Page 18 of Eclipse Pack

Stepping forward, Dixon enters the training circle and Ember skips to join him. Skips! She would have to be dragged kicking and screaming not so long ago. Dixon does a fantastic job of dodging most of Ember’s attacks, however, he has to block several hits, and the odd attack does get through his defenses. Watching the new Ember is exhilarating. I never in my wildest dreams expected her to become so violent and bloodthirsty. I see what Dixon meant when he said I’d created a monster.

Calling an end to the demonstration, before Dixon gets seriously hurt, I watch as Ember walks towards me, examining her bat. She herself has some cuts and scratches, but she ignores her own injuries while she makes sure her bat isn’t damaged. Oh…My…Goddess.

“What did you think, Alpha Heir Bronze? Am I worthy of carrying your bat? I practice every day, and I study weapons and tactics in the library during the week. Some sword tactics can be transferred to my bat, and throughout history, many other weapons can be assimilated into my bat training.” Her eyes are wide with excitement and enthusiasm. “I’m looking into gettingnew bats made, too, in different materials. I have one in a lighter wood, but it doesn’t stand up too well when I get excited.”

“Neither do I, Ember,” Dixon pipes in and laughs. “Your skill with that is something I would never have believed possible. I’m one hundred percent sure that there isn’t anyone in the pack that could stand in the training ring with you and come out unscathed. I think there are those that could beat you, but they would certainly have scars, bruises or broken bones as souvenirs.”

I watch as she swells with pride at Dixon's words. “I am pleased that my gift has had such a positive impact on you, Ember. You looked frighteningly competentout there, and I wouldn’t want to upset you to the point that I had to stand against you. I may even have a bat made for my Luna.” Seeing her laugh has me remembering her only a few months ago. Terrified of her training, being ridiculed by some, and almost afraid of her own shadow. I know that she was being bullied by a couple of the females. I bet they don’t dare bully her now.

Heading back to the packhouse, I mind link with Xavi to meet me in the alpha’s office. I also ask my father to join us. Dixon, I notice, has slipped off to visit Doctor Gideon, though I suspect he thinks Nurse Elana would be a better healer for him. I’m sure he has a soft spot for her, but they haven’t become fated mates which, when you see them together, you’d think they would have been a natural choice by the Goddess.

As I approach the warrior at the alpha office door, I receive a slight nod which tells me my father is there ahead of me, so I knock before entering. Xavi and my father are laughing at something, and both look up as I enter.

“Well, my son. What do you want us for? I was just going to get my lunch, so I hope it’s nothing that will spoil my appetite,” Alpha Chet says with an eyebrow lift.

“In all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never known anything that could do such a heinous thing,” Xavi says this almost under his breath and we all laugh.

“Depending on what Xavi has to tell me, I think it might even enhance it, if that’s possible.” Taking a seat by Xavi at the front of my father’s desk, I turn and ask him, “Did you find anyone that was in league with Savannah?” I think I know the answer already from the incident earlier.

“You have that look that says you already know something and just want confirmation. Has something else happened that I’m not yet aware of?” Xavi squints at me suspiciously.

My father sits there quietly but intrigued.

“Savannah tried to pull another stunt today and when it failed, spectacularly I might add, I saw a figure sneaking away in the background,” I quickly glance at both my father and Xavi, “Before you ask, Savannah tried to take the bat I gave to Ember away from her. Ember literally stopped Savannah dead in her tracks with no effort whatsoever. She didn’t even break her stride, as she did it. It was a thing of beauty to behold.”

“Everyone in the pack is talking about Ember and her bat. She is never seen without it and brags that she sleeps with it in her bed. Goddess help the male that becomes her mate because that bat is going to be stiff competition. Who did you think it was sneaking away?” Xavi asks me.

“I think that she is in league with…” I pause for effect… “Elder Michael.”

“My sources have reported that they have been seen together quite often of late, so I would have to concur with your suspicions there,” Xavi agrees.

My father explodes from his seat and I wait for the anger to burst forth. Instead, he has a huge grin on his face and says quietly, “Got the weasel at last. Now I can do something that will give me great satisfaction and save you a job in the future, son. Xavi, round up the four council members and bring them here immediately for an emergency meeting. No excuses. They come now, in fact, wait. I’ll call them here as an Alpha order. Even better...” He sits and grins. It is only a matter of minutes before the council arrives, and they look puzzled, and more than a little apprehensive. Elder Michael, however, looks at me and grins.

Francis, Jude and Isiah, the latter who is certainly the quietest member, take a seat at the table. Michael looks as though he has prepared a speech, and as he opens his mouth my father says quietly, “You have nothing to say at this point, Elder Michael, that anyone wishes to hear. You will take your seat just as the other more respectful members have done, and you will remain silent until such a time as I wish to hear from you. You will know when that time comes, I assure you.

“You have been summoned before me because a very serious matter has been brought to my attention. A pack member is scheming against the pack leadership, and although I have no documentary evidence, I do have witnesses to this scheming. As Elders, I want to know your opinion as to what punishment would best serve the purpose of the pack? Any form of such action would reasonably be deemed traitorous, surely. Would you agree?”

There are three yesses and one attempted speech by Michael. Alpha Chet continues, and I quietly enjoy the squirming I notice.“Elder Michael. Every question that I am going to put to the council, and I use that term purely as a courtesy, as we all know that there is no such thing as an Elder Council, will be a yes or no answer. This is not a debate, argument or even a conversation. I will ask a question, you will answer yes or no, is that clear?”

Four yesses echo in the room, although one is a little later and not as clear. “I am informed that a pack member has begun to recruit others to their treason, and is directed at a singular member of our leadership. Would it be correct to say that anyone joining such a scheme willingly would also be regarded as a traitor?”

Yes, yes, and yes come from the Elders. Michael remains silent. I believe a light is coming on in his, ‘I’m so high and mighty’ brain. Watching the beads of sweat form on his brow, my father smiles, and it is one of the most frightening things I have ever seen. The hunter has his prey, and they both know how it is going to end. Sensing the tension in the air, the other three Elders all turn and look at Michael. Shaking his head, Isiah says to Michael, “What have you done this time?”

“For once in your life, Michael, you have no words?” My father gives him a moment to answer but he sits there quietly. “You don’t wish to tell the others that you have been conspiring with a young female? A young, misguided slip of a female, that you could have helped see the error of her ways? No, not you, Elder Michael, all you saw was a weapon. An opportunity to try to either embarrass or mislead my son into some kind of indiscretion, that would give you some sort of perverted satisfaction. Perhaps you sought to gain some further measure of power for yourself? For the council as a whole, maybe? No, you are not that noble that anything you do is for anyone else.”

Jude speaks up. “Is this true, Michael? Have you done what the Alpha accuses you of?”

Michael begins to speak. “I…”

Jude stops him. “It is not open for discussion, it is a simple yes or no answer.”

Michael looks around the room, obviously hoping for some form of escape, but there is nowhere for him to go. “Yes, it is true. She came to me…”

“Liar!” Xavi spits the word with more venom that I have ever heard in his voice before. “Savannah did not approach you. She wouldn’t dream of approaching you for such help. You, an Elder of the pack? No, Michael, even now you cannot be truthful. If I had my way, I would put you before the pack and let them decide your fate. You yourself have made the Elders unapproachable to the pack. Not one of them would think to ask for your help, any of you, even if you were their last hope of life itself.”

Xavi’s hands have become claws and I see his wolf fighting to get out. If he does, Michael will die where he sits. Placing my hand gently on Xavi’s shoulder, his head snaps to me and I see his wolf’s eyes blazing back at me.

Titan comes forth, and speaks to Cerberus, Xavi’s wolf.Let the Alpha handle this. Do not lower yourself to that human’s level. We are above his dishonor.

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