No Matter What: A Chasing Forever Novel

Pack Meeting.

*Nichola's POV* 

 I walk into the Packhouse with Mike and Rose, surprised to see almost the entire pack standing in front of The Council. "What's going on?" I say confused, turning to my brothers best friend, who had been with Jayden knocking on every door to let people know about this pack meeting. 

 He just shakes his head, detaching himself from Rose's arm and walking through everyone to make his way to the front, taking his place as Beta. Rose turns to me. "He hasn't said more than two words since he came back with Jayden," She whispers. "I think somethings wrong."

 "Come on," Since I'm a part of the Alpha's family, I have to be in the front of the pack during meetings, and since Jake named Mike as his Beta, Rose has to stand up front as well. "Let's get our spots before Jake gets here." 

 "Where's Chy..?" Rose cranes her neck, searching the room for our best friend, who hasn't been seen since early this morning.

 "Probably locked in a room with Jake, to be completely honest." I joke, rolling my eyes. The two of them have been inseparable since he came back. 

 The room gradually starts to get silent and I turn my head to see what's going on. My grandfather walks in, his eyes dull, and everyone- myself included, immediately drops down to one knee, paying respect to our king. I stare at the ground, my mind racing. J, why is Pop here? I whisper through my link with my brother. What happened? 

 "May any members of the Royal Family, please stand and come stand up front." Felicity, the pack witch, says after a moment of silence. I stand, keeping my eyes on my grandfather as I walk slowly towards the front. My mother steps out of the front line at the same time as I do, and she reaches out, taking my hand and walking with me. As soon as we reach Pop he kisses us both on the cheek, and we turn to face the pack. 

 "May the Beta's mate please come up to the front." Rose looks up in shock, she's never been called up to stand in the front during a pack meeting, not even when Jake named Mike as his second in command. She struggles to stand, her pregnant tummy making it difficult, and I look up at my grandfather waiting on his nod before I walk over and help her up. 

 "Thank you," She whispers before we both start back to stand by my grandfather. Mike steps forward to stand beside her, his arms behind his back and his face serious and calculating. 

 "Please make room for your Alpha and Luna to make their way to the front." Felicity orders, the magick flowing through her making her voice resonate with an unchallenged authority. Besides Jake and Pop, she has the most authority in the pack, and everyone stands in synch, parting almost perfectly down the middle and leaving a space for Jake and Chyenne to walk to the front. 

 For a second I'm confused. Usually during a pack meeting, Jake waits alone outside and Chyenne stands in the front with the rest of us as a part of the Royal family. Never in the history of our kingdom has the Luna walked in at the same time as the Alpha during an emergency pack meeting. She is supposed to stand in front, addressing the Pack until her mate arrives. The fact that that is no longer the case is enough to inform me that something horrible has happened. Now the presence of my grandfather makes sense. 

 On Felicity's nod, two beta's in the second row step out of the crowd and walk to the back, opening the doors. Chyenne walks in first, but she stops after a few steps, turning and facing the door. A second later Jacob walks in, and immediately it takes all of my strength not to fall to my knees in shock. His face is hard as he takes his place beside Chyenne, but that isn't what saps all strength from my body. In his arms, cradled carefully against his chest, is my grandmother, wrapped in a white cloth, her body lifeless. 

 I hear my mother gasp in shock, but other than that she remains calm and keeps her eyes on my brother as he and his mate start to walk slowly towards us. The pack starts to murmur in shock and confusion, some in fear, but a warning growl from Mike shuts them up immediately. Chyenne steps away from Jacob, who's paused as if he can't continue walking, and walks over to stand beside me. 

 I feel her hand slip into mine, and I squeeze hers thankfully. Jake closes his eyes and I see one tear slide down his face as he takes a deep breath, before he opens them again and continues walking. Stopping in front of Pop, I watch my brother bow before kneeling and gently placing my grandmothers body in front of him, and backing away a few steps. 

 Felicity steps forward again, touching Jake's arm lightly before walking past him to address the pack. I turn to look at my brother, surprised to see his back is still to the pack. Pop is on his knees next to our grandmother, tears in his eyes and his mouth slightly open in a silent sob. Jake, jaw clenched, reaches out and places his hand on his shoulder to silently reassure him of his presence.

 "As you can see, the Queen passed away early this morning," Felicity begins addressing the pack and I turn to face the front again. 

 Jake growls and immediately Felicity stops talking, instead turning to look at him in shock. He doesn't turn but I can see his body shaking, his hands curled into fists at his side. "Chy," I murmur, ignoring the rule that nobody speaks during a pack meeting unless they're called to. 

 "I see it too," She whispers back, her eyes on her mate. 

 "Jacob?" Felicity says, her voice laced in annoyance. "Did you have something to add?" 

 He turns his head slightly, and I jump when I see his eyes are red. He's growling now, and I see blood dripping down his knuckles. His claws must be digging into his palms. Almost immediately Chyenne breaks the line, walking over to him. "Baby," She says, touching his cheek to make him look at her. "Baby, breathe. I'm right here." 

 Mike's standing protectively in front of Rose, but I can see his pity written clear in the lines in his face. He knows Jake's losing control because he can't escape his grief. "Felic, maybe you should back away from them." Mike says quietly, reaching out to pull her back. "Give Chyenne space to calm him down." 

 "Chyenne," Felicity says, her heartbeat loud enough to be heard from across the room. She's more scared than she's letting on. "Please stand back with the Royal family." 

 "All due respect, Felicity," Chy doesn't even bother turning around. "But you can address the pack without me standing in a line." 

 "Proper Pack meeting etiquette-" 

 "I don't care about pack etiquette!" Chyenne loses it, yelling. "I care about the fact that my mate is about to kill everyone in this room if he doesn't relax. So do your damn job, and address the rest of the god damn pack." 

 Everyone is silent now, even Pop's is looking at her in shock. She's never openly been disrespectful to a member of the Council before, and I think Felicity is the most shocked out of all of us.  

 "You heard her," Pops says, standing and looking at Felicity, his face calm again. He looks like the King again, a fact Felicity clearly picks up on because she bows her head immediately before turning back. 

 "Your Alpha and King called you here today to question you about the whereabouts of a prisoner who escaped from the dungeons in the capitol this morning, resulting in the death of the Queen." 

 "Murder," Jake says quietly. "She was murdered." 

 I look at my brother, who meets my gaze and nods, laying to rest my fears of him doing something he'd regret. He walks over with Chyenne's hand in his, and places his arm around my shoulders. Pop puts his arm around my mom, hugging her tightly. I can't tell if he's doing it to hold her up, or himself, but either way my mother leans into him. 

 "Right," Felicity corrects herself, clearly flustered. "The murder of the Queen is under investigation. Jacob would like everyone to remain here until you are cleared by him or the King to do otherwise." 

 "Make no mistake." Jake says, looking around the room slowly. "I know some of you think I was handed this job because of who my father and grandfather are, but I will find out who is responsible. And when I do, you won't just be punished, you'll suffer more pain than is humanly possible. And that's a promise."