Chapter Forty-one: Pack laws

I close my eyes whilst still standing towards the window, silently sending a thank you to my parents. I then turn to the Elders with my arms crossed who are all standing right behind me. If that doesn’t convince them, then I’m unsure what will.

“I am sorry Aliana, I did not believe you at first but I believe our Moon Goddess has shown us a very clear sign.” Elder Irish says, looking at me and bowing his head, grimacing. Elder Wright just looks a bit spooked looking at the icons on the windows directly. They both look a bit out of place compared to Elder Wyatt who looks at me with a slight smile on his face.

Lukas widens his eyes slightly as well, looking slightly defeated. I know he also didn’t fully believe me when I told him everything. It seems realisation has hit him that everything that happened whilst I was away all this time was true.

I decide to ignore his pleading eyes and look to the Elders. “I think we need to make a plan of action. I wasn’t told when this individual would attack or infiltrate but I think we need to do something about it. As far as I could tell, as my power, or well gifts grow, he will be able to locate me more easily. I can only tell so far that I can breathe underwater, but I’m not sure what else is in store. I’m don’t even know why I’m the one being hunted.”

I heard Lukas growl slightly which got a quick look from Elder Irish.

“Yes, but the measures and defences we’ve had in place for years have gotten us by without issues.” Elder Wright says.

“I think we should abolish those and create new rules, at least in regards to the borders.” I say plainly. I see Lukas frown, looking very unsure about the proposal. I also see Elder Irish and Wright’s confusion. The only one I see who doesn’t look confused or unsure is Elder Wyatt who has a smirk on his face.

Without waiting for an answer or for the men in the room to retaliate, I continue. “I think the patrols should continue, maybe even add more on top and in addition have more warriors trained and on guard duty, but I think the border restrictions should be lifted for passage in and out of the wolf pack.”

“But having the border laws in place has kept us safe for years. Nothing in and nothing out. If we’re going to be attacked would it not be more beneficial to keep the borders closed?” Lukas speaks up almost immediately after I ended my suggestion, visibly unhappy about my approach.

I acknowledge his response but decide to turn it down sharply. “No. From the way the Moon Goddess and the Sun God spoke, this enemy is no mere mortal. They are also the child of two deities, meaning they are powerful. What’s a border going to do to stop them?” Again, I don’t wait for an answer before carrying on. “The only thing you’re doing right now is limiting our kind and the other species from interacting with each other and sharing knowledge. I’ve learned a lot of things here that are very new to me because I’ve not seen them outside the pack territory before….but the same goes to say about what is outside the walls. The elven community I was at last showed me lots of things that I’ve not seen much knowledge or understanding of here. I think you’re restricting the werewolves and also not sharing knowledge because of an enemy that still lives and is once again going to try and take us down.”

Lukas looks down to his feet. I can feel the guilt pouring from him and we both know that I am not wrong.

I look to the Elders to seek their thoughts. Elder Irish and Wyatt look to be agreeing with me by nodding their heads but Elder Wright still looks slightly unsure.

I decide to push at them a bit more. “Elders, I know that the pack has been secluded for some time. I’m not saying we should open the borders and allow every single wolf to run out and head in all directions, or vice versa allow anyone in without checking or acknowledging them. The elves I was last with said that this pack used to trade with them, a long time ago. Perhaps we can maybe try that first? When was the last time someone was actually sent out?” I ask, unsure. I know the elven Elders had said a while ago but I did not think to ask when.

“Possibly a couple of thousand years ago?” Elder Wyatt said nonchalant and my mouth dropped open at the fact he’s just thrown at me.

“What? Why so long ago? Have you not got scouts or anything?” I was stunned. I had assumed maybe a couple of decades, maybe a thousand or so years, but this was crazy to think no one had ventured outside the pack in so long.

“We do, and a long time ago now we have sent out scouts, however nothing, including them, goes further than five miles out with the border. The last time out pack sent a trader out, they never came back. This was the time of the last werewolf king, and just before the Kingdom was attacked by evil. We vowed then to take up an Elder council and never allow anyone out of the packs borders for our own safety.” Lukas recites as if he’s read it from a history book.

I shake my head at them all. Such a strong pack of Wolves and community but they’re all whimpering behind a border in fear for thousands of years. I understood it, chaos that had happened before and being on the verge of extinction, but I don’t agree with it and believe it should change.

“I firmly believe this should change. However, I hold no power here in the pack. It’s up to Lukas to decide.” I look to Lukas and wave my hand towards him, burning my eyes into his.

He sighs. But before he can get a word out of his mouth, Elder Wyatt looks directly at me and pinches the open table to talk. “You, are quite evidently, the Moon Goddess’ chosen.” He says with a small chuckle. He looks to Lukas quickly who has a confused expression on then back at me. “Well, not only that, you are her direct descendant, along with one of the other Gods. I don’t think our Alpha here holds any power over you. From what I can tell, you also don’t submit to him, whereas all others, including us, do. You’re a very special individual Aliana, and I cannot wait to see what gifts your parents have given to you.”

Lukas immediately shot the Elder a glare, not liking the truth behind his words. I look at Lukas, who didn’t like being undermined. I could see he was agitated and slightly angry at the Elders thoughts.

I decide to interject so there’s no further disputes. “I don’t want to see it that way, even if it were true. The Moon Goddess has paired him with me and I am glad about her decision. But I want to wedge my foot in here as I know this is the home I’ve been looking for and say I believe this is a change we need to make. We should try and reach out to the elven communities. Not only for our own defence, or information gathering but for theirs as well.”

Lukas inhales and exhales loudly. I look to his eyes and I can tell he’s thinking. I can tell he’s calculating the risks and the issues we can come across, but also the good that can come of it, as any great leader should do. He looks to me and I see a burning desire in his eyes. He trusts me, I can feel it. A small grin lights up my face and I can see one forming on his as well.

“Ok, ok.” He says whilst raising his hands up slightly in a sign of defeat. “I can work with that. We can send a couple of our trained warrior wolves to breach our border radius and head towards the old road to get to the elven community, or at the least to try and see how damaged the road is, as it’s not been used in years….see if they can fix it up along the way. However, I want something from you first Aliana, before I give the go ahead and form a pack gathering of all members to tell them of our law change, along with assembling the group to go on the mission." Lukas says with confidence as I roll my eyes at him who is now smirking whilst staring at me.

I raise an eyebrow, wondering what he could possibly ask me that would ensure he changes his mind.

“Sure, what is it?”

He laughs heartily. “Always so forward. Since you’re now so confident and up to speed with the pack, what is needed and what you believe is right, don’t you think it’s about time to become the packs Luna?”