Chapter 18 ~ ‘Bout Damned Time!

Ella’s POV ~

We are standing in the backyard.. watching all the River Run former pack mates amass. Matthew was done playing around. They wanted a stern Alpha.. an arrogant asshole.. all I can think is ‘Be careful what you wish for.’

Once everyone had assembled, Matthew addressed them “Former River Run pack members.. when you transferred to Bear Creek.. taking your oath of fealty.. to first, my father.. then, in turn, to me.. you chose to leave behind all rules and regulations you had previously learned to live by. You agreed to follow Bear Creek protocol.. It has come to my attention that some of you are still following the ways of Alpha Taylor.. instead of my edicts. It is done. I am over it. After today, anyone caught not following my rules will be dealt with, harshly. I command you now.. Tell me your grievances.. If you are betraying me or my pack.. you will tell me now!”

Three men stepped aside.. the eldest speaking “We want to leave the pack, Alpha. At River Run, we went on raids.. we were allowed to keep whatever contraband we confiscated. That’s how a lot of us found our mates. That is how we supported ourselves. Since coming here, we have all taken a severe financial hit.”

Matthew said “Forced mates, you mean. And no! We do not run raids. We do not steal property. And we don’t.. we absolutely do NOT EVER kidnap people to force them into a life of servitude. You have one hour to vacate my territory. You, of course, are allowed to freely approach the king, if lone wolf status is what you seek. But, do not expect me to facilitate your applications. As of right now, you are rogue. I suggest you get moving.

The rest of you.. your affiliation with anything to do with River Run.. and the old ways Taylor utilized is over! You either acclimate.. immerse yourself in Bear Creek tradition and protocols.. or you are banished. This little pack within a pack mentality? Done! Fucking done! You want to know what happens when you take a bull by the horns.. continue on this path. I dare you!”

A small timid woman asked “Alpha Landon? My husband.. mate.. whatever.. is one of the three you just made rogue. Can my bond be broken? I don’t want to leave.”

I immediately went to her and brought her to the front. Matthew asked “Any other family who wish to remain, please step forward.”

The woman’s children stepped out from the crowd and took her hands. A younger female stepped forward “I want to stay. Please, Alpha? I don’t want to go with my parents. I don’t want to be rogue. Please?”

Matthew smiled gently “How old are you, now, Lena?” She answered she was fifteen. He said “I will allow you to apply for emancipation.. under our laws. You are welcome to stay.. absolutely.”

I watched Matthew.. and my whole body infused with pride. He is becoming the Alpha he was always meant to be.. right before my eyes. The blood of our Goddess runs through his veins. His healer’s heart makes him want to always be that empathetic, compassionate healer. And he is. Without hesitation. But his Alpha blood is telling him it is time to stand up and be counted.

I glanced over to the lanai and saw Jolene and Blake.. looking on with such pride on their faces. I knew it reflected my own. It also tells me we were both growing. We are coming into our own.. and maturing, as we grow. And what a beautiful thing it is. The Goddess made us for each other.. and now, we are discovering what we are made of… together.

Matthew looks out over the crowd and tells them “Any other grievances, this is your last opportunity to voice them. After today, consider your little rebellion quashed! I will tolerate no more of this bullshit.”

Another woman stepped out “Alpha.. my name is Bernadette. My daughter, Allie, has been missing for nearly three days. I need help.”

Matthew responded “She is not missing. Your daughter is in lockup. She is accused of treason. She also informed me your mate left this pack a few months ago. Care to enlighten me as to why you, not only failed to alert the proper authorities.. but also told your daughter not to mention it?”

Bernadette stammered “My mate said I was not to tell anyone.. so that he could return without having to answer questions.”

I asked “How is it he was not missed? Does he not have a job? Someone he reports to?”

Shaking her head “We collect a pack stipend. Willie was injured a year ago.. and had to have a kidney removed. He had been going off pack doing odd jobs to compensate our loss of income. Allie took the job in the kitchen to help out.”

Matthew asked “What sort of odd jobs? How much compensation?” Again shaking her head “I don’t know. All our finances are handled by Willie. A woman’s job is to take care of her mate and their home. A man’s is to provide and protect.”

Matthew allowed Frost his head.. and a roaring growl shook the ground around us. Maverick whispered “Big puppy pissed” and I giggled.

Matthew said, loudly “This bullshit right here.. This way of thinking is exactly why we must unify! I am not joking when I say it ends today. Every single one of you are to enroll in a course on pack rules and regulations! No exceptions.. No excuses.”

He looked directly at Bernadette and said “You all have twenty four hours to enroll in classes. You are now dismissed. Bernadette, you come with me.. We have some things to discuss.”

We all fell into step behind him, as ge lead Bernadette to his office. Blake and Jolene behind Maverick and me.

Once everyone was seated, Matthew said “I want you to know, Bernadette.. we will be going through your financial records. Everything about your lives will be gone over with a fine toothed comb. I fear your mate has betrayed this pack. If you know anything at all, now would be the time to come forward with it. I am done giving second chances. My compassion has been misconstrued as weakness once too often.”

She sat back and said “Willie kept financial records and a journal. He has a safe in his den.. I don’t know the combination.. or how difficult it is to get into. I wasn’t allowed to know. Or question his motives. Or decisions. I was never permitted an opinion. My job is to blindly obey and never make him mad.”

I looked at Matthew and said “Seems that Neanderthal mentality is alive and well with the refugees who have refused to conform to their new pack rules.”

He nods “Yeah! That shit is done! Or they will be homeless!” Maverick grins “and a new and improved Alpha appears!”

Blake laughed “‘Bout damned time!”