Disclaimer: My language, my attitude, my behaviour, UPN's characters. What
to do, what to do. just don't steal any stuff that obviously mine.
A/N: Yes, don't shit yourself, this is Ruby's trial. This chapter is make you mad oh yes it is, but you can just live with it. Also I reloaded chapter one, trying to make it easier to read, sorry about the long paragraphs. P.s. I just watched The Others with the house creaking, in the dark. Scared, I am.
Are you ready, children?
Then I'll begin
Thanks,
~Stigmata_Crow~
(Camera pans into the field beside the lake, where all the crazy parties go on. It's about 4 in the afternoon. There is a large gathering of people. It's the Skin Walkers waiting for the Ancients to come and lead them to The Haven. Camera stops on Sophia, Matt, and Sarah. The snow has melted a bit, but it's still fricking cold outside, yet everyone seems to be perfectly warm. Some people are naked, so Sophia looks shaky, and is trying to concentrate on her fathers face, but you can tell that she wants to crawl under a rock and stay there for a long time. Music: Aida, Sarah McLaughlin)
Sherman walked up to Sophia and handed her a silver cup with some sort of red liquid in it. "You look nervous." She nodded, then looked in the cup, then looked back at him, puzzled. "Oh, it's purifying wine, tradition you know. Take a sip and pass it on." She brought the cup to her lips and took a sip. She almost immediately threw it back up. "Got a bit of a bite. So what are you nervous about? Have to stand up and give your opinion of the verdict at the end of the trial? Or is it because Old Man Harvey doesn't even have socks on?" Sophia laughed. "Cause it scares the bejesus out of me." "Yes, Sherman, I was a little appalled at that, but mostly because they want me to give my opinion. Why do they want me do give one?" "They're testing you, trying to see where you stand. They want to you value the Pack. They think you're going to side with Ruby, because you mostly see her side, you had to live it. They what to see if they can let you in." Sophia nodded contemplatively, when something over Sherman's shoulder got her attention. There stood the Brat Pack, Sean and Alex, lack of shirts; and Presley, lack of everything. Sophia narrowed her eyes and shook her head. "What's she to prove?" Sarah walked up behind her. "That even though you might be the first, pardon the term, half-breed to flip, she's still more sluttier than you are." "She's making a fool of herself." Sarah stepped to stand beside Sophia. "Plus, to look at it from a guys point of view, you can no clearly see that my ten-year-old cousin has bigger boobs that she does." Sophia chuckled. "You have an odd sense of humor."
Then a familiar white/gray wolf appeared out of nowhere and walked right by Sophia, causing her to jump as he stepped on her foot. Luke padded up to the Brat Pack, then shifted back to human form. "Oh God." Sophia grabbed Sarah. He's not going to be au natural too?" "Calm down, Sean just gave him some pants." He looked up in time to see him buckle up his belt. He caught her starring at him and blew her a kiss, at which point she blushed tomato red and put the hood on her shirt on her head and pulled the drawstrings until her face disappeared. "Sarah shook her head. "Yeah, I'm the weird one." Sophia pulled her hood down and turned away from Luke to face Sarah. "Leave me alone, I'm nervous and he's not helping." Sarah looked over her shoulder. "Oh dear, this isn't good."
Sophia turned around just in time to see Presley flounce over to Luke and jump on him. He wasn't expecting her, so as she collided into him, he lost his balance and started falling, but amazingly enough he caught her and managed to stay on his feet. He then promptly dropped her on her ass. Sarah and Sophia looked at each other, then burst into peals of laughter. "That was better then the boob joke." "Look, it's not done yet." Sophia turned around to see that when Presley fell, she started rolling towards the lake. She landed in the freezing water with a splash. Sean walked to the water, and reached out a hand to help Presley up, fighting to not laugh. She did nothing but whine and flail in the water. "That has to be cold, even for her." Sophia wiped her eyes and turned back to her father, who had just noticed Presley was in the water. "Soph, what was that about?" "Nothing dad," She said still giggling. "Nothing at all."
A loud howl sounded through the air. Everybody turned and looked. Presley finally managed to get out of the water. From over a hill to the south of them a large pack of wolves erupted. They ran down the hill and stood before the Gathering. These weren't ordinary Skin Walker wolves. These wolves had streaks of colour on them. Red, green, deep purple, orange... they took Sophia's breath away.
The Ancients and ran, this time straight onto the Gathering. They then slowed, and walked past them. They were leading them to The Haven. They followed them through the forest. Farther than Sophia had ever dared to venture. A wolf came up to her, standing right beside her. This one Had blue markings all over it, especially on it's face. The wolf turned up to look at her as they were walking. Her eyes were a light yellow, but she could see something else in them. Her father. Though yellow, these were the eyes of her father. This was her Grandmother. She smiled and ruffled her hand through her Grandmother's collar.
The walked for what seemed to be hours. But one thing they noticed is that the air, the whole atmosphere gradually got warmed. In fact in was started to feel like a humid summer's day, which caused, to Sophia's dismay, more people to disrobe. Then they reached a clearing. In the middle of it is what seemed to be a stone altar. Old wooden made a semi-circle around the altar, then there were stone ones. In the inner circle sat a stone chair and shackles on it. Then there were two chairs on either side of the shackled one, and two across from it, on the other side of the altar. Also there were two more chairs, facing the throne, perpendicular to the prisoner's chair, made out of a funny blue stone. Finally there was giant stone throne, surrounded by three smaller thrones on each side. The Alpha's throne was inlaid with honey amber, while the smaller ones had brandy coloured amber. Sherman grabbed Sophia. "You remember what I told you?" "Yes, the Pack will be divided by rank, and since I am being asked tested, I must sit on the chair closest to the throne opposite the prisoners chair. You will sit beside me." The Pack took their places. UnFlipped members, well children, on the wooden benches, Flipped members on stone, Sophia sat in her spot Tyler, beside the prisoners chair, Vivian on the throne, and the Council surrounding her, leaving one empty seat at the end of the thrones. Vivian turned to face Matt. "Since the last trial was yours, Matt, and you daughter will be tested, I think should take the last seat. You will not be asked to help in deliberations if you do not want to." Matt nodded and took the last chair. Vivian's presence far over shadowed anyone there. One thing was clear. The council gave their opinion, but the final decision was hers.
Two hooded figures came from behind the throne, bringing Ruby. They placed her into the prisoners chair and locked her in. Vivian nodded to them. They took the two chairs in front of the benches, facing the Throne. Vivian waved her arm and the crowed hushed.
"Let the proceeding begin."
(A/N: I was going to put a commercial right here, but I'll be nice for a change and give you two chapters)
The two hooded men got up again and when to the altar. They reached underneath it and pulled a silver object, looked like a candleholder that could fit 14 large candles in it. (all through Sherman's conversation, the hood men circle the altar, chanting something in Lupus Teangadh and throw blue powder on it) "What is it?" Sophia whispered to Sherman. "It's a Skin Walker lie detector test. When signaled, we will all go up to the altar. A knife will be passed around, and you will diagonally slice open your hand, and let the blood run into one of the cups in the Chalice. It's a special kind of silver. When you drop your blood into it, a part of you soul and conscience will go into it as well. If you say something untruthful, the blood in you cup will change colours, only if you are completely honest will the blood stay red. At the end of the trial you will get up, remove your cup, and drink your blood. Then your soul will be whole again." Sophia nodded.
The hooded men stopped what they were doing and stood at either side of the altar. Then Vivian got up, signaling the 13 others to rise with her. Sophia walked uneasily to the altar. One of the men handed Vivian a long silver knife embedded with green amber. She sliced her hand and watched as her blood drained into the cup. Sherman leaned towards Sophia. "Be careful with that knife, eh," he whispered. "It's silver. When cut with silver a Skin Walker's healing abilities can't be used." Sophia nodded. The knife reached her. She took it in her right hand and cut her left one. A small scratch, but the pain was extraordinary. It felt like she tried to cut her hand off. She managed not to waiver and began to pour her blood into the cup. Part of her felt empty as she did. She could actually feel her soul pour into the chalice.
They sat back down. Sophia clutched her hand. Vivian turned to Ruby. " Ruby Elizabeth Cates Creed, you are charged with many things above all Endangerment of the pack. Does the Accused have anything to say for herself?" Ruby stood up in her bindings. "I was forced into a marriage that I wanted no part in. I was forced to give up on love. All I ask is a chance to make John see. To tell him, to make him understand what I am, what we do, and that he cannot interfere. And if he can accept that, to be let go from this hellish pact and given the freedom to marry whom I chose. Like another, sitting on your very panel." Ruby turned to Matt. Vivian gave a scowl, then turned to the benches. "What does the community have to say about this?"
There was a moment a silence, then Luke stood up. "I love Ruby. She is my sister. But John Kanin cannot be trusted. He sticks his nose into everything. He is too concerned about someone who, in reality he hardly even knows. How do we know how he will react to finding a town full of people who can turn into wolves? What would he do when he finds out murder is in our blood, in our traditions? He doesn't understand survival of the fittest. Yes, he could accept this all in turn, but he could also freak and call the FBI. Why should we trust him Ruby?" She was in tears. The one person she thought would truly defend her whole cause had turned on her. "Because I love him. I wouldn't love him if I didn't think he couldn't handle this." Tyler looked disgusted. Luke's eyes hardened even more. "But you also loved Tyler once, and look at the way that bastard turned out." He began to look more empathetic. "Don't think I want you to be miserable. I want all the happiness in the world for you, but I also want to be able to go to bed at night without worrying that some government official is going to come kidnap me and do tests on me." He lowered his head. "Which is why, though it pains me to say it. I suggest not to put her to death, but to force mate her with Tyler. It's either her, or the town, and that's our motto. Sacrifice one... for the good of many." Vivian practically beamed at her son. He was finally thinking as an Alpha. She turned to Council. "Does the council have anything to add?" "Yes," said Matt. "We also have to look ahead. How do we convince John that Ruby would rather be with Tyler than him, when it's clear on who she loves?" "Good question Matt. The court turns to Ruby's defense." Tyler stood up, all a smirk. "I agree with all of you. Ruby is a asset. We need her we can't kill her. As for Kanin, you all know that I want to see him dead. But I would much rather see him hurt. Have Ruby resurface, on my arm. Have her tell Kanin that I cheated on her, and whatnot, so to make me mad; she decided to go have a fling with a city boy. When his heart is crushed, he'll leave. Save me having to kill him, and he'll hate Ruby, so they'll be nothing out there for her to make her leave." Ruby almost fainted. If this was sentenced to her, she'd have to follow it, no questions asked. She looked at her stepmother to surprisingly find a pained look on her face.
"I didn't want to scar Ruby. But it seems that there is no other choice. So Tyler, regrettably I will grant you your wish, on one condition. Do not steal Ruby from us. Yes she will be force mated with you, but if you lock her up, I will let her murder you in anyway she pleases. And for god sakes let her name the children. I f I have to put up with another Jebediah Creed, I'm going to kill someone." This caused a small flashed of happiness to cross Ruby's face. Stepmother and stepdaughter looked at each other with a new understanding. Ruby had no hate in her eyes for Vivian, only acceptance. She understood her position. She had made the right choice, not to be evil to her, not to make her suffer, but for the good of the Pack. Her stepmother did love her. Ruby was actually smiling for a moment.
Vivian turned to Sophia. "This place is full of history and today we are going to make that history richer. Sophia Donner, as you know we have had other people who were not of full Skin Walker blood make it to the Flip, but they weren't strong enough to survive. You my dear, with the help of Donner blood, just might be the first. So to honour your entrance in the Pack, and yes, to test you, we brought you to this trial." Presley cringed. "Please give you opinion of the outcome of this trial." Sophia swallowed and dropped her eyes to the floor. "I know that you all think that I'm going to strongly oppose because of my father, but, believe it or not, I do see it the same way you do. My mother had no police connections, no ties to government. Plain and simple she was harmless, unimportant to you. John Kanin is a big threat, and we need to get rid of him. Over all I think that the trial was completely fair. She could not give Ruby what she wanted, because it would be unfair to the rest of the pack., but she couldn't order John death, because she had to give Ruby something. Mrs. Cates, in my personal opinion, you called it right down the middle, as your late husband would say." She looked up to receive two smiles, one from Ruby, and one from Vivian. She then heard clapping. She turned around to see Luke applauding her. Slow, everyone else, save Presley followed. Even Tyler was pleased at her response. She couldn't help but beam. For the first time in four years, she belonged.
***
(Cut to Ruby and Tyler walking home to his giant lakeside house. You've seen it before, no description needed. Tyler's being a little possessive, and a little too grabby. Ruby seem strangely calm.)
"Ready for act one of the bashing John parade?" Ruby looked up at Tyler, confused. He just beamed. "My sources told me that Kanin's headed this way to see why we weren't around all day." Ruby shook her head. "No, I'm not ready, I'll never be." Tyler took Ruby in his arms. "You and me, we were good together. Can't we just go back?" Ruby sighed, thinking of the times that Tyler was her protector. "Maybe if you hadn't changed so much. Selling X to kids, dumping toxic stuff in the lake, being accused of killing my father. It's so different. But sometimes, just sometimes I can still see my Tyler Bear, somewhere deep inside you. What happened to him?" "He watched his father die at the hands of Gerald and his like. I wouldn't kill your father. I have too much hidden respect for him. He let me live. He even tried to stop Gerald" "But you know who did, don't you?" "I have I real good idea, but it's not the time to share it just yet." Ruby nodded. "I hear John coming, Tyler, time to act like a cold heartless bitch." "It's one of your talents." Ruby laughed. "You're still made about me getting you to take off your clothes and locking you outside when we were, what, 17?" "I took that very personally." Ruby laughed again, reminiscing, trying to let herself make the best of this. "Remember bighead, the next few minutes are me acting." "Sure whatever, here he comes"
John heard laughter coming from Tyler's front door. He headed round the bushes, and his eyes grew wide at the site he saw. Ruby was right there, and she was talking to Tyler. He was about to run up there and arrest Tyler for her kidnapping when he heard what they were saying. "So Ruby," Tyler said. "Am I forgiven?" "I don't know, seeing you with that French chick, what's her name, Foufou? It got me pretty mad...." "Please, you lowered yourself to sleeping with a cop." "Yeah, that was pretty low. Okay your forgiven." Tyler pulled Ruby up and kissed her. John was shocked. "RUBY!" The two turned to see John running up to them. They quickly ran to the door and opened it. Tyler pushed Ruby inside and started to follow when John caught up and grabbed his arm. Ruby ran back to the door. John was ready to let go of Tyler and hug her, when her felt her hand grabbed the hand he was holding Tyler with, and shoved him, hard. He landed on the ground to see Ruby pull Tyler in the door, laughing. When he go back up, Tyler was still at the door. He had locked it and was staring at him though the window. "Ruby...." Tyler's face was pure evil. "Looks like I win. Oh and John. R. Creed. Yeah, it was Ruby. How stupid can you get?" He shut the inside door and John began to pound on the glass one. "Boy, that was fun." Tyler jump up the stairs, almost giddy. Ruby stared at the door, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Goodbye, John...."
***
(Cut to Luke, in his black pajamas, hehehe, walking out of his bathroom and into his room. It's about midnight. He get in bed and turns out the light. Music: In This Life, by Chantal Kruviasik.)
Luke heard someone try to open the door to his balcony, then a light tap on the window. He got up to see Sophia staring at him. "What are you doing here? It's freezing." "Your not the only one with a high body temperature, and besides, I've asked you the same question a million times before, I figure It's my turn to keep you up." "Luke opened the door and smirked. "I know at least one good way you can do that." She gave him a light smack on the chest "So what are you doing here?" "I came to tell you that I can start over again with you. And to show you, I want to give you these." She handed him her glasses. Luke looked puzzled. "Why are you giving these to me?" "Because I don't need them any more." Luke smiled at her. "So are we ok?" Luke nodded. "Ok, goodnight." She walked back to the door and opened it. "Luke." He walked back to the door. "What?" She grabbed him and kiss him, this time causing him lose his footing. "You've corrupted me, dammit." And with that she leapt off the balcony and crawled down the wall, her new wolf abilities showing strongly. Luke smiled and shut the door."
(Cut to credits as music gets louder.)
A/N: *hides from barrage of rotten fruit* I know, I Know, not what you were expecting, maybe not even what you wanted, but hey, what my muse says goes. And my Muse and me agree on two things, 1, we don't think Tyler is that bad of a guy, 2 we don't really like John overly much, C'est la vie. Yes this story only has two chapters, cause they're both pretty long. And other thing, why doesn't everybody ask me what's going to happen? Firstly, I don't know myself yet, so I can't tell you, and secondly, don't you like to be surprised? Sheesh. And as I have said on the reviews, Sapphira I would love for you to proofread, but not right now, just trying to pump out my muses slave orders. Please review, I love to read them.
A/N: Yes, don't shit yourself, this is Ruby's trial. This chapter is make you mad oh yes it is, but you can just live with it. Also I reloaded chapter one, trying to make it easier to read, sorry about the long paragraphs. P.s. I just watched The Others with the house creaking, in the dark. Scared, I am.
Are you ready, children?
Then I'll begin
Thanks,
~Stigmata_Crow~
(Camera pans into the field beside the lake, where all the crazy parties go on. It's about 4 in the afternoon. There is a large gathering of people. It's the Skin Walkers waiting for the Ancients to come and lead them to The Haven. Camera stops on Sophia, Matt, and Sarah. The snow has melted a bit, but it's still fricking cold outside, yet everyone seems to be perfectly warm. Some people are naked, so Sophia looks shaky, and is trying to concentrate on her fathers face, but you can tell that she wants to crawl under a rock and stay there for a long time. Music: Aida, Sarah McLaughlin)
Sherman walked up to Sophia and handed her a silver cup with some sort of red liquid in it. "You look nervous." She nodded, then looked in the cup, then looked back at him, puzzled. "Oh, it's purifying wine, tradition you know. Take a sip and pass it on." She brought the cup to her lips and took a sip. She almost immediately threw it back up. "Got a bit of a bite. So what are you nervous about? Have to stand up and give your opinion of the verdict at the end of the trial? Or is it because Old Man Harvey doesn't even have socks on?" Sophia laughed. "Cause it scares the bejesus out of me." "Yes, Sherman, I was a little appalled at that, but mostly because they want me to give my opinion. Why do they want me do give one?" "They're testing you, trying to see where you stand. They want to you value the Pack. They think you're going to side with Ruby, because you mostly see her side, you had to live it. They what to see if they can let you in." Sophia nodded contemplatively, when something over Sherman's shoulder got her attention. There stood the Brat Pack, Sean and Alex, lack of shirts; and Presley, lack of everything. Sophia narrowed her eyes and shook her head. "What's she to prove?" Sarah walked up behind her. "That even though you might be the first, pardon the term, half-breed to flip, she's still more sluttier than you are." "She's making a fool of herself." Sarah stepped to stand beside Sophia. "Plus, to look at it from a guys point of view, you can no clearly see that my ten-year-old cousin has bigger boobs that she does." Sophia chuckled. "You have an odd sense of humor."
Then a familiar white/gray wolf appeared out of nowhere and walked right by Sophia, causing her to jump as he stepped on her foot. Luke padded up to the Brat Pack, then shifted back to human form. "Oh God." Sophia grabbed Sarah. He's not going to be au natural too?" "Calm down, Sean just gave him some pants." He looked up in time to see him buckle up his belt. He caught her starring at him and blew her a kiss, at which point she blushed tomato red and put the hood on her shirt on her head and pulled the drawstrings until her face disappeared. "Sarah shook her head. "Yeah, I'm the weird one." Sophia pulled her hood down and turned away from Luke to face Sarah. "Leave me alone, I'm nervous and he's not helping." Sarah looked over her shoulder. "Oh dear, this isn't good."
Sophia turned around just in time to see Presley flounce over to Luke and jump on him. He wasn't expecting her, so as she collided into him, he lost his balance and started falling, but amazingly enough he caught her and managed to stay on his feet. He then promptly dropped her on her ass. Sarah and Sophia looked at each other, then burst into peals of laughter. "That was better then the boob joke." "Look, it's not done yet." Sophia turned around to see that when Presley fell, she started rolling towards the lake. She landed in the freezing water with a splash. Sean walked to the water, and reached out a hand to help Presley up, fighting to not laugh. She did nothing but whine and flail in the water. "That has to be cold, even for her." Sophia wiped her eyes and turned back to her father, who had just noticed Presley was in the water. "Soph, what was that about?" "Nothing dad," She said still giggling. "Nothing at all."
A loud howl sounded through the air. Everybody turned and looked. Presley finally managed to get out of the water. From over a hill to the south of them a large pack of wolves erupted. They ran down the hill and stood before the Gathering. These weren't ordinary Skin Walker wolves. These wolves had streaks of colour on them. Red, green, deep purple, orange... they took Sophia's breath away.
The Ancients and ran, this time straight onto the Gathering. They then slowed, and walked past them. They were leading them to The Haven. They followed them through the forest. Farther than Sophia had ever dared to venture. A wolf came up to her, standing right beside her. This one Had blue markings all over it, especially on it's face. The wolf turned up to look at her as they were walking. Her eyes were a light yellow, but she could see something else in them. Her father. Though yellow, these were the eyes of her father. This was her Grandmother. She smiled and ruffled her hand through her Grandmother's collar.
The walked for what seemed to be hours. But one thing they noticed is that the air, the whole atmosphere gradually got warmed. In fact in was started to feel like a humid summer's day, which caused, to Sophia's dismay, more people to disrobe. Then they reached a clearing. In the middle of it is what seemed to be a stone altar. Old wooden made a semi-circle around the altar, then there were stone ones. In the inner circle sat a stone chair and shackles on it. Then there were two chairs on either side of the shackled one, and two across from it, on the other side of the altar. Also there were two more chairs, facing the throne, perpendicular to the prisoner's chair, made out of a funny blue stone. Finally there was giant stone throne, surrounded by three smaller thrones on each side. The Alpha's throne was inlaid with honey amber, while the smaller ones had brandy coloured amber. Sherman grabbed Sophia. "You remember what I told you?" "Yes, the Pack will be divided by rank, and since I am being asked tested, I must sit on the chair closest to the throne opposite the prisoners chair. You will sit beside me." The Pack took their places. UnFlipped members, well children, on the wooden benches, Flipped members on stone, Sophia sat in her spot Tyler, beside the prisoners chair, Vivian on the throne, and the Council surrounding her, leaving one empty seat at the end of the thrones. Vivian turned to face Matt. "Since the last trial was yours, Matt, and you daughter will be tested, I think should take the last seat. You will not be asked to help in deliberations if you do not want to." Matt nodded and took the last chair. Vivian's presence far over shadowed anyone there. One thing was clear. The council gave their opinion, but the final decision was hers.
Two hooded figures came from behind the throne, bringing Ruby. They placed her into the prisoners chair and locked her in. Vivian nodded to them. They took the two chairs in front of the benches, facing the Throne. Vivian waved her arm and the crowed hushed.
"Let the proceeding begin."
(A/N: I was going to put a commercial right here, but I'll be nice for a change and give you two chapters)
The two hooded men got up again and when to the altar. They reached underneath it and pulled a silver object, looked like a candleholder that could fit 14 large candles in it. (all through Sherman's conversation, the hood men circle the altar, chanting something in Lupus Teangadh and throw blue powder on it) "What is it?" Sophia whispered to Sherman. "It's a Skin Walker lie detector test. When signaled, we will all go up to the altar. A knife will be passed around, and you will diagonally slice open your hand, and let the blood run into one of the cups in the Chalice. It's a special kind of silver. When you drop your blood into it, a part of you soul and conscience will go into it as well. If you say something untruthful, the blood in you cup will change colours, only if you are completely honest will the blood stay red. At the end of the trial you will get up, remove your cup, and drink your blood. Then your soul will be whole again." Sophia nodded.
The hooded men stopped what they were doing and stood at either side of the altar. Then Vivian got up, signaling the 13 others to rise with her. Sophia walked uneasily to the altar. One of the men handed Vivian a long silver knife embedded with green amber. She sliced her hand and watched as her blood drained into the cup. Sherman leaned towards Sophia. "Be careful with that knife, eh," he whispered. "It's silver. When cut with silver a Skin Walker's healing abilities can't be used." Sophia nodded. The knife reached her. She took it in her right hand and cut her left one. A small scratch, but the pain was extraordinary. It felt like she tried to cut her hand off. She managed not to waiver and began to pour her blood into the cup. Part of her felt empty as she did. She could actually feel her soul pour into the chalice.
They sat back down. Sophia clutched her hand. Vivian turned to Ruby. " Ruby Elizabeth Cates Creed, you are charged with many things above all Endangerment of the pack. Does the Accused have anything to say for herself?" Ruby stood up in her bindings. "I was forced into a marriage that I wanted no part in. I was forced to give up on love. All I ask is a chance to make John see. To tell him, to make him understand what I am, what we do, and that he cannot interfere. And if he can accept that, to be let go from this hellish pact and given the freedom to marry whom I chose. Like another, sitting on your very panel." Ruby turned to Matt. Vivian gave a scowl, then turned to the benches. "What does the community have to say about this?"
There was a moment a silence, then Luke stood up. "I love Ruby. She is my sister. But John Kanin cannot be trusted. He sticks his nose into everything. He is too concerned about someone who, in reality he hardly even knows. How do we know how he will react to finding a town full of people who can turn into wolves? What would he do when he finds out murder is in our blood, in our traditions? He doesn't understand survival of the fittest. Yes, he could accept this all in turn, but he could also freak and call the FBI. Why should we trust him Ruby?" She was in tears. The one person she thought would truly defend her whole cause had turned on her. "Because I love him. I wouldn't love him if I didn't think he couldn't handle this." Tyler looked disgusted. Luke's eyes hardened even more. "But you also loved Tyler once, and look at the way that bastard turned out." He began to look more empathetic. "Don't think I want you to be miserable. I want all the happiness in the world for you, but I also want to be able to go to bed at night without worrying that some government official is going to come kidnap me and do tests on me." He lowered his head. "Which is why, though it pains me to say it. I suggest not to put her to death, but to force mate her with Tyler. It's either her, or the town, and that's our motto. Sacrifice one... for the good of many." Vivian practically beamed at her son. He was finally thinking as an Alpha. She turned to Council. "Does the council have anything to add?" "Yes," said Matt. "We also have to look ahead. How do we convince John that Ruby would rather be with Tyler than him, when it's clear on who she loves?" "Good question Matt. The court turns to Ruby's defense." Tyler stood up, all a smirk. "I agree with all of you. Ruby is a asset. We need her we can't kill her. As for Kanin, you all know that I want to see him dead. But I would much rather see him hurt. Have Ruby resurface, on my arm. Have her tell Kanin that I cheated on her, and whatnot, so to make me mad; she decided to go have a fling with a city boy. When his heart is crushed, he'll leave. Save me having to kill him, and he'll hate Ruby, so they'll be nothing out there for her to make her leave." Ruby almost fainted. If this was sentenced to her, she'd have to follow it, no questions asked. She looked at her stepmother to surprisingly find a pained look on her face.
"I didn't want to scar Ruby. But it seems that there is no other choice. So Tyler, regrettably I will grant you your wish, on one condition. Do not steal Ruby from us. Yes she will be force mated with you, but if you lock her up, I will let her murder you in anyway she pleases. And for god sakes let her name the children. I f I have to put up with another Jebediah Creed, I'm going to kill someone." This caused a small flashed of happiness to cross Ruby's face. Stepmother and stepdaughter looked at each other with a new understanding. Ruby had no hate in her eyes for Vivian, only acceptance. She understood her position. She had made the right choice, not to be evil to her, not to make her suffer, but for the good of the Pack. Her stepmother did love her. Ruby was actually smiling for a moment.
Vivian turned to Sophia. "This place is full of history and today we are going to make that history richer. Sophia Donner, as you know we have had other people who were not of full Skin Walker blood make it to the Flip, but they weren't strong enough to survive. You my dear, with the help of Donner blood, just might be the first. So to honour your entrance in the Pack, and yes, to test you, we brought you to this trial." Presley cringed. "Please give you opinion of the outcome of this trial." Sophia swallowed and dropped her eyes to the floor. "I know that you all think that I'm going to strongly oppose because of my father, but, believe it or not, I do see it the same way you do. My mother had no police connections, no ties to government. Plain and simple she was harmless, unimportant to you. John Kanin is a big threat, and we need to get rid of him. Over all I think that the trial was completely fair. She could not give Ruby what she wanted, because it would be unfair to the rest of the pack., but she couldn't order John death, because she had to give Ruby something. Mrs. Cates, in my personal opinion, you called it right down the middle, as your late husband would say." She looked up to receive two smiles, one from Ruby, and one from Vivian. She then heard clapping. She turned around to see Luke applauding her. Slow, everyone else, save Presley followed. Even Tyler was pleased at her response. She couldn't help but beam. For the first time in four years, she belonged.
***
(Cut to Ruby and Tyler walking home to his giant lakeside house. You've seen it before, no description needed. Tyler's being a little possessive, and a little too grabby. Ruby seem strangely calm.)
"Ready for act one of the bashing John parade?" Ruby looked up at Tyler, confused. He just beamed. "My sources told me that Kanin's headed this way to see why we weren't around all day." Ruby shook her head. "No, I'm not ready, I'll never be." Tyler took Ruby in his arms. "You and me, we were good together. Can't we just go back?" Ruby sighed, thinking of the times that Tyler was her protector. "Maybe if you hadn't changed so much. Selling X to kids, dumping toxic stuff in the lake, being accused of killing my father. It's so different. But sometimes, just sometimes I can still see my Tyler Bear, somewhere deep inside you. What happened to him?" "He watched his father die at the hands of Gerald and his like. I wouldn't kill your father. I have too much hidden respect for him. He let me live. He even tried to stop Gerald" "But you know who did, don't you?" "I have I real good idea, but it's not the time to share it just yet." Ruby nodded. "I hear John coming, Tyler, time to act like a cold heartless bitch." "It's one of your talents." Ruby laughed. "You're still made about me getting you to take off your clothes and locking you outside when we were, what, 17?" "I took that very personally." Ruby laughed again, reminiscing, trying to let herself make the best of this. "Remember bighead, the next few minutes are me acting." "Sure whatever, here he comes"
John heard laughter coming from Tyler's front door. He headed round the bushes, and his eyes grew wide at the site he saw. Ruby was right there, and she was talking to Tyler. He was about to run up there and arrest Tyler for her kidnapping when he heard what they were saying. "So Ruby," Tyler said. "Am I forgiven?" "I don't know, seeing you with that French chick, what's her name, Foufou? It got me pretty mad...." "Please, you lowered yourself to sleeping with a cop." "Yeah, that was pretty low. Okay your forgiven." Tyler pulled Ruby up and kissed her. John was shocked. "RUBY!" The two turned to see John running up to them. They quickly ran to the door and opened it. Tyler pushed Ruby inside and started to follow when John caught up and grabbed his arm. Ruby ran back to the door. John was ready to let go of Tyler and hug her, when her felt her hand grabbed the hand he was holding Tyler with, and shoved him, hard. He landed on the ground to see Ruby pull Tyler in the door, laughing. When he go back up, Tyler was still at the door. He had locked it and was staring at him though the window. "Ruby...." Tyler's face was pure evil. "Looks like I win. Oh and John. R. Creed. Yeah, it was Ruby. How stupid can you get?" He shut the inside door and John began to pound on the glass one. "Boy, that was fun." Tyler jump up the stairs, almost giddy. Ruby stared at the door, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Goodbye, John...."
***
(Cut to Luke, in his black pajamas, hehehe, walking out of his bathroom and into his room. It's about midnight. He get in bed and turns out the light. Music: In This Life, by Chantal Kruviasik.)
Luke heard someone try to open the door to his balcony, then a light tap on the window. He got up to see Sophia staring at him. "What are you doing here? It's freezing." "Your not the only one with a high body temperature, and besides, I've asked you the same question a million times before, I figure It's my turn to keep you up." "Luke opened the door and smirked. "I know at least one good way you can do that." She gave him a light smack on the chest "So what are you doing here?" "I came to tell you that I can start over again with you. And to show you, I want to give you these." She handed him her glasses. Luke looked puzzled. "Why are you giving these to me?" "Because I don't need them any more." Luke smiled at her. "So are we ok?" Luke nodded. "Ok, goodnight." She walked back to the door and opened it. "Luke." He walked back to the door. "What?" She grabbed him and kiss him, this time causing him lose his footing. "You've corrupted me, dammit." And with that she leapt off the balcony and crawled down the wall, her new wolf abilities showing strongly. Luke smiled and shut the door."
(Cut to credits as music gets louder.)
A/N: *hides from barrage of rotten fruit* I know, I Know, not what you were expecting, maybe not even what you wanted, but hey, what my muse says goes. And my Muse and me agree on two things, 1, we don't think Tyler is that bad of a guy, 2 we don't really like John overly much, C'est la vie. Yes this story only has two chapters, cause they're both pretty long. And other thing, why doesn't everybody ask me what's going to happen? Firstly, I don't know myself yet, so I can't tell you, and secondly, don't you like to be surprised? Sheesh. And as I have said on the reviews, Sapphira I would love for you to proofread, but not right now, just trying to pump out my muses slave orders. Please review, I love to read them.