Ethan,
I wish I could be there when you finally wake up. Things have been a mess without you, and when they finally calm down, the three of us are taking some time off. I need to get past the fear of losing you, just as I’m sure you also have a few things to work through.
It’s best that you stay in the room while we’re suffering through the final meeting. Eve is an ally, she’s safe to be around. Maverick already knows you’ve been sprung, but not by who. Today’s the big day they debate whether or not I’m too dangerous to live, like a rabid animal. No matter the outcome of today’s meeting, we will come back for you right after.
Your Love,
Sophia
The only thing I had learned from being so close to our species’ government was that we desperately needed a new one. I still had mixed feelings about Carlos Caddel, and Damion Baron was still a mystery. But I knew without a doubt that Maverick Billford and Griffin Allard both needed to go-along with their illegal operations.
From the looks of the court-like room we stood in, you could tell something was wrong. While the search hadn’t been publicly announced, some of us were able to figure it out. The twins’ parents had been the first to know about the lockdown, from a friend in the witness stands.
One by one, each member of the High Table walked to the raised platform and took their seats. The growing crowd of witnesses sat in rows around the circumference of the room, grouped in their respective packs and families. The number of witnesses had nearly doubled overnight, leaving the small sectioned-off areas overflowing with people. I had been jostled and bumped into at least thirty times, though most cowered away once they realized it was me.
Maverick Billford sat at the center as the head of the High Table. His suit was slate grey this time, just a few shades darker than his son’s. Zack sat in his own closed-off area, with a minimum of four guards at his side. He looked a bit miserable, but that was his usual expression.
“Welcome to the conclusion of this incredible debate that will affect our world for generations to come. We are constantly making history; with every decision and choice we make. We have debated much on this matter, both during these meetings and behind closed doors. The five of us are confident that today will bring all of us, and Ms. Sophia, the conclusion we need.” Maverick Billford stood, greeting the crowd with a wide sweep of his hand. His smile was charming and charismatic, every bit the bachelor instead of the bloodthirsty wolf. “We will pick up from yesterday by calling Sophia to the stand. Here she will review the terms of our offers and make any refusals or demands she sees fit. Together, we will assess her standing in our world and determine what course of action will propel us into a safe future where our kind continues to thrive.”
This time, I did roll my eyes as some of the witnesses went into heart-wrenching applause, with watery eyes to top things off. I couldn’t understand how a room full of werewolves could fail to see the biggest threat in the room: Maverick Billford.
I approached the stand and waited in silence as a moderator went over the details of each agreement with the High Table members. Griffin Allard offered me nothing apart from a slithery smirk that made my insides turn. Nick Fox claimed his father had still not returned, but actually said that he had contacted him and refused to form any ties with our packs. Carlos Caddel sent me a wink at that, one so quick I nearly missed it.
Silence enveloped the room as it was my turn to speak-to save or condemn myself. I could save myself by agreeing to Maverick’s terms, to signing my freedom and will away to serve another. One who would take and take until I too was drained, devoid of a soul like the ones I had fed on.
I had planned what I wanted to say and told no one. Kieran was the only one who knew what I had chosen, and not because we could read one another’s thoughts. We still offered one another privacy, but Kieran, Ethan, and I were equals. I wouldn’t make a huge decision like this without the trust of one or both.
“I, and those I trust, have reviewed your offers extensively. I am humbled by the opportunities you’ve presented my way,” I stated loudly, keeping my face and eyes neutral as they remained locked on Maverick. I squared my shoulders, and felt my voice take on a new tone. It sounded layered in a way it wasn’t before, interwoven with authority and confidence that seemed much too mature for my young years. “It is within my own best interest that I refuse all three of your offers. I might not be familiar with our customs and ways, but I do know that all life holds value. No white wolf, regardless of status, should be forced to prove their right to live. Given to me at birth, I am Luna of not one, but three packs. No one can withhold that title from me.”
The room was silent for a few seconds before erupting in chaos. Words were screamed on all sides, slurs and praises. Some cheered me on, telling me to destroy and rebuild the High Table. Others called me a treasonous bitch, among other colorful things.
During all of the commotion, I noticed something. A small woman, dainty and fragile in stature, approached Maverick Billford. Her onyx hair was long and straight, plastered to her head. She moved slowly, meekly towards him. He lowered himself as she whispered in his ear, and never once did his facial expression change as he listened to her words. What was worse, I swore I could feel just a flicker of carnal happiness inside his cold, stagnant heart.
The commotion continued, and Maverick did nothing to stop it. My eyes flickered to Carlos, who was watching Maverick with a guarded look on his face. Maverick motioned to one of the guards and said three words that sent things spiraling down. I could not hear the words he spoke, but could assume what they meant when the four guards surrounding Zack Billford surged forward and placed silver clasps around his wrists.
My mouth opened, but no sound came out. Zack didn’t thrash, nor fight against his father’s men. His ice-coated eyes stared out just past me, to the redhead with flaming hair and eyes of moss-colored agony. Most of the witnesses were blind to what was happening, whipped up into a frenzy of my doing. Zack was dragged from the room by the four guards who had been protecting him, the silver clasps around his wrists the only indicator that they had new orders.
“Now, let us compose ourselves, yes?” Maverick Billford said to the crowd, his smile full and renewed. He was ignoring what had just happened, even though there were few in the room who had seen the truth. The golden-haired couple were two who had noticed what just happened, and stared at Maverick with identical accusatory glares. “We must respect Ms. Sophia’s decision, and excuse her lack of manners with our system. I do believe now might be the time to discuss things further, and vote on the outcome of our future.”
The five High Table members then retreated to a private room where they would continue discussing my right to live.
“What-I don’t understand-” Kat stammered, taking a few steps towards the door Zack had been dragged through.
“I understand you want to go after them, but you can’t,” I told her, grabbing her shoulders with firm hands. “They don’t know who you are-they can’t know, and Maverick can’t either. He will use you to get to Zack, he’ll use you to control him.”
“What do you think is going to happen to him?” she asked quietly, a mess of emotions swirling within her. Even rejected and angry, she couldn’t not care about him.
“I don’t know, Kat,” I answered honestly, feeling my chest tighten as I made her a promise I hoped I wouldn’t live to regret. “If there’s anything we can do to help him, we will try.”
Minutes melted into one another until nearly half an hour passed. All eyes were alert as the High Table members filtered back to their respective seats, with Maverick at the helm.
As Maverick stood, there was a glint in his eye that seemed just a tad smug. It sent a sour feeling rushing through me, letting me know something was wrong.
“New information has recently come to light, which we have included in the decision of our final vote,” Maverick began, his pale eyes flickering down to where I stood at the stand. There was nothing short of cold, cruel triumph in his eyes. “It is unknown to many that a band of treasonous white wolves escaped my borders recently. These wolves are powerful and dangerous, murderers of the absolute worst variety. I have kept them alive as merely a tribute to their unique abilities, as it would be a shame to snuff out a life so incredible. As many of you know, I pride myself on the security of my pack and its borders. I now have evidence that these white wolves were not working alone. Sophia and those she surrounds herself with, staged a coup to rescue these prisoners. This information was crucial in deciding our course of action for the foreseeable future.”
The room did not erupt into chaos this time. There were no hurling insults or praises, screaming at the pack sitting closest to you that their opinions and beliefs were wrong. There was only silence, and that thick foreboding where you know everything is going to hell.
Maverick didn’t miss a beat. Sympathy flashed in his eyes, and his voice deepened until it was almost sorry. This was the last thing he wanted to do, his tone said.
“I have given this much thought. It is not often in a High Table member’s life to make such an important, history-altering decision. With my full confidence, I do believe it’s best if Ms. Sophia were taken into the custody of the High Table. Her abilities are simply too dangerous to unleash on our fragile world. Should she develop into a soul-eater, it would be safest for those under our protection if Sophia remains beneath our wing. We absolutely cannot allow instability within our communities; it is the poison that will crumble our castles and ultimately put an end to our species.” Maverick said loudly to the room. His calculating eyes were still locked on mine when he said, “Guards, bring her to me.”