I choose you

The Decision

“If it isn’t the princess herself,” Gary said with a sinister smile.

Sarah sat comfortably in her seat. He couldn’t touch her, not this close to the cave and certainly not when the council was having a meeting.

“Come on Gary. What is this? An ambush? Isn’t this beneath you?” she asked with a tone of calmness. Hoping she didn’t betray her actual thoughts and trying not to give off the scent of fear.

Gary began pacing like a lion about to pounce. “You don’t belong in this pack and you know damn well I’m right. The Alpha choosing you, I don’t know how that happened but a weakling like you can’t be our Luna.”

What was his problem anyway? A couple of scratches on his Gamma skin and now he was mad? He should see the last guy.

“What are you doing here?” she asked

He smiled mischievously, “The council is having a meeting and what better way to push for your banishment than to say it face to face? The Shaman was a witness and you know he can’t lie.”

Her heart sank into her stomach. “Can’t you just let it go?” it was a stupid thing to say but a girl had to try.

Gary let out a laugh. “A spoiled princess, that’s what you are, a daddy’s little girl but don’t worry I’m going to take that crown off. What you need is a proper beating”

Sarah found that funny “A beating? Like what I gave your ass yesterday while you ran for cover?”

That seemed to hit a nerve and he lunged towards her but he only hit the car with force. He was fast but she had the safety of the car that shook so hard she thought it’d tumble over.

He wasn’t aiming to hurt her, he was aiming to scare her and he did. Their eyes met for a brief moment and she saw how wild he was. Gary could and would kill her, maybe bury her body somewhere and he wouldn’t bat an eyelash for s**t. Gary was a savage that much was clear now.

The voice that came next was strong and commanding and just loud enough to be heard in open space. “Get away from her”

Gary’s head turned to the voice, and his sinister smile left him. It was Dean and behind him three of the council members including her father.

The shaman was the first to speak. “Explain,” he said.

“Nothing here, we're just having a nice chat” Gary said with a smirk.

“That didn’t seem nice,” Dean said. He would have preferred to speak with his fists but the council was watching. Most importantly, her father was watching.

“Come on princess, why don’t you tell them we were having a little chat.” He looked at Sarah with a sinister smile. She still looked shaken “It was only a little spook nothing more” he smirked.

“Attacking one of your own with a purpose to harm is an act we don’t stand for in this community” a calm soft voice said. It was Min, she was the oldest woman in their pack, mother to them all and the first Luna. Even with her white hair and wrinkled face, no one could deny she had once been pretty. Her fierce blue eyes and stern nature were something to fear.

Her statement was exactly what Gary needed to fuel his already burning rage. “An act we don’t stand for? But she’s still here?” He started pacing again.

Sarah’s heart began racing. Gary was getting exactly the audience he needed. The hum in her mind pulsed with reassurance. She was still in the car but Dean stood closer to her now. Their eyes met and she saw worry in his eyes. This genuine emotion caught her off guard. Wasn’t she supposed to hate him?

“We heard about the attack last night and we are settling it” It was Sarah’s dad who spoke. He was part of the council by right as the longest-reigned Alpha and by age.

Gary turned to him. “Settling it? You’re settling it like you did two years ago when your daughter attacked five of us that morning during training? Or how two weeks after that she went on a rampage on the full moon and killed all the animals in sight?

The Connors were out that day and Mr. Connor now has an arm that still hurts” he turned his gaze to Min “So I’ll ask, what are you settling”

Min was the one the one who replied“She had no control. It’s normal for a Delta to be”

“And it’s normal for them to be banished too,” Gary said but immediately wished he didn’t.

Min was not a woman to be interrupted and certainly not by one considered a child.

“I guess not much discipline is expected from one who could refuse the gift the moon goddess gave” Min muttered and without giving Gary any chance to speak she continued.

“You are young so I’ll assume you know nothing. The role of a Delta is an important one. They are messengers but sometimes they become unstable and it’s our duty as her pack to make sure she can finally control her wolf. That is our role as her people. We do not throw our people away.”

A growl escaped Gary’s lips.

She looked at him like she dared him to speak before turning her eyes to Sarah. Sarah could feel the overwhelming wisdom that flowed through Min and suddenly began to feel goosebumps.

“So you’re saying she gets no punishment. She just gets to get away with everything?” Gary said his voice rising.

It was Rivera who spoke next. “We have reached a decision. She will train every day with the Shaman. She will not miss training, she is not to step foot on pack grounds except for training and is excluded from all activities. Any more life-threatening attack will lead to her banishment.”

Gary did not look satisfied “That would do for now.” he turned to Sarah “You be careful now princess.”

Gary walked towards the path that led out of the woods and only then could Sarah finally breathe. The council seemed to pay her no mind except Min who gave her a look and seemed to pierce her soul. Before following the others and walking down the path.

Dean was the first to approach her. “Are you alright? Did he hurt you?”

“No, I think your car took most of the hit” she chuckled but Dean didn’t look like he cared about his car. She could feel his anger.

“Let’s go home.” He said.

“Come on Dean, won’t you let my daughter say hello?”

“Dad!” Sarah stepped down from the car to hug her father.

“How are you feeling?” he asked. His voice sounded tired. He peeked into the car and then raised his eyebrows at Dean. “Don’t tell me you let her trick you into buying doughnuts?”

She didn’t let Dean reply. “I didn’t trick him, he did it himself.”

“Ah” Her dad laughed and nodded like he knew something she didn’t while Dean averted his eyes. “I’m glad he did.”

She wanted to ask her dad what happened but this wasn’t the right place. “You should go home.” She heard the sadness in her father’s voice. Home was no longer his house. Home was Dean’s house. Dean got the message and went and started the car. She kissed her father on the cheek and said goodbye.

The ride back to Dean’s house was quiet as always but Sarah was itching to know what happened she knew Dean wouldn’t answer till they went home.

At home Dean made dinner and it wasn’t until they started eating that Dean disclosed what had happened at the meeting.

“They want you out of the Pack.” He said.

Sarah nearly choked on her drink “Apparently there are countless charges against you.”

Sarah took a sip of her juice. “How many are on my side?”

“Your dad, obviously, Rivera and the Shaman.” He said.

This was bad Sarah thought. That was three out of ten. “How come I wasn’t sent out?”

“Min. She has yet to decide where she stands. I think she wants you to stay but I doubt she’ll hesitate if another complaint comes. She called you wild and unwilling to learn.”

Her Idol thought she was crazy. “Did you tell them about the problem with our bond?”

“No, your father wants that kept a secret.

A weak Luna would not increase your chances of getting support from Min.”

She nodded her head. That was true, Min was once a Luna and a weakling like her being a Luna would disgust her.

She was the Luna now. Her mind was yet to settle to think about everything that was happening.

“Training with the shaman would be more intense now. I’ll be with you all through.” He said and got up to take their plates away.

Knowing Dean would be with her was a bit reassuring. Everything was overwhelming but there was no time to dwell on it. She needed to get control of her wolf and she needed to do it soon.

Dean’s door opened with a loud noise that scared Sarah. Before Dean could run to the door the individual was already inside.

It was a man. He had dark hair and he had a badge hanging from his neck. What was supposed to be a white shirt was dirty and stained with blood. The man looked to be in pain and had his left arm holding his right shoulder.

“f*****g hell Liam!” Dean said he didn’t seem surprised, just angry.

“Don’t worry, most of the blood isn’t mine” the stranger said then looked at Sarah and smiled “Hello angel” he said then fell on the floor unconscious.