Sam felt the knot in her stomach tighten. She’d spent the day keeping busy, aware that Jonas and Lillian had been meeting with various pack members. Nafarius had warned her that Jonas had requested an audience with Gertrude and Natasha; she hadn’t learned until later that they were also talking with several others. Realizing that the moment had come, Sam looked around for Nafarius. She didn’t want to meet with the Council members alone.
Jonas seemed to understand. “I already sent someone with my request that Nafarius join us. He should be here in a moment.”
Sam nodded and indicated a small sitting area off to one side. “Why don’t we sit?” The clearing wasn’t empty; like the inside of their den, there were several small sitting areas with fire pits open to anyone. There was also an area for the children to play or take lessons as well as a small space set aside for training.
“I was hoping,” Sam said, addressing herself to Lillian, “that I might talk to you at some point about the twins?”
“Of course,” Lillian said, a hint of surprise in her voice. “Was there something specific you were worried about?”
“No,” Sam said. “We saw an OB while we were in the city and he assured me that everything was fine. Obviously, he doesn’t know about my… unusual… circumstances so I wasn’t able to ask if there was anything I should be worried about.”
“Well, I’m sure he told you that twins are often born early and on the small size. That’s true for humans and lycans alike. Twins are not any more common among our kind and our bodies tend to handle them the same way.” Lillian considered Sam as she sat across from her. Despite her advanced pregnancy, she carried herself with ease, her grace uninhibited by the extra weight. “Your extra strength and healing abilities as a lycan make pregnancy easier. I’m guessing that despite carrying twins, you haven’t felt tired or overtaxed?”
Sam shook her head. “No, in fact I feel great.”
Lillian nodded, “It is very rare for a lycan to have complications relating to pregnancy.”
Sam would have asked more but just then Nafarius arrived, Roland right behind him. Sitting down next to his mate, Nafarius took her hand in his and addressed the two Council members. “So?” he snapped.
Jonas smiled despite Nafarius’ commanding tone. “I’ll get right to the point, as Council members, we have absolutely no concerns with respect to Samantha regardless of her abilities – whatever they may be.” Sam felt some of her tension ease. “We spoke with Gertrude and Natasha as well as several other members of your pack.” Seeing Nafarius start to say something, Jonas held up his hand for silence. “I know that I only asked to speak with the two women but after talking with them we thought it best to talk with others as well. We were careful not to speak about anything that wasn’t already common knowledge so have no fear on that front.”
Jonas addressed Sam directly, “It is obvious that you are well loved, respected and appropriately feared by your pack. Everyone we spoke to talked about your love and care for your pack, even when that love sometimes requires you to punish.” Turning to Nafarius, he said, “You are lucky to have found such a strong mate.”
Nafarius nodded but didn’t say anything knowing that there was more to come.
“We heard two very different accounts of the use of your ability; Gertrude has some very strong feelings regarding what happened to her but it was clear that she was being punished. She feels that she was right to strike out against a weaker pack member and that your interference was inappropriate…”
“Not when that member was under my specific protection,” Sam interjected.
Jonas and Lillian both nodded. “Of course; I am familiar with pack dynamics and you’re correct. Gertrude chose to strike out at weaker member but failed to note that she wasn’t without protection. The choice was hers to make and she suffered the consequences.
“As for Natasha; she is obviously very grateful to you and your ability. She is convinced that had it not been for you she would have died from her injuries, unable to heal as she was in human form.” Jonas looked to Lillian who nodded for him to continue. “It’s obvious that your ability can be used in many ways. You’ve used it both to punish and to protect…”
“Actually,” Sam said, unable to keep a slight edge from her tone, “in both cases I was protecting someone. I was protecting Maddie; the fact that Gertrude was punished in the process was simply a… bonus.”
Dresden, having just joined them, grunted in approval.
“I understand,” Jonas agreed. “But my point remains the same – your ability has many uses. It is a tool and like any tool it takes its character from those that wield it.” Turning to Nafarius, he said, “I know that you recognize the danger in the possibilities. It’s why you were careful in speaking with Thomas and why you asked him to hold his report as long as possible.”
“I won’t apologize for what I did,” Nafarius said.
“I wouldn’t expect you to,” Lillian said. “You were protecting your mate and your pack; it’s what any good leader would do.”
Nafarius nodded but still wasn’t happy. “Earlier you said that the Council decided on a less formal approach to this matter; what will happen when you return to the Archives?”
Jonas and Lillian shared a look; it was Lillian that said, “Actually, we won’t be returning. We would like to stay until after the birth of the twins; I would like to offer my skills as a Healer to help…”
“And be here when Sam is once again free to change,” Nafarius interrupted. “The answer is no; you have what you came for. You know that Sam is not a threat and there is no reason for you to remain.”
Sam watched as Jonas’ entire demeanor changed. Up until that moment he’d appeared kind, almost benevolent. All of that disappeared; in the blink of an eye Sam saw the bear that had been slumbering beneath the surface stir. “I would remind you that you are speaking to a Council Elder; you do not issue orders to the Council. Do not mistake our informing you of our intent to remain as asking permission.” Jonas felt Lillian’s hand on his arm, allowing the gentle touch of his old friend to calm him. “I would also caution you that once we return, the records regarding Sam and her abilities will be unsealed and once again part of the public Archives.”
“Why?” Nafarius growled.
“As we said, there is no threat from Sam and therefore no reason to seal the records,” Jonas answered.
“That may be true but the same cannot be said for Sam if you make this a matter of public record,” Nafarius said. “Once that information is out there is no telling how others will seek to use it.”
“You’re effectively painting a target on Sam,” Roland added, having been listening quietly.
“We understand that there is risk involved,” Jonas said.
“Risk?!” Nafarius snarled and started pacing. “You know damn well…”