#14

Sable was in wolf form, laying on a bed of grass when Snow nudged her gently with his nose. She blinked up at him with some irritation, then saw the wolf behind Snow. She yipped with glee. You have a few hours, Snow told her with an affectionate lick to her nose.

She nuzzled him back, happy to spend some time with her father. Happy that Snow made it happen. She was grateful to him, grateful he kept his promises, even though she knew it had to have been hard with Kenyan keeping a close on them. Her tawny form walked to the large grey wolf that was her father and bent her head, both a submissive position and a question.

Richard didn't care about formalities however, as he nuzzled his daughter with all the love he held in his heart. He too was grateful to Sable's mate for sneaking him away from the main pack area to meet with Sable, and for bringing food to him. Richard was even more convinced that Snow was a good match for Sable. All he ever wanted was for Sable to be happy and safe. It's all her mother wanted as well.

Snow left his mate and her father alone, giving them privacy to talk and be family. He began a wide circle around them though, keeping alert for anyone or anything that might disturb the reunion happening. He linked with his father as he kept all senses open. Father, is there a way for me to bring Sable's father home?

There was a long pause, in which he sensed a long deliberation. Finally, Turk said, "It depends. Typically, the alpha must let a pack member go unless a mate is involved. Another way is to sneak him out, but that would cause trouble we don't need at our front door. We already have trouble. The other ways are to challenge the alpha, either by proving a wrong doing or face-to-face."

"You mean to challenge for his spot?"

"Yes."

Snow growled lowly, hating his options. First, he didn't have enough proof that Kenyan was guilty of selling his pack member to be used as a toy, and killing another pack member's mate. Second, his father was right. They didn't need to start a war with Kenyan for stealing away Richard. While Turk and the pack was strong, Snow knew Kenyan would get as many other packs he could to join his cause. And third, Snow didn't want to rule a pack. He liked being hidden, watchful, quiet. He didn't want the attention ruling a pack would bring him. He didn't want the responsibility of so many lives on his shoulders. He didn't want the pain it would give him.

"Snow, I know you care for Sable's father, but you must be patient. You have already put yourself in a precarious position by implanting hidden cameras. Don't make things worse for yourself."

"It isn't for me," Snow said. "It's for Sable. She needs him."

"And you know I would help if I could, but as alpha and as your father, it would be wrong to tell you to do something that could endanger the pack and yourself."

"Then what do I do?"

Turk was silent a long time. Snow sniffed the air, checked on Sable, and made a whole circle around her again before he answered. "Your mother believes you should go with your instincts. I agree, however not if your instincts tell you to do something stupid."

Snow huffed.

Mazelina's voice entered his mind. "Listen to your heart, Snow. What is it telling you to do?"

"To wait for the right moment. To gain evidence that Kenyan is guilty. To bide my time."

"Then don't ignore them," his mother advised. "You are just like your father. Smart, loyal, devoted and caring beyond good reason. Don't ruin what you have by attacking the alpha or stealing his pack member."

"But Richard is also being hurt. Kenyan didn't give him food last night!"

"Richard has lasted this long," Turk stated. "It's because he's smart. He'll fight to stay alive for Sable, which means he will do as he's told until you make your move."

"Snow?"

Snow looked over his shoulder to see Sable and her father. He saw how Richard stood slightly in front of her, as if to protect her from any threat. "Go back. I'll be there soon."

"Are you okay?"

He loped over and nuzzled her. "Brave Heart, I am good. I am talking to my parents. I will discuss what it was about when I return."

Sable whined, nuzzled him back, then turned to her father. They walked back to where Snow made camp as he returned to his conversation with his parents.

Sable and her father had just dressed and started a fire when her mate returned, grabbing his clothes and disappearing to shift. He walked back as a man and sat across the fire from her and Richard. Sable noticed that Snow was debating something in his head, could tell the situation there was worrying him, and frowned. "Snow?"

He looked up at her and gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm sorry, Brave Heart. Did you eat?"

"Yes, we both have," Richard answered. "Thank you again for everything you're doing."

Snow shrugged as if saving daughters was something he did everyday, took some stew and began to eat. Sable waited, knowing he had something to tell her. When Snow finished his food two minutes later, he sighed and look at her. "I know you care for your father, and I know you want him home with us, but he must be the one to choose what is best. Not you. Not me."

"Why not you?" she asked softly.

"Because I am biased. I want him safe as much as you do, but your father must choose."

Richard leaned forward and leaned his forearms on his knees. "What am I choosing?"

"To come home with us when we leave, which will result in many lives getting hurt or lost, or to wait while I find a way to prove Kenyan is guilty and possibly have no further troubles."

Sable contemplated the two options, knew which one Snow would have chosen and knew which her father would choose. Her father wouldn't risk the lives of others, not even hers even though he wanted something. So when he answered, "I'll wait," Sable hugged him fiercely.

Snow nodded, his grey eyes sympathetic but understanding. "Be careful," Sable whispered.

"I am always careful," Richard whispered back. He kissed the top of her head and pulled back. "We have a plan. As long as you guys get what you need and prove it, nothing will go wrong. I'll be alert every second of everyday."

Tears glimmered in her eyes as Sable nodded and looked to Snow. "When do we leave?"

"We will likely leave tomorrow night or the next morning. I want to get back home and help my father with the war." He paused, watching Sable with soft eyes. "But I will make sure you see each other before we leave."

Richard nodded, standing up and stretching. "I must go and begin my shift. Please be careful while you're here."

"We will," Snow promised.

Sable watched her father walk away and had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.

Snow went and sat beside Sable, needing to comfort her. "Brave Heart?"

"I don't want to leave him," she gasped.

"Inigo will have a camera on him any time he's outside his bathroom. There will be no chance of your father getting hurt without us knowing. We will know how, and where. We will come and find him, rescue him, and make sure Kenyan is held responsible. I will make sure everything is fine."