Standing in front of the tree line with Warriors and Hunters from Crescent Phoenix mingling with Tristan’s men, I watch as the tense atmosphere from this morning that Quincy caused slowly disappears. Training had been canceled so that Asteria could deal with Quincy and rip him a new one and Quest was still with Ashton, keeping an eye on our friend and unable to help with training. He had linked me twenty minutes ago to inform me that Jasmine had broken the news to Ashton that Devlyn possibly might be in a coma but Ashton’s presence will help him come out of it faster as the Mate Bond will help heal Devlyn.
I had given Quest permission to take three days off to help Ashton as well as have him report back to me if Ashton tries to leave Devlyn’s side to try and find Quincy to pay him back for what Quincy did to Devlyn. After Quest confirmed he would keep an eye on Ashton, I went out in search of Tristan to make good on my promise of teaching his wolves to forage in the forest as well as recruit some of my wolves to help loosen the tension from this morning.
“How is Ashton handling things.” Jumping, I turn to find Rune standing behind me sporting a bruise under his eye. Last I saw my Mate, he was still in wolf form keeping Quincy in check. So how did he get injured.
“Quincy and I got into a fight when Milan came to yell at him and he stepped towards his Mate. I pushed him back telling him not to disrespect her and he swung. Milan then pushed me aside and beat the ever-loving shit out of him and told Quincy to smarten up or she will break the Mate Bond” Rune answers with a shrug. I guess my staring at his bruise prompted him to have to explain what happened.
“Milan scares me some days.” I admit with a chuckle, getting a scoff in reply.
“She is Jett’s niece, of course she is scary.” He agrees, causing me to laugh some more.
“Ashton is doing as best as he can considering everything that’s happened. I gave Quest and him the good news that they can follow us.” I answer with a sigh, stepping closer to Rune so that I can lean against my Mate. His arms wrap around me, helping me to feel safe and secured, and for a moment the world seems okay.
“Quest is staying with him since Devlyn is in a coma, for now.” I add, closing my eyes and taking in his scent of vanilla and mint.
“I see. So what’s with this little get-together. I thought training was canceled?” Is all Rune says, making me smile. I am happy that he didn’t push me for more information about Devlyn being in a coma. This morning has been tough as it is and right now I need to focus on something else.
“Brynlee promised to help teach me and my wolves how to forage in the woods.” Tristan calls out, answering Rune’s question instead.
“And since training was canceled for today, she suggested we do a forage session now to one – get our wolves working as a team and two – help train my wolves so we can take this knowledge to Shadow Rose.” Delilah chimes in, a smile on her face. Rune looks down at me impressed, giving me a light peck on the cheek.
“Since you are leading this little training, do you want me to help?” He asks, making me roll my eyes.
“You couldn’t even do laundry nearly two weeks ago. What makes me trust that you can lead this training with me.” I state getting a few chuckles from the wolves around. Rune grimaces, looking to Tristan for help but Tristan just raises his hands in mock surrender and backs away.
“You and I both know you can’t forage for shit, brother. Maybe you and I should partner up so our Mates can talk.” Tristan states, getting a low grumble of annoyance from Rune and a chuckle from me.
“Hey, are we late?” Running up to our group of four, Odette and Caspian join our group. I smile seeing my two friends and leave Rune’s arms to rub cheeks with Odette. Her scent wraps around me, confusing me for a moment.
“What wrong?” Odette asks with her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“I am not sure, but I think you do.” I muse, watching the she-wolf blush before holding up her finger.
“Shhhh. It’s a secret.” Odette whispers, a grin spreading across her face. I grin back feeling happy to be let in on the secret that she too is with pup. It seems my little Aspen will have a cousin to play with close in age.
“Deal. But we need to talk later.” I agree before turning to face all the wolves. I call everyone to gather around, watching the excitement in their eyes as Caspian and Odette stand behind me with Delilah to my left. Tristan and Rune reluctantly join the crowd of wolves, the two males partnering up without a fuss.
“Welcome everyone.” I call out once I have the attention of these wolves.
“As you know, today’s training has been canceled due to obvious circumstances. Because of that, I am keeping my promise I made to Alpha Tristan months ago about training him and his men on how to forage from the forest to help supply your Pack with herbs, medicinal plants, and wild vegetation.” I continue. Some look at me in shock, while others in utter disbelief. It seems this was not the training session they thought they would be getting.
“Do we have the option of backing out?” Some one asks, raising their hands in the air.
“Nope.”
“Absolutely not.”
Tristan and I say in unison, hearing a symphony of groans and curses. Delilah frowns, sending a sharp growl of warning as Caspian does the same, ending the crowd’s protest then and there.
“This is an opportunity that rarely comes. Be grateful Beta Brynlee is willing to teach us wolves from Shadow Rose, as I plan to have you all help train the wolves back home.” Delilah states, her stare that of a disappointed mother. I suppress the chuckle that threatens to escape my lips as I watch the Shadow Rose wolves look down in shame while mine watch on in amusement.
“Luna Delilah is right. This is an opportunity to not only learn a new skill and help your Pack but also learn how to work in a team with allied Packs.” I add on. This seems to catch everyone’s attention as another hand rises in the crowd and I notice Ricky in the mix, looking at me in confusion. Nodding at him to go ahead, Ricky looks around for a moment.
“What do you mean by working in a team?” He asks, some voicing in their agreement with this question.
“What I mean is that we have an equal number of Crescent Phoenix and Shadow Rose wolves. I want you all to form teams of two made of one Crescent Phoenix wolf and one Shadow Rose wolf” I begin to explain, watching a look of realization wash over these fifty wolves.
“After I give you all a brief lesson on what to look for, all twenty-five teams will go into the forest in the marked off section and hunt down the herbs and vegetations I will show you today. If you are unsure in any plant, please call Caspian, Odette or me over. We don’t want you to accidently touch something poisonous to us.” I continue. Odette and Caspian wave, my two friends excited to share their knowledge of what the forests have to offer.
“Now pair up so we can get started.” I state with a smile. With these words, the wolves before me rush to find a partner, each team coming to Caspian to receive a number and a mesh bag while Odette helps me set up the table that the Omegas had just finished bringing over. I decided that for this exercise we would work with one edible mushroom that is bountiful in our forest as well as three herbs, one being medicinal. With the teams ready, Odette and I begin our explanation of what to look for when foraging for our chosen vegetation, each wolf watching us intently. Some had taken out their phones, taking pictures of each plant after asking permission and I made a mental note of their resourcefulness. If we can do this exercise every day, I have a feeling these wolves will become invaluable for their respective Packs.
Once our little lesson was completed, I released everyone into the section of the forest marked off with bright yellow ribbons, stating that no one is to leave this boundary and that they are to be careful where they step to not ruin any potential herbs. Rune and Tristan take the lead, the two men animatedly talking about where the best spot to find the determined vegetation will be, while each team of two decides to take this as a leisure stroll to get to know one another.
“You know Bryn.” Caspian says as we follow behind everyone, Odette and Delilah walking ahead of us as Odette decides to teach Delilah some other herbs that can be easily cultivated in a greenhouse.
“You really would make a strong Alpha.” He continues, ruffling my hair. Annoyed, I pat his hand away but the smile on my lips is hard to hide. My best friend and sworn brother thinks I would make a strong Alpha and I can’t help but swell with pride.
“I think you would make a great Beta.” I admit, catching Caspian off guard for a moment. He opens his mouth to say something, but a wolf calling out my name has me smiling apologetically at Caspian and promising to talk about this discussion later tonight. Right now I have a foraging training lesson to run.