Chapter 240
Chapter 240
Lewana POV
The kitchen is silent for several minutes until Willow speaks.
"So, what are your options?".
I don't reply and keep staring deep in thought. Conrad is the one to reply to her.
"Basically, we need to decide if we euthanise him".
All the men nod in agreement, but their heads snap to Kimberly's sharp, disbelieving tone.
"You're going to kill him because he's vulnerable and confused".
Connor tries to calm Kimberly. "If he were tried for his crimes, he would be tried for treason, among other things, and the sentence for that is death".
Kimberly looked horrified. "Wouldn't he be found not guilty due to manipulation or insanity or something?".
I speak up as I can tell none of them understands. "That's not the problem, Kimberly. I'm not sure any of you understand the main problem here".
Everyone stops and turns to me with a look of confusion.
I try to explain. "Does anyone know where the word Lunatic comes from?".
Willow, of course, knows the answer. "Yeah. They noticed certain people with mental health disorders became more agitated when there was a full moon. Lunatic or Lunacy means Moon Sickness in Latin".
Of course, Willow knew. Doubt she would know the importance, though.
"I have tried to study this from medical records from the 1500s describing this term. There are subtle signs in the notes, but I think they were wolves. Their souls become so disconnected that neither side of the soul recognizes the other half. They hear the wolf's side talking in their head and think they are hearing voices. When the wolf comes to the surface, they get diagnosed as possessed. On the night of the full moon, the confused wolf goes looking for its pack, not realizing it's not in one. They get attacked and labeled as monsters. They retaliate when attacked, and humans die. It's not him that we need to think about, Kimberly".
Conrad rubs my back as he can probably sense through the bond how upsetting this is and how conflicted I am.
Kimberly, being the forever optimist she is, tries to find any silver lining. "But you're a medical expert. Maybe you could find a way to treat him".
I just look at her, saddened. "So you don't want to euthanise him to end his suffering, but medical experimentation on a person who can't consent is fine".
This seems to completely stump her for a moment. Just a moment. "But what if other wolves suffer from this? They could be locked in human facilities, not getting proper care. This could happen again to someone else".
I drop my head into my hands. I know she is right, but in all those situations, I think I would do the same thing.
I let out a deep sigh. "So the options are to euthanise him and have no treatment option for others, or experiment on him without consent, or keep him in prison, which could make him worse and put him at risk from the other inmates".
"There is another option". I turn in surprise to see Mary filling up coffee mugs again. "You have time. Nothing needs to be decided now. If this waits until tomorrow or the day after, it will be OK. Just decide on some measure today to protect him, but decide everything else when you have had time to think. Monitor him and see how he goes. Then decide".
She rubs my back as she puts a cup of ginger and honey tea in front of me. I smile, knowing that she's right. We have time.
The conversation continues in the kitchen. It starts awkwardly at first, but eventually picks up again. We start discussing other things that are happening within the pack and the logistics of the Luna Queen ceremony.
Everyone's heads turned to the kitchen door when a timid knock interrupted us.
"Daddy, are you in there? The other hunters are looking for you to help set up for the ceremony".
Why is Stella here? What Ceremony? Everyone looks as confused as I do.
I call for her. "You can come in, honey. What ceremony?".
Stella walks in, but looks nervously at the ground and twists her foot in the cute ways kids do when they think they are in trouble.
In her little voice, she squeaks, "My hunter induction ceremony".
I notice only the wolves look confused.
Liam speaks first. "Don't you only do the ceremony after they turn 16 and have made their first kill on a hunt?".
Connor smiles so wide, and I can see the proud look in his eyes. "Hunters take our children out for their first hunt at about 16, but they get inducted as a hunter when they make their first kill, no matter their age".
Michelle can barely hold her excitement in at gossip that none of us know.
"Two rogues breached all the borders and easily got past all of Agent Carter's men. They made it to the main hall where we were all hiding, and Stella took both out with head shots, saving the entire pack".
Every wolf's jaw drops and turns to Stella. She is still looking at the floor, but you can see she is proud of herself.
Liam's demeanor instantly changes as he recognises his chance to cause mischief.
"Conrad. We need to start giving the mighty hunteress more gifts so she doesn't hunt us. Chocolate, bags, whatever it takes".
Conrad started smiling too. "Absolutely. We can't upset the mighty huntress. Anything she wants. And if memory serves, this would make her the youngest inducted hunter in centuries, correct?".
Connor smiles. "In history, actually. One of the elders has been checking the record for any other children inducted. The youngest we have found is 10".
Stella speaks up excitedly. "And he was a boy. The youngest girl was 14".
I start laughing. "Well, seeing as you are going to be a mighty huntress when you are older, how about you start doing some training with me?".
Her face lights up. "For real. You'll train me. Can you train some of the other girls as well, as most of them haven't had a ceremony or been on a hunt either?".
I look at Connor. "Why aren't females having hunter ceremonies?".
He sighs. "For the same reason, she-wolves have been dismissed. They stay home with the children normally. Some husbands train them in defence, but they don't train like we do. Something we are actually changing after Conrad appointed our councilwomen. The hunters are actually trying to find our own Valerie".