Page 54 of Welcome Home: When Shifters Unite!

“Will you two cool it? Honestly, it’s enough to create a heat wave in here.”

I look over to see Robbie walking into the office with a tray in his hands. I hadn’t realized it’s time for the snack that Robbie insists I have, and he does that because I don’t always eat breakfast.

Barrik laughs, the rumbly one that tells me Rawlin is amused, too. Kissing the tip of my nose and a pinch on my waist, Barrik walks out of the office, giving a wink at Robbie as he passes.

“Your mate is a cheeky Alpha.” Robbie grins as he places the tray on my desk.

“Yes, he is,” I agree. I watch as Robbie pours my drink and passes me a plate with a breakfast muffin. Now I’m not sure what is in this muffin, or why he calls it that, but they taste amazing, so I’m not saying a word. I pick it up and take a nice bite out of it, humming with enjoyment.

“Do you need anything else?” Robbie enquires as he takes out the trash bag and places a new one inside.

“No, I’m…” before I can say more I have a mind link calling to me.‘Alpha Adira, there are two shifters at the entrance to the territory. We have stopped them from entering, as I recognize one as Joliee. Not sure who the other female is.’

‘Okay, hold them where you are and I’m on my way.’

“Robbie, I’m needed at the border. I’ll eat that when I get back, so please don’t take it.” I don’t wait for his response, but rush out of the farmhouse and shift, giving Blue the lead to get to the intrusion quickly.

Arriving at the entrance to our territory, which is the main road into town, we have had patrol stationed for weeks. It has turned out to be a good thing with all this visiting we are getting from non-welcomed visitors! Well, that’s what I will call them, as I don’t see them as family anymore.

Shifting once more, I look over my right shoulder when I hear my name, and I’m surprised to see Rom appearing. “Tyson is on patrol further over, but he had the alert so informed me when I checked in with them.”

Nodding, I show him I hear him, but turn back to the matter at hand. Which are Joliee and Gladys. “Well, well, what can we do for you?” I ask, with more than a small amount of sarcasm.

“Adira, you have to come to the pack and sort out the mess you made.” Gladys snarls. Now, listening to her as an outsider, you wouldn’t guess this was the person who was said to be my mother. She is a bitter and twisted being, in my humble opinion.

“My doing? So while I was training to be a good Luna, and your piece of nasty daughter was seducing my mate, you think I was doing something untoward to mess with the pack? Is that right? You are blaming me for your mate-stealing-scum daughter and the consequences you all face for that betrayal?” I snarl, allowing Blue to come forward.

“You need to come and speak with the pack. Calm them down and have them accept Joliee as the rightful Luna…” Gladys starts to blurt, but I don’t wait for her to finish.

“Forget it…I am not now, or ever, returning to the Blackbird Pack. Your Alpha, as far as I know is still Alpha Benedict, and if Travis wants you as his Luna let him and if you…” I point at Joliee, “want to calm the pack, then you do it. Nothing would ever be enough to entice me back to that pack. You can all rotin the mess you have made, and the Goddess herself can decide what happens to you. Now get away from my border before I let Blue out to deal with you.”

Gladys has steam coming out her ears, or she would if you could. What I don’t expect is for her to let shift and Lotus Surge towards me. Before I can stop her, Blue bursts out and shoves me into the back of her mind. I watch through her eyes as she tears into Lotus with passion. She is not taking prisoners, as the saying goes.

I notice Tyson from the corner of my eye; he is standing in front of Joliee and the two warriors they have brought with them. I hear Rom’s voice, and Leo’s, but I’m not sure where Leo appeared from!

As Blue pins Lotus to the ground, clasping her neck in her jaws, we wait for Lotus to submit. With a growl that shakes the ground we are standing on, Blue shows she wants that submission, and wants it now.

Papa arrives from goodness knows where and leans over Lotus. “Submit, or I will allow her to rip out your throat. I don’t care if she has to do that. Not anymore.”

Lotus looks away and releases all the tension from her body. Submitting to Blue, who growls once, then releases her. I quickly take control and shift to my human self. Standing next to Papa, waiting for Gladys to shift.

Rom throws a large t-shirt at Gladys and we wait for her to put it on before Papa looks her in the eye and states loudly, “I declare as a member of the Hunters Bow Pack that Gladys, and Joliee are enemies of the pack. I hearby,” turning to Joliee, “reject Joliee Stormwalker as my daughter.”

“I, Alpha Adira St…” Stuttering to a halt when I realize my name has changed since mating Barrik, “Cornerstone rejects Gladys Stormwalker and Joliee Stormwalker as family. I declare them enemies of the Hunters Bow Pack and the Strongbow Pack from this day forward.” I make my voice loud and clear, and have linked all pack members that are able to link with me. Let there be no mistakes!

Tyson steps forward and stands in front of the two warriors, “Get your females and get away from our border. If you don’t do so in the next two minutes we will see it as an act of war and we will retaliate.”

One of the warriors rushes forward and grabs Joliee, who is spluttering about me going to the pack with them. She is dumb as a brick, has to be! The other warrior takes a hold of Gladys and leads her away, mumbling to her all the way. But she concedes and says nothing more. That warrior looks directly at me and has an expression I’m not sure of, but as I’m frowning at him, the hand he has behind Gladys lifts and gives me a thumbs up sign. Maybe, just maybe, we’ll have more pack members if this is a sign?

As we watch them leaving Blue settles in the back of my mind. She gives an enormous yawn before circling and laying with her head on her paws. What it is to have a wolf’s life I think to myself and I hear Blue,‘It’s a good life for sure.’Right before I hear her snore.

Walking back to the farmhouse, and what is more than likely a stale muffin I again hear my name called. Stopping and turning to look, I spy Warden walking towards me.

“Alpha Adira…I just wanted to say that the cottage is perfect for me and Grant. It has plenty of room, and now it’s nearlycompleted it is going to be a nice place to live. Thank you for taking us both into your pack and allowing us to be welcomed.”

“I know what it’s like to be in that pack, and I’m more than happy to have you and Grant here. You are both fit males, and I would like to see you find your mates. You both deserve to find your mate and settle down, have pups.” I grin at the look of horror on his face.

“I don’t want to find my mate yet. I’m happy as I am. Both Grant and I need to become acquainted with everyone, find our place here amongst the warriors. At this time, we are both looking to improve our fighting style. I got my butt whooped good by Tyson Proudfoot, but I’ve never fought a lion before, so it’s a good experience to have.”

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