Kingdom of Wolves - Page 72

Oh, Poppa Lykos is angrier than I’ve ever seen him. He has ared flush on his cheeks, and he hugs me tightly before gently pushing me to thetruck and into the passenger seat. The two she-wolves are now looking more thana little worried, and I can’t help but feel somewhat happy about that fact.

The radio is playing in the truck so I can’t hear what Poppais saying, but the look on the two females’ faces tells me it’s not going downwell for them.

Poppa Lykos spins to look to his left and my eyes followwhere he’s looking. Seeing three shifters appear, I’m unsure if I should getout of the truck to stand with Poppa or not.

‘Stay in the truck.’ Poppa mind links and I stay inthe truck but am alert and ready to jump out if any trouble starts.

Checking out the three, I realize one is Alpha Aurora, andwhen she stands opposite Poppa Lykos, I notice she waits for him to explainwhat is happening and her calm face turns to anger the more she hears.

Turning to the two females, she says something, and theyturn their heads, showing their necks in respect before they turn toward theforest, shift, and run out of sight.

I remain in the truck and wait for Poppa Lykos to finishwhatever he’s saying to Alpha Aurora. When she nods her head and replies heseems satisfied and walks over to the truck. Opening the passenger door, heholds his hand out for me to take it and climb out.

“It’ll be okay Tati. I’ve spoken to Alpha Aurora and you’llnot be asked to shift. It is your choice if you want to do that or not. Ebonywill know when it’s safe to shift and when you need to keep her hidden fromprying eyes. Trust Ebony and your gut feelings. Neither will serve you wrong.”Poppa Lykos leads me to the borderline where the three are patiently waiting.

Standing next to Poppa Lykos I look at Alpha Aurora and shegives me a stern look, but that will not make me feel any kindness towards her,and if she wants me to stay in her territory for two weeks, she needs to cutthat attitude.

Poppa must feel my emotions or read my body language as hespeaks to Alpha Aurora. “If you continue looking at Tati, as though all this isher doing, then I’ll take her with me. Your warriors cannot demand anythingfrom her, ever. If she doesn’t want to shift, then she doesn’t have to. You arenot her Alpha and as an Alpha female, she doesn’t have to bow down to you. Shewill give you respect while in your territory. That goes without saying, butshe is not bound to you, or your pack. Now you either make sure she’s treatedwith the same respect that you expect or, as I’ve said, I’ll take her with me.”

“Tatiana will be treated accordingly while she is here. I’llmake sure of that, and respect I agree goes both ways. My warriors will bereprimanded for their attitude and actions.” Alpha Aurora is looking at me moreeasily, but I know she is going to make me work for any friendship we may form.

“Are you happy to go along with Alpha Aurora?” Poppa Lykosasks, and I give his face a good look, but seeing nothing there to make methink he’s worried, I nod in agreement.

“Yeah, I’ll go, but if I feel awkward and have a badreception, then I’ll head home.” Making sure I say it loud enough that thethree females can hear.

“You will be treated respectfully, and any that do not treatyou that way will be reprimanded severely.” Alpha Aurora steps further backinto her territory and gives Poppa Lykos a nod.

“Off you go, Tati, I’ll see you soon.”

“Okay, Poppa.” I kiss his cheek, throw my backpack over myshoulder when he hands it to me, and I step over the pack border into BloodPearl territory once more.

Stay tall, Tati. No slouching those shoulders. Ebonytells me in my mind, and I push my shoulders back a little more and keep myeyes on the front.

We are walking swiftly and have two hours of walking infront of us if we don’t shift at some stage. I’m not keen to shift and showEbony to the two females with Alpha Aurora, so I make sure I keep a good strideand cover ground without a word of complaint.

“I’m sorry for the way my warriors treated you. I wanted youto have a good first impression, and I’m not angry with you. I’m angry withthem as I trusted them to welcome you to the pack territory.” Alpha Auroralooks at me from where she is walking beside me.

“I don’t shift on anyone’s command. Ebony has a mind of herown. She’s a strong Alpha she-wolf, and she doesn’t take disrespect from peopleeasily. The last thing I want while I’m visiting is for her to be challengedbut know that anyone that does, will pay a high price.” I’ve given her my fullattention as I reply, not threatening, but with a matter-of-fact tone.

“Understood and know that I had to fight for what I wanted,which was giving this pack a better life. I also understand about having astrong wolf. My wolf, Aztec, would have rather died than continue watching thefemales of the pack being treated like servants. We now have a good pack, withmales, but we all share the running of the pack, and we all appreciate it,too.”

I cannot comment on anything she has said, but I give her aslight nod, turn to the front and continue walking. Once we reach a huge lawnedarea in front of a packhouse, you see the house is three stories and is welllooked after. It’s easy to see the care that’s been taken, and the flower bedsgive the house a welcoming look, rather than the cold one that I know atBlackshadow Pack.

Entering the packhouse alongside Alpha Aurora, I’ve become apoint of interest, and although many try not to show they are looking, they arenonetheless.

“Carolina, take Tatiana to her room and make sure everythingis as it should be. I’ll see you at the evening meal, where I’ll introduce youto the pack.” Alpha Aurora states and veers down the large entrance to a roomon the left-hand side. I look at the female instructed to guide me, and Ifollow her up the staircase, down the hallway, and to a room at the far end.

“If you need anything while you are here shout, and I’ll dothe best I can to assist.” Carolina smiles, and it is easy to see it’s agenuine one.

“Thank you.” Replying with a smile in return.

Opening the door at the end, Carolina points for me to stepinside, and it’s a large room with a king-size bed on one side and a sittingarea on the other.

“Ensuite bathroom through that door, and a walk-in closet.Mind you, you’ll not get much in it if your backpack is all you are going tohave while you are here.” Carolina snorts and I can’t help the giggle thatleaves my lips when I look at my backpack, because she’s right. I won’t havemuch to put in the closet.

Making her way back to the door, she turns back to me. “I’llcome back and fetch you for the last meal. Have a freshen up and rest while youcan.”

“Thank you.” It’s not long before I’ve refreshed in thestunning bathroom with a clawfoot bathtub, a walk-in shower, and a large windowoverlooking the forest. The scent of the trees entering the window is more thana little pleasant.