Wolf Wrongs

The call

"Would you do that?" I ask Harris, after telling him about the submission fight. "To spare the rest of your pack from combat and prevent their bloodshed?"

Harris breathes shakily, but sighs, "Of course, lets just hope I win." I'm glad his pride is less important to him than the well-being of his family and friends. "But the pack will not accept Michael as Alpha. How do we handle that?"

I pause for thought, but Harris continues, "I can't think of anything!"

"We'll just have to persuade them, if that situation arises. I think that you'll win!" I urge him.

"Thanks. I good luck with talking to him, I hope he takes the idea well."

I swallow, there are so many things resting on chance here. First, will he call ahead as is honorable or just attack? Second, will he listen to what I say at all? Third, will he accept the fight to be Alpha with the required agreements and such? Fourth, will he win or lose? And finally, will he keep his agreement?

With the balance of things hanging so precariously, I'm further under pressure. If the rogues do attack. Rogues are usually quite average fighters, but these have been trained since birth to fight our pack. I don't even know what to do but wait hopefully for a phone call or regretfully for an attack. The waiting is destroying my resolve and I find myself wanting to run. Away from this room and house, out of the country even. To where there are no stupid wolf fights or a wolf society who define how we live and who we are allowed to be.

The phone rings. Interrupting my troubled thoughts, all eyes in the room; Harris's, my brother's, several pack wolves' and Adrian's, turn to me. The phone, old-fashioned and a disgusting shade of brown hangs on the wall, buzzes excitedly in expectation of being used. By the third ring, I have worked myself u p enough to remove it from its holder. On the other end of the line there is silence.

"Michael?" I ask.

"Cara!" He exclaims, "Why are you on this phone."

"Meet with me alone." I dare to ask, this wasn't the plan we were going to talk over the phone only.

"Why are you on the phone"He repeats sternly.

"Because it's me you need to talk to" I respond smoothly.

"I called with the intention of waging war upon Harris and his Goddess-forsaken pack." I can practically hear his scowl from the other end. I can't believe how cool he's acting after what he did to me last we met.

"I know that, but you must tell your rogue soldiers to wait. We must talk first."

"Fine! We're talking!"

"In person" I insist.

"Where?" He says shortly and impatiently.

"The edge of the woods at the point nearest to the pack house, in ten minutes time."

"Fine!"He snaps again. I sigh, that's step one.

"Thank you" I say graciously and hang up the phone.

The entire household seems to have gathered in the room during the conversation, and having only heard half of the call, they wait expectantly for the verdict.

"He will meet with me, and I will discuss the options with him." I look gratefully at Harris, aware of the fact we wouldn't have options if it weren't for his agreement.

Celia looks over at me curiously. "How did he act? How did he sound? After what happened before, did he show regret, or was he an arrogant so and so?"

"Neither. He acted as if that never happened. Though I believe that he does regret it. I must go to the woods now."

Celia gives me a hug and then squeezes my hand. The pack suddenly look horrified.

"Is she an unnatural as well?" one sneers.

"Why should we trust her to negotiate? She may join him!" Calls another.

"ENOUGH! ANYONE WHO HAS A PROBLEM WITH HER! DEAL WITH ME!" Harris projects, the room seemingly darker and I can sense the fear spread from one wolf to another. As if on cue, they all transform, and lie on their sides in submission. Any doubts I had about the fight, banished. That is the sign of a truly powerful Alpha.

I turn to him in awe, not scared, because of the whole 'legend' thing, but impressed by his undeniable control. "I have to go now."

He nods with understanding, I turn on my heel, biding Celia goodbye for now. And swinging the great doors open. Leaving Harris and his pack to sort out their problems.