The Normal Life
By Didi

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters that are recognizable and I certainly don't own the show. Don't sue me cause all you're going to get is lent, and not much of that either.

Summery: Life is hard enough as a teen without in the problems of being wolf. Sequel to "Eyes of Brown... or is it Green," kind of.

Rating: R for restricted under 17.
~~~~~~~~~~
-Luke's POV-

"What the heck is going on?" The question was more to myself than to Ruby as we sat in the living room where Mom had called a 'family' meeting.

As regal as ever, my mother sat in an armchair, my dad's, and stared at the fire. The last 24 hours have been less than kind of her but she's hanging in there just as we all are. Sherman Blackstone stood by the oak desk that my father and grandfather had conducted business behind and looked only mildly curious at being called in tonight. And Ruby, with her sad gray eyes, was curled on the loveseat, watching and waiting for mom to make her move.

"I'm not going to marry him," Ruby announced the day before, her body tense with anger and determination. We had waited until the last guest in that farce of a wake had left to return to the house, we had made it perfectly clear that we stand together in Ruby's return to her life in Wolf Lake. I think she expected my mother to scowl her on the duties of keeping the peace within the clan.

"So be it," Mom had merely said with an arched brow and walked away.

You know that saying, silent as a tomb. Well, that's been what the house felt like for the last 24 hours. Ruby walking around in a cautious tread in case Mom has something up her sleeves; she's putting off her coming out until the day of the vote. Mom is walking around with her head somewhere; probably does have something up her sleeves that she isn't sharing yet but I have a strange feeling that it's got nothing to do with Rubes. And me? Let's just say that I would gladly have traded in all the comforts of home for a few moments of calming peace with Sophia.

"You want to tell me what's so important that you have to drag me out on a night light this?" Mr. Blackstone glanced at the window and gave a visible shutter as the lightning cracked closer to the house that anyone would have liked.

Looking up, I was reminded that my mother was a very dangerous woman in her youth. Thanking Blackstone with a nod of her head, she got up and walked to the side cupboard. "I know that you would rather be watching television or reading at the moment, Sherman, and I apologize for dragging your away from your pleasures but I need a outsider's view."

I looked at Ruby, startled, and she returned the same look. "What's going on, Mom?"

She turned to us, her eyes shaded by concern. "We all know what's going to happen in two days time and we don't have the luxury of sitting around waiting for the pieces to fall into place. It could mean death to some of us and life ever miserable to others." She looked pointedly at Ruby and sighed. "Tyler could have been the Alpha but there are other things to consider now. I respect your decision on your future."

Ruby sat stock-still but something in Mom's eyes must have convinced her. "Thank you."

"But know this," she turned and poured herself a drink, offering one to Sherman. "Any other man would not have tolerated John Kanin interference in our community. If Tyler becomes Alpha, first thing he is going to do is tear Kanin apart, as would any other man that comes into his path."

"I understand that," Ruby looked blankly at her for a moment before nodding. "As the only white wolf in the pack at the moment, I do have some leverage." The smile she gave was full of irony. All her life, Ruby has hated her status within the clan and the fact that she was the only white wolf in the pack for over a century. Now, it appears to be the one thing that will save the man she loves. "I give him my protection."

"Marry him."

That simple suggestion sent a shock wave through the room. And to be honest, I'm not sure who was more surprised by it, Mom or Ruby.

"Sherman, you cannot possibly be serious!" Mom eyes were glowing dangerously now.

"This is not a joke to me," Ruby's eyes became teary and she turned away. It killed her to know that she could not be with Kanin. And I have to say that I'm a little astonished that Mr. Blackstone would be cruel.

"Did I say it was?" Blackstone moved over the to sideboard and poured more brandy into his shifter, all the while watching Ruby with his dark eyes. "You want to give him protection right? As your husband, he is under the protection of the pack just as Marie Donner had been when she married Matt Donner."

"And look how well that turned out?" I couldn't help myself. Sohpia's mother had died horribly in an 'accident.' I've always had my suspicions since I head the story.

"Those were turbulent times, Luke." Blackstone shook his head. "There were a lot of fighting and some people got caught in the cross fire."

"Like Sophia's mom?"

"Yes, like Sohpia's mom. That was a very ugly time in our pack's history; Wolf Lake has not always been a quiet place. People ran, people hid, people did whatever was necessary to insure their survival and the survival of their young. It's all very natural and part of the great circle of life." He nodded gravely but said nothing more. It always bothered me that the Keeper was so... very weird. There were so many secrets hidden in the recesses of that mind of his. Hum... I wonder if he's picked his successor?

"Sherman, how can even suggest such a thing," Mom paced, a nervous justure that I have never seen her do. "Ruby is a white wolf, her destiny lies toward leadership of this pack. She cannot possibly marry a...a..."

"Human is the word you're looking for," Ruby suggested quietly, her eyes full of hope for the first time since her return from the outside. Instead of the infinite shades of anguish, there was a light in those gray eyes. "Sherman, if you're serious about this..."

"I am!" He shook his head and laughed. "Why does everyone think that I can't be serious for a few moments when life hangs at the balance?"

"If I marry John," Ruby reached over and took my hand. Her hand was rigidly cold with fear, "If I marry him, I can keep him from certain deaths? That the other will not... they won't try to..."

"I didn't say that they wouldn't try."

The indignation came out in a burst as I squeezed Ruby's hand. "Stop playing with Ruby's hopes and just tell us what she's got to do to keep Kanin from harm."

My mother stared at me for a moment, shocked.

Ruby offered me grateful smile.

And Mr. Blackstone? He clapped his hands and smiled at me. "Bravo, young Cates. You do have the making of an Alpha inside of you. Be proud." He turned to Ruby. "Marry him fast but in the open. And make it clear to the rest of the pack the consequence of what will happen if they think to take things into their own hands."

Ruby nodded slowly and I could already see the wheels turning in her mind. No one ever called my sister a fool. She'll make this happen, even if she's got to take on the rest of the pack on her own. "Vivian, I know that you don't approve but I'm going to need help if I'm going to pull this off."

My mother stood there, with her back to the fire creating a halo of fire around her, and stared at us. Then it was as if something clicked into place in her mind. "You're family. Of course I'll help. But I'm going to need some help of my own if I'm going to protect Luke."

I felt the eyes on me now, filled with concern and fear. So much for some happy news.

TBC