Cernunnos - 23. Chapter 23

He loves me? Cyn studied the lycan’s face with an agape mouth. He’s...I think he’s chosen me as his mate! “I...I love you too, Sheamus.” The grip on his waist was tightened as Shea’s eyes widened in recognition.

Shea could not stop himself as he captured the buck’s open mouth with his own. Yes! Cyn loves me too! After hearing a slight cough in the room, they broke their kiss and the two shifters looked towards the Alpha.

“I can see Cyn has gotten over his fear of Farren’s new authority. Shall we move to the dinner table? There’s much to be discussed and planned for this incoming meeting.” Arric turned to the adjacent dining room, naturally leading the group of shifters as Melinda prepared to serve the meals. The human chef began placing dishes onto the table, but Cyn remained standing. Seeing how Melinda was struggling with bringing out the food, the buck decided to assist.

“Thank you, Mister Cyn. Take these and set them in front of Beta Haynes. We place the meals in order of rank.”

“Oh, o-okay.” Cyn wasn’t quite sure of the ranking system and commonly referred to the chef as to who received their plates next. With everyone’s plates placed, Melinda shooed the deer to be seated as she brought his large bowl of salad. The buck grew disgruntled as Melinda kept working, bringing out freshly sliced bread. I could have helped her. He looked to his right and was met by a passionate stare from Sheamus, and continued searching across the table at everyone. Is...is no one eating?

Arric shifted his posture at the head of the table and interlocked his fingers, “With the events from today, I think it goes without saying that a certain someone deserves our thanks and praise. Cyn,” The meek brown eyes darted towards him at the mention of his name, “your instincts are second to none. I’m sure you are not familiar with lycan traditions, but in a dinner setting as such, the Alpha is to take the first bite to signal the rest to eat. In honor of your bravery and sharp awareness, I offer the privilege of the first bite to you.”

Blinking wildly, Cyn tried to understand the meaning of the custom, but was quickly interrupted by a poke of his elbow, “That means you eat first, little man.” Seeing the disarming smile from Shea, the buck looked at his enormous salad. Gripping the copper fork, he pierced the leafy greens and strands of carrot and onion. Noticing that every eye was on him disturbed him, but not as intensely as he anticipated. He took the bite, savoring the crisp crunch of the lettuce and slight robust flavor.

He swallowed and directed his attention to the Alpha, “Th-thank you, Arric.”

“You are welcome. Now, dig in. We have a lot to talk about before the lower council arrives. First, we must officially remove Eike from his position and send out a mass bulletin of the proclamation. That will lead us into inducting Farren as the new Enforcer.”

Kara set her fork down and posed a question, “Alpha, how much do we reveal to the other council members? I know their loyalty will be tried at the door, but I just have a bad feeling about telling them things that are left unresearched.”

Nodding at her question, Arric took a moment to ponder, “We won’t reveal any details regarding Marric’s death and the property we need to search. I think we can safely describe the situation and all of its happenings prior to today’s findings.” The Alpha flicked his sight to Shea and Cyn, “Enforcer Farren, did you want to go into the next part?”

With a ragged sigh, Shea set his fork down on his bed of pasta and turned in his seat to face his boyfriend, “Cyn, we...we might need you to do something for us during this meeting.” Garnering the attention of the deer, Shea’s heart pounded, hoping that his little man could handle this, “The other council members might want more proof of Eike’s attack. We’re going to try to keep this from being an option, but-”

“You...you want me to tell them?” Hearing Cyn speak up about the idea floored the room’s expectations. Shea couldn’t keep his eyes off of the buck as Cyn calmly took another bite of the salad. The deer subtly set the fork in the ceramic bowl without making a sound, “I...I think I can do that.” Closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath, the slender man nodded, “Yeah, I can do that.”

“Pardon me, little one,” Walter, profoundly perplexed, managed to find his voice, “I’m having a difficult time understanding where you are finding this bravery. Not to be insensitive, but I pictured you taking more time to make this decision. Where is this coming from?”

Cyn looked at the Beta, then at the new Enforcer, “This...this will help you, right?” Earning a nod from the shaggy haired lycan, Cyn smiled, “Then I’ll do it.” Cyn’s instincts were pounding his brain for control but he pushed them aside. I’m not used to doing that, but I...I trust these...these wolves. They’ve done nothing but help me this entire time. The amount of times they had to eat me is countless. "You all have...been nice to me. I just want to help where I can."

A clap sounded through the room and all eyes landed on Arric, “I take back every moment where I called you a little fawn. Cyn, you are impressing me. Regardless, I’ll be having Kara and Jaime watch over you upstairs while the meeting is in progress. Should we need your assistance by recalling your testimony, Farren will come to get you and will remain by your side. Is that acceptable?”

Nodding, Cyn accepted the plan. He zoned into his salad as the others continued to talk about their plans for after the meeting. The deer was focused on controlling his instincts. I need to get a hold of myself. I...I was scared of Sheamus when I didn’t need to be! All it took was for me to tell myself to stop being scared and I ran at him. I think I can do the same with this...this meeting.

The deer’s attention was captured by Melinda, who tried to sneak beside him and offered two small dishes with a mysterious sauce in each of them, “I almost forgot to hand these to you. Just some dressings for your salad.”

“Dressing?” He looked at the tiny bowls in confusion. Sniffing from his seat, he could smell that the one of the left had a foul undertone while the right bowl smelled acidic. “What do I do with them?”

“You can pour them over the salad, but only use one. Together, they don’t compliment each other. This one is a vegan-friendly ranch, and the brown one is called a vinaigrette. Dip your finger in each and decide which one you like the best.”

With Melinda leaving the room, Cyn tasted each one. He tried the vinaigrette first. It’s oily, and it tastes sweet! Pushing past the odor of the off-white cream, Cyn lapped his covered finger and found his choice. Oh! This tastes good! It’s really creamy! Taking the ranch, he poured a light amount over the remainder of his salad and stirred the leaves to get a healthy coating. Collecting the food on his fork, he chewed the salad and found his salad to be much more enjoyable! This is a lot better than the one at the hospital!

Watching his boyfriend find joy in the enhanced dish made the lycan smile. He turned as Kara and Jaime snickered, “Of course he likes ranch. Shea, just make sure he doesn’t start putting it on everything.”

The comment forced Cyn to stop eating and question the lady, “You...you can put this stuff on other things?”

“Uh-oh.” Kara held her forehead in playful dismay.

Jaime blew air from his lips and started to laugh, “See what you did, Kar?” Looking over to the deer, the smaller male made his choice to help the deer’s dietary choices grow in size, “You can put it on cauliflower and use it as a dip for all sorts of things.” It took a moment for Jaime to list several vegetarian food options, and as he listed them, Cyn grew confused at some of the items, “Don’t worry, I’m sure Shea and Melinda will show you some of those. If you like spicy foods, I’d start with the jalapeno poppers.”

Learning about more humanized food to try, Cyn kept a smile on his face for the rest of the dinner. When he saw Melinda come back in to take away the plates, he rose to start helping. As he placed a stack of plates on the counter, he darted his eyes towards the front door. “Sheamus? I think someone’s coming to the door.”

I swear, is everyone’s goal to one-up me? Shea leaned to the side of his chair and peeked through the window behind him, “Yep, got two cars coming in. The guards just approached the vehicles.” He relayed a play-by-play of the scene as he watched a window rolled down and the wolven guards began to retreat into the neighboring woods. Must be some of the council members. “Time to get things ready. Kara, Jaime, take Cyn upstairs.”

“Yes, sir.” The Turbins got up from their chairs and went to secure their friend into the upstairs bedroom.

Arric rose from his seat and trotted for the door, “Walt with me. Shea, cover the stairwell until the meeting starts or until Kara takes over.” Taking their positions, the council prepared for the meeting’s first arrivals. The Alpha opened the door to find two of the lower council members, “Kieran, Shelly.”

The two bent their necks as Kieran acknowledged being greeted, “Alpha Claude, I hope this meeting isn’t a serious one.”

With a huff, Shelly put her hands on her hips and darted her eyes at the poor-postured man, “He wouldn’t call an emergency meeting if it wasn’t serious. Get your head out of your ass, Kieran!”

“Stop, both of you." Arric stood stoically in the door frame, staring down hard at the two, "Before you come in, you are to be subjected to a test of loyalty. Prepare yourselves.”

Shelly’s face went white, “Al-Alpha! What is going on? Is this necessary?”

His face snarled as he withheld his growl, “Got something to hide, Commander Boe?”

“N-no! I’ll take the test.” She stammered as she retraced her steps.

Kieran kept his glazed stare as he bounced his vision between the two, “You know I’m down, Alpha. Whatever keeps the pack safe and all.”

The Alpha grilled the two as they gripped their sides and beared their necks. Asking of their opinions toward all prey-like shapeshifters, Arric was confident in his decision to let them in. He smirked and shook his head at Kieran's ridiculous answer. Of course he think's deer are adorable.

The two lowly commanders shivered as they shook off their need to submit any further. They passed Shea as they were led into the living room by Walter, “Woah! Check it out, Shell. Farren’s a big boy now!” Kieran calmly and slowly lifted his finger towards the new Enforcer.”

Shelly turned and saw Shea, feeling the need to bear her neck to him as well, “I...I see! Something big must have been going down. What’s going on, Shea?”

“We’ll talk about it in the meeting.” Shea curled his head in curiosity, “You two...haven’t heard anything?”

“No, I’ve been out of town. Went to see my parents in Green Bay for the last several days. I had to break speed limits to get here on time, and then I had to pick up this doofus on the way!”

Kieran chuckled, “Sorry, Shell. Car broke down and my appointment is in a couple of days. I can throw some cash your way, though.”

Sighing exasperatedly, the shorter woman grew irritated with her company, “Remind me how you got a position in this pack?”

Arric turned his head and spoke sternly, “Because he has a photographic memory and I needed a scribe. Kieran may be dopey, but he is serving as the best scribe, historian, and youth leader this pack has ever seen. He has earned his place on the council.”

With a sly and mindful grin, Kieran gave Shelly his own compliment, “Just like you’re the best hunting commander I’ve seen, Commander Boe! We’re all here for a reason.”

Shelly rolled her eyes and resigned to one of the couches in the living room with the scribe in tow. Another knock at the door signaled for more incoming councilmen and Arric proceeded with the same treatment to Pierce, a rather large Delta-classed shifter with an imposing attitude that matches his appearance, and Greta, a thinly-shaped elderly woman with graying hair and wire-frame glasses.

With the council fully assembled, Arric motioned for Shea to join him at the head of the meeting, along with Walter. Every seated lycan had their eyes on the new Enforcer. Shea exhaled from his nose. This isn’t going to be fun.

“I’m calling this emergency pack meeting to order. There are only a few things that need to be covered, and I expect full cooperation from each of you.” Hearing approval from the council, Arric continued, “First, treasonous actions have taken place in my territory, and they come from within my council.” All heads turned toward one another, aside from Pierce. “Pierce, do you know of what I speak of?”

Pierce nodded, “I’ve heard the whispers.” His voice rang low and suave in the room. “I’m assuming we’re here to hear Commander Farren’s side of things?”

“Yes. We have testimony from four total shapeshifters of Eike’s actions. A few days ago, a trio of our pack were found hunting a herd of deer, including two cernunnos. I’ve made myself clear since this law was put into place, and I will renew my statement. There is to be no hunting of shapeshifters, regardless of species.”

Shelly leaned forward, “Are you saying Enforcer Thomas is behind this?”

A snarl rumbled from Arric’s chest, “From the testimonies I have collected, the three charged with treason, murder, and attempted murder are Eike Thomas, Marric Detloph, and Hauser Muell.”

With his phone out and thumbing rapidly to take notes, Kieran took a moment to raise his hand, “Sorry, Alpha. Did you say...attempted murder?”

Brushing a hand through his hair, Arric continued, “I will explain everything, just hold your questions. The trio hunted this herd. One of the cernunnos was found dead, while another gravely injured. If it weren’t for the thankful involvement of the Tracking Trio, we’d have two dead cernunnos on our hands. Sheamus, Kara, and Jaime have provided their detailed reports of the incident. From the cernunnos’ treatment at the local hospital, we are waiting for an accurate DNA match to completely confirm the happenings.” Darting his eyes at Kieran, the Alpha confirmed the earlier question, “Yes, I did say attempted murder. The remaining cernunnos is in our protective custody.”

Kieran rapidly tapped his screen, “Where is the cern being held?”

“Here. We are still determining the possibility of other players in the case. As I have screened you at the door, you all hold my beliefs of protecting the cernunnos. Should there be any leaked information, it will come down to you four.”

Pierce motioned with an upward motion of his finger, “I would like to review the testimonies, Alpha. This is our Enforcer, and the charges are damning.” Walter crossed the floor to the nearby kitchen counters to a small pile of papers and handed them to the councilman. Sifting through the papers, Pierce flicked his eyebrow slightly, “You said there were four testimonies. I see three.”

Sheamus held his breath. Damn it, Pierce! Arrogant city aide, always wants to see the damned facts!

Arric crossed his arms, “Sheamus, bring him out and stay by the stairs. Keep Kara and Jaime with him as well.”

Obeying his Alpha’s commands, Shea wandered up the staircase and walked past Jaime, “We need him.” Kara and Cyn stepped out of the spare bedroom. “Hey, little man. Are you sure you can do this?” With a hesitant nod from the buck, Shea gripped Cyn’s hand and gave him a light peck, “I’ll be right beside you, and so will these two.” They slowly descended the stairs, where all eyes were glued to the large lycan. Jeez! C’mon, this is too much! A hand was laid onto his lower back and Shea stepped to the side slowly, revealing Cyn to the council.

Shelly silently gasped, “Holy shit...you guys aren’t kidding. That’s...that’s an actual cernunnos!”

Arric coughed, bringing all eyes back towards him, “Keep your eyes off of him.” The Alpha’s eyes darted to the deer, “Cyn, you still okay with this?”

Cyn shivered and breathed in deep, exhaling from his nose, “Y-yes. I’m...I’m okay.”

Kieran took a moment from his phone and looked back to the deer, “Woah! Look at the little dude!” His head was quickly pulled back to his phone by Shelly’s forceful hand, “Ow! Hey, what was that for?”

“Alpha Claude said to keep your eyes off of him!” Kieran looked up to Arric’s raised eyebrow and shrugged in confusion. What a dolt! He’s the scribe? If he doesn’t pay attention half the time, how are his notes so damned perfect?

Arric pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation, “Cyn, can you please tell the council your recollection of the event?” Cyn nodded and softly spoke to the four strangers. He recounted every moment with vivid detail, from the count of the herd to seeing the trio of wolves. Stopping for a moment to push his fears to the side as he told of Eike’s attack on him, Cyn pulled himself together. On occasion, he’d catch the elderly woman and the thin male stealing a gaze, but he didn’t mind them. The bigger man, however, almost demanded Cyn’s full attention. He’s...he’s big! He feels like Sheamus when he came out of the office before dinner. His instincts told him to get away, even after hushing them mentally.

When Cyn was finished, Arric nodded, “Thank you, Cyn. It is up to you whether you wish to return upstairs." Watching the deer remain next to Shea, Arric continued, "Pierce, was that enough for you?”

The large man slowly nodded, “Yes. If I may, I’d like to say a few words to the cernunnos.” Arric’s eyes flowed to the deer, and earned a quick nod. Motioning for his city aide to turn around, Pierce shifted in his seat to face the buck, “Cyn? Is that your name?” After a moment of hesitation, the cernunnos nodded, “I want to express my deepest condolences, to you for your suffering, and to your fellow cernunnos. It is within my bear’s soul that I recognize you are speaking the truth.” Returning to face his Alpha, Pierce’s tone grew cold, “Eike, Marric, and Hauser must be found. What do you want us to do, Alpha Claude?”

Arric breathed heavily. I got Pierce’s support? That’s a freaking shocker! I usually have to fight his ass on every little thing with an agenda. “First and foremost, I motion for Eike Thomas to be officially stripped of all retaining council power. All in favor?” A resounding ‘aye’ filled the room from every member of the sitting council. “Excellent. For the next motion, I’d like to apologize for a hasty decision, but I saw no one to turn to. Seeing how Pierce usually turns down the position every several years, I have unofficially inducted Sheamus Farren as the new pack Enforcer. All in favor of making it official?”

Another round of approving votes swept the room. A smile came across Shea’s face as his title was now official. He felt a small squeeze on his hand and found Cyn’s holding it. Thanks, little man. That means a lot.

“Next up, we must come with a game plan for finding these bastards. Suggestions?” Arric scoped the room and found Kieran’s hand raising, “Kieran?”

The scribe continued to tap his fingers on his phone, “Full propaganda to all pack and pack-affiliated officials to locate them. I think we need to call the lycan governor to list the two as rogues.”

Shea caught the concerning looks given to him by Walter and Arric. T..two? He pushed Cyn behind him gently, motioning for Kara to take a protective stance. “Kieran...what do you mean by two?”