The Dragon Paladin

Chapter 15

I can handle the sight of blood. I will kill someone if I need to out of necessity. I will beat you to a pulp if I want. I can haggle with the best of them. I know my way around a blade. Yet the second I hear raised voices, I hide within myself like a little pup. What happened in my life before the memory wipe that makes me act like this? Kaylum, Carter, Nyx and I were in Alpha Will's office with the Lady of The Sea who's name I've learned to be Nera. It sounds familiar. I can look it up in the library later.

Alpha Nera is in a chair of her own, proud as always. Alpha Will is trying to keep Nyx and Carter from getting too upset. It would work, if Nyx wasn't being so smug about Carter, "not being able to take a joke," as she put it. Apparently, calling people mutts, antagonizing them and nearly killing them to satiate her own bloodlust are Nyx's idea of fun. Alpha Nera is not impressed. I said before that she was scary, but that does nothing to describe the aura coming from her. Rage. Indignation. Contempt. Disappointment. She is directing most of it at Nyx, which I kind of feel bad about since being thrown onto sand like a sack of potatoes put her in a healing chamber and then a brace. And she's giving me the evil eye. 

Alpha Will is going at Carter as if the fight was his fault. Not true. Carter is the head alpha of his pack, Nyx was challenging him and he reacted appropriately. Which ultimately led to him nearly dying to prove a point. Alphas.

"We welcome you to our home," Alpha Will says to Carter. "Peacefully. I gave you the benefit of the doubt, knowing what your father was like. Turns out his son is no different."
I'm not Carter, but I could feel it. Alpha Will's words cut like a blunt knife. Doesn't get very deep, but hurts just as much. He's not being fair. I wish I could say something, but my mouth won't open.
"Alpha." Kaylum speaks for me, which is a relief. "Alpha Brooks was challenged by a low-ranking mercenary with no sense of place nor respect for others."  Referring to Carter by his actual title? Reminds Alpha Will that Carter is his actual equal. Good move.
"Kaylum." Or not. "You were not addressed. Now. Ellie."
Oh no.
"Yes, Alpha?" I kept my eyes down. Purely out of respect. As the newest student, I am the literal bottom of the pack.
"What was that weapon you used against Nyx?"
I gulp. "It's a bayard, sir."
"And where did you get it?"
"It's my own. I ran to my li--my ship to get it."
"No, no. I mean where did you steal it from?"
Ice flooded my veins. I take a breath to steady myself.
"I didn't steal it, Alpha."
"Are you telling me the truth?"
I nod. He taps his fingers on his desk. A slow, steady rhythm. I can hear my heart pounding in my chest, feel sweat dripping down my back. Is it nerves? Is it the heat? Who knows? Not me. Alpha Will Eventually presses a button on his desk, and a few minutes pass before there is a knock at the door.
"Come in."

Soldier enters, sees me, and is confused. Her eyes land on Nyx in a brace, Carter covered in bruises and cuts, and my bayard in my hand. The pieces fall into place. She tilts her head at me, curious. I shake my head and she relaxes. This fight might not have been my fault, but I fear what Ma would do if she found out I nearly killed someone not even two weeks of being here. That I can't be responsible for myself. I feel a hand on my shoulder and meet Soldier's eyes. Between Alpha Will and Kaylum, they get the story across.

"I'm glad you called me here, Will." She stares him down with her arms folded. Now she's challenging him. "Ellie did right." I'm sorry, what? "She defended another who needed it." Soldier. "Who knows, possibly even saved his life while others were too busy being cowards to help." I'm going to cry. Please stop. "You want to punish my student? Tell me what she did wrong and I will handle it." If I breathe, I cry. I can't do that. I finally dare to look up. Soldier and Alpha Will are locked in a stare-down. Alpha Will has his arms crossed and chest puffed out, raising his chin. This leaves his throat exposed, daring anyone to try and kill him. The 300-something year old leader of the pack. Then I look at Soldier. She is clearly much calmer about this. She just has her weight resting on one leg, hand on hip, unsettlingly calm. Then I remember. She's over 10,000 years old, sister to the universe's most tyrannical leader. She's probably seen many acts like the one Alpha Will is trying to pull.