Sierra linked, “NOOOOOOO!” Yeah, I knew that name. Patricia was friends with Cassandra to the bitter end. I was certain the woman before me was shady, but I hadn’t had the time to prove it. The scales just tipped in my favor there though.
I told her, “Thanks, Patricia... I just earned twenty dollars. I assume your precious, better than everyone son….that you raised to believe that type of thinking… did not inform you that I decided Bradford’s case because he asked me to…. after I told him specifically... he didn’t want that?”
Patricia flushed but answered, “He didn’t say, but that doesn’t matter. You have no right to speak here.” I reminded her, “That’s not true for a reason you could’ve asked about… but you believe I have no right to speak here yet youknowyou don’t. I hear you’re quite big on pack etiquette and rules.”
Several people shot sharp glances at me. Haley actually conjured a strawberry martini and raised it to me. I continued, “I find it quite odd for someone who famously complained to the Werewolf and Supernatural Councils about traditions being and I quote ‘laid by the wayside and ignored’ that you stormed into this room with no appointment. To interrupt these proceedings which is not allowed.”
I tapped my chin, “And in ordinance with the traditions that you want to keep, punishments are handed out for doing so. Luckily for you, you’re in a good pack where that means extra chores not beatings. I had permission from Luna Elise to hand down the judgement in Bradford’s dispute… per your son’s request.”
“You did your son a disservice by making him believe he is better than others. For your interruption here today, and because you need a serious dose of reality… You will be reporting to the kitchen workers for the next six months.”
I warned, “Not in place of your duties as a Warrior, but in addition to. You’ll learn about the hard work that those you look down on do to make sure you are fed, and dishes are washed. You will learn the time, energy and effort they put into such things.”
Patricia shrieked, “YOU CANNOT DO THAT!” I laughed, “One, yes I can… it’s a bylaw of this pack. Do you know which one? Because… I do.” Patricia glared at me. I hummed, “That’s odd that someone so about the rules doesn’t know which one I’m referring to.”
Patricia growled, “Don’t you talk to me like that. You have no ability to say anything here.” I laughed, “Ohh… your time in the kitchens just went up to seven months and now your son will work with the gardeners for five. Care to make Bradford’s gardening time half a year and your kitchen days for a whole year?”
Patricia gasped, “Luna Elise, you have to do something! This girl isn’t even marked. Not even Alpha Alexander considers her worthy.” Pain hit me again, but I was used to swipes like that. Everyone growled now, but they didn’t need to.
I put Patricia on the ground in a second, cutting off her windpipe. I told her, “I’m not a girl, I’m a woman. A Warrior at that. So, now it’s a year in the kitchens for you, and I’ll make sure you’re washing dishes too. Your son will work with the gardens for six months.”
I told her, “You’ll also be working additional Warrior trainings into your schedule because you didn’t even react to me coming at you. You’re a Warrior in this pack and it’s beyond sad you didn’t even get a hand up.”
“My relationship with my mate is none of your business. I’m sure you’ll be hearing from him though….” I trailed off as I smelled him in the room now and his anger was shooting up my foot. I added, “Probably right now since he’s here. You are so far out of line it’s insane. You, as well as your son, need to learn how a pack works. For your son, it’s just sad at his age he doesn’t know. For you, it’s tragic.”
I eased off her windpipe. Freya growled, “From your memories of this woman and the reports you read, she will say something dumb.” I replied, “You mean something worse than she already said, and yes she will. I insulted her knowledge of the pack for that reason. I also embarrassed her Warrior skills… so…that will set her off.”
Patricia growled, “You didn’t even punish the other party involved.” I shot back, “You know his name. Unlike me, you’ve lived in this pack and that man has been working in the gardens since he was a pup probably.” Patricia blinked at me.
I told her, “His name is Mitch in case you forgot, or didn’t care enough to learn. Mitch will be working alongside your son in the gardens. As they do not get along… and your son is difficult… it’s going to be hard for Mitch too.”
“Had Bradford not stormed out like a toddler throwing a tantrum and been the grown man he should be and stayed here; he would’ve heard that. Those two men need to learn to work together even if they don’t like each other.”
I let her up and said, “I know that’s not what you wanted to happen here. You’re the type who wanted Mitch whipped for such a small offense against your precious little boy. Here’s a newsflash lady, he’s not a little boy. He’s a grown man who still ACTS like a little boy. There’s a difference.”
I looked her up and down then said, “You’d have gotten along with the former Alpha of Black Path just fine. Though… if you ask me, he was no Alpha. Just a man filled with hatred goingagainst the blood in his veins. No Luna here would’ve punished Mitch harshly for planting the wrong colored flower. Get over yourself. I’d advise doing so quickly but given your disposition and entire life we both know you won’t be doing that.”
Patricia flushed arguing, “I am nothing like those horrible people in Black Path!” I laughed, “You are very much like them in a lot of ways. One way you are not is that you seem to truly care for and love your son. So, in that aspect you are not like them… though they favored boys… and I don’t have enough data set points to confirm you truly care for him… I’d say that suspect as well. I, of all people, know things aren’t always as they seem.”
“Your mindset about people who have other ranks below yours, and jobs you consider beneath you, are just like their mindset. I’ll burst your bubble further and tell you Mitch would be a better Warrior than your son. Mitch clearly loves gardening, but I can sense he is a strong fighter.”
“Your son is a good fighter, but he could be better. I’d have to evaluate Bradford, but I just bet if I read his file, it would tell me he doesn’t put in the work. Logic tells me he does the bare minimum and isn’t living up to his potential.”
I winked asking, “Wanna know who is to blame for that? Look in a mirror standing beside him. You’ll see who both people at fault. Enjoy washing dishes. I hope you realize the true meaning of how a pack works, but I seriously doubt it. Your son, I have hope for. You, not so much.”
Patricia smirked mockingly saying, “The Luna’s around here believe everyone can change.” I replied, “They can continue to believe that. I’ll be the realistic Luna around here whose eyes are firmly on you. I can see what kind of person you are, and I know you’ll do something you consider to be right… because in your mind it is.”
“When in reality, it will be treason against this pack. Prove me wrong, I dare you. Get out of here before my mate loses histemper and kills you because I can tell he’s close to doing just that. The only reason he hasn’t is because he remembers his oath as an Alpha.”
I turned around the said over my shoulder, “Oh, and you and your son will attend classes on the histories of packs. I know they have one here, and you both clearly missed it. My Beta and Gamma Female will work with the teachers to get a time that works. You’d better pass the class too, or you’ll be re-taking it… until you do.”
Patricia was stuck rooted in her spot. I let Freya come forward. Her voice boomed around the room as she yelled authoritatively, “LEAVE!” Patricia and Bradford scurried from the room like rats fleeing from a sinking ship.
Xander crossed the room in purposeful strides and slammed his lips onto mine. When my mate broke apart from me, he whirled around and addressed the crowd that had gathered. “If anyone has been living under a rock and doesn’t know that I have been in love with this woman since I was a teenager, allow me to dispel that incorrect way of thinking. I have been captivated by her since she was born, and I heard her name.”
“I was a pup then and I wanted to know her. We all believed Melanie was off living her dream. My wolf believed, correctly, that she was our mate after smelling her hoodie when I was younger. Because of the possessiveness males showed towards my mate,”
My mate snarled that part then added, “I wanted to meet her to be sure. You all know we went down because her wolf was suppressed. Those that deal with magic in my family are looking into this overtime, but until they have a solid answer that is why I have not marked Melanie. Because she hasn’t shifted. That’s it. That’s the only reason.”
