Kingdom of Wolves: Blackshadow - Page 68

“We wouldn’t leave you to walk alone, Luna Hope. We don’t know for sure we got them all. Berrit, Graham, Lonnie and Mortas have all taken off checking the area. We need to know we don’t have any stragglers,” Hallec states.

“I see all the bodies have been taken care of.”

Iona replies, “Yes, Beta Caleb, Silas, and the gardening crew have a pyre and will make sure we have no dead, rotting bodies lying around.”

The next two hours I spend checking on every single member of our pack. Walking into Connell’s office, I throw myself into the easy chair and turn my head tiredly to look at Caleb.

“Any news on the border warriors?”

“Yes, they are okay. It seems the rogues waited for them to leave their position and move along the border. Then they had to have moved over the border and made their way here. But thankfully the border patrol got back in time to sound the alarm.” Caleb looks as tired as I feel.

“Come on Caleb, let’s go find something to eat. I see you’ve washed up, but I never got blood all over me as you all did. I’m happy I didn’t knock that rogue’s head clean off because I’ll let you in on a secret. I would have vomited and more than likely fainted.”

Caleb’s face whitens at the thought, then he replies, “We’ll have to toughen you up a little. Maybe we’ll use pig’s blood, and rabbit’s guts in the garden, then you’ll get used to the sight and smell.”

I must have a look of horror on my face because Caleb throws his head back and laughs at my expense.

Sitting in the dining room later, I am more than amazed that everyone is back to acting normally. The atmosphere has returned to its calm state, and they are all eating their meal, laughing and talking as though we’d not just been attacked, and had to defend ourselves.

As the Luna of the pack, I feel I need to say something to these amazing pack members. The border patrol I mind linked a moment ago, and I know they are all fine, and that they are thought of, even while out of sight.

Standing, I wait while everyone realizes I wish to speak, and when the room quietens, I place my hands together and rest them in front of my body, giving a relaxed aura to everyone.

“Blackshadow Pack, I want to say that you ALL have shown your value. You each stood up for the pack, stood up for each other and stood up for your Alpha, who is not here to honor your bravery.

“I honor your bravery. I am proud of each and every one of you. All of you who have never had to face anything like this before, stood up beside your fellow pack members and fought. Thank you. I will report what you all did when your Alpha returns home, and I am positive he will want to honor you himself.

“Now, do you think you can keep it a secret that I missed with my first swing?” I say the last with a huge grin on my face, and the pack laughs, hoots and enjoys the moment.

“You did good, Luna Hope. I’m very proud of you as our Luna.” I look over at Caleb, who is giving me an honest and very serious look.

“Thank you, Beta Caleb.” I lean forward and kiss his cheek, much to the pack’s amusement and lite-hearted threats of telling Connell.

Later, when I’ve showered, readied for bed and am sitting looking out the bedroom window. I breathe the night air that is gently blowing through the open window. I’m relaxed but feel the worry starting to creep to the front once more. It’s while I’m sitting here keeping myself calm that I hear Connell in my mind.

‘My mate and Luna, how are you?’

‘Connell, are you okay? I’ve been so worried. What is happening?’

I cannot help but let the worry flow through our link, and I feel his worry for me. But I also feel his love, and then calm flows through our bond.

‘We are all okay. Nothing has happened as yet, but we have news that Alpha Soren is on the move toward the border.’

‘Please stay safe. If you need me, I’ll come.’

‘I know you will, Hope, but you don’t need to. We have enough warriors and healers. I need to be able to concentrate, and to do that, I need to know you are safe.’

‘I’m safe.’

‘I know you had an attack. Beta Caleb filled me in and I’m proud of you, Hope. You have held them together, then checked they were all alright. That will mean a lot to the pack, and they will love you the more for it. Stay alert. If the rogues know a war is starting, they may take advantage and send more to attack you and Alpha Lyle’s pack.’

‘We will stay alert, I promise.’

‘Oh, practice your swing because I hear it could be better.’

Hearing Connell chuckle through the mind link, and feel his amusement through the bond, I can’t be angry that I was outed. But I describe it for him regardless, and tell him all that I saw and heard. I also tell him Briar is a bloodthirsty she-wolf, to which he laughs and says Knight can be like that too, so they are well matched.

We speak for quite a while, but when I start to yawn, I know I have to get some sleep.