The Warrior (continuing from optimistic_dreamer)

The hearing

Mason and Jake followed us into the council room and I could feel Olivia's posture stiffen as she took in all the 13 council members.
They all sat in one row in front of us and to anybody they looked a bit frightening. The council room was very long so that you had to walk several steps in order to stand in front of them. Their seats, or rather their thrones, were situated on a platform so they appeared to be taller than any regular human being, who was standing in front of them.

I squeezed Olivia's hand in an attempt to reassure her that she did not have to go through the hearing alone and she relaxed a bit.

"State your name, position and your purpose.", an assistant, who stood beside the council wanted to know.

"I'm Leon Grey, a warrior and this is Olivia Lockhart, a healer and the Alpha's daughter of the Wildflower pack and we are here, because we are mates.", I stated in a loud but calm voice.

First nothing happened, everybody was silent and then several members had questions at us at the same time.

"What do you mean you being mates?"

"What do you feel when you are with her?"

"Why didn't you mark her?"

Although the council members were all equals there was still some kind of head. His name was Sir Alexander and he was by far the oldest werewolf alive. There were many rumors about his age, however only a few knew his true age.

He was already white-haired and had a lond white beard too. His blue eyes looked intelligent and always eager to learn about new things. Sir Alexander was the strongest of the council members and on most hearings he had the final say.
He was a very good council head and I knew that every council member was extremely fond of him as he was strict but fair.

When I was allowed to visit my uncle during the summers when I already was a warrior, Sir Alexander made sure that I was approved of staying a few weeks with my uncle. He was always very kind to me.

Now Sir Alexander's voice boomed through the council room and he told everybody to calm down and started with the questioning.

"It's good to see you Leon.", he adressed me softly.

I smiled gently at him and nodded my head. Although I had not seen Sir Alexander since several years I could tell instantly that something was bothering him. Furthermore he did not look as healthy as I remembered him. His skin looked ashen and his usually twinkling eyes were more blank than anything.

"However, you do realize that a warrior and a healer are destined to have no mates as they were gifted by the moongodess.", he stated calmly.

"I thought so as well Sir Alexander, but when I visited the Wildflower pack and smelt Olivia's scent my wolf was going crazy and demanded to find her. When I finally tracked her down she was all I could ever ask for. Tingles erupt every time we touch and I can't leave her alone for long, because it makes me physically sick .", I tried to explain.

During my speeck Sir Alexander's head cocked to the side in his thinking gesture and he stroke over his beard.

Olivia stepped forward and said: "It was hard to believe for us at first and we didn't know if we were really mates. So we decided to turn to you council members. We refrained from marking each other, because we first wanted your opinion on this subject."

Sir Alexander's gaze softened when Olivia spoke and I could not help but wonder if Olivia had a secret talent that made all people like her. Well, except my uncle..

Speaking of him I looked for him only to find him already staring at me. He looked displeased with me, but it did not really face me. If he did not like my mate we would have a problem, sooner rather than later.

Sir Alexander stood up from his throne and walked towards us. His normally strong steps seemed to falter. However, as a reflex I automatically stepped in front of Olivia in order to shield her from any attacks.

The head smiled at my behaviour and said calmly: "I just wanted to meet your so called mate."

I nodded once and stepped out of his way, but not before placing a protective arm around Olivia's waist.

They shook hands while I was watching their interaction like a hawk and I could feel myself exhaling in relief when Sir Alexander was not touching her anymore.

Olivia put a hand onto my chest, without looking at me and I could already tell that she was soothing me.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Alexander.", Olivia spoke to him.

Sir Alexander's eyes twinkled in delight. "The pleasur is all mine, my dear!", he smiled softly at hear.

Then he turned to the council and asked them: "Did you see what just happened?"

A few council members nodded their head in understanding while others looked confused. My uncle being one of the latter.

"He tried to protect his mate out of instinct, although he knows me since, what is it 12 years. The urge to protect what is yours is one of the strongest in a mated werewolf and it goes against any logic. Miss Lockhart out of instinct again, tried to calm her mate down because she could sense his distress. After she touched him by putting her hand on his chest he calmed down immediately."

"But how is this possible?", my uncle demanded.

"Ah I'm afraid I don't know that yet, but I think it's time we discuss this matter privately. I saw everything I needed to.", Sir Alexander stated.

"But I...", my uncle started again.

"Is there anything more you need to see, Sir John?", Sir Alexander interrupted my uncle.

My uncle looked taken aback by his disruption, therefore he just shook his head.

My wolf and I were angry about his denial, but I tried to keep my face expressionless.

Sir Alexander turned around again, facing us and told us gently: "By tomorrow afternoon we will have made a decision and I will send someone to get you immediately! For now we have prepared rooms for you and the other two warriors, feel free to do whatever you want until we send for you."

"Thank you Sir Alexander!", Olivia and I said in gratitude.

We left the council room and already the discussion had started.

"Well that went better than I thought.", Mason whispered once we were outside.

Olivia smiled at him and said to me: "We did our best!"

I smiled at her and kissed her temple. Somehow I just knew that the council would decide in our favour.

The assistant, who was in the council room with us, exited the room and showed us to our rooms.

Mason's and Jake's rooms were first and they said they would meet us for dinner in an hour.

Olivia and I followed the assistant further until he stopped in front of a room.

"Miss Lockhart this will be your room.", the assistant spoke.

I growled at him and told him heatedly: "This better be our room, because I definitely won't sleep in another room away from my mate."

I could not help my outburst. Usually I would be calm and collected, but the hearing and especially my uncle's disapproval bothered me.

"Thank you this is fine!", Olivia tried to smooth the situation.

She then went into our room and pulled me after her.

I almost stumbled by how quick and nice she dismissed the assistant, however, I managed to follow her into OUR room.

As soon as I closed the door and turned around, Olivia pushed up on her toes and kissed me.

I did not know if it was meant to be a short kiss, but with all the happenings in the last 24 hours, Olivia was all I needed.

My wolf growled in agreement and I deepened the kiss.