Running with the Pack - 18. Chapter 18

“A solitary tear of happiness ran down Ethan’s face. “Aiden, I’m ready...”

“Are you sure? I mean really sure? It hasn’t been that long since you found out you weren’t entirely human. As much as I want to bite you right now, I just want you to be sure.” Aiden stared intensely into his mate’s eyes as though searching for something. He was trying to decide if Ethan was truly ready. Was this just an attempt to try and prove to himself he could be turned and fully become his mate?

A mischievous grin spread across Ethan’s face. “I wasn’t talking about you turning me yet.”

Aiden cocked his head questioningly, his eyes widened as he picked up the scent of arousal. “Oh.” It was the only thing he could manage to get out of his mouth. “Umm. I guess we should tell people we’re leaving.”

“Well, only if you’re sure you’re ready.” Ethan gave him a cheeky smile.

All of a sudden, the muscular lycan felt flustered as he readjusted himself to a less uncomfortable angle. They quickly walked back to where the festival was dying down, and said their goodnights to everyone. They let Rafe and Mary know where Ethan would be for the night. The drive back to the apartment didn’t take very long, but it took longer than either of them liked.

Once they were in the apartment and the door had closed, Ethan jumped into his boyfriend’s arms. He wrapped his own around the muscular neck and his legs around the lycan’s narrow waist. Latching his mouth over Aiden’s, their tongues fought for dominance, but settled for a tie. He clawed at his man’s shirt as he worked to remove it.

The favor was returned with large hands running up and down the back of the smaller body. Aiden kissed down the side of his pup’s face, and worked his way to his favorite spot at the base of the neck. He had to use all his willpower to keep his wolf in check so his fangs wouldn’t drop and bite into the tender flesh. He settled for suckling and play biting the spot since he knew it drove Ethan wild. He pulled back a little and gazed into his pup’s eyes, tipped his head, baring his neck to his mate. Ethan mimicked what his boyfriend had done, and went after the same spot. There was definitely going to be a mark on both in the morning. Aiden felt if it wasn’t his mating mark, this was the next best thing.

He carried his mate into the bedroom and gently laid him down. They made quick work of removing the remaining clothes, and resumed kissing while maintaining as much body contact as possible. Aiden had always had fairly passive partners, but loved how aggressively Ethan went after what he wanted. Nothing was rushed, but there was an urgency both felt.

Ethan took the lead, straddling his boyfriend’s stomach, he leaned down, feverishly kissing the man. Pulling back, he grabbed a bottle of lube off the night stand. He grinned as the eyes below him flashed amber at the realization of what was about to happen. His own eyes took on their now familiar blue glow. With a skilled hand, Ethan had them both prepped and moved into position, placing his hands on the furry chest below him, he began lowering himself. It took some effort due to the size, but he finally reached his goal of having Aiden completely inside him.

The urgency of moments before was replaced by a passion neither had thought possible. Nothing was quick now as they transitioned from lust into slow, purposeful lovemaking. There was no need for instant gratification. All that existed now was a need to show the other how much love there was. Words between them would have been meaningless as there were none to convey what they felt. They moved from position to position with a skill that would have impressed even an Olympic gymnast; neither allowed the contact to be lost.

Aiden fought to not lose control and shoot. After what seemed forever, he slowed their motion until it stopped and eased himself out, much to his pup’s displeasure. The lull was only temporary as he flipped the smaller body over and straddled his waist. He grabbed the lube and wrapped his hand around Ethan’s hardness before applying a generous amount to himself. He grinned seeing the reaction on the beautiful face below him. He had always been the top with his partners, but with his mate it was going to be equal give and take or nothing at all. The entry was much slower and more painful than he expected, but when it was complete, he couldn’t believe how good it felt to have his pup inside him.

When one got too close, they switched until the other neared his peak. This went on for over two hours until Ethan was unable to stop, and Aiden wouldn’t let him pull out. Ethan’s eye’s glowed brightly as their passion reached its peak and their tongues mingled. Aiden felt an unfamiliar warmth spread through him as his mate became the first to ever shoot inside him. The sensation nearly put him over the edge.

With one need sated and another growing, Ethan lowered the legs from his shoulders. He once again straddled his boyfriend, rocking back until he had nine thick, pulsing inches of throbbing meat deep inside, where he wanted it.

Aiden held his mate’s glutes in his large hands as the two worked together. As he neared his own peak, a part of him wanted to pin down his pup, and take him hard like so many in the past. In his heart though, he was overjoyed to be making love for the first time in his life. The heat that enveloped his shaft and their long back and forth pushed him over the edge. Aiden eyes took on a bright amber glow as he came deep within his mate.

Ethan luxuriated at the feel of his muscular wolfman filling him with all he had to offer. Their passion satisfied for the moment, the two fell into a deep slumber with Aiden still inside him. Ethan, lulled to sleep by the rhythmic beats in the chest his head rested on felt safer than he ever had, wrapped in the protective arms of who he knew was his mate.

******

Dan and Helen met outside the pack offices on the Monday following the big 4th of July weekend. The previous day’s excitement was drowned out by the reality of what was to come.

“I guess we should get this over with.” Dan was uncharacteristically hesitant.

“It’s not going to get any easier if we wait.” Helen placed a hand on the younger beta’s shoulder.

“Part of me wishes the entire council was meeting with him, but I’m also happy it’s only you going in with me.”

She nodded as they walked to the building and notified the alpha’s assistant they needed to see him.

Dan knocked and waited for permission to enter.

The alpha stepped out from behind his desk. The sullen eyes conveying much. “Helen, Dan. From the expressions on your faces it’s safe to say this isn’t going to be a pleasant meeting. But we really didn’t expect it to be, did we?”

Helen gave him a hug. “I wish this meeting was under better circumstances, John.”

“Well, I was expecting it. Let me get Jackie since this involves her as well.” He returned a few minutes later with his mate.

“Hello, Helen, Dan.” Jackie hugged them both while projecting the strength they had come to know from their luna.

John pointed to the chairs in the corner of his office. “Why don’t we take a seat and get started?”

Helen and Dan presented the evidence as it was known. She took the lead, and covered aspects of pack and Lycan Council laws violated. They covered accusations made by several younger wolves who had been too fearful before to speak up. And finally, the statements Michael made when questioned by the council.

Jackie paled at what she heard about her own son. Knowing what he had planned, she thought she was going to be more prepared to hear all this. The woman who was always the silent pillar of strength for her mate and the pack was visibly shaking, one hand covering her mouth discovering all her son’s crimes.

“Jackie, you and John have been the best possible parents any pup could have. Whatever’s going on with him is not because of anything you or John did wrong.”

Jackie wiped tears from her eyes. “Thank you, Helen. It’s very hard to hear things like this about one’s own child. Especially when it’s your only child.” She was quiet for a moment debating speaking up as she was about to in front of others. “I know you asked the council to recommend punishment. We’ve already discussed it, and it’s ultimately your decision as pack alpha, John. With everything laid out by Helen and Dan it seems there are only two options, exile, or having him put down. He’s my son and I love him unconditionally regardless of anything he’s done, but I don’t want to ever see him in a position of becoming alpha and destroying everything that’s been built here.”

“You may quietly work behind the scenes to make it appear I’m the sole leader here, but this is our pack and our son, my luna. As with everything, as an alpha pair, the decision is ours together.” John’s voice wavered as his own emotions nearly overtook him.

“John, Jackie. The council’s vote was five to one for recommending exile for both Michael and Chris. We looked at every option including prison time, but knowing that prohibits exile for two years following release, exile seemed the best option. Unless he had some miracle change in prison, we’d be right back here once he was released.” Dan handed over the official certification of the tribunal.

John nodded. “Jackie and I had already come to the same conclusion. We needed the council’s input. For the sake of the pack and for our own peace of mind. It may be a sign of weakness, but I’m not sure I could have put my own son down. Thank you both, and I’m sorry I placed this burden on you.” John held his mate as she cried.

Helen and Dan stood, and gave a respectful nod before departing.

John whispered in his mate’s ear once they were alone. “I’ll try to find him a home with another pack, though I don’t know if anyone will take the son of an alpha that’s been exiled by his own father.”

“John, make me one promise. If you can’t find a pack to take him in, one of us will put him down.”

A single tear ran down his cheek as he nodded. He held his mate tight, the true counterpart to his very soul, his confidant, and the mother to the pack.

******

Aiden was the first to wake and noticed the clock said 11:43 a.m. He was happy neither of them had work, or they would have both been very late. He gently untangled himself from the beautiful body beside him, and made his way to the bathroom to relieve himself. Reentering the bedroom, his mate looked so peaceful. His thoughts went to the previous night and their love making. He still could not put words to the difference with Ethan versus previous partners, but there was no comparison. Everything about his pup excited him, every touch was special, and everything they did was perfect.

After watching Ethan sleep for a few minutes, Aiden moved back to the bed and laid down as softly as he could. He gently ran is fingers through his mate’s soft hair.

Ethan’s eye’s fluttered open. He rubbed them and stretched to chase away the sleep. As his sight focused, he gazed up to those intense grey orbs of his boyfriend. No, he thought that no longer seemed right, it was his mate’s eyes he was seeing. “Good morning my sexy beast of a wolfman.”

“Good morning to you my sexy, little, sex beast.” He leaned down to get a good morning kiss and wasn’t disappointed.

Both their stomachs picked that moment to loudly growl in a demand for food. They giggled, and Ethan headed to the bathroom to get cleaned up. While Aiden showered, Ethan took a look in the kitchen and found it was sorely lacking in food.

“Hey, don’t you ever go shopping?”

Aiden walked out of the bathroom still drying off, he only wore a sheepish smile. “I’ve been a little preoccupied with going to see someone lately. Haven’t gotten around to buying food. I guess we can go over to the café.”

“It’s not as nice as me making you breakfast in bed, but I guess it’ll do.” A devilish smile crossed his face. “If you don’t put something on soon, I’m just going to have some sausage and cream.”

The two finished getting ready and walked out hand in hand to get a late start to their day.

******

John began making phone calls to a few of the other regional alpha’s he was friendliest with. He was trying to find a pack that would be near a university perhaps his son could get into, and possibly with access for Michael and Chris to get much needed counseling. For all the faults that had developed with Michael, he still wanted his son to succeed in life as any father would. After calling the regional packs and finding no takers, he decided to call a friend on the west coast, the alpha of the Columbia River Pack in Oregon.

“Mark, its John Stockdale from Parker Valley Pack”

“John. It’s been a while. How are you?”

“I’m good, thanks. How’s everything going in Oregon?”

“No complaints here. We’re running smoothly. A few water related issues and dealing with forest fires due to our drought, but we’re working with the neighboring packs to limit any major issues with that.”

“Hopefully, you get some rain and snow this next winter. Listen, Mark, I’m calling to ask for a big favor. One that might be difficult for you to say yes to. I don’t ask this lightly. I’ve got a conflict between a group of four pack members. It has gotten to the point where I’m going to have to exile two of them. Like any alpha, even when a problem crops up with one of my wolves, I don’t want to just abandon them to the wild. I’m trying to find a pack that might be able to take them in on whatever conditions that alpha decides. Hopefully someplace where they can still attend college.”

“Because it’s you asking, I don’t want to say no right off the bat, but doesn’t that risk pushing your problem off onto another pack?”

“Trust me, I’ve thought heavily about that before I decided to call. The thing is one of the two wolves to be exiled is my son. The other is a friend that’s loyal to him.”

“You’re kicking your own son out of your pack? I can’t even imagine how hard it would be to tell one of my own kids they had to leave. I know that’s your only child, so that makes it even harder.”

“It’s not easy. But in the life of an alpha, you sometimes have to make decisions you wish you didn’t. Regardless of family, the pack has to come first.”

“Too true. For me to consider this, I need to ask, what did he do to warrant exile?”

“We have a new pack member that for now is still human. He’s the true mate to one of our wolves my son see’s as a rival. My son won’t accept they’re mates, and has attacked the human a few times in violation of my orders to the entire pack. He intended to go after his rival by taking out the mate, and used his position as my son to blackmail some of his friends to assist him. Among other things, he was charged with disrespecting his alpha, conspiracy to commit murder, rape, and sedition. The charges against my son are very serious. I won’t try to hide that. My hope is perhaps in another pack, where he isn’t the alpha’s son, he can be put back on the right track. I’ll send you the full list of charges if you’d like.”

“Those charges are definitely serious and concerning to me. It’s been a while since I’ve heard of a wolf finding a mate in a human. Are you sure they’re the real deal? It isn’t just them imprinting? With your son involved, I’m surprised you didn’t try to find a new home for the mated couple.”

“Yes, these charges are very serious. They are honest to goodness true mates, there’s no question about it. Since neither the human nor his mate have caused any problem, I don’t want to ask them to leave. It would go against everything I believe in as an alpha. Also with my son being the one to defy my orders in front of the pack, by our laws he’s the one that would have to leave. To be honest, the human has impressed me with how hard he works since joining us, as well as trying to learn our ways.”

“It doesn’t make a difference to me, but is it a same sex couple? We have a few in this pack, so do you think your son would have any problem with them if he comes here?”

“Yes, it is. We have a few same sex mates here as well. My son’s issue seems to be this is the mate of his chief rival to potentially succeeding me as alpha. He admitted his intentions were to take out the mate to destabilize the rival. The human had been abandoned by his family and raised himself. He’s been adopted by a wolf family here who think the world of him. With everything he’s been through in the past, I won’t take his new family from him by asking him and his mate to leave. Just so my son could possibly remain.

“Ultimately, I’m not going to let my son tear apart my pack. Nor any other. If I’m unable to find him a home, I promised Jackie I’d put him down myself. I won’t let him become a danger to other packs. We’ll provide or fund a hunter. Or anyone else needed to escort them both for as long as any host sees a need. I think a situation similar to house arrest with mandatory counseling or your jail might work best at least to start with. But if you host him, that would be your call. I’m not asking that either of them be allowed to roam free after what’s been done.”

“I’m not going to say no to this, but I do need to think about it a little. And I’ll need to discuss it with my beta and enforcer. At the very least, if the two can get into the local university, we should be able to grant them at least temporary visitor status here. With an escort, and some limit on movement, it might be do-able. But if either one were to become a problem, they would be ordered out of our territory. Unless we hold them for you to impose their alternate sentence.”

“Thank you, Mark. Jackie and I appreciate you even considering this. If there is a problem, I give you my pledge I will put one or both down personally.”

******

After getting food in them, Aiden and Ethan went hiking on a trail just out of town, enjoying an extra day off.

“I’ve been thinking about what you thought I was asking for last night. I know I’m still trying to figure out what I am, and what it means to be one of those Elemental things. But I do know one thing for sure. I want you to turn me. I want to be able to run with you as a wolf.”

They stopped and sat at on a fallen log beside the trail.

“Pup, nothing would make me happier than running with you as a wolf. There isn’t any rush though. I just worry a little about all these changes messing with you.”

“I know there isn’t a rush, but I see everyone go on the group runs, and I want to be a part of that at your side. I’m not going to say I’m ready today, but I am saying I want you to do it. When we decide the time is right we’ll know and it will happen, but I do want to be turned.” Ethan blushed as he thought about something. “Do you think we could go for a run here? Umm, maybe you in your wolf?”

Aiden radiated pure joy. “I’d love that, Pup. You really do love my wolf, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I do. He’s hot and sexy with beautiful soft fur that feels good against my skin. It’s not just your wolf, but he is the one I met first, though in your wolf you can’t wrap your arms around me the way I like or do other things. After we get back to your place and before you shower, do you think we could repeat some of what we did last night?” Ethan blushed sheepishly as he pushed his nose close to his mate’s armpit and giggled.

******

“Jackie.” John called out as he got home. He found her sitting in the back garden. “I was wondering where you were.”

“I’m sorry. I guess I was just deep in thought.”

He took her in his arms and held her, noticing she had been crying again. “I know this is hard for both of us, especially you. He’s our son, and I feel like I’m abandoning him.”

“I feel the same way, but I know it’s for the best of the pack. And don’t think for one minute I don’t know how hard this is on you too. You may be able to hide it from others, but not from me. I just can’t believe what he planned on doing to that boy. All to remove a rival. And what he’s done to others in the pack.” She dabbed her eyes with a tissue.

“I might have found a new pack for him. Mark Jennings from Columbia River is considering allowing him and Chris to relocate there. They’d be able to go to school, and if they stay out of trouble eventually earn their freedom. This isn’t a done deal, but there is a chance. If he turns himself around, maybe someday his exile here can be lifted.”

“Well, first things first. Let’s hope Mark will take them.” She held on to her mate. “And let’s hope Michael willingly goes.” She fell silent as she looked down at her hands. The right one began shifting slightly to a more wolf-like paw with long claws. “I still worry that exile isn’t enough and we should put him down because of the danger he represents, but I just can’t do it.”

******

Aiden walked a few yards off the trail, stripped, and dropped to all fours as he shifted. Ethan picked up his clothes and put them in the backpack, before stepping in front of the huge wolf, and running his fingers through the dense fur on his mate’s head.

“I’ll never get tired of seeing you like this.”

The wolf responded by licking the side of Ethan’s face and nuzzling his neck.

“Is there a leash law around here?”

Aiden gave a playful growl to that question.

The two didn’t run, but walked the trail, never loosing contact with each other. Ethan’s fingers were always in Aiden’s fur.

******

It had been a few days since John had spoken to his counterpart from Oregon. He was catching up on paperwork when his assistant put a call through to him.

“Hello, this is John Stockdale.”

“John, its Mark Jennings from Colombia River.”

“Mark, it’s good to hear from you. How are you?”

“I’m good. I wanted to get back to you regarding your request. I’ve discussed the issue with my beta and enforcer. We’ve decided to give the two a chance here with certain stipulations. They will be given a limited visitor status, at least to start with. If they can get into a university or college in the territory, we’ll permit them to live in the dorms. Or they can rent one of the singles apartments. Both will be under house arrest when not in class, and will spend weekends in our jail. They will need to be monitored, both by GPS and escorts, to make sure they don’t cause any problems. If they do, they’ll be held, pending your arrival to either take them back or end their lives. If they do manage to turn themselves around here, a more permanent status can be discussed after a suitable probationary period.”

“I understand. Those are very reasonable terms. I can’t thank you enough.”

“When do you think you’ll be sending them out here?”

“I’ll issue the judgment at our pack meeting this Sunday. They’ll be on the road no later than Monday if it’s not a problem. The paperwork will be submitted to the Lycan Council by Friday. If you forward me your terms, I’ll have those included. Just in case the other option has to be taken. I’d like to have them travel with an armed escort, but it’s doubtful I can get clearance from all packs between you and me for that.”

“No problem at all on this end. I’ll get those documents over to you this afternoon. I wish you and Jackie didn’t have to go through this, but hopefully we can help out your son. I’ve already been in contact with a psychiatrist who will work with them both. Like you said, here he won’t be the alpha’s son, and can hopefully get back on track.”

“Mark, on behalf of Jackie and myself, thank you!”

“I’ll talk to you soon. John. Give Jackie our love.”

With that news, John leaned back in his chair and felt like a partial weight had been lifted from him. Knowing his son would at least have a home and some level of pack.

******

When Aiden and Ethan arrived for the pack meeting, the alpha had them pulled aside to brief them on what was going to happen. He explained all the charges against Michael and Chris, and what had been intended to be the blond human’s ultimate fate.

Ethan was visibly shaken, and paled at hearing they had planned to murder him. He had already come to terms with the knowledge the group intended to rape and beat him. Tears rolled down his face as memories from the streets filled his mind. Twice before he had escaped a similar fate at the hands of men preying on street kids. Wiping his face, his expression hardened.

Aiden’s growl would not yield. “Alpha, I’ve stood by as our laws tried to protect my mate from those who tried to harm him. This time I can’t stand here. I have do something to protect him. It’s not only my right, but my duty. Per our old traditions, I invoke kanly. I demand to challenge Michael to a fight to the death.”

The alpha raked his hand through his hair. “Kanly is still technically part of our laws, but no one has invoked it in decades. I’m sorry, but I can’t allow it.”

“With respect, Alpha. He attacked my mate. Several times. He planned to rape him. He was going to murder my mate. I can’t stand by as he walks free and gets sent away.” Aiden paced, anger was flowing off him in waves. “Damn it, Alpha. Even my wolf is calling for this vendetta to be settled this way. Only tasting his blood as he takes his last breath will let my wolf rest.”

“Aiden, I empathize with what you’re feeling. A part of me wants to put him down for being a threat. As Alpha, I’m doing what I feel is in the best interest of the pack.”

“I may not be the best student, but I pay attention in class and read up on lycan law. Michael and I are both legal age.” Aiden tried to keep his voice calm and respectful, but the growl in it could not be contained. “He committed a major crime against my mate, even if he failed. Not even an alpha is supposed to interfere in a fight between two wolves that’s reached this point. I demand kanly! I demand his blood!”

John’s voice dropped. The tone was one he rarely used. “You will not invoke kanly. You will not challenge Michael to a death match. I understand your anger over this, but you will comply with my decision.” He regretted using his command voice, but knew it was the only way to get Aiden under control for the moment. “Aiden, I’m sorry.”

The younger lycan was not happy, but accepted his leader’s decision. He settled for holding his mate tight as they went to sit with the Tucker family.

All the usual reports were given, promotions in the ranks of hunters and trackers, and notification of Aiden and his fellow cadets pending graduation from the sheriff’s training academy. After all that was out of the way, the alpha gave a nod to Rafe who brought in Michael and Chris along with their hunter escorts.

The alpha took a deep breath, willing himself not to shout. “Michael Stockdale, Christopher Williams, you have both been found guilty of the following offenses: attacking a guest of this pack, attempting to cause harm to an individual, plotting the rape and murder of another person.” He paused in an effort to maintain some level of calm. “Coercion and blackmail of fellow pack members to commit an assault, disregarding a direct order from your alpha, disrespecting your alpha, assault of fellow pack mates, and sedition.” John paused again, allowing the litany of charges to sink into everyone present. “As a result of your actions, I was left with only two options for your punishment, exile or execution. At the recommendation of the council, you are both hereby exiled from the Parker Valley Wolf Pack, and will be released from our jail in the morning with the following non-negotiable conditions.”

His eyes bore into his son’s as he read the terms. “The Columbia River Wolf Pack outside Portland, Oregon has agreed to take you in. I strongly suggest you accept their very generous offer. You will be fitted with a GPS locator to track your position between here and there, as well as for however long Columbia River requires you to wear it. You will have an escort with you until you are deemed not to be a risk to their pack. You will enroll in the University at Portland or any other available college, and provide a minimum of five hundred hours of community service to their pack. Finally, you will be under house arrest when not in class, and will report to their jail on weekends until their alpha tells you otherwise.

“If you attempt to deviate from the travel path set out for you, the hunters following you have instructions to capture if possible, and kill if needed. Should you manage to evade them, you will immediately be listed as a rogue wolf with the Lycan Council. You will be put to death upon your capture. Failure to abide by the terms setup by Columbia River Wolf Pack, or causing any problems while there, will likewise result in your execution.”

There was a very audible gasp around the hall at the alpha passing such a stiff sentence against his own son.

Chris stood in tears. He never dreamed when this started that following his best friend would get him exiled from the pack, or place him at risk of execution. Being that his friend was the alpha’s son, he thought it would get him off the hook for the minor stuff, and just receive a slap on the wrist or some jail time for the rest. But not this. He looked to his parents, finally seeming to understand he took things way too far, and just how stupid he’d been.

Michael’s reaction was different. “YOU CAN’T EXILE ME OR DICTATE MY LIFE. IT’S MY BIRTHRIGHT TO BE THE NEXT ALPHA OF THIS PACK. How can you do this to your own son? Taking the side of some fuckin mutt and his human whore...”

“SILENCE!” The alpha’s eyes flashed extremely bright, his right hand transformed into a paw with claws extended and ready to strike. He was seriously considering Aiden’s earlier demands. His voice coming across as a deep growl. “One more word and you forfeit your life here and now. This pack has not put someone to death in over fifty years, but at this moment we are closer than we’ve ever been in that time. It is no wolf’s birthright to be an alpha. Especially one that disregards our most sacred laws and traditions. To be an alpha is an honor that must be earned, not stolen through an act of cowardice.

“With your recent actions, as well as what we’re learning you’ve been doing in the dark for some time, there is no chance I would ever allow you to become alpha of this pack. You used your position as my son to blackmail others into doing what you wanted. Regardless of how many of our laws you were breaking. Being my son does not shield you from our laws. The Columbia River Wolf Pack will give you refuge. You’ll be able to attend the university there, and allowed to build a new life. You are being offered a chance at life, which is something you were not willing to offer Ethan Scott when you plotted to rape and murder him. By high sun tomorrow, you will be out of the territory of this pack, and not return. If you reenter my territory without permission, you will be treated as a rogue wolf and be put to death.”

The alpha focused his glare on Chris. “Christopher Williams, do you accept the terms placed before you?”

Shaking in fear, he managed to squeak out. “Yes, Alpha. I accept exile with any terms set for me.”

“Michael Stockdale, do you accept the terms of exile or do you choose to be put down here and now?”

Michael glared back. “Of course I accept exile, you fucking asshole. I won’t give you the satisfaction of killing me.” He wanted to say more, but for once, kept his mouth shut.

The alpha motioned for them to be taken away. Everyone remained silent until he called the meeting to a close.

Ethan made his way over to Jackie. “Ma’am, I’m so sorry that me coming here lead to this. I’ll voluntarily leave if it means your family doesn’t have to be broken up.”

“Thank you, Ethan, but it had nothing to do with you coming here. Please don’t think that. He violated too many of our laws and must be punished. If he hadn’t targeted you, it would have likely been someone else. I’m the one who’s sorry for what he planned on doing to you.”

Jackie gave Ethan a long hug and he returned it with as much need as she had for it.

******

The alpha followed his son and Chris back to the jail along with Chris’ parents. They were pleading for the alpha to reconsider their son’s exile, while thanking him for finding a new home for him, and not just casting him out.

“I can’t believe you’re exiling me.” Michael’s voice was cold and hard.

“You left me little choice. You’re lucky the council didn’t recommend execution.”

“Oh please. You’re the alpha. The rules don’t apply to you. You could have told the council to go fuck themselves.”

“Being an alpha, the rules apply even more. If you had even a trace of what it takes to be one, you’d know that. Hopefully, in a new pack you’ll be able to get your life back on track. Your clothes will be packed in your car. Anything else from your room you want will be shipped once you get settled. You and Chris will be escorted to our border tomorrow morning. You’re expected to head directly for Portland. The charges and punishment have already been filed with the Lycan Council, and all council packs notified.”

“You’re obviously getting weak, old man. I should have challenged you and taken what’s rightfully mine.”

“Regardless of what you think, you’re mother and I love you unconditionally. But you crossed a line you cannot retreat from when you attacked Ethan on that bridge. You don’t even see it as wrong that you were going to rape and murder him, do you? To you, it is a perfectly acceptable way of getting a stronger wolf out of your way without having to go up against him directly.”

The alpha walked away from Michael’s cell before he did kill his son. His wolf instincts were telling him it should be done, and caused his hand to turn into a large paw once again. His human instincts told him he needed to see if his son could be turned around. He finally returned to stand before his son’s cell, his eyes boring into Michael.

“As your now former alpha, once you’ve left the territory, if you ever set foot within our borders without permission you will be put down. If you give your new host pack any trouble, you will be held until I can arrive to solve the problem. I’ve tried my best to be a good father, and help guide you to someone I’d be proud to take over when my time is done. It sickens me to see what you have become. All because you thought it would be easier to go after a rival’s mate instead of taking that wolf on in an honorable challenge. I always taught duty and honor to the pack, not hate towards others.”

“I’m glad to be done with a pack that accepts humans into it. It’s almost as bad as the non-wolf shifters you allow to live in the territory. Take your unconditional love, and shove it up your ass.”

The alpha walked out shaking his head, wondering where he went wrong as a father as well as if it was a mistake to not kill his son now.

Like a petulant child, Michael sat in his cell letting his anger about being exiled stew. This was to be his pack; he was supposed to become its alpha following his father, grandfather, and three additional generations of Stockdales. Everything that was his was taken away because of Aiden and his human. He never considered his own actions and hatred brought it on. All that mattered right now was his father had chosen another wolf and a stray over him.