~Retribution~ (Part One)

~Jackson~
I lay awake listening to my girl's shallow breathing. I am so glad she finally was able to go to sleep. Once we went to bed she tossed and turned for a long time before she finally relaxed and was able to sleep peacefully. I hope today goes well and there is no need for us to have to get the girls out quickly. "Jackson you awake?" Nathan's voice comes through the link quietly. "Yeah, I can't sleep I got a lot on my mind." I replied. "Me too. I hope nobody shows their ass today." He says and then asks. "Did it take Rose awhile to go to sleep?" I replied. "Yeah she tossed and turned but finally relaxed and went to sleep. What about Emmy?" "Same. I know we know some of what the girls went through but it must have been real bad to have them this upset. I hope he gets the book threw at him tomorrow." He says. "Yeah me too. We better try and get some sleep we may need it tomorrow." I say. "Yeah I agree. Goodnight man see you in the morning." "Goodnight. See you in the morning." We say to one another. I take a deep breath and kiss my girl's head and then try to relax and finally drift off.

I wake to her running her hand all over my chest. I let out a sound between a purr and a growl. I feel her smile against my shoulder. "Good morning beautiful." I say as I kiss her on the forehead. "Good morning handsome." She replies. She raises her head up and places it on her hand that is on my chest and looks up at me through her lashes. I smile at her a lean my head down a little to get a good morning kiss. As we are kissing my alarm goes off. Well shit, I think. I end the kiss reluctantly and turn off the alarm. I ask her. "Do you want the shower first?" She grins and says. "Well we could shower together to save water and time." I smile and tell her. "That might save water but I doubt it will save time because I wouldn't be able to keep my hands to myself." She frowns a little then says. "Yeah you are probably right but you can use the shower first while I run down and make some bacon, eggs, and coffee real quick then I will shower and get ready." "Ok sounds like a plan I kiss her again and then we get out of bed. While I get clothes together for after my shower she heads downstairs to start breakfast and coffee. I can't help but smile because I am already falling hard for her. I then head into the bathroom to get ready for the day.

~Rose~
I enter the kitchen and find Emmy pulling the eggs, milk, bacon, and butter out of the fridge. I headed towards the coffee pot and start making the coffee. We move around making breakfast silently not saying anything. I think we were both afraid to or we would break down. I know I just want it to be over and I know Em feels the same. When the coffee gets done I pour us both a cup. "Thanks." She says quietly. "You are very welcome." I reply back. As breakfast gets finished and we are setting the table and get the guys coffee they headed down the stairs and walked into the dining room. We all sat down and started passing the food around and then ate in silence. After we finished what we could which wasn't much because I felt a little sick. The guys said they would handle clean up so we headed upstairs to get ready. Both Jackson and Nathan were in suits so I knew we would have to look the part. I blew out a breath and pulled out my black dress pants and my blue dress shirt and my heels. I then took a quick shower and did my hair and makeup. I then got dressed and headed downstairs. We walked into the dining room were the guys were waiting drinking coffee and talking quietly. When we walked in they looked up and all conversation stopped. "You ladies look beautiful." Jackson said. "Yes I agree. Everyone will be speechless." Nathan said. We both blushed. "Do I have time for another cup of coffee?" I asked. He shook his head yes. "You sit down sweetheart and I will get you a cup." Nathan then said. "I will help. Baby you sit and I will be right back."

We sit down as they bring in our coffee and we all just sit in silence. I think everyone can't wait for this to be over. Each of us has different reasons but we all want it to be done. I just hope it goes the way I want it to. He deserves a lot for what he has put me and Em through and sadly some of it only a few know about. I wonder if the guys will think differently when they find out. I continue to drink my coffee and Jackson takes my hand and starts to rub his thumb back and forth to offer his strength I think and to remind me he is there with me. "What time does it start?" I ask. "20 minutes." Jackson replies. As he says that his alarm goes off. We all get up from the table. Emmy and I run to the bathroom real quick just in case so neither of us would need to go during the trial and Jackson and Nathan took our cups to the kitchen and cleaned up and cut off the coffee pot. We all met in front of the door then headed out. We got into the SUV then headed to the pack house. When we got there we got out and headed into the pack house. As we entered the pack house I heard Mary talking to Max. "Daddy you have to fix this and get Maxwell out of this." "I can't. Your brother's bad decisions have finally caught up with him. Maybe he will learn and I pray to the Moon Goddess you have." Max said. She then stomped past us with a huff. "Alpha Jackson, Beta Nathan, girls. If you will follow me I will lead you to the conference room." he said to us.

~Jackson~
We followed Max into the conference room and took our seats R.J. and George stood behind the girls' chairs. The council only approved 2 guards for the girls so that is who we chose. Jeff and Kenneth were watching Nicole and Sarah and waiting in the living room. Matt and Richard were on guard outside the pack house. Max and Mary sat across from us at the table. The council members then entered the room and took their seats. Steven and Mark brought Maxwell in and placed him in his seat and took their places behind him on guard. I knew one of the members but not the other. "Good morning. My name is Conner McGraw and this is my associate Wade Davis." Connor said to everyone as he closed and locked the conference door. " We are going to get started in just a moment but please everyone grab a water just in case we may need it. Everyone got a water as he took his seat and got one for himself. "Alright we have been asked here today not only by Alpha Jackson but also by request of the King. I know per the paperwork submitted that the attack that occurred several days ago was not the first and only and also the young lady that got attacked is not the only one. We also have paperwork submitted by another young lady."

Nathan and I knew the girls had submitted their paperwork but not what it said because we all had to submit paperwork when a incident occurred like this. Now I wondered what her's said. I looked at Rose and took her hand and she looked at me and smiled a small smile. I watched Nathan do the same out of the corner of my eye. "I am going to call out the names of everyone please raise your right hands and swear to the Moon Goddess to tell the truth." Conner said. "Alpha Jackson McCrea of the Blood Moon Pack." I raise my right hand. "Nathan Barlowe Beta of the Blood Moon Pack." Nathan raises his right hand. "Do you both swear to the Moon Goddess to tell the truth." We both reply. "I swear to the Moon Goddess to tell the truth." Connor and Wade both nod their heads in approval. Wade then says. "Alpha Max Thompson of The Blue Moon Pack." Max raises his right hand. "Mary Thompson of The Blue Moon Pack and daughter of the Alpha." She raises her right hand. "Do you both swear to the Moon Goddess to tell the truth." They both replied. "I swear to the Moon Goddess to tell the truth." The council members nod then Connor says. "Rose Brown mate of Alpha Jackson McCrea and future Luna of Blood Moon Pack." My girl raises her right hand and straightened her spine. "Emmy White mate of Beta Nathan Barlowe and future Beta Female of Blood Moon Pack." Emmy raises her right hand. "Do you both swear to the Moon Goddess to tell the truth." he asks. "I swear to the Moon Goddess to tell the truth." The both say. The council nods then looks directly at Maxwell. "Maxwell Thompson son of Alpha Max Thompson of The Blue Moon Pack do you swear to the Moon Goddess to tell the truth." Maxwell raises his right hand and says. "I swear to the Moon Goddess to tell the truth." They both nod. Connor then says. "Alright you all have swore. Remember if you break that oath the Moon Goddess herself can punish you so keep that in mind. Now lets begin."