Saving Aeron

Expectant

Smugly, Neasa pulled up a chair next to Fergus and Balor stood behind her, his shoulders slumping slightly forward. Fergus relaxed and pushed his food away as he crossed his arms. Fynlee and Gavin stood on either side of Brigh, waiting for whatever bomb Neasa felt she could drop.

"I'm willing to amend the agreement since you haven't produced an heir for my pack." Fergus began. "For your failure, you will concede the leadership of Aeron Pack to Neasa and I will support her as Beta."

Fynlee laughed but kept her commentary to herself.

"According to the agreement, you were to produce an heir to cement the union between the two packs. Since you were unable and I am pregnant," Neasa rubbed her flat stomach. "I've agreed to let Fergus' pack raise my pup as payment for your," she paused and wrinkled her nose, "dereliction of duty. I'm willing to sacrifice for the good of our pack and our contracts. In exchange, you and your minions, will agree to support the change in power and new agreement. This will save us from losing access to the sanctuary in Morgan Hills and access to the Sunrise Training Center."

Neasa had a hunger for power but not a head for logistics. Brigh hadn't entered into the agreement out of need; it was tradition. Neasa had brought Fergus to their home.

Her dereliction of duty, however, could not fall solely onto her shoulders. Fergus hadn't tried either and the missing heir was both of their faults. Brigh kept that part of the conversation locked in the back of her head, next to the doctor's report that Fergus was sterile and incapable of producing an heir, which did place that sort of blame directly on his shoulders.

"What's in the new agreement with the Gideon Pack?" Brigh folded her hands in her lap, letting her sister have the center stage.

"They'll train our teams at the Sunrise Training Center and we'll still have access to Morgan Hills. We will give them two board seats at the hospital and open a clinic in Morgan Hills."

Brigh looked up at Fynlee then at her sister. "This is what you want?"

Neasa, nearly jumping out of her skin, offered a wide smile, baring all of her teeth. "Yes."

"Gideon's teams have ranked lowest in all training exercises, being trained by them will lower our rankings, opening us up to more attacks. Not to mention knocking us out of any competitions, giving Gideon a slight chance of moving up in the ranks, but not enough to win and negotiate prizes." Competitions had become the acceptable form of dominance, barring attacks. Any pack that attacked another pack could not compete for territory, resources, or monetary prizes.

"With our teams training there, they will accept applications for new trainers from Aeron."

Fynlee held up her hand, silencing Neasa's retort. "With two board seats, Gideon will have to take the one that Aeron holds, which cuts us out of the hospital resources or learning opportunities. They will get the rewards while we pour our resources into it."

"We'll still have access and as Luna, I will have the power to keep Gideon in check."

Brigh sat forward. "And that's the only part that you wanted. You're willing to put the pack at risk for power."

"I'm moving us forward and keeping us in good standing with Gideon."

Gavin placed papers on the table and put a pair of pens down. Brigh signed them without looking at them, keeping her eyes locked with her sisters. "Fergus, these are divorce papers. You will sign them."

"I don't have a wolf, you can't command me." Fergus folded his arms.

"Then, as Luna of the Aeron Pack, you are no longer welcome here. Without a wolf, you are a human and a danger to our pack. Our marriage is invalid, the contract being voided by your lack of wolf." She pushed the top set of papers away and signed the others and handed them to Gavin, who promptly left. "You'll have a copy of your banishment in a moment. You will have two hours to clear your things and remove yourself from Aeron territory."

"You're declaring war with Gideon," Neasa objected.

"Am I?" Brigh looked at Fergus.

"No." He bowed his head. Neasa hit him hard across the face.

"Stand up to her."

He did stand up and until he opened his mouth, Neasa looked quite pleased with herself. "Gideon won't declare war- I don't have a wolf and I'm not an Alpha." He left the room with his head down. He gambled when he sided with Neasa. When he married Brigh, they were equal but when Angus, his wolf, left, he lost his power and his standing. He could no longer link to the pack mind or use the power of the wolf.

Neasa sprang to her feet, knocking her chair backwards as Balor put his hand on her shoulder. He kept his eyes downcast but his grip was tight on her. Her power controlled him even as he fought internally with her. His face contorted in fear and pain.

Brigh stood up slowly. "Sister, you have options here. Since you are with child, you and Balor can remain here, but you'll have to move to the Monastery." Neasa opened her mouth and Brigh silenced her. "You will be able to come and go as you please, you are not going to be placed in lock up and Balor will be with you. You have just lost all your privileges in the pack house and by marriage, Balor has as well. You are removed from the line of succession and all of your children will be removed as well."

"You can't stand to see me succeed, can you? I'm pregnant and you're not; you're jealous of me because you can't carry on the Luna lineage and I can. You're inability to step aside for the good of the pack is disgusting. I will not live in that halfway house for delinquents." She pushed Balor away and turned quickly, nearly tripping over the chair. Balor caught her but she pushed him away harder as she stomped out of the room.