SWNOVELS Chapter Who, Me?
For rest of the morning, Bishop explained to me his packs extensive training exercises. Not only were they supposed to practice sparring with each other but they were responsible for learning everything about the surrounding terrain. The most important lesson was knowing how to fight no matter what environment they encountered.
Reading your opponents was another task they were taught. I watched as Bishop sparred with each and every member of his team while pointing out their weaknesses and showing them exactly what to do to make them better. Even though they were supposed to improve their techniques he always ending with something positive they did to encourage them.
At noon all of the pack went to the hall for lunch while Bishop and I were served in his office. Usually the Alpha would eat with everyone but since he hadn't officially returned as their leader, he wanted to explain some of the personal aspects of running a pack in private.
The most controversial issue was discipline. Even though every member was allowed to live how they wanted they still had to follow rules set by their leaders so the matter of punishments were individualized to the specific violation.
“Serious crimes should always be dealt with immediately and it is up to you to decide what you think is a fair consequence for their transgression but always remember, however you decide to punish the person, there will always be someone who doesn’t agree with you.”
I knew what he meant and I had already had some experience in dealing with handing out punishments at my father’s pack.
“Last year I found a group of young girls sneaking out the pack house. They had the stupid idea to cross the border in hopes that they would find their mates in another pack. My father was furious when he found out and usually it would have been up to their parents but since they planned to leave pack grounds my father was responsible for disciplining them. I don't know how I did it but somehow I got him to agree to let me handle their punishment."
"Let me guess, no one was happy about that."
"No one batted an eye, in fact I think that was the only time I could remember my father being eager to give me some responsibility and the pack noticing that I could handle some of it but they did raise concerns that I would be biased since they were young girls."
“Your pack really has issues with female authority, don't they."
I didn't have to say anything for him to know how I felt, my feelings were written all over my face and he quickly changed the subject to something else. We went over financial reports and projected crop growth for the rest of the morning when a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in." He said while I turned my head to see who it was. Deacon peeked in and smiled when Bishop asked without looking up. "What Deacon?"
"There's someone here who needs to speak to you."
He stood and said, "I am busy right now Deacon, can it wait?"
"Uh, Alpha, they want to speak to Ember."
Bishop and I looked at each other before I looked back at Deacon and said, "Me?"
He shook his head and opened the door letting Naomi in. She looked terrified and Bishop didn't make it any better when he let out an annoyed growl. I shot him a look and he cleared his throat and said, "I'm sorry. Naomi, what can we help you with."
I stood up and walked to the where she was standing as she quietly said, "Alpha, if it is ok with you, I would rather speak to Ember, alone."
I could tell she was nervous and whatever she wanted to discuss was uncomfortable in the company of males so I gave Bishop the let-the-girls-talk look and he returned an are-you-serious glare before pushing his chair out and walking towards the door.
"Ok, well I will be outside when you two are done."
He pushed Deacon out the door and pulled it closed behind him leaving us alone in his office. She stood like a statue before I placed my hand on her arm and said, "Naomi, whatever you need to talk about, I want you to know it will stay between just you and me. Ok?"
She nodded and smiled slightly as I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and guided her to one of the seats in his office. We sat there quietly as she contemplated what she was going to say when she opened her mouth then shut it again.
Being in this position before, I knew she wanted to talk but she didn't know how to start the conversation.
"So, Naomi, what do you like to do besides cook?"
She looked up at me and I could see her starting to relax slightly as she replied "I like to spend time with my family."
"Do you have any siblings?"
"Yes, I have four brothers and two sisters. I am the oldest so cooking here gives me a break from them, they can be a handful but I love them all so much." Her eyes were gleaming with happiness and it reminded me of my relationship with my brother.
He was always bothering me, following me and my friends around like a little puppy, getting into trouble that I had to bail him out of. But once he found his mate his attitude changed and he grew up. I always knew male wolves were more immature than the females but I never expected an Alpha male to act like that, especially since he was supposed to take over until he met his mate in another pack ruining my father's plans.
"Wow, that's a lot of people under one roof. I only have one brother and I thought that was too much."
She chuckled and said, "Just one? You are lucky."
I thought about what she said for a moment and laughed thinking she would probably not think I was lucky if she knew my situation but today wasn't about me and my problems, it was about figuring out what was bothering Naomi.
"We could talk about our families all day but I get the feeling that you didn't come in here just for small talk. So, why don't you tell me what's on your mind."
She looked down at her lap and I thought I had lost her until she said, "What is a girl supposed to do when the boy she loves turns out to be mated to someone else?"
Her question caught me completely off guard and I was a little too stunned to answer but I had to say something. "Naomi, what happened?"
"I had been dating someone from Alpha Chase's pack for the last three years but a month and a half ago he found his mate. I know I can't compare to her but I thought we had something special, you know a love that wasn't destined by some divine goddess who gets a kick out of pairing different species together, causing them to go mad."
Her sweet demeanor turned angered at the mention of Bishop and his first mates situation. I wanted to tell her she was wrong and prove to her that she would find her one true love some day but the truth was I couldn't guarantee that it would happen. I mean look at my parents, they were never given the chance to find their mates but they grew to love each other just the same.
"Naomi, just because some wolves have the misfortune of a lousy mate doesn't mean that they can't find love some day. What happened to Bishop was horrible but he's learned to deal with it and I would say he even started healing some."
"But why should I take my chances that someday my Prince Charming may or may not come? What if he ends up being the Ogre? I don't want just anyone, I want Cole."
She rose from the chair and ran out the door leaving me disturbed by what she said. She was in love with Cole, my best friend's mate.
Bishop is such an amazing leader, even when he isn't trying. I know he will teach Ember all sorts of things that she has never known before.
HOLY SHIT! Well this just got interesting! How do you think Mik will react to this bit of news?
Speaking of Mik an Cole, stay tuned to see what they have been up to!!!!!!!