Kingdom of Wolves - Page 97

‘I know.’ I respond once more, and I do know, but it doesn’tstop the lonely feeling I have again. I’m just so thankful that I have Brod,Lyle, and Drake.

Come on, let’s go home and wave Poppa and Momma off, showthem we can be adult and face whatever comes to us.

That’s what we do. We head back, smile bravely, hug themboth, and wave them off, but watching the truck disappear doesn’t stop thetears from tracking down my cheeks.

An arm wrapping around my shoulder has me looking up intothe face of Drake, who is giving me a serious look back. “Come on, Tati, wehave work to do.”

The day ends after cleaning the animal pens, then feedingand watering, and checking the vegetable garden. I pick a mixture of vegetablesand wait for Drake to hunt a rabbit, which he guts and dresses before choppingit into pieces for me to place in the cooking pot. I hang out the laundry andstrip Momma and Poppa’s bed linen, leaving them in the laundry for the nextmorning.

Climbing into bed, I feel mentally tired rather thanphysically, although I’ve traveled back through the night from Eclipse and donea day’s work here at the farm. Sleep finds me easily and I don’t hear or seeDrake check on me before he retires for the night.

The next morning, I receive a call from Carolina of theBlood Pearl Pack. Now I like Carolina and we had a nice time while I visited,but I’m not sure why she’s coming to visit me.

“Carolina from Blood Pearl Pack is visiting today, Drake,” Istate as I pass him a bowl of oatmeal for his breakfast.

“Oh, what does she want?”

“No idea, but I’m sure we’ll soon find out.”

Mid-morning and after I finished weeding the herb garden, Iturn when I hear my name called. Seeing Carolina walking from the forest area,I give her a warm smile. “Well, hello, come on in and I’ll get you a drink.”

“Hey, it’s a fair way to visit you. I’ve not been to thefarm before, but it’s a nice place. Very peaceful walking through the forest.”Carolina grins.

Inside the farmhouse kitchen, I open the fridge and turn toCarolina. “I have water, orange juice, or a can of soda. Which would you like?”

“Water will be fine, thank you.” Carolina takes a seat atthe table and opens the bottle of water I hand to her, and after taking a gooddrink, she looks at me.

“Okay, let me get this over with first. Alpha Auroraapologizes for the mess-up when you visited. It will never happen again, andVernon was punished.” Carolina shrugs. “I just want to maintain our friendship,Tati, not have something stopping us from keeping in touch. This is how packwars start, through something stupid happening and offense is then taken to theextreme. I’m not saying you’d do that, but I want to stay friends and our packwants to remain friends.”

“It’s okay Carolina, I’m over it. The disrespect was whathurt me at the time. I understand making sure you don’t have some enemy in thepack, but when I was told Drake’s reputation and appearance would be keptquiet, that’s how it should have stayed. Now let’s leave it alone and tell meall the gossip.” For the next three hours, we talk, laugh, and build ourfriendship into something lasting.

“Well, can I stay tonight and travel back tomorrow?”

I grin. “Of course you can. Now come on, let me show you toyour room.”

Once Carolina has refreshed herself and reappeareddownstairs, I remember I was to help Drake cut the grass in the paddock. “Comeon Carolina, I’ve got grass to cut before I get into a heap of trouble.”

“I can help.” She laughs. “But it may not have those linesup and down like you see on the lawns of those posh houses.”

“No, it doesn’t when I do the grass either.”

We are so busy laughing we don’t see Drake appear, butCarolina stops dead in her tracks, her head shoots up and when I look to seewhat she’s looking at the same shocked look is on Drake’s face.

When I hear ‘mate’ murmured from them both my mouth dropsopen and my eyes must nearly pop out of my head. Drake is quite a bit olderthan Carolina, but in the shifter world, it doesn’t matter as we live such longlives.

Carolina takes a step toward Drake and laughs loudly, beforerunning up to him and jumping into his arms. Drake looks as shocked as I feel,but he recovers fast. Throwing Carolina over his shoulder and disappears intothe forest shouting, “I’ll see you in a couple of days.”

I’m sure he’s heading to his cabin, and he’ll be making outwith his mate for a while. But when I realize that Carolina won’t be returningto the Blood Pearl Pack, I throw my head back and laugh. Yeah, this is good.Another friend here for me to work and hang around with.

Life is looking up, and oh, I just realized Drake will notbe with me for the town meeting tomorrow. Oh, darn it! The day passes fastworking on my own, but I manage to get everything done and I’m wondering whathappened to Brod as he’s not appeared today.

The next day, I quickly get my chores done, then head intotown. I make my way to Brod’s home, where I knock and wait for someone toanswer. When Brod’s mother Summer answers she gives me a broad smile.

“Don’t ask where Brod was yesterday, Tati. He was nowhereexcept in his bedroom. He was grounded for packing everything he owned as hewas moving in with you. That’s what he told us until he was put in his place.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.” Looking down as I hope things are not goingto get sour because of this.

“Hey, you don’t have to be sorry. Brod now knows what ishappening. He’ll be with you during the day as planned. Two nights he can stayovernight, and he has to do his lessons with Eve.” Summer grins. “Now he isaware, and he missed a day with his bestie and sister, he’s calmed and at theready.”