Book 8 Part 19

Book 8 Part 19
Rick wasn’t at school for the rest of that week and on Friday I had to appear in front of the Council. I was a little nervous about Friday because I knew that Kai would be there and I wasn’t sure if I’d be punished just because we had bad blood between us.

Harper had settled into Slade’s room and she helped Sam out with the house and the cooking. She fit in easily with the rest of the pack and I honestly liked her. She gave Slade just enough shit to keep him on his toes.

Slade and Leon promised to look after Dani and Slade was only slightly pissed off when I said I was going to this tribunal alone. 

“My point is, you don’t have to go alone,” Slade said the night before the tribunal.

“I’m the Alpha here, Slade. Accepting Harper into our pack was my decision and one I don’t regret making,” I said to him.

“I’m your Beta, I should be there!”

“You’re right, you are my Beta and that means you take control of the pack while I handle this bullshit claim,” I said.

“Fine,” Slade grumbled, not liking the fact that I was right. “But, I’m just saying, if you kick anyone’s ass and I’m not there to cover your back, I’m going to be pissed.”

I huffed out a laugh. “Slade. I’m appearing in front of Kai, there will be no ass kicking unless it’s mine that’s being kicked.”

“Yeah, that doesn’t make me feel any better,” he said and grinned.

On Friday morning, I wore a suit and took the Jeep even though I wanted to be on the bike. I was adamant to show them that even though I was young I would be respected as an Alpha. I refused to be treated like a child and I wouldn’t appear weak, especially not in front of Kai.

I was ten minutes early and I caught a glimpse of Levi as he walked into a room. He popped his head back out and gave me a smile before closing the door. I realized with a shock that I was appearing in front of the World Council. 

Rick and his father, Nick, arrived and I saw him looking at his watch. They still didn’t know I was the Alpha of our small pack and he was obviously looking around for my father. The presence of the World Council just told me that Nick had taken this further than I thought he would.

‘Don’t be a moron, human, our father will never stoop so low to punish us just because you refuse to acknowledge him as your father,’ Blaise said in my head.

“You may enter the Council room,” the Zeta said as he opened the door and stepped into the hallway.

It looked almost like a courtroom. There was a long table in the front where Kai sat next to Kiran with Falcon next to Kai and next to Kiran was Alex and Levi, the Alphas of the World Council.

“Jericho Cannon, please rise,” the same Zeta said and I stood up.

“Your Highness, Alpha Sinclair, Alpha Jennings, Alpha Sinclair, Beta Falcon,” I said and bowed my head at each member as I said their names.

“Am I correct in assuming that you’re the Alpha of the Cloverdale pack?” Kiran asked me.

“Yes, Alpha,” I said.

“How long have you been in Cloverdale?” he asked.

“Three weeks, Alpha,” I answered.

“I have to commend you, three weeks and you’ve bought a ranch, started your own pack, killed two rogues and saved a lone wolf. You’ve accepted new members into your pack, disregarded negotiations to accept another Alpha’s member and managed to piss off the only other Alpha in town,” Levi said with a slight smile.

“That seems to be correct, Alpha,” I said.

“How do you plead to the charges?” Alex asked me.

“Not guilty, Alpha,” I said and I saw Kai watching me.

“Nick Johnson, please rise,” the Zeta said and Nick stood up.

“We would like to add another charge,” he said and sneered at me.

“What charge would that be?” Alex asked him.

“Aggravated assault in a public building,” Nick said and I closed my eyes briefly.

“Jericho Cannon, how do you plead?” the Zeta asked me and I stood up again.

“Not guilty,” I said and Rick smirked.

“You may sit down, Alpha Jackson,” the Zeta announced.

“We have read through the Jackson pack’s statements and viewed the evidence handed to us. We will now commence with the questioning and Alpha Jennings will act as truth seeker today,” Kiran said and we both nodded our heads in acceptance.

“Did you accept Harper Wilkes into your pack as a full-fledged member?” Kiran asked me.

“I did.”

“Did you at any point contact Alpha Jackson with regard to the imprinting between her and your Beta, Slade?” He asked.

“No.”

“Did you forget the procedures since you’ve only been the Alpha of this pack for three weeks?” He asked.

“No, Alpha, I haven’t forgotten the procedures. I chose not to contact him,” I answered.

“Do you know how marriage negotiations work?” Kiran asked me.

“Yes, Alpha, but none were necessary,” I said.

“Now I’m intrigued, please continue,” Levi said.

“No marriage proposals have been made. They imprinted and that’s all. Harper chose to join my pack and I allowed it. Besides, Harper and Slade are not of legal age to get married yet,” I said.

“But they do plan to marry eventually,” Kiran stated.

“Yes, Alpha, in due course and since she’s part of our pack no negotiations will be necessary at that point,” I said to him and Alex laughed.

“Alpha, if I may,” Nick said and stood up.

“Go ahead,” Kiran said to him.

“Harper was born into my pack and therefore permission to let her leave had to be attained,” he said.

“Jericho?” Kiran said and turned to me.

“That is correct, Alpha. She was born into the pack but that doesn’t mean that her allegiance is automatic, that’s why you pledge allegiance at your resurrection ceremony before shifting for the first time even if you are born into a pack,” I said.

“He’s right,” Levi said and smiled.

“What?” Nick asked, slightly confused.

“Jericho is right, the first charge is dismissed. Harper is a member of Jericho’s pack and her allegiance will be to him,” Levi said and Kiran hit the gavel on the table.

“Your Highness,” Nick said as he looked at Kai but he dismissed him with a wave of his hand.