Louis heard the snarls and barks from a distance, and it took him a moment to discern what he was hearing, but when he did, he feared the worst had happened. Pierre had run off ahead some time ago, but Louis hadn’t thought much of it. The mostly positive reception Henry had received that evening had placated him. He’d allowed his lover to run headfirst into danger.

He raced through the field where he had been teaching the children to hunt, and it took him a few minutes of running at top speed through the tall grass to reach them. When Louis pushed through the last overgrown tuft, he emerged nearly on top of the fight scene. Their teeth were gnashing and their claws were working, and there was blood everywhere.

Louis leapt into the fray, knocking Pierre to the side. Because of whatever mind-altering substance Pierre was on, he made the ultimate mistake of turning on Louis and baring his fangs like a feral wolf. In a matter of seconds, Louis dodged Pierre’s attack and knocked him sideways again with his weight, twisting around and pinning Pierre to the ground. Louis snarled in Pierre’s face as Henry yelped and whined in pain from his position on the ground. His back legs appeared to be useless.

The rest of the pack entered the field one by one, circling, yipping and whining anxiously. Matthew broke rank and went to Colette, helping her keep the curious pups away from ground zero. Phillip stood between Henry and Pierre, and Daumier stood between Lizette and the rest of the pack.

It took Louis a few moments to calm himself enough not to rip into Pierre, who was lying on his side pinned beneath him. He only backed off when Pierre shifted, lying under him as a human. Louis only had one choice. He shifted himself and immediately grabbed Pierre by the shoulders and looked into his eyes.

“Why? Why would you defy me? Do you truly have a quarrel with Henry, or is it something else, Pierre?”

“I don’t have to explain anything…”

“Yes, you do! As Alpha of this pack, it is not only my right, but my duty to know the concerns of those in my care. I took you in, and yet you have done nothing but defy me and undermine me at every turn. Why?”

Pierre’s face assumed a vacant expression and he simply shrugged. “Don’t know. Maybe because I just don’t like you.”

“You don’t have to like me, Pierre. You made the choice to accept my care, and yet you mock me, despite the fact that it was your decision alone to live under my roof and join my pack. Well, your actions here have proven that it was a mistake on both our parts. When we get back to the house, pack your things. You’re out.” Louis paced the clearing, grateful that Colette and Matthew had begun ushering the kids back across the field toward the vehicles. They certainly didn’t need to see their Alpha behave like that.

“You can’t!” Pierre shouted.

“You will find that I can!” Louis shouted back. “Unless you can convince me that you actually want to be a contributing member of this pack, you can take your misery someplace else, where your fellow pack members don’t have to bear witness to it! I can’t take your hatred any more. It’s not good for any of us, and we clearly aren’t able to help you. It’s time for you to go and see how things work out for you without my support!”

Pierre clamped his mouth shut and turned, limping off towards the vehicles. Lizette whined and followed him, and Louis turned to Henry who was sitting quietly, attempting to shift through the pain. “Daumier, take Phillip and return to the cars. The hunt is over for the night. Ask Matthew and Colette if they wish to express any grievances, and I will happily speak with them in private when we return.” Louis knelt over Henry, his heart breaking as he looked in Henry’s eyes and saw the hurt of rejection mixed with pain.

Phillip and Daumier left, and when Henry finally finished his shift, Louis winced at the wound in Henry’s calf where Pierre had sunk his teeth in deep. “We will have to get this cleaned up at home. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have risked this so soon. They weren’t ready…””

Henry gasped and shook his head. “No, it’s okay. Phillip and I had a good chat in the car, and I think if I have a little more time with Matthew, I will win him over too. I was hunting for Phillip when Pierre found me. It isn’t your fault, Louis.”

Louis looked at him in surprise, admiring his strength. “Come on, lean on me.” He helped Henry up and wrapped Henry’s arm around his shoulder. They began the slow process of hobbling back to the car. Daumier ran out to meet them with their clothes.

“Louis, I’m sorry. I should have been paying more attention, I…”

“You let your pride get in the way, Daumier.” Louis couldn’t help but snap. His best friend had let him down. Daumier hadn’t disobeyed him, but he hadn’t supported him, either.

“Louis, please. I didn’t mind running with Phillip. I wasn’t hungry anyway,” Henry protested on Daumier’s behalf. It surprised all of them, but Louis continued.

“That’s not the point of the hunt, Henry. And you know it. It’s about inclusion, and the bonding experience. It brings the pack closer together and introduces new members with a time-honored tradition. That has been disrespected tonight out of ignorance.” Louis couldn’t hide his ire. Daumier, above everyone, knew what helping those in need meant to him. He had witnessed first hand how much Henry meant to him, as well.

“I’m sorry, Louis.” Daumier hung his head.

“It isn’t me you should be apologizing to, and don’t insult any of us by saying it out of obligation here and now.” Daumier nodded and passed them their clothes. Louis helped Henry dress, and shredding his own t-shirt to bandage the wound on Henry’s leg.

“Weren’t you a bit harsh with him?” Henry asked as he watched Louis’ fingers tie the strips of cloth. Louis paused and looked into his eyes.

“No. I don’t think so. Would you rather I let them tear you to pieces? Should I have had no reaction to the fact that my second in command and best friend neglected your safety?” Louis couldn’t help but feel annoyed with Henry He had every right to be just as annoyed and angry as he was, and yet…ah, right. The omega. The peacekeeper. Louis couldn’t help the smile that formed on his lips. “You really do want to fit in here, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do. You don’t have to kick Pierre out. I can’t say it would be easy to continue living under the same roof as him, but--” Before Henry could finish his sentiment, Louis cut him off with a shake of his head.

“It’s not that simple. He defied a direct order. As Alpha, I can no longer ignore it. He has figured out subtle ways around my rules before, but he never openly defied them out of hostility or blatant disrespect. I have been too soft on him in the past. I will lose the trust of my pack, even those not living under my roof, if I ignore it.” Louis knew an assertion of his own dominance was necessary. Louis wondered how no one had figured Henry out if this was the way he had led the Coastal Maine Wolves.

“How did you do it? Lead by assertion when you were supposed to Alpha, that is? It isn’t in your nature.”

Henry chose his words carefully. “It became my nature when it had to be. I regret showing the level of assertion that I did, just to appease some of the members of my former pack, but it was necessary to keep up the ruse. Had I been a true Alpha, a lot more would have been affected, and the fragile peace I had created would have crumbled.”

“Then you can understand why I have to take a stance with Pierre.”

“I can understand it, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

“True, I can respect that. When we get back I will need to speak privately with the other members of the house. Would you do me the honor of moving into my room? I’m going to need you in my arms when I finish speaking with them tonight.”

Henry stopped walking and Louis looked down at him. Henry turned his face up and gave Louis a quick kiss before they reached the vehicles. Louis cupped his cheek and leaned down, kissing him more passionately. When he was finished, Henry’s eyes were dilated, and his lips were parted.

“Yes, I will be there, waiting for you.” Louis felt the growl of satisfaction rumble in his chest.

When they got back to the cars, Louis helped Henry into the passenger seat of the vehicle he was driving, and found Pierre was already in the back seat of the car Daumier was driving. Lizette was sitting next to him and trying to speak to him, but Pierre was ignoring her. It was just as well. She was going to hate Louis for a while, but maybe after a time, she would learn to live without Pierre, and understand Louis’ actions. Or maybe she would follow Pierre when he left. The thought made Louis cringe. He really hoped he had worked with Lizette long enough and shown her she had every reason to stay, but that decision would have to be her own.

Louis glanced at Daumier, who quickly looked away. He could already feel the anger towards his best friend abating, and he wanted to go to him and make amends, but there were others who needed him more. Louis checked in with Phillip, and the old man recounted the story that Henry had been helping him hunt.

“I suspect he offered because I had offered to help him legally against the southern packs seizing his assets. I hope I have not overstepped my bounds, Louis. You have been so good to me.” Louis cupped the back of the neck of the porky old man and shook his head.

“Of course not. I welcome your assistance. After you have rested tonight, please start making a case for him.”

Phillip perked up immediately. “I will! With pleasure!”

Louis was grateful for Phillip, and glad for all the times Phillip found something worth fighting for. Each time someone needed his help it revived him with a renewed sense of purpose and he seemed years younger.

“Perfect!” Louis squeezed Phillip’s neck gently and then moved on to Colette, Matthew, and the kids who were already sound asleep.

“I’m sorry, Colette. Please forgive me.” He scooped her into a hug, knowing as a submissive she would be grateful for the extra contact with him. She trembled, but not out of fear. She had learned that he rarely became angry, and if he did it was never with her. She trembled out of joy for the contact and reassurance, and without saying anything, Louis knew he had been forgiven for the altercation that her kids had witnessed. He would have to play with them in the morning to reassure them that everything was okay.

“Matthew?” Louis looked at Matthew, who was fiddling with his glasses.

“I can’t say I am happy that Henry is here, but I respect your wishes and I only hope future conflict can be avoided so that it is not in front of Colette and the kids.” Louis pulled him into a quick hug, Matthew relaxing a little at the gesture.

“I hope for the same. Thank you for taking care of them. They couldn’t ask for a better father than the one they have in you. Together we will make sure everyone is safe, yes?”

Matthew nodded and put his glasses back on. Louis had learned that when Matthew was feeling insecure, he took them off. The behavior suggested that he was hiding from view of the world around him. Matthew didn’t want to witness negativity. It reminded Louis of the fight or flight response. It was Matthew’s way of taking flight from uncomfortable situations. Louis knew when Matthew put his glasses back on he had gained some measure of confidence back in himself and he was ready to face whatever challenges were presented to him.

Satisfied that he had done what was necessary to begin to remedy the situation, Louis returned to the car. He found Henry leaning against the door of the passenger seat with his eyes closed.

“Are you alright?” He touched Henry’s cheek and he opened his eyes. Henry was pale, Louis was worried.

“Yes, just very tired. Can we go home?” Henry murmured. Louis smiled at that. He was about to respond, but found Henry’s eyes closing again, so instead he started the car and drove back into the city.

When they arrived home, he gently nudged Henry awake and told him to head upstairs. Matthew helped Colette with the sleeping kids, and Phillip trudged after them, yawning loudly. Louis felt slightly vindicated when no one but Lizette bothered to say a few parting words to Pierre, who was hanging back in the driveway.

“So that’s it then, you’re really kicking me out?” Pierre hissed at Louis. His manipulative anger didn’t get to Louis anymore, not after his actions that night. He nodded stoically, entirely unmoved.

Lizette burst into tears at his side. She reached out to embrace Pierre, but he batted her hands away. “Who’s it going to be? Him or me, Lizzy?”

Louis knew for certain then that Pierre was no longer a member of his pack. He was a cast off, a lone wolf, a stray, an outsider--far beyond Louis’ help. The bond had been broken between them, and Louis felt the enormous responsibility he had carried for Pierre lift off of him. Pierre was no longer his concern. Maybe he shouldn’t have been all along.

Louis remained calm when Pierre posed the question to Lizette. He was giving her an ultimatum, which wasn’t fair, but she had to make up her own mind. Lizette knew what Louis had done for her. He didn’t need to point it out to her.

“Pierre, it isn’t that simple,” she cried.

“Yes, it is. Choose. Him or me.” Pierre’s face was pinched with rage, and Louis was glad Daumier chose that moment to come forward with Pierre’s bag of personal items. He had been loitering near the side door entrance to the house, and as jilted as things might be with Daumier currently, Louis was grateful Daumier had his back.

“Pierre!” she pleaded, but he shoved her away. Louis stepped up and caught her when she stumbled, and Daumier shoved his bag at him.

“Leave, Pierre. And don’t come back,” Louis said through gritted teeth. Lizette turned her face into his chest and cried as Pierre slung his bag over his shoulder and sneered.

“You made a mistake, Louis LaFavre. Kicking me out was the wrong move.” He pointed at Louis and then turned and walked down the driveway. It took every ounce of strength Louis had to remain still and not retaliate, but instead he stroked Lizette’s back and hair.

When she realized who was consoling her, she glared up at him. “You didn’t have to kick him out!” she cried.

Louis sighed and shook his head. “Lizette, I explained myself once. I am sorry for the deception. I honestly thought I was protecting everyone, and in the end, maybe I have.” He watched Pierre’s retreating form slinking out of view, and then turned back to Lizette. “Henry came to us in need of help, and he still needs us. He’s an omega, Lizette. We need him, too.”

“No, we don’t. We don’t need him. We were fine the way we were without him!” She ran, she ran into the house instead of down the driveway after Pierre. Louis rubbed the bridge of his nose between his fingers and sighed.

“Go ahead, Daumier. Say it,” he groaned. He was bone tired, but he might as well have it out now with Daumier.

“I was wrong, Louis, and I’m sorry. I don’t fully trust him--you can’t ask that of me yet--but I recognize I was wrong in not protecting him to the best of my ability. I want to earn back your trust.”

Louis looked up. He wasn’t a man to cry often, but he felt the sting of tears. “You mean that?”

“Yes. I will apologize in person when Henry wakes up. I am willing to try to get to know him better, because of what he did for Phillip tonight, helping him hunt. And the way he tries to interact with everyone. Most new wolves wouldn’t bother, not for the first few weeks anyway. I can see what you mean by peacekeeper. He really does just want a place to fit in. I was wrong to pre-judge his character, and I will tell him so. I can also appreciate that he was willing to continue living under the same roof as Pierre.” Louis tensed but Daumier held up his hands. “Don’t get me wrong, it was time for that man to go, but just the fact that Henry was willing to try. That speaks volumes for his character.”

Louis nodded and held up his arm. He needed to touch his best friend, whether a handshake, hug or other sign of affection. Hell, he’d take a fist bump at this point, because as much as he wanted to make contact with Daumier, he needed Daumier to accept him again as well. And so he was grateful when Daumier stepped in and he was able to wrap his palm around the back of Daumier’s neck gently and massage him. Daumier closed his eyes and they pressed their foreheads together, which in his opinion was better than any fist bump could have been.

“Let’s not make it awkward,” Daumier joked, and Louis was glad to have his friend back. “You have a mate upstairs waiting for you.” Louis pushed on his shoulder.

“You think he’s my mate? So soon?” Louis asked. He ass-planted himself against the tail gate of the SUV and Daumier sat next to him.

“Yes. Wolves don’t get a say in when they mate. Could be a day, could be months or years. When it happens, it just happens. That and The Incredible Hulk vibe you were giving off when Henry was injured.”

“I should have gone up with him, helped him up the stairs. Damn.”

“Don’t worry, Colette went to him immediately and bandaged him up. I took the liberty of checking in on him, and he’s sound asleep in that monstrosity of a bed you have.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s the least I can do.”

Louis chuckled, then frowned. “The Incredible Hulk?” He looked at Daumier.

“You know how protective the Hulk is of his girlfriend. Even if he was barbaric.”

“Are you calling me a barbarian?”

“No, I’m saying you are like the Hulk. Despite the harsher instincts of your wolf, you are able to see through it and be gentle with those around you, giving them the affection and unity they need.”

“Ah, I see. So, I’m sometimes boneheaded, but a unifying leader nonetheless?”

“Yes.” Daumier threw him a wicked grin. “Which is why I would like to propose that you send out an email of your own, calling a summit to all of your closest allies and even your potential allies in Portland. Bring the tribes together, Louis, and prove that the feud is unfounded, and that Henry has the right to remain here.”

The sheer brilliance of Daumier’s plan had Louis’ heart thumping with hope that there might be an outcome to their current predicament that wouldn’t end in blood shed. He clapped Daumier on the shoulder. “Can you compose the email? I want to go tell Henry the plan.”

He finally got his fist bump as Daumier went off to reach out to the farthest corners of Maine, and he finally got to crawl into bed and scoop his lover up into his arms. Louis had stopped off at the kitchen and grabbed leftover steak and potatoes for a breakfast in bed kind of meal, and bounded up the steps two at a time, tiptoeing past Gabrielle and Giraud’s rooms so as not to wake them.

When Louis entered the room, he checked the fresh bandage on Henry’s leg by lifting the covers. Then he leaned over and kissed the side of Henry’s face, waking him gently.

“I have good news. Wake up. I brought you something to eat because you didn’t catch anything on the hunt.” Henry’s eyes fluttered open and Louis smiled down at him. Louis turned and picked up the tray and Henry took one look at it, leaned over the side of the bed and grabbed the waste paper basket, retching. When Henry sat back up, Louis had tossed the tray on the side table which landed with a clang, causing the dishes to clink and the food to splatter.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Louis knelt beside the bed. Henry looked confused as he sat up and cupped his stomach.

“Cramps. I have the worst cramps and…” He was cupping his abdomen and they both looked where his hands were pressed against his belly. It was swollen and protruding past the waistband of his pajama pants.

Louis was confused for a moment and then time seemed to stop as he realized....

“God! It’s not possible...”

“What? What’s wrong with me?” Henry whimpered as he doubled over again and grabbed the waste basket. Louis rubbed his back as he stared down at him in wonder.

“Henry, it’s okay, nothing is wrong with you… you’re fine. You’re more than fine. You’re… pregnant!”