Sebastian’s POV
“Well?” Sammy linked me as soon as he spotted me through the underbrush of No Man’s Land.
“Well what?”
“That bad, huh?”
I let out a huff, “She is infuriating.” I arrived at the same spot I met my mate, this time escorted by four rogues. Apparently my mate didn’t want me to follow her this time. Before I crossed over the border, I turned to the wolves around me and gave them a slight bow as a way to say thank you without shifting. They simply nodded their heads and trotted back into the underbrush.
“I know they’re rogues, but goddess you would think they would’ve learned to bow to their Prince,” Sammy linked me as I trotted over the border.
I rubbed against him, “I’m not their Prince.”
“I mean you are, but even if you weren’t, you’re still a prince and should be treated as such.”
“It’s not a big deal,” I linked hoping he wouldn’t continue to press the issue. “Have Leo and the others reported?”
“Not yet. I told them to wait on you before they reported to your parents.”
“Good. What happened after I left? Did you find out about those three wolves Pluto introduced to Abelina and Nathan?”
“Nathan didn’t want to accept my explanation as to why we were there, and wanted to know how long the two of you knew. As for the three wolves, turns out when Barrett took over from his father, Jonathan was supposed to be his beta. He left with his mate shortly after Barrett attacked the first pack he took over because he didn’t agree with what Barrett was, is, doing.”
I came to a complete stop, “I’m surprised Pluto actually accepted help from him. Did you guys seriously attack her little brother?”
“He’s a rogue that came into our territory. It’s protocol.”
I huffed, “I know. Maybe we should rethink the way we react to rogues. They aren’t what they used to be. They’re united, so I don’t think they’ll be up to their old antics anymore.”
“What would you like the warriors to do if they come across?”
I hadn’t really thought about it. If my father knew what I was asking the warriors to do, he’d kick my ass then put me on border duty for months. “The warriors are typically in groups of at least three usually, especially for No Man’s Land, so one could shift and tell the intruder they’ve overstepped. If it’s obvious they mean no harm, like a ten year old chasing a rabbit,” I said, bumping into him.
“Nightshade attacked Mystic River?” Sam’s mom, Charlotte, asked, shocked Barrett had targeted her former pack.
I nodded, “Had the rogues not helped, Nightshade would’ve taken over.”
“And they’ve organized?” My dad asked.
I confirmed with a sharp nod, “The daughter of the alphas of Dawn Crescent organized them.” The shock was clear on all of their faces, “The limp Barrett walks with? Pluto Webb caused that when he attacked her in No Man’s Land after he took over Dawn Crescent.”
I looked around the table at my parents, Sam’s parents, who served as the betas for our pack, and my parents’ top three advisors. Their faces clearly showed their astonishment. “How did you, Sam, and six of our top warriors end up at the battle?” Robert, Sam’s dad, asked. Sam gave his dad a brief rundown of what happened at the border before I showed up, “You guys seriously attacked a ten year old?”
“He came out of No Man’s Land.” Leo shrugged, “We didn’t attack him. We just rolled him to contain him on our side.”
“And did Pluto hurt any of you to free her brother?” Henry, one of the advisors, asked.
Sam shook his head, “No. In fact, she didn’t actually attack us at all. She shoved us away from her brother, but once she got us off of him, she shifted so we could speak.”
“Hmm. Do you think that was because she was severely outnumbered or because she was confident in her abilities to defend herself?” My dad questioned.
Sam was quiet for a moment, carefully considering his words before responding, “I think it was because she’s smart and realized there was nothing to be gained from attacking us. Besides I think she just really wanted to chew our asses out for it, and she couldn’t do that if we were dead or too hurt to pay attention.”
Everyone chuckled except my dad, who was deep in thought, “So the rogues have organized, do you think they pose a threat to our pack?”
I thought about it for a moment, before shaking my head, “Pluto knew the risk of retaliation on them when she invited us along. If they had any intention of attacking us at any point, she wouldn’t have done that.”
“Perhaps she’s just not a good strategist,” Robert suggested.
I shook my head, “You didn’t see her fight. She’s calculating and intelligent. She knew the risk and opted to invite us along. She says our real enemy is Nightshade.”
My dad hummed thoughtfully, “Why does she say that?”
“Are we keeping track of the amount of pack members Barrett has?”
“Of course. He has just over 220 members,” Jo, the advisor in charge of pack numbers, answered.
“And that surpasses us by several dozen,” I stated.
“There have been packs in the past that have been larger than us. We cannot punish a pack simply because they have higher numbers,” Jack, the third advisor to speak, argued.
“Has there ever been a pack as aggressive as Nightshade though? They’ve taken over seven packs in the last fifteen years. That’s not to mention he has no rightful claim to Dawn Crescent with Pluto alive. He lied to us about killing her. He also broke the treaty when he attacked Pluto in No Man’s Land.”
“What do you propose? It’s been five years. Dawn Crescent has been fully absorbed by Nightshade,” Robert stated.
“He should be punished, and Dawn Crescent members should be given the option to leave. He broke the law, there has to be some kind of punishment for that,” I pushed.
“To leave and go where? Pluto is a rogue. She’s clearly established herself with a new group of wolves. She’s fine, and her former pack is fine with Nightshade,” Jack argued with a shrug.
I narrowed my eyes, “You can’t be serious. Just because she’s survived against all odds doesn’t mean Barrett or Nightshade should be allowed to keep Dawn Crescent’s territory or its people. Barrett needs to be punished, or it sends a message that packs can do whatever they want.”
“Again, it’s been five years, you-” Jack began dismissively.
“Seb is right. Something has to be done,” Dad interrupted. “But let’s table this discussion for another time. Was there anything else to report?”
I shifted in my seat, but shook my head. Mom gave us a nod, “Sam, you and the warriors are free to go. Seb, your father and I would like to see you in our office.”
Sam gave me a smack on the shoulder as he left the room. Dad shut the door, once Mom and I were settled in the suite just off their office. “What are you proposing with Barrett?” Dad asked me as he sat down next to Mom, grabbing her hand and giving her a gentle kiss on the back of it.
I shrugged, “I think he should have to give up the territory he claimed when he took over Dawn Crescent, and the former pack members should be given the option to leave the pack without becoming a rogue. Barrett should have to pay a fine for unjustly taking control of the pack, all of which should go to Pluto, and he should have to pay a fine and give up more territory as payment for breaking the law.”
Dad let out a low whistle and Mom gave me an approving smile, “That’s a steep price. Where would the second fine go?”
“We have to prove that our laws mean something. The second fine would go to us and it would go into the program that assists smaller packs with scholarships to the training academy or building houses and other buildings.”
They looked at one another before looking back at me with a nod, “Let’s start an investigation officially and get a trial on the books before we enact the punishment, but I think that’s a good punishment. It’s harsh but fair and that’s what counts.”
“Put together a task force for the investigation,” Mom said.
I looked at her in shock, “You want me to put it together?”
They nodded, “You’re clearly passionate about this and it’ll be a good learning experience for you. Use whatever resources you need. Sam may help you, as the person who will be your second in command, but reach out to investigators in the pack. We have a lot of really great people, use them.”
(to be added to)
Author: Kailan Counahan 