Jessie's POV
Algonquin Pack Land
Three Alphas and four Betas got out of their respective cars. Standing in front of the Algonquin Pack main gate they sized each other up. Jessie felt the presence and power of the two older Alphas as they tried to get her other half to submit to them ... no way that was going to happen! She would respect them (for now) but she wasn't going to be anything other than an equal here.
Jessie broke up the staring contest everyone was having. With a disdainful growl, she turned and walked up to the one (only one?!) guard at the gate and introduced herself.
"I'm Jessie Taylor, Alpha of the Richard Pack. We've come for your leader, Charles, and the three other Betas that are currently linked to him."
The guard shook his head, "Charles isn't here. We don't know where he is. He broke his link to our pack early this morning and has disappeared."
The Alpha who was Council Chair walked up beside her, cursing furiously as he overheard the Algonquin wolf's information. "Has anyone stepped into the leadership role, do you have a pack link?"
The guard shook his head again, looking worried. "No, it's broken. We are no longer a pack. Everyone is trying to figure out what to do now, many want to leave, some have already left."
Jessie spoke up, "Where are the three Betas?"
"Two were sent out last night to check up on the wolves patrolling the Lavalle property and haven't returned. One is here ... he's useless."
Jessie looked over at the Chairman, "Did you really think your command during the meeting yesterday to stay and face the consequences was going to be obeyed? I'm not surprised they are gone ... and if you are, you're a fool."
He growled at her, "Watch your tongue girl."
"Don't 'girl' me ... and I heard you called a lot worse in the council meeting yesterday. Is that why the meetings aren't open to all wolves? If the rank and file saw what a fucking mess their leaders are would there be wholescale revolt?"
"You know nothing."
"Yah, I've heard that before. I may be new but I can still tell that a lot of things are reaching a tipping point. You've got to see that too. How many other packs are in serious trouble?"
The Algonquin wolf was staring at them wide-eyed. The Chairman muttered, "A discussion for another time ..." He looked at the guard, his Alpha wolf pushing forward. "Open the gate and let us in. No one is to leave without my permission, do you understand?"
The guard nodded. Everyone got back in their cars and drove to up to a large house surrounded by smaller buildings, a similar setup (eerily similar) to the one Jessie had seen on the Richard property.
She looked at Jacob and Liam,
Damn it! Do the same things happen here as there?
Jacob sighed and Liam nodded,
Yes.
A warning would have been nice! Is there going to be any wolf here that I won't reject?
They will all know at least of some of what goes on, but not all will have participated or approved of it. You can sort them out. Nobody can lie to you and get away with it.
The Chairman and the other Alpha know don't they ... are they in on all the crap?
They've been around a long time and are mixed up in some of it. How much we can't be sure, but they are not innocents that's for damn sure.
Liam looked at her.
The plan hasn't changed. Trust no one other than each other, none of us goes anywhere alone.
Jessie took a deep breath and nodded,
Right
.
They watched the Chairman gather together all the Algonquin wolves that could be found in front of the main house. Phone calls were made to return everyone who could be reached back to pack property as soon as possible. A few people were talking in whispers but most were standing or sitting silently, looking lost. Standing on the porch with the other visitors, Jessie counted just over 60 wolves, mostly women with children, young adults and the elderly. The warriors were missing.
Eventually the senior Alpha started talking, "The Algonquin Pack is under leadership challenge. In two days Alpha Jessie Taylor" ... she saw him nod in her direction ... "will meet Beta Stephen Richard in the Algonquin circle. No one is to leave this property until the challenge is done. Any Algonquin wolf who is away is recalled now. No one is to carry weapons of any kind unless you are on guard duty at the boundary. For the next two days I am in charge here. I will not ask you to accept me as your Alpha for just two days but I expect you all to behave and wait."
Someone in the crowd called out, "Will any wolf who does not want to stay be allowed to leave when the challenge is over?"
"Yes, of course. Our laws will be followed. If you wish to leave you should make sure another Alpha agrees to take you before you go. Going rogue is not a smart or safe choice."
Jessie's excellent hearing picked up various whispered comments, all of which were expressing the same thought: staying was not a smart or safe choice either.
"You all need to know that your former leader Charles and three beta wolves have been condemned by the Alpha Council for the murder of their Alpha and his family. Charles and two of the betas are not here. Does anyone know where they are?"
There was only silence in response.
The Chair sighed, "Very well. They are declared rogue and will be hunted down. We now have to deal with the one beta still here." He signaled to someone over the heads of the crowd. Jessie saw the Beta seconds of the other two Alphas drag a silver-collared young man forward to the base of the porch stairs and drop him on the ground.
Jessie was shocked.
No! He's can't be more than 20 years old for heaven's sake!
Wolves are considered adults at 18 Jessie. He may be young but he has his rank and carries the responsibilities of that rank.
What choices did he have? If he'd challenged Charles he'd have died like the others did. If he'd tried to escape this pack he'd have been killed or he'd be a rogue. I have to know if he deserves his sentence or not!
Before Jacob or Liam could say anything more, she walked down the stairs and grabbed the young man's bare arm. Looking into his terrified eyes, she said "Did you want your Alpha and his family to die?"
"No! ... no ... I didn't want it. His son was my friend. I didn't know what was going to happen until it did. I was just the lookout, Charles ordered me to stay where I was and keep everyone away from the garage." He started shaking, "I'm sorry, really sorry, I didn't know what to do. Everyone who challenged Charles died. I didn't want to die ..."
Jessie nodded, let go of his arm and looked up at the Chairman. "He doesn't deserve his sentence. I ask that you allow him to live."
The Alpha shook his head, "No."
"He was tricked. He didn't choose what he did. He is a very junior beta without the strength or experience to have changed anything. He's young and still has much to learn. I'm not saying there shouldn't be consequences for him but a death sentence is wrong."
"You ask one question, believe his answer just like that? He's afraid to die ... he's weak ... and he's lying."
