Page 11

Ethan

“SINCE IT APPEARS there’s not much to be done at this time regarding the”—I hear Xander’s teeth grind— “diplomatic immunity, maybe we should focus on the laws we can amend within the pack.” He hands his plate to Officer Sutherland, who offered to come in and help clear the table while we continued to go through pack law.

The section on visiting alphas and high-ranking shifters adhering to pack law has become a now-that-we-know type of lesson: We know what to do in the future, but that doesn’t help us out now. A visiting alpha or high-ranking shifter, though they’re expected to uphold a certain level of decorum indictive of their position, can pretty much do whatever they want and get away with it, apart from taking clear actions of war. The workaround is to have them sign rules of conduct prior to their visit. The rules need to be signed each visit, and since Hogan came here when our current alpha was being held for treason and there was no acting alpha, no such documentation was signed. Furthermore, if he chooses to take Veronica back with him, she falls under his protection. However, until we receive the proper paperwork concerning Veronica, diplomatic immunity does not technically apply to her.

A few good things were determined. We can hold him up to forty-eight hours, not twenty-four, and any and all property where suspects were housed are considered pack property and can be seized for investigative purposes. Any evidence found can be used in the case, even where diplomatic immunity is concerned. This means, if we find something in the house Hogan’s been staying at, we can at least legally link him to the attack, even if we can’t officially charge him. We can interview Hogan, but he doesn’t have to answer our questions. Though we haven’t received the request to place Veronica under diplomatic immunity, we still have to tread lightly.

“That leaves us with what determines a pack member and the process of deciding guilt and associated punishment,” Ken replies, sifting through his copy of the mentioned sections.

“Determination of being a pack member,” Xander declares, pulling that section out, and we follow his lead. During the meal we all took the time to read through the packets individually, Elder Allan, DeLuca, Bruce, and Kubrick having collected the information, and I didn’t fail to notice that the sections on non-wolf-shifters becoming pack members were also included. Once again there are glaring differences between the abridged and unabridged versions.

At the last open pack meeting, Brian brought up his concerns about non-wolf-shifters that were mated to wolf-shifters becoming pack members. In the abridged version, the cited section seems to be unnecessarily long and wordy, since in the end it states all considerations need to be addressed with the current alpha and then, in small writing, refers to an amendment in the back. It stipulates the following:

The Divine match must be authenticated by our elders and the Shifter High Council.

The non-wolf-shifter must be able to connect with the alpha as a pack member (which may be difficult for some non-wolf-shifters or less powerful alphas).

The non-wolf-shifter must exhibit true wolf-shifter characteristics, be proficient in pack law, and be mentored by a wolf-shifter of their gender for a minimum of three months and undergo monthly evaluations by the alpha.

After all of that, the alpha still has the final say, as he does with all pack members. And yes, the leader of a wolf-shifter pack is always an alpha, a male, as far as I know. All of that is consistent with the unabridged version. What isn’t consistent, and in fact completely missing from the abridged version, is the allowance for non-wolf-shifters and rogue shifters who are not mated to a wolf-shifter or pack member to seek asylum and refuge in the pack and eventually have the opportunity to become pack members. Mind blown.

“Though,” Xander continues, his eyes flitting to Billie, who is hunched over the documents, mechanical pencil and two highlighters in hand, with scribbles and notes already marking up her copy. Both she and Jax had to force themselves to eat, neither clearing their plate, even with glares from our alpha. Feeling his gaze, she lifts her head up, and he says, “I’d like to go over the stipulations of non-wolf-shifters mated to current pack members becoming pack members. I think our first priority would be acceptance of pack members when a new alpha has taken over.” He lifts his chin to Bruce. “Three months is too long, and immediate acceptance or rejection is too short.” He looks around the table. “Suggestions?”

“Connection,” Elder Ralph states, leaning forward and giving Billie a smile just big enough to spread his beard. “The metaphysical bum sniff—with all pack members within the first two weeks of the new alpha taking over. Based on the alpha’s assessment, those members are either escorted from pack lands immediately or allowed a week to decide between submitting to the new alpha or finding a new pack to move to.”

“I don’t think the additional week is necessary,” Luna Ophelia offers, interlacing her fingers on the tabletop in front of her. Her eyes scan the group. “I had thought to only allow for that just now, and...” She lifts a shoulder, her eyes holding a gleam as she stares at her alpha, her son. “And their wolves or shifters will know. Once they meet, the shifters will know.”

“What if the human side is more speculative than the shifter?” Xander probes, reclining back into his seat. “The shifter may know, but the human brain could still be resistant. I won’t force someone to submit. What do we do then?”

“Nothing’s set in stone, right?” Billie asks, her eyes going around the table. “I mean, with all of this, nothing is permanent. You are all meeting to determine what is right for the pack, so couldn’t you just meet in six months to see how the changes have been received and if there are any that need revisiting?”

“Set the experiment, collect the data, and analyze the results,” I surmise with a small smile and a bob of my head. I turn to Xander. “It makes sense, and there’s no denying that things are somewhat volatile in the pack now. Erring on the side of caution would be best for all of those who have submitted to you being their alpha.”

“Connect with me within ten days of transfer of leadership. Until that time, they’re considered non-pack members. If my wolf and I reject them, they’re to vacate pack lands immediately. If my wolf and I approve, they have forty-eight hours to make their decision. If they decide not to submit to me as their alpha, they have one month from me taking on the mantle to arrange for their departure from the pack and are afforded the title of non-pack members with pack protection but not pack rights,” Xander states, noting that both DeLuca and Kubrick are writing it all down. “That means I need to have a list of all the wolves in the pack so I can determine who has yet to accept me, and arrange for them to connect this week.”

“That seems a bit harsh, yea,” Jax mutters.

“My wolf is fair and open-minded; he wouldn’t reject a member unless he sensed hostility or duplicity within them,” Xander replies.

“You’re not just making these changes for your wolf but any alpha that comes into power,” Elder Ralph reminds.

“As of now, I think we need to be vigilant,” Xander counters. “We can change it in six months, but I need to show the strength of conviction in my words and follow through with actions.”

“I agree,” Bruce asserts, sitting up taller in his seat. “You can be authoritative without being overbearing or ruthless. Though the number of pack members that have not submitted to you as their alpha is small compared to the whole pack, there’s still discord and whispers of subterfuge. It’d be best to nip it now, take a bite out, and show your strength.”

“What are everyone else’s thoughts?” Xander queries, taking a sip of the off-the-menu lemonade that Rick and Ralph brought at Kubrick’s request.

“I’m in agreement,” Luna Ophelia says with a slow nod. “Don’t let things stew, and give a chance for them to boil over. I think with the resurrection of, for lack of a better term, the pack judicial system, you’re giving power to the pack. But you need to remind them you’re still alpha. This approach will do that and give you and your wolf another opportunity to show your strength—to prove what we all saw and experienced the night of the duel wasn’t a one-time show of your power, of you, alpha.” I note that we’ve all forgone the formal ending of Alpha at the end of our statements when addressing Xander, and I agree that in this situation, it’s better to keep it a little less informal, allowing for his counsel to speak freely.

There are nods from all around, with the exception of Billie, who’s going through the documents. Xander notices. He turns to her and asks, “What are your thoughts, mate?”

“Huh?” Billie startles, looking up from the papers, her brows raised in confusion. She gazes around to see us all staring at her, and her cheeks pinken slightly. Tugging on her ear, she says, “Oh, that’s cool, if that’s what you want. I’m unsure of how everything works and what’s the best approach when it comes to packs. So yeah...” She hesitates, then taps her finger on a section of the document she is reading over. “I’m just uncertain of how much I should say when it comes to the pack. According to this, I’m in a trial period as a new pack member. I’m your mate, but, it doesn’t give me full pack status, and I don’t want to overstep and incite the disgruntled members further.”

“But you’re bonded to the alpha,” Xander contends, “and have been accepted by the alpha, so the most important criteria for being a pack member have been met.”

“Which makes it even more imperative that I not only understand how a pack works—the laws—but also abide by them,” she argues with a little huff. “I don’t want to be looked at as someone who quote, ‘slept her way into the pack.’” Her face pinches, and her skin flushes from neck to hairline as she croaks, “Which I technically did, I guess, but...” She sits up taller and raises her highlighter. “There was biting and sharing of blood and spirit so not just sleeping . Ugh.” She groans, and I fight back the grin that’s tugging at my lips, watching her struggle through talking about the fact that since she drank our blood, it makes the fucking more acceptable. “Regardless, I need to show respect and learn what it means to be part of a pack. To be mated to the alpha means I need to know pack law better than most and be the example of what a non-wolf-shifter pack member could be.” I note both elders and Luna Ophelia are all smiles listening to her.

“So then you’re in agreement with the requirement for mentoring by a female wolf-shifter and displaying a firm understanding of pack law?” Kubrick queries, turning to look at her with his head canted in curiosity, his eyes a little too focused on her mouth as she rolls and nibbles on her lower lip.

“Understanding of pack law, yes,” she tentatively replies, staring at the table, her eyes unfocused as her mind works through her answer. “It would be cool if there was a packet or something, like a”—she rolls her hand around— “‘Welcome to the Pack’ packet, here’s what you need to know. I don’t understand why the mentor needs to be of the same gender or why for three months, so if that could be explained... Who determines the mentor, and what is the process?”

“The roles of female wolves and male wolves within the pack are different,” Luna Ophelia states with an arched brow. She waves a dismissive hand. “I’m not saying I agree with those roles as of late, particularly with how things have changed in the human world. Many of them are considered archaic and outdated except for formal occasions. The other factor is that the shifter powers differ between genders for wolf-shifters. As far as determining your mentor, it would be up to the alpha to decide who mentored you, generally taking into account your position in the pack.” She purses her lips and sighs. “Which would be luna, most likely.”

Billie stares at her with wide eyes and an even wider mouth. A low laugh climbs up her throat. Her body begins shaking, growing in intensity as her laughter becomes louder and louder. “Oh.” She bursts out cackling. “That’s feckin’ hilarious!” She slaps the packet on the table, and tears form at the corners of her eyes as she gasp-laughs. “Seriously, good one there, luna!” She shoots a finger gun at her. “So funny, because, yeah, that’d go over oh so well with your wolves. Here’s your new luna, a fox-shifter, who is newly a shifter and has absolutely no idea about being a wolf or being part of a pack. What a feckin’ comedian you are!” She gulps down a clogged breath. “Not to mention I’m still trying to figure out this whole duchessa thing.” Her laughter dies down abruptly, and her voice hardens. “That aside, my first priority is to make sure every bitch knows who my true-mates are and what I will do should anyone threaten them again. Being a member of the pack is important to me, but nothing is more important than my mates.” All three of her mates sit up a little taller at her declaration of shifter love. She inhales and turns to Xander. “If I could petition for Gertie to be my mentor, that’d be most appreciated. She’s mated to an elder, which is a position of esteem and authority in the pack. Your mom is luna, her wolf is luna. She’s strong and powerful—and wolf. I’d still like to attend these meetings, as they’re a good way for me to learn and retain the information.”

Xander stares at her for a long moment, his face blank, but through the bond, I can feel his shock and not hurt exactly, but disappointment. Disappointment that he as an alpha has a mate that doesn’t wish to be luna, his luna. I glance at Jax, who’s reclined back in the seat behind her hunched form, his hands rubbing up and down her sides. He meets my gaze, and we share an understanding. We thought she’d be our luna too. We assumed if we were ever in this position, our mate would take on that role. Now we’re unsure of how to deal with this. If she’s not luna, what would her position be?

“I think Gertie would be a great mentor,” Xander slowly and steadily says. “As far as the three months, maybe it could be based on your ability to show an understanding of pack law and wolf-shifter characteristics. We’ll look into that. Regarding you being part of these meetings... yes, you will attend, not just for you but for me. Pack or not, I want you to participate. Your view, your counsel, matters to me. Greatly.” Her jaw drops open like she’s about to speak, but he cuts her off, addressing the table. “I think that’s it for tonight. We’ve covered a fair amount.” He turns to me. “Ethan, if you could oversee the rest of the meeting, in particular who is responsible for summarizing what we’ve agreed on, as well as determining how we’ll go about reviewing and amending pack law and distributing the updates to the pack.”

“Of course, Alpha,” I reply.

“Good, and Jax will stay with you,” he adds, pushing his chair back and coming to standing his palm extended to Billie. “Now, Duchessa , if you’d please come with me to meet with Brian and Coco Callahan. I’m sure some of their concerns have to do with your defense of our pack-mate, my beta, your true-mate.” He states it in a clipped, I’m-not-asking-but-telling-you type of voice.

Billie lays down her pencil and highlighter and cranes her head back to look at Xander, who’s jaw is tight and his eyes, unyielding. Her eyes taper with a desire to argue, but she clamps her lips shut and places her hand in Xander’s. “Okay,” she says, standing and turning to Jax. “Are you chill with me leaving?”

I get up and move to stand behind Xander, ready to take his spot next to Jax. Jax looks from me to Billie and offers her a lopsided grin. “Ethan’s got me just fine, B.” He waggles his brows at me. “Don’t you, E?”

My lower stomach clenches, and my dick twitches at the implication. “That I do, Jax. That I do,” I huskily assure with a numb nod of my head, my tongue absently playing with my lip ring.