The Gamma's Birthright - Book 2
Acorns!

Susan had been looking forward to her mating ceremony, all her family and most of her friends were there to see her except Toni, or Emma as she still thought of her, couldn’t be there.

Her actual trip back to the Royal pack had been uneventful, but their two-day stay to get all her belongings together caused their first argument when she’d said innocently, that she wished Gamma Antonia could be at their mating ceremony.

Henry had tried to ban her from contacting her friend, but that hadn’t ended well for him, with Susan almost refusing to go back to the Blood Moon pack, her brother and Chief Delta Alek had stepped in to calm things down for them, suggesting the Gamma would probably never contact her anyway.

Still, it hurt her to think that she probably wouldn’t see Antonia again, nor her alter ego Emma, as she’d explained so carefully, her pack wasn’t really on good terms with the Blood Moon, but it didn’t stop her from missing her friend and wondering how she was getting on.

They had exchanged numbers though, Antonia’s was now stored under Emily on her phone, after she argued with Henry, and had ended with more of a ‘Don’t tell me about it’ as a compromise.

Her parents had been philosophical about the friendship, she was an adult and therefore needed to make her own decisions, but were secretly happy she was going to the Blood Moon pack so there was less chance of their paths crossing.

But early on in the day, she got a phone call from her, having exchanged phone numbers early on in their short trip.

They’d spoken for twenty minutes on the phone, with Toni wishing her the best day, leaving her feeling happy, Toni may not be able to be there in person, but she’d remembered her, just as she’d promised.

At midday a package had arrived from Toni, so here she was, staring at her reflection, in her blue off-the-shoulder silk dress, wearing a pair of gold earrings in the shape of acorns, she couldn’t help but grin, as she moved her head, there was something inside them, that gave a small bell-like sound, faint, but there.

She went out to her ceremony feeling like Toni was beside her.

Toni checked her surroundings and settled into a tree, from where she was, she could see the clearing ahead of her.

It took almost no effort to get onto these pack lands, their patrols too regulated and borders too open, their position near their allies has left them too relaxed and this will be a wakeup call for them, something that for once she approves of.

The problem with being near the top of the food chain and living in times of peace is complacency.

After all the pack is thriving and being successful will breed complacency, but all complacency breeds failure, so in a way, she’s helping the pack.

She grins, knowing they probably won’t see it that way, but the reality is, the odd shake-up will always benefit the system, her exit plan is set, and she has two backups because this run, this job, isn’t as meticulously planned as her normal ones are.

In the clearing, people are beginning to gather, she shifts quietly, bringing her bow up carefully, they are so confident, no extra guards have been set, yet they are hosting several packs here, she’s downwind and can smell 3 different pack smells on the wind, some she’s aware of, some are new, but all are in front of her.

It takes 10 minutes for the clearing to fill and Toni watches on silently as the Alpha stands up to talk to all those assembled, it’s getting darker now, evening light softening the setting, but the bright lights that have filled the clearing make finding her target easier, she steadies herself getting ready to strike.

As the cheers grow, a scent of blood hits the air and Toni reacts, letting her arrow fly, she hears the satisfying thump as it hits its target.

They are alert now, the voices quieted, a shocked silence, before the noise increases, her bow hidden high in the tree, she jumps shifting, using the shadows to merge into the night, exiting the pack land unchallenged and grinning, this job, this was for her.

As Henry and Susan mark each other, there’s a thudding noise at their feet.

Just in front of them, on the raised dais is an arrow, with a rubber sucker, the kind used in children’s bow and arrow sets, with a small bag attached.

The assembled pack all go quiet.

Henry bends down picking up the arrow, he looks at the bag, before reading the label and handing it to Susan.

Opening it, she turns it upside down and empties it into her hand, out drops two acorns and a note

’I said I couldn’t be there, not that I wouldn’t.

You didn’t think I’d miss a friend's mating ceremony if I could avoid it.

Live your life to the fullest and know if you need help, I’m only a call away, even if unseen

G.A.W.’

Susan grinned, she’d made it to her ceremony.

“What is it?” Henry’s voice breaks into her thoughts

“It’s from a friend” she grins

“Wishing us a long happy life together”

Honestly, you thought I wouldn't go and see a friend's mating ceremony?

That I wouldn't relish the challenge of sneaking onto their pack land unnoticed?

I may not have many friends, but I will be there for the ones have, plus the inner me loves a challenge, and her mate, Gamma Henry, needs to know that she's got friends in low places!

I hope that she messes up his ordered and calm life, she's impulsive and fun, and it will be good for him.

Of course, it's also one up for me, he did after all, cut our night out short and I don't forget, I just get even.... and the idea I was there, watching, probably irritated him, so that's good enough for me!

Anyway, it's time for me to run, no point hanging around now, not like I'll be offered a drink.

But pump up the music, it's time to party after all ...

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