Chapter 13: Elder Issues

Chapter 13: Elder Issues
Silas
I step out of the SUV into a dimly lit curved driveway in front of a cabin-style packhouse. It’s smaller than the Amaris packhouse, but it fits. It’s almost quaint. This will be my home now. This is where my children will grow and become Ranked members. This is where my new life will begin. I shut the door to the SUV. Sydney and Gideon are immediately rushed by a gaggle of what I guess are about seven elders. Beta Lucas is close behind, shaking his head. He looks exhausted.
A few of them are completely ignoring her and only addressing Gideon. They are just interrupting each other, and you can’t really make anything out. Every time she tries to say something, she gets cut off, and I can see the frustration in her eyes. She is trying her best to be respectful, but she’s not getting the respect she should for them. I walk up behind Sydney and simply place my hand on her back. I want her to know I’m here, and I’ll support her. I honestly can’t believe how completely disrespectful they are to their Alpha.
I can’t take it anymore. “They are not your Alpha and Beta! Show respect to your goddess chosen Alpha!” I growl out.
“Who are you to tell any of us what to do?” One of the elders huffed.
“He is your Lumiere.” Gideon crossed his arm over his chest. He was over it as well.
“He’s our what?” A plump elderly woman shouted out, craning her neck and cupping her ear.
“He is your female Alpha’s mate. Male Luna’s are called Lumiere. There are well-established packs nationwide and worldwide that have female Alpha linages. Just like my mate is my Luna, Silas is Sydney’s Lumiere.” Gideon raised his voice, but it wasn’t out of anger but to help the hard of hearing.
“Oh, so he’s a pushover,” I growled at the crotchety old man being disrespectful.
Sydney had enough, “Watch your mouth, Elder Joseph! He is your Alpha’s mate and a ranked wolf.” She snapped at him and stepped forward.
“The What’s your name Lumiere?” Elder Joseph snared in a mocking tone.
I wasn’t going to let anyone walk all over me again, and if they disrespected me, they were disrespecting my mate, and I would not have it. I stood tall and took a dominating step forward. “Silas Youngblood.”
“Oh! I know your family lineage. The goddess has answered our prayers and brought us a proper Alpha.” This Elder Joseph was getting on my nerves.
Bram pushed forward and picked the elder up by the neck. “Disrespect my mate one more time, and you will no longer walk this earth.”
Sydney places her hand on my arm and whispers, “Let him go.” I release the old windbag, and he crumbles to the ground.
“I guess you see how much of a pushover your Lumiere is now. Lucas, let’s go inside. I need to know all the details.” Syd takes my hand, and we walk past the elders who stand there in shock. Yeah, let that be a lesson to them. I stand by my mate, and she stands by me.

Sydney
I walk hand in hand with Silas leading him to my office. Gideon and Lucas follow behind. The interaction with the elders has my head spinning. I felt a rush when Silas stood up for himself as the Lumiere and confronted Elder Joseph. That old bat is just not going to let up. When Silas picked him up by his neck, the look on his face was priceless. I should have been the one to do it. He should not have to get his hand dirty. It’s my job to protect everyone, including him. I am so lacking that my mate had to stand up for himself. I couldn’t even fight for him or myself properly. I look weak, letting him fight for himself and me.

“He is an Alpha male as well. If he didn’t stand up for us, we would both look weak.” Thora was giddy that her mate fought for her.
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t need anyone to fight for me.” I need to get it together.
“Fighting for you and with you are two different things. Finish this meeting, and then we will continue this conversation.” Thora growled at me and then blocked me. She’s never blocked me before ever. Was she that mad at me? I didn’t like being in conflict with my wolf. Besides Mom, she was the only companion I’ve ever had.
When we get to my office, I take a seat behind my desk, and Si stands right behind me to my surprise. What is he doing? What was he trying to say by doing this? Does he think I need him to hoover over me, or did he not know he should sit? I’ll address it later.
“Beta Lucas, please tell me what happened.” I needed to focus on the rogue attack.
“Three rouges attacked the patrol team. They were able to fight them off, but they left a letter. I haven’t opened it yet. I was waiting for you, Alpha Sydney. The elders wanted to read it, but I stopped them.” Lucas stands and hands me the letter.
I read the letter out loud. “Step down as Alpha, and no one will die. The White Ridge pack belongs to me. Drystan Merikh”
“Do you know who Drystan Merikh is?” Silas leans down to look over the letter.
I crumple the letter out of rage. “He is a murder and a deserter!”
“So, you know him?” I look up at Silas, and his brows are knitted, and jaw clenched. I see his dark eyes flash blue. My mate did not like the threat to us. He was mad that someone threatened me. Why do I feel a flutter at this?
I focus back on the letter and who sent it. “He killed the previous Beta, my father when I was 7. He’s the reason I became a fighter. I’ve wanted him dead for 17 years for killing my father. He challenged Alpha Tarlo for his Alpha title, but he deserted the night before the challenge. My father caught him trying to leave and tried to reason with him, but he wouldn’t reconsider. When my father turned his back to walk away, Drystan attacked and killed my father.” My rage and anger trigger Thora to unblock me. She was staring, and we both wanted blood.
“I know that’s the story you were told, but I knew your father, and before he died, he was uneasy about some things happening in the pack.” Lucas took a deep breath. “This might be hard for you to believe. Your father supported Drystan for Alpha. Looking back on it now, it must have been because Tarlo got involved with the New Moon Alliance.”
I can feel tears forming. “No, my mother told me Drystan killed my father. She wouldn’t lie!”
“I don’t think she lied to you; I think she was lied to.” Gideon stood up, commanding the room. “Think about it, Sydney. This has Tarlo and the New Moon Alliance written all over it. Drystan may not even know who the new Alpha is.”
I’m in shock. What Gideon is saying makes logical sense, but I could believe that my mother was that easily fooled. I sit there thinking. The room is silent as the letter, and Lucas’ and Gideon’s words turn over and over in my head.
Si breaks the silence. “It’s late everyone should get some rest, and we can look at everything with fresh eyes tomorrow.”
“Silas is right. It’s been a long day.” Gideon gets up, and so does Lucas. “Syd, get some rest tonight. We have another long day tomorrow.” They both walk out, leaving Si and me alone.
“What the hell Silas!” How dare he.