all to remain separate. Let me just preface this by saying that I won’t tolerate such racism. The Gnomes, who started out as our welcomed guests are now officially pack mates and have proven to be an invaluable resources. As Alpha of this pack I order you all to defend them as you would any Lycan brother or sister. I’m also quite pleased to tell you that they’re far from feeble. I witnessed, first hand, the skillful warrior a Gnome can be when put to the test. The warrior I witnessed was both loyal and fierce.” She turned to the group of Gnomes who sat together in the front of the crowd. “I’m quite proud to say that your friend, Mary, fought with precision and tenacity that would rival any Lycan I’ve ever seen. She defended my sister-in-law alongside me.”
A collective gasp was heard around the group, followed by murmurs. She held up her hand to quiet the crowd. “Wendy Baker has been mated with the Centaur King. She’s now the Queen and with child. Be certain to send your blessings. Now, on to security. These snakes like to sneak up in the cover of night. They shot bombs at the school as a distraction so they could get to Wendy.” She turned her direction to Tom Johnson. “Tom, let’s step up night patrols.”
“Excuse me.” One of the Gnomes, Joseph approached her. “We can set up motion sensors along the perimeter. I can set the sensitivity to ignore smaller animals. It’ll still go off for, say a deer, but it’s better than nothing. This way, we don’t have to have so many of us out at night instead of in bed with our mates.”
She looked to Tom who shrugged. “Seems like a sound plan. Maybe a few night-vision cameras too? Can you set those up to a monitor in my office…or something?”
Joseph nodded. “That’ll be easy.” He scratched the back of his head. “I think we can do it wirelessly. I’ll have to see what I can get ahold of.”
She smiled down at him. “Thank you. Please let Jake know if you need anything.”
Her Beta stood at her side quietly, but nodded down at Joseph. “I’ll get whatever you need. Just give me a list. Don’t worry about cost.”
She forced herself to stand a little straighter. “Now for the difficult part. If anyone of you here takes issue with our new ways of integration, speak now. I will not tolerate any less.”
A couple stood from the back. She didn’t recognize them, but she hadn’t been around long enough to learn the names of her entire pack.
“Ma’am, it is a lot to take in. First, Colin steps down, then Roman succeeds him, but only for a short time then you’re immediately our new Alpha. Now these little people are running around getting into everything and now Wendy is pregnant with a half-breed.” He cleared his throat as he quickly glanced at Colin. “No offense.”
She could feel the heat rising up her mate’s chest, to his neck, then his face. He wanted to hit something.
“I’m sorry,” she interrupted, “but I don’t know your name.”
The man lifted his chin. “Richard, this is my mate, Trina.” He pointed to the woman next to him, who refused to look up from the ground.
“I see, Richard. Do you wish to leave?”
She watched as his eyes popped open wide.
“Excuse me?”
“If you’re unhappy here, you may leave. I won’t hold it against you.” She narrowed her eyes.
“Leave our pack?”
She walked forward and knelt down in front of the group of Gnomes and whispered. “Would you all do me the kindness of standing next to Jake?”
With bobs of their tiny heads, then all scurried around until they surrounded the Beta. As soon as they took their place, she stood. “These are your pack mates. Will you defend them the same as you would my mate?”
He looked at his mate for guidance. She shook her head.
His voice was low, quiet and pitiful. “I’m afraid not.”
You weak, sorry excuse of a Lycan. In a louder voice, she called out. “Anyone else feel that way?” When no one spoke she continued.
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