Chapter 6

Stormie

The next morning I made my way out to the training field with the other Elite.  I noticed they were moving a little sluggishly this morning and smiled.  I guess my brothers weren't the only ones that came back absolutely trashed last night.  Good thing they were werewolves.  The guys were wearing their usual loose shorts and tank tops while I had thrown on my usual tight shorts and sports bra.  I did throw a tank top on at the request of my brothers and put my hair in a bun on the top of my head.  My father and Arkin had agreed to work with the king's guard for the next few days so here we were.  

Arkin had spoken to the other warriors from our pack and they would arrive tomorrow and aid in the training as well.  I stood in my usual spot towards the middle of our group while Arkin divided the king's guard into groups and assigning two of us per group.  I'm paired with Aerick like usual.  We get right to work with Aerick directing our group's training while I demonstrate and then work through the group correcting postures and stances.  I was glad to see a decent amount of female warriors in the royal guard.  I smiled knowing that was one of the things Tristan had encouraged once he became king and I blushed thinking about our kiss last night.

I turned away quickly trying to get my thoughts under control before my bothers noticed and asked me questions about last night.  

Tristan

I had assigned my beta, gamma and head warrior to Alpha Adam today to walk them through the training his Elite were providing our guard as well as what his observations were and what our guard should be working on.  I'm finding it difficult to not stare out my window at Stormie, who I can see from here in tiny shorts and a tank top.  I stop for a minute and watch her gracefully demonstrate something to the group she's working with.  I growl as I notice many of the guard watching her with more than curiosity in their eyes.  Turning,  run my fingers through my hair before returning to my work.  Tomorrow I'll be joining them but today I need to get other things done in preparation of our trip.    

 Alpha Adam came to my office early in the afternoon to ask me if they can use the dinning room as it has the largest table to organize their training groups.  I tell him to go ahead and inform him that I will join them once I am done here. Once I finally finished I headed down to the dining hall to see what they were up to.  My eyes were instantly drawn to Stormie as I walked over to Alpha Adam at the table.  She was wearing a tight pair of jeans that accentuated her curves and her hair was damp, hanging freely down her back over her t shirt.  I longed to run my fingers through it but I could feel the stares from the others in the room.  Instead I turned my focus on the Alpha Adam and asked him to explain what they were discussing and what the piles around the table were.

He went over what they had put the royal guard through this after noon and how they were trying to sort them.  Stormie began signing again and I watched intently as they all conversed back with her, some chosing to sign like she did and others answering out loud.  After a few minutes Alpha Adam interrupted them.

"It is rude to speak in a language the king does not understand when discussing his people.  Please use your voice.  It will be good practice for you all on this trip," he said smiling at Stormie.  She sighed but then continued the conversation out loud with the others.  I didn't pay too much attention, I just enjoyed listening to her soft voice.  Alpha Adam asked me for my input when they were done and I agreed to what they had decided before inviting all of them to dinner in an hour.  Before we all left to change for dinner I reminded the Alpha that I was going to be joining their training tomorrow and from the corner of my eye I saw Stormie blush.  Well, this would be interesting. 

I linked my parents to let them know that I had invited the Elite to join us for dinner tonight and my mother informed me that we also had Councilman Craig's grand daughters who would be joining us today.  I winced as I changed into something a little more comfortable since the other alphas had gone home.  His younger grand daughters Sara and Caroline were sweet girls but his oldest grand daughter was something else.  Cristella and I had grown up together as she was often visiting the castle with her grandfather.   There had once even been a rumor - more of hope I think - that we would be mates.  But after the incident with Stormie I couldn't see her the same way anymore.   She had been away at college for my corination and I only hoped that time had made her really think about her actions.

I was the last one in the dinning room and missed the introductions my parents made between everyone.  I glanced down the table nodding in acknowledgement before taking my seat.  This time Arkin was seated next to me, then Stormie.  Her other brother Aerick sat on her other side like a pair of bookends.  'Are they your guard dogs now?' I asked Stormie through link.  I watched as her smile lit up her face and she held in a laugh.

'Apparently so.  At least until I kick their asses again,' she replied back.   My father asked about the warriors training today before the others chimed in with questions for the Elite and Alpha Adam.  Since this was a more relaxed dinner, they chose to regale us with stories of them all growing up together, training and some of the trouble they got into.  A few of the stories I had heard last night from Stormie and it was funny to hear another version of them.  Stormie sat there mostly quiet but she ate well and laughed a lot, her entire face lighting up.    

Arkin asked me how I knew Stormie and she blushed.  I laughed and told them the story of how we met here while I was on break from school and how we had become fast friends after meeting in the garden.  I told them about how she always managed to escape and find me and how I would laugh every time I saw one of her father's warriors after they had to bathe her - they would always be soaked and covered in bite marks and bubbles.  I told them she was my little shadow that first week.  Alpha Adam added to some of the story as well as talking about how much Stormie had loved the garden and how her mother had started one back home with her.  

My mother chimed in explaining how she had suggested Stormie's name after seeing her storm cloud colored eyes and I laughed saying that she really got her name because that's what she was - a little storm, a fierce ball of fur and teeth.  Stormie laughed too and I was glad to see she was much more relaxed and enjoying herself today.  My mother asked about her birthday and Alpha Adam explained that they decided to use the day he found her as her birthday and that she would be 18 in only a few weeks.  My mother then replied "Maybe you'll find your mate while you guys are on this little adventure." 

Cristella chose then to speak up.  "Wouldn't that be wonderful?  I've been away at college since my 18th birthday and I haven't had any time to try and find my mate.  Maybe I should go with you Tristan.  Wouldn't that be fun?  Like old times.  I could try finding my mate too and I could keep you company." 

Oh hell no.  She was way too high maintenance and I did not want to have to baby sit someone.  "I'm afraid that I am going to be too busy.  It's not just about finding my mate.  I'm going to be out exploring the packs and seeing where improvements can be made, what issues they are dealing with, that kind of thing," I replied.  

My father linked me and replied 'It might not be a bad idea to take her along, at least for the first few packs.  It would solidify your cover with the council and with the alphas.  Make them more willing to let their guards down.'

I frowned, no longer focused on the conversation at the table. 'Father, I know at one point you had hoped the Cristella and I would be mates, but -"

He cut me off. 'I know you have your eyes on someone else.  I've been watching you.  But Cristella is just enough distraction to keep people focused on her and not what the Elite are doing.  I know you are no longer friends but you can put Cristella to work for you.  She is also Craig's grand daughter.  She knows how to act apropriately and how to be diplomatic.  Take my advice.'

After dinner I took a walk through the gardens to think over what my father had said.  It was a warm and clear night and when I made it back to the fountain I was pleasantly surprised to see Stormie sitting there.  Her hair was loose, pooling in the grass beside her.  She had changed after dinner unlike me and was wearing a tank top and shorts - probably her pajamas.  She smiled up at me and patted the grass next to her.  I did not hesitate to sit right next to her and lay back our sides touching until she turned to face me better.  'What have you done since I saw you last?' she linked me her big eyes staring into mine. 

I smiled over at her before moving closer and putting my arm under her head.  She laid there curled up against my side as I told her about finishing school and college and then doing a quick tour of the packs before training.  Then I was tasked with leading a team that tracked down and eliminated some of the hunters and rogues in order to prove that I was a worthy king.  I spent more time training with my father learning my new duties. 

I felt her breathing even out at some point but still continued on.  When I was done I looked over and found her asleep, her hair still loose and glowing all around her.  I kissed her forehead before getting up and scooping her up being careful of her hair.  She snuggled her face against my chest as I carried her inside and back to her room.  My wolf was exstatic that she was in our arms and I took in several deep breaths enjoying her scent.  I tucked her into her bed and moved her hair away from her face.  "What are you doing to me little wolf?" I asked softly to quiet room.  I kissed her softly pouting lips before leaving.