Page 68 of Welcome Home: When Shifters Unite!

I stood at the packhouse steps and prayed to my parents and forefathers that they not be angry with me for giving the pack territory to another pack. I’m not sure I would have been happy to live in the packhouse that my parents and grandparents lived in and then died.

It is going to take a few days to complete James moving out, especially all the cabinets from the office. I think James is a secret hoarder, and when I mentioned that to him he looked shocked and disgusted. But looking around at all the boxes that were from fifty years ago I think I made my point when he gave me a stricken look.

Thinking of James has him appear and I give him a hug, as has become our normal greeting. “How are you today, Head Alpha Council Member?” I ask, and watch as he cringes.

“Oh, don’t Adira. You know I didn’t want that position, but all the Alphas voted for me after my so-called brother nominated, and I haven’t forgotten, Rudik seconded that motion.”

“You will be a fair leader of the council James. You won’t get to do any voting unless there is a split, and it’s needed for you to give the decider. I know it could be tough, but you are tough, James. On top of that, you are fair, which is exactly what is needed and why they all voted for you.” I give him another hug before stepping back and watching the last of James' pack members leave the packhouse they have lived in for years. “That is the last of your pack members leaving, James. Are you sorry to go?”

“Yes, and no. A larger territory offers room for expansion. I'll follow your lead, Adira. We'll accept all species and humans into the pack. The old law, excluding humans caused members to leave. I want to prevent that and I’ve already had members that have left the pack previously ask if they can return with their families.” James watches the last of his members leave. Turning, he gives me a kiss on the cheek then walks away with his Beta at his side.

Leo steps up to my side and murmurs. “Are we ready to walk through the packhouse, Alpha Adira?”

“What have I told you about the Alpha title thing, Leo? You are my family, and I’m not going to be saying Beta Leo unless we are in an official capacity. I expect the same from you, or I’ll kick your butt in training next week.”

“Okay, Adira. I forgot,” Leo chuckles, “Barrik said he’ll be here in half an hour.”

“That’s good. Let’s get this walkthrough done.” I walk into the packhouse and see it has been kept clean even though James'pack members were removing some of the furniture. Most of that is what the pack members had purchased for themselves. But as the Strongbow packhouse was still fully furnished James left what he had purchased with pack finances.

The walk around the packhouse seemed to take forever, but after an hour I decided enough was enough and Barrik had not arrived, so I was feeling rather peeved. “I’m going back, Leo. You are staying here to run the packhouse, so I’m leaving it for you to do. From what Robbie has said, he’s going to check out the kitchen later today. I’m not getting involved in any of that. You can deal with him.”

“Oh, Adira, that’s not fair…”

“No, but never mind…” I giggle as I turn and leave Leo, watching my back disappear. It only takes a short distance before Rom is running to the side of me. Where he came from I don’t know!

‘Let’s run fast and make Rom sweat.’

“Yeah, Blue, lets.” I don’t give a warning I quickly turn my gentle run into a sprint, and hearing Rom mutter to Ramo that I’m a menace I laugh but pick up speed.

Back at the farmhouse I rush to the office where Barrik is sitting behind the desk with his head down, writing something on a sheet of paper. Looking up when he feels me watching him, he smiles. “I was coming to find you in a few minutes.”

“Well, you were supposed to be at the packhouse over ninety minutes ago, but here you are. What has kept you here?” I ask.

Sighing, Barrik beckons me to sit on his lap, which I do because, come on, he’s a hunk and he is mine. Once settled, Barrik kisses my neck over my mating mark causing me to shiver. “Stop that and tell me what’s going on.”

“James contacted me and said he’d seen you at the packhouse, but as soon as he reached his new packhouse he was contacted by Beta Paul of you guessed, the Blackbird Pack. He wants an Alpha meeting regarding the pack's Alpha, Luna, Alpha heir and Joliee who no one will recognize as future Luna.” James pushes a finger under my chin to close my mouth, which has dropped open in shock. “It seems there is a lot of distrust, dissention, and downright hatred happening, and Beta Paul wants to speak to the alpha council regarding removal of the current Alpha and lineage.”

“Wow, who would have thought it would come to this?”

“Honestly, Adira, they deserve all the misfortune the Goddess sends to them. It all stems from Joliee’s greed to be the Luna of the pack. Your Papa at least has gotten away from the toxicity of it all, and I have to tell you I like him. He’s doing great in the kitchen garden, and his mating with Bella seems to have chipped years off him. He looks younger and way happier than when he arrived here.”

I kiss Barrik on the cheek and lean against him, resting my head under his chin. “He may not be my biological father, but he is the father I’ve known all my life. I loved him, as he was the only family member that showed me any genuine affection. I love him still, and more as we build our relationship. I don’t think he could have stopped Joliee or Gladys in their plans to rise in the pack hierarchy.”

“If this happens, and they are found guilty of the things Beta Paul is bringing to the table, they could lose everything, and with a new Alpha they could be made nomads or rogues.” Barrik holds me in his arms as he stands and walks out of the office, up the stairs and into our bedroom. This male is insatiable!

‘Yes, he is, but so are we.’

“Shh, Blue, don’t tell anyone.” I respond but send her a pulse of love, laughter, and excitement.

Sitting in the Alpha Council meeting listening to the idiotic things Joliee has tried to pull off at the Blackbird Pack staggers me. There is no wonder the pack has had enough of her schoolgirl antics. She is long overdue growing up.

“Alpha Benedict, can you tell me why you allowed a pack member to beat on a young pup to teach her a so-called respect lesson?” Alpha Carmicheal asks, and every Alpha in the room is watching and waiting for an answer.

“Alpha Carmicheal, Alphas.” I have to inwardly smile as I watch Benedict lower himself to all the other Alpha’s. “I did not hear of this until well past the happening. Joliee was punished…”

“How was she punished?”

“She had to help in the kitchen, which to her was a huge punishment.”

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