Council
1058 Words
Charlotte was in the clear. Walter and Elaine still weren't back from town. She'd looked up and down the driveway to make sure before entering the house.
"Where've you been sis?"
Charlotte froze. Danny was lounging on the couch in the living room, looking at her suspiciously.
Dang.
She certainly hadn't expected that. His truck must be parked on the other side of the house.
"Oh, I just went for a walk," Charlotte responded nervously.
"Through the woods?"
How could he know that? Charlotte wondered. He probably saw her through the window she decided.
"Yeah, behind the house." She answered, slowly scooching past the living room.
"You should be careful." He warned.
"Why?" Charlotte asked, surprised. Danny sounded serious.
"There are dangerous things in those woods," He said sternly. "Wouldn't want you to get eaten" Danny smirked.
Wowww he always had to follow up with a smart alec comment Charlotte thought.
"I can take care of myself." She asserted with more confidence than was probably warranted. She was almost turned into a bear's chew toy the other day. And there was the whole wolf thing.
Danny raised an eyebrow but didn't comment further as Charlotte slipped out of the room.
*** GIO ***
Gio weaved carefully through the crowd, trying to be as inconspicuous as a 450-pound wolf can be.
He was uncomfortable being here. There were so many people making their way into the town hall. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been to one of these meetings. Not surprisingly he was the only wolf.
Some people nodded to him as he passed by while others shied away from his presence.
"Giovanni! I'm so glad you could make it to the meeting."
It was his uncle, Jacob.
Gio tilted his head in greeting. Jacob was his father's Beta, he had been in charge of the pack since the Alpha left.
"It's been too long nephew! You know you are always welcome at my house." He said kindly.
"Come join me by the podium. You'll have more room there."
This was true. Gio wouldn't be able to fit between the benches. So he could only sit at the front or the back of the hall.
Gio nodded, following the man down the center aisle.
The elders were already seated in a row of chairs on the stage. Gio took an empty spot at the end of the row, on the far side.
"Ah, Gio good of you to come. As future Alpha, you should take more involvement in pack issues." The old woman next to him chided.
Gio twitched his ear in annoyance. This is exactly why he didn't come to these meetings. Even before the curse he didn't like attending.
He was far too old to be receiving a lecture from the old crone no matter how well-intentioned.
"Thank you for joining us! We have several orders of business to take care of so if everyone can please quiet down." Jacob announced, his voice didn't carry the same level of command as an alpha but the pack gradually quieted down.
Gio tuned out as the pack discussed relatively minor issues. If his father was here this stuff would have been decided and taken care of already, no discussion necessary.
"The last order of business is to vote on whether the foster girl gets to stay in North North Rochester," Jacob announced.
Gio snapped out of his daydream immediately sitting up straighter.
"As you know, humans are not allowed to live here unless a rare exemption is granted. This is a rule that Alpha Matteo and every Alpha before him enforced." Jacob began.
"The Watson's are requesting an exemption for their foster daughter Charlotte who is 17. As many of you know she is already attending high school here and has not gotten into any trouble. If anyone is uncomfortable with allowing her to stay, please state your concerns now."
"What if she runs into one of the wolves? And goes back to the humans telling them stories of the giant wolves out here." Someone shouted. Too late Gio thought.
"Yeah, think about what happened when rumors spread about bigfoot or the loch ness monster! Hordes of humans will come looking for us."
"Or what if the wolves kill her!?" A woman shouted.
Gio snarled at the thought.
"No one will believe a foster girl who is emotionally disturbed and if a wolf kills her we'll just report it as an accident." Walter countered.
"Is she emotionally disturbed?" Jacob questioned.
"The file they gave us said she was in counseling when she was younger." Walter shrugged.
That didn't mean his mate was emotionally disturbed Gio thought angrily. He had never been more annoyed that he couldn't give them a piece of his mind than he was in this moment.
"Settle down Gio. An Alpha must be in control of themselves. If you can't control yourself how can you expect to control others?" Gio jerked his head away from the crowd to look at the old woman.
He hadn't realized he was growling until she called his attention to it.
The elder carefully studied him with her icy blue eyes before breaking into a smile.
"The girl will stay." The elder announced, making her way to the podium.
"Mallory?" Jacob said in alarm.
His uncle backed away from the podium respectively allowing the old woman to take his place.
"The girl will stay" Mallory announced, her voice ringing out over the crowd again. "Our goddess demands it."
The crowd began murmuring in surprise.
"Who among you will defy the moon goddess?" She questioned.
People in the crowd looked at each other warily.
"Um, thank you, madam elder. Your wisdom is given due weight. If there are no objections I hereby declare that the girl may remain where she is." Jacob stated uncertainly.
"Going once.... going twice.... ok it's decided then. The girl may stay."
Walter and Elaine smiled at each other in relief.
Gio was surprised but pleased. He was beginning to think he would have to physically prevent them from removing his mate.
The elders muttered, angrily amongst each other when Mallory reclaimed her seat. Gio couldn't hear what the old woman said to them but they too fell silent moments later.
Gio caught her eye, trying to communicate his appreciation. She nodded to him in understanding.
- Writer
