Only Human

3.7

"Are you sure about this?" Gabe asked while we stood outside of a full conference room. I had filled the room with people who had suffered necessarily because of the war. Some of them were high ranking rebels, and some were more background members of the pack. I wanted everyone to feel heard, so I tried to have a wide demographic. There were teenagers, young adults, elderly citizens and everyone in between. 

"I'm sure. If they hate the idea it can't make things worse. But I have a really good feeling about this," I promised him. I was holding his hand and looking up at him pleadingly for some support. I needed to know he was behind me on this. 

"You know that I trust you. Let's do this thing," He finally said, smiling timidly back at me. I reached a hand up and gently combed the hair out of his eyes. I straightened his tie and dusted off his shoulders, letting my arms just rest on them for a moment. 

"I love you," I told him seriously after a stretch of silence. Gabriels smile lit up the dim hallway. 

"I love you too, Sweetheart," He replied, leaning down to peck my lips. Together we breathed in deeply and then entered the room. 

I immediately felt the tension in the room. I realized that they must have felt nervous because there were so many rebels in the same room gathered together. They probably thought we were onto them. Which was true but not in the sense that they were going to be in trouble. 

"Hey, guys!" I greeted brightly, tugging Gabriel along behind me towards our seats at the head of the long table. Once we were seated I spoke up again. "You're probably wondering why you're here." I laughed lightly to try and ease the tension. 

"Yes, Luna," Replied a teenage girl named Audra. She looked stressed. "What's going on?"

"You're not in trouble!" I assured them all, looking into as many sets of eyes as I could. I felt the tension ease some more. 

"Then what is going on?" Lucielle asked politely. 

"The Luna has an idea for a project for you all, but she needed you together to be able to introduce it," Gabriel replied, his hand clasping mine under the table. 

"I just-" I started to speak but then my throat began to close. I swallowed down the emotion as best I could and continued speaking. "I read about the war that brought you all to this pack." Faces began to shift from impassive to curious and emotional. No doubt they were remembering loved ones. "It was completely unnecessary for so many innocent lives to be lost simply because of your previous Alpha's pride. I can't imagine the kind of loss you all have experienced and the hurt that you must still be feeling." There were silent tears streaming now. I hurriedly wiped them with my fingers, but they didn't go away. "I want to build a memorial to those who were lost." 

I watched the idea register on everyone's faces. Careful intrigue and hope. 

"What kind of memorial?" A veteran of the war named Donald spoke up. 

"That's why I invited you all here. I have no place designing something so significant to you all. They were your loved ones and your friends. It only seems right that all of you work together to create a memorial that you feel is fitting," I explained. 

"Are we donating the money and supplies?" Lucielle asked. 

"The Alpha and I have decided to pay for all of the supplies and labor that it will take to create the memorial," I answered. Gabriel squeezed my hand under the table. 

"Where will it go?" Audra demanded. 

"Wherever you feel it belongs within pack boundaries. I was thinking somewhere like the town square where everyone will see it, however, the decision lies with those of you who choose to be a part of this," Gabriel replied. "None of you are required to participate in this project. We understand that it may be painful to work on this. However, all of you are welcome. You are the committee we have selected to take charge of this endeavor."