Page 55 of Campfires & Canines
Heath's reply is smooth. "Our only visitor is my niece."
"Is she one of us?" Zephyr's question cuts in.
Heath pauses. "She is a human born of wolves. She is part of my pack and under my protection."
"She's human. Doesn't matter who her parents were," Ferris accuses.
"Alpha Ferris, I suspect the two rogue wolves who attacked my pack last night were your minions," Heath responds casually, leveling his own accusation.
Ferris waves his hand in dismissal. "I was not aware you had any problems with rogues. My pack is all accounted for."
"Regardless. My niece is not just a human. Our law does not apply to her in that way." As Ferris opens his mouth, Heath continues, "We can discuss this as a full tribunal of Alphas if you insist. But we need to set a date and gather Nyx and Slate as well."
Cashel is nodding, but Ferris looks murderous.
"There is no need. Our laws are clear and I will happily enforce them if you fail to." His words snake towards me.
"I don't think so," Heath replies. But Ferris is stepping forward. Everyone's posture changes minutely. They're getting ready for a fight; I realize with a jolt of panic.
"Heath, I'm sorry, but I believe our laws are clear in this matter," Zephyr weighs in.
Marigold and Slate both go rigid. I can feel the energy rapidly escalate towards violence.
I latch onto Slate, digging my fingers into his arm. He takes a deep breath.
"She's claimed." Slate's voice is clear, carrying over our front line. It's met with silence. Then several voices all speak at once.
"Who has claimed her?" Ferris demands.
"Excuse me?" barks Zephyr.
And I swear I can hear Jasper say, "What the hell?"
"That went from zero to a hundred real quick," Marigold mutters.
"I have." Slate steps forward, tucking me behind him. Our friends move us with, keeping me surrounded.
"Prove it," Ferris snarls.
Slate's eyes narrow, his tone sharp. "We haven't completed the marking yet. Since she is human, we want to be cautious. But we will do it very soon."
"See, Ferris, we have no problem," Cashel retorts.
"I want it verified."
Zephyr sighs. "Fine, send someone to check on them tomorrow. Boy, you'll have to complete the claiming tonight. She'll be fine, I'm sure."
Ferris glares, his eyes are slits.
"I've been away from my pack long enough" Zephyr raises his hand and his team moves out.
Heath nods. "Good to see you, Zephyr. Cashel. Have a safe journey home."
"Be well, my friend." Cashel smiles and then leads his people away.
"You have until noon, tomorrow," Ferris growls.
"I look forward to greeting your representative tomorrow and sending them back to you with confirmation. Now get off my land." Heath's tone is pleasant, but he's lost his patience with Ferris.
