I woke to the sound of rain pounding on the roof and my heart seemed to be trying to keep time with the beat of the precipitation. I rose from my bed and made my way out of my room wrapped in my robe. Denizen came up and greeted me with his wet nose and a wagging tail.

"Whatcha doing here, Den?" I asked him. "Don't you have new pups to be taking care of?"

Perhaps he had sensed the trouble brewing in the air and come home to support his master. I walked out into the kitchen.

Karen greeted me, but the cheeriness of her voice was strained. It was the day where Serge and the challenger would have their say before the pack.

I was a ball of anxiety already and the meeting was not until the evening. The idea of being in the same place as the entire pack sent ice shivering down my spine. Not to mention that Landon would no doubt say curse aggravating things against Serge.

My appetite was less than usual. I made myself eat by silently, continuously chanting that Karen wanted me to eat.

Afterwards, I went with Serge to the pack offices again. For me, the day dragged on, but passed too quickly.

Before I knew it we were in his truck heading home to eat.

A slow cooker of deer chili awaited us. We both ate quickly. No doubt Karen was at home getting her children ready and would meet us at the gathering. Everyone in the pack was to attend.

I wished I could avoid it. I almost begged Serge to leave me home to avoid all the curious eyes that would be there. Worse, I would be exhibit A for why Serge was not fit to be the leader any longer.

After supper, I went to my room and tried to make myself look more presentable. I still avoided mirrors, but this time I summoned my courage and looked at myself. I had lost only a small amount of weight and if I ignored my occasional involuntary tremors I looked like an exhausted version of my old self.

I pulled on a sweater that I used to think made me look good and black leggings. I brushed my hair until it was perfectly smooth and gave up fighting with my appearance. I was not going to look any better than this, no matter how hard I tried.

I left my room. Serge was sitting at the counter as he so often did, reading over what I assumed must have been what his speech. I wondered what he had planned but I was afraid to ask.

When it was time to leave, I followed Serge out to the truck and stared out the window while he drove into town. I hoped he would say something that might win over his doubters so that the whole ordeal would be finished the next day.

* * * * * * * * *

When we arrived, there was already an intimidating crowd waiting. "Once we find Karen, I'll go to the stage and you can stay with her, alright Elise?"

I nodded, keeping my gaze fixed on the ground. I could feel pack members all around me, their scents and sounds assaulted me.

Past my own unease, I recognized that he sounded calm on the surface, but I was fairly certain that there was a tempest heaving in the depths. I felt a twinge of sympathy that the curse promptly smothered.

"There she is," he said, sounding relieved.

Karen took over. "Elise, let's get you sitting down, honey. This place is too much, isn't it? It should get better when things start. Dan and the kids are saving some seats."

She took my hand began to pull me through the crowd. I heard a few stray comments as I went by and was glad when we reached her family.

I sat where I was told and waited, praying for it to quickly begin and to quickly end.

Finally, I heard Leah's voice through a loudspeaker. "Welcome, friends and neighbours. As you are all no doubt aware, Landon Stokes has launched a bid to challenge Serge Eckstein, for leadership of the pack. Tonight you will hear what both candidates have to offer our people for leadership going forward. Thank you for your attention, we'll begin with a coin toss."

I imagined she went to speak to Serge and Landon. "Heads, Landon Stokes is up first."

I risked a glance across the sea of people to look at the man who might inherit my curse along with the leadership of the pack if he won. He looked unremarkable, but my eyes burned and I felt fear winding through me.

A deep, steady and sincere voice come out of the loudspeakers and my heart dropped. "My fellow pack members, we have been led truly by the Eckstein family for four generations. My opponent's forbearers have been a credit to this pack and until recently, I would have claimed that Serge had that same ability of true leadership."

My hands shook and I clasped them together.

"No doubt, you must be assuming that I am referring to the grave error Serge made when he turned an innocent girl from our neighbouring pack unjustly into a thrall, stealing her from her family and destroying her future. Of course, this is one factor of many that have led me to believe that Serge is no longer fit for leadership and prompted me to attempt this challenge."

Landon continued on, outlining every facet of Serge's choices in the worst possible light. I felt like I could barely breath.

Finally his time was up and Serge began to speak.

"As Landon so kindly pointed out, you've entrusted the safety of the pack to my family for generations. I could go on and speak of my father and of my grandfather, but that is not why you're here."

He paused. "Whether or not Landon will admit it, you are here for one reason only. I committed a grave error. I harmed the Trifecta, our pack, our neighbouring pack and worst of all, Elise Mason and her family and friends. I have made other errors since the death of my father, but that was the one that ultimately broke the trust that you have placed in me."

"I am on trial and you are the judges. I hurt an innocent and I deeply regret my actions, but there are things that cannot be fixed once broken. It's up to you to decide if I deserve a chance to try to rebuild uncontested or if I should fight for my chance to make amends and Landon for his chance to attempt to lead the pack in a new direction."

"I could go through a list of the ill qualities of Landon, but I will not. Overall he might be a good leader in a time of peace and a capable warrior when others give the commands, but he has spent much time away from the territories in the past years. He looks at the matters of business as an outsider, because he has not been here. He has not run to lend his strength to every attack for the past six years. He has not been here for the deaths of our people."

Serge paused. I glanced towards him and there was something poignant about him standing there accepting the judgement of his people over his actions.

"I've heard several requests that I simply relinquish my position and while I was sorely tempted, I will not. I do not believe Landon is capable of rising to the challenge of defending against the increased assaults of the eastern wolves. I also do not know what will happen to the curse on my thrall if I were to step down. Therefore, whether I am deserving or not, Landon will have no choice but to pry the leadership of our people from my jaws."

I swallowed. I had thought he had the crowd coming with him for a time, but the murmurs after his final statement did not seem receptive to his words. Was he trying to force the fight? Surely not.

The debate continued, back and forth. Serge was straight forward and harsh and Landon oscillated between attacking Serge and mouthing platitudes.

I found myself off put by his mannerisms. I could not imagine being under his power. I swallowed, hard.

* * * * * * * * *

After the debate, people milled around talking. Karen began moving me through the crowd and I did my best to follow her on shaking, stiff legs.

"Elise?" I heard an unfamiliar male voice ask. I tried not to cringe.

"Y-yes?" I muttered.

"Who are you going to vote for?"

"Um," I had not even thought about voting, but there was an obvious answer.

Karen spoke up sharply. "That's none of your concern, don't harass her."

"Probably Landon, who would vote for—"

"It's n-none of y-your business, but Se-Ser..."

Even now my voice failed me.

"Who's to say he did not order you to say that?"

I closed my eyes and inhaled. I turned my face up and looked at the speaker. A middle aged face met my eyes. "H-he n-never orders me and I think j-judging h-him on this one thing is short sighted."

I let Karen continue leading me. I just wanted to get out of the crowd.

"You are a delight, Elise."

I smiled, though I felt worn.

I huddled by Serge's truck while Karen and her family mostly kept nosey pack members away. I was relieved when Serge returned and took me home.

If today was bad, I was fairly certain that tomorrow as going to be worse.

* *  *   *   *   *   *  * *