From Chapter 8
All of it had just made his wolf more anxious to claim his mate.
Stepping out of the shower, he dried himself off. Something fell in Adrik’s room. Wrapping a towel around his waist, he strode into the room ready to tear apart whoever entered his mate’s room only to see that the bed was empty. A skinny scraggly Peacock stood before him... Seeing Vuk, he raised his tail to full. Few eyes stared back at him with gaps between each.
The bird stomped and twirled in a fast dance.
“Adrik?”
Cocking his head, the bird danced toward him. Suddenly he stopped then fluttered in the air. Coming down, he scratched Vuk then gave another twirl that could only be victory. He faced Vuk defiantly. The bond solidified.“Let me guess, you didn’t have Adrik’s permission to do that?”
Shaking his head, the peacock stalked off muttering. He reached the balcony and fluttered into the air.
“Gods.” Grabbing his phone, Vuk dialed Kon. “You still down there? Good. Go out in the lawn and guard that peacock. Yes Adrian… no… not Adrian… I mean Adrik. Just guard the damn peacock. He shifted and flew out the window. No, I am not drunk. How the hell should I know? That bird has his own opinion and personality. Go guard him. He’s still too skinny to defend himself. I’ll be down in a minute.”
Throwing on pants and a shirt, he raced down the steps to the lawn. Kon was gagging.
“What?”
Kon gasp between attempts to throw up. “Siberian Wood Frog… He just… He swallowed a Siberian Wood Frog whole.”
“Kon? Considering what we eat when shifted, that’s minor.”
“I…” Kon gagged again. “It just…” He didn’t get to finish.
A large peacock flew into the yard. He circled Adrik’s little peacock. Adrik’s bird turn to face him. Instead of challenging or fleeing, he ran straight at the other bird who let out an outraged shriek and fled.
“Did you see that?”
Kon nodded.
“But… he could kick Adrik’s ass.”
Whoops. Wrong thing to say. His mate stalked toward him.
“I know you could beat him if you were healthy and had more weight but, right now, you are still recovering.”
The bird stopped and seemed to consider this. Then muttering, he walked to Vuk. He waited until he was in front of him and raised his tail brushing Vuk.
Kon, who had stopped gagging during the process, was now laughing. “That’s unmistakable. That’s ‘Kiss my fluffy ass.’ Our little bird will have an attitude worthy of an Alpha Mate once he gets well.”
The bird stalked off searching for more frogs.
“Well, it appears we are going to be here for a bit. Go grab us sandwiches and drinks. We might as well enjoy the evening.” Vuk settled into a chair watching the exploring Peacock chase a frog hopping for its life. “Determined little bugger, isn’t he?”
“Very much so. And a strong attitude of take no prisoners.”
Vuk gave a deep sigh. “It’s a long way to go. I want the bastards who turned Ad..rik into what he is now.”
“So do I. Oh shit. Run mouse!”
The peacock glared at Kon.
“I think we are supposed to be on his side.” Vuk muttered.
“There won’t be a critter left after he’s done.”
“They’ll just learn to avoid Fluffy.” This time he got the evil peacock eye. “Just saying.” He yelled at his mate.
“I think it was the ‘fluffy’. And I don’t think I would piss him off if I were you. He would be hell on our wolves.”
The mouse didn’t win.
