“Alpha Jason is joining patrols today and since we’re going north these two are going to patrol the northern border.”
“So we’re showing them the way?”
“That’s right.”
The pups nodded at that and Phoebe was relieved they accepted her excuse. Jason’s caution made her wary of rumors starting. Now accepting of the warriors the pups happily pointed out traps along the trail and cautioned them to avoid certain areas. Like the others Noah had been briefed about the traps prior to patrols but he found it disturbing how common they were not to mention how readily the pups accepted them as if they were as natural trees.
Little over three miles into the woods they reached the secluded swimming hole. As promised it was a picturesque pond with a rocky outcropping reaching over it creating a small waterfall and a perfect launching point for cannonball contests. As soon as the pups reached the edge of the trees and spotted their goal they let out excited whoops!
Racing ahead the boys quickly shed their clothes and left them in haphazard piles with their towels and shoes before leaping into the cool, clear water. The girls followed as step behind, leaving their clothes in more organized piles and entered the water with slightly more caution.
Cam and Noah chuckled at the pups’ carefree exuberance as the boys climbed the rocks before leaping off and cannonballing into the pool below. It had been a while but the warriors remembered their own carefree, younger days. The girls squealed as a splash battle ensued.
“I suppose it’s always like this, eh Luna?” Noah asked.
When she didn’t answer he turned away from the pond to see her with the two-year-old now in a waterproof diaper while she herself wore only a bikini. Phoebe cooed to the excited pup as she stepped toward the pond noticing the warrior’s shocked expressions.
“Something the matter?”
“N-no.” Noah flushed as he hurriedly looked away.
Shooting them a curious glance she stepped into the water. She walked in as far as her waist before pausing and bouncing the two-year-old in the water as he giggled and splashed. Phoebe laughed lightly.
“Damn, Alpha sure is lucky,” Noah sent Cam a glance.
“Why am I lucky?” Jason’s voice suddenly intruded.
Noah paled realizing he hadn’t limited his mental connection to just Cam. Beside him Cam palmed his forehead at his partner’s carelessness. They were out in the woods with their Luna of course their Alpha would be monitoring their connection in case of trouble.
“Noah, what’s going on?” Jason demanded when he didn’t answer.
“Ah…nothing Alpha. We just arrived at the pond and the pups are having a good time.”
“Good. How’s Phoebe?”
Noah, hesitated, “She’s good. Luna is enjoying the water too.”
Cam smacked his shoulder with a grimace. He shook his head but his warning was already too late.
“What do you mean she’s enjoying the water?”
Noah hesitated realizing his mistake.
“Noah…”
“…Well, Luna is swimming…in a bikini.”
Cam groaned mentally paying his respects to his partner’s grave.
“She’s what!”
* * *
“Jace what’s wrong?” Luke hissed as Jason hesitated on the trail. Luke waited for their escorts to move ahead before shaking Jason’s shoulder. “Are you okay?”
Jason tried to keep Lobo from taking over. Unable to speak Jason mindlinked his Beta, “Fine, accept my warriors are ogling their Luna in a bikini.”
Luke chuckled shaking his head, “Take it easy, Jace.”
“That’s easy for you to say,” Jason growled low.
“Calm down. We aren’t alone out here,” Luke reminded. “Let’s just finish this patrol quickly.”
Jason took a deep breath catching the faint smell of Phoebe from his clothes when he last embraced her. Lobo backed off soothed by the scent. He supposed it was due to his own frustration for how the day had gone.
After seeing Phoebe off Jason went to the training facility to meet up with Rimrock’s warriors and plan patrol routes for him and his own warriors. Both the Beta and Alpha were late, late enough Jason was ready to either call it a day or organize the patrols himself. It was also very clear Michael had dragged Graham from bed and forced several cups of coffee in him to make him somewhat lucid.
Jason wasn’t sure if he intimidated the Rimrock warriors or if they were genuinely interested in impressing their alpha but most tried to join him and their beta on patrol. For his part Graham seemed oblivious to his warriors’ efforts and enthusiasm. In fact he seemed on edge looking over his should and sniffing the air constantly.
Jason and Luke refrained from speaking letting the Rimrock Alpha and Beta lead their warriors and assign patrols. They didn’t speak until the end when it became obvious they were neglecting a large, swath of territory to the west.
“What about here?” Jason pointed to the area on the map.
“That’s rough territory,” Michael explained, “it’s not easy to navigate and difficult terrain to cross.”
“All the more reason to patrol regularly,” Jason insisted. “Rogues prefer rough territory with places to hide and avoid patrols.”
Michael hesitated. Jason’s arguments were not without merit. It was important for pack members to patrol the pack’s borders and keep their scent marks fresh and strong. Scent markings could ward off rogue intrusion, especially if they were fresh. Pack territory was also how a pack maintained and grew their notoriety and prestige.
In the end Michael acquiesced to Jason assigning a handful of warriors to attend him and Luke as they explored the western border. Jason didn’t mind the rough terrain and Phoebe had already warned them about the traps. It seemed they were better prepared to traverse the terrain than Rimrock’s warriors who struggled to keep from stepping in their own traps. It was truly a mine field.
In the midst of this Jason wondered how it was Phoebe knew trap locations with such accuracy. Then Noah’s thoughts slipped through. The idea Phoebe and the children were enjoying themselves at the pond didn’t bother him and the image of Phoebe in a bikini was tantalizing. But not in front of his own warriors! Not while he was dealing with such frustrations.
“Take it easy, Jace,” Luke repeated. “Look we’ll follow the border north and gradually work our way toward her. How about that?”
Jason sighed and Lobo perked up. It was enough to relax him. As wary as he was of Rimrock’s Alpha the thought of his Luna in his arms again was not an image he could fight. As inattentive as their escorts were it wouldn’t do that difficult to send them home.
“Alpha! Rogues!”
“Miss Phoebe, can I take Jack?” one of the older girls swam up to her.
Phoebe handed off the two-year-old with a smile. The older girl often helped wrangle the younger pups so she felt confident in letting her handle the toddler. Watching the pups Phoebe smiled letting herself relax. It had been a rather unusual week.
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