Chapter 44
Chapter 44
When everyone woke up for the day, it was almost noon. The territory was busy with people going about their daily lives, who either didn’t attend, did not stay out too late or normally rise early no matter what they do the night before anyway. The omegas had already started taking down and cleaning up around the newly built veranda from last night's party and had it almost back to the land's pristine and natural look.
After Timber had gotten the boys fed and sent them outside to play, she went looking for Johnathon. Finding him in his office, he was working on the phone. Knocking lightly on the slightly ajar door, pushing it open just enough so she could stand in the doorframe. Johnathon looked up at her and smiled. Waving her in with his hand, she entered completely, moving around the desk sitting on his lap as he wrapped his arm around her waist giving her a little squeeze.
‘If I am understanding correctly, you want to place motion lights on the territory? Is that correct Alpha?” the man on the other end confirmed.
“Yes. That is exactly what I am looking to do.” he spoke to the person on the other end of the line.
“Spread all over the territory?” questioning his order.
“Uh uh. Yes, that's right. I want them put up all over my territory, and placed where light is needed.” becoming a little disturbed that he was being questioned.
“Alpha, you understand your territory is hundreds of miles long… and across? That’s going to take hundreds of thousands of motion lights to put them everywhere.” He questioned his orders again, causing Alpha Johnathon to bite down on his teeth. Bane got agitated with the man as well.
“I know how large my territory is, and I don’t care how many motion lights there are going to be. I just want it done. I requested this exact order three days ago.” saying again, but this time in a growl.
‘Does he not know who he is talking to?’ Bane growled in Johnathon’s mind.
‘Apparently he forgot. How about we remind him.’ Johnathon spat back at Bane.
“With all due respect Alpha, I…” he was cut off abruptly as Bane took over.
His eyes darkened as Bane pushed forward, taking control at the disrespect and growled. Timber could hear whimpering on the other end of the line as he submitted.
‘My a-apologies Alpha Johnathon. When d-do you need this order f-fulfilled?’ the man replied back in a shaky voice. Bane smirked knowing he probably now reeked of fear.
“Now, I want it done today. Before sunset.” Bane growled out, allowing Johnathon to have only minimal control as a half shift started to take place. Hair was sprouting on Johnathon’s arms as his teeth already started to elongate. He could hear the man’s mouth fall agape, but never refuted.
‘Yes Alpha. Right Away Alpha. I will have men there in a few hours with the supplies. They will be c-coming in at all four p-points of your t-territory and work inwards to m-maximize work time.’ he said with a nervous and shaky voice. Hoping his cooperation would allow him to keep his life after disrespecting the Alpha with all of the questioning of his orders.
“I don’t care how they do it as long as it is done as expected and by my deadline. I will notify the gates that they will be coming for entrance. Be aware, they will have guards watching them the whole time they are working. So no slacking off.” Alpha Johnathon said calmly into the phone before hanging up, not giving him a chance to say anything back.
Grabbing hold of Timber by the waist he pulled her closer to him so he could breathe in her intoxicating strawberry and cream scent. Almost instantly Bane relaxed, moving backwards into the shadows of his mind and sat down watching again.
“That bad uh?” Timber asked with a hint of condescending in her eyes, earning a glare from Johnathon. “Come on. Let’s go train the new recruits who came in yesterday with the boys. Training always makes you feel better.” Timber chirped, kissing him before standing up taking him with her by the hand.
~~~~~
‘Andrew I know you are wanting to spend time with you mate, but I need you to speak with the gates about the motion lights being installed today. Make sure there are at least four warriors with them at all times. I’ll be with Timber training the new men with the boys if I am needed.’ Andrew heard through his link from the Alpha.
‘Yes Alpha.’ was his reply before he turned back to Layana, kissing her deeply and passionately.
“I’m sorry baby, but duty calls. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” he sighed as he looked at her like a predator wanting their prey. He rubbed his hands up and down her body not wanting to lose the closeness with her at this moment.
Standing on her tiptoes she wrapped her arms around his neck, she played with the hair at its base with her fingers. Smiling lovingly at him, she pulled him closer to her smashing her lips on his.
Letting a growl rumble from his chest he pulled her closer to him snaking his arms around her body. At that moment, Andrew wished he wasn’t the Beta and just a regular pack member so he could stay home making love to her over and over again.
“It's fine Andrew. I need to go check on the covens, anyway.” Layana said, pulling back a little, getting a low growl in protest. She chuckled at his boyish behavior before kissing his pouty lips once more. With a little chant she was dressed, earning an eyebrow raise and smirk from Andrew, while she just shrugged, blew him a kiss and smiled lovingly again, before she snapped her fingers disappearing.
~~~~~
The guests that were awake walked the territory getting to know the pack members. Anyone who was not a pack member was easy to spot because of their scents, but mostly because of their clothing. Their clothing was a dead giveaway they were not wolves.
Outside of the Vampires, who are naturally nocturnal, the Faes were the last ones to be seen roaming about as they loved the nightlife when not working in nature during the day.
As they looked around, one thing each species noticed was how every warrior had on the same outfit. They determined it was only the warriors because the ones not on duty wore the same thing as those that were, even though no one else did. This was a question which was left hanging in the breeze on why.
The Dragon shifter hovered around the training grounds watching how the wolves trained. A few comments were made about how intense and focused they looked when they trained. It was also noticed how they train in both human and wolf form interchangeably. This one technique impressed them, because it showed how they could easily adjust to their opponent. The other important observation they made was how the suits they wore didn’t shred between shifts. Another question pondered.
“Excuse me. Do you think we would be able to train as well? Maybe, with you all?” Elder Rani of the Dragon Shifters asked one of the warriors standing nearby as she gestured to the men.
“Uumm. I would have to ask the Alpha ma’am.” he seemed very weary of saying yes without the Alpha’s approval. She watched his eyes gloss over momentarily, assuming he was mind-linking Alpha Johnathon. She smiled and gave a nod.
“Alpha Johnathon said he will be right over. But if you want to meet him he’s coming over from that way.” he said pointing to an open field near the packhouse where he normally trains with the boys. Elder Rani nodded her again in thank you, smiled and made her way towards the area the warrior pointed to.
“Good morning, Elder Rani of the Dragon Shifters. I was told you want to train with us? Did I hear this correctly?” Alpha Johnathon spoke upon meeting her on the path.
“That is correct Alpha Johnathon. We are very impressed with your training and would like to train with your men if you do not mind.” He stood there with his arms crossed over his chest like he was unsure if this would be a good idea or not. She however, stood poised with her hands folded neatly in front of her. “If we are expected to fight this war with you, wouldn’t it be to everyone’s benefit to at least try to train together once?” She stated, gesturing outwards with her arms, seeing his need to be persuaded.
Timber walked up behind him touching the middle of his back, making him look over his right shoulder at her. “Well, I think that is a wonderful idea. If we are expected to trust each other during the real thing we may as well see how our fighting skills can help the other.” Timber chimed in with a smile.
‘What are you doing Timber? Do we really want to show them everything?’ speaking to her in concern of other supernaturals knowing the gifts his family possesses.
‘They will find out during the battle, Johnathon. Wouldn’t it be better to show them now so it wouldn't be a surprise causing possible confusion and unnecessary fatalities?’ she argued back.
‘Fine. but the boys are NOT training with anyone. I don’t want them put in harm's way or exposed.’ he finally conceded to her point of view on a condition.
Alpha Johnathon nodded his head to confirm that would indeed be fine. Opening the link, he called his warriors over that were training. Once they all gathered around he spoke. “Men! The Dragon Shifters would like to train with you so there will not be any surprises during this upcoming war. Do what you do, but respectfully. Learn from them and allow them to learn from you. Let today’s training be another special training day allowing us all to use the strengths of each other. Any questions?” His voice was loud and clear as his Alpha tone rang out.
“No Alpha!” was heard in unison causing a smile to spread across Elder Rani’s lips seeing such uniformity. She was pleased at what she saw in Alpha Johnathons’ pack, making her think she was wrong about not reaching out to some of the other supernaturals sooner.
Elder Rani had eight other men with her as her security plus her advisor and messenger. She nodded to her messenger, Leyla who shifted to go back home to get more shifters for their impromptu training. “I hope you do not mind Alpha Johnathon, but I sent my messenger,” pointing to Leyla flying high in the sky, “to get more of my trusted warriors for our impromptu training session.”
“Of course not. More the merrier.” he said calmly. But Timber felt his sarcasm through the bond.
The dragon shifters already started training with the warriors. They first sparred in human form until some shifted into wolves. The dragon shifters had to learn to adjust while still in human form, as Andrew and Johnathon gave them pointers on how to get the upper hand on a wolf opponent. Reminding them, rogues fight dirty and to expect the unexpected.
The sky started to cloud over with large shadows making everyone look up. Dragons came in by the dozens. “Well, you weren’t lying when you said you wanted warriors to train with us.” Alpha Johnathon smirked at the sight. The brightness of the sky returned when about three dozen dragons shifted into men on the training field.
“Men!” Elder Rani projected her voice. “You have been called here to train with the Graves Pack for our pending war. Learn from them as they will learn from you. We will fight alongside them and need to feed off each other's strengths.” she called out. Each man took a knee and bowed at her words before standing and being given a sparring partner or two.
The Fae Elder Petroff, didn’t have his people join in on the training that was not cross species. Instead they watched from the sides. They are not a very physical species, but they can be if needed and with great precision and force. Their skills lay primarily in their ability to use glamour, as in manipulating what an opponent sees, and tongues, similar to witches with incantations but using the elements as a basis for it.
Timber participated in the training as she was always looking for ways to improve her elemental gifts. Some of the dragons took to the air while others stayed on foot during training. Those in the air blew fire towards the men on the ground fighting.
A few warriors accidentally moved too close to the dragon's fire causing gasps to be heard among some of the dragon shifters. When they realized the Graves Pack men were unharmed, and unphased everyone stopped and stared at them in wonder.
Since Timber can use fire and water, which is where ice comes from, their warrior suits should protect them if they accidentally got hit with Dragons breath.
“How is this possible? Your men should be dead or burning in that fire?” Fae Elder Petroff questioned as he watched on.
“Those suits have been enhanced with elemental essence. I have been gifted with all the elements.” Timber spoke up, answering their question. That was when Elder Rani and Elder Petroff realized why each of the men were wearing the same suit. It somehow protected them from the elements.
“So it is true of your kind. You are the chosen one I have seen in my visions. The one who possesses the ability to control all the elemental essences. ” a new voice echoed in the distance. He now believed he knew the outcome of this war.
Everyone turned to look from where the voice had come to see Vampire Elder Keenan standing with his hands folded behind his back with a small smirk on his pale face.
“How are you out in the daylight hours? It is not close to dusk yet.” Timber questioned him confused.
“I am an Elder, Luna Timber, and with that comes… special abilities.” was all he said as he kept one hand behind his back and gestured with his other circles in the air like it was something everyone should know, before placing hand back where it came from.
