Chapter 87: In Control

She sat in the darkened chamber of the council, the weight heavier upon her chest from the grim warning issuing from the House of Dawn. Before she laid a parchment, little pieces had started falling into place. The door creaked open, Alpha Ileus walked, his eyes darting to the parchment first before alighting to Reika "You have stared at that for hours now," he said, his level tone was powerful. "It is time that we made a decision. Reika rubbed her temples, the weariness etched on her face. "I do, but we cannot afford a single mistake, not when they try only for that glint of weakness." Ileus crossed his arms over his chest and looked down his nose. "They will if we don't act. Reika, this is wholly unlike you-it is always you in the very front. What's wrong? She faltered; that fragile look, which she hardly gave anybody a glimpse of, ran across her features. "I don't know," she finally admitted. "It's just everything feels like a wrong decision; I'm second-guessing myself, and really, it's something that I can ill afford right now." Ileus softened, took a step closer. "You don't have to bear this alone, Reika. Reika's wolf shied from the thought of yielding, but a part of her was comforted by the sure strength emanating from Ileus. "I don't want to fail this pack," she whispered. "Or you." "You won't," Ileus said, laying a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "But you need to let go of the notion that you have to handle it all on your own." >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The next morning, the council sat once more, this time with Ileus at the front. Reika sat to his right, her commanding presence dialed well down. There was a round of exchanged glances-almost in surprise-by the several different leaders in the circle around the pack before smoothing themselves over, too respectful to question it. "We counter the threats from the Dawn family-again, strategically," Ileus said, firm in his voice, and began, "Strengthen the borders, raise the patrols, and make one thing clear-we will not back down." Kael nodded. "What of their allies? If they have reached out for support, we could be dealing with a lot more than the Dawn family alone." Ileus turned to Reika. "What do you think?" Reika blinked, eyes wide at the forthrightness of such a question. "I think first we would have to gather more intelligence. If we go in very aggressively without knowing all that they are capable of, then we fall into their trap. Ileus nodded. "Alright then, Kael. That being the case, I want scouts in their territory within the hour. Reika, get Daisy. See if she can come up with some sort of analysis on the pattern with recent movements. Let's at least try to anticipate what might be next.". >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Late at night and into the training yard, fists flying across the wooden dummy. Beads of sweat cascade down her face, frustration released with every strike-a word said to what was battling inside. "Taking it out on a helpless old dummy?" Ileus says, breaking her concentration. She stopped and turned to him, leaning easily against the fence. "It's better than taking it out on someone else," she replied wryly. He came to stand before her, the humour all gone in a look of concern. "You are not yourself, Reika. What's really wrong?" She faltered; her hands went into tight fists. "I don't like not being in control. I'm always the one with the answers for people. Now it feels like the ground's shifting under my feet, and I can't find my balance. Ileus watched her a moment then spoke up, "It is alright to feel that way; you have been carrying pack a very long time. But you do not have to alone any more, let me share pack." Reika turned away, her throat hitching. "What if I make the wrong decision? What if I get them killed? "Then we'll pick up the pieces together," Ileus said matter-of-factly. "That's what being a pack is about. You're not infallible, Reika, and no one expects you to be." >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Morning brought Reika and Daisy poring over maps and reports until the room was invaded by a scouted pale-faced wolf: "Alpha Ileus! Luna Reika! There has been an occurrence at the southern border! Of what remained of them, Reika and Ileus most fearfully followed behind the scout to the middle hall, where a blood-spattered warrior greeted them with an undressed parchment in his grasp. "This was left for us," he said unto them and handed it over. Ileus unrolled the parchment, voice trembling as he growled out, "Your pack is strong, but even the mightiest fall when their foundations crumble. Surrender or else watch as we dismantle all you hold dear." Reika's wolf growled low in her chest, tugging on her instincts to attack. Ileus's calm steadied her. "They're baiting us," he said. "We can't give in to them on their terms." Reika nodded, her hands shaking with pent-up anger. "Then we must make a move that will catch them off guard." >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>≥>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But now, in a lonely, isolated, bedroom suite near the end of what felt more and more an endlessly tiresome night-in one wherein all other pack members would quickly begin planning the next chapter of defense-heavy was placed in his mind, but behind this sensation was one far too irritating. The nascent nausea stirring down in the pit of her stomach, acuity assailed her like sharp tacks. She had thought little of it, passing it off as stress, until, as the pains grew stronger, a flicker of realization made its appearance. She pressed her hand on her abdomen, her heart racing. Can't be. Scantly had the thought taken any proper formation when there was a sharp knock at the door; in burst Daisy, pale. "You need to see this," she said, holding out a small device. She took it, blood running cold, and a holographic projection came flickering on-an image of the family leader of the Dawn. A chill ran down her spine as a voice reverberated within the room. "By now, you would know what we are capable of. This is a final warning. Surrender by the next full moon, or we will unleash upon you a force so ruinous, it will leave ashes where there once was earth." The projection ended, and in that very moment, Reika and Daisy were mute, statues frozen in time. What to do?" Daisy whispered. Reika's eyes darkened, and her wolf growled low. "We fight," she said,Yet even while speaking, that stir in her stomach reached up to remind her of her physical condition.