The Afterlife

Chapter 11: Ultimatum

There were many things Kaori was aware of -- the cool autumn air being one of them -- but at the moment, his heart was beating extremely fast, and he was sure it would soon beat out of his chest.

"Today we gather to vote on the position of Lead Warrior Kaori," said Alpha Leo. Luna Viv was sitting next to him, smiling at the pack as if she supported all of them. Kaori knew better. They wouldn't support him, even if they liked him. "Warrior Kaori has had some difficulties regarding his mate, as we are all aware, and he has not been discharging his duties very well. We gather to decide what will happen now."

Kaori's pack members murmured amongst each other, staring at him. Kaori felt as if he was on trial, even though he was simply in the first row in the audience among the other pack members. He could feel the eyes questioning him, wondering what he had done to deserve such a pack.

It was always like this -- whenever any Alpha in his pack decided a pack member needed punishment, he would call a meeting and ask any pack members who objected to raise their hands. If enough of them raised their hands, the Alpha would reconsider the punishment, as he generally wanted to make the majority of the pack members happy. But most of the time, no one really objected. The pack members -- Kaori had done exactly the same in similar cases, he thought regretfully -- simply went along with whatever the Alpha said; their wolves trusting their leadership's judgement.

Kaori wasn't sure what his punishment would be. He didn't really understand why he was even getting one; he felt he'd done nothing wrong. But clearly Alpha Leo wasn't being fair to him after what had happened to Viv. He wouldn't be surprised if Luna Vivian was the mastermind behind it all, pressing her mate to punish the one responsible for her injuries. He didn't know, and he wasn't sure if he wanted to know. His wolf was sad, of course, but both parts seemed to understand that wolves were not always easily rationalized with when it came to his mate.

"Does anyone have anything to add before we begin?" Alpha Leo was saying.

"Alpha Leo," someone was saying. "Permission to comment, if I may." It was Gamma Ellen, his longtime supervisor and ally. She'd stood up in her seat.

Alpha Leo nodded. "Go ahead, Gamma."

Gamma Ellen addressed the pack members who were at the meeting. "How many pack members have a complaint, right how, against how Warrior Kaori has treated you?"

No one moved. No one raised their hand. Kaori had always treated the younger warriors with respect, teaching them moves that would benefit the pack. He didn't dare say it out loud, but he always felt like he did the best job he could.

Gamma Ellen nodded in understanding. "Now," she continued, "How many pack members would love to see a new Lead Warrior training the youngsters?"

A few raised their hand, but it was less than a handful -- and Kaori was almost certain that he'd never met those people. The majority of the pack did nothing. They were satisfied with his work, just as Kaori had thought.

Gamma Ellen turned to face Alpha Leo again. "You see, Alpha. Warrior Kaori has hardly done less than his best work. He is loved by our pack. Please, whatever you do as a result of his challenges stemming from his mate, be kind to him. Don't be too extreme," she urged. "We must not blame him for who he has been fated to be with by the Moon Goddess."

"Thank you, Gamma Ellen," said Alpha Leo dismissively as she sat down.

"Today we are gathered to pass judgment on Warrior Kaori as a result of two major issues we are facing as a pack. First of all, his mate has possessed herself with a curse that is repeatedly causing harm to our Luna Vivian. I have given him chances to deal with this curse, but instead, he has gone and rendered himself unconscious, and not taken care of anything. Secondly, he has been far too distracted with thoughts of his mate to protect the pack. He has repeatedly asked for time off to search for his mate, but instead, has nothing to show for it. We have never met this mate; nor do we completely believe she even exists."