Page 94 of The War is Coming

“Call me Blake. We’re family after all.”

“Thank you, Blake.”

“Do you want to walk with me? I’m off to the new training ground and guard compound.”

Antares nodded, falling into step beside him. “I’ve heard of your training ground but not seen it yet.”

“There are a couple of training grounds. An easy one, which newbies and the children use and a much harder one. Ares created both of them.”

“That’s handy, having gods in your pack.”

Blake burst out laughing. “Handy and still slightly surreal.”

“Very surreal. Apparently, there is talk that a pub might be opening on the pack lands.”

Blake nodded. “Yes, there has been a request for one. With the number of people here, it would need to be big. Then I’ll need to find a landlord. Someone who can deal with different types of shifters.”

By this time, they had reached the new training ground. They stopped and watched soldiers training.

“That looks interesting and tough,” Antares commented.

“I’ve not tried this one yet.”

They watched as fireballs were shot at a group of four. They saw an angel suddenly spin round, expand his wings and turn them to steel, protecting his teammates.

“That’s amazing,” Antares said, with a touch of awe in his voice. “I’ve heard warrior angels can shift their wings to steel, but I’ve never seen it.”

“Neither had I until now. I’m glad Zeus had them come and stay here. They’re here to protect his mate, Battle, but Maletayah had some join the other defence teams.”

Ares came walking over. “Want to join in?”

Blake shook his head. “Oh, what a shame. I don’t have time.”

“Wuss,” Ares said to him. He looked at Antares. “How about you?”

“I’m really old; this might kill me.”

Ares and Blake burst out laughing.

“That’s okay, we can start you on the baby course.”

Antares looked at Blake. “I’ll run the pub for you, then I’ll be too busy for this,” he said, waving his hand around the training ground.

Ares shook his head. “You can train when the pub is closed.”

“I don’t even know how long my family and I will be here for.”

“Fair enough, but if you want to try, come by anytime,” Ares said.

“Some of the council guards are turning up today, with the rest coming over the next few days. We need somewhere for them to stay,” Blake told him.

“I can sort accommodation out for them. Some families have also started turning up. Paris and Dane are showing them to their houses.”

“Excellent. I’ll catch up with them in a bit.”

Ares looked at Blake, really looked at him. “Brother-in-law, are you okay?” he asked gently.

“Yeah. It’s just a lot at times. I bought this place for peace and quiet. I thought I’d live here happily for a few years then start a pack. The day I moved in, Ash and Nick needed a safe place. Jason and Nancy followed soon after, then Puff and Oz, then everyone else,” Blake sighed. “Then your father randomly made me Alpha King. And all this in such a short period of time.”