Chapter Forty-Six
Here I am sitting in the school hall, taking an exam.
It's more daunting than you could imagine.
Single desks lined in rows filling the whole hall.
Over a hundred students in here and multiple teachers standing at the front or walking up and down the rows in a prying manner.
I finish my exam early since I always half ass school work.
But I don't get to leave until the times up, which is annoying.
I look up ahead where Amelia is seated close to the front because of alphabetical order.
Her head is down in a focused manner and I can see the tight grip she has on her pen as she scribbles on her paper.
I hope she does well. It's her ticket out of this town.
After the exam is over we're allowed to go home. I share a few words with Amelia and then get in my car. When I get home, Axe is in the kitchen making a sandwich, and he's on the phone. He hangs up shortly after seeing me.
“Hi.” I go and make a sandwich for myself.
“That was Carson. She's happy being back at her mate's pack,” Axe tells me.
Carson left the day after she arrived. Timothy was strict and didn't want her to be around anything that would cause her stress, like her father, so he took her home. I wonder if there will ever be no tension between the members of the alpha family.
“Do you think she'll visit when the baby comes?” I ask, wanting to keep a close relationship with her.
“Maybe. If not, we'll go there... right after I talk a new treaty out with that alpha,” Axe says.
“Well, while my exams are on, I have the afternoons free so what do you want to do?” I change the subject.
“Hmm.” Axe looks at me, then to his sandwich, then back to me. “I'll eat this sandwich. You give me half an hour to digest and then we go upstairs.”
“Okay.” I chuckle and finish making my sandwich.
***
There is a pack meeting tonight because Axe wants to let the pack know some things.
We go to the same hall as before, but instead of Dash introducing Axe, he walks out on stage holding my hand.
Dash is standing to the side of the stage with the other men like last time.
Axe lets go of my hand and takes centre stage.
I just wait slightly behind him. It's like everyone's eyes in the audience are on me.
“Everyone, I have some things to tell you so we are all on the same page.
Ember, Hannah and Mitchell were sentenced to four years imprisonment.
I think that's fair. So to their families, you'll see them again shortly.
As for visitation, you can check in with Jayceon about that.
As for Kieryn, I still haven't decided his sentence.
I feel horrible to have to decide the fate of someone so young.
But then again, when someone shows that much violence at such a young age, he has to be punished. That'll be decided at a later date.
“I would also like to enforce a new rule.
Whenever a rogue is found, they are killed on the spot but I want to change that.
If anyone finds a rogue on my land, if you can restrain them and bring them to me for questioning, that would be appreciated.
BUT, if it's a threatening situation or you're out there alone, you may do the deed.
Like I said, the safety of my pack is the most important thing.
I have chosen not to kill rogues on the spot because of who they could be.
A rogue on my land will pique my interest. I know everyone is used to hating rogues.
I'm not saying you can't, I'm saying I want to question any rogue who comes on my land and then I'll decide what to do with them.”
“Can I add something?” Dash steps forward.
Axe nods. “Everyone, I reckon whenever you go for a run, you should always take a friend along. I have mentioned this in the past but I know people like running alone. However, some soldiers and I do a long run on Friday evenings. As you know, anyone is welcome to join. Thank you.” Dash steps back in line with the men.
“To keep this meeting a good occasion, we will have a new pack member soon.
As you no doubt remember, I have a sister, Carson.
She is having a baby and it will be raised in her mate's pack but her child will always be a respected member of this pack,” Axe reveals.
I notice Manson in the first row. He has a deep frown on his face.
But every time I see him, his face is set in a frown.
“I have one more thing to address but if anyone has questions or concerns, raise your arm.”
“Alpha?” Someone in the audience raises their arm and then Jenna stands up.
“Yes?” Axe nods.
“I was wondering what Joel's fate entails,” Jenna says quietly.
“Joel was a tricky case to decide. I believe someone who commits the act of rejecting their mate deserves the utmost punishment.
That was when I decided solitary. But then he went a step further and challenged me, that's another crime in itself. So, the length of this sentence may be life,” Axe says directly.
“Alpha, I don't want this to come across as me questioning you, but don't you think life is too extreme?” Jenna's voice is quiet and she seems careful with her words.
“I don't think so. A wolf is never truly alone. Even if he's in solitary, he can still mind link anyone in this pack. You can check in on him by sending him a simple thought. Next question,” Axe ends that discussion.
A couple stands up and Axe's eyes narrow.
“Mr and Mrs Danes,” Axe addresses them. Oh shit, Reeve's parents.
“We want to leave the pack without being in danger,” Mr Dane says.
“Then leave,” Axe says.
“You're a disgrace of an alpha,” Mrs Danes says. I notice Manson's nostrils flaring. He goes to get up but Mandy pulls his arm.
“If you don't want to be in danger and want to leave the pack safely, insulting the alpha is a stupid thing to do.” Axe's eyes are wild.
“You killed our son,” Mr Dane reveals, and the audience gasps.
“Axe, I got this.” Dash steps forward, which is probably a good thing because I see a very dark look on Axe right now.
“Mr and Mrs Danes. Your son was killed because he was a pedophile.
You could have left the pack oblivious with the love of your son intact, but now you're going to leave knowing what he truly was. Axe was protecting every girl in this pack by killing Reeve. Now get the hell off this land.”
I'm impressed by Dash's words. I haven't seen him aggressive much. But I know how affected he was, knowing that a girl was raped under his rule and he had no idea. The audience looks stunned by his words.
“That's not true,” Mrs Dane whimpers.
“You can leave the pack safely now. Continue talking and watch what happens,” Axe says.
The couple moves towards the exit and two soldiers escort them out.
“At the last meeting I said there would be no violence unless a crime was committed.
I stand by my words. I also said if anyone had a problem with my new way, you could get off my land.
Since then, no one has left. We are a community.
I'm only punishing the vile in this community to keep everyone safe.
I will say one last time, if you don't agree, you can get off my land. Otherwise we are a community who stand as one.” Axe looks at the audience but no one moves.
“Let's end this on a good note. I have marked Elora. We are now mates. She is the new luna. I want everyone to treat her just as everyone treated the previous lunas. Meeting adjourned.”