Chapter Info

Title: Baby steps.

Number: 24/?

Warnings: Language, mentions of violence, and my usual doses of angst here and there.

Author's Note: Found at the end!

- ʚɞ -

- Colorado Springs, Colorado -

- Skylar -

- October -

Sometimes there were things in life that came back to bite you in the ass when you'd prolonged them long enough. And for Skylar, one of those things was her involvement with the council. They weren't as rigid as the council in La Push but they did like to be appraised of what went down with the pack as well as notified of when any members weren't in Colorado. Yeah, the pack was nomadic and members came and went as long as it pleased them, but the council liked to know where all its ducks were.

It was something Skylar's great-grandfather, four times removed, had put into place when he was both chief and alpha. His daughter after this death and her ascension carrying it on, then her son and right down to Skylar's father. Now that she was Alpha, and by default chief, it was her job to help keep that streak going. Of course, Skylar had thrown the damn rule book out the window and assigned her father's widow - Leiah - as acting chief whilst she found her feet as alpha. Which now meant the council had a bug up its ass.

It was taking everything within her to keep her legendary temper under control, and even more, restraint to stay within her human skin. The only reason she was managing it was the soft hand of her brother settled on her shoulder. The strength of her baby brother seeping through that little touch and helping her to give off a facade of calm as she listened to one of the council members rip into her. But she needed to do this, to take her licks as they were thrown her way and start to fix things.

It was currently the third thing on her to-list that she'd been putting into place since her talk with Peter. In between that she'd actually slept given she was running on fumes. And once she had settled her nerves she'd officially named Ryker as her second in command. Everyone had been shocked she'd done it, given Paul's status as Alpha's mate technically made him the second in command. On top of that, there was also Sonny who bore the Ragnulf surname.

But Skylar needed Ryker, he was a strategist, able to come up with a plan of attack on the fly and given the dual attacks they had to dole out in the coming days. She needed that, but more than that, Ryker had been shifting for five years longer than her, meaning he had more experience and was someone who could guide her when she fell. He did not once care that she was his boss, had a title handed upon her the moment she shifted. He was there to help her, always had been.

And finally, she was reaching out for that help.

Her whiskey eyes slant to her opposite side, where Ryker was currently sitting, his tall frame relaxed as he stared down the council members. His own temper was far more contained than hers but she could see the shadows in his eyes, the shadows that showed that it was slowly burning in the background. Reaching over she settles her hand on his bicep, gaining his attention and she shakes her head. If she couldn't lose hers, it was best that her second, didn't lose his either.

Though she was warmed by the knowledge that he was willing to go to bat for her, that the way the council was berating her leadership so far was something he didn't take lightly. But she was a big girl, she could own up to her problems. It was part of growing up after all.

She was just doing it a little late.

Standing up, she raises her hand and silences the oncoming lectures. Her eyes trailing across each member, lingering a few moments to make sure they were looking at her. As her eyes meet Leiah's she could see pride swimming with them and she offers her stepmother a small smile before lowering her hand. A sigh falling from her lips before she steadies herself.

"Look I get that I've not done things the way they should be done. I've shut the council out since the moment I became alpha, and I've ignored your warnings on how the pack is run. But I was struggling to accept my new role, I was haunted by things that happened in the past." she starts.

Lowering her eyes in submission she looks at her feet. "I've been struggling with the weight of the lineage I am now upholding. But I am here today to apologise for all my wrongdoings. I, Skylar Ragnulf, apologise for being a bitch and refusing your help. I'm sorry."

A hand laces with hers and she flicks her eyes back to look at Sonny, offering her baby brother a smile as she squeezes his fingers in gratitude. That was something else she was working on, being the big sister that her baby brother needed. He and Mina had put their wedding on hold so Sonny could help her deal with those that took their father, and she'd even vowed at her father's gravestone that she'd guide her baby brother. Yet she'd put him into the pack's hands whilst she grieved alone. Though she had to remember her brother had lost a father too and she was supposed to help him.

She would help him. Guide him, be there when he fell. Like a big sister should.

"Skylar." Leiah's soft voice has her head raising as she notes the soft smile on the council members faces. "You have nothing to apologise for. We may have just listed your sins, but we are thankful you are finally here and reaching out to us. This is your legacy Skylar, and we are here for you. Always will be."

"Thank you." She comments sincerely as she lets her eyes trail to every council member.

Each of them nods at her and she finds it weird to see the soft smiles on their faces given the ass ripping they'd just given her. So either they were two-faced, or something else was going on here. Either way, she wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth and sets off informing them of the changes to the pack. From Sonny joining, Paul being connected and Ryker now being her second in command.

Skylar also fills them in on the progress with hunting the felines and the information they'd found out so far. She couldn't give them a definitive plan of attack, given that was still being formed but she could give them enough. She hoped.

"What is your plan regarding the fact the felines have traced you back to La Push," Leiah asks softly, pride dancing in her eyes.

"Paul, my mate, has taken on the role as a delegate between myself and the alpha of the La Push pack at my own persuasion. As such we have a meeting tomorrow with the alpha, Sam Uley, to decide if and how the Quileute's are to be involved."

It had just been another puzzle piece she'd put into place. Paul was connected to both packs, one by lineage and one by mating and in her mind, he was the best 'tool' to bring the two together. Yes, she had the birthright of Alpha of that pack. But right now she was struggling to command one, she didn't want to lead another. So Paul was the best person to help that come to fruition.

She had seen something in his eyes as she'd asked him. It was pride mixed with relief that she was finally including him. But also, that she was also finally settling into her role, as though he too was waiting for her to decide what she needed and the roles that everyone was to play. She had simply leaned up and pressed her lips against his to silence any of his words. Skylar was just glad he'd not given up on her, even if she'd given him many reasons to do just that.

Yet as Peter had said, he'd never left her. The one with that history was her. And yet Paul had stayed, even when he said he couldn't do it anymore. He was by her side, he loved her daughter or at the very least cared for her. It was up to her to fix things now.

"Are you sure it's the right course of action?." Her godfather asks and she nods.

"Yes, my daughter is currently residing within La Push with my mother, Sonny's mate is also within those boundaries. As such, I believe the best course of action is to involve the Quileute's in some way, given they are offering protection to my future sister in law. And the pack's future alpha."

It was a calculated risk, reminding them that Emmie-Jo was the future alpha. As she knew a lot rode upon that, even the council forever thought about the continued lineage of the pack and as such, Emmie-Jo's protection was one of those that was high on the list.

"And what about the other wolves?." One of the council members asks, bringing her attention back to the meeting. "What's happening with them?."

A dark smirk flits across her lips and she can see a few of the council members cringe at the sight of it. "By the end of the week, they won't be a problem. They will learn this territory is ours. And we will defend it."

The hidden motive behind that strike was, once the wolves were dealt with. It left just the felines. Meaning they only had to concentrate on the plan of attack for those, instead of shifting between how to attack the wolves and how to attack the damn cats. That and they knew they could handle the wolves - they'd done it before - it was the damn kitty's that were causing the issues and were the ones who had taken her father from her.

The rest of the meeting goes pretty much the same and she's amused when she remembers that just a few short hours ago she had been absolutely scared shitless to stand here in front of the elder members of the tribe. Paul and Sonny had spent a handful of hours the previous night reassuring her that it would be okay, that they'd listen to her. The words had been a comfort, even if momentarily, though the comfort had done nothing to calm the sprint her heart undertook.

"Is there anything else you'd like to say, Alpha Ragnulf?." The eldest council member asks.

Skylar's attention snapping to her, and seeing a pearl of age-old wisdom in her eyes mixed with a small undercurrent of pride. It made a rock settle in Skylar's stomach but she ignores it as best she could. Yes, she was glad to see that so far in her time as Alpha she had made people proud of her, though she still wasn't used to seeing it. To accept it, not after the mistakes she'd made.

"Yes, there is," she says steadily as she clears her throat. "There is an age-old law from the first formation of the pack, one that was once blanketed over me and my brother. The law that states a member of the pack who grows up within another tribe or away from our lands, should never know about their destiny, their potential for the shift."

A murmur of nods ripple around the room and Sonny grips her hand tighter. This was something the two were partners in. Their bond solidified by a shared history and they were both resolute in making sure no one else followed in their footsteps. It was the one thing that Skylar was absolutely sure about, this decision was one she had been discussing with their father, and now she hoped that her new position meant she could make this wish a reality.

If not, she'd fight for it either way.

"I grew up never knowing my destiny as an alpha, as a wolf. And as such, I believe it is the reason I am struggling with my current choices and the weight that is settled on my shoulders. As such, I would like to petition that the law be abolished. My child and other children of the pack should be informed of their destiny and trusted to withstand the beliefs of our people, no matter where it is that they grow up. So that when the shift occurs, they are better prepared for their destiny and the proud lineage to which they are a part of."

Her voice carries around the room, her tone showing she wasn't allowing any opening for doubt into her decision. She would allow for leeway on many things, but not this. She had spent eighteen years of her life blind to what was coming her way, and then when she shifted it was like she was drowning with no potential of seeing land. Or least it could have been, luckily she'd grown up with the Quileute legends, yet clothes didn't have the luxury.

Plus, Skylar outright refused to be an alpha that lied to her pack. She'd lived with that damage. She'd been hurt by it and she refused to allow others to wallow in her pack. No, she would change things slowly, making a difference to the pack that could only come from her own experiences. Whilst she was still sorting out her inner demons, this was something she just knew.

A murmur of agreement to discuss the abolishment of the law rings around the room and she feels her breath escape her on a huge sigh, Sonny's happiness bleeding into her and causing her heart to almost burst. Despite not wanting to feel or see the pride in others, right now she was proud of herself.

She'd made the right step.

After the ending of the meeting, she walks back out with Ryker and Sonny and starts the ten-mile walk back to her father's house. None of them in a rush and enjoy the easy atmosphere around them, the three discussing the meeting and how they both thought it had gone better than planned. The three pack mates also discuss the patrols later and who's turn it was to spar with Peter. The vampire in question had decided to make sure the other pack members were as up to speed as Skylar was in hand to hand combat.

Skylar though, knew the pack was just enjoying getting to hit a vampire in the face, repeatedly.

"Oh, Sonny. If you want to come with us to La Push. Be here early, we're running there so we're leaving about eight-ish. Ryker you've got the pack for the day."

Separating from her packmate and brother after discussing the meeting with Sam and as she reaches her front door, she watches the two take off across the yard. In the distance, she could see the telltale sparkling of Peter and for a moment she's thankful the land was so private as she wasn't sure she had an excuse viable to cover that up.

Shaking her head on a laugh she walks in, her smile growing as she meets the tired gaze of Paul. Her steps automatically take her into his arms. As she leans against his chest she inhales deeply, allowing his calming scent to build on the happiness she felt in her veins and surround her in a cocoon of warmth.

"How did the meeting go?." He murmurs into her hair causing a shiver to run down her spine at the huskiness of his sleep-addled voice.

"Good." she chokes "They accepted my apology, agree with your role as mediator between the packs. Oh, and they've agreed to look into the abolishment of the secrecy law for those that grow up away from here."

Skylar wasn't an idiot, she knew her voice was wrapped in her happiness and it was bleeding into the air around her as Paul laughs richly. His finger crooks under her chin and lifts her face and as her eyes meet his obsidian gaze she isn't surprised to see the pride also shining there. Yet it's the level of love that has her breathe stuttering in her throat. It was still surprising to see that after all this time he loved her. But she was slowly learning to stop judging him by their shared past.

Yeah baby steps, she could do baby steps towards fixing everything.

"Told you it would go well." he teases

"Yeah, yeah," she growls playfully pulling away from him.

Heading into the kitchen she moves over to the fridge to grab a drink as she hears Paul wander in behind her, grabbing two bottles she throws one idly over her shoulder in Paul's direction as she opens her own and swallows down the chilled drink. Turning, she freezes as she sees Paul stood near the kitchen table, looking over what she was doing before the meeting.

"What's this?." he asks curiously, opening his own bottle.

"A scrapbook, for Emmie-Jo." Skylar sighs heading over. Reaching out she moves some of the photo's and reveals the one of her and Joseph. "A scrapbook featuring her dad. Joseph Leone."

She watches Paul's face as he reaches out and picks up the picture, a tendril of unease spreading through her skin as she notes his face is emotionless. Not even a flicker spreading over his face as he drinks in the picture, his fingers idly tapping against the bottle in his hand.

"She has his eyes," he comments softly. "From the looks of it, his cheeky smile too."

"Yes, she does." her voice taking on a wistful tone. "That smile always had me forgiving him. Even if he woke my ass up at three am simply because he wanted company."

"Did you love him?." The question has her choking on her tongue, Paul smoking as he turns to look at her. "I'm not jealous, trouble. I just want to know about the man who meant something to you. Even I can see in this picture that the two of you were close."

Every part of her rebelled. She didn't want to have this conversation with Paul. She didn't want to blur the lines between Paul and Joseph. She would rather keep them truly separated but one look in Paul's eyes and she can see that there isn't any jealousy. He truly was curious.

"Yeah, I did."

"I'd like to know more about him one day." He comments setting the picture back down. "He seems like he was a good man."

Before she can stop it, a tear trails it's way down her face. A few more followed soon after. Paul moves automatically, setting down his water before pulling her into his arms. Soothing words fluttering off his lips and into her ears as she lets lose the tears she'd been burying for three years nearly. She'd not grieved Joseph's loss. How could she when she saw his eyes every day.

"He was a part of you, you both created a gorgeous little girl. I will never be jealous of that, I have no right to be."

Skylar doubted that, given technically she had been unfaithful. But she was done arguing. And instead lets the tears fall as she stands there, cocooned in a barrier of love. Paul's arms stopped her from falling apart completely as she grieved the other man she loved. The father of her child.

She's unsure how long she stands there, her tears flowing freely but soon they dry up and she simply rests her head against Paul's shoulder as she drags in lungfuls of his scent. A deep resonating purr sounding in his chest which both soothes her and calls to the wolf inside.

Rearing back she looks at his face, once more love and understanding swirl within those bottomless pits of midnight and she decides to welcome it. Leaning up she presses her lips against Paul's. Her hands come to circle his neck as his tongue plunders into her mouth. Nothing about the kiss is soft, it's demanding, it's fire let loose and she was once more burning as she always did with him this close.

Pulling away, Skylar looked at him, her own eyes heated, she was sure. "Make me yours."

The last time they'd come together like this, she'd been the one doing the claiming. But now, she was ready to hand herself over completely. And she needed to feel him, to feel him bringing forth a feeling only he had ever been able to induce in her, the feeling of being complete whilst burning alive. A volatile feeling.

But one that was completely theirs.

- ʚɞ -

A / N: Reviews are love and highly appreciated- This chapter kinda wrote itself. Hope you all like it. And yeah, finally the two are getting laid again….took their time huh. Anyways...enjoy.