5. Prove it
"We know you have no backup," the leader says, his voice carrying easily across the space between us. "Your reinforcements are at least two days away. If you don't listen..." He doesn't finish the sentence. He doesn't have to.
His eyes shift to Ivan and Tyler, and both shrink back "Give us the boys. Now."
No one moves.
"Last warning" he repeats.
Before I can respond, he moves forward with startling speed and I instinctively step directly into his path, placing myself between him and the boys. Good to know my self-preservation instinct has taken the day off.
"I know," I say, looking straight up into his eyes. "I know we've made mistakes, and I know that we're still making them right now."
"Alara," John hisses from behind me. "Don't antagonize them."
I ignore him. The leaders jaw tightens. His silence is more unnerving than any response would be.
"Believe me when I say I know what happens when humans don't respect the lives of wolfs."
"Your knowledge means nothing," he finally says, voice like ice. "Your town shot one of our pack. A boy."
"We don't know who fired—"
"Stop" He cuts me off. "Don't try to deny it."
"I wasn't, we just still are not sure what exactly happened today."
One of the guards raises his rifle behind my back.
"Your guards want blood," he says, dangerously quiet. "So does my pack."
The female representative pushes forward aggressively. "This is a waste of time. You promised justice." Her eyes lock on Ivan and Tyler. "A life for a life."
My heart pounds against my ribs. I need to regain control of this situation before it explodes.
"You have every right to be angry," I say, stepping forward. Directly between the wolves and our guards. "If it were my pack member bleeding, I'd want blood too."
"You mock us," She spits.
"I'm trying to prevent a massacre," I snap back. "On both sides." The leader takes a step clover to me.
He's inches from me now, looking down on me. "Move the guards back," he orders. Not to John—but to me.
I think we both sadly are greatly overestimating the power I have right know.
Still I try to sound as authoritative as I can when I say "lower you weapons"
"Not happening," John replies, immediately voice tight with fear.
"Then we have nothing to discuss." He turns away.
"Wait!" I reach out, my fingers barely brushing his arm.
He turns around slowly, looking at my hand, his expression saying how dare you.
His shoulders rise and fall with a deep breath.
"What do you want, Communicator?" he asks. "Why should I listen when one of my pack was shot?"
"I mean it when I say I want to actually find out what happened," I say, my voice steadier than I feel. "I want justice for your wolf, but I can't give you a child not knowing whether I can trust you or not."
"Trust?" The word comes out like a curse. "You want trust?"
"We both do."
"Then send away your guards," he challenges.
"That's not possible," I tell him.
"Then neither is trust." His eyes harden. "You deny us justice after your kind drew first blood?"
"A life for a life remember? That's not justice. That's revenge. I'm offering you truth," I counter.
"Real justice starts there."
Neither of us says another word. His gaze stays on my face for a moment before drifting downward, and I become conscious of how my sundress clings to my skin. Maybe I've gone too far. I can hear the guards getting ready to attack, and the wolves lower themselves into a fighting stance.
"Prove it," He says suddenly.