Meadow’s p.o.v. Uncle Major isn’t pleased with my Father and even though he doesn’t like River’s behavior either, he does understand why River never came to me. He walks away to some bushes nearby and seconds later my Uncle appears, holding out his hand to me. I allow him to pull me up and he pulls me into his side as we walk into his small territory, guiding me to a little stream that runs through it. “River didn’t know any better and he didn’t get reminded of it every day after you moved out. I believe that he would have come to you with questions, if your Nanny hadn’t found her fated mate and both of you would still be living in the Beta house.” Uncle Major says. I let that run through my mind for a minute and it makes sense to me that River would have forgotten about me, about me living in the same house. “You need to give him a chance, Meadow. He is as much a victim of Rhys’ actions as you are and right now you are the only living relative that River knows about.” Uncle Major states. Aargghh, I hate it when someone else has figured something out before I do. I hate to admit it, but Uncle Major is right. River is also a victim, not just by losing his relationship with me but also with Mom. “I will ask Makay to give River my number without my Father seeing or knowing about it, he doesn’t need to know that River and I know the truth and he sure as hell doesn’t deserve to know.” I say as I close my eyes. All I can hear are the sounds in this small territory; the small stream running down a small slope, the bugs and insects moving around us and our heartbeats. My body relaxes as my mind wanders freely, I can understand why Arion lived out here. No sounds from other members that live within Renegade territory can be heard, but that might have to do with an order to stay clear of this territory. “It is almost dinner time, you best be on your way.” Uncle Major says, but I don’t want to move, I like this feeling of peace and tranquility. He gently pushes against my shoulder and Rebel softly growls in response, she doesn’t want to leave either. We always feel a little sad when we leave Uncle Major and Arion behind, they are our family and we need them as they need us. “I don’t want to leave you, Uncle Major.” I mumble, too lazy to give a real response. “You don’t have to, I am coming with you. I think it is time that we moved back to the land of the living.” Uncle Major replies. I move my head to my left to look at Uncle Major, a smile on my face that can make the sun envious. We take a few more minutes to get up and walk back to the Elder Residence for dinner, but I know I will have to return to the Squad house without Uncle Major. “It will be fine, Meadow. You will see me every day from here on out, I am not going to hide in that territory anymore. My future is out here with you and Rebel.” Uncle Major says as he guides me to the dining room. The dining room goes quiet the moment we step inside and I see curious looks thrown in Uncle Major’s direction. The Elders and my team don’t pay any attention to us and we walk over to the buffet to get ourselves some dinner. “Elder Major, it is good to see you. Would you like some coffee with your dinner?” Alice asks. She smiles at me because she knows what I want with my dinner, and after Uncle Major has confirmed that he would like some coffee, she turns her back on us. We walk over to Captain Miles’ table to sit down, each Captain’s table has an empty seat for an Elder to sit down in. The Elders don’t have a table of their own, they sit down at a Captain’s table for dinner and interact with the team that is seated with their Captain. Captain Miles gets out of his seat to greet Uncle Major and I introduce him to my team members. “So, you are the one with a chip on his shoulder.” He says as he looks at Makay and I hear a few people around us chuckle. Makay looks up from his plate and seems to be at a loss for words. “I have a certain opinion that my Alpha doesn’t share and he hopes that being here in Renegade territory in an all female team will help me change my opinion.” Makay responds. Uncle Major looks at him while he starts eating and for a while I enjoy the silence at the table, listening to the sounds of the conversations around us. “I understand that there is a possibility that you will be the Beta of Gold Moon Pack.” Uncle Major states and Makay nods his head in confirmation.“Besides helping your Alpha, there are a few other tasks that will become your responsibility. One of those is to ensure that your Pack is protected under any circumstances, I would like to know how you plan on doing that if you believe that females shouldn’t train or fight?” Uncle Major asks. We all look at Makay, curious about his answer. He needs to understand that not all Warriors will be in the territory all of the time and how will he deal with an attack if that were the case. “Placing the remainder of the Warriors in strategic places would be a start, but I never said that a female shouldn’t train. I said that I understand that females don’t want to train and wouldn’t want to be on the front line.” Makay says. “That is not what Alpha Lincoln told me, he said that according to you a female should look after her Mate and Pups. That you want to put High-ranking females in a saferoom, that females need to train harder and longer than a male to be as good as a male.” Uncle Major counters.Ouch, that must hurt. Getting slapped in the face with your own words in front of a group of females that have kicked your ass. “My Niece is a team leader because she is good at her job, she can kick your ass and from what I have heard, she already did that.” Uncle Major says with a smile on his face. Rebel is rolling around in my head, while I try to keep a straight face. Maryan is coughing loudly to hide her laughter, but Calista is not even trying to hide her laughter. Others around us are laughing softly, while others are growling.