Chapter 17: Dex's World

Emma had dinner with her family and Lucien’s. Her family had finally stopped complaining about Dex probably because she didn’t rise to their bait. Even if she’d wanted to defend him, they wouldn’t have listened to her.
As they sat around the table, the men talked about the latest news and what had been decided at the Council. Emma listened with interest when she heard Dex’s name.
“Not only has he formed this pack of misfits, but he’s also got some crazy new ideas,” Lucien said.
Emma immediately straightened, no longer concerned with hiding her yawns as Irma and her mother chatted about pack gossip.
“What kind of crazy new ideas?” George asked.
Lucien rolled his eyes. “He’s all about peace.”
“Peace?” Jeff asked.
“Yes, peace. No wars between packs,” Lucien said.
Emma was dying to ask a question, to learn more, but she didn’t want to draw the ridicule of the men.
Packs often went to war over territory or some perceived encroachment on their own territory. Some packs were more aggressive than others. Lucien had often complained about slights from other Alphas near his pack though he had never had the courage to do more than complain.
Emma had expected more fights to break out, especially ones with Lucien involved, at this Council. Alphas were meant to be apart. They were always fighting their instinct to be on top. Maybe that was why Dex was different. He didn’t need to prove anything to anyone.
“No wars? That doesn’t make any sense. It’s against the natural order of things,” Jeff said.
“No good can come of this,” Lucien said.
“Does he have anyone aligning with him?” George asked.
“A few packs. Some of the smaller ones,” Lucien said.
Emma watched the men. They frowned and grimaced as if Dex had been suggesting they become vegetarians. What was so wrong with peace? Everyone had their lands. Everyone had food and shelter.
“There is honor in war,” Lucien said. “We know we’re wolves by our fights. By the honor we earn in battle. No one erects monuments to peacemakers. The whole idea of peace is absurd.”
Emma pressed her lips together. She would say something she regretted if she didn’t, but Dex’s ideas appealed to her. Not only had he done a service to all the packs by taking in those who didn’t have a pack, but he was also helping other communities by making peaceful alliances.
How could that be wrong? She had even more respect for him as she heard more and more.
“Upstarts like Dex can ruin everything. Next, we’ll be bowing to other shifters,” Lucien said.
Emma had always wondered why wolf shifters kept to themselves, when other shifters blended in with the human world.
George snorted. “Not as long as I’m alive. I’m a wolf and darn proud of it.”
Jeff nodded.
ust because you’ve done it one way forever doesn’t mean things can’t change. Emma hadn’t realized how stuck in the past Lucien was. His values came from a time when Lunas were not valued. That explained his behavior, but she no longer thought it was a reasonable excuse.
“What are you looking at?” Lucien growled at Emma. “This isn’t your business.”
“Just listening,” she said.
“Learn anything?”
Not anything she could share with him, so she just shrugged.
“Stay out of it, Emma. You aren’t part of this. Go back to the girl talk,” Lucien said.
Nothing like a metaphorical pat on her head and being dismissed. She looked down at her food, but the thoughts in her brain were whirling at breakneck speed.
The parents rose as one. Irma spoke. “We need to get on the road.”
“We do, too.”
Emma rose and walked about with them. She hugged her mother even though he didn’t want to; No need to let on yet that Emma had made some decisions today. Her life with Lucien was never going to change. As much as she wanted to be a great Luna for this pack, he wasn’t ever going to support her or even acknowledge her accomplishments.
Outside the lobby, Emma said goodbye and the parents climbed into their respective cars.
“I’m going for a drink,” Lucien said. “Don’t wait up.”
He left her on the steps of the hotel.
Leyton was sitting on a bench outside the hotel lobby. Emma wanted to make things right with the woman and hadn’t had the chance yet. Emma caught her attention. “I wanted to apologize.”
A quizzical look appeared on Leyton’s face. “What for?”
“My parents’ behavior earlier.”
Leyton waved her hand. “No worries. I’m used to that attitude.”
“It was rude and wrong. I’m sorry,” Emma said.
Leyton hooked her arm in Emma’s. “You want to go for a walk?”
Emma glanced at the door, but Lucien was long gone. It was still early. “Sure.”
Leyton led her to the beach and they walked along the waves in silence for a few minutes. Emma was going to burst with questions, so she finally asked. “Is Dex really interested in peace?”
“Yes, he is. Most of us have been on our own and have had to fight for our homes and food. We’re done fighting.”
“How many people in your pack?”
“We have thirty wolves,” Leyton said.
“And Dex has made some alliances?”
“Yes with some of the smaller packs. We just want to be left alone and if we can make sure the packs around us understand tha,t then we can live in peace.”
Sounded like heaven. No more sending wolves off to war for no reason. “And this was all Dex’s idea?”
“Yes. He and Brutus talked about it. Brutus isn’t completely on board, but he will defer to Dex as he should,” Leyton said. “Why so curious?”
“I’ve never heard anyone bring up that idea,” Emma said. “It’s radical.”
“Yes, but in a good way. Dex looks at life that way. He’s different. I do not doubt that he would protect any member of our pack, but he would also not incite someone to fight him.”
“I can respect that.”
Emma could. Dex had grown into an incredible man. It took away her breath. She could have been on this journey with him. Instead, she’d listened to her parents. Would Dex even consider being with her now? She would have to talk to him more. She refused to feel guilty about considering a different life for herself. No one was interested in taking care of her, so Emma would take care of herself.
“His ideas drew me into the pack. Then I met Brutus,” Leyton smiled. “He had a reputation, but he’s been a loyal and amazing mate.”
Emma swallowed hard. She couldn’t say the same about Lucien. Should she tell Leyton that she knew Brutus in his wilder days? No, that was a story for Brutus to tell.
They walked on with the sun setting. “I better get back.”
Emma yawned. She was going to fall asleep on her feet. Tomorrow was another big day. She was actually going to get to wear her dress to a reception tomorrow. That green dress. When she’d bought it she wanted Lucien’s tongue to hang out. Now all she wanted to see was Dex’s reaction.
“I’ll see you tomorrow at the reception,” Leyton said.
They parted ways. Emma trudged back to her room and fell asleep as soon as she climbed into bed. She dreamt of Dex and better days ahead.