A Rose Between Two Thorns

Chapter Five

Pulling up to the Blue Lake Pack’s border, Brandon came to a stop by the guards as he rolled down his window.

‘Luna! Glad to see you arrived safely’ one of the warriors said with a slight bow of his head, ‘the Beta informed us that this was a covert visit and not to inform anyone of your arrival but him’ he added in amusement.

Grinning, Brandon nodded, ‘cheers boys, it’s not often someone gets a chance to get the drop on your Alpha so I fully intend to make the most of this.’

Laughing, the guard stepped back to let him through, ‘rather you than me Luna, last time one of the pack tried to surprise her, she made him go ten rounds in the ring with her with no tap out, bloke was begging her for leniency by the end.’

Shaking his head, Brandon joined their laughter, ‘ahh she’ll forgive me, Lily can’t stay mad at this for long’ he replied as he indicated himself.

‘I don’t know man, she’s still pretty pissed that you haven’t given her a niece yet’ the other warrior chimed in as Brandon rolled his eyes.

‘I’m trying boys! The Alpha is pregnant again, and even she said that if it isn’t a girl this time that I better start running’ he moaned as the pair laughed harder.

‘Go on through Luna, I'll mind link the Beta and he’ll meet you out front to try and sneak you inside’ the first guard said, waving him forward.

‘Thanks boys, but if you hear blood curdling screams, please bring back up, don’t leave a fellow warrior to deal with your Alpha’s wrath alone’ Brandon replied wryly as he put his vehicle in gear and made his way toward the familiar pack house in the distance.

Pulling up outside the impressive building, Brandon made sure to park under one of the large trees to hide himself and his car from any prying eyes looking out the window. Stepping out from the drivers seat, the warrior grabbed his bag from the passenger seat before he looked around himself, impressed, at the changes that had happened since his last visit.

A large sparring area had been built with six boxing rings in the middle and an outside gym had also been erected that was currently being used by a group of warriors who’s laughter could be heard across the well manicured lawn that separated him from them.

‘You got here OK then’ came Blaze’s voice as he jogged toward him, stretching out his hand to grab Brandon’s who shook it happily as he clapped the Beta on the back.

‘Yeah, was quiet mate, nice drive over to tell you the truth, boys were not happy when they found out I was coming to see their aunties’ and they were not invited, had to promise them all a present on my return’ Brandon groaned.

Clapping the Luna on the back, Blaze chuckled as he led him around the edge of the driveway, the pair keeping to the tree line until they reached the front door.

The two warriors who were standing guard looked surprised to see Brandon in front of them.

‘Luna, this is a surprise, the Alpha didn’t tell us to expect you, nor did the gate guards announce you were here, we would have greeted you’ one said worriedly.

Brandon waved his hand as he replied mischievously, ‘the Alpha doesn’t know I'm here, nor does my sister, Blaze and I decided to surprise them.’

Laughing, the guard said, ‘good luck Luna, we’ll get some warriors to come if we hear any screams of pain.’

Walking in, Brandon looked over at the grinning Beta, ‘no-one messes with her do they?’ he chuckled.

Blaze shook his head, ‘nope, they all know how bad ass she is, I doubt she’ll ever be challenged for the leadership.’

Making their way toward the stairs Blaze muttered, ‘Alpha or Elise first?’

‘Lily’ Brandon replied decisively, we can then rope her in to surprise Elise and that might divert her from ripping our heads off.’

Nodding thoughtfully, Blaze agreed, ‘good plan mate, lets go get screamed at by an ass kicking she wolf.’

Climbing the stairs, Brandon pulled his jacket hood over his head to stop anyone spotting him and alerting Lily to his presence, once outside the Alpha’s office, Brandon stood with his back to the wall whilst Blaze knocked smartly on the thick wooden door.

‘Enter’ came Lily’s authoritative voice, Blaze pushed it open and stepped inside.

‘Hey Alpha, how’s it going?’ he asked jovially as he stuck his head inside the room with a grin.

Placing her pen on the desk, Lily clasped her hands together and looked over at her Beta suspiciously, ‘what’s going on?’ she demanded.

Feigning innocence, Blaze placed his hand to his chest,’what do you mean Alpha? Why does something need to be going on for me to come and visit?’

Snorting, Lily glared at him, ‘something is going on Blaze, I can smell it on you, what have you done? Will I be kicking your ass today in front on the pack?’

Rolling his eyes, Blaze stepped into the room, keeping the door open as Brandon remained hidden trying to stifle his sniggers. ‘I have a surprise for you’ he admitted, flinching as the Alpha’s expression darkened slightly.

‘You know I don’t like surprises Blaze’ she grumbled as she stood up and placed her hands on the desk, her gaze challenging.

‘What not even when it’s me?’ Brandon asked as he walked in the room smiling cheekily.

Lily’s mouth dropped open for a split second before she flung her chair back and sprinted around the desk, jumping on the warrior and engulfing him in a huge hug, her legs wrapping around his waist as she shouted.

‘You little s**t! Where did you come from? You didn’t tell me you were visiting, I am going to kill all three of you, I don’t care that Elise is ready to burst!’

Laughing, Brandon hugged the she wolf tightly to him before setting her back on the ground, ‘you’ll just be killing Blaze and I, Elise doesn’t know I'm here either.’

Her eyes suddenly glinting with mischief Lily took a step back grabbing the warrior’s hand in her own as if worried he would disappear if she wasn’t touching him. ‘You came here first with the hope that I'd accept helping you surprise Elise as p*****t for not telling me didn’t you’ she accused.

Shrugging Brandon chuckled, ‘you know me way to well Lil.’

Clouding her eyes, Lily sent a mind link to the female Beta before pulling Brandon to the cupboard that was leaning against the far wall and pushing him inside.

‘She’s on her way, stay quiet’ the Alpha ordered before shutting the door.

Moments later Elise’s sweet voice filled the room, ’you summoned me Alpha?’

‘Yes, I just wanted to check you are OK sweetie, it’s not long now till that little one will be here’ Lily replied, her affection for the younger girl clear to everyone.

Elise giggled, ‘yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking, I am so ready not to be carrying this bowling ball around any more though’ she added.

Lily smiled as she ushered the girl into one of the chairs by her desk, making her sit, ‘so, while you are here, could you help me with something?’ she asked, the pregnant woman nodding immediately.

‘We have someone who is asking to join the pack and Blaze and I can’t agree on whether to let him in or not. As a pregnant she wolf your sense of danger is much higher so would you consider meeting him and giving an opinion to his trustworthiness?’ Lily continued, keeping her voice neutral.

‘Of course Alpha, anything for our pack but I'm sure your feelings about them are correct’ Elise replied shyly.

Beaming, Lily stood up straight and called out, ‘excuse me sir, but could you come and meet our Beta female?’

Pushing open the door, Brandon stepped out as he said, ‘it would be my pleasure Alpha.’

Elise’s eyes widened in surprise before her whole face crumpled and she began to cry hysterically as she pushed herself out of the chair and wobbled toward him, throwing herself into his arms and clinging to him desperately.

‘Don’t cry Angel’ Brandon soothed as he held her tightly to him, stroking her hair lovingly, ‘you are supposed to be happy to see me’ he chuckled.

‘I am’ Elise hiccuped as she continued to soak his t shirt, ‘I just missed you so much and Blaze said we couldn’t visit this close to my due date, I can’t believe you are really here.’

‘Blaze called me and told me that my little sister needed her big brother so here I am’ Brandon replied fondly.

Pulling away, Elise started to look around them frantically, ‘where are the boys? Where is Jayden?’

Brandon pulled the she wolf back into his arms as he murmured, ‘they are back at Oak Grove, but I promised to video message them when we were all together, the boys are very unhappy to have been left behind.’

Elise beamed, ‘I'm unhappy too’ she grumbled, ‘I miss those boys so much.’

Brandon shook his head, ‘they would have been using you as a human climbing frame, you can see them after the baby is born’ he replied sternly.

Pulling away again, Elise turned to Blaze who was stood to the side apprehensively, ‘you did this didn’t you?’ she growled as the Beta held his hands up defensively.

‘It was Brandon’s idea to surprise you princess’ he protested.

Elise disentangled from her brother and leapt at her mate, hugging him tightly as she covered his face in kisses, ‘thank you’ she breathed happily, ‘this was the best surprise you could ever give me.’

Smiling at the she wolf, Blaze gently brushed her hair from her face as he murmured, ‘I'd do anything to make you happy princess.’