Alpha Adiera

TGIF!

It's Friday or as I like to call it - Fairy Fun day! It's the one day a week I focus totally on training. After the week I've had I need it!

I woke up before dawn, got dressed then met up with Stella.

We chowed down an energy bar each, and quietly make our way outside to run around our pack perimeter for an hour. We finished it off by joining the morning yoga group to stretch and cool down our muscles. Our tummies grumbled unhappily so we made our way into the pack house for a late breakfast.

It was lovely and quiet as most people were done by the time we arrived.

At 10 am sharp I received a mink link that Elderon was at the gate.

"Please tell Elderon he is most welcome and to join me in the pack house" I mind linked the guards.

"Margo! He's here!" I shouted getting up from the table.

My chef hurried out to the dining room, smiling like a school girl, holding a piece of some sort of sickly cake creation she has made especially for our esteemed visitor.

Elderon breezed in, wings out, his heightened emotions obviously on the surface, and gave me a bone crushing hug. His face was one of sympathy and love when he'd pulled away and met my green eyes with his royal blue ones.

"Adiera! How are you? I'm so sorry to hear about Gus. He was ..." He burst into tears and pulled me back into his arms.

I patted his back soothingly and I tried my best to calm my friend down.

"Elderon, I'm so sorry about your boyfriend!"

He started heaving in my arms, his sobs broken up by his laughter.

"You b*tch! You know I loved him almost as much as your fat ass!"

"I know, but you've still got me girlfriend" I sassed back through my own tears.

He laughed at me, wiping the moisture from his face.

~* Originally upon arriving at the New Moon pack to continue my training, Gus took one look at Elderon's long blonde hair and assumed 'he' was a 'she'. From then on, Gus used to mink link that my girlfriend was here for training, to which I sassed back that my fairy weapons master was his boyfriend. *~

I choked up suddenly. Yup. Grief really does hit in emotional waves.

I miss the banter and the jokes between myself, my beautiful mate and our close friends.

He was truly my opposite and my perfect match in every way. He was such an open social butterfly to my introverted overly serious self. I always joked he needed a refund with me as Luna.

Luna stuff always bored me, choosing training over decorating knowing I could hire someone to do that type of thing! It's a waste of my time!

He always laughed at me and said my Father told him "no refunds."

I of course knew Daddy would never say such a thing. He'd have me back home in a heartbeat!

I wiped the tears from my face and smiled at my dear friend.

"Margo has made you something to cheer you up" I winked at him.

It was though a switch was flicked.

"Margo! My dear! One of your famous cakes! Thank you sweetheart!" He gave Margo air kisses on each cheek and rubbed his hands delightedly taking the cake from her and gliding to a seat at the table. I sat down next to him, and Stella took a seat across from us.

"Coffee? Mr Elderon?" Jenny an Omega from our kitchen crew put down a coffee, sweetened just how he liked, next to him to accompany his cake.

"Thank you dear" he turned and smiled at her. Jenny turned beet red and giggled being singled out by Elderon's attention.

"Are you not joining me for a coffee Adiera?" He picked his cup up pointedly with a raised eyebrow.

I should have known he'd notice.

"I can't ... well I could... but I've cut down my caffeine intake." I put my hand on my belly.

"Ohmygosh! Congratulations!!!" he squeeled excitedly, side hugging me in our chairs.

"You're going to have to bring Elyssa and your little one over to be playmates with mini Gus Gus."

"Of cause! Not long long now until bubba Sprite's due date. I can't wait" He gave me a dazzling proud smile.

He was going to be a wonderful Father.

We chatted as he finished his treat.

"Thank you Margo! That was delicious! Now ladies, let's get to training!"

We linked arms and left the crowded dining room. Everyone had filed in to see Elderon. Fairy's had such a warm drawing pull to other supernatural's so it wasn't surprising.

I send a mind link to the whole pack

"If anyone would like the opportunity to learn to shoot using a bow and arrow please join us at the lower training grounds"

I knew most of the women of the pack would come running to "supervise" said training for the opportunity to thirst over my uber talented, not to mention super hot, fairy trainer.

Meh. I didn't mind. Being comfortable around weapons and watching the training could only benefit them in the long run.

I was happy to see my entire team of junior warriors waiting for us. I think the safe room incident helped hit home that weapons can be a great element of surprise in a hostile situation.

Surprisingly some of our established warriors joined in too.

Fanvier, Elderon's training assistant, greeted me and I did a shallow bow of respect back to him. He handed out cheap looking wooden practice bows and arrows to our interested newbies and called over the ones who already had the basic training to an area set up with straw mannequins. Elderon was explaining soft spots and weakness in armour and they went about their lesson.

Those who were brand new got walked through stance, posture etc by Fanvier.

I went out further to our field area to practice my speed and accuracy skills with Stella.

I sent out a pack mind link message:

"Warriors please avoid the lower training grounds for your own safety"

I didn't want anyone getting hurt with a wayward arrow. Not that I was using my precious silver tips, but safety first and I want to avoid any accidents.

After an hour working our way through the field archery obstacle course, we took turns throwing foam skulls to shoot through for fun.

I turned when I felt eyes on me swinging my bow around sharply.

I froze.

My heart lurched in my chest.

Derryk was here.

Crap.

He put his hands up in surrender and flashed me that lopsided smile that used to make me swoon.

I didn't ease my position of poise.

After all, holding aim is a great exercise in itself.

"You going to shoot me Adiera? Won't take me long to heal from that regular arrow tip" his chest rumbled with a low laugh.

"Hey Derryk!" I lowered my bow and smiled at him. "Didn't you get the message about staying clear?"

"Oh, I did... just wanted to see you." He answered the next question on my lips, "I just got in today taking over from Will who needed to head home unexpectedly."

"I'm surprised Zane let you" I quipped back. My older brother was always protective of me and I knew he would question his bestie coming for a social visit.

"Being one of his favourite trackers and all... Isn't warrior duty a bit beneath you?" I teased.

"I'm not here for that long... A couple of days just 'til the fresh replacements." He walked over to me with his long legged strides.

"I'm sorry about Gus" he said and pulled me in for a hug. Not going to lie, I totally stuck my nose into his chest to smell his woodsy scent for comfort. I knew he was sticking his nose in my hair doing the same. I pulled away with a nod and a "thanks".

I was surprised that all the attraction that used to be there, was now nothing. I felt for him now the same way as I'd feel for a family member.

The magic of the mate bond.

I wondered if I'd ever feel attracted to anyone ever again ...

We all walked back up to the rest of the training group.

They had moved on from bows and were having a go at axe throwing. Some of the warriors seemed to be really enjoying it. I would have to talk to Elderon about an axe order after the next lesson, If they wanted to continue with it. (It was always nicer to have your own personalised equipment.) That way they could practice in their own time too.

Derryk greeted Elderon and Fanvier and helped pack away the equipment while I touched base with the warriors and asked how they enjoyed the lessons.

Elderon wasn't staying for lunch instead heading home to his mate.

"I never like staying out for too long. You never know when you are going to be needed around to help out with something" he said giving me another hug.

I waved goodbye to my friends and joined everyone else to eat lunch.

"What are you doing for the rest of the day Adiera?" asked Derryk.

"It's Friday! So, training! Are you going to come too?"

He looked at me and I could tell that he was uncomfortable.

I knew what was coming, though I hoped I was wrong.

"Shouldn't you be taking it easy... you know with your condition and all?"

I internally groaned. I knew it. I shrugged him off. "I am. Stella is my sparing partner. There's no way she's going to pit her full strength at me ... Not that it's any of your concern." I narrowed my eyes at him as if daring him to make another comment. I had to consciously hold back my aura because I was feeling unusually annoyed at his unwanted opinion.

I wonder if it's my hormones making me more testy?

He put his hands up in surrender.

"Just trying to look out for you."

I could tell by his tone he was genuine and a little hurt by my dismissal, but I didn't care. I wasn't his to fuss over. I picked up my plate and looked at Stella, "You ready?" We dumped our plates and took off to the training grounds

"You okay?" Stella asked concerned.

"Yeah, just hate the bubble wrap bs. The only peeps that need to be worried about my what I can and can't do is my Doctor and myself." I sighed, "You know I don't feel like sparring right now, I'm not in the right head space. I'm going to hit the gym and take out my angst on a punching bag instead."

Stella frowned. "Did you want me to come with you?"

I shook my head. "Nah, just want to blast some heavy tunes and beat the hell out of something. I'll catch up with you later."

The gym was quiet.

Just what I needed.

I started with some weights, then moved onto hitting the punching bag.

I felt eyes on me for the second time that day.

I took out my ear pod and started stretching.

"Are you going to talk to me, or just be a creeper?" I called out not even turning around.

Derryk sauntered over with his hands in his pockets looking awkward.

"I'm sorry Adiera ... I just feel protective of you. I've always felt protective of you. Like the little sister I never had. Not that you've ever needed me to, I know, but I can't seem to help myself."

I looked him in the eyes and held his gaze. He cared for me, and if my intuition was correct, he'd offer me more than friendship if I was interested.

However, I wasn't able to reciprocate his feelings.

Aspen, my wolf, was still depressed after losing her mate, and only saw Derryk and his wolf Dagger in a platonic way.

"Well it's a good thing you're heading back home soon, because if I hear any more of your unwanted concerns I will lose my temper." I pointed my finger at his chest to drive my point home. "Just a tip, the only she wolf you have any right to have an opinion on, is your mate and even then, hers counts for more than yours." I crossed my arms and glared at him again.

"Ouch! Okay. Duly noted! I'll see you later."

------------

I used the showers at the gym to freshen up as I was gross. After getting dressed, I was feeling tired. Really tired. Normally I'd be training up until dinner time. Maybe I should go and see by Dr. Burrows?

"It couldn't hurt" said Aspen. "We could also see our pup!"

I mind linked the Dr who told me to come to the clinic straight away as he had just finished with his last patient.

"Hey Julie!" I greeted the nurse on intake duty.

"Hey Alpha Adiera! Go on through, the Dr will see you now." Julie told me with a smile.

"Thanks lovely."

I knocked on Dr Burrows door and opened it when I heard him say "enter"

"Welcome my dear! Please change into this gown, so I can see what's going on with you. I'm going to step out for a moment. Please get up on the bed when you're done."

I did as I was asked and a moment later he was back.

"Any cramping, soreness or spotting that I need to be aware of?" He asked while gelling up my abdomen.

"None so far, just feeling more tired than normal" I replied.

"Let's have a look" he placed the wand on my belly moving it round while watching the screen.

"How far along did you think you were?"

"Around 8 weeks ... why? I is there something wrong?"

"Looking at the length of the pup I'd be estimating closer to 10 weeks... but knowing both you and Gus are both Alphas, I can't be sure if it's a time descepency or accelerated growth. It's not surprising that you are tired though. Growing a normal pup is taxing on your body let alone a double Alpha pup! I want you in for regular check ups so I can keep an eye on things." He took a few measurements and we heard the heartbeat that sounded like it was going a mile a minute!

"Would you like an image printout?"

"Yes please" Gus would have loved seeing this. Tears sprung unbidden to my eyes again.

"Is being more emotional about everything normal too?"

Dr Burrows looked at me and nodded. "100% yes. Especially in your case my dear after everything that's happened."

He patted my hand kindly, " You may want to give some thought to who you'd like to have as your support person."

Shitake mushrooms! I hadn't even thought of that!

"All done. I'll leave you to get sorted."

I got dressed, thanked Dr Burrows and made my way up to the office.

I decided to ring Zane to let him know about Fletch.