Page 4 of Kingdom of Wolves: Blackshadow

“Everyone, please take a seat. That includes you, Brian, but close the door first.” I watch him as he does as he’s asked and take a seat before I look again over everyone. “Okay, this meeting is important as I’m looking for a Beta that is strong, fights well, is capable of holding things together if I’m indisposed, and always puts the pack first. I’m looking for another Beta Goldman.”

“The nearest person we have to Beta Goldman is Caleb,” Noah states.

Noah, not so stupid after all. I hear Knight state before chuckling in his gruff manner. I ignore him as the last thing I need is a conversation with him at the same time as my inner circle.

“I agree, but I also need to know if we have anyone that we can promote to that position. I don’t want to just put Caleb in and then the pack saying I’ve overlooked someone that should have had the opportunity. I also want she-wolves to have the choice, hence, I’m going to speak to Council Member Flint next week when he comes to visit about holding a challenge, and anyone that would like to try out for the position can.”

“That’s a good idea,” Caleb says, and everyone looks over his way.

“I would have thought you’d be against the idea?” Bladrick looks at Caleb.

“I’m not against it at all. I agree, the best person for the position is required. It’s a ranked position and needs to be held by someone who, as said, is like Beta Goldman. I’ll try out for the position the same as everyone else.” Caleb looks at Bladrick as though he’s waiting for a comeback, but Bladrick shrugs his shoulders and looks over at me.

“Okay, I’ll speak to Flint about the competition. But the sooner we hold this the better because I need a Beta and until then Caleb you will act as Beta until further notice,” taking him by surprise but he gives me a small tip of the head as he responds, ‘Alpha,’ in agreement.

“Brian, would you go to the kitchen and bring a pot of coffee through, please? Then I want to speak to you about something.”

“Of course, Alpha,” Brian replies before leaving the office.

Holding my hand up to show everyone to be quiet, I link Iona and ask how Brian has worked out so far. We had made him a pack member, but I need to know what his general attitude and behavior is like.

Iona quickly replies, ‘Alpha, Brian has been hardworking, reliable, honest and a first-class pack member. His fighting is outstanding, and he never uses it to cause harm, although he has put a lot of pack members and warriors on their asses.’

‘Okay, Iona, thank you.’ I am more than happy with that report.

I’ve watched Brian when I’ve been out of the office and pack house, and I’ve seen him helping warriors develop new styles in their fighting. It’s one of the reasons I think he’s going to be a ranked member.

Walking back into the office, Brian places the large tray with the coffee pot and everything we need for drinks. He even has a plate of cookies, which has Noah grabbing at least four before anyone else can get to them.

Once Brian has passed out drinks and retaken his seat, I ask my question. “When you were in the Northern Parklands, were there other people that wanted out, and who would be useful to this pack? I ask because we need to grow the pack, find mates if possible and help any wolf shifter that was in your position.”

Recalling our first meeting, I was informed he had been a hunter for the rogues. He also made things from the hides of the animals for some of them. When I first spoke to him, he’d had enough of the same thing, day in, day out, and was also sick of forestry management. I remember I was told his mate had died, and he was afraid he was turning feral, but he has shown no signs of that happening.

“Yes, there were others that wanted to find a pack that would take them in, allow them to join and become valuable pack members. One young lady is a skilled seamstress. She makes clothes that have been fought over. She never has found her mate, as she’s never left the Parklands. Brian speaks to me with no sign of being misleading. “I can think of others that have never had opportunities too.”

“Do you think if you went to speak to them, some would come here? Are there any abilities we can tap into?”

“I can speak to some of them. I won’t persuade them, but I will tell them my story, how I came here, was taken in and allowed to join. But I’ll also tell them what a good pack this is, and about the opportunities they could have. Then they can make up their own minds.” Brian is showing how highly he considers the Blackshadow Pack with this statement, and the fact he shouldn’t have to push anyone to come. They need to make up their own minds.

“Good. Take William with you, but be back before Tuesday evening. That gives you five days.”

I open the top drawer of the desk and hand a set of keys to William. “Take the truck, get to the Parklands and back before Tuesday evening. I want no excuses, as I want you both back and available if the challenges are set for the end of the week.”

Both Brian and William walk out of the office and I see Noah itching to go with them, but I point my finger at him. “You’re staying here. We have work to be doing and I need you here to help do it. Okay, that’s it for tonight. Caleb, arrange for a warrior meeting tomorrow in the ballroom. I want to speak to all the warriors about the Beta Challenge. Now, off you go and get some rest.”

After watching Bladrick, Noah, and Caleb leave the office I sigh as I stand from my desk, ready to head to my room, shower and get some sleep. But I look at my phone when it pings, letting me know I have a message.

Flint: Shifter Council Meeting and all Alphas have to attend

Connell: When?

Flint: Two weeks, on Friday I think, but I’ll confirm next week.

Connell: OK.

I know the council have meetings periodically so I’m not worried, but I hope it’s going to be at Wolfsfoot or here because if I have to travel to the council’s land it’s going to be a hell of a trip and take days out of my week I can’t afford at the moment.

Chapter 3

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