by Terri L Vest
IF it proved to be a successful meeting and there were sparks, he'd deal with having to tell her the truth. Strategically, he'd begun to realize the benefit to both packs if a union between them could occur. Realistically he knew it would be a difficult thing to pull off given the rivalry between them.
"Buckle up folks, you're in for a bumpy ride!" he said out loud to himself, while smiling at the excitement it stirred within him. He had thought of her constantly since seeing her and he realized just how much he was beginning to want her. "Well, if it's meant to be, it will happen", he mumbled to himself. "Anything worth having, is worth fighting for - or working for", he corrected.
He decided to send out his most trusted scouts to see if they could find out anything about her schedule. He must know if she went into the city, and when, so he could arrange a meeting. For the first time in a long time, Foster was beginning to feel hopeful for his future happiness and finding his mate!
CHAPTER EIGHT
After Silas, Reika and Roy had returned to town, a meeting had been called with the Council to discuss how to handle Finn and his punishment. Silas felt that he was too close to the situation to be the only one to decide Finn's fate and had therefore turned it over to the Council. Reika had stood before them and relayed what had happened and how it had ended with Silas and Roy coming to her rescue. Silas told them of Reika's request to not kill Finn and how he had been ordered back to his own quarters to await his judgment. When everything there was to say had been said, the Council asked them to step out while they deliberated on what to do.
After about an hour, the Council sent word to have Finn brought to the Council room and Silas, Reika and Roy were asked to return. After entering the room they each moved off to the seating area to the right waited for Finn's arrival. Shortly after they had seated themselves, the doors opened and Finn was escorted in by two of the larger guards that were assigned to disciplinary duties. Silas and Roy both turned angry stares in his direction and Reika looked on with eyes full of sadness and worry. She understood how ambition could cause a young wolf to do foolish things. She also knew however, that to attack an alpha or any of his family members was never tolerated and was usually dealt with in the most severest of manners. Reika worried for Finn's life. His offense was grievous but surely it wouldn't cost him his life!
Finn was brought before the Council and caused to kneel before them in submission. He was surprised to see that Silas was not among them and would not be taking part in his sentencing. It gave him hope that he would live to see another day after all.
"Finn Broderick, rise so you may answer for your crimes of violence against the alpha's daughter", said the Council leader seated in the middle before him. Finn stood, raising his head to face the Council. They may take him down, but he would not go down with his head hung in shame. "You are charged with the serious offense of violence against Reika Collins as well as trying to force yourself onto her and thereby forcing her to be mated to you against her will. What do you have to say for yourself in regards to these crimes?"
Finn's gaze swung over to Reika, expecting to see malice and vengeance. He was surprised instead, to see compassion and worry. For a moment he was stunned by this unexpected emotion on her face and didn't respond to the question posed by the Council. "Mister Broderick, do you not have anything to say on your own behalf?" the Council leader asked again.
The guard standing closest to Finn poked him to get his attention and when Finn looked at him, he motioned to the Council leader, implying a response was expected. "I'm sorry sir, I do have something to say to Reika if I could be allowed to do so?" Finn asked with hope clinging to his voice. The Council leader looked to Silas first for permission to allow his daughter to be addressed, and when Silas nodded, the leader gave his consent.
Finn turned to Reika with honest shame and regret radiating from him. "Reika, I offer no excuses, as there are none that can excuse my behavior. I allowed my ambition to color my thoughts and goals, and as a result felt momentarily justified in going after the mate that had been offered to me."
Silas jumped to his feet, about to point out that nothing had officially been decided or given regarding that situation, but the Councilman held his hand up to Silas and respectfully asked him to please hold his comments. Silas glared at Finn with the promise of death as he nodded to the Council leader and returned to his seat. The Councilman turned to Finn and told him to continue. Finn nodded and turned back to Reika. "Ok, as Silas was about to point out, nothing had been officially offered as of yet, but the mention of possibly becoming your mate had wrongly encouraged my ambitious thinking and when you had rebuffed me, it felt like it had all been ripped away. Clearly, I lost control like an entitled pup and behaved very badly. I take responsibility for my actions and will accept any punishment that the Council feels I deserve. The last statement I would like on record is my most sincere apology to you and your family for any harm I may have caused you and hope that, in time you can find it within your heart to forgive me", and with that Finn dropped his head and turned back towards the Council.
The Council whispered amongst themselves for a moment, then the leader faced forward to address Finn. "While we can appreciate your most gracious apology and acceptance of responsibility, as council to the pack, all of our decisions set precedence with our pack members. To allow anyone to get away with attacking any of the alpha family would be the beginning of the destruction to the pack structure and the respect due to our Alpha. Therefore, on behalf of this entire Council, as well as out of respect for our much loved and respected Alpha leader, we find you, Finn Broderick guilty of all charges and are now ready to pass our judgment and punishment upon you. Since a crime of this nature usually calls for the death of the offender, we the Council of the Sweetwater pack sentence you, Finn Broderick, to . . ."
Reika jumped up out of her chair and hurried before the Council saying, "Please sir, don't sentence him to death. I am the one that was attacked and I'm asking that I have a say in how he is to be punished." Silas had hurried to her side and had whispered in her ear that it wasn't her place to go against any decision the Council made. Their decisions had to be abided by if the rulings they gave were to hold any power or respect! Reika turned to her father, her eyes and thoughts pleading that he allow her to make this request. He studied her eyes, seeing the deep desire to make her plea and he slowly nodded his head in acceptance and stepped back to stand at her side. Both turned back to the Council waiting to see if they would agree.
"Young, sweet Reika, why would you come to the defense of one who would have used you so cruelly for his own advancement?" the Council leader asked, genuinely surprised by her request.
"Sir, our kind is struggling to survive and multiply. Though the method by which Finn chose was truly awful and very wrong, the drive to mate is taught to our young male wolves from the time they are very young and all through their lives. The importance to find mates and procreate has always been the most important lesson given. With the pressure behind this message applied day in and day out, I'm surprised we haven't had more 'snap' and crumble underneath it all." Reika looked each council member in the eyes, trying to show her sincerity and the importance of her message.
"And then, to top it off, we limit all of our wolves to finding mates within the pack, which only increases the pressure. " Reika began a small pacing pattern in front of the council, fueled by her own passion and desires to be able to look outside the pack for a mate and having this situation become the perfect platform to plead her cause! "I'm not saying he doesn't deserve to be punished, as clearly this can never be allowed to happen to any female in the pack. What I am saying is that I don't believe it should cost him his life! That's all I'm respectfully asking this esteemed Council to consider when making their final decision", and with that, Reika dropped her head in respect and backed away to return to her chair.
Silas was smiling proudly at his daughter. He never knew her to have the ability to present a well thought out
case before the Council. Many would feel too intimidated to even try to stand up to them! His pride in her also overflowed in her ability to look beyond the grievance caused to her personally and think of the pack instead, to consider what was causing them harm and possibly how her unfortunate incident could bring about better ways to help the pack flourish! She was a credit to the family and to himself as her father!
The Council members once again gathered to whisper amongst themselves to consider the request she had presented and the reasons for it. Clearly they were torn on whether to honor her request and it appeared that some heated responses were being offered. After some time they each resumed their previous positions and the leader prepared to give their decision.
"Finn Broderick, you have very fortunately chosen a victim that is among the most compassionate of victims that you should ever have the right to come across. Our normal determination in a case such as this would be death at the hands of our Alpha. As her father it would be his right to take your life in payment for the harm you inflicted and meant to inflict on his own daughter!" Finn flinched at the clear anger in the Council leaders words and knew that what he spoke was truth. Now he lowered his head in the shame he felt at the message of these words.
"However, because the victim herself has pleaded your case, and asked that your life be spared, the Council of the Sweetwater pack has sentenced you to be banished from this pack from this day forward. You are never to return and must find your own way outside this territory. Should you ever return, leniency will not be shown and you shall be killed on sight. Go and gather your things and prepare to leave this territory within the hour. Punishment has been dispersed and this case is now closed", and with that, all council members rose and filed out of the room.
Finn stood rooted to his spot, shocked at the turn of events. He wasn't sure if he preferred banishment to death. He wasn't sure what he expected, but it wasn't to be banished! Roy walked up to his son and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Son, you ok?" he asked. Finn slowly turned his eyes to his father and the full impact of what had just happened hit him. Not only would he never be the alpha of this pack, he wouldn't even have a position within the pack, not even the lowest! These were the only people he knew, those he'd grown up with. How was he suppose to get by without his people? He'd never dreamed that he'd become a rogue wolf some day! As he stood there trying to absorb how drastically his life had just changed, he caught sight of Reika. He didn't know if he should be happy she'd saved his life, or furious that she'd doomed him to the life of a rogue wolf! His father picked up on his pondering and he grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him out of his foolish thoughts! "Reika saved your life, you foolish pup! Don't you dare lay fault at her feet for your predicament! You did this to yourself. Grow up!" he softly growled, "and face the consequences of your actions like a man!" Roy stood between his son and Reika, clearly protecting her from him! Shaking his head side to side he quietly said, "Finn, make me proud son, and take it like a man. Don't blame others for your foolish actions. Handle yourself properly and perhaps we can find another pack to take you in", he said with hope in his voice.
Finn looked from his father's pleading eyes to Reika's, now filled with sadness. Unshed tears glistened in her eyes as she saw Finn struggle with his consequences. Seeing her saddened by his punishment, he finally saw her for the truly compassionate woman she was. He had wronged her and yet she had still fought to save him. He realized what a fool he had been and now hung his head in shame. "I'm sorry father. You're right, I did this to myself and I will take the consequences and make the best of them. I would greatly appreciate any help you can give me in finding someplace that I can stay until I figure out what I'm going to do with my future." Roy smiled at his son, nodding, saying, "I will work on it right now. We have several packs that are our allies. I'm sure I can find someone to help us", and with that, he turned and asked Silas for permission to leave. With permission granted, he hurried from the room to see to his sons placement.
Silas stepped up next to Reika and put his arm protectively around her shoulders. He didn't expect Finn to be that foolish but he was taking no chances! Allowing her father to be her protector, Reika remained where she was but she spoke to Finn saying, "Finn, I'm really sorry that things turned out as they did. I forgive you for what you've done and I wish you no ill will. I hope you can find someplace to call home very soon."
Finn stood amazed at Reika's kindness. He had almost forced a mating on her, had bitten her by the throat and yet here she was wishing him well as he headed into an unknown future. His father was right, he had brought this on himself and yet she had saved him from certain death. He owed her a debt he'd never be able to repay. "Reika, I can never make up for what I've done to you. I want you to know that I am ashamed of myself and I will use this experience and it's consequences to try to learn from it and better myself as I move into a new future. I only hope that fate smiles upon me some day and brings me a mate with a fraction of the qualities you carry. If so, I will count myself among the luckiest of all men! Excuse me now for I must go and prepare for my departure. Thank you for all you've done for me. I will never forget your kindness!" With a dip of his head in respect for Silas and a nod to Reika, Finn turned and left the room.
"Do you think he'll be ok father?" Reika's voiced cracked with her emotions as she watched him leave the room.
"I don't know honey. I hope so. We can hope that the gift of life that you gave him today will be used wisely and that someone, somewhere, will give him a second chance to prove that he can be a man like his father. But for now, let's go home. I'm sure your mother is terribly worried with how long we've been gone." Silas led Reika out and headed home, thankful that this whole mess was over. He hoped that everyone had learned from this disaster so that they would never have to go through it again. He had learned to trust Reika's assessment of a potential mate for herself, above his own. She had proven herself to be very wise in all of this. She wasn't his little girl anymore. He had turned his back for just a moment and she had become an impressive young woman, a force to reckon with, just like himself! He smiled proudly as they walked home. She was going to be ok.
CHAPTER NINE
Several weeks had passed since Finn's banishment. Word had come through the packs of a banished wolf being accepted into a southern county pack. Silas and Roy were both surprised, as they knew them to be a smaller non-committed pack to their own. They wondered if Finn had hidden the fact he was coming from their pack, or if they were so desperate for more pack mates that they allowed most any wolf requesting entry to join. As Finn's father, Roy couldn't help but be happy that his son had found someplace to call home. It had been tormenting him knowing that his son was out wandering alone and possibly exposed to the elements. He was just very grateful that his banishment hadn't happened in the winter! Reika had heard as well and it gave her great relief to know that he wasn't a rogue wolf wandering alone!
Now that the question of what happened to Finn was settled, they turned their attention to the fact that Reika was quickly approaching her 18th birthday and had no prospects for a mate. Silas and Claire decided to throw a party and invite all the young males of the pack to see if they could find an acceptable prospect from among the ones that attended. Everyone knew the purpose of the party and Reika could tell that all the males were excited about the idea of being considered to be her mate. Those who had never shown her any attention before, were now being more polite, more attentive and more like suitors than friends. It was exhausting!
A week before the party, Reika was complaining to her parents that nothing felt normal any longer and that she didn't have any friends, but rather applicants for the position of being her mate! "HOW could you open this up to the whole pack and advertise that your daughter needs a mate, father??? Now I will never see their natural self, but rather the one they are parading before a desired prize!" said Reika as she folded her arms across her chest and scowled at her father.
Silas laughed at h
er tantrum. He understood her frustration, but there was no other way to find a mate for her within the pack than to gather them all together to see what was available. "Reika, stop pouting. You are not a child and you knew that your time was running out. I don't believe you've put one thought into finding a mate since the Finn incident. If we don't gather the males together, you'll never know for sure who's an option and who's not! What were you going to do, invite each one out on a date before you turn 18? Admit it, I did you a favor by gathering them together, all in ONE date, so you could peruse your choices. Have fun with it instead of seeing it as punishment!" He had been standing by the fireplace in their living room and now had moved over to the couch to sit next to Claire, who was trying very hard not to show her amusement in the situation and her daughters reaction.
Claire decided to see if she could make it any better, or at least more pleasant, for her daughter. "Reika, since it's still early, how about we go into the city and see if we can find you a new dress to wear. If all the boys are trying to impress you now, just imagine how much they'll fall all over themselves when you walk in looking amazing!! What do you say? Interested in a shopping trip?" Claire knew how to play on Reika's weakness - her love of shopping.
At her mothers suggestion, Reika turned from pouting to pondering. She had seen this amazing, and quite sexy emerald green dress on her last trip to the city that she knew her father would probably blow a fuse over. It had been a couple of months ago but somehow she felt it was probably still available, maybe even on sale by now! It was at least worth a try! If her father wanted to parade her in front of all the males in the pack, then she'd do it in style! A smile spread across her face and she turned to her mother, nodding.
"Alright mother, YES, I'd love to go shopping. If father is going to make me parade myself in front of the boys, then I want to looking totally amazing doing it! It would be better to have them falling all over themselves admiring my . . . "
