I have a little more insight into why I was brought here later than everyone and why I don’t have the warrior brand though. I wonder if it’s less to do with my age than these grumpy old men that want to feel like they have some semblance of power now that they are no longer Alpha’s running packs I pack that away to ask about later.
“Xander, there you are, I have been looking everywhere for you. You owe me adance. Another blonde slides up next to us and Xander rolls his eyes and looks between the woman and Bastian.
This was the plan, to get me away from Xander to give her a chance to snatch him up. I almost have to laugh, they are not subtle about this at all. I expected more covert attempts, but they are not even trying to hide the fact that no one here wants me anywhere near Xander.
Before he can get too angry, I place my hand on Xnader’s chest”
It’s okay, why don’t you call Oscar and he can escort me outside while you entertain blondie’s delusion that she can maintain your attention for an entire dance.” I say low, but still loud enough for all present to hear and then wink at Xander.
A smile breaks across his face before he laughs. I can see blondie is not happy about my comment, but she’s also not
dumb enough to say anything in front of me either. I remember her from some of the meetings today and if she was paying any attention, she knows I’m not stupid and can verbally spar with the best of them.
” Anything for you Midge. I’m giving you ten minutes, then Oscar is going to bring you right back to me, okay?” He touches the underside of my chin and lifts my eyes to his.
The intimate gesture is not missed by the other two.
Oscar saunters up, he really is a beautiful man. He smiles at Xander and then at me”
I hear I’m needed to babysit, because you for sure don’t need protection.” The three of us laugh”
I’ve got her your highness, we’ll see you in exactly ten minutes.” Oscar winks at him.
Xander leans over to plant a kiss on my temple. “I’ll see you soon.” I just nod.
“For not being mates, that boy seems awfully smitten with you.” Bastian growls”
How did you manage to get his affections when the women around here have been trying for years?”
“I thought we were going to discuss some of my suggestions from earlier?” I raise an eyebrow at him.
“I really just wanted to get to know you. You seem to be something of a novelty for the royal family and I was curious. You seem to have each of them eating out of the palm of your hand. Even your new guard is only an inch from you.”
I don’t have to look to see where Oscar is. I can feel his body heat behind my shoulder and the tension rolling off of him is almost palpable. He doesn’t like this elder and I am inclined to trust his judgment just as I do Xander’s in this Situation.
“I did nothing spectacular, and I’m not looking for praise. I am a warrior, I participated in the trials like all warriors wanting to join Elite training, I had a few conversations with the Alpha King about battle strategy and training and a few about life. The Alpha King and Luna Queen have been very kind to me. I have nothing else to say on the subject.”
“Were you really a part of the relief warriors that helped the packs surrounding Alpha Brecc’s territory”
“Yes.”
“How is that possible? There is no way any Delta or Gamma would have taken a thirteen year old girl on a mission like that.”
“Maybe not in the pack you came from, but at Blue Crescent, we push our warriors, not hold them back. We have had several people my age start to train early because they showed signs of proficiency early on in many areas. Some are training to be healers with our pack doctors while still in school. Some train with our teachers working with pups.
Some of our Omegas are working with our farmers. I just happen to be good at fighting, so I was brought into the relief team to gain experience and knowledge. I also happen to be good at defensive strategy, which is what I supplied to Alpha Brecc. He chose not to use the tools that were given to him, because it was designed by a girl and now he is understanding the consequences of those actions.’ I closed my mouth after that. He doesn’t need any more information from me and he can just sit there and squirm, knowing he isn’t intimidating me.
