Guardian - 22. The League of Wolves

“The League of Wolves had begun in the 1800s.” Leon began as Orion and Tristan took their seats, other members of the pack making their way in as they sat down and listened to the old wolf speak. “It had started down in Mexico when the Alpha of the Southeast made an agreement with the Central Alpha.”

“What of the Valley of Mexico?” Leon looked at Orion when he popped the question.

“The Central Alpha’s brother was in charge of the area during that time but had given allegiance to his brother during the hard times. So in general, only a beta was in charge of the area at the time. Back to the story, it was Joaquin Ruiz who began to work on gathering the packs beneath one leader. The reason behind it however was not the Jarkla, but the growing threat of hunters. Loners at the time were drawing too much attention and began to attack humans without caring who they affected. The hunters began to attack the packs that they linked to the area and because of that, most packs began to take shelter in the wilds. It began to speed up when Immigrants started to pass the borders. As the years rolled by, it was soon the beginning of the Mexican-American war.”

“How was it that for about fifty years the Hispanic packs hadn’t ventured up further, or the hunters for that matter?” A younger werewolf asked. Leon gazed at the young woman before clearing his throat and answering.

“Only forty-eight years to be exact. The reason behind it was when the war began. Most stayed south of the border because of the growing threat of hunters north of it. While they were suffering, the hunters in the states were cutting down on many packs. We were so scattered back then that very few were even safe. Your ancestor Orion, Jonathan Roxis, was a guardian of a young Jarkla at the time. She was able to protect his pack up north in the Dakotas. He had made an allegiance with Lucas who ruled over the North East parts. Because of the crackdown of hunters, Lucas had requested the Jarkla come live with him. At first Jonathan refused, but the Jarkla at the time was stubborn about getting the pack to safety. As Lucas had the Jarkla in his possession, Jonathan traveled down to Texas during the first year of the war and helped some werewolves gain entrance from Mexico. It didn’t sit well with the humans as they thought he was betraying his country and many wolves died during that war as he tried to help. As the years progressed and the war ended, things settled down with the Mexican packs and together with Nickolas of the West pack, Jonathan created another alliance with them, promising that the Jarkla would visit.”

“It was when Jonathan returned to his home in the north that he felt a sudden pain. You see, Lucas wanted the Jarkla to himself, and had raped her in order to force a bond. However, this particular Jarkla had loved Jonathan and because of the sudden pull from him, she had acted in defense and in a very tragic mishap, her life was taken while helping loners escape some nearby hunters. After that, there was a big uproar between the packs but it was settled when the next Jarkla came of age and was taken by Jamal, who lived in the northern territories of Canada.”

“He had heard of this alliance and was very gentle, and rather old when he found the young Jarkla. He was training his replacement and hadn’t bonded yet. With the help of Brittany Rosario, his successor took guardianship and he stepped down. To merge the packs, they married and that Jarkla was the first to have dual-guardians.”

“Dual-guardians? You said that was a myth.” Orion couldn’t help but mutter to the old wolf. Leon chuckled.

“I still think it is. How I heard about it was that initially the one who gained guardianship still feels everything but if mated, his mate can at least feel the same pain but only a bit. Similar to the beginning of the bond when the Jarkla is not of age.” Leon motioned to Tristan. “How Tristan shows markings of the Jarkla’s-““Gabriel.” Orion and Tristan said in perfect unison.

“Gabriel’s wounds. Rare but possible.” Leon took a breath, drinking some tea as the others murmured quietly until he began again. “My ancestor Matthew was a solider in the years coming up to when the American civil war began. Up to that point, the hunters hadn’t ventured too far to the west of the colonies. The west was still covered with Native Americans and there was an agreement with most, as werewolves and tribal members were mostly related. It wasn’t until after the civil war and when the settlements began to venture west that hunters began to move further into our territory. Everything was falling apart and the amount of hunters was so high that the packs had no choice but to band together to deal with the threat. It wasn’t until the early 1900s that the alphas of Canada and the United States began an actual paper treaty, which the Guardian of the Jarkla held at his house or area of resident. Later on, the Hispanic packs of Mexico signed also. It lasted for several years afterward, but it was the sudden fight and surge to gain the Jarkla that caused everything to fall apart.”

It was Tasha’s turn as she placed her cup down. “So it was the Jarkla…” She wished her statement was softer as the group looked to the beta. Leon nodded.

“Yes. Though our ancestors tried to be thoughtful and generous with the Jarkla in the beginning when our mother first created the treaty, the sudden want and urge to have such power to reign over the packs became a greedy need. Most began to rape the Jarkla before its maturity in order to gain such power and thus the Jarkla was nothing more than a tool.” As the man continued to speak, Orion suddenly found himself thinking hard on the phrase he heard. ‘I feel like I’m nothing but a tool.’ He remembered Gabriel’s words back when he was teaching him how to swim. It had only been a week since he heard that. The way Leon had first described things, the Jarkla was a beacon of hope, hope that the hunters would leave, that the Jarklas would protect them. Orion stood slowly as a large discussion began, but he wanted no part. He left the group, leaving them and walking upstairs to his room. Was he just going to give up? He stood before the dresser and pulled open a drawer. He had placed all of the clothes they bought Gabriel in there. Orion grabbed one of the shirts and moved back to the bed, sitting down and holding the shirt in his hands. Call him strange, but Orion brought it up and took a deep breath. Gabriel’s scent was still on it from when he had tried it on back in the store. It was faint but there. He sighed and closed his eyes.

“Gabriel just stay inside tonight.” The teen threw his hands up and groaned as I told him to stay, the seriousness of my tone sounding like I was speaking to my sons.

“But I want to see you guys during the full moon.” Of course he did. How could I expect anything less from him after how oddly ‘well’ he had taken it at first during his kidnapping away from the human world?

“I know you do but not tonight alright? I’m not sure if I can handle myself when you’re down there. You’re 16 and, to us, are mature. So please, for your own safety stay in the room.” The look he gave me almost made me want to just grab him and kiss him. What was I now? Some love-struck teen with raging hormones? It bothered me until he spoke again.

“So in all truth you’re saying that you might rape me if I’m down there.” I hated how he put it so bluntly but then again, I began to think he got that from me. I couldn’t help but sigh and run my hand through my hair.

“If you want to put it so bluntly, yes. I would try.” I stared at him while he remained silent, staring at me like he was studying me. I saw the slack in his shoulders and the almost helpless sigh. I almost perked up when his stature reeked with defeat.

“Fine. I’ll stay in the room. Can I at least watch from the window or are you going to say ‘No’ to that too?” His disgruntled tone gave away that he was upset at me. I would rather have him upset at me than having to deal with him after I could possibly rape him during the full moon.

“Yes you can watch from the window. Don’t get smart.” I snapped at him. He only raised a brow at me which I found somewhat confusing.

“You rub off on me. Can’t help it.” He moved away and turned to the bathroom. “I’m going to shower before dark.”

“No leaving the room,” I reiterated.

“Jesus Orion I won’t leave the room alright. I just said I wouldn’t.”

“You’re a teenager, I hardly believe it,” I muttered. He only shook his head and walked into the bathroom. I heard the click of the lock and took that moment to leave him alone.

“Orion?” The man looked up to see Leon leaning in the doorway of the room, gazing at the younger alpha. “You took your leave pretty quickly there. Everything alright? Or did you not enjoy the tale?” he questioned. Orion gave a soft laugh, smiling a bit as he rubbed the shirt’s fabric between his fingers.

“The tale was fine Leon. You should invest in being a history teacher,” he muttered, earning a laugh from the older wolf. Leon walked over and sat on the bed next to him.

“You are thinking about him aren’t you?”

“What he said once, yes. When I was teaching him how to swim just last week, he said that he felt like nothing but a tool. After your tale about it, I just start to wonder if building the League once more will make a difference or will it end up again in ruin with the drive for power.” Leon didn’t answer Orion as he stayed quiet, allowing the two to think.

“The Jarkla has always been a tool Orion. Nothing can change that,” murmured the old man.

“I can’t believe that Leon, I can’t believe it because Gabriel seems like he won’t do it. He is different.”

“He is no different from any other Jarkla that tried.” The sudden disgruntled tone that Leon used caught Orion off guard as he glanced up at him when he stood. “It’s not like he was the only one that tried to not be what they are. The moon created them for one reason and one reason only, to give rule to the wolf who claimed them as their guardian.” Orion stood, the sudden feel of anger swelling in his gut.

“I refuse to believe that. Why would a mother do that to her child? There must be more to it, more than we know. It’s different this time, there’s Neil. He—“

“You still believe that pup is the child of the Jarkla before him? Bullshit Orion. It was probably some bitch who hated her life.” Orion never felt such anger before as he snarled and his sudden change caught Leon off guard as both men morphed. Leon’s bright grey fur contrasted against Orion’s charcoal black coat that had several streaks of white and grey along his face.

“I know what I saw! He is the child of their love and Gabriel’s stronger than you think!” Orion snarled at him. Leon growled back, his lips curled over his muzzle.

“You are still naïve Orion, and though I disagree with the reason behind rescuing it, the only reason I’m backing you up is to destroy your brother. He’s testing the waters and the hunters are once again rising.” Hackles were raised, throaty growls were echoing in the room and halls. Their tails erect as Orion’s ears moved from being flattened against his head to perk forward.

“Hunters? They are rising?” he questioned. Leon continued to hold his defensive stance as he continued to speak.

“Yes. The sudden disappearance of Gabriel has sparked their interest, especially after learning his certain ‘connection’ with animals. They have spoken to others that have been with him. And if you would watch the news, rough sketches of you and several others of your pack have been shown since his picture was recognized by those who saw you on your travels down here. You were an idiot to stop in public areas.” Orion had morphed back, his nude body gleaming with a new sweat as he snarled and paced around the room.

“Shit. I wasn’t even thinking about that, I figured he wouldn’t be noticed.” Leon morphed after him, also nude as he folded his arms and gazed at him.

“No you weren’t. You are in danger of being apprehended if you venture out. They’ve moved the search all across the northern states. Montana through Minnesota.” Orion turned.

“That’s where Scott is. He’s always watching the news, to keep himself updated on current events. There’s no doubt he’s learned about it.”

“And he’ll use it to his advantage. Your brother was never stupid, we already agreed on it. Though you and Tristan believe that the Jarkla--”

“Will you please call him by his name? How hard is it really?” Orion interrupted.

“I can’t help it alright! Stop interrupting me!” Leon growled in frustration before continuing. “Though you two believe Gabriel will keep him busy, there are the times when Gabriel’s sleeping that would be perfect opportunities that Scott can catch himself up. We are playing a dangerous game and if you are in hope of getting anywhere near him, we need to slowly bring the packs together and let them know of the threat. If he continues to lead the way he is, there is no doubt the hunters will learn about him and then it could really get bad. If the hunters get involved, Gabriel will be in even more danger. They will use him against us.” Orion turned and snarled at him.

“Yes I understand that. We’ve been hiding for so long, and so have they. I’m surprised it’s taken them so long to even notice. We must act with urgency then. Soon it’s going to begin to destroy our own safety and not just Gabriel’s.” Leon had finally relaxed, taking a breath as Orion’s words seemed more reasonable.

“I shall begin to gather the packs of Mexico. I have a growing friendship with Maria down in Mexico City. You should send Tristan to gather the Alphas of Canada. Give the young one some training in his duties.” Orion snorted at the sudden command. “Urgency is the key Orion. And next time you spark a sudden anger issue like you had just moments before, you better be ready to fight. Next time I won’t bother to talk.” It was a warning, as well as a threat but Orion said nothing as the man left his room. He had dropped the shirt and bent down to pick it up. He closed his eyes again. Please be strong, he thought, opening his eyes again and placing the shirt on the dresser.