Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Laurell K. Hamilton, Jim Butcher, J.K. Rowling and The Berkley Publishing Company. Nothing belongs to me; this is just a parody for your entertainment only.
Rating: Strong Language.
Four days ago, life was good. My normal family moved into their apartments at Wolf Hill. We spent time together shopping, going to movies and out to dinner. I even took them on a tour, to give them a feel for the place. Yesterday that all changed and things had gone from good to bad in the matter of twenty-four hours. But that's politics for you. No matter what nationality you are. In this case, it's were politics of the wolf kind, that's made my day shitty. An issue came up; that I thought was pretty stupid and lame. Richard however being the Ulfric of the pack, was taking it way too seriously. Luna had broken up with Shang-Da for reasons unknown. What really burns me up was that everyone believed I knew what those reasons were. I explained to Richard that I didn't know, because I didn't hang out with her much anymore. He asked me why and I told him that a few mutual friends and I had a falling out. That I don't go anywhere with Luna or anyone anymore, especially out clubbing, since she stays at the certain someone's club most of the time. Richard didn't ask who, cause he knew who I was talking about.
I'm not welcome there anyways and I don't know any of the people that work there. Plus I wouldn't go there anyway, since a friend that I'm not on good terms with, started showing up there. We to had a falling out and I'm not speaking to her anymore. She feels the same way about me and I've heard from a few people, she never liked me anyway. So I don't hang out in the district much any more. Richard believed me and dropped the subject. Shang-Da didn't believe me and hasn't left my side, since he came to stay with us. Jamil had to move in with us for a while to help keep him under control. Richard agreed to letting them both stay, but if Shang-Da puts his hands on me, he was going to be sorry.
I'm still trying to figure out how the entire pack found out about Luna dumping Shang-Da in less then twenty-four hours. We started getting calls around eight o'clock the next morning and didn't stop until later that evening. Richard agreed to call a pack meeting for tonight to solve this issue. We had other issues to solve as well, so we put them all in one night. The pack will discuss the matter of what they deem to be treason against the wolves. I�d like to know how they get treason out of a breakup. They are so retarded, but I kept my peace, letting Richard take care of the matter. Richard had decided to set the pack straight as to who the Ulfric is, once and for all. If they got problems with it, they could either leave or work their way up to Fenrir and challenge him for leadership. We will also be announcing our new third, that's if no one objects to her. If not, then Lilli will be our new Geri and if so, then we will see a few fights. I called Lilli earlier in the day to let her know the deal. All I got was the answering machine and no return message.
Richard had made me promise until we got the issue resolved to stay away from the cats. I couldn't play with them because all the wolves were being asses. Stephen even had to leave Vivian for a while, until this whole mess is done and over with. He's staying at the Circus with Jason for the time being. Now it's the day of the meeting and people are on the edge, especially me. I haven't been able to take a piss with out Shang-Da following me around. He was getting on my nerves fast and he knew it. I tried not to let him get to me, but after a while I�d had enough and started to give him a shock a two. It made him back off, but didn't get rid of him completely. I've been trying to talk to friends all day, with him sticking his nose into everything. Finally I'd had enough and told Richard to make him leave me alone. Richard with a strict voice commanded Shang-Da to get outside. With an evil look Shang-Da did as he was told.
Richard and I took our minds off the meeting, by getting ready for the spring term at our schools. He worked on his syllabus for his junior high students and I worked on making sure my entire faculty had theirs done. I spent part of the day at the school, making sure everything was in order for the students to return from winter break. I had taken Jamil with me, since I'm required to have a bodyguard now. He got his first tour of McGregar's school of Wizardry and Witchcraft. Jamil was shocked and weirded at first, but as the day went by he became more at ease. I introduced him to the staff, showed him the nursery and green houses. He was impressed at how well I ran the school. I beamed with appreciation at his compliments as we worked around the office.
Time seemed to fly by and it wasn't until Jamil said something, before I realized how late it was getting. We left the school at a quarter to six to return home. It took us a half hour to get back home. Once there I changed my good school robes into a pair of sweatpants and shirt for the meeting. I called Bo and Marie to give them my cell phone number. It was for emergencies only, so I told them don't call unless they necessarily have to. He said all right and we hung up together. No one spoke to each other, as we headed out the door to the lupanar at around six-thirty. It's going to be an interesting night and I still haven't heard anything from Lilli. That's got me worried and it's not a good sign.
It took a half hour to get to the lupanar, mostly because it's five minutes up the road from the school, Wiggle's Town, and Wolf Hill. Since it only takes me a half hour to get home from the school, it only took us half hour to get to the lupanar. It looked like we were the first to arrive, but then again the meeting doesn�t start until nine anyway. We wanted to go over the issues one more time, before everyone showed up. Walking to the lupanar gave me some peace, but it won't last long with the things to come. Once inside the circle Richard took his seat on the throne and I sat at his feet, with my head on his lap. He began to run his fingers through my hair as I heard him sigh. He was having more difficulty with this situation then he was letting on. Jamil and Shang-Da stayed close to us both, making sure we weren't attacked by anyone.
Richard leaned down and whispered into my ear, "I want you to know, that I've called Anita. I told her about the meeting and she said she will be here as soon as possible."
I raised my head and asked, "What did you say to that?"
He slightly ran a finger down my cheek and replied. "I told her unless she came alone, she couldn't attend. It's a pack only meeting."
The color drained out of my face and my voice was shaky as I asked, "What did she say to that?"
"She's highly pissed and wanted to know why she couldn't bring Luna. She told me as Bolverk she had the right to be here and who she brought as her guard shouldn't matter," he remarked.
"And," I asked.
He leaned in an whispered along my lips, "I told her if she brought the cats, especially Luna, the pack will want a trial against her for treason, just like they did with Gregory. If she didn't want that to happen, to do as I ask until we get this mess straightened out."
I started to whimper as tears began to fall. I leaned into him and asked, "How did she take it?"
"Not well, but she agreed to my terms. If she comes, she will come alone. If not, then I'm to keep her informed on the outcome of the meeting," he answered.
I just shook my head, as the sounds of cars pulling up to the farm, came to us on the wind. About five minutes later alpha wolves began to pile into the lupanar. Richard and I greeted them as they came up to us, then they went to their corners of the circle, waiting for the meeting to start. It was going on eight o'clock and still no sign of Lilli, Eli, or Dante. I hope they got my message, cause it's going to look bad for them if they don't show up. Don't need something else for the alphas to bitch about. Sylvia was one of the first alphas to arrive and once the greeting was finished she took her spot to our left. No one spoke to anyone and kept to themselves. We were all silent and in our own little worlds, wondering how the events of the night will turn out. Soon the others began to pour in and the clock was slowly going by, with no signs of Lilli or Anita.
With five minutes to spare Lilli showed up with her brother Eli and Dante. Once everyone, minus Anita, had arrived, checked in, greeted us, and took their places. Richard stood up from the throne, with me still at his feet. I had agreed to stay that way, until he says I can move. He wanted to show the pack, that the decision he makes has nothing to do with me and my ties to the pard. We both knew if I didn't show submissiveness to him. The rest of the pack would think I was corrupting him, like Raina did Marcus.
He glanced around at the wolves, who turned their heads to us, as he stood. They were all quiet for now, letting Richard to say his peace. "You all know why your here tonight, so I will cut to the chase," He began. "You all think that Luna breaking up with Shang-Da is considered treason against the pack. But what I don't get is why you think that. The betrayals of the heart have nothing to do with a peace treaty. Luna is Anita's guard and nothing more. Yes she's an alpha, but she doesn�t decide who and what the leopards will protect or whose side they will be on. The only two that can do that is Anita and Micah. We have a treaty with them as we do with the rats and what goes on among two adults is nothing to get you asses in an up roar about. If you think for one second that because Shang-Da and Luna's break up is a reason to revoke the treaty, then you have spent too much time listening to people like Paris. And as Ulfric of the pack, I hereby dismissed these allegations," he stated, glaring at each and every one of the wolves.
You could hear a pin drop amongst the silence of the pack. They were all in shock at Richard's words, but no one questioned his authority. Not yet anyway.
Richard continued with his speech by saying, "Shang-Da and I've had a long talk and he thinks the break up was for the best. He knew when going into it, it wouldn't last, but he does and will always love Luna. She will always have a special place in his heart. And like her, he can find someone else, if the right one comes along. And before anyone goes there, Alexandra had no affect on my decision. This comes from the facts that I know to be true. I've talked with Shang-Da to learn his side of the story. I've also talked to Anita and Micah over it. According to Micah it wasn't Luna's fault and I believe him. So before you bring anything else forward that involves a lover's break up. I highly recommend you do your research first. Further more if you do not like my decision, you have two choices. Either you can leave my territory or you can fight my third and second, making yourself Fenrir. Then you can challenge me for the pack, but untill then, shut the fuck up, mind your own damn business, play by my rules, and everyone will get along just fine."
The pack went to submissive stances at Richard's words. They knew he wasn't playing, because he was letting enough power off to prove to them, that he was serious. Anyone who tried to challenge his authority would be a fool to do so. However one female wolf did come forward and knelt before Richard at the throne. She was of oriental descent as was Shang-Da and was also an alpha equal to or lesser then our enforcers. I felt fear and grief oozing from our right and turned that way. Shang-Da looked like he had seen a ghost; by the way he eyed the woman. Richard also noticed it, but ignored it for the moment.
"Why are you coming forward Lua Ling. I've made my decision," Richard stated.
"I know my Ulfric but may I have permission to speak anyway," she asked.
Richard glared down at him and answered, "You may speak, but be quick about it."
"This has nothing to do with the break up, so please hear me out before you get the wrong idea about me. I don't mean any harm, this is only coming from experience with my old pack," Lua stated, trying not to shake.
Richard sat down on the throne and pulled me up against his legs. I ran my face along his legs as he spoke, "Then by all means, tell us what's got you worried so."
Lua looked up and replied, "What if they break that treaty and they don't come to our need, when we need them. Or what will happen if they sell us out to the highest bidder. What becomes of the treaty then?"
Richard and I both saw that she was afraid about something. Something from her past that�s still haunting her or something that will happen to her again. I glanced up at Richard's eyes, with a pleading look, to let me talk to her. He nodded his head in acknowledgment and I went to her.
"What has happened to you, that scares you about the pard Lua?" I asked.
She busted out in tears and replied, "My pack was destroyed by a pard a year ago. They made a peace treaty with my pack, but in the end they sold out to the jaguars and betrayed us. They helped kill my people over territorial rights and I only escaped with my life. Since then I've been moving from city to city, trying to find a home. It wasn't until I came here, that I truly knew what a home was. Now this issue with the pard has got me scared for my own safety."
With that she feel into my arms and cried, while I tried my best to comfort her. Richard came forward as well and nuzzled her hair. He lifter her chin with his right hand, so that she would look into his face when he said, "You do not have to worry about that. I know the pard here well enough to say, they aren't like that. Plus without Anita and Micah they aren't strong enough to live on their own, much less hurt anyone. You have my guarantee, that you can trust the pard here in St. Louis.."
She smiled weakly through tear filled eyes and nodded her head in understanding. Lua knew Richard spoke the truth and went back to her corner after hugging us both. The rest of the pack went to her and calmed her fears, with greetings of affection. They made her feel welcomed as Richard and I did. Shang-Da nearly fled the lupanar and if it wasn't for Jamil, he would have. We both got the impression, that Shang-Da has hidden something from us and what ever it was, evolves around Lua. I made a mental note, telling myself to corner him about it later. Right now there's more important things at hand.
Once Richard had settled, with me between his legs, he continued on with the meeting, "Until they prove me wrong about their loyalty, those who have become friends with the pard may go back to talking and playing with them. Now that�s out of the way and no one else has anything to say, lets move onto the next topic, shall we?"
The pack stopped murmuring amongst themselves to give Richard a submissive kneel, to show and say that no one else has anything to add to his decision. He was after all their leader and he knew what was best for the pack. Richard nodded to them, while motioning for them to stand.
Once that was done, he spoke loud enough for the wolves in the back to hear; "Now we come to the next item on the agenda. Tonight we will be filling the spot of my third. As you know after Anita killed Jacob it was never filled again. Which I'm surprise none of you wanted the job. However I've found a replacement for my Geri. If no one has any objections to it, Lilli will you do me the honor and come forward to take your rightful place. You will stand to my right as my third in command. Anyone has a problem with it, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Lilli, who was being embarrassed by the cheers from Eli and Dante, came forward. She made her way through the crowd and up the three small steps to stand at Richards right. She mirrored Sylvia's image perfectly and I smiled up at her. She gave me a nervous smile back and slightly glanced over at Sylvia. Sylvia just nodded her head and turned back to face the pack. To me that's a good sign, that Sylvia approves of Lilli. Just hope Lilli doesn't take it the wrong way, before I had a chance to explain. Richard glanced amongst the crowd to see if anyone was going to come forward, but no one moved.
Richard took that as a sign that they approved of Lilli and said, "Well since no one has come forward I presume you don�t object to Lilli as being the new Geri. If that is so, then this issue is done with and we all can go home."
Just then two males came forward, to ruin all happy thoughts. They were both well-built guys, bald, wearing only black leather pants, with tattoos galore. They also had so many body piercings, that you wonder if they were satanic. The two men knelt before us and bowed their heads making sure they touched our feet. I glanced over my shoulder at Richard and he just shrugged.
"Brutus and Anthony, what brings you forward," Richard asked.
You really couldn�t tell the difference between the two until you look into their eyes. One had blue eyes, the other had green. The one with the blue eyes spoke first, "We do not come forward for the issues already discussed. We had thought there was more on the agenda, then announcing a new Geri or the issue of whether or not the pard is a traitor because of one little love tiff."
Richard leaned forward and asked, "Then tell me Brutus, what did bring you forward?"
Brutus glanced at Richard and answered, "You were not told about the third issue?"
Richard and I just stared at one another before he replied, "And what issue was that?"
The one with the green eyes, looked up and I'm assuming this was Anthony. His face was beat red and it seemed to me, whatever the issue was, had to be hard for him to say. But he finally said, "The issue that we wanted you to discuss with us tonight was on the verge of finding mates. It seems that your pack has more females, then males. We would like the chance to win one of them."
Richard stiffened behind me and I tried not to let the shock show on my face. We had two guys, which looked like satanic S and M bikers, coming to us to ask permission to mate with the females. Oh lordy is the pack going to get any weirder? Richard wrapped his arms around me possessively showing the two that one of the females was off limits. They both ducked their heads in embarrassment, while Richard commented, "I wasn't told about this issue, who did you leave the message with."
Brutus whose was on the right answered, "We left a message on your answering machine. You gave your number to us, when we had our first meeting. When you allowed us a place among your pack. We know it's been a few months, but we needed time to settle in, before asking you about the females."
My eyes shot out and Richard tightened his hold on me. He then leaned down and whispered in my ear, "Did you forget to tell me something sweetheart."
I turned to face him and mouthed, 'Sorry,' and he gave me that look that says I'm in trouble when we get home. Richard nipped my neck hard enough for me to jump, then turned back toward Brutus and Anthony.
"Well since I wasn't aware of the issue until now. I don't know what to do except go through and find out whose dating whom, then bring forth those remaining to see who wouldn't mind dating the two of you. If you give my lupa and I few minutes to do so, we can resolve this and go home," Richard announced.
Brutus and Anthony beamed with joy, rubbing themselves along our legs in a submissive way. Once they were sure that we were pleased with them for their affections, they went back to join the pack. Richard and I spend an hour getting names of the females that weren't dating anyone and brought them forward. They all agreed to give Brutus and Anthony a chance to date them, but it must be the females choice if she wants him for her mate.
The men agreed. I rolled my eyes and asked silently, 'When did we become, the dating service too?"
After the two males got the numbers and dates accounted for, we adjourned the meeting. Lilli was still standing tall and nervous about her knew position in the pack. Before everyone left, they congratulated her with a greeting reserved for those alphas high in rank. One by one they came and went, finally thinning out to just a group of ten of us. Lua and Gwen stayed behind, for Gwen was waiting on Sylvia. Lua because she wanted to ask us about renting an apartment at Wolf Hill. Eli and Dante were waiting to take Lilli home for the night, while Shang-Da and Jamil stood behind Richard and I. We all left together, but separated after saying goodbyes, going to different vehicles. Lilli walked off sandwiched between her brother and best friend. Sylvia left with Gwen in the driver's seat.
Richard and I gave Lua a ride home, which turned out to be a run down building in the bad part of St. Louis. We immediately took her out of there. Richard and I, to Lua's protest made her pack and come stay with us, till we got her an apartment. She finally gave up and did as we asked, dragging a couple of suitcases out of a closet. Shang-Da had started to cry, and when he saw me looking at him, he turned away from me. I wonder what's wrong with him now and just shrugged, going back to help Lua pack, then left the building. We turned in her key as we left, saying she won't be returning. The landlord didn't question us, just nodded his head in acceptance. Jamil watched our backs as we put Lua's things into the car, and then got in, to head home. Once we arrived at the one story ranch house, we put Lua and her things into the spare bedroom. We moved Shang-Da to the built in room downstairs, while Jamil took the couch. If anything happens it will be Jamil to take charge first, cause with the shape Shang-Da was in, he might just get himself killed.
I tucked Lua in and went to bed myself, finding Richard already in there. I went to take a shower, with him joining me after a few minutes of letting the hot water fall down across my back. Once our shower was finished, we dried off and went to bed. He snuggled close to me, wrapping himself around me. He leaned in close and said, "I believe we have an issue of our own to discuss."
I turned my head to look at him and said, "What issue is that?"
"The issue of you deleting messages and forgetting to tell me about them," he said, just before he bit me. I squealed at the pressure he used and before I knew it, he had me pinned underneath him. He lifted his head and asked, "Well what do you have to say for yourself?"
I nibbled on my lower lip and gave him my pouty look, before saying, "I'm a very bad puppy and should be punished."
He smiled at me and replied, "Yes you were a very bad puppy and you are definitely going to be punished."
With that he struck again, but this time it was my right breast that he attacked and not my neck. I screamed in delight as he began biting harder than usual. He kept me up all night, punishing me for my behavior and didn't get to sleep until an hour before sunrise.