Blackshadow (Kingdom of Wolves #2)

“I would like to plant a long row of sunflowers in front of the packhouse if it’s possible. The squirrels will come and the birds. I’ll make sure the pack knows not to chase the squirrels, too.”

“Yeah, that’s going to be a must or they will try to catch them, especially if they are in wolf form,” Silas chuckles.

“Do you need any extra help? I know you have Dahlia, Chester and Antica, but if you need extra, I can find you more. The second group that came from the Parklands are still trying to find somewhere to fit into the pack.” I ask and know that two of the males and a female would be interested if Silas wants more.

“I could use two robust males and another female. The orchard is getting behind because we are so busy here.” Silas rubs his chin in thought. “Yes, if you could get me those, then that would be good.”

“Take it as done. I’ll get them to come over right away. I have to go check out the attic now.” I pat his forearm and rush away, but see Baildon looking for me. Waving, I get his attention, and he waits for me to walk over to him.

“Can you see if Barron, Cyd, and Tisha want to work in the garden? If they do they need to report to Silas pronto.”

“I’ll do that, but where are you going now? Honestly, Luna Hope, it’s hard to keep up with you.”

“You know it’s strange to hear you calling me Luna Hope, and not just Hope. I can’t see you as Gamma Baildon. You are just Baildon to me, my brother.”

Baildon smirks, “I know, but Alpha Connell wants everyone to call you Luna Hope, and I’m happy to do that. But it will slip now and again, I’m sure.”

“I’m going to the attic now. Can you get Noah and Bladrick to come and help? Apparently, there may be some lifting and carrying involved.”

“Okay. Do not go into the attic without us. I’ll go speak to Cyd, Barron, and Tisha, who I know are watching the warriors train. In fact, some are joining in now, and may make the grade.”

“I’ll not go into the attic, but hurry them along.” Standing at the main doors of the pack house, I watch Baildon run to the training area, and take a moment to breathe fresh air, and consider all I’ve heard and done already today.

Noticing Baildon walking back toward the packhouse, I enter and head straight for the attic. I don’t enter because I honor my word, and I never want Baildon to worry about me doing something I said I wouldn’t.

Opening the large door, Baildon gives me a serious look. “No lifting or dragging things around. The three idiots will be here in a minute, and we’ll have them doing all the hard stuff.” He gives me what I know is a mischievous look, and I wonder if I should warn Isla about it. Nope, I’ll let her learn herself.

Following Baildon up the stairs, I look around what is a massive room. The walls to the top of the brickwork have been shelved, and each shelf is filled with boxes. Every size and shape of box you can imagine, but thankfully when I get near to the first shelving I notice each box has a label. Luna ceremony, Alpha ceremony, Heart and Soul Week, Harvest Time, Ballroom accessories.

“Oh, here we are,” I cry out to Baildon, who is down at the other end of the attic.

Walking over to me, he grabs a box and places it on the floor, before ripping open the top and the sight of bright pink hits our faces. I look up at Baildon, screw up my nose and shake my head no.

We find a lot of boxes filled with pink. Bows, streamers, ribbons, tablecloths, and everything else you can think of. Every pink box is placed on the bottom of the shelving before we move to find purple, green, orange and blue. But I’m more impressed with the black and white box, which has very elegant ribbons, bows, candles, table settings, balloons and much more.

“This is the one. Black and white, it’s so elegant, and we want the mating ball to stand out. When we send invites, we can give a dress code of any subtle color.” Hearing a noise behind me, I turn and let out the loudest SCREAM!

Baildon flies past me and tackles the clown to the floor. Yes, a clown, a full-size clown, and it was walking toward me. The clown is screeching for Baildon to stop, and I frown because I recognize that voice.

“STOP! Baildon stop.” When he stops and looks down, the clown’s face is at the side of his head, and ripping what turned out to be a mask, looking up at us with a very embarrassed face, is Bladrick.

“You idiot, I could have killed you,” Baildon snarls.

“I’m sorry. I just wanted to play a prank. I didn’t know you were going to be acting like that.”

“What’s going on?” Turning to see who is speaking now, I shake my head at Noah, who is dressed like a clown, too. “Are you okay, Bladrick?” He nonchalantly asks.

“Is he okay? IS HE OKAY?” Baildon ends up shouting. “I could have killed him. I thought he was going to attack the Luna.”

“Oh, no, that’s not happening.” Noah states as though this is something that happens all the time, but when a large two-tone gray wolf slams into him and snarls, I can’t help but squeal.

“Alpha Connell! Um Knight, it’s okay. We were just playing games,” Bladrick states, hands out to say please stop, before he tips his head to the side in submission. Noah rips the mask off and is on the floor fully submitted to his Alpha.

Growling and snarling, pacing back and forth in front of the two clowns, I don’t think Knight knows if he wants to let them go or kill them. I walk up slowly and stroke his neck, leaning on his side slightly. “It’s okay Knight, they were just playing tricks. I’m sorry I screamed and scared you. I was just taken by surprise.”

It takes a few minutes of me stroking and murmuring quietly before Knight allows Connell to come forward. Thankfully, he shifts back fully clothed or I know I would have been as red as a tomato.

“You two will do what Gamma Baildon tells you, and when you’ve finished here you report to the training area where I’ll meet you for a session.” Grinning, showing all his teeth, and with his fangs descended, it is more than obvious their alpha is going to teach them a lesson.