Kingdom of Wolves - Page 89

“Okay. Let’s go back. We can’t change what is happening. Wecan only embrace it.” I mumble, trying to be positive, but it’s not workingthat well at the moment.

Back at the farm, we walk into the kitchen, and I ignoreFlint, who is still sitting at the table. Momma Akela walks over, but I hold myhand out to stop her from wrapping me in a hug. She stops and I can see I’vehurt her, but I can’t do this now. I’ll just fall apart again if I show asoftness.

“I understand why you want to work for the council. I knowyou’ll both move away and live on the council estate. I’ll stay here and workthe farm, for now at least.” I can see my lack of warmth is upsetting everyone,but I can’t do anything about that at the moment. “For the first time inyears, I’ve felt wanted and protected. For that, I thank you all, and wantingme to be your daughter has meant the world to me. It has been the best eighteenmonths since my parents died. But Flint, I’ll never forgive you for taking thisaway from me.”

I don’t wait for anyone to say anything in reply. I quicklywalk past and up the stairs. Hearing Brod telling them all what a shit thing itis to do to me, so soon after I got here. He even follows with how can theyexpect me to want to stay, and bring the town to pack status if this is whathappens when I feel at last I have a family.

Not wanting to hear Brod rant at them any longer, I closethe bedroom door and walk to the window where I stare across the farm and intothe forest.

Chapter 36

GABRIEL

Walking through the dining hall to the office where I’vebeen called, I’m wondering what the heck is wrong now. I’ve been staying out ofthe way of Alpha Connell, his inner circle which he has changed now thankfully,even the Beta, though I am not as angry with him as I was.

Knocking on the door, I wait for the ‘Enter’ to be calledbefore I open the door and walk inside. Alpha Connell is behind his desk, andthe Beta is standing in front of the window, back to it and looking my way.

“Gabriel, I have something to ask, and I could demand, but Idon’t want to if I can help it. Your sire wants to step down as the Beta, hefeels he has been the Beta long enough. With that in mind, I want you to stepup as Beta.”

“No. I have no wish to be the Beta of the pack. I do,however, have something I’ve wanted to discuss with you.” I keep my attentionon Alpha Connell as I don’t want to see the reaction to my not wanting to takeover as Beta, which is how my father had always thought would be my future.

“What do you want to discuss? It’d better be good, Gabriel,as I’m about ready to Alpha command you to be Beta.”

Taking a breath before I speak, I maintain my attention onAlpha Connell. “I want to form a warrior council. So, discussion on how to moveforward with protecting the borders, the training regime, and keeping everyonesafe. It’s not a job for one person. I honestly believe it’s multiple eyes,seeing what is happening, ears to listen to everyone in the pack, andexperience of past and present. That is how we’ll keep the pack safe from thecontinued attempts from no-man’s-land rogues.”

Alpha Connell rubs his chin with thumb and forefinger,thinking about what I’ve said. I wait to see what reaction I’m going to havebefore I continue speaking. It’s always wise to hear which direction an ideawill go before trying to push it too far.

“Because we have seen rogues get past the Spirit Walker Packdefenses a few times now, I’m okay with you holding a warrior council, but youwill refer to me on decisions you make before you implement them. The Betaposition I will put on hold for the time being, but know, I may call on you tostep into that position at any time.”

I give the Alpha a small nod and my eyes flick to the Beta,but he’s not giving any emotions away, so I glance back to where I know more isgoing to be said.

“Who are you thinking of placing on this council?”

“Thomas, Hallec, Weldon, and Iona are my first choices. ButArmon comes to mind as well. I would choose more once these have settled intoplace.”

“Okay, build your warrior council, and then inform me howthings play out, but any major decisions, you come to me. I know you will needto make changes, so make them, but anything that you think is a large change,you need to inform me.”

“Yes, Alpha,” I respond and tip my head to the side slightlyin a sign of respect.

Leaving the office, I quickly round up the others andarrange a meeting where we can discuss ideas of how to secure the borders, morethan they are already. Thankfully, all those who I’ve spoken to are happy to bea part of the warrior council. I’m looking forward to working this way andsolving some of our border patrol problems.

Three weeks later, the warrior council is organized andThomas, Sterling, Declan, Hallec, Iona, Weldon, Armon, and Rune have allstepped forward. Time will tell if this is going to work, but I can’t see itfailing.

Our first meeting was regarding the mate’s ball that isimminent. We arrange warriors for the road into the territory, on the door ofthe packhouse, the ballroom, and every exit. We’ve used as many mated as we canto give the unmated a chance to walk the ballroom at least twice. Hopefully,they will scent their mate, bringing the mating ball to a happy conclusion.

The day of the mate ball arrives and with it Flint. I’msurprised to see him, and he has Porter and Ulmer along with him. The only onesI have not seen since I left the shifter council area are Eve and Gerry. But Ihad heard that Gerry was thinking of retiring.

At the side of the packhouse, I stand with Thomas, who is atrainer along with me and I grin when I see Alpha Connell greet them, with theBeta beside him. Looking closely, I can see the tiredness that is pouring fromthe Beta and I feel some guilt that I didn’t ease his burden and take hisplace.

Thomas must sense my thoughts and I look at him when hespeaks. “You can’t take guilt onto your shoulders because you don’t want to beBeta to the pack. Others will eagerly do that, and we both know that if for anyreason you leave the pack, I’ll follow. With that in mind, we don’t want to betaking on an official role like being the Beta.”

Nodding as I agree with him, I lift my face and take a deepbreath. Phoenix snaps to attention, and growls ‘Mate’.

“Did your wolf just say, mate?” Thomas asks, and I give hima side-eye before following it with a small nod. “Shit, where is she?”

We both look around for a female and when none is in sight,we zero our attention on the shifter council members. “One or more of thecouncil has been around her. That means she’s not part of the pack. We’ve gotto carefully find out which one or one’s carry her scent, and where they havebeen.” I murmur, looking closely at Flint and the others.

“Okay, let’s find out while they are here. I’m excited foryou, Gabe. A mate, I wish I could find mine too.”