Taking A Stand

[Amorentia]

Peni POV

Aggresstion coursed as an undercurrent pumping with my blood as it flowed through my veins. I sat restlessly trying not to look annoyed as Sam called the Pack meeting to order. I sat across from him as the female Alpha trying to remember I was supposed to set the example. 

"There's a lot for us to discuss." He told us all as we sat around a table in the Community Center. Wolf form was not ideal for us to meet right now. Because of the screaming in Tori's head, and the rage in mine, as well as everyone muddled feelings, the Pack consciousness would have been more detrimental than helpful. There were things that needed to be decided.

Paul POV

"We've been dealt a heavy blow," Sam looked around at everyone sitting around the table. "We lost one, almost two." He looked at Tori who looked away. Part of me felt like I should take back control, or at least be the one to address things. I was the Alpha when the younger Pack joined. I knew them better than almost anyone. Even now, whenever the main Pack split off, I was left here defending our home with members of the younger kids who used to be my Pack.

Quil POV

"When I took back over the Pack I talked about why I had come back. About how the Pack had changed in ways that were not beneficial." Peni shifted restlessness in her chair. Some of the older Pack also looked uncomfortable struggling between our allegiance to friendships and our responsibility as Pack. I know for myself, I felt torn right down the middle. We were told this was the was going to decision time. Right now I was just trying to hear everyone out.

Collin POV

My own life had been so hectic the last year, I'd put the Pack on the back burner. A kid was dead - one of our kids -  I hadn't even taken the time to get to know him. As part of the Great Hallow Pack, I figured the kids back home weren't my concern.  Now the guilt was eating at me. A lot of us were having second thoughts about things. Looking at Brady beside me, I knew he was having the same thoughts. This was like a wake up call for us all.

Sam POV

"This was the second Pack member we lost in months. I don't think anyone is questioning now if change is necessary. Now it's a question of whose willing to make the changes." For a moment I hesitate knowing we were sitting on a power keg ready to explode. "We're in the process of getting two new Pack members."

All eyes landed on me. Peni's eyes were wide and dangerious. Again I hestitated before saying, "Two now have the fever. In days they will be our newest and youngest members."

"Who?" Peni asked hands shaking. I looked at Seth and Leah. It was a mistake. They already knew, but we all purposely had waited to talk to Peni because of the strain she was under. "Who?" Peni asked again as she climbed on top of the table toward me. "Sam...?"

"The Clearwater Twins." I answered. Before I could even say their names, she was on her feet atop the table.

Seth POV

Everyone who knew Peni well backed up from the table when she started storming about on the table top enraged. Most of us grabbed the person next to us so that the only person left around that table was Marcus who didn't look like he had intention of backing up from his wife. She was my cousin, still I wasn't getting close to her when she had this look in her eye.

Leah and I both were not thrilled when we heard about Michael and Matthew. Our cousin their Father, died in a car accident. With all that happened with Justin, this wasn't the best time.

"What are they eleven?" Peni asked furiously.

Sam POV

"They are almost fourteen," I told her. It didn't matter. Peni's point of view right now was of a Mother whose oldest sons were approaching the prepubesent stage. Even if it wasn't for that, ever child on the Reservation felt for her like they were her own children.

"No....," Peni hollared, eyes flashing dangeriously. "No, we don't need the blood of anymore children spilled. Things have to change."

My head nodded in agreement as she let out an infuriated scream. It was good to see her like this. This was when she was at her best. When angry her instint became sharper. The passionate fire inside of her was exactly what the Pack needed to set ablaze the hearts of the Pack to help us rebuild in the right direction. Pointing her finger she walked to the edges of the table addressing everyone. The dangerious flash in her eye woke everyone from the complacency so many have slipped into. As long as she wasn't swinging an anybody, I was good to let her continue.  

"They're children," Peni ranted. Looking at Seth and Brady about to open their mouth she leaned down pointing fingers in their faces saying. "And I don't care if that was how old you were. It was different then. Everyone except for Sam was young. Now there are enough of us who are older and of age that we don't have to have our children do the fighting for us."

Kyle POV

This was so cool. I never saw crazy Peni up close and personal. She'd always been like the Pack Mother since I joined so I missed all the fun stuff. Watching her almost lunging off the table at people was exciting. Exchanging looks with the other guys, we wondered if we were going to get a show. If we were lucky maybe she'd fight Sam again or find the banshee for a makeout session.

Brady POV

As soon as he opened his mouth again, I smacked Collin. He couldn't just leave well enough. Peni had her back to us walking away still on top of the table when he said, "Isn't it the Ancestors decision when kids phase, not......"

On one grand leap she landed in front of us again with her finger in his face, voice intense saying, "The Ancestor's do not want the blood of our children. They demand sweat from us. To care for the Elder's, and to train up our children. It's our job to fight, not theirs - till they are of age."

"Just shut up," I mouthed to him when she turned away continuing to rant about our responsibilities. She was right. I heard what she was saying. But I didn't want her to come back over here. If she was going to give someone a boot to the face , I'd much rather it be Sam. Or Marcus - he was love blind enough that he looked like he wouldn't mind.

Leah POV

"Responsibility is the key here," Peni's voice leveled a bit. "Responsibility for what we've done and still have to do. A lot of this falls on my head. I accept that."  I dragged the Pack out of the Rez for me and for my kids. Instead of just coming back home where I was safe, I used the Pack to help make my home safe for me, instead of coming to help the Pack keep our land safe. I see the fault of that now, as well as all of the fools errands I send the Pack on that it wasn't designed for."

 I felt for my cousin as she sat down on the table. There was no time this week that I envied her. It was no surprise she cracked today. The rolls she took with the Pack and Community were not ones I wanted. On top of having eight kids, I don't know how she kept up. No one would say that I was good with people. Seth was great inside of the Pack, outside among the Community not so much. She had our support. With the twins now coming up into the Pack, both Seth and I were rethinking our place with Jacob. 

"This is our land. These are our people." Peni looked around the table at everyone. "We are the protectors of both. This is our purpose - not just from the Leeches who have no purpose, no welcome on this land every." She looked at Sam who nodded in agreement. "It won't be tolerated."

Jalil POV

My Sister didn't look at me directly, but she may as well have as she continued firmly, "It's not just the Leeches, or evil Wizards, but we protect or people from drug dealers, vagrants, and other criminals." For a moment I wish I could disappear counting myself, at least at some point in my life, among those. 

"More than that, we are tasked to actively set the examples of our culture." Peni continued to challenge everyone. "The Ancient Magic that flows through our veins is uniquely Quileute. Not Makah or Tsa-la-gi or English. We are the future shaping what the Quileute will become from our decisions now." Focusing on my hands, I tried to focus past the guilt to the responsibilities she meant. It wasn't easy for me.  

"I'm not immune to this. Marcus and I," she looked up at him as he still sat close to the table showing his undivided support of her. "We're moving back to the Rez. We will still have the house in Great Hallow. Like many of you who work at the shop, we have business there. The Time Lapse Portkey's will stay open. But our life is here." 

Marcus POV

Pulling Peni off the table and into my waiting arms, I I held her body close to mine as it calmed.  With a word, I could have reigned her in, both in the woods or now, but controlling Peni was never my intention.  She was an incredible force all on her own. and the things she had to say, while harsh to some ears, were all true.  More than that, they were what was right.  For all that I loved the new pack family I had acquired, no part of me would be willing to stand by and watch as we sent children into a slaughter.  Sixteen was hard enough for me to swallow, kids that in the muggle world would barely be allowed to drive, the thought of sending a thirteen or fourteen year old... the thought of seeing them come back the way Justin had...I backed Peni completely.

Jalil POV

We didn't have to be in Wolf form to know what those two were thinking. For a moment I wondered if Sam should pause the meeting so Marcus could take Peni into the bathroom and more thoroughly calm her down before we reconvened the meeting. Laughing to myself the image came into my mind of them coming out with cloths askew, hair messed up, but she was smiling. And the deer of the forest rejoice that they shall live another day.

Shawn POV

I looked around at the older Pack who all seemed to be weighing what was said heavily. For all of us younger Pack, we didn't have the decide. How we came up under Paul's leadership was that thi,s here on the Reservation, was it. The older Pack living in Great Hallow were like Retirees to us, and in many ways hero's. But our job was here.

"We're a small people," Peni continued from Marcus's lap. She was no longer yelling, but her voice carried weight. "Our Pack is even smaller. But we have the ability to have a grand impact. That impact is up to us. It's up to each one of us to decide. Sam was right, things are going to change."

Davy POV

For a moment I held my breath when Peni started listing changes. Sam backed her up with his full support. No one under the age of sixteen would be allowed to fight off of the Reservation. They would only be allowed if they had their parents persimmon. Boy, was I glad I was eighteen so that I didn't have to have Mommy sign a permission slip for me to kill some Bloodsucker's.

Patrols would run with one Veteren and one Rookie. Sam was the deciding factor as to who was still considered a Rookie. Experience had a lot to add to the age factor. No two Rookie's would stand patrol's or watches alone.

Under sixteen would not be allowed to fight, period. The Junior Cub's could train and run Patrol's if in groups and within regular hours giving it didn't conflict with school, and they had parental consent. It was going to suck to be them.

CD POV

Our Pack with Sam was going to focus on La Push. We were not being confined to the Rez completely. If the Pack skills were needed somewhere, and the council approved, Sam would be in charge of deciding from those willing to go, who was fit for the mission. Everyone else was staying home. It didn't sound like it would be as much fun, but it made sense. None of us wanted to lose another member. I know I wasn't ready to die either.  

"All of us," Peni caught eye contact with everyone for a moment. "We each have the right to have our own lives. Our own Free Will is important. But we have been given a very powerful magic. To those who are giving a lot, a lot is asked of. With gifts comes responsibility. Justin loved the Pack. It was everything to him." As she looked at us, all of us younger Pack, the "Rookies" confirmed she was right. Then she looked at the Veterans asking, "What does it mean to you? What is it worth? It's your decision."

That's when I noticed Tori start crying beside me. I wasn't sure what to do. Tears were not usually her thing. It was against everything she wanted everyone to see in her tough exterior. I put my hand on her back softly as she folding over covering her arms with her head sobbing. I'd heard what she was carrying in her head. Justin's screams echoing in her head chilled everyone who heard it through the Pack Consciousness. I was glad I wasn't her either.  

Peni got up from Marcus to walk over to her. With a whisper in Tori's ear, she helped her up to take her to the bathroom while Sam continued the meeting.    

Sam POV

As Peni took Tori from the room, I stood up to pick up where she left off. "Just like before, everyone has the right for their own choice in this matter. We're all Pack, whether you divide you're time between here or have lives and responsibilities elsewhere. No matter what you choice, you're family to us no matter what."

Peni POV

Taking Tori out of the room was my first priority. Everyone knew her well enough to know that she didn't want everyone seeing her in this state. By the time we got to the bathroom, she was hysterical.

"Don't hold it in," I told her with my arms around her. "Let it out." Till she was almost hyperventilating she cried.

Filling the sink with cool water, I held her head back while she dunked her face into the cold water to calm down. Stroking her neck I spoke softly to her calming her as she started trying to be sick.

"Don't worry," she told me. "I haven't eaten."

That's when I made my decision. Little Bit was coming home with me. Her Mother was pulling double shifts. Her Father had his hands full with her Sister. She needed to be watched very closely. 

The meeting was over when we came out. Marcus was waiting outside and took each of us in an arm as Tori still hiccuped cries. After he kissed each of us on the forehead, I gave him a light kiss as I moved way to call Tori's Mom. There were no words for how I loved that man. As I walked away I heard him soothing Tori saying, "It gets better."

That it did. Until it did, I planned to have two eyes on her as often as I could spare them. Sam waited for me as I wrapped up my call with Tori's Mom. He was smiling. That encouraged me.

With a hug he told me, "I couldn't have said it better myself." He let me know I hadn't wasted my breath when he told me,  "Seth and Leah are coming home. As are Quil, Collin, and Brady. You did good, Peni. The future looks bright." That was what mattered - the future.  

[Amorentia]

Nov. 27, 2009 at 6:32 PM

Peni and the Pack written by Amorentia. Marcus Flint written by shtteredprncess.

(Original Poster)

[Amorentia]

Nov. 27, 2009 at 6:33 PM

Want to read more? What to join in the Creative Writing fun? Our full stories are in Through The Looking Glass. Link HERE to join. Be sure to tell them Peni and The Pack sent you!

(Original Poster)

[Amorentia]

Nov. 27, 2009 at 9:50 PM

For everyone who would like to leave critiques about editing, this is Fan Fiction for fun. Not published work. When something is too long to make any changes to - not even spell check - you post and go. If you don't like it, move along. Thank you!

(Original Poster)