Blackshadow (Kingdom of Wolves #2)

“Now you tell me Roman Walker has found some help from the other three packs in our area. I feel a little less worried for Alpha Lyle’s pack, knowing they have twelve extra warriors.”

“I’m going to speak to the council and see if we can get extra wolf shifters from other packs out of our direct area. We can look at the Northern and Southern Sector packs, see if any would like to transfer here.” Flint’s suggestion takes me by surprise.

“That would be great, and we can take as many as would like to come. The pack has dwindled, and I’m doing everything I can to add members and build the pack back up in numbers and help create mated pairs. I don’t care if they are fated or chosen mates, but we need mates in the pack. The love and affection they give to each other drifts throughout the pack, as you know, and it’ll make it a happier and healthier place.”

Slapping my shoulder, Flint nods, “Yeah, you are a great Alpha, and will be hailed as that if you keep working and thinking as you are.”

Before the evening meal, I take the ceremonial dagger from the safe in my office and head to the dining room. The room is buzzing with excitement and expectation. The rogues are on one side of the room and I can see they are nervous. I’m not going to drag this out, and reaching the front of the room, I clap my hands to get everyone’s attention.

Knight is at the forefront of my mind, watching and listening. I know he’ll inform me if anything is feeling wrong. But I need him connected to me when I have the rogues become members.

“Good evening everyone. As you all know, we are welcoming new members to the pack this evening. These members were rogues, but not the same as the no-man’s-land rogues. You’ve all had time to speak to them, get to know them, and you’ll all have seen Isla found her mate.”

The room bursts with applause at the mention of Isla and Baildon, and I can feel the joy from that union flowing through the pack link to me.

Good thing, and I’ve spoken to Jet, he’s Baildon’s wolf. Good wolf, good pack member. Knight informs me, and I’m surprised he’s not told me before that he’s spoken to Jet.

‘If you feel anyone is not fit to be pack, you tell me before I initiate them.’ I quickly say to Knight and at his grunt, I turn my attention back to the job at hand.

“Baildon, step forward,” I state clearly. As he steps in front of me I hold the dagger to my hand, but before I make the cut on my palm, I look him in the eye and ask, “Do you Baildon swear to uphold the word of your Alpha, protect the pack and be an upstanding member?” I slash a cut across my palm and do the same to him.

Baildon replies, “I swear,” and as he doesn’t know his surname, we have to be satisfied with only his recognized name. I was worried it would stop the initiation, but thankfully it hasn’t. I feel the link to him snap into place and it’s strong. He is a Beta by blood and he’s a strong Beta too. I can’t help but feel the satisfaction of knowing he is now a pack member.

One after another I initiate them all into the pack, and feeling the link snap into place for each one brings me satisfaction that what I am doing is the right thing. The warmth from these new members is astonishing. They have all needed to feel wanted and included, and I’m more than delighted to give that to them.

After our meal and in my office, I discuss my ideas for cabins, which we can build for the mated pairs, or anyone that would like to live outside of the packhouse. They can use them on the understanding they maintain them and keep them in excellent condition.

Flint has joined us for the meeting and I can’t help but think he’s getting bored with having no urgent issue to attend for the council at the moment. I have noticed he spends two hours in his room around two every afternoon. Probably that is when he has his FaceTime meetings with the council, keeping them and himself up to date with all things.

“I want to hold the Beta Challenge on Wednesday. Do you think that will be appropriate?” I ask everyone, and we’d agreed a week from when I’d last discussed it we have run over that time slightly.

“Yes, I think that’s fine. I’ve heard nothing detrimental about anyone that has placed their name on the list to compete. Funny, mind you, that the people who have stepped forward for this are the new people you’ve just initiated into the pack. Apart from Armon, Iona and Swan, who are pack warriors, and I’m not surprised as they are all speaking to she-wolves about learning to fight and protect the pack and themselves in case of an attack,” Bladrick says and looks proud of them as he informs us all.

Flint grins, “I think it’s time our she-wolves stepped up and showed what they can do. Let’s face it, they are lethal when protecting pups, so why not when they protect the pack.”

“Okay, so get it organized and we’ll hold it on Wednesday afternoon. Let the kitchen know, because Nessie will be angry if we drop it on her the morning of the challenge.” Grinning because Nessie has come into her own since she took over the kitchen, showing she’s good at cooking, organizing, and motivating.

Chapter 13

HOPE

Swift wakes me with a jab to the ribs. “Come on lazy, let’s get everything packed so that we can take it with us.”

This is a good thing. It’s time we moved on and we need mate.

‘Alright, Briar, I know, but you also know I didn’t want a mate. I wanted to be free to grow my herbs, heal when I can and live a quiet life.’

You are not meant for a quiet life. You are someone that has a lot to do and will have a lot of influence. Now come on, your momma would be proud.

‘Okay, I’m moving, but I’m going to blame you if this all goes wrong.’

Yeah, of course you are.

I roll my eyes at Briar, and notice Swift is standing with her hands on her hips giving me the look, the one that says get your ass moving.

“I’ve got us some cold meat from last night’s meal. Eat some of that and then can you make us a tea before we start the walk. It’s going to be a long walk and we’ve a lot to carry.” Swift hands me a cracked plate with a few pieces of cold meat on, and I have to say it’s the most unappetizing meal I could ever wish to eat as my first meal of the day.

Taking the plate outside, I walk around to the fire pit and smile when I see everything is ready for me to make the tea. Swift is eager to get moving, and it’s more than obvious because she never touches my fire pit normally, and she certainly doesn’t have water boiling ready for drinks.