Thunder Moon Ascending (Lupine Hollow Academy #3) - Quinn Arthurs
Prolgoue - Alarick
Forget dying by embarrassment, I needed to direct this energy into the first murder by embarrassment, I decided, as I listened to my father make yet another less than thinly veiled reference to my feelings for Pixie. The old man had moved from dropping subtle hints to driving atomic bombs into our conversations in regard to my potentially claiming her as my mate, and my tolerance was quickly coming to an end.
“If we could focus?” I growled, glaring at the legal pad in front of me that was scrawled with notes and plans concerning pack business. The words were merging together as I fought to hold my temper at my father’s ribbing. “You will be leaving shortly, and we need to have everything in order first.”
“Now, now,” he replied cheerfully, leaning back in his chair, the thick leather creaking under his weight. “I’m going to be away for a few weeks, dealing with some of these issues.” He indicated the notes in front of him with a negligent wave, before adjusting the golden wolf cufflink shaped as our pack’s symbol. “If I don’t tease you now, how will you remember I care?” The teasing light faded from his eyes as he sat up, reaching out to clasp my hand. “If it wasn’t necessary for me to leave now, I wouldn’t, Ari.” The childhood nickname brought nearly as much heat to the back of my neck as his prior teasing had. “There is too much discontent among the packs right now, too many rumors drifting. I need to be sure our presence is felt outside of these walls.” I knew he was right. Starlight Woods was still making noise, drawing disgruntled wolves to increase their numbers as they wove their lies into any listening ear. My father needed to ensure that our allegiances were solid, that packs were reminded of the favors they owed us, and of the good we did for our kind before Gwyar tried anything.
“I know, Alpha.”
“You will need to rely on the others,” he warned, squeezing my hand before releasing me. “Do not try to take on the role entirely by yourself. We are pack. Each of you must contribute, your strengths and weaknesses balance each other. You are still young, still learning. Fillian has experience you lack.” My wolf growled low, though even he was forced to acknowledge the truth of the statement. Fillian Cole was strong and intelligent, a worthy advisor.
“As for Ms. Miller, I know you will make her training a priority. I have already given Fillian permission to take the lead there, as her schoolwork is secondary to her life. It is clear that training will be necessary sooner rather than later. Especially after what Selene foretold...” His eyes darkened for a moment as he lost himself in the memory of Pixie’s battle with Ashley, and the way Selene had taken over Luna and spoken through her lips. How she had charged Pixie with mending the rifts among the wolves, removing prejudices that were haunting our people, and looking after her moon blessed. “Follow Fillian’s direction if the need to deal with Luna or her uncle arises before I return.” His words had turned icy, his eyes hard. My father was an alpha to the core and would brook no threat to his pack. “I may be unavailable for immediate contact at times, and if something happens, Selene forbid, I do not want you waiting. We can deal with any political fallout, but we cannot handle losing the moon blessed.”
Pride raced through me, and I angled my head in a nod. “I understand. We will take care of her,” I assured him, tapping my pen softly on my legal pad.
My father’s mood shifted like lightning, a grin tugging at his mouth. “Speaking of taking care of her... I informed Ms. Miller upon her arrival that should she enter into any kind of sexual—”
The groan that fell from my lips was distinct—the sound every teenager makes at some point when dealing with a parent as I cut him off with a wave of my hand. “Must we go here?” While wolves were open regarding sexual activity, it didn’t mean I wanted to discuss my interests in Pixie with my father.
His tone turned from teasing to serious once more. “We must.” I sighed, nodding my head. “I informed Ms. Miller of where she may procure contraceptives when she first arrived, but it should not fall solely on her to be responsible.”