Blackshadow (Kingdom of Wolves #2)

Taking a seat behind my desk, I pick up my phone and call Alpha Gabriel. I’m not sure how he’s going to react, but all I can do is warn him that something may happen at some time in the future.

Listening to his phone ring, I’m wondering if he’s even going to answer. “Alpha Gabriel Goldman speaking.”

Chuckling at the formality with which he spoke, I quickly reply, “Good day, Alpha Gabriel Goldman, this is Alpha Connell Torrance speaking.”

“Aw, morning Connell, sorry for the formality, but Tati has told me off about not being formal enough,” chuckling more to himself than me. “My father thinks it’s highly amusing that my balls get busted on the regular.”

Now we both laugh, and as Carter Goldman is Gabriel’s second Beta now, I know he’ll see and hear it all. He should have been my Beta, but with all the mess my father caused, he left to be with his son, and I don’t blame him. I always liked Carter. He was a far better male than my father.

“So, what can I do for you, Connell?”

“As you know, I found my mate. We had a traitor in our pack who has been relaying information to the rogues in no-man’s-land. Unfortunately, we didn’t know that until after the female had left the pack. We found evidence in the office that her contact was Fragina and they are cousins. I don’t know this Fragina, but from what I understand, Luna Tatiana does after having an issue with her.

“Anyway, don’t let me digress. My Luna has a history that I’ll have to tell you, but please do not give the information to anyone else.”

“I would never break our confidence, Connell. We are building an alliance that we need to trust with no doubts. You can rest easy that whatever we speak of will not be spoken of by me to anyone else, unless it is called for, of course.”

“Speaking to your Beta, Chief Warrior, and other members will be required. But let me tell you all you need to know…”

For the next hour, I inform Gabriel of what is happening, and the implications it could have on his pack. We discuss the possibility of my warriors joining the Wolfsfoot northern border patrol, which I’m more than happy to do since it is my Luna’s safety causing the issue for Gabriel’s pack.

“Flint will speak with the Northern Shifter Council, I’m sure. He’ll need them to curb Alpha Soren and make it known he doesn’t breach our area’s borders. If he breaches, it will be a war. All the packs of our area will be obligated to join. Aurora won’t have an option, or she’ll find herself cut off from all other packs and when she needs help, it won’t be available,” Gabriel is thinking along the same lines as me.

“I’m sorry that this could bring trouble to your border, but anything I can do or supply, I will. I have new pack members who are training to be warriors, but they have fighting experience as they lived in the Northern Parklands. They had to fight to survive, but their fighting style needs to be polished. They expend more energy than needed when fighting, and that is what Chief Oscar is working on at this time.”

“Oh, don’t you worry about sending warriors. My pack has been getting bored, so something like this will perk them up and get their blood flowing, and not in a bad way. Chief Drake has been perfecting everyone’s style here and I’ll tell you now, Connell, my pack warriors are like fighting machines and will be more than happy to rip Alpha Soren’s wolves to pieces.”

I can hear the excitement in Gabriel’s voice and can’t help the small chuckle that escapes me. Here I was thinking he’d be more than a little angry with me and he’s actually thinking ‘come on, let’s get to it.’

We speak a while longer before I say my goodbye and thanks. Leaning back in my seat, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. But the relief that this is not going to cause issues between our packs is immense.

You worry too much. Phoenix is eager for a fight. He’s not had a fight since he became alpha, and he wants to test his strength and agility.

Knight has obviously been speaking with Gabriel’s wolf while I’ve been having my conversation. It’s good to know that Gabriel’s wolf is not angry at our pack, because a livid alpha wolf is not a thing you ever need to see.

‘I’m happy that Phoenix is not angry at us. I want to build a good relationship with the Wolfsfoot Pack, and I want Luna Tatiana to know that the past lessons have been learned.’

I’m sure she knows that you have done nothing but show how honest, reliable, and caring you are as an Alpha of this pack. You’ve shown the council and other Alphas attending meetings that you have stood up and met the challenge, and nobody can say anything other than you are an excellent Alpha to your pack.

‘Thank you, Knight. You know my inner thoughts and feelings, and it is your comments that mean the most to me. Knowing how honorable I’m trying to be, and the lengths I’m willing to work for the pack to have good lives.’

Come, let’s find Briar and Hope. Maybe they feel like playing for a while?

‘Get your mind off sex,’ I chuckle, because I would have to admit if asked, that I’m as bad as Knight, when it boils down to it.

Watching the training of the second group that came from the Northern Parklands, I notice three are missing. Turning to Beta Walim, who is still shadowing my every move, I ask, “Where are the three that are missing from this group?”

“Barron, Cyd and Tisha are working in the garden under the guidance of Silas. Luna Hope had spoken with Silas, and they agreed he needed three more to help because of the extra work in the orchard.”

“Okay, as long as I know. So, what’s going to be happening with the others? Have they said what they want to do yet?” I ask.

“They would all like to be warriors, but I don’t think one of the two females will make it. She’s just not strong enough sadly and I know it’s not going to be what she wants, but I think she’ll end up having to do something else. Two of the males are swinging toward working with Gaul building the cabins.”

“I want this decided quickly, and them all settled into their positions within the pack. Inform me as soon as you can.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

No time to eat lunch. I stand in the Luna’s office door and watch Hope laughing and emptying boxes along with the females she has chosen to help. It warms my heart, seeing her relaxed and happy. I have to admit, even Swift looks settled with the group, and the fun way they are all working. I hurry away, but not before I give Hope a smile when she catches me watching them all.