This is a short chapter, but it is key to the plot as you will see. Pam reveals her plan to displace Joss and take over.
Chapter 4: Pack Night
Joss leaned against a tree in the park where the Carter-Reese pack generally met for Pack Night; it had only been a week since her accident and she was still a bit weak. However, she insisted on coming to Pack Night and showing the pack that she was fine. Dr. Cho had warned against morphing into her Wolf form and participating in the Pack run, but she could be present for the socializing that preceded the run. John, Lionel, Sam, Dr. Cho and Lassen all kept an eye on her, while Finch hovered close by to take her home when the run started.
She kept a smile on her face, cheerfully accepting the various pack members' best wishes for a speedy recovery. Some pack members were more sincere than others. There was still a lot of jealousy and resentment on the part of the unmated females that Joss, a recently turned Wolf, had been able to bag the handsome Alpha and assume a leadership position in the pack.
Pam was aware of this resentment, and she intended to use it for her purposes this night. Tonight she would show them what a true Alpha Bitch looked like. She was dressed the part in a blue dress that accented her silver blue eyes with a short shirt and plunging neckline. Her hair was up and she wore sliver high heeled sandals on her feet. She carried herself regally and noticed that with the exception of John and Fusco, every male there had looked at her with admiration. Oh yes, she thought. Tonight this poor pack would see what a real Alpha female looked like. She almost felt bad for Carter the Mongrel. Tonight she was going to take Carter's life from her in more ways than one.
They came to the part of the evening where it was time for announcements of interest to the pack. Usually this time was used to announce new matings, babies on the way, school graduations and similar life events that called for the pack to congratulate one of their number. Tonight would be a night to remember as Pam stepped forward.
John was puzzled when he saw Pam step to the center of the semi-circle. She shot him a smirk, and his eyes narrowed as he realized she was up to something. He glared at her, but she turned her back to him and began to speak. She was committed now.
"Tonight I am issuing a challenge," Pam's voice rang out. "This pack did not get the benefit of choosing its female Alpha. They were presented with a stranger, someone who was not a member, a mongrel no less, and they were expected to accept this person without question. This pack deserves better!"
Pam snuck a look at Joss and was pleased to see she was furious. Good.
"A few nights ago, Jocelyn was injured and her mating bond with our Alpha was broken, so she is no longer his mate." A low murmur that ran through the pack; it was not common knowledge that John and Joss's mating bond had been broken. John opted not to tell anyone since he knew he was going to re-bond with Joss as soon as she was able. He had simply felt it was not worth mentioning, but looking around at the shocked faces of his pack mates he realized that it had been a blunder. Had it not been for Pam it would have been a minor one, but it was now turning into a major issue. His blood ran cold as he realized the pack was upset at not being told, and Pam was going to use that opening to drive a wedge between them and Joss.
"You had Jocelyn shoved down your throats as Alpha without discussion. I propose we remedy that situation tonight. I put myself forward as an alternative candidate. I am of the Old Bloodlines; I am not some mongrel," she hissed the slur for turned Wolves. "I know my duties as an Alpha, as a pack mate, as a WOLF! According to the Old Ways, there should be a competition; I challenge Jocelyn for the leadership of this pack!"
"That's enough, Pam!" John roared. The entire pack jumped. They had never heard him raise his voice before. John advanced on her, fury radiating off him in waves. Even the pack member with the weakest Wolf sense could feel his outrage. "I won't mate with you. Ever."
Pam merely smirked at him. "You're an Alpha, John. You know as well as I do that you once the challenge is made, it's out of your hands."
John growled menacingly deep in his throat. "I don't follow the Old Ways."
"Oh, John," Pam purred with pure malice, "that doesn't matter as along as the Pack wants this challenge. The Pack deserves the best Alpha couple, and this is the best way to give it to them. A good old-fashioned fight to the death. Survival of the fittest and all that."
"Yes!" "I agree!" "Let the Challenge happen!" several people cried. Pam's smirk grew with each shout, while John glowered at her with murder in his silver blue eyes.
Joss looked around; she could see that Pam's speech had affected the Pack. She knew there had been some questions about her leadership for the very reasons Pam had mentioned, but she had thought as time went by and she proved her worth, the resentment would dissipate. However, Pam had struck a nerve, and she knew that not enough time had elapsed to erase any doubts the pack had about her. She realized there was only one way to get them to accept her unconditionally. Joss stepped forward, her head held high. "I'll accept the challenge," she said clearly.
John turned to her. "No, you don't have to do this," he said.
"Yes I do, John. Pam's got them all riled up. If I don't do this, we'll lose the pack, or at least a big chunk of it."
"So the mongrel wants to play?" Pam whipped a knife out from a thigh holster hidden under her dress. "Let's play."
"No!" John stepped in front of Pam. "Joss is still recovering from her injuries. The challenge will not take place tonight."
Pam growled. "Alright John, I can wait until the next pack night to kill her. But remember the rules until then." Pam then turned and strolled away across the lawn.
"What rules?" a confused Fusco asked Shaw.
Shaw didn't take her eyes off Pam's back, glaring daggers at the other woman while she answered. "John can't show any favoritism to either one of the challengers. He's going to have to move out of Joss's apartment and limit contact with her."
"Limited contact for a month? That's not going to improve his already sunny disposition." Fusco shook his head. "Heck, Joss will be climbing the walls." He paused. "Will Pam really kill Joss? They still do that in this day and age?"
Shaw growled. "Real fights to the death are pretty rare, but knowing Pam she will do it. I don't think the rest of the Pack realizes she's serious about the fight to the death part."
John stood in the middle of the semi-circle as his icy glare swept over the pack. A less disciplined Wolf would be in a rage, but his stony stillness was more effective in conveying his anger. The pack, sensing a line had been crossed, all shrank from their Alpha's fury. Even though everyone was still in their human form, it was plain their tails were between their legs, including the ones who just a few minutes ago had been enthusiastically supporting the challenge. The enormity of what had just happened hit them in the face like a brick.
"Go home," John ordered. "There will be no run tonight."
The pack slunk off into the shadows, except for Lionel, Sam, Dr. Cho and Lassen. Finch also remained, standing next to Joss, being very quiet.
Dr. Cho stepped over to Joss to check on her while John stared at her. Joss impatiently waved the doctor away. "I'm fine, just tired."
"Joss, you're stressed. I need to check your heart rate…," the doctor began.
Cho was interrupted when John moved over to Joss and slipped an arm around her waist. "Let him look at you," he said so softly only Joss could hear. Joss looked up into his eyes and then nodded. Cho pulled his stethoscope out of his jacket pocket and began listening to her heart.
After a few minutes he stepped back with a node nod of satisfaction. "It sounds good, Joss. I think you'll be fine after a good night's sleep."
"Thank you, Cho. Could you all give us a minute? Wait by the cars. Lionel, I'll need you to take Joss home and stay with her."
"No problem, Alpha," Lionel said. "Take as long as you need." The remaining Pack members moved off, leaving John, Joss and Finch alone
"Where are you going to stay, John?" Finch asked when it was just the three of them.
John shrugged. "I don't know; the library or one of the safe houses."
"Nonsense, you will stay with me," Finch said firmly.
Before John could protest, Joss quickly said, "Thank you,Finch, John will take you up on that."
Finch gave Joss a small smile then moved off. "I'll wait in the car," he called over his shoulder.
John pulled Joss into a tight embrace, and Joss buried her face in his chest. They stood like that for several minutes, just savoring the feel of being in each other's arms.
"This is going to be a long month," Joss sighed sadly.
John didn't say anything; he just kissed the top of her head and held her tighter. He would have stood there with her all night if he could have, but they both knew that would only prolong the pain. After another long moment, John released her and they reluctantly made their way to their cars where Fusco and Finch were waiting for them. With one final longing look at each other, they climbed into their respective vehicles and drove off to separate homes.