Riley POV
I stared at the group of elders, unable to believe what I was hearing. They had called a meeting in Bailey's office and while we had anticipated they had things to discuss, neither of us had thought they would bring something like this to the conversation.
"I'm sorry, I think I must have misheard you," I said quietly, glaring at them "Did you just ask that Alpha Jaxon remain in the dungeon for now awaiting a trial by you?"
Surely they did not have the nerve to ask us to keep him. I could already feel my anger rising. My eyes flickered a tinge of orange behind my big silver ones, causing them to look uneasily at each other. Elder Michael spoke, his voice attempting to soothe us.
"Listen this is unprecedented. You brought a feral wolf back from the brink of madness. Alpha Jaxon has done unspeakable things, but this is not something we have faced before."
"He deserves to die" I protested "he kidnapped me, he forcibly marked me, he killed innocent sirens and..."
"Allegedly killed sirens" Elder Michael interrupted, causing me to look at him in fury "We only have their words for it that he killed and maimed them. We can't in good conscience simply accept their word as truth."
"Are you serious right now?" my voice was rising as Bailey took my hand, squeezing it in warning "Are you calling the sirens liars?"
The elders glanced at each other. "That is not our intention but Sirens are not innocent in all of this either. Your kind are dangerous" one elder had the nerve to say as I gritted my teeth.
"Dangerous because they've been hunted this entire time by shifters" I shot back, rising to my feet and glowering at the men "Sirens are no more dangerous than vampires or other creatures. You insult me" I spat out, "trying to justify Alpha Jaxon's actions."
Bailey's eyes were narrowed. "I tend to agree with Riley on this one. What he did was inexcusable."
"He has paid for it. His pack has been disbanded and split up" one elder said fixing his eyes on it "We aren't justifying it, but we have to be cautious. Our priority is preserving the harmony between species, in particular shifters."
Shifters. Once again it came back to the shifters looking out for themselves. I could feel myself growing irritated. I slammed my hand on the desk, shocking everyone when it broke in two, Bailey raising a brow, the only one unfazed by my anger.
"Let me get this through your thick skulls" I declared, putting my hands on my hips "since it seems you've failed to get the memo. Sirens are now under my protection. I will not have you slander them. I will not let you hunt them. I will not let you hurt them," I growled "Elders or not, I will prevent you from laying a hand on them."
"That's almost like declaring war on the elders" one sniffed.
"If that's what it comes to" I snarled, losing patience as they gaped at me "My kind have suffered enough at your kind's hands. You have done nothing but vilify us. You certainly didn't step in to help us. Now you want to stand here and debate whether we are dangerous or not? One more word" I threatened, water beginning to swirl around me like a tornado "One more damn word and I swear to god I'll send you flying through the nearest window, elder or not."
"Control your woman King Bailey" Elder James snapped.
"Watch your tongue" I snarled, sending water flying at him and watching his eyes widen as he ducked just in time to avoid being hit by a large spray.
"As it stands, some of us aren't convinced that Alpha Jaxon has done anything wrong" Elder Michael burst out "It's not uncommon for shifters to take over packs in a show of dominance. It could be argued that he was merely following his instincts and proving his strength was greater than the other packs."
"What about the murders, the kidnappings?" Bailey's voice was steady as he studied the elders.
"That does come into discussion. We don't have laws pertaining to sirens" Elder Michael said, looking at me warily "so it's difficult to determine what his punishment should be. We also" he hesitated and looked at the other elders who were avoiding his gaze now "Well the thing is..."
"Spit it out" I snarled.
"We wish to study and do research on sirens" he uttered as I stared at him incredulously "Perhaps determine if there is a certain gene responsible for the powers you possess. If we could find a way to silence their voices..."
"You want to maim us?" I accused, my body shaking violently "You want to take what is ours and destroy it!"
I let out a roar, and water began to whirl around me even faster. "Monsters" I shouted, losing my composure as Bailey struggled to reach my side, "Disgusting, despicable, monsters" I screamed at the top of my lungs "Get out" I screamed, as the elders backed away, their faces white "Get out now before I kill you all" I roared.
They rushed to leave, the door slamming shut hastily behind them. I let out a sob, the water whirling around me beginning to slow its flow and then dissolve until it was gone. I put my head in my hands, feeling sickened. What was wrong with these people? We weren't some animals in a zoo to be studied. We are human beings with feelings. We were more than just what they perceived us to be. Even now, they saw nothing but the danger they thought we represented. I was so filled with anger, that my body was shaking violently, Bailey wrapping his arms around me.
"It's okay, you're okay" he murmured "Calm yourself love. They're gone. I doubt they'll step back in the office anytime soon" he added with a rakish grin.
I was not placated. "Why" my voice was barely above a whisper "Why do they hate us so much? Why do they treat us like we are nothing but the filth on the bottom of their shoe? What will it take for them to take us seriously?"
"They are simply out of touch. They don't often travel to packs and none of them have met a siren in person before. You are challenging their beliefs which isn't easy for them. The elders are set in their ways" Bailey murmured "Traditional. Give it time Riley. They just need to learn more about you and the others and discover you aren't as dangerous as they believe."
"They want to hurt us Bailey" I argued, leaning back and staring into his face "If they land a hand on any of us, I won't hesitate" I warned him "Perhaps you should discuss that with them. They are on our territory and our guests, but that can change in an instant" I added gravely.
"I have a feeling this is just the beginning. The elders are cautious. Jaxon is under guard but I don't like the fact he is here and still alive. It makes me nervous" Bailey admitted "I thought they would take care of him as soon as we arrived but they appear to be hesitant. Usually a trial would be commenced immediately. Unless" he paused, a thoughtful expression on his face "unless they are waiting for more elders to arrive which is possible. Perhaps the seriousness or gravity of the situation requires there to be more than just a handful of them present."
"Maybe," I said tightly "but I want Jaxon gone Bailey. I don't want him anywhere near me and I don't want to have to deal with him for much longer."
My hand crept towards my stomach, Bailey's eyes dipping to look. A thoughtful expression came over his face. "Riley" he hesitated and then took a deep breath, "I think you should go and get checked out. I've been meaning to say something but didn't quite know how to put it. I think, your scent has changed. It's only faint but it's definitely different to how it was before" he told me solemnly "and I don't know whether it's to do with you and your powers or the child that you are carrying" he finished grimly.
I was surprised he hadn't mentioned this before. I sniffed but wasn't able to determine anything different. Then again, it's not as though I paid that much attention to my own scent. Bailey still smelt the same to me, I thought shrugging. But my mate looked concerned and that was enough for me. It wouldn't hurt to get the baby checked up on and ensure that there was nothing wrong while I was at the hospital and it would give me something to do while also being away from those interfering, creepy, elders who seemed to do nothing but bring out the worst in me.
"Sure," I said to Bailey, watching as his eyes widened in relief "Let's go get me checked over. I want to make sure our baby is okay" I explained as he nodded tightly.
"Me too," he said, putting his arm around me "Our little prince or princess deserves the very best medical care" he winked and I giggled as he led me out of the pack house, distracted from my anger and able to focus on something else for a change.
Something far more positive than the damn elders who only incited my fury and rage.