Standing in front of Brynlee’s cottage, I knock on the door and wait for her to answer. After confronting Rune, I had planned to talk to her but duty called and I had to deal with wolves on our borders. It was spies of Pine Moon once again trying to sneak in and catch a glimpse of our Luna and Beta.
News had spread that Crescent Phoenix had helped Onix Moon liberate themselves from the tyranny of Viren and people were becoming increasingly curious of our female leaders. It took longer than I had thought to deal with them, the enemy wolves fighting my men with everything they could. One managed to escape capture while the other two decided to take their own lives by slitting their throats before we could restrain them.
“Quincy? What are you doing here?” Brynlee’s voice calls from behind me and I turn to see her coming up the path. The faint smell of rubbing alcohol comes off her and I frown. It seems she is just coming back from the Pack Infirmary.
“I wanted to see how you are doing. I heard Rune took you from the training facility against your will.” I state with a shrug, watching Brynlee sigh and run her hands through her hair.
“Yeah, the Mate Bond called out to him thinking I was in danger.” She admits. I scent the air, hoping she is lying so that I can go back to where Rune is and beat him to oblivion, but she is telling the truth.
“Do you know what caused it to do that?” I ask, watching as Brynlee looks away and bites her lip.
“I do. But I am not ready to talk about it.” She mumbles quietly. I nod, deciding that if it is something she isn’t willing to share right now, then all I can do is be there for her as a friend.
“If you need anything, you know I am here for you.” I reassure her, watching as Brynlee turns to smile at me with relief.
“I know, Quincy. It’s why I like being your friend.” Brynlee says, walking towards me and hugging me.
“Do you want to come in for some coffee and cookies?” She asks, pulling away and opening the front door.
“I would, but I have some patrols I need to plan. Today we had some spies try to sneak in from Pine Moon.” Brynlee frowns at my answer, telling me to wait for a moment before she disappears into the cottage and returns a moment later, no longer holding the envelope in her hands.
“Let’s take my truck to the Pack House since we need to tell Asteria about this and make a plan.” She suggests, closing the door and marching towards her truck. Helplessly I follow her, climbing into the passenger seat of the truck as she pulls out of the small driveway and onto the small road.
I link Asteria, telling my Alpha that we need an impromptu meeting before linking Quest and telling him to meet us at the Pack House. Within a few minutes, Brynlee is parking beside the large building just as Quest makes his way up the stairs.
“You know, I was hoping for a break.” Quest sighs out as we join him, Brynlee rolling her eyes.
“Unfortunately for us, we get no breaks.” She retorts with, getting s loud sigh from Quest. The three of us make our way to Asteria’s office to find her door open. Walking into the room, we find our Alpha sitting at her desk, a look of concern on her face.
“How bad is it?” She asks before we can sit down.
“Bad. It seems Pine Moon is determined to meet you.” I answer as Brynlee takes a seat on the sofa while Quest and I sit across from Asteria.
“Spies have been found around the borders and threatened when we see them, but this is the first time we have seen any on our land since your initiation.” I continue, feeling anger radiate off my Alpha.
“Has anyone been injured by Valor’s men?” She asks and I shake my head.
“Not yet. It seems the training you and Brynlee instilled has helped our wolves as we have been able to beat them. Unfortunately, one wolf did manage to escape when we tried to capture and question them.” I explain, getting a nod from Asteria.
“I will have Holten send a legal warning to Valor. If he continues to have his men spy on us, then I will have to have the Council step in.” She sighs out, turning to look at Brynlee.
“How are war preparations going?” Asteria asks. Brynlee stands from her seat and comes to stand beside Asteria at her desk. After asking if she could use Asteria’s computer, Brynlee pulls up a few files and turns the screen to face us.
“Holten has told us that our first two shelters will be done within three weeks, food preparations with the Omegas have been steadily increasing and our training schedule has only had a few hiccups due to the spies trying to get in.” She explains, her calm composure drawing me in. She has that effect on everyone, it's because she was supposed to be a Luna and lead a Pack. It’s what draws me in and makes me want to court her even if her Goddess given Mate is now in Crescent Phoenix.
“Good. I have a feeling my brother will try to sneak someone into the Pack and our identities will be exposed.” Asteria says, her voice low as she takes in the report Brynlee shared. I can sense her unease and worry and watch as Brynlee reassures Asteria that Crescent Phoenix is growing stronger every day. That Pine Moon is weaker than it’s ever been and that we will be able to deal with them if a war inevitably breaks out.
“What did you do with the bodies of Valor’s spies?” Brynlee asks and I grin.
“I threw them over the pack line into no-man’s land and burned them. It’s why I took a while to come talk to you after what Rune did.” I answer, watching Asteria stiffen and Brynlee glare at me. It seems Asteria doesn’t know that Rune carried Brynlee away mid-training.
[I am so going to kick your ass later.] Brynlee links me, her voice a low growl. I shudder, realizing that I might have gone a little far.
Asteria excuses me, asking for Quest and Brynlee to stay back. Already fearing for the beating I will be receiving later; I quickly leave the office with Brynlee’s glare following me out the door.