Kingdom of Wolves: Blackshadow - Page 62

Opening the backpack, Alpha Lyle’s eyes round with surprise, then a delighted smile crosses his face as he takes out a pair of night vision goggles. “Goddess, are these night vision goggles?”

Alpha Connell crosses his arms over his chest and chuckles. “Sure are, and my warriors love them. They have made what you can call hides in the trees where they hang the goggles. Watching our borders closely, you can see further than our wolves’ eyes, so it’s like having an early warning system.”

Alpha Lyle passes the backpack to his Beta, who was hovering over his shoulder, and itching to get his hands on a pair of goggles. I can’t help but think they are like pups getting gifts on the birthday celebration days.

Settling on the ground, we discuss all that is happening, and what it is we all have to concentrate our time and effort on. We all have the same issue, which is keeping our packs safe. Although I am not in a standard pack like the Blackshadow, my pack is the shifter council, but every pack in our area is ours to protect, too.

After quite some time, we take our leave and make our way back to the packhouse. Porter and Lykos are ready and waiting to depart. I give Alpha Connell a slap on the back, and much to his disgust, I give Luna Hope a small hug, which earns me a heavy growl.

Arriving back at my home, which has been a long journey, I get some rest before meeting all the council members. I fill them in on what I know, and they inform me of updates I’ve not heard yet, then I stand and give each a serious look before stating in a blank tone.

“War, council members. We are going to war.”

Chapter 31

CONNELL

I know I’m going to have to leave for the war soon. Needing everything to be as it should be here before I go is my worry. I’m also worried about Hope when I’m not here, but I have to put my faith in Gamma Baildon. I’m sure he’ll keep her safe along with his mate, Isla.

I’m leaving a skeleton force of warriors behind, because this is my war, and I cannot expect all the other packs to fight it with all they have, and not do so myself.

There is some excitement in the air from the warriors as they have trained all their lives for this type of thing happening, and they are more than up for the fight.

I am leaving Beta Caleb, who, in case of my death, will take over as the Alpha. I’ve given that instruction to Flint, but I’ve no intention of dying in this fight. I have every intention of coming home the victor and having pups with my Luna. I plan on filling the halls of the packhouse with laughter and love, and seeing my males do the same.

Warriors Hallec and Iona are remaining much to their disgust, but they are mates, and I won’t have one dying and leaving the other to either die, or become a shell of themselves.

Swift, Noah, and the building crew are remaining, as will the garden and house staff. But otherwise, all will come to the border and fight alongside me. Gamma Baildon is under strict instruction to watch Hope closely, and if anything has happened to her when I return, he’ll wish it had happened to him instead.

Mind linking Silas, ‘Silas, come to my office.’

It only takes him ten minutes to appear, and I point to the seat in front of my desk. “Update me on everything.”

Silas takes a breath, then speaks, “The shed Luna Hope mentioned, I discussed with Gaul. He said it would be better to be a building. I’ve left that in his capable hands. The orchard is now in good repair, and we’ll have a good harvest when the time comes. Vegetable plots will also have a good yield, and if the weather remains on our side, we’ll have more than enough to provide for the entire pack. Luna Hope’s herb garden is struggling a little and we’ve had to sow some extra seeds, as we see some of the herbs dying. But Luna Hope is optimistic she can get both the herbal gardens up to scratch for their purpose. Other than that, Alpha Connell, I have nothing to report.”

“Thank you, Silas. While I am away, please watch your Luna closely.” I hold my hand out and Silas takes it, giving it a shake, but holds it a second longer than you would expect, which has me looking directly into his eyes.

“I will do everything in my power to keep her safe, and I will die doing so, if that is required.”

“Thank you, Silas,” I give his hand an extra squeeze to show how his words affect me.

Mind linking Gaul, ‘Gaul, to my office.’

It takes probably fifteen minutes for Gaul to arrive at the office, and I point to the seat. “Update me Gaul.”

“The lodge and Merry’s cabin are in full use now by the patrol warriors. Delta Gamzin has kept control of who is using them, and that they use them correctly. What was the Luna’s House, is now the Dressmakers, and Wenna moved in yesterday. Luna Hope has her supplies arriving tomorrow and then Wenna will start making whatever she’s going to make,” giving a shrug of his shoulders as he obviously does not know what Wenna is going to be making. “Oh, I’ve made a start on the safe room, and it was surprising because there was nothing in the basement whatsoever. I expected things to be stored, but it was empty. It made my job so much easier as we had nothing to sort, clear, or dispose of, and I’ll have that project finished as quickly as I can.

“I’ve divided the building workers into teams and they are working well. We’ll be starting on the cabins soon. I have plans drawn for the Luna’s herbal room as I am calling it, but the Luna has to approve before we start. Is there anything else you want me to add to my list of work to be done?”

“Don’t forget the school.” I see him rub his forehead and he gives me an apologetic look, which tells me he had. I give him a nod before speaking once more. “Watch over your Luna while I am away.”

“Alpha Connell, we will fight to the death if anyone comes here to hurt or take our Luna. She isn’t only yours she is ours too, and we love her, we’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.” Giving me a nod, Gaul turns and leaves the office. But he also leaves me with a warm feeling in my chest, because everyone has shown they love their Luna and will keep her safe until my return.

Beta Caleb enters my office, takes a seat and gives me a heart wrenching look. “Are you sure I cannot come with you? My place is by your side.”

“No, your place is here, keeping the pack safe, keeping your Luna safe. I have made sure, as best I can, all is running smoothly and if anything happens to me, you’ll be able to step in easily without causing undue upset to the pack. Now, tell me, did you inspect the accounts? Will the pack remain financially stable?” I didn’t add if I didn’t come back, but he understands what I am saying.

“The company is Petersfield and Border Trading Company. They have a solid reputation, and they have been providing the pack with a payment every three months for years, with no break in the payments, and without a dip in the amount of the payment. The pack has a substantial bank balance and even if we didn’t receive more payments, we will be financially viable for years to come.”