Weres

50. Decisions

Catherine's sharp eyes scrutinized the tall, muscular men inside the room. Her mate and other wolves along with Iosif and Jared, were standing near her, discussing the lycans. From the corner she found one of them giving her a lecherous gaze. 

The werewolf's one glare was enough to assert her dominance and make the lycan move his head down submissively.

Before being mated to an Alpha, she had been a pack's warrior. Brushing off any disrespect wasn't in her habit.

Catherine felt a warm hand on her shoulder. "Calm down Cat, let's not bring out the claws," Nicholas said with an amused smile.

After spending more than twenty years with his mate, the old Alpha had learned that this fierce woman was more than capable to rip out any vile eyes by herself. 

Unlike his younger self, Nicholas now didn't turn into a barbarian, ready to tear apart the perverts ogling his mate. He'd rather proudly enjoy the ferocity of his wife—who could do the task herself.

"It is sickening to think that Marley had to face this when she was here," Catherine said, scowling at the lycans standing in front of her.

"Don't worry." Jared joined in. He was right behind them, her words involuntary reaching his ears. "I made sure none of them touched a single hair on her body."

"Now you, who was one of her abductors, will assure me of her safety," the she-wolf replied indignantly.

Jared bit back a growl. He was tired of always being labeled as one of the bad guys.

"Cat, don't," Nicholas reprimanded. They had moved on from that terrible incident after the knowledge of Odis' death. Nicholas didn't want to stir the past further.

Catherine, still scowling, listened to her mate, making him sigh.

Nicholas turned to face the agitated crowd of lycans. They all looked back at him in resentment, yet none of them dared to be vocal about it. It was clear who was at an advantage with hundreds of wolves behind him, ready to attack at his one command.

"I've come to know that most of you want to go back to your lives before you all were turned. You're even willing to fight us to achieve that," He began, his deep voice commanding everyone's attention. 

"Not a wise decision according to my judgement, seeing that all of yours strength has reduced significantly after Odis' death. But then again, it won't be wise either to keep you here against your will. We already have other important matters at hand.

"So, here's my proposition to all of you." Every pair of eyes looked at him pensively. "Those who want to go, can go. We won't be holding you rogues hostage anymore. I don't want to our resources and time anymore."

His words resulted in murmurs of agreement. The lycans seemed relieved from the conclusion. Freedom was all they wanted.

"But," Nicholas continued, once again silencing every voice, "those who choose to stay with us, fight with us against knights will be welcomed in our pack. They will be treated as one of us." He watched his audience's changing expressions. "I give you till morning to decide. Make your decision wisely." With that, he slowly stepped away from the platform and walked out of the room, his mate following behind him.

A barely visible smile appeared on Jared's lips as he saw conflicted faces of his companions. He had to give it to the old Alpha. The man had done it deftly. He knew the one thing that an exiled rogue wanted more than their freedom. A Pack, a place to belong.

******

"Dimitri is going to attack again. And very Soon," Kyle declared.