Blackshadow (Kingdom of Wolves #2)

“Yes, Luna Hope,” Swift replies, but she’s squinting her eyes at me.

I need to have a serious conversation with Swift about the fact that yes, she is like a sister to me, but I am her Luna, and she has to be respectful in front of any and all pack members. When we are together privately, we can speak as we always have.

“I want to speak with Connell about some training myself, only basic training, but I’d like to be taught with you Swift, as well as Swan, and Iona. I think training with the three of you I can probably learn enough to defend myself to a small degree.”

Noah speaks before Swift can respond. “That’s a good idea Luna Hope. Swan and Iona are experienced fighters and have patrolled the borders for a long time now. They train with the male warriors, so have tips I’m sure, and they can teach about taking down a male, and giving yourself the opportunity to run.”

Swift opens her mouth to speak, but Noah gives her a firm look, and I’m more than surprised when her jaw snaps closed and she says nothing.

“I’ll look into that.”

Beta Walim is standing by my side and looks over at Baildon, who’s jogging toward us.

“I’ve been looking all over for you Luna Hope. I’m supposed to be the Gamma of the pack, which is to protect the Luna at all cost, and what does the Luna do? She disappears without a trace.” Baildon has obviously been dashing around trying to find me, as he has a sheen of sweat on his forehead.

I just cannot hold back the giggle that bursts out, and I throw my palm over my mouth to stop it, but nothing is going to hold it back and the giggle becomes a full-on laugh.

“Oh, come on, Luna, give the new Gamma a break.” Swift laughs, which causes me to laugh again.

“You have known me long enough, Gamma Baildon, to look for me either in the garden or the kitchen.”

“Yeah, but we are not in the Northern Parklands anymore, and you are not in that little shack you’ve always lived in. But I’ll take your heed and look for you in those two places first.”

Later in the day, I’m standing in the office looking at the ladies that have come along to help arrange the mating ball. We’ve had to clean the office, as it was in a terrible mess. Zoella obviously didn’t care about cleanliness or organization.

Swift, Nessie, Isla, Jessie, I know, but Jen, Floss and Tiny I haven’t met before. They are all excited to be helping organize the office and throwing ideas about the mating ball.

“You know the past Luna stored all the purchased tablecloths, decorations and things for events such as this in the attic?” Floss had stopped cleaning with the cobweb brush to state.

“Oh my, yes, I remember now, but I don’t know when anyone last went into the attic. Probably Alpha Connell’s mother,” Tiny adds to the conversation.

Nessie speaks, “I think we need to check what is up there. Will you ask Alpha Connell if we can go into the attic, Luna Hope? We’ll need males to go with us because we can’t lift enormous boxes around.”

I jump when I hear the male voice behind me and roll my eyes when Baildon steps into the office. “I’ll get the permission to go into the attic, and I’ll make sure we have two more males to help with the lifting and carrying.”

Looking over at Isla, I smile because she’s looking at her mate Baildon with stars in her eyes, and it’s easy for all to see how they are already enamored with each other. I know Baildon always wanted pups and lots of them, so I can imagine Isla being pregnant soon.

“Can I be aunt to your pups when they come?” I ask Baildon. He looks at me shocked, but then grins, giving me a wink and a nod, much to Isla’s embarrassment as she is bright red at this point.

Briar is befriending wolves from the females that are friendly with me. She is excited to have others she can run with. Connell told me he wants to start monthly runs, where the pack runs together as a bonding experience. I think it’s a great idea, and Briar is throwing this out as she’s been acquainting herself as the top female wolf in the pack.

Gamzin bursts into the office and Baildon blocks his progress, pushing him back with a hand on his chest. Gamzin looks panicked, and it has me taking a long look at him. He’s pushing Baildon out of the way as he starts to speak.

“Luna Hope, I have a rogue who has run through the Parklands, Blood Pearl and Wolfsfoot, after Raymer told him that’s where I’d come. He’s injured but wanted to warn us.”

Baildon pushes again to move Gamzin out of the office, but I push him gently out of the way so I can see what is going on. “Baildon, move. I need to speak to Gamzin.”

Growling, but deferring to me, Baildon steps to the side. But it’s noticeable he is watching us closely. “Now, Gamzin, take a deep breath and tell me what’s going on.”

Gamzin breathes in and out a few times, then starts to speak again. “I was walking with the border patrol, asking questions about the way they work rotation, when an injured rogue ran toward our border. He collapsed to his knees just outside the border and asked if we can find Gamzin.

“When I informed him I am Gamzin, he said he’d spoken to Raymer in the Parklands, and he had said to come to the Blackshadow Pack and find me.

“The male ran through Blood Pearl and Wolfsfoot Packs, dodging patrols and staying one step ahead, getting to our border by sheer damn luck I think.”

I interrupt, as this is getting to be a long explanation. “Where had he come from? Why did he need to find you?”

“He knew me when we were pups, and he came from the Wolfsong Pack. Luna Hope, your father Alpha Soren Wolfgang has just learned he has a daughter, and he knows where you are.” Gamzin is looking at me with such a fierce look that I feel goosebumps run up my arms and the hair raises on the back of my neck.