Page 2 of Kingdom of Wolves: Blackshadow

Continuing to read the idiocy my father introduced to the pack, I flow between annoyed, angry and shocked. Picking up the pen I write my name on the first fresh blank page with a flourish, and satisfaction flows through me as I now know I can clean up the bad procedures from this pack and bring hope, kindness, and prosperity to us all like before my father took over the pack.

Placing the pen down on the desk, I pick up the journal and take it back to the safe, put it safely inside and lock the door. Turning, I stride out of the office and head to the kitchen, and I have a purpose in my stride.

Opening the kitchen door, I watch and listen to Dahlia giving out orders to Isla, Nora, and Betina. I know she’s been in charge a long time, but her attitude is not what I want for this pack any longer.

“Dahlia?” I ask quietly, in a questioning way.

Dahlia spins around and I see a tint of a blush running into her cheeks. “Good morning, Alpha Connell. What can I do for you?”

“You can stop speaking to the pack members like they are trash for a start,” I state while remaining quiet but having firmed my voice, lacing it with a little Alpha command. “Now, follow me.”

I don’t wait for Dahlia, as I expect her to follow without question. Striding back to my office I calm myself in the time it takes to return because what I feel like is ripping her attitude to pieces in front of the entire pack.

Within the pack, I have a few members that I need to adjust their attitudes, and if they cannot be rehabilitated, then I’ll be forced to remove them from the pack.

Taking a seat behind the desk, I steeple my hands and watch Dahlia fidget from one foot to another uncomfortably. “Take a seat.”

Keeping my eyes on Dahlia as she sits, and wrings her hands together, I inwardly smile because she’s not so brave when she is confronted by someone of higher ranking than herself.

“Now, what I witnessed in the kitchen will not happen again. You will not speak that way to the members of the pack that work alongside you in the kitchen or around the pack house. They help because it’s the way they provide for the pack. We cannot all be leaders, warriors, doctors or other. Each and every member of the pack is valued, and I don’t care what happened before I was the Alpha. I care what happens while I am Alpha.” Taking a breath, I continue, maintaining a calm outer façade, while inside I’m furious with her. “You will speak to everyone politely and calmly. You have given wonderful service to the pack, Dahlia. There is no questioning that. But, understand, treating anyone as I saw just now is not going to happen any longer.”

“Yes, Alpha.” Keeping her eyes on a spot in front of her, making sure she doesn’t challenge me by looking into my eyes. I note she has her head slightly to the side, showing respect by opening one side of her neck to my view.

“I hope we are clear on that, because I do not want to have to revisit this conversation.”

“I understand, Alpha.”

“Now, the overrun garden out the back of the kitchen, I’m going to have it cleaned up. We will get the garden back to growing herbs and vegetables. I will find pack members to assist, and you will not harass them. If they ask for your opinion, you will give it politely, and with respect. I will watch how the work flows and develops.”

“Silas used to run the garden until Alpha Torrance removed him and ordered him to do all the pack runs to Wolfsfoot for groceries and any odd jobs required,” Dahlia informs me, and she looks fairly annoyed telling me this too.

“I will speak to Silas about the garden project. Now you get back to work, and Dahlia, I want your attitude changed, and I want it changed from the moment you walk out of this office.” I give her a stern look that tells her I’ll brook no argument on the matter.

“Yes, Alpha.” Jumping from her seat, she scurries out of the office and I lean back smirking because putting the fear in her felt good.

Mind linking Caleb to come to the office, I wait while reading reports on the rogue issue that is hampering the Spirit Walker Pack. They are the nearest pack to the rogues and they have a lot of border they need to patrol. I cannot afford to send warriors at this time as the pack is much smaller now than before my father took over as Alpha.

The Winterstorms, Tatiana’s parents, were great pack leaders and if I could bring them back, I would. My father deserved all he got and more, if that was possible. I will do everything I can to get the pack back to the place the Winterstorms had it because it was a warm and happy pack at that time. I remember little about them, but I have spoken to many of the shifter council members and listened to the warmth they have when they speak of them.

“You need me, Alpha?” Caleb asks as he walks into the office and stands in front of my desk.

“Yes. I want you to work alongside me if you would. I need someone to follow me and make sure orders I give are fulfilled. This pack is going to have a major facelift and we are going to succeed in becoming the pack that the Winterstorms envisioned.”

Caleb looks surprised, but I see a look of respect cross his face before he gives his head a tip to the side, showing his respect for me in the best way that he can. “Yes, Alpha.”

Now I’m surprised that he’s called me Alpha twice now, because as my inner circle they have always called me Connell. It seems decisions I am making are changing how I’m viewed by the pack, and that is a gift, and one I will only hold dear to my heart.

“Okay, let’s get started. We have some pack members to speak to in a short while. Arrange for Shifter Council Member Flint to visit, tell him it’s important and I need his input. Second, find Silas and bring him to the kitchen garden. Third, arrange all inner circle to be in my office after tonight’s meal.”

Walking out of the office with Caleb beside me, I feel a mixture of anticipation, nervousness, but also excitement at what is to come. The only thing I regret at this point, and will always regret, is the death of the Winterstorms and the treatment Tatiana had to endure, and of course, my part in it.

Chapter 2

CONNELL

Silas is pointing out to me where the vegetables had been grown and the herb garden that is nonexistent nowadays. I can see he has sadness about him while he’s filling me in on what had been.

I grip his shoulder and look him in the eye. “Silas, are you up for getting the garden back to its former glory? Have herbs and vegetables growing once more? I can provide a greenhouse if you feel you need one, because that one is going to have to be ripped down. It’s had its time and isn’t safe anymore.”

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