The Wannabe Warrior
Chapter 181

Zane POV

We arrived at the garden centre. It was magnificent, they had enough grown in here to last a very long time, and I wondered if the temperature is virtually the same all year round, like we have seasonal food, how does it work down here where it seems they seem to have only one season all year round.

Do the plants know it is snowing above ground? Yeah I know, stupid thoughts are going through my mind as we walk around the plants. I am watching Madison talking with Zeek as he boasts about the plant and the people that keep the food production high to keep their pack fed.

I know we are going to have to work with him to rid ourselves of Gladys, but I really am not comfortable with this guy. I don’t know what it is. Maybe it is because he is taking all my mates’ time, and I have only just got her back, or if it is something else.

Alex and Zakary are okay.

They seem to be the same as they were when we first met. We got on straight away, and have managed to think alike, but this guy, it all started with distrust and we had to fight to get him to allow us through the tunnels, then he tries to trick us with a fake pack, with all the treachery we have uncovered and had to deal with over the past month or so, having this guy treat us this way he had, has made me very distrustful of him.

Madison looked up at me and smiled, then just walked away from Zeek who was in midsentence, his mouth dropped open as he watched her walk over to me and lay a warm k**s on my lips, and when her lips met mine, all thoughts of Zeek left my mind and I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her in close to me, and deepened the k**s.

One of the Blue River warriors called out to us “get a room” and we both chuckled through our k**s and had to break apart, because we could not stop giggling.

We turned to look at him and gave him a stare, which had him laughing harder, and the others that were with him, joined in on the fun. He was a great guy, and the camaraderie between the Blue River warriors was absolute. They seemed to work as one, and I had to keep remembering that Madison was a member of that group. You could see the respect they had for her, right from the first day they arrived at our packhouse, and here we are a long way away from home and they are still acting exactly the same way. They had no pretence about them and I trusted them with all my heart. I was hoping when all this was over, that we might be able to keep them at the palace. I have yet to discuss it with dad, but I trust them more than most of our royal warriors, since the group that were traitors, the others now have to prove themselves, though I have yet to work that one out, I am sure dad is working on that while I am here.

‘What did I do to deserve that?’ I asked tenderly, not that I was complaining, I needed that k**s.

‘I needed you .’ was her answer and I pulled her back to me and kissed her on her nose and held her tight to me, for a little while, my nose in her neck, taking in her beautiful scent.

‘Um, Madison, do you need to see anything else?’ Zeek interrupted our bonding moment.

‘No, I have had had enough for now, I want to spend some time with my mate, we have just got back together, and I want to be with him, if you don’t mind.’ She responded politely and to the point, maybe she too was over his possession of her time.

‘Yes, of course, come back to the dining area and I will get some coffee and food prepared, are you hungry?’ He was trying too hard, and everyone watching could see that, even Peggy frowned at his behavior every now and then.

‘Sure, Zane, are you hungry?’ she asked me, as she wrapped her arm around my waist and pulled at her, giving me a sweet k**s before we walked to the exit of the gardens.

‘Yep, I could do with a sandwich and coffee.’ I replied and I saw the brief sad look flick across Zeek’s face. I thought he might be wanting to be with Madison to fill the void of Madison’s mother, wanting to be near the girl that I am starting to believe was his first real crush and he wants that feeling again.

We reached the dining hall, his set up was different to Alex’s and we could sit and look at each other and talk.

Zeek’s mate joined us, and sat quietly beside Zeek, letting him do the talking. It was of no real interest to me until he mentioned rogues and my ears pricked up.

‘We have been getting reports of more rogues approaching the town. I believe the roads are still blocked, but if they are prepared to walk or travel by wolf, they can make it to Gladys by tomorrow night.’ Zeek started and I nearly spat out my mouthful of coffee at his sudden comment. His mate looked at him with some confusion, but said nothing.

‘Any other rogues or warriors approaching from any other direction?’ Madison asked, seemingly taking up the conversation and the look on Zeek’s face was as if he had mentioned this intentionally to get Madison’s interest back.

‘No, we have not had any reports of others in the area.’ Zeek’s mate answered the question, and I wondered if she was more involved with the running of the pack than what we had seen on the surface.

‘We can discuss that later. Let’s enjoy a peaceful meal.’ Zeek pushed, giving his mate a squeeze on her hand. I guess that was a signal to be quiet.

We did not miss the look on her face at his actions and it looked like we were still missing something here.