Quiver

23

"So what have you come here to speak about?" Yorik's voice boomed, eyeing both of us.

"The Jaecars," I murmured, keeping my face void of emotion.

Yorik's own voice registered a bit of surprise. "What about them?"

"The same thing I wanted last time I was in this office. Revenge. Only this time I'm fully trained and we have two extra allies," I said.

"Revenge? Rori, we could lose pack members due to this..."

"You were fine with it before," I answered firmly.

"I thought you'd drop it after training."

"What? No! They had Cole and now they've turned me into some freak and Cole unwillingly into the Lupus he is now. I want my dámn revenge. Bree can cast healing spells, she's told me," I said, voice barely concealing the snarling mass I was inside.

"If she can cast them, that would work, but she also has to be protected because if she goes down, we all will," Yorik said, his voice warning me.

"That can be arranged, can't it? And we have someone else who's powerful and knows the layout of their complex."

"Who?"

"The Lone Wolf who saved me and helped me back into the pack," I stated.

"The other...one?" Yorik scrunched up his nose in disgust.

I nodded.

"He's really not that bad," Roman put in with a small smile.

Yorik grumbled, mulling over everything.

"If we don't do something, more members will be taken. More Lupus. More supernaturals. Is that what you want?" I asked, my voice beginning to tremble with desperation. I needed to take Claire down, Elliere needed it, everyone needed it. It wouldn't be the end, the Jaecars were everywhere, but in this area we could stop it.

Yorik's forehead frowned along with his mouth as he stared at his desk long and hard. I could tell he was really thinking and as he lifted his head, I seen his eyes shine with something

"No, that's not what I want. Listen, if you can be sure Bree can cast healing spells, find members in the pack willing to shield her and get a vote from the pack on this, we'll do it. But the pack has to be willing too. Remember this pack isn't like a normal wolf pack where one wolf is strictly the Alpha and everything that one wolf says, they do. No, in this pack I'm the leader, I have influence, but I do not command you all. You have a say and a right to do as you wish. With that said, I do wish to tear apart the Jaecars society here and make it safer, but I need to know that the pack will too."

"Very well. We will ask for a vote later this evening at dinner," Roman spoke, clasping my shoulder as we stood.

"Good," his voice was full of approval as we left.

**

We made our way back downstairs and Bree was on my mind completely now. I needed to find her before dinner and ask her about her powers in more detail. I knew she could heal, but I wasn't sure if it could be often or a large group. As we came into the living room I spotted Damion, sulking on the couch, but still no Bree.

I decided to approach Damion since he always seemed to be clinging to her and ask where she was.

He looked up at our approach and flinched a little, his face unmasked in it's sorrow. I instantly felt bad about approaching him.

"Uhm, Damion... where's Bree?" I asked cautiously.

"She's in the kitchen," he muttered mournfully, brown eyes looking in that direction.

I winced and asked, "Are you okay?"

His eyes flickered up to me once again and I saw the deep pain within them yet again. "Yeah... or at least I will be."

I hesitantly squeezed his shoulder and then moved towards the kitchen. I wanted to ask him what was wrong, but instead I told Roman to stay with his brother while I spoke to Bree. He didn't pause in doing as I suggested. I found Bree sitting at the bar, picking through a plate of fruits while lunch was splayed out on platters all over the table. Many of the pack was now gathered about the dining table, picking food, but not all. It wasn't like dinner where you felt you had to be there.

I sat next to Bree, startling her and she turned to me with wide, green eyes before recognizing it was me. She relaxed, but I seen something off in her eyes too.

"Bree, I need to talk with you about some things," I said, cutting right to the chase.

"Oh, sure. What's up?" She responded, picking at her fruit more.

"You mentioned you can do healing spells awhile back. I want to know if you can do them often and on multiple people?" I murmured, my tone serious.

Bree's eyes met mine again and this time she looked wary as she dropped her fruit, facing me fully.

"Why? What's this about?"

"I want to take out the Jaecars for good...at least in this area. I don't want to worry about being taken again or others. I want revenge and justice. I need you and the pack to help. I need you to come and heal the Lupus while we fight. I'll ask the entire pack later if their willing and if they are then we'll assign two members to guard you throughout the chaos, but I feel this needs to happen. I'm sick of Claire, sick of the Jaecars," I explained fiercely.

Bree's eyes went round and I could tell she was turning over what I said as she fidgeted with her hands.

"I can... heal well, I mean. I also would like to help stop Claire and those wretched Jaecars so... I don't see why not. As long as the Lupus are willing," she said, giving me a grim smile.

I smiled and grasped her hands. "Thank you, Bree. You're going to play an important role all around."

"I know and I feel it'll be worth it," she murmured.

I went to move when I seen her sigh a little. "Bree?"

"Yeah?"

"What's going on with you? You seemed worried earlier and now you're...well...mopey? I think. And Damion's acting weird too. What's going on?" I asked, my eyebrows scrunching with concern.

"Well, everything has been so chaotic with stuff around here and you adjusting I didn't want to bother you, but I've been dealing with family issues a lot. I haven't had the chance to tell you, but..." Bree sucked in a breath, looking at me worriedly.

"What? Just tell me. Bree you're my best friend, I'd never judge you."

"I'm a lesbian... I like girls," she blurted rapidly, looking away from me and going back to pushing her fruit around. "And I told Damion today...and I knew he liked me. I just didn't realize how much. God.. I feel horrible."

"Bree," I squeezed her hand gently causing her to look at me. "It's not your fault. He couldn't help that he liked you. Hell, I didn't even know you liked girls until now. You didn't make it obvious at all. I'm sure he'll get over it soon enough."

"I hope so... oh, Rori," she threw herself into my arms, hugging me tightly. "Thank you for understanding."

I laughed a little. "It's what best friends are for."