Page 112 of The War is Coming

“Antares, my love, I’ve adopted Puff into our family.”

“Excellent. Welcome doubly to the family.”

Puff laughed. “Thanks.”

“Thanks, mother, father,” Atticus said, smiling at them.

As they chatted, Puff remembered the thank-you gifts from Lord Woodcott. Bob, can you send an equal share of the gifts to our dragon family, including General Delinga?

He felt Bob come forward. I already have. I have also sent some to Silver and Brook, just from us.

You’re awesome, thanks, Bob.

Bob nodded and pulled back.

When there was a break in conversation, he told them about the gifts that had been sent to their hoard.

“We should probably give it all to Silver and Brook,” Mateo said, finishing his last chicken bite.

Puff shook his head. “No, you all deserve the gifts; Bob has already sent extra to them.”

Antares suddenly looked excited. “Do you want to see the design for the pub? I can make any changes you want.”

Puff laughed. “Please, this is so exciting. So many are looking forward to the pub opening.”

Antares handed his empty plate to Mateo, and his tablet appeared in his hand. He clicked it open and turned it to show Puff, Mateo and Atticus.

The pub had an old-fashioned look about it. It looked massive.

“This is the inside,” Antares said, flicking sideways. The interior was also styled to have the old-world look. There were beams, tables, long and short, some round and booths. The bar was in the middle of the pub in a ‘u’ shape so it could serve the front and the back.

“That looks amazing, Antares,” Puff said.

“And big. You’ll need a lot of staff,” Atticus pointed out.

Antares nodded. “I will. I thought I could send adverts to the new families that are moving in. I’m sure some of them will be needing jobs.”

“Will you be serving food?” Mateo asked.

“Crisps, nuts, things that come in bags, but for the moment, no proper food. That might change in time; we’ll see.”

“Are you using magic to build it?” Puff asked.

“I am. Otherwise it will take too long. I’m thinking of building it tomorrow.”

“Excellent. We’ll be your first customers,” Mateo said.

“Perfect.”

EPILOGUE

Barnabus was standing in the centre of the Hayes Pack. He was awaiting the arrival of the first lot of rogues, a mixed group of wolves and feline shifters. He shifted his feet and rubbed his chest, pain flooding his chest.

“This was a good idea of yours,” he said to Pete.

Pete looked at him in concern before replying, “Have you had many rogues reply?”

“Not as many as I thought, but a fair few. It will be good to have different shifters here.”