The Mating Revolution

Chapter Seventeen

I didn’t say anything while the answer sunk in. The council member started talking again. “We have taken everything you said into consideration though and we are going to allow for some changes.” My hope started to come back to life after that. “We will get rid of the law that requires humans to have three children. They will be granted some freedoms. The walls will stay around the cities, but the humans will be allowed to leave them as long as they provide the required information. The humans and werewolves can mingle but it will be up to the werewolves. Humans are not allowed on the pack lands unless invited. The Mating will still be a required event but only for ages 18 and 19. It will be an option after that.” It was more than I hoped for when I heard the word denied. It wasn’t what I wanted but it was a start. “Thank you.” I spoke loud and clear. The council members nodded. “You are dismissed.” The middle one was the only one who spoke. The Omega returned to my side and led me out the door. I stepped out of the building with a new appreciation for everything. I practically skipped to the cottage. I saw Keaton hunched over his laptop doing who knows what. I cleared my throat and he looked up. When he saw me, his face broke out in a smile. “Well?” He prompted and I told him everything that happened. He hugged me. “I know it isn’t what you wanted.” I shrugged. “It’s more than I thought I was going to get after they denied my original request. I hate that it’s still happening, but this is a start, right?” It was Keaton’s turn to shrug. “Mates are such a sacred thing I don’t know if it’ll ever get truly abolished.” I frowned. He was right but at least people like my parents won’t be worried about their lives uprooting and people can have as many children as they want without worrying that they will have to leave. Keaton stood up and gave me a quick kiss then packed up his work. “Let’s hit the road. We have a lot to do when we get home. You have to punish those who took you.” My heart dropped. I had forgotten about that. “Not to sound weak, but can’t you do it? I’ve never had to anything like that before.” Keaton’s look darkened. “You have to do it, or you will look weak in front of everyone. Not just our pack but other packs when the word gets out. Especially with the new laws coming out. There are those who will believe your revolution is weak and they will go after us. You can nip it in the bud now by not giving those who hurt you mercy.” I swallowed and nodded, not trusting my voice. I wasn’t a violent person so how was I going to do this?

Our ride home was quiet. I was thankful for my victory, but my mind was conflicted with what I knew I had to do. I tried to read but I couldn’t concentrate so I just watched the road fly by. What exactly was going to be expected of me? Would I have to kill them or just hurt them bad? Would I have to fight them? I was still recovering so I doubted it. Anyway, Keaton wouldn’t want there to be even the smallest possibility that I would lose. Keaton tore me from my thoughts when we were close to home. “Little Kat. You have to kill them.” I turned toward him, allowing my emotions to run over my face. I watched him as he saw the pain of those words flash across my face. He scooted closer to me and took my face in his hands. “I know. I remember my first kill. I was a teenager, not even Alpha yet. I caught an outsider trying to cross our land in the dead of night. I had to torture him for information. Turns out he was there to plead for asylum but since he didn’t go through the formal process my dad forced me to kill him. He told me you have to send a message. He was a bastard, but he was right. Our pack is safer because of the fear from everyone. Everyone knows not to mess with our pack.” I leaned into him, my interest of his life before me peaked for the first time. It never really clicked with me that he would have parents. “Where are your parents?” He jerked in surprise of my question. This wasn’t where he thought the conversation was going. His eyes misted over as he remembered. “When I took over Alpha they wanted to retire, see the world so they did. A plane crash killed them 2 years ago.” I wrapped my arms around Keaton. “I’m sorry Kea.” He leaned into my touch and I felt his heart calm. “So how exactly do I kill them?” I could feel Keaton running his hands through my hair. “It will be a publicized event. The other packs will have the choice to watch it. Our pack members can watch it if they want but they don’t have to. It will be on the human news as well. We won’t broadcast the actual event on the human news. You will have to give a speech explaining why they are being sentenced to death then you will break their necks.” I nodded and nuzzled into him further. I didn’t want to kill anyone. What would my family think of me? Keaton didn’t say anything. He just gave me the comfort I needed. “Will you be with me?” I could hear him sigh. “No. You have to do this by yourself. You can’t lean on me in front of the pack during this. You have to be seen as a strong werewolf on your own.” Tears clouded my vision and I fought them back. How was I going to do this?

Too soon we pulled into the pack lands. Keaton and I untangled ourselves and made sure we were presentable for our pack. We had to change and prepare for the killing. It would happen in just an hours’ time. I could see the work the pack was doing to get it ready. In front of the pack house in the large front yard there was a stage being set up. I tore my gaze from it and focused on climbing out of the car and putting one foot in front of the other. Keaton followed me into the bedroom. I didn’t talk to him. I needed to prepare for this, and I had to do it by myself. I grabbed a change of clothes and locked myself in the bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked like myself, mostly. I could see the bruises still fading from my body. My arm was still in a sling. I had to remember that they did this. They were planning to kill me. They took me away from Keaton. They used my trust in them to try to weaken Keaton. If it hadn’t been for Greg Keaton would have lost me, and himself, forever. I had to do this. I could do this. It wasn’t about not looking weak. It was about ensuring that the world knew we were not a couple to mess with. I would do anything to keep my Keaton safe. To keep him the Keaton I know and love. I took a shower, trying to stay calm. Just because I knew I had to do this didn’t make it easier. I got dressed and came out of the bathroom. I saw Keaton sitting on the bed waiting for me. He quickly stood and closed the gap between us. I felt him hold me. “Are you ok?” I nodded into his chest. I took a breath and broke his hold on me. A quick flash of hurt was quickly replaced with worry when I took his hand and led him out of the bedroom. We were at the top of the steps when he spun me around to face him. “Katie. Are you ok?” Praying my voice was steady I answered him. “I’m scared but I’m ok. I know why I have to do this. I just don’t want to talk about it anymore. I just want to get it over with.” He touched my face gently and nodded allowing me to lead him downstairs. The pack house was totally empty. It reminded me of my first day as a werewolf. The thought made me smile. Keaton looked at me, worried but didn’t ask. I forced the happiness off of my face, dropped Keaton’s hand, and walked out of the house toward the stage. I could see the wolves that had any part in my kidnapping. They were in their human forms, on their knees. Their feet were bound together with silver chains. Their hands were bound together behind them with silver chains. I fought back a shiver as I remembered the burning pain and the disconnect, I felt when I had silver chains wrapped around my wrists and ankles. Keaton took his place in front of the stage while I climbed the steps. The warriors of the pack came to watch but I didn’t see anyone else. No one liked to watch these proceeding, I guess. The warriors came in a sign of support to me. Many of them were looking at the four members of our pack that were on the stage with murderous looks. I stood in the middle, facing the audience. The prisoners were facing the audience as well. It was silent and I saw the video camera trained on me. I picked up the mic that was on the stage. “Before you kneels those who kidnapped me with the intent to kill me. They wanted to weaken our pack. They wanted to weaken our Alpha. I managed to escape and return to you, with a little help. Greg went against his own Alpha to ensure my safety back to you.” I nodded toward Greg who was next to Keaton. Our pack knew his story already, but the rest of the world didn’t. “They will never again have that chance. They will die for their actions. I am not a Luna you can cross and be provided mercy.” I put the mic back in its stand and stood behind Alpha Adam. He had a gag in this mouth. I didn’t give him time to even try to speak. I swiftly snapped his neck. I went down the line quickly. When I was done the stage was filled with the bodies of those who went against us. I walked off the stage and stood next to Keaton. I didn’t try to touch him or reach out to him. I stood by his side silently while the bodies were gathered. They were lit on fire. We watched as the fire disintegrated the bodies. We watched until the fire died. It was dark by the time it was over. No one but Keaton, Greg, and I stayed to watch the fire die. I turned toward the house and started towards it. I didn’t say anything. I didn’t have the energy. I just killed people. I was a murder. I didn’t bother putting on pajamas as I laid down and brought the blanket over my head. I was asleep before Keaton even made it to the room.

I woke up with Keaton’s arms around me. He was snoring slightly in my ear. I killed people last night. I still couldn’t believe it. I tried to tell myself that it was for the best but there was a voice that doubted it. I was able to convince the council that The Mating wasn’t all together good so why couldn’t I have come up with something else? Was being with Keaton making me a killer? I thought about the fear I had of him before I became his mate. Was I wrong to disregard that fear just because he showed me his emotions and showered me with love? My head was spinning with questions. I felt Keaton move and kiss my cheek. “Good morning little Kat. You ok?” I shrugged. “I’m filled with doubt.” He snuggled me a little closer, but I found myself wanting space. I usually calmed in his arms, but I just couldn’t. I wiggled out of his grasp. “I’m going to work in my office today. I’ll be busy all day.” I didn’t wait to see the hurt in his face before I turned to the closet. I dressed quickly and went to my office. I didn’t even go down for breakfast. While I was working, trying to keep my mind busy, I heard Keaton go downstairs. I felt the tears spill over. I dropped the papers I was holding and found my hands were shaking uncontrollably. My lungs were having to work to pull in air. I was having a panic attack. I tried to focus on calming my breathing, but I couldn’t. I didn’t even realize the door had opened until I saw Keaton’s face in front of mine. “Breathe baby. In and out. It’s ok. Breathe.” It was a struggle at first but as the smell of pine needles and campfire surrounded me my chest started to loosen, and my breathing came easier. The smell of my mate brought me back to earth. I closed my eyes as the panic attack passed. The tears poured out quicker this time. “I’m a murderer Keaton.” He pulled me into his lap and let me cry. I could feel his fingers running through my hair as he murmured. “I’ve got you. You’re ok.” Slowly the tears dried up. “Sorry.” I apologized to Keaton. I was keeping him from his duties. “No reason to be sorry. You needed me. What happened yesterday was something I never wanted you to have to go through. I’m not going to lie to you; things will feel different now. Always remember I’m here for you though. I can help you work through those feelings. It’s going to be hard, but you are so strong.” I hoped he was right. What I did yesterday was not me, but it felt right which scared me. We stayed like that for the rest of the day. Keaton was slowly putting me back together again with his love and touch. By the time night fell I felt more like myself. He was right though, everything still felt different. Keaton lifted me up and took me to bed. He gently undressed me then himself and he spent the rest of the night giving me even more pieces of myself back.