after his visit with Alpha Benedict, you would think he’d keep his mouth closed. “Alpha Adira. We need you to seriously consider the offer of a chosen mate from one of the Alpha’s that approaches you…”

“Stop right there. If this is what you have come about, then you can turn right around and leave.” I notice that Elder Madeline Montgomery is struggling not to laugh, but I ignore that. “I will not be pushed, poked, shoved, coerced, or other into taking a mate I do not want. If I have a reason to take a chosen mate, then I’d go for one with power and blood that matches my own.” Now, I see all but Elder Montgomery squirm. She is still struggling to maintain her composure. “So, that would, of course, be Alpha Owain Mountain, of the Mass Mountain Pack.”

The two elders swallow hard, and Elder Montgomery laughs slightly before covering her mouth with her hand. She collects herself faster than Forest and Abernathie, and speaks to me calmly. “Alpha Adira, we all know males of all species can be fools. It seems I may have brought two fools with me.”

As the two start to splutter at her comment, she turns and gives them such a withering look that I nearly laugh myself. Turning back to me when she is confident they are not going to speak, she continues. “It seems the consensus of the council is that a female Alpha needs a male Alpha mate. But you are still a rogue pack, so what we want is advisory, and not as it would be if we had any type of power over your pack and yourself.”

“Thank you, Elder Montgomery. I appreciate your candidness.”

“Do you have your pack structure in place? Is there anything we can assist you with? My concern is for you as a female, and that is all. I came here to make sure that you were not railroaded,” giving the two alongside her another nasty look, “into something you don’t want.”

“I have my first beta here, as you can see, Leo De Stormroar, who has allowed me to use his name for the moment. I have a second strong beta in Romulus Wildling. Stella, who has no surname and is my Gamma. Thorn Legend who is my Delta, and lastly Robbie Black an Omega.” Leo who is standing to my right and just behind my seat remains quiet but is giving the two male Elders serious looks of displeasure.

“That is excellent, Alpha Adira. I am thrilled to hear you have organized yourself to lead well, with a competent hierarchy. Do you have enough warriors to stave off any kind of attack?” Elder Montgomery sits forward a little in her seat, awaiting my reply.

“I have enough warriors, but I have allies I can call on if required. That includes Alpha Owain, by the way.” I drop that into the conversation as I know that will make the council nervous if they push too hard and the Mass Mountain Pack takes offense. They are the fiercest and largest pack on the continent after all.

“That, again, is excellent to hear. Is there anything that I, or the council, can do for you?” Elder Montgomery seems to have led me to this point, and I’m not going to waste it.

“Actually, yes you can.” I pause when I see Elder Forest and Elder Abernathie sit forward, eagerly thinking they are going to get something or somehow into my pack. “You can leave me and my pack alone. If I ever want my pack to become official I will contact you, Elder Montgomery. Until then, I suggest we stop the letters and the visits.”

Leo chuckles from where he’s standing behind me, and I can see Elder Forest is not happy. Before he can say anything the door opens, and Stella, Rom and Thorn walk into the office. But it’s Robbie who takes the rear and is holding, what the heck, he’s holding a cast-iron skillet!

“Robbie, why have you a skillet in your hand?” I can’t stop myself from asking.

“Well, I’m human and they’ll be shifters of one type or another. But whatever they are, a smack on the head with this baby and they’ll be out for the count, or dead.” Robbie puffs out his chest, and I stare at him, not knowing how to respond to that.

Elder Montgomery burst into laughter as she stands. “Oh, this has been a great visit, and very eye-opening. You have a fabulous pack member, Alpha Adira. Robbie, keep it up, I like it.”

Robbie chuckles as he taps the skillet onto the palm of his other hand, but it’s the nasty look he turns onto Elder Forest that has Rom guide them out of the office. But he stops to give me a smirk and wink as he closes the office door.

“Robbie, what the hell?” I ask, because honestly, he’s never been this motivated to fight.

“It’s Leo and Thorn’s fault, Adira. They have been teaching me how to use all my kitchen equipment as fighting tools.” Robbie throws out at me, which has Leo give him a glare. Me? I think I’ll give up!

After listening to everyone talk for at least half-an-hour, I push them out of the office and retake my seat behind the desk. I do smile at the memory of Robbie with that skillet in his hand now that I’m alone, mind you.

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