Wolf Stray (On Hold)

Decide

Torak looked down at the wolfing from his seat among the council.
He looked very nervous.
Who wouldn't be?
He probably had no idea why he was here.
Or he had been told some slanted tale.
Asher wasn't the most confident of wolfing's anyway.
Standing, singled out, before the council with the majority of the pack watching, the boy looked terrified.
His father offered him no comfort.
Not even a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

Torak raised a hand to silence the quite conversations going on in the audience.
"Asher Swift."
The boys ears stood straight up and wide eyes looked up at him but the wolfing said nothing.
The poor kid was likely petrified.
"Asher," he said again in a gentler tone then he had ever used at council. "Do you know why your here?"
The boy glanced between his father and Batraz then shook his head slightly.
Torak took a deep breath.
"Ok. Batraz Gosheven. Would you please restate your accusation?"
Batraz stepped forward a pace.
He gave the wolfling concerned glance and offered him a small smile.
Nobody wanted to do this in front of the boy but they had little choice.
"As I stated at last council," He started in a strong, clear voice. "Asher Swift was brutally attacked by a pack of Sicut Anguis and was bitten. When he howled many of us, including myself, responded. Many of us who had never met the boy. Many of us simply heard a desperate howl and answered. Marcov Swift, Asher's father, did not answer his son's howl."

Asher turned to look at Marcov with betrayal and shock written across his face.
Marcov blushed but refused to look at his son.
Batraz continued.

"Not only did he not help us search for the injured wolfling, but he didn't even meet us at the Healers house while Asher was being treated. I carried the wolfling back to the den in my own arms. I stayed with Asher as our Healer administered treatment. I held him down as he thrashed with fevered dreams. I did all these things because his father was not there. What kind of Wolf doesn't answer the call of his dying son? My accusation is that Marcov Swift is not fit to be called a father and he is not fit to be called a wolf and that he should be kicked from the pack."

Asher stared at Batraz as he finished.
His face had shock written all over it.
Torak hated that he had agreed to this.

"Marcov Swift. Have you any defence?"
Marcov took a pace forward and Batraz a step back.
"Sir I will say the same thing I said last council. I have no excuse. I didn't answer Asher because I didn't hear him. It's a terrible thing but I'm afraid I was lost in a bottle. Something I'm very sorry for. I ask simply for another chance."

Asher was trembling now. Batraz placed a steadying hand on the wolfing's shoulder.

Torak looked to the boy.
"Asher," he said gently. "Is there anything you would like to say before we call for witnesses?"
Asher shook his head.
"Very well. Batraz. Have you anything further to say or anyone you would like to call forward?"
"Torak I believe I've already said my peace at last council. I'm sure we all remember what was said."
He moved his hand from the boys shoulder to the back of his neck as he spoke, gently calling the pack leader's attention to the small trembling frame and misty eyes.
Torak nodded.
"I'm sure so. Marcov. Have you anything further to say or anyone you would like to call forward?"
"I would like to call Asher, sir."

The room was silent.
Torak stared holes into the man's head.
"Very well." He said through gritted teeth.
Marcov turned to his son.
"Asher. How would you describe me as a father?"
The wolfling opened and closed his mouth several times. His breathing was becoming shaky as he fought back the tears that brimmed in his eyes.
"I-i you uh... I don't- I don't really know."
"Ok. If I was to tell you that I wanted to be the kind of father that I was before we lost your brother and mother would you believe me?"

You could have heard a pin drop as they waited for his answer.
Asher looked down at the floor as the tears broke free from his eyes, small drops of salt water splashing to the floor one by one.
He took a long shaky breath and then.
"I-i dont-i cant- I just- gah... No. I-i don't th-think so."
He brushed an arm across his eyes wiping away the spilt tears.
"I'm sorry. But I can't. I can't believe that. You're not that person anymore and neither am I. So I'm sorry but I can't."

Marcov jaw was slack as he stared at his son. Asher avoided his gaze.
Torak swallowed around a lump in his throat.
This was going to destroy both of them no matter what decision was made.
"The council will take a vote now."
All eyes turned toward the council.
"If you side with Marcov please stand."
Nobody moved.
"If you side with Batraz please stand."
16 council members stood leaving only himself seated.
With a heavy sigh he stood slowly.
"Marcov Swift. A wolf who doesn't look after his child isn't a wolf at all. You have been found unfit to be called a wolf and so, kicked from the pack. You will go straight to your home to collect any items you wish to take with you. You may not stop anywhere else. You have one hour to leave the den. You may never return and any attempt to do so will forfeit your life."

Marcov looked down the line of standing council members and nodded slowly.
"Ok." He said hoarsely.
He took Asher by the shoulders and kissed him on the forehead. Then leaning down he whispered in the wolfling's ear.
"I don't blame you. Never blame yourself. I'm so so sorry Asher."
Then he walked out of the council hall.
Asher's breath hitched as his last living relative walked away.
"Wait." He whispered.
But Marcov was already gone.

"Asher Swift is now a stray. Is there anyone who will claim him?"
Batraz raised his hand.
"I will."
Asher stared up at the tall Alpha seemingly unsure how he felt about that.
"Asher Swift. You are a wolfling and not a pup. Capable of making decisions concerning your own best interest. Are you willing to be claimed by Batraz Gosheven?"

Asher looked to Torak as if to speak but said nothing.
His face was pale, his lip quivered, and he swayed slightly.
Realization hit the pack leader.
"Batraz catch him!"