That hurt. The immediate disengagement from me, like I didn’t matter. That was a knife to the gut I didn’t enjoy. I never wanted to feel that again.
I will set things right with her. No matter what. Going forward, I tell her everything.
She needed time to come accept her new reality, however, and in the meantime …
I pulled open the door, finding exactly who I thought I would.
“Elder Jackson, Elder Germander,” I growled unpleasantly at the two members of the shuffleboard senate as I was now given to think of them.
I didn’t bother to acknowledge the trio of “junior” members standing behind them. They were inconsequential. The two standing up front wielded most of the power.
“We have talked,” Elder Jackson said, already twisting his beard before he spoke. That was not a good sign.
“So?” I wasn’t in the mood for any pleasantries.
“Lincoln,” Elder Germander reprimanded. I just glared at him.
“We cannot endorse this crazy idea of yours,” Elder Jackson said, continuing as if the byplay had not occurred.
I wasn’t shocked. Of course they wouldn’t. It was the scariest thing possible to them. Provoking the Chained? That was a terrifying prospect, because it risked their hoary old backsides if it went wrong.
Cowards. All of them.
“My plan is notcrazy
,” I growled, further incensed by their accusation. “What’s crazy is sitting around like bystanders while our sworn enemy tries its best to break free of a prisonour ancestors put it in!”
The elders exchanged glances, shifting their weight uneasily. I knew why. My cabin was located near the center of the den with plenty of foot traffic in the area. Their presence alone would have garnered some discreet listeners. Me raising my voice would only add to that.
“We cannot run from this fight. It is coming to us, whether you like it or not,gentlemen
,” I said, dripping sarcasm like acid. “Your cowardice will be remembered for generations if you refuse to acknowledge it. This I swear.”
Elder Jackson hissed, his eyes bugging out under the wrinkled skin surrounding them. “Be very, very careful who you accuse of being a coward, boy. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I laughed in his face. “You’re scared. All of you. It’s right there on your faces for anyone to see if they actually look. I can smell it on your skin. Youreek of fear. You’re terrified of doing anything. Why? Because you might not be able to live out the last few daysof your lives in peace? Well, guesswhat
, Milton, neither could those who laid down their lives to keep this evil in check. They are rolling in their graves right now, ashamed of who you have become and what you’re trying to do tomy pack. You should be ashamed too. I know I’m plenty disappointed to call any of you members of this pack.”
“Enough,” Elder Jackson snapped, furious at being addressed by his first name, a massive insult in his worldview. “You will adjust your tone or-“
“Orwhat
?” I challenged, stepping forward so fast the elders were forced to scramble backward lest I bowl them over.
Doing so let me see that more than a handful of people had already gathered just out of sight, listening to the argument and waiting to make judgment.
“What are you going to do?” I barked. “Are you going to stir up rebellion? In the face of the enemy, you would try to fracture us? That is grounds enough for a challenge.”
Elder Jackson glared at me, even madder now after being humiliated publicly by retreating.
“I am the alpha,” I growled loudly enough so all could hear. “I rule this pack. Not you. You are there to provide council and wisdom. I suggest you start doingthat and stop trying to dictate what I may or may not do. Is that understood?”
The elders tried to gather themselves to launch a counterargument. This was the furthest I’d gone in throwing off the shackles as alpha. Before I had tried to keep up appearances in public, to allow them their time to “help” the pack.
Things had changed. There was no time. Not anymore. We needed to act, and act fast, before the Chained overran us all.
Elder Germander recovered first. “You will not-“
“
I asked if I was understood!”
I bellowed as I stepped forward once more, bristling with teeth. Fur had started to sprout across my body as my wolf rose with the anger in me, ready to answer any challenge that might come.
Elder Jackson bared his teeth but did not speak up.
“Good,” I replied much more calmly. “Now, if you have anything useful to contribute, speak. Otherwise, run along to your holes and hide like the cowardly prey you are.”
I made shooing motions, backing the elders off my steps before turning to those who had been listening.
“The rest of us who actually still have fight left in our spines will stand up and do what’s right. We will face this evil, andwe will not back down. Our courage is strong, and our blood is thickest when we act as one.”
“Your blood will run thick,” Elder Jackson threatened ominously.
I didn’t hold my wolf back. It burst forth as I stepped forward, moving so fast Elder Jackson tripped over one of the other elders and fell to the ground with a yelp. I stood over him on all fours, staring down the snout of my wolf with a growl to match his ominous threat.
The sound was loud enough to drive the others back, and Milton clapped his hands over his hears. Baring my teeth, I gnashed them at his face, making it clear I could rip it off him in a second if he didn’t behave.
Jackson quivered in fear.
That was all I needed. Him to cave. Stepping away from him, I shifted back, walking up the steps to my house. I stopped there, looking left and right at the gathered crowd. It had grown in size.
“Spread the word,” I said. “Any who still believe in the old ways, we leave at dawn to protect our families and those around us who cannot fight.”
I looked down at Elder Jackson with disgust. “Or who won’t.”
Then I went inside and closed the door so they couldn’t see me nearly throw up.
“Are you okay?” Sylvie asked as I rubbed at my face.
“I’ll be fine. I just don’t enjoy treating anyone like that, especially my own pack members.”
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