Page 34 of Resurgence of the Pack

Debbie grinned. ‘You can’t trust a word that man says, Your Majesty. He’s a brigand and scoundrel.’ But his eyes were laughing and the glance he shot at the other man was full of affection. I tagged them immediately as having a wonderful bromance.

‘Whilst I am very grateful for your presence here,’ I started, ‘I have a small errand to run this afternoon that will keep me occupied. Perhaps in the meantime you, Tarkers and Wakado could run together on my lawns.’

‘I’d enjoy that,’ Debbie said affably. ‘We’ll be waiting at your pleasure, Your Majesty. As always.’ He bowed.

I did so love a man with manners; he was going to fit right in. ‘Excellent. Finley, get our guests some cookies; the salted caramel ones.’ I winked at Tarkers, ‘Only the good stuff for you.’

He flashed me a grin in return and doffed an imaginary cap. ‘Appreciate that, Your Maj.’

I turned to my pack, ‘Tristan, Seren, Marissa,’ I called. ‘Join me in my office, please.’

The women had been sitting in a tangle of limbs on the beanbags near the games consoles but they immediately stood up to follow me.

‘Pack some bags,’ I said quietly to Greg as we left the room. ‘Bring some weapons. You’ll be the only one coming with me.’

Greg nodded and peeled off, no doubt to return more armed than Rambo.

In my office, David was at the security console looking like he’d rather be anywhere but there. I could relate; I hated security duty on the rare occasions that I did it. He looked more morose than usual as he watched the screens that flickered over the charred remains of his hard work. I winced internally. Poor man.

‘You can go,’ I told him. ‘Why don’t you start putting together a new planting schedule?’

He brightened. ‘I can compile a spreadsheet with costings.’

I grinned; right there was the reason we got on so well. Like me, he’d been a fish out of water – a gardener in a werewolf pack – and like me, he had a love of the fine details. ‘You could,’ I said easily. ‘Maybe Daniella could help you?’

He flushed a little but didn’t say anything else as he slipped out of my office.

‘Tristan,’ I said, once David had shut the door behind him, ‘shift and heal. You’re favouring one side when you walk, and I saw you clutching your ribs when you thought I wasn’t looking.’

He grimaced. ‘I need to re-charge in Common,’ he admitted unhappily, giving his arms a scratch. ‘The wife won’t be happy,’ he sighed. ‘We were supposed to have dinner out.’

I gave him a sympathetic glance; I hated that itching feeling. ‘No help for it. She’ll understand, I’m sure.’

‘We were supposed to be going to a bagpipe concert.’

I blinked. ‘Bagpipes?’

‘My dad was Scottish,’ he explained. ‘Candice likes to make sure we’re embracing our roots.’

‘What are her roots?’ I asked nosily.

‘She’s of Irish descent. She enjoys anything Gaelic really. She enjoys the bagpipes as much as me. She’ll just have to take a friend instead.’

I nodded. I didn’t suggest he attend the concert whilst he was in Common. The political landscape was tense, it was far safer for him to be tucked up in Rosie’s, and I found that I truly wanted him safe. He’d really grown on me of late.

Tristan scratched again at his arm.

‘Go on with you, we can’t have youscratching half your skin off. Go with Maxwell when he leaves. Catch up with him – he’s on the front lawn. Let me check if anyone else is due a re-charge.’ I fired up my laptop and opened my re-charging spreadsheet. ‘Finley and Ethan are due, and Xander from the Devon pack. Take them all with you.’

Tristan gave me a bow with no hint of animosity or hesitation. ‘Yes, my Queen.’

‘Good man,’ I said.

He graced me with a rare smile and left me alone with the women.

‘I’m glad to see that things seem to have settled between you,’ I started, making both women blush a little. ‘Stability is important within a pack, and that’s why I’ve asked you both here. I’d like you to start cultivating friendships.’

‘Friendships?’ Marissa asked, leaning forward. ‘With whom?’

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