Chapter 23

MAEVE

We walked hand in hand, through the hallway of the estate. My eyes wondered over the off white walls, and the pictures that hung there. So much had changed in such a short space of time that it was difficult to process, I hadn't had time to think, to understand or to grieve.

One picture in particular caught my attention. It was a picture of my mother and I standing in the clearing. The same clearing where my life had been turned upside down, less than a week before now. The memory surrounding the image was so vivid.

My papa had taken the picture. Mother joking about how this one was definitely going on the wall, how she was always the one behind the camera, catching the memories. She was so happy that she finally got to be in one of the pictures that we could one day look back on and cherish.

I was only 10 at the time, and the bluebells were yet to blossom, the field was bare and the air still crisp, from the not long past winter. I was so obsessed with one day finding my wolf, that I'd make any excuse to go to the clearing. Just so once we were there, I could convince my parents to practise my summoning ceremony with me.

This time I'd told them I wanted a picnic, at the time I thought I was so clever, but looking back now, they must have known why I always tried to casually make plans involving being there. They always just went along with it anyway, like the amazing people they were.

The picture had captured the moment we'd finished practising the ceremony, my mother had great fun 'playing the alpha role', putting on a deep voice and jovially mocking my father every step of the pretend ceremony. I'd asked her that day who she thought my wolf would be.

"It doesn't matter who your wolf is my angel. What matters, is how you choose to live you life once you find her. Be strong, be brave, and most importantly... never let anyone tell you you can't." She had said.

I realised that I had stopped walking, I just stood there staring at the photo, with tears brimming in my eyes. I took a deep breath and looked at my mother.

"I know you said to be brave mother, and I'm really trying. But I'm so scared." I declared aloud to the picture in-front of me.

"I just wish I could see you both once more. To tell you how much I love you, to thank you for always encouraging me to be whatever I wanted to be. You weren't just my alpha and Luna, my mother and father, you were my role models. I'm so sorry you're not here to see us turn this world into a better place." My words had turned into all but a whisper as I looked down at my feet, planted firmly on the oak laminate.

I needed to start moving forward again, just one step at a time, I could do this. For my family, my friends, my pack. For all the little girls out there, who dared to dreamed of being something more than they were allowed to be as females. For the little girl I was, who was always told she could do whatever it was she set her mind to.

The large hand encasing mine gave it an encouraging, light squeeze. I looked up at the beautiful face of my mate.

"Hey, you've got this Little Fox. I'm here to help, every step of the way. Follow your dreams and don't you dare worry about falling, because I'll be here to pick you up and help you get back on track, at every stage of your journey." Maddox said with a small smile traced on his lips. The smile itself may have been small, but the adoration behind it was deafening.

I returned his smile, pairing it with a slight nod of my head to let Maddox know I was ready to continue.

We'd reached the end of the hallway, Maddox opened the door, and gestured his hand forward. "Ladies first." He offered.

The walk to the councillors parliament building was a brief one. As Maddox and I made our way through the pack's streets, I could faintly hear the voices of fellow pack members.

"Do you think she's really a white Wolf?" One questioned, as we walked past the newly refurbished coffee shop.

"What's she doing with Alpha Bain? Do you think she's his new fling? Probably won't last long." Another huffed, causing a low growl to stir within Maddox.

He shot them a venomous look, resulting in a whimper and submissive head tilt from a woman I recognised. Sandy Baker, one of the packs nurses. My brows furrowed, why was she being so bitchy towards me? I'd never done anything to her.

We took a right at the library, avoiding the town centre to my relief. The few stares we were receiving on the outer edge of the town were enough for me to handle. I was nervous as it was, without having to listen to everyone gossiping about the two of us.

After a couple of minutes walking along a cobblestone path, that looked as though it had seen better days, we arrived at the council parliament. Every time I saw this building it left me speechless, In awe of its beauty. The building dated back to roughly 50AD, or so our archeologist had informed us. When the Romans had invaded the United Kingdom. When the Sabre pack settled here in the early 1800's they built their entire pack from scratch, but the Roman building remained.

Our history taught us that it's original use within our pack was unknown. But in 1867 when the merciless King of Alpha's was murdered by a rebellion, the Alpha's all agreed to rule over their land individually, each allowing a group of council members to be formed within their packs. To ensure no one man, could hold that much power over our kind again.

The enormous grey stone pillars holding up the roof, were enough to make anyone feel insignificant in comparison to their imposing height and width. As we approached the formidable red double doors, Maddox took his hand from mine and grabbed my wrist gently.

He turned me around to face him with a serious expression darkening his features.

"My Little Fox, once we step foot through these doors you need to be strong. The council chambers can be a brutal place, that no woman has ever entered before now. I have no doubt that your presence here, will be met with animosity and prejudice. If you really want this, you need to show them no weakness, do not give them reason to doubt you as an Alpha." He instructed.

I was yet to see this side of Maddox, his joking, carefree persona had all but disappeared. Before me stood an Alpha, a strong Alpha that meant business.

I gave him a curt nod and focused on my breathing.

'Calm yourself Maeve, rid yourself your nerves. Fight for what needs to be done.' I heard Freyja reaffirm Maddox's words in my mind.

'There is no need to worry. Tyr, Maddox and I are all here with you.' She finished reassuringly.

With that I closed off the mind link and opened the menacing red doors before me.

The room that stood before us was breathtaking. Behind the buildings old exterior, laid secret was a huge, beautifully crafted council room. Light shon into all areas of the room, thanks to the many windows and openings in both the walls and ceiling.

The black marble pillars sparkled against the natural light. My eyes scanned across the masterfully crafted white, black and gold tiles on the floor. My concentration shifted to the many footsteps I could hear clacking against the tiles.

The men behind the footsteps were fast approaching. Upon noticing me, their professional demeanour hastily changed to one of anger.

Councillor Shaw led the herd towards us as he addressed Maddox.

"Alpha Bain. It is an honour to have you here in our council. However, it appears you have an unwelcome guest with you." The distasteful look he shot towards me did not escape my notice, nor Maddox's based on his reaction.

A smile danced across my mates face, but not the jovial smile I was used to seeing. This smile held no softness to it, it was menacing to say the least. With a murderous hard stare to match, aimed in Councillor Shaw's direction.

"Councillor Shaw" Maddox voiced carried well across the room.

"I can assure you, my mate is welcome in my presence no matter where I may be. If you have an issue with Miss Sadler's attendance, then your dispute lies with me." He challenged authoritatively.

The Alpha aura encompassing him was crippling. Any control Shaw thought he owned in this scenario had quickly diminished.

He changed his approach by trying to reason with Maddox instead.

"Alpha. Please, I meant to offence towards you. This is the way it has always been, and should always stay. Women are not equipped with the minds for politics."

Maddox stayed standing firm, his shoulder tense and his eyes darkening.

"No Shaw, the offence was not meant towards me. It was meant toward my mate. Which in turn, is far more of an insult to the level of respect you hold for me. As for her mind, I can assure you at this time it is sharper than yours." He boomed.

I could visibly see Shaw shrinking into himself with each of Maddox's words.

"Very well Alpha, the mistake was clearly mine and I sincerely apologise for any hostility I may have caused. Shall we proceed with our meeting?" Shaw asked meekly.

Maddox gave a slight nod, his eyes never leaving Councillor Shaw, who was now looking at his feet timidly.

We made our way over to the circular centre of the room in silence. Maddox and I took our place in the centre as the Councillors seated themselves on the surrounding steps.

Once they were all comfortably seated Maddox motioned his hand towards me, silently informing me the floor was mine. I noticed a few of the council members turning to each other with confusion on their faces.

Choosing to ignore them, I took a step forward to address the room. My posture tall, and my voice carrying across the hall I began my speech.

"Members of the council, you have been called here today not for the privilege of discussing leadership with Alpha Bain as you may have assumed." I began.

"There is no doubt in my mind, that my mate is a deserving Alpha of this pack. Alpha Bain is a born leader, a warrior, a fair and just Alpha. However, Alpha Bain does not know our pack. He is a stranger to our people, and our lands. The murder of our Alpha has, and will continue to be, a tremendous loss for the Sabre Pack. With that in mind, I would like to remind you all, that amongst us is another born leader..." I could see the confusion on their faces growing, wondering who the other born Alpha could be.

"I am referring to myself of course. As you all know I am the daughter of our late Alpha, his blood runs through my veins. Not only that, I have also humbly been blessed with the white Wolf Freyja, the Wolf belonging to the Moon Goddess herself. Which is why, I would like to put myself forward for the position of Alpha of the Sabre Pack." I concluded.

Before I could continue with my speech the room erupted in voices. Many councillors hastily rose to their feet in outrage. All of their accusations merging into one mess of a chant.

"A female Alpha! What is this blasphemy?!" One cried out.

"How dare this heretic claim to be the leader of our people!?" Another added.

"This is an outrage!" I heard another voice below.

My mate and I, held our ground in the centre of the chaos. I knew this wasn't going to be easy, but this was mayhem.