chapter eleven
The council convened outside Jager’s hut before supper, ready to cast their votes.
Wolfrik leaned against a tree opposite Ford. He hadn’t gotten a chance to speak to him, but maybe intimidation would help.
Seeming to realize this, Ford cleared his throat and addressed Jager. “We should vote in private, so no one has to worry about retaliation if he or she doesn’t vote for Wolfrik.”
Jager nodded. “Very well. Wolfrik, will you please wait inside my hut?”
“Sure.” Wolfrik pushed away from the tree and swept past the gathered council members toward the elder’s hut. “Wouldn’t want anyone to lose any sleep fearing for their safety.” His lips lifted over his gums when he smiled at Ford.
After Wolfrik swept aside the cloth hanging over the hut’s opening and ducked inside, he whipped around and searched for an opening through the branches, mud, leaves, and miscellaneous human debris that had been used to erect the unsightly dwelling. The space was cramped and murky, but the darkness helped him pick out thin openings from which he could squint and peer out. From this position, Wolfrik now had a view of Raider, with Sasha seated beside him. Jager sat across from them, back to Wolfrik, which muffled his voice, but at least the old man wasn’t soft-spoken.
“Let’s get on with the vote, then,” he said. “All in favor of voting Wolfrik onto council, raise your hands.”
Sasha’s hand was the first to go up, and it lifted something warm and tender inside Wolfrik’s hollow chest. His pureblooded friend had always had his back. Even when she was mated to another, he could count on her loyalty.
Emerson’s hand went up next—after she swept her blond mane back. It was good to know she kept true to her word.
Jager raised his hand a little slower, but age had to be taken into account.
Three hands reached into the air. When no others joined it, Wolfrik’s gut clenched. He’d been so sure he’d get voted in—not unanimously, of course, but a fourth vote at the very least.
Why wasn’t Palmer voting for him? He’d been gunning to get Wolfrik on when he first returned. Wolfrik glared through the hut’s slanted opening.
“Do we have any more votes for Wolfrik on council?”
Wolfrik held his breath, then, realizing what he was doing, let it out with a heave of rage, ready to burst out of the hut and tell them he was voting himself onto council. He was a fucking pureblood, and they better remember to respect that.
As he leaned away from the tiny crack, he caught sight of an arm moving. Wolfrik leaned back in and was startled to see Raider had raised his hand. That one was a surprise.
“Okay, Wolfrik is voted onto council,” Jager said. “But before I call him back out, we have one more vote to cast. You all know what this means. One of our newest members must be voted off to keep our number uneven.”
“This isn’t right,” Ford griped from off to the side. “You can’t kick a council member off when they haven’t done anything wrong.”
“I agree it’s not ideal,” Jager answered, “but in this case, it’s how we’re doing things.” The elder’s voice got louder. “Everyone turn around, backs to the fire. Only I will remain facing to tally the votes. Each council member must vote for one, and only one, member to vote off council. The choices are Emerson, Ford, and Heidi.”
There was a pause as the council members turned around, their backs to Jager, who remained facing in, back still to his hut and Wolfrik.
“Those in favor of voting Emerson out, raise your hands.”
Ford and Jager raised their hands. Wolfrik was relieved a third hand didn’t go up, condemning her before the other names were called.
When Jager called Ford’s name, four hands went into the air, and Wolfrik breathed a sigh of relief. He found it interesting that Raider voted against his own cousin, alongside Sasha, Emerson, and Heidi.
There was only one hand for Heidi—Palmer’s.
The old man probably thinks she belongs back in the den making babies and taking care of her mate. Wolfrik held back a snort.
“You can all turn back around. The decision has been made,” Jager announced. As soon as everyone faced him once more, he let them know the results. “I’m very sorry, Ford, but you had the majority vote. Thank you for the time you served with us; you may return to the den.”
“When he starts causing trouble, you’ll be sorry you voted me off.”
Wolfrik couldn’t see his face from that angle, but his tone painted a picture of indignation and fury.
“Cuz—” Raider began.
“Don’t ‘cuz’ me. Tell me you didn’t vote me off?”
Jager cleared his throat. “Voting is private. You know that. Now I’m sorry that this upsets you, but you knew what you were getting into when you were first sworn into council.”
Wolfrik slipped out of the hut stealthily. With Ford in an uproar, no one noticed, and this was a scene he didn’t want to miss. He kept to the hut’s shadows, arms folded across his chest, body still, as he watched Ford throw his tantrum.
“What I do know is you voted for him to be on council when a month ago you voted to keep him out of the den.” Ford looked accusingly at Sasha as though she was responsible for influencing Raider’s vote.
Not for the first, or even third time, Wolfrik wondered if Sasha and Raider had screwed while he’d been caged and condemned in the city of hell. Wolfrik clenched his teeth so hard they felt like they’d crack. Any male who thought himself worthy to mate with Sasha should have been ready to claim her. Perhaps Raider had tried. Maybe Sasha had turned him down. Maybe that wasn’t the only thing she’d turned him down for. That pleasing thought made Wolfrik’s jaw slowly relax.
He preferred her ending up with a half-breed over a commando who had half the females salivating over him. Raider’s newly claimed mate, Jordan, constantly rubbed herself over him like a bitch in heat. Wolfrik would have rather gouged his eyes out with a rusty knife than have seen Sasha act that way over the ape. Luckily, she didn’t force him or the rest of the pack to watch her drool all over Tabor. They kept their sexual life private.
“It is not for you or anyone else to question another council member’s vote,” Jager said to Ford. “Your service here is done, and we thank you.”
“Don’t expect me to return when things don’t work out with him.” Ford snarled when his eyes found Wolfrik’s in the shadows.
Wolfrik stepped into the small clearing, arms folded, and met Ford’s glare. They stared one another down until Ford turned on his heels with a growl and stormed into the woods.
Jager craned his head over his shoulder to look at Wolfrik with a crooked, yellow-toothed smile. “Very good, Wolfrik. It’s time to swear you in.” Jager pushed himself slowly off his stool with a wince, then faced Wolfrik. “Repeat after me. I, Wolfrik of the Wolf Hollow shifters—”
Wolfrik lowered his arms and turned his body to face Jager. Behind the old man, he caught Sasha’s warm, encouraging smile.
Wolfrik straightened his back. “I, Wolfrik of the Wolf Hollow shifters.”
Jager gave a nod of acknowledgment before continuing with the last part. “Swear upon the moon in the sky that I will serve the council on behalf of the pack.”
After Wolfrik repeated the final pledge, each council member got up and formed a line to shake his hand and welcome him to council. Not all the greetings were warm, but that was no surprise, especially when Wolfrik knew which members had voted for him and which hadn’t. Palmer glowered and refused to make eye contact while Heidi frowned with disapproval. Sasha squeezed his hand hardest, tears glossing briefly over her eyes before she blinked them away. “Your parents would be proud,” she said.
What his dear friend didn’t realize was how much her belief in him meant. Their parents were free, but he and Sasha were still here, living among their packmates in the hollow, and there was no opinion Wolfrik valued above Sasha’s.
“Good,” Jager said, sounding pleased. “Now, everyone, please have a seat.”
To show he meant business, Wolfrik didn’t attempt to jockey for Raider’s spot beside Sasha. Instead, he strode directly to Ford’s vacated stump and claimed his recently won spot.
Victory. Cujo had done it again. Wolfrik’s smile stretched up his face.
He planted his legs wide over the ground and lifted his chin.
Emerson leaned forward from her stump on his left, blond locks tumbling over her shoulders. She flashed him a golden smile. “Another knight of the round table,” she said.
Wolfrik didn’t know what she meant, but her tone was warm and she’d voted for him, so it must be complimentary. Her father sat on his opposite side and kept his attention on Jager.
The elder set his palms on his legs. “We have one last order of business which concerns a fellow council member—Emerson.” Jager looked around the circle at the blond shifter. The smile faded from her lips as she sat up straight and crossed her arms over her chest.
“And what business of mine is the council’s?” she asked icily.
Jager stared coldly back. “I would ask that you stop pursuing another female.”
“What’s it to you?”
“Your flirtation can’t lead anywhere, and in the meantime, it might give other pack members ideas.”
Emerson’s face relaxed right before she burst out laughing. “Oh, Jager, if two females, or males, want to get it on, that ‘idea’ has been there all along.” She smiled sweetly. “But if what you meant is that Gina and I will give others the courage to come out and express their true feelings, then I’m happy to set an example.”
Unamused, Jager’s nostrils flared. “I forbid it. Mates must procreate for the survival of the pack.”
Emerson snorted and flicked her hair back. “You can no more forbid me to love another female than I can forbid you from drinking your ghastly brew.”
“You’re right on that count,” Jager said, “but that doesn’t mean you can dodge your duties.”
Wolfrik growled, remembering the forced breedings back in the city.
Ignoring him, Jager looked at the only other elder present, his voice rising as he said, “Palmer.”
Palmer kept his eyes trained on his lap. “Perhaps we should take a vote.”
“Oh, hell no,” Emerson snapped. “The council doesn’t get to vote on my love life. Back me up here, Dad.”
Palmer glanced up, his forehead wrinkled, and his eyes squeezed together as though he were constipated. “I’ve always given you free rein, Emmy, but eventually you’ll want a mate who can give you children. I’ve seen how caring and kind you are with your baby sister. You would regret missing out on motherhood.”
Emerson’s lower lip trembled. “Don’t be an ignorant bastard. Not to me, Dad.”
“All in favor of forbidding same-sex relations, raise your hands,” Jager bellowed.
He and Palmer raised their hands. The rest of the council stared at the two elders with reproach. Jager scowled. “Elders outrank the rest of council, and we have unanimously agreed.”
Sasha scoffed and rolled her eyes. “There are only two of you, Jager—not enough to decide pack matters. That’s for the council to determine.” She stood up and, with a regal air, looked around the circle. “I put forth that we vote on a new head of council to lead future meetings.”
“You have my vote,” Emerson said, glaring at Palmer and Jager.
Sasha glanced at Raider. They shared a look of silent understanding that made Wolfrik’s fingers curl and nails dig into his skin.
“It should be Raider or myself,” Sasha announced. “We’ve been on council for the same length of time as Jager and Palmer.”
“It should be you,” Raider said gently, which made Palmer scowl as deeply as Wolfrik. He hated the tender tone he used with Sasha, even though he agreed with the ape.
Sasha shook her head. “We must put it to a vote. Those in favor of Raider, raise your hands.”
Emerson shrugged and raised her hand. “Sorry, Sasha. Raider’s family now.”
Sasha nodded her understanding.
Not surprisingly, Palmer raised his hand for Raider, as well.
“Jager?” Sasha asked.
The old man pressed his lips together in defiance. Sasha sighed. “Those in favor of me.”
Wolfrik’s hand shot up. There’d never been a question in his mind. It was fitting that his first affirmative vote on council would be on Sasha’s behalf. Heidi raised her hand, as well. Jager remained stubbornly silent.
Undeterred, Sasha cleared her throat. “Two votes for Raider; two for myself. That leaves the deciding vote to Jager.”
“Or we could flip a coin,” Emerson said under her breath.
This time Wolfrik understood the reference. He and Sasha weren’t as well-read as the other pack members. Hell, they couldn’t read at all, but there were certain expressions that had carried over after the fall of civilization—the coin toss among them, which was ironic since money now bought humans jack shit. About the only thing it was good for anymore was an actual coin toss.
Jager snarled, causing everyone to stare at the old man.
“The council has always been led by an elder, and I am the oldest.”
Sasha nodded gently, her lips pursed.
“Not so long ago it was led by pureblooded elders, but things change and we adapt.” Sasha lifted her head and locked Jager in her gaze.
Jager straightened his back and pressed his palms into his legs. “Very well, Sasha, take the weight of my responsibility if you want it so much. I trust you will lead the council for the good of the entire pack.”
Sasha lowered her head. “To the best of my abilities, as I always have.”
Jager’s lips formed a thin line. “Then it is settled. I yield the role of head of council to Sasha. From this moment forward she will lead meetings and call votes.”
“Thank you, Jager,” Sasha said. “For today, I call this meeting adjourned.” Sasha got up.
One of Sasha’s many qualities was her brevity.
Jager glowered as he stood and disappeared inside his hut. The others dispersed in the direction of the glade or den, leaving Wolfrik and Raider behind.
The big ape looked Wolfrik up and down and folded his thick arms across his chest. “I hope you plan on taking your position on the council seriously,” Raider said.
Wolfrik smiled smugly. “I’m surprised you voted for me.”
“How did you—” Raider’s eyes darted to the hut, and he shook his head. “I should have known you’d find a way to spy on the proceedings.”
Wolfrik tsked. “Your poor cousin. No family loyalty then?”
“I do what’s best for the council and the pack.” Raider puffed up his chest and narrowed his eyes.
“I’m honored you consider me the best.” Wolfrik’s eyebrows shot up—a taunt—but as usual, Raider kept his cool.
“If you’re on council I can keep a closer eye on you,” Raider replied evenly.
“Oh, yeah? Your female not satisfying you? Looking for someone more your size?” Wolfrik rocked his hips forward and smirked.
Raider sighed. “Why don’t you head to the glade for supper before you give poor Jager a heart attack inside his hut?”
Wolfrik rolled his eyes. “You’re such a stiff.”
Raider grunted then turned and left.
“Nice comeback,” Wolfrik snipped after Raider had gone.
What a dolt. At least the big guy had voted Wolfrik onto the council, so he wasn’t all bad.
Wolfrik swung his arms as he took the forest trail to the glade where Aden stood alone near the cauldron. He nodded at Wolfrik when he saw him and met him halfway. “Did you make it on?”
“Barely. I’m not exactly Mr. Popular.”
Aden snorted. “Oh, really? I hadn’t noticed.”
Wolfrik smirked. “The werewolf does sarcasm.”
Aden met Wolfrik’s smile with one of his own. “And the hellion is now a council member. Should I congratulate you or offer my condolences to the rest of the council?”
“How about you congratulate the rest of the pack for having the benefit of another purebood looking out for their interests.”
Aden pursed his lips. “We’ll see.”
At the cauldron, Maureen sent them off with steaming bowls of stew, which they took over to a log near the bonfire. Wolfrik barely noticed the chunky bits of meat he swallowed down. His mind replayed the council proceedings, from the vote to bring him in, to Sasha seizing control. He smiled to himself, temporarily forgetting his surroundings and the packmates around him.
He didn’t think to look for Kallie until after he finished his food. She wasn’t with her friends or anywhere in the glade. Maybe she was by the river again. Wolfrik hoped so. For once he was in a good mood and feeling playful.
Wolfrik wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and stood up. “See you in the morning,” he said to Aden.
“See you then,” Aden replied.
After ditching his dirty bowl in a basket, Wolfrik strode through the forest, heading to the Sakhir River, but before he had a chance to near the water, Kallie stepped out from the trees and blocked his path.