A/N: I feel like a broken record, but I just want to say another thank you. I still can't reply to reviews, but I'm so grateful for each one. Your kindness and encouragement helps push me to write when life makes me want to just crawl in bed and pull the covers over my head for a while instead. Thank you so much:)

Ousted

Leah walked into the meeting hall with Seth and Paul on either side of her. She could feel Sam's eyes burning a hole in the side of her head but she kept her own eyes forward. If she looked at him, she'd lose her shit and it wasn't time to lose her shit just yet. She'd promised her mom she would stay calm. There was a good chance that Jasper threatening Sam was going to cause a whole bunch of tension and they didn't need her bitchiness to make the situation worse.

Sue, Billy, and Old Quil were sitting at the front of the room with the chairs for the wolves facing them in a semicircle. In an unexpected move, there were only three chairs for the elders. As acting Alpha, Sam was a member of the council and he'd usually have a seat beside them. Instead, he was sitting with the rest of the pack.

Leah, Seth, and Paul exchanged slightly uneasy glances as they sat down. They'd talked about the elders appointing a different temporary Alpha, but they hadn't really believed it was a possibility. It might be the best move for the pack, and in turn for the humans of the tribe, but it would be bad news for the three of them. Sam would no doubt blame them, or at least Leah, if he was ousted.

It was surprisingly quiet in the room. Usually when the pack was all gathered together, they were raucous and rowdy, but not that day. Aside from Sam and Jacob, who were both scowling, everyone looked nearly as solemn as they had at Harry's funeral.

Billy cleared his throat and looked at each wolf before beginning. "Thank you for taking the time to meet with us, we have a lot to discuss. Before we begin, I'd like to remind all of you that imprints are not a pack matter. When events occur that impact the wolves, those things may of course be addressed by the pack as a whole. The details of personal relationships, however, are not open for discussion," he said, looking at Jacob and Sam. "Am I understood?"

Everyone nodded, though Jake and Sam did so while continuing to scowl.

"Everything that happens impacts everything that follows, so I believe it's best to start at the beginning and move forward until we get to the events that unfolded yesterday," Billy continued. "The onset of tension and conflict within the pack began the day Leah imprinted. I'll again stress that the imprint itself is not up for debate. The behavior that followed is."

"How can you say the imprint doesn't matter?" Jacob asked testily. "When the imprint is a leech, of course it matters."

Leah opened her mouth to snap at him, but Sue beat her to it. "Watch yourself, Jacob," she said sternly. "We will not tolerate any language like that in here."

Jacob huffed a few times but kept quiet.

"What we'd like to discuss first is the issue of patrolling. Sam, your behavior since the day Leah met her imprint has impacted the ability of the wolves to have greater freedom of movement," Old Quil said. "Jacob, your feelings have affected that as well. The Cullens made the decision to allow some of you to patrol their territory, but that is currently limited to only three wolves who have free access and one who has some access but it comes with conditions."

"I don't need a babysitter," Jacob snapped.

"Watch how you speak to your elders, Jacob," Billy said, the warning clear in his voice. "The Cullens are not obligated to allow you, or any of the wolves, in their territory. The fact that they're willing to give you any access when your attitude is what it is shouldn't be dismissed. It's a generosity this tribe has yet to extend to them."

Old Quil jumped in there. "Jacob, the Cullens were willing to take your friendship with Bella Swan into account to allow you to patrol closer to her house. I don't honestly know how yesterday's actions will impact their offer, which is a shame, because having access to a wider area means more protection for the tribe."

"Our territory is all that matters," Sam growled in anger. "It's not the job of the wolves to protect the Cullens on their land."

Embry rolled his eyes at his acting Alpha. "The Cullens didn't offer to let Leah, Seth, and Paul on their land because they need protection. From what I've seen in their memories, the vamps are more than capable of protecting themselves. You know as well as I do that it's so nothing and no one slips through the cracks. You know, just like what you let happen yesterday," he said with a pointed look.

Leah kept her expression neutral but she was pleasantly surprised that a member of the pack was willing to stand up to Sam. Although maybe she shouldn't have been. Of all the wolves, Embry was the most accepting of her relationship after Paul and Seth. He wasn't all that interested in being friends with the vamps, but he did want Leah to be happy. He never did the name-calling of 'leech' or 'bloodsucker' around her anymore, and he'd started asking Leah about Jasper. He'd also been really interested in the little building they'd put up so the wolves could come and go to the Cullen house a lot easier and with adequate privacy. He'd been surprised they cared enough.

Before the imprint, pretty much all the wolves thought vampires were little more than animated corpses. Just emotionless feeding machines with no conscience. Seeing the Cullens through the thoughts of the three wolves who spent time with them, they'd had to adjust their viewpoint a little. Most of the Cullens were thoughtful and considerate with Leah, Seth, and Paul, and with the exception of Edward, they treated the three of them respectfully. They even had senses of humor, which was a surprise - soulless monsters didn't tend to do a whole lot of laughing.

They'd also seen Leah and Jasper's first date through her memories, so they'd seen him walking around Port Angeles and in the bookstore and coffee shop and he definitely didn't look like he was on the verge of lunging for the closest jugular.

It should be said that most of the wolves were rethinking what vamps were really like. Sam and Jake, of course, were completely immovable.

"Sam, you say our territory is all that matters, but the job of the wolves isn't so much the protection of our land, but the protection of our people," Sue pointed out. "Patrolling a wider area means greater protection. Is that not important to you?" she asked. "Given your attitude and behavior, not to mention the decisions you made yesterday, I can't help thinking the answer to that is no. As the temporary Alpha, that is extremely troubling."

"No leech, I don't care who it is, tells me or my pack what to do," Sam snapped, though he quickly looked a little uneasy under the weight of Sue's stare.

"There is a very good chance that you're going to walk out of this room stripped of your authority, so I'd caution you to watch what you say and how you say it," she told him coldly.

Sam's eyebrows shot up. "You can't–"

"We most certainly can," Old Quil cut him off. "And we will if it's in the best interest of the pack and the tribe. You are the temporary Alpha because you were the first in your generation to become a protector. If you aren't able to adequately fulfill your duties, you will be relieved of them."

Sam crossed his arms and scowled, but kept his mouth shut.

"Everyone in this room deserves to be heard," Billy said. "That includes you, Sam. However, we will tolerate no name-calling, and we expect everyone to be treated respectfully. If any of you can't manage that, you'll be asked to leave and we will continue this discussion without you. Am I understood?"

All of the wolves nodded, perfectly aware that the warning was mostly aimed at Sam and Jake.

"Now, because Sam isn't currently able to remain objective, the three of us have done a lot of talking amongst ourselves about recent events and what is best for both the pack and this tribe," Billy continued. "We believe it's in everyone's best interests for the wolves to have greater freedom of movement. Accepting the offer of access to Cullen land means not only being able to patrol a far greater area, but it means being able to offer additional protection to Charlie and Bella Swan."

"The pack only became aware that Victoria was in the area yesterday because Leah was free to be in the Cullen's territory as a wolf," Old Quil pointed out. "She may have escaped, but at least you all were aware of what was happening. That alone shows us that it's worth patrolling a wider area. If the pack had been properly mobilized, it's possible Victoria could have been caught."

"What we propose is that Leah, Seth, and Paul begin extending their reach during their scheduled patrols," Sue said. "Not by a huge margin, none of us are asking you to allow our land to go unmonitored, but by perhaps twenty miles along the length of the treaty line. Where they patrol on their own time, however, is entirely at their discretion. Those scheduled patrols would also include the town of Forks to provide some protection for the Swans, particularly around their home and the police station."

"Absolutely not," Sam growled. "They will patrol our land and only our land."

All the wolves silently held their breath as they looked at their acting Alpha in shock. The elders of their tribe were always to be treated respectfully and Sam was being anything but respectful.

"You are on thin ice right now, young man," Sue said, glaring at Sam with hard eyes. "We haven't even begun addressing your unacceptable behavior since Leah imprinted, and I won't ask you again to watch how you speak to us. One more outburst and you will be facing severe consequences."

Jacob didn't seem to register the extreme tension in the room, or if he did, he ignored it. "I'm the one who should be patrolling Forks. None of the other wolves even like Bella, so if anyone's going to keep her safe, it's me."

"You're on pretty thin ice, too," Old Quil warned him. "Your behavior lately might not have caused as much conflict within the pack as Sam's, but you've been so focused on Bella Swan that you're disregarding your role as a protector of our people. The Cullens have already offered to allow you to patrol near the Swan's house, but you're so determined to be disagreeable when it comes to them that you're arguing about the terms of that offer. Either you want to watch out for Bella or you don't, the why and how shouldn't matter."

"And Bella isn't the only Swan," Jared reminded Jake. "Charlie is just as vulnerable as she is, maybe more actually because he's not even aware there's a supernatural threat out there. Getting to patrol near the police station seems like it's worth it, even if it means doing it jointly with one of the blood– sorry, vamps," he said, correcting himself with a bit of a wince as he looked at Leah.

Leah just smiled at him to let him know she wasn't offended, she was just glad he was being open-minded enough to consider joint patrolling to keep Charlie safe. Jake was right that none of the wolves liked Bella all that much, but they did like Charlie.

"Sue, Billy, and I have yet to make any firm decisions because we wanted to hear from all of you," Old Quil continued. "We want to reassure you that none of you will be forced to work with one of the Cullens in order to protect Charlie or Bella. As we said, we're not entirely sure how yesterday's events impacted that offer, but if it's still on the table after meeting any of you, it will be your choice."

"Who would we be patrolling with?" Jared asked, ignoring the scowl Sam aimed at him.

The elders looked at Leah to allow her to answer. "The last I spoke to them about it, only Jasper or Carlisle, although that could change in the future," she answered. "And as far as I know, the offer still stands for Jake. The area he's allowed will be specifically delineated, but they aren't taking that offer off the table. For the rest of the pack, with the obvious exception of Sam, they're still willing to consider it but only after meeting you."

"Because of your imprint's emotional whatever?" Jared asked curiously, not knowing how to refer to Jasper's gift.

"Yes," Leah laughed. "You can say you'll work peacefully with them all you want, but if your emotions don't match your words, you won't get a foot over the treaty line."

Jared nodded and turned back to the elders. "I have no problem meeting him if it means I can patrol a bigger area."

"Me too," Embry nodded. His home life wasn't super great with his mom not knowing he was a wolf, and Charlie Swan always went out of his way to check in with him and say hi when he was at La Push. The man had a quietly reassuring presence, he was the very definition of low-key, but he always let Embry know he could come to him if he needed anything.

The only one left was the younger Quil, so everyone turned to him. He hesitated for a moment, quickly glancing at Sam, and then did a combination of a shrug and a nod. "I'll meet him but I don't know if I want to patrol with any of them," he answered, looking at Leah with guilty eyes.

"That's fine," she assured him. "I don't expect any of you to work with the vamps if you don't want to. That's completely your choice and I won't judge you for what you decide. I totally get that the idea of partnering with them is uncomfortable."

Quil nodded and gave her a relieved smile.

Sam gritted his teeth to keep from growling. "You can't expect me to allow the pack to patrol somewhere I can't follow them," he snapped.

"Maybe if you hadn't been such an asshole since the moment Leah imprinted, you would have been able to follow us," Paul snapped back, then cringed and looked at the elders. "Sorry."

Sue tried to look appropriately stern, but her eyes were twinkling with amusement. "Watch the language please," was all she said.

"Paul's language may leave a little something to be desired, but the sentiment isn't incorrect," Billy said as he looked at Sam. "It is your behavior and attitude that has resulted in you not being allowed in the Cullen's territory. You've been trying to come between Leah and her imprint since day one."

"Including trying to physically block Leah from leaving the house when she was going to meet him," Sue added with an icy glare.

"He's a leech with a violent past!" Sam exclaimed. "How the hell should I have reacted? Just allowed her to waltz into enemy territory like there was no risk?"

"You didn't know his history that night, you condescending dick," Leah said through gritted teeth. "I didn't know his history then, which means neither did you, so don't you dare sit here and lie that this is about Jasper being dangerous."

"He is dangerous, and we all know it," Sam growled. "He was a murderer in some bloodsucker army for a century, so don't you sit there and lie that he's peaceful. I don't give a shit how many leeches he rid the world of, the more the better in my opinion, but he's killed thousands of humans. And not just to drain them but to create even more soulless monsters to fight for him and that whore who created him," he snarled.

"I think it's time for you to leave," Sue said quietly but with steely determination. When Sam looked at her in a combination of shock and rage, she pointed at the door. "Now, Sam. We have given you warning after warning and you refuse to listen. We will finish this discussion without you and the three of us will come speak to you when we wrap this meeting up. I won't allow you to speak to anyone in this room that way, nor will I allow you to speak about an imprint that way."

Sam looked at Billy and Old Quil with wide eyes, but both of them had the same hard look in their eyes that Sue had, and they both gave him a single nod. Sam snarled in rage as he shot to his feet, then he kicked his chair like a toddler throwing a tantrum. It hit the wall hard enough to leave a dent, and it was only Jared's quick reflexes that had him ducking fast enough that it missed his head by a few inches.

Sam slammed open the back door that faced the forest, phasing as he passed through it, and everyone in the meeting hall stared at the black wolf as he left.

"Maybe someone should follow him," Embry said quietly. "If he goes home that angry… well, Emily has already paid the price for his anger once."

The elders exchanged a quick look and then nodded, and Old Quil stood up. "Would you be willing to come with me, Quil?" he asked. "It might be worth having another protector there, and the next topic of discussion is what happened yesterday and you weren't involved in that."

Quil nodded and stood up. "Of course," he agreed as he walked to his grandfather's side. The two of them left through the back door, quietly closing it behind them.

Leah looked around the room and tried to push away her anger and worry. She had a feeling Sam had just sealed his fate and she didn't know how he would lash out over being removed as Alpha.

They all sat in a stunned silence for a few moments before Billy cleared his throat. "Let's move on. Because Sam isn't here to answer for his actions yesterday, I'm curious to hear how all of you think he handled the situation with Victoria."

"Not well," Jared answered honestly. "I wasn't a wolf when it all went down but I know how it played out, and Sam was wrong. He let his feelings about Leah's imprint get in the way of protecting the tribe. Having the benefit of hearing and seeing everything from Leah's perspective, he knew the redhead was heading for the cliffs."

"Sam's actions aren't the only ones that were concerning," Paul added. "Jake knew enough as soon as he phased to know Victoria was headed away from town, but he still went as close to Bella's house as he could instead of trying to get between Victoria and the water."

"He also knew Edward wasn't with the Cullens while they were trying to catch her," Seth pointed out. "It wasn't hard to guess he was probably with Bella, meaning she didn't actually need a wolf for protection."

Jake scowled and crossed his arms defensively. "He can't protect her like I can."

Leah rolled her eyes at that. "Look, I don't want to downplay our abilities because yes, we are able to kill vamps, but I think it's probably worth pointing out that yesterday was the closest any of us have gotten to Victoria. She's been playing with the pack for months. I think the real value in you taking over protection detail is so Edward can be free to help his family and listen to Victoria's thoughts so we know how her gift works."

Most of the pack had to grudgingly agree with her. The redhead was slippery enough that they'd never gotten close to catching her. If she was gifted the way the Cullens thought she was, trying to work around that was probably their best shot at taking her down.

"You've also shown zero interest in learning how to fight, Jake, so if you go up against her on your own, I'm not at all sure you'd win," Paul said. "I know you weren't paying a whole lot of attention, but we've seen the vamps sparring and if Victoria is as capable a fighter as they are, I don't think any of us could win one on one right now."

The other wolves had to grudgingly agree with that, too. Laurent was a piece of cake because it was five wolves against one vamp. But watching the Cullens fight - particularly Jasper, Alice, and Rosalie - they'd gotten a much better idea of what vamps were really capable of.

"You think the offer to train us is still on the table?" Jared asked Leah.

Leah tipped her head as she thought about it because she and Jasper hadn't talked about that since the fiasco of the day before. "Maybe. If you want to learn, I can't really imagine Jasper saying no. But only after meeting you."

Sue cut in there. "Speaking of meeting you, the elders will be meeting with Jasper tomorrow afternoon. Afterwards, we'd like to have a meeting with the whole pack and the Cullens. Rather than having Leah constantly carrying messages back and forth, it will allow us to all sit down together so we're on the same page. It will also give Jasper the opportunity to gauge your hostility towards his family. Much of what happens from here is dependent on him getting a read on each of the wolves."

Jared quickly glanced at Leah and took a deep breath. "I see the value in that, I really do, and I don't want to be like Sam and Jake and just automatically dismiss the Cullens as evil beings we should be allowed to destroy. But I think we should probably talk about Jasper threatening Sam last night."

"Jasper threatened Sam?" Embry asked in surprise. He hadn't been in his wolf form since the failed attempt to catch Victoria, and he'd been at school all day so he hadn't had a chance to talk to the rest of the pack before the meeting.

"He did," Leah said with a scowl. "Jasper and I were hanging out near the treaty line last night and Sam was watching us from the trees like some creepy stalker. You guys already know about Jasper's gift, and he could feel all of Sam's rage."

"But he didn't just threaten Sam," Jared pointed out. "He said he'd come after the people Sam loved."

Leah laughed a little as she shrugged. "He didn't actually mean that, he just thought it would be the most effective way to get Sam to watch himself. The next time I'm a wolf, I'll replay the conversation I had with him about it so you can hear it for yourselves."

"You can also ask him about it tomorrow," Seth added. "I'm pretty sure he's the kind of guy who'll tell you straight out what he'll do if Sam hurts Leah. But you should know that mates are every bit as important to vamps as imprints are to us. Keeping them safe is one of their highest priorities."

Leah nodded her agreement. Jasper wouldn't pull any punches. He wouldn't be a dick about it, but he'd be honest, even if it meant there was tension between him and the pack.

"The last piece of business before we wrap up brings us to you, Jake," Sue said. "You are the rightful Alpha of this pack but your behavior continues to show us that you're not yet mature enough to be in a position of authority. What–"

"I'm–"

"Do not interrupt her, Jacob," Billy snapped. "I'm just about at the end of my rope with you and if you don't drop the attitude you'll be asked to leave just like Sam was. All you're doing is showing your lack of maturity."

Jacob scowled but wisely kept his mouth shut.

Sue shook her head with a sigh at the petulant teen. "As I was saying. The Alpha of the pack needs to be able to set aside their personal feelings in order to make decisions that are best for the pack and the tribe. Sam, obviously, has failed at this. His personal feelings about Jasper led to the debacle of yesterday and Victoria escaping. Jake, the same holds true for you. You allowed a hostile vampire to cross onto our land because you placed Bella above everyone and everything, completely disregarded your duty."

"She is more important than everyone," Jacob snapped.

"Jesus fucking christ," Jared muttered. "Jake, she's not your imprint, she doesn't love you, she's been stringing you along for months, and she's blindly devoted to that red-headed asshole. What exactly is it going to take to get you to drop this fixation?"

Leah snorted a laugh but then felt a pang of sympathy at the hurt that crossed Jake's face for a second. "Jake, can't you try to learn from what happened with me and Sam?" she asked gently. "If you hound her into dropping Edward to give you a chance, all you're doing is setting her up to be hurt if you imprint on someone else."

"I won't," Jacob answered defiantly. "I love her and I know she secretly loves me."

And just like that, Leah's sympathy dried up. "That's not love, Jake, that's teenage infatuation," she snapped. "If you loved her you wouldn't risk hurting her. You're purposely keeping blinders on instead of growing the hell up. She hung onto you like her life depended on it when the Cullens were gone and then dropped you the second Edward walked back into her life. That's not love, that's the inability to function without a boy making her the center of his world. Accept it and move the fuck on before you drive the entire pack crazy with your constant obsessing."

"Language," Sue cautioned her daughter.

Leah nodded. "Sorry."

Jacob glared at her, but Leah just rolled her eyes, not bothered in the slightest.

"Given everything that's happened, Sue, Quil, and I had already been considering appointing a new temporary Alpha," Billy said, trying to get things back on track. "His recent actions combined with his actions today, it's obvious that Sam is unable to objectively fulfill his duties. We have a replacement in mind, but we'd like to hear from all of you before a final decision is made."

"Jared," Leah said immediately, not even having to think about it.

Jared looked at her in surprise. He would've figured she'd want the position herself, or for Paul to have it so the Alpha was a strong ally of her and her imprint.

"I agree," Paul nodded. "He's already Beta, and he has the respect of the whole pack. Just by being willing to meet with Jasper and the Cullens so he can patrol a larger area, he's shown he can be objective, and he didn't hesitate in saying Sam handled yesterday badly, even though he's Sam's second."

Sue and Billy looked at Seth and Embry, who both nodded their agreement also.

"That's who we were considering as well," Sue confirmed. "Jared, what are your thoughts?"

Jared took a minute to think it all through, then nodded. "I'd be willing to do it. What about a new Beta?" he asked.

"It should be me," Jacob cut in before anyone else could say anything. "I'm the rightful Alpha, so the position should be mine."

All the wolves rolled their eyes at him. "Jake, the reason for Sam being ousted applies just as equally to you," Paul sighed in exasperation. "We need objective leaders who put the pack and the tribe first. You literally just said out loud to all of us that Bella's more important to you than anyone else."

Jacob scowled and crossed his arms, but a pointed look from his dad had him keeping his mouth shut.

"Only Paul and Leah are done with school, and we think it's best that both leaders have their days free," Billy explained. "All three of us are confident that either wolf would be a competent Beta and are willing to allow all of you to make that choice. The council will support whoever you choose."

"I think it should be Paul," Leah said, again not having to think about it. "I don't want my relationship with Jasper to ever make the rest of the pack think I'm acting in his or his family's best interest rather than the pack and our tribe. I know I can be objective, but I think even the littlest bit of doubt could be detrimental."

The rest of the wolves nodded their agreement, so Billy and Sue looked at Paul.

He sighed a little bit but eventually nodded. He didn't particularly want to be Beta, but he also knew Leah was right. Paul wasn't too worried about most of the wolves doubting Leah's ability to put the pack first, but Jake and Sam would definitely make a nuisance of themselves. "Yeah, alright."

Before Billy or Sue could answer, the back door opened and both Quils - old and young - walked inside.

"Everything alright?" Sue asked Old Quil as he sat down.

"Yes, he's calm enough for now and back in his human form."

After catching them both up, the younger Quil backed up the decision to have Jared and Paul lead the pack.

"So who tells Sam? And how do we keep him from putting all the blame on Leah and Jasper?" Seth asked worriedly.

"We'll tell him," Billy answered. "I don't know that we'll be able to convince him that this is no one's fault but his own, but we will remind him that Leah is covered by the treaty regardless of which side of the line she's on."

With the exception of Jacob, who was silently stewing in his resentment at having it so clearly pointed out that Bella wasn't his, the rest of the wolves were all a little worried that the warning from the elders wouldn't be enough to tamp down Sam's anger. And not just at Leah and Jasper, but at everyone in that room. The elders were ousting him, Jared and Paul were taking up leadership positions, and the rest of the wolves agreed with stripping him of his authority. They were all thinking that he'd have to be watched closely.

Leah looked at her watch and saw it was already after six. "I don't mean to be rude, but are we done now? I've got a date with Charlie Swan's TV at seven."

"Mariners?" Embry laughed.

Leah nodded. "Yep, and I'm sure he'd be happy if you want to tag along," she offered.

Sue jumped in there before Embry answered. "Just a heads up that Jasper and I ran into Charlie in town and he invited him to join you guys. I'm guessing he and Alice will both be there."

Leah nodded and looked at Embry. "The offer stands but I'll understand if you say no. We can make a plan with Charlie for the next game to be just the three of us."

Embry chewed on his lip for a moment as he thought about it, then took a deep breath and looked at Leah. "I'll come. I'm not gonna lie and tell you I want Jasper as my new bestie, but I wouldn't mind meeting the dude who's made you smile so much. He's really chipped off a layer of your bitchiness."

Leah laughed and launched herself at her friend, taking them both to the ground in a tangle of limbs and laughter as she hugged him. "Thanks, Em, you always say the sweetest things."

Once she hauled herself to her feet and yanked Embry up with her, she extended the invitation to everyone else. "If we bring enough food, you know Charlie won't complain about a too-full living room."

Jake scoffed and refused - he usually jumped at any chance to spend time with Bella but he refused to play nice with Jasper or any other vampire. Both Quils declined a little more politely, but Jared, Sue, and Billy all decided to join them. Sue and Billy were always happy to spend time with Charlie, and Jared thought it might be worth meeting Leah's imprint in a more relaxed environment than the big meeting with the pack, elders, and Cullens the following day. That was bound to be loaded with tension so he wanted to get a read on Jasper beforehand.

Jasper wasn't the only one who put the safety and security of his family first. Jared was Alpha now so the well-being of the whole pack was his responsibility. And the first step was meeting the vamps who they had a peace treaty with to see if he could trust them.

He had a lot of people counting on him, and given their nature and the threat of Victoria hanging over their heads, he was likely going to have to make some life or death decisions along the way. He wouldn't let the elders or his pack down.