Chapter 3: What the Hell
Come Saturday night most houses would be nice and quite most of the family would probably be out, but my family isn't like most.
It was 7:45 and I had just woken up from a very peaceful and well deserved nap. Now, it was time for me to get ready for the pack meeting. I stood up out of my bed and stripped out of my sweats and walked over to my drawers I grabbed a red lace underwear set and a pair of skinny jeans. I grabbed a black baggy t shirt that said 'Bite Me' and a pair of combat boots before running a brush threw my hair. (On profile) I applied eyeliner and mascara. I then made my way down stairs to a very packed living room.
"Nice of you to show." Astrid told me from the window seat. I stopped next to uncle Rudy on my way to my seat and turned to look at her.
"Um I kind of live here so it's not like I'm late, the meeting starts at 8 and it's exactly 7:59; just so you know." I responded lazily messing with my bangs.
"Nice shirt sweetheart." Rudy commented kissing my head while gently pushing me to my seat.
"I try." I told him taking my seat in an armchair. Viv was to my right in another armchair next to mine. Gabriel was pacing in front of the fire place anxiously, Bucky was sitting on the couch to my left which also occupied Aunt Persia an elderly healer who sat between Bucky and Gabriel's mother. On the floor to my left also sat Gabriel's eight year old triplet sisters who were testing who could sit on the other the longest.
"Can we have quiet please." Rudy shouted to everyone pulling me out of my own world. I looked up at him along with everyone else. Well mostly everyone else.
Willem and Finn cackled and batted at each other on either side of Ulf, who dodged between them, a panicked look on his small, pale face. Rafe was telling the awestruck Gregory how big some girl's breasts were. Rafe's father, Lucien, twisted around in the easy chair he slouched in. "Quit it," he growled, and raised a fist. Rafe glared at his father, but he waited until Lucien turned away before he gave him the finger. I rolled my eyes at the immature scene casting my head to the floor.
That was when I noticed the triplets still engrossed in their little game. I leaned down so that only they could here me, "Ellie get off of Lizabeth, please." I told them with gentle authority in my tone. Ellie huffed but got up. Isabella, who had been counting looked quite upset at the ending of the game. I smiled down at her and gestured for her to come towards me. I picked her up and sat her on my lap she then rested her head on my shoulder as I stroked her hair. Lizabeth and Ellie both moved to either side of my legs. I sighed knowing that they shouldn't even be here they were far to young to be in this meeting as well as Jenny Garnier's little girl Maria who was hardly a year old. She had only been one moth old when the fire occurred and her father died. The triplets' father had also died that night. I looked up to see everyone looking at me.
"What, continue." I said irritably as I continued to stroke Isa's hair.
"The insurance money's come through," Rudy said into the silence. There was a brief hiss of whispers. "We've got enough to do what we want now."
WHAT? I mentally screeched that bastard didn't tell me. I shared my Saturday morning bacon with that man and I don't share my bacon with just anyone. I did however keep a stone mask on as I continued to look at him.
"And the funny thing is," Rudy continued, "we wouldn't have got the money if Sheriff Wilson hadn't spent so much effort covering up the evidence that the fire was arson so his buddies wouldn't get in trouble." I sighed at that of course he did.
"Three cheers for Sheriff Wilson," Bucky called, to gales of laughter.
"You get a high-five for that one Bucky." I said reaching my hand over to him which he did indeed high-five with a chuckle.
Rudy raised his arms. "Okay, okay."
The room quieted.
"My agents checked out some viable properties," Rudy said. "It's time to choose where the pack will go."
"And who'll lead us," Gabriel added. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at a smiling Esme and Astrid. There was no mystery about who they supported.
Old Orlando Griffin spoke up in a quavering voice. "Rudy, you're the one who's pulled it all together. You took us in when we were homeless, helped us settle in an unfamiliar place, found the lawyers, and found the agents. You've been a good leader while we've been here." He pointed to Rudy with a burn-scarred hand. "I vote you leader for the move."
My heart sank at Orlando's words knowing damn well Rudy couldn't leave here.
"I appreciate your support," Rudy said. "But I'm not going with you." I sighed as my thoughts were proven correct I would miss him when we left. I looked down not wanting to look at him at the moment.
"Rudy!" Esme screeched from her seat.
Rudy ran his fingers through his badger-gray hair. "My life's here. I was willing to help while I could and get things going again, but now it's time for you to move on, and for that you need a different type of leader than I have the strength or the will to be."
"You're assuming a lot," Astrid called from her window perch.
Rudy's brow creased. "What do you mean?"
"What if we don't want to go?" I was amazed when Astrid wasn't immediately shouted down. So I decided to speak up myself.
"You have got to be kidding. We can't last hear long, you have to know that." I spoke sarcasm and annoyance dripping off my words. "Someone please tell me she's kidding."
"Oh shut up, pup!" Astrid told me picking at her nails. What the hell! That bitch's so lucky I'm surrounded by eight year olds.
"You've got to go," Rudy said. "This isn't the place for the pack. There are too many humans, too close together. With this many of us, sooner or later someone's going to make a mistake, and this time it might mean the end of us. Look at those boys." He pointed to the Five. "Don't tell me they've got the common sense to stay out of trouble."
"They're only being boys," Astrid said, smiling indulgently at the Five. The so called boys were 17 or almost 17 years old they were not boys anymore at least that is what they liked to say about themselves.
"And maybe they got a point," Lucien Dafoe said. "Maybe it's time to change the rules. Maybe it's time to hunt instead of be hunted. That's my opinion."
"We know about your opinions," snapped Aunt Persia. Which wasn't false at all everyone was well aware of his opinions and his drinking habits.
"But we've only now settled in," Raul Wagner said. "We've got jobs." He nodded toward his wife, Magda. "We've finally got a decent house." "And look what's happening to our kids while we're busting our asses trying to earn enough to live in this city," his brother, Rolf, answered. "We need to live somewhere where we can afford our own business again, where we can make our own hours, make time for the kids."
"Mom," Viv whispered anxiously. "What do you want?"
Esme shook her head. "I like it here." But she looked unsure.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing how could anyone think we could last here. We had less then a year before someone slipped again we would all die this time though with our luck.
The Wagners were arguing among themselves now, as if no one else existed; the triplets were getting antsy; Orlando Griffin was trying to raise his voice above the racket. Jenny Garnier burst into tears and the baby joined her.
Rudy jumped up. "Shut up, all of you!" His words didn't do any good. The noise continued to ascend, Vivian put her hands over her ears trying to block out the noise and I could see the Five edging toward the door in the corner of my eyes. I sighed looking towards Gabriel because whether I liked it or not(which I didn't) he was the only one I could think of who might be able to shut everyone up. I looked at him pleadingly he nodded his head in understanding. I lifted Isa off of me and placed her on the floor.
"Why don't you three go in the kitchen and play with Artemis." I said as more of demand than a request but they all nodded their heads eager to leave and they scurried out unnoticed by everyone but me and Gabriel. As soon as they were out of sight Gabriel went into action.
He strode across the room and leaped onto the coffee table. "Quiet!" The Five froze. The room fell silent. Almost.
Rudy knelt beside Jenny to comfort her, and gradually mother and baby stopped sobbing.
"A strong leader has control, Rudy," Astrid said. "Maybe the reason the boys are running a little wild is you, not the city. I think with the right leader we can make a good life here." She studied Gabriel with pleasure. "I know a good strong man when I see him."
" Don't blame him because the Five act like two year olds." I scoffed running a hand through my hair. What can I say other than I'm wee bit protective.
Astrid's lip twitched but she suppressed the snarl. "What do you say, Gabe? Want to stay in town and lead the pack?"
"Yes, Gabe," Esme said sweetly. "You've been very quiet. What do you say?" Gabriel looked from one of the women to the other with languid amusement. Viv and I both looked at each other both thinking that we might die from the shame as well as vomit.
"I vote we go," Gabriel said, and jumped down from the table. Thank the moon! For the love of all things that are holy someone has seen the light that isn't me, Viv, or Rudy.
Astrid stared amazed guess she didn't know him as well as she thought she did.
"Hah, I vote we go, too," cried Esme, "with Gabriel to lead us."
Raul stepped forward to face Gabriel across the coffee table. "What makes you a leader, puppy? I've got years on you."
Several other males stood up to argue their cases.
"Come on, let's vote on this," Rolf said. "Let's be fair." Rolf you wonderful man!
"Who said this was a democracy?" cried Lucien. Stupid bastard.
"It's not," said Aunt Persia, in a voice that rang effortlessly above the others, startling them all. The keeper of ancient magic's raised her hands slowly, her rings glittering. "It is time," she said, "to choose a leader in the Old Way." Never liked you anyway.
"But that's like stepping back into the Dark Ages," Esme cried into the shocked silence. She was right The Ordeal was absolutely horrific. I had never seen one of course, Viv's dad was the only pack leader I had ever known, but I read plenty about them before and they could get very messy and deadly in a matter of seconds. How the hell did they think this was okay?
"Not completely the Old Way," Astrid said. "Times are different." Aunt Persia eyed her coldly. "Males only."
"No!" Astrid pounded her seat with a fist. Wow my pack is literally over flowing with maturity
"You want to get us all arrested?" Renata asked.
"There are several state parks in driving distance," Gabriel answered. "Places that are deserted at night."
To think I was actually pleading for his help earlier. With my eyes? Ugh dear moon help us all!
"We've lost so many of us," Rudy said. "Do we want to cause death and injury to those who remain?" Rudy had a very depressing point.
"A leader must have the support of all the pack," said Aunt Persia. "If there is no agreement, then the right must be won by combat." Again never liked you anyway.
"The Old Way, the Old Way the Old Way," the Five began to chant. Rafe grinned gleefully; Finn's eyes sparkled as bright as the chains around his wrists.
Orlando Griffin rose and walked to the center of the room. The noise subsided. "As oldest male, I preside in matters of Ordeal," he said. He pointed at the Five. "You are not of age. We do not wipe out our young." "We can fight," Rafe snarled.
"Oh please," I stood up getting a headache from this whole meeting. "Everyone here knows I have kicked your ass on more then one occasion and it isn't that I'm a girl and you didn't want to her hurt me or that I'm stronger because I'm not or faster, which I am, it's because not one of you," gesturing to the entire Five "think in combat. You go for the neck you aim to kill the fastest way possible. You leave the legs and arms free which could easily send you feet away causing god only knows what damage. Not to mention if your not quick enough your opponent could bite your neck first. So no there are not going to let you fight! Common since would tell you that. I don't what you did with yours, but you need to find it." I growled at the Five walking out of the house to go find Viv who had walked out before my little rant.
I sat down next to her and rest my head on her shoulder. "Why cant we all just be a family again?" She asked me laying her head on mine.
"Because… we don't want to. Honestly none of them even noticed you walk out and they only saw me because I just finished yelling at the Five." I told her struggling to find the words.
"I heard, you were pretty awesome." She said running a hand through my hair.
"Thanks." I spoke half heartedly.
The Five came out into the back, mumbling and growling. "That worn-out old dog," Rafe said. "He can't tell us we can't fight." "Damn right," agreed Gregory. "We deserve a chance." Vivian laughed. The Five converged on us. They peered through the vines like angry satyrs. Rafe tore aside the tangle of stems, and his claws grew. "What's so funny, Viv?" "You," she said. "You honestly think you'd have a chance in the Ordeal? Cyn was right about what she said not to mention the pack would never follow you. Grow up." Rafe bared his teeth. His new beard gave him a demonic look. "The fight's the thing," he said tightly, but we all knew his fantasy was to win. "I don't want to get dragged back to the sticks again," Willem said, almost pouting. His twin gave him a glance of disgust. "Why not?" Vivian asked. I simply laid there to tired to even say anything my throat was soar from all the talking already and my head to. "Life was good there. The hunting in the hills, long runs with no one around, no one to cry wolf, no hiding, no skulking, no worrying." Viv continued. "No fun," ended Rafe. Dick "I don't like your kind of fun," she said. "It doesn't amuse me to rouse lovers out of the long grass by snapping at their heels, or to creep up on children at dusk with my fur on to hear them scream." "It's a laugh, Vivian," Gregory said. "Just a laugh." "You two used to think it was funny," Willem said, looking hurt. "And how funny will it be when you scare the wrong person and get a bullet in the face?" she asked. "You might be stronger than Homo sapiens, you might heal faster, but you're not immortal. You can die if your head's blown off. It's not only silver bullets or fire that kills us; anything that severs the spine will do." "Come on, Viv. Don't worry," Willem said gently. "We'd get them first, honest."
"Sure you will." I spoke finally. Vivian groaned "That's exactly what I am worried about. This is the same shit that got our home burned and my father, aunt and uncle killed." Her words made me shudder.
"I cant do this anymore. I'm going to bed. Night Vivie love you." I told her as I got up and walked back in. I noticed the house was quiet and everyone had left thankfully.
I ran up the stairs flinging my door open. I threw my self belly first onto the bed burying my face into a pillow.
"UGH I hate people!" I screamed into it although it only came out as a muffled whisper.
"You don't mean that."
I lifted up my head to see Gabriel resting on my window seat.
"Gabriel please leave. My head hurts and all I want is to got to sleep." Before I knew it he was walking out my door.
"Well that was easy." I remarked burying my head in my pillow again.
"Not quite." Gabriel told her entering her room again.
"Go away I'm going to sleep."
"You can't."
"Excuse me?" I asked finally looking at him.
"Here." he handed me a Dr. Pepper and some pain killers. I was to happy about the pain killers to ask why. I quickly gulped down two painkillers and drank the soda.
"And you aren't going to bed your on the wrong side." I furrowed my brow at him confused. "You sleep on the left that's the right." he informed me sitting at the foot of my bed. I looked down and he was right, Well damn.
I quickly rolled over and immediately felt sleepier. Ah good old lefty.
"What exactly do you want?" asked in between a yawn. The man might have gotten me pain killers but he still had yet to leave.
"Thank you," I quirked an eyebrow at that. Gabriel isn't the kind of person to thank you without a very good reason.. "for quieting the girls and sending them to the kitchen."
"No problem, they are good kids you know? They were just dealt bad cards." I told him. I used baby-sit them. I started when I was thirteen and did so although up until the fire. They had never caused me any trouble. Each of them were actually very smart to and had their own talents. Lizabeth the oldest by twenty minutes was always the best reader. She was able to read at a fifth grade reading level at just six. Ellie, the middle child, was a very good singer and loved to do so all the time. Isabella or Isa as most called her was the youngest and loved to bake. They were definitely a blast to baby-sit.
"They miss you." He said staring out my window.
"I will try to visit them sometime then." I whispered beginning to drift to sleep. Before I knew it I was out.
Gabriel stood up and grabbed the throw blanket off the window seat and laid it over her. "Goodnight, Cynthia." He whispered kissing her forehead.
I really want to re-do the triplets because I think they have lots of potential
And thank you Artemis450 for make this story one of your Favorites.
~Love Toxic