Blackshadow (Kingdom of Wolves #2)

“So, what’s it going to be? Leave the pack, or become a pack whore?” Which has me cringing as we’ve never entertained that here even in my father’s reign. “Or do you want to be an honest to goodness pack member? To stay in the room you’ve been given, work around the packhouse alongside the other females cleaning and maintaining the laundry, or anything else required?”

Suella looks at Gamzin whose face is set, giving no help to her at all. Looking at him, I can see he’s not ever going to be a male that will take her as a mate. Looking at me, Suella replies, “I’ll help in the packhouse.”

“One time you cause trouble and I’ll throw you out of the pack. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?” I end shouting so she realizes how serious I am. Giving me a tip of her head in submission she whimpers, “Yes, Alpha Connell.”

“Baildon, would you take Suella to Caleb and tell him what has happened here? He’ll make sure she is placed where she needs to be. Once that is done, come back.”

“Yes, Alpha Connell. Come on Suella.” Baildon leads the female out of my office and I pinch the top of my nose. Sighing as I can’t help but think she’ll cause trouble down the line.

“She’s not a bad person, Alpha Connell. She’s just never had to do anything apart from what she’s done. I know she was illegitimate, same as Hope, but where Hope’s mother nurtured her to be a good and loving person, and provide something back to us all, Suella’s mother was the opposite, and didn’t give a crap about her. She encouraged the males in the Parklands to use her daughter from the age of sixteen. In payment, they would provide food, clothing and fix the shelter, when required. It’s all she’s known, but I think she’ll be a good pack member when she realizes she has worth, and not laying on her back or being on her knees.” Gamzin rubs his knees with the palms of his hands and gives me a look that tells me he’s being as truthful as he can be.

“We’ll see what happens in the future Gamzin, but I hope I’ve not put faith in her that will be misplaced. Now, let’s change the subject and talk about you being a patrol warrior.” That is exactly what we do. We speak about how he protected the people that lived in his area of the Parklands. How he made sure they had food and stayed warm in the winter. His admiration for Hope, and her healing skills, and the way she quickly helped anyone she could. He even spoke of Swift, her fighting ability, quick temper, love for Hope as her sister and her protectiveness toward the pack.

He told me about each of the males and females that I’ve included in the pack, and how much they have all been wronged one way or another.

Then he takes me by surprise. “You need to be careful who you tell Hope’s background to. Her father will come for her if he finds out where she is. She is the only living heir he has and he’ll want to mate her to one of his pack so he can take charge of any male pup she has. He’s ruthless, and I know, as it’s where I belonged before I rejected that pack and went rogue myself.”

After asking questions and getting answers, I’m feeling a little unsettled, but know that the council would stand with me on this matter of Hope because she is my fated mate and I’ve claimed her. I’ll kill the bastard if he ever tries to take her from me.

Baildon returned to the office but kept silent while Gamzin spoke about Hope’s father. He speaks up when he feels we’ve exhausted the topic.

“If her father ever comes for her, I’ll stand by your side. She is my sister by choice. Her mother helped bring me up, and I loved her like my own mother. She is missed. She was such a kind person, helped everyone, a true Luna and that idiot Alpha threw her away for a liar, one who knew she was barren and couldn’t provide an heir the pack would need. He deserves what will happen and I’m sure the Goddess Selene has plans to bring him to his knees.”

Gamzin looks at Baildon with shock on his face. “I’ve never heard you sound so angry about anything.”

“I’m beyond angry, I’m livid, and although I’ve never met the man, I hate him.”

“Okay, we’ll see what develops, but if he comes here, I’ll set him straight, and I know the pack won’t allow him to take their Luna. We’ve waited far too long for her to arrive. I’ll kill him if he comes here demanding anything. I don’t care that he is her father.” Baildon and Gamzin look satisfied with my response.

“Now let’s move on to other things. Gamzin, I want you to train with Head Warrior Oscar. I have an idea, but I don’t want to discuss it with you until I get the report on your fighting ability and the males that came with you that want to become patrol warriors.”

Gamzin nods, “No problem, Alpha Connell. I’ll do that.”

“Baildon, now I’d like you to be my Gamma, protect the Luna at all costs and be in charge of the safety of the she-wolves and any pups in the pack. I’m hoping we can get a safe room built in the basement of the packhouse. That is where you would take them. Then you would guard that room with your life, and the life of any warrior that stands beside you. What do you say? Are you interested in being the pack’s Gamma?” Gamzin is grinning at Baildon, who I have to admit has a shocked look on his face. Recovering quickly, Baildon tips his head on one side, showing his respect and grins, which is all the answer I need.

“Good. Do you, Baildon, vow to protect your Luna, and female pack members? To be the best Gamma you can be?”

“I solemnly swear to protect and serve my Luna and female pack members.”

I walk from behind my desk to Baildon and shake his hand, pumping it hard. I can feel the excitement growing, that from this pack of misfit rogues I’m finding pack members that will, if needed, lay down their lives. How anyone could throw these shifters out like trash and treat them so badly, I do not know. But they are valued here, and I’ll show them they are.

After Baildon and Gamzin leave the office, I mind link Caleb to come to the office along with Walim and Oscar.

It doesn’t take long before the three are standing in front of me. “Take a seat, please.” I wait for them to sit and their attention is on me. “I’ve spoken with Baildon and Gamzin this morning. Baildon I have made my Gamma. He’ll be in charge of the Luna’s safety and the safety of the pack females and any pups we are lucky enough to have. I expect you all to help guide him where, and if, needed.”

“Yes, Alpha,” all three respond and I see no animosity from any of them, which shows my confidence in them is warranted.

“Oscar, you have been Head Warrior for a long time, and you’ve been overstretched planning the patrols, going out to check the borders and trying to keep everyone motivated in their training. I want you to test Gamzin and see what strength he has as a fighter, and as a strategist. He kept the group safe in the Parklands, and I think that experience we could use and promote him to Delta, but only if he is capable. Once that is decided, and if it’s decided he would take on the role as Delta, he will plan patrols, and check the border is safe at all times. You, however, are to be known as Chief Oscar, and will be the trainer for all warriors and females that will train. I want the females to have the basic ability to protect themselves. What do you say, Oscar?”

“I think it’s a good idea. Something that’s been needed a long time. We can only do so much at one time, and I feel this is when things get overlooked and safety becomes compromised. Not because anyone is at fault, but purely because we cannot have eyes on everything, it’s just not possible,” Chief Oscar replies. “I agree that splitting the training and security in two is the right thing to do, and I’ve seen some of the training that the new pack members are capable of and it’s impressive. If Gamzin is as good as what I’ve seen, then he’ll easily do the job. I’ll test his strategies and let you know, and I’ll do it quickly so we can get the Delta position in place.”

Walim speaks, “Gamzin is a strong, strategic fighter. I’ve never known him to be more than scratched in a fight. He’s quick on his feet and lethal when protecting anyone. He’ll be a good Delta, and as for keeping the border safe, well, you’ll get no one better. I mean no disrespect, Chief Oscar.”

“None taken,” Chief Oscar responds with a grin on his face.

“Report back quickly on the Delta so we can get things in place. I want to be set by the end of next week. Now, Caleb, you’ll be coming with me later today to Wolfsfoot for the council meeting. Walim, I’m leaving you in charge here, along with Luna Hope. Your priority is to make sure everything runs along smoothly until my return. I’ll only be away until late evening. I’m not staying in Wolfsfoot. I’m coming back to my Luna.” I grin a toothy grin, and Knight flashes in my eyes, letting everyone know we will never spend a night without our love by our side.

Caleb gives me a serious look and then drops a bombshell. “Searching Zoella’s room and her office, we found evidence that she was handing information to her cousin, Fragina, who is a rogue living in no-man’s-land. It seems anything you were told, any reports you had, and what she overheard about Spirit Walker Pack, particularly she passed along. She was a traitor to the pack and to our kind, and if she had not already left the pack, we’d have had to execute her.”