Those In The Forest

Part 83: Hazel

Convincing Reagan to take Alan's life. What would be hard was trying to convince her not to take ours.

          Reagan stepped up to us, "Why are they with Dean?" anger flashed in her eyes, and I damn near crumbled to the floor.

          Bryce stood by the stairs, watching the entire thing—a tiny smile on her lips.

          "He came to us. Offering a deal." Ivy said, clearing her throat. We all shifted uncomfortably in place. If looks could kill, we would most definitely be dead.

          "Deal?" she cocked her head at us. Her tone rose with every word she said to us.

          Rose nodded her head. "He has Alan. He captured him after Alan came to him, wanting the Dolin pack to attack us. Alan is weak and locked up. He's offered him to us if we grant peace between our packs."

          Reagan gave us a suspicious look. Trying to figure out if we were lying or not. "Why would Dean be so nice to do something like that? Just last week, he was his Sire's lackey." she snarled.

          The sound coming from her was so natural. So primal. So her.

           "He said he wants better. For himself, for his pack, for his future family." Iris said carefully. "Trust us, we didn't believe him at first either, but if he's right, which Karina and Avah are double checking on, then we may have a chance at a... better start to our new life."

          Something softened in Reagan's face at Iris's words.

          "Does he not care what happens to him in our hands?" Reagan said, sitting down. That's when Bryce decided to move from the stairs and sit next to her.

          Not wanting Reagan or Byrce to feel like we were crowding them, we sat down as well, cramped on the smaller sofa in the living room, but we didn't mind.

          "No, I'm willing to bet he actually wants us to kill him," I said, glancing at Bryce. This wasn't a delicate topic; I was sure she had her concerns, while Reagan may not be human anymore. Bryce is.

          "And what do your laws say about bartering his life for peace?" she asked—venom laced in every word.

          "Our laws," Rose murmured. When I turned to her, she was looking at Reagan in a challenge. "They are your laws as well,"

          Something flashed in Reagan's eyes. It was fear, anger, or hurt. It was... arousal. A quick sniff confirmed that.

          She liked being challenged. She may not be so different after all. Just a hell of a lot stronger now.

           "Our laws," she said, turning her heated gaze away from Rose. "What do our laws say about that?"

          "It's allowed. It's pack business. Alan harmed you and tried to hurt the pack. He broke our laws way before we could. Death was always coming to him. The second he plotted to take you. Dean is, at the moment, an Elder in charge. Lots of fighting and debating has to occur, but Alan is his sire, and he has a say. If he gives Alan to us willingly, we could do whatever we want to him." Ivy explained. 

           "Even kill him??" shockingly, Reagan didn't ask that question. It came from Bryce. She looked at us, confused, as if we were the ones who had said something off the wall. "What, is it not deserved? I mean, he almost killed my best friend."

          I snarled to myself. "He did kill her."

          "Snarl at her again, and I'll rip your tongue out of your mouth." Reagan glared at me.