Wolf Kept Secret

∞∞CHAPTER FOURTEEN∞∞

Uncle Rick had asked if I wanted to be the one to speak to Larkin's pack members but I rightfully declined. Newbie wasn't a good word for what I was and there was no way I was ready for what needed to be done. Uncle Rick talked with me and Jeff both before he went into the room to speak to them. Jeff had offered to take as many of the shifters that wanted to stay with him. Uncle Rick agreed to take as many as wished to go with me so I only felt right if I offered the same even if I was a little confused at what all that would mean for me.

Uncle Rick took the floor in the middle of the living room and faced the north wall. I listened very carefully as he spoke trying to learn as much as I could as fast as I could. If I was going to be in charge of a pack I had a long road ahead of me. I really enjoyed listening to Uncle Rick he promised that no matter which pack they chose to become a part of they would be taken care of. He didn't sale one pack more than the other he didn't even mention that the Live Oaks Pack was run by a teenager that didn't know her head from a hole in the ground. Which, I was really grateful for and would be sure to thank him for later.

After all was done Uncle Rick called Jeff and me to stand next to him. "I am willing to release your bindings as long as everyone behaves. I understand that what happened here was of none of your doing and that most of you didn't even know Ms Carmichael was a prisoner here but don't take my hospitality as weakness. She is my niece and if things were different than they are I would have no problem spilling as much blood as needed to keep her safe." That last part wasn't just a statement it was a warning and I wasn't the only one who knew it.

Everyone agreed that there would be no more fighting so Jeff's men began removing the restraints. There were screams and whimpers as the restraints where removed. I hated standing there and watching people suffer there had to be an easier way to restrain a shifter. If not I was definitely going to invent one this was just inhuman.

Uncle Rick opened the floor for them to ask us questions. He wanted them to have whatever information they needed to make their decisions. Some asked about financial status which I was glad I knew. My Gramps had taken care of me left me money even my dad didn't know about and thanks to Uncle Rick it stayed that way.

They wanted to know about housing and land. So far I could answer just about all the question they had. They asked the questions at Uncle Rick first and then Jeff and I followed suit it stated that way until the last question.

A nice looking man with blonde hair stepped forward "Ms. Carmichael I have a question that applies only to you." I didn't let my posture faultier if there was one thing I had learned from my father it was never show weakness even when you're at your weakest. "How old are you?"

Well that was easy "Nineteen"

"What makes you think you are good enough to hold your own pack together?" Growls came from all directions and I knew that most of them where Rolling River Pack but I think it was Jeff that growled the loudest or maybe it was because he was standing right next to me.

"Now gentleman that is a very good question. One he has a right to ask if he is going to make the best decision. I stand before you and you see a child am I correct?" I was buying myself time I needed to come up with a good answer or at least one that didn't make me look like an idiot.

"That is correct"

"You don't know me and I don't know you but yet here I stand offering to share my home, my land and my family with you. After I was kidnapped from my home and brought here by your Alpha. I must be forgiving. I was able to escape this house of fortitude and make it to the nearest town to let my family now where I was. So I must be intelligent. When I left here I could have stayed gone but I couldn't because there was a member of my pack my family still held captive here. I snuck back in for him so I must be trustworthy. I believe I show all the qualities of a leader. I am forgiving, intelligent and trustworthy. Can you say that Larkin held any of those qualities." I was actually proud of myself for that and Uncle Rick tipped his head at me and smiled showing his approval.