Chapter 154: Dinner at Rock Canyon's Pack House

Davidson came home around four and we got our children ready with the assistance of Ms. Phelps. It wasn't an easy task, but we walked out the door with everything we needed for the evening at 5:15 to head to the Rock Canyon pack house. Ready or not, here we go.

Arriving and entering the Rock Canyon pack house was uneventful, thank goodness. We walked in and were ushered into the Alpha Conference Room area until dinner was ready. This kept us out of sight. I'm not sure if anyone knew we, as in Me and the children, were going to be there tonight.

"Good evening Alpha Davidson and Luna Sandra. It's good to see you again. My how your pups have grown. Before we go down to dinner, I just wanted to give you a heads up on our visit here," Elder Graham announced.

"Good evening Elder Graham," we chorused in greeting.

"We wanted to send a clear message to the rest of the packs that disrespectful behavior to its leadership will not be tolerated. Also, we wanted it made perfectly clear that what happened to you was done by someone other than you-you were a victim as much as they were. I will be asking you to appear here at Rock Canyon over the next couple of days for a couple of reasons-I want to see how people react and speak to you. I want to see if their attitude has changed. Are you up to the challenge Luna Sandra?"

"I'll do the best I can Elder Graham. That's all I can do," I stated honestly.

"That's all I can ask for Luna Sandra. How are you feeling tonight? I understand you still have your migraines," Elder Graham inquired with concern in his voice.

"Yes sir, I have been ordered to bed a lot lately due to my headaches. In two days, I'll be four months along which means I could deliver at any time. I don't do very much these days nor do I walk very far due to the pregnancy," I explained which elicited a few chuckles.

"Yeah, she tends to walk very slowly. So, we don't want her walking too far from home. Nor do her doctors," Davidson chuckled as he explained.

"How is that funny? Just because I look like a whale doesn't give you cause to chuckle at my expense," I admonished him as I shook my head.

Elder Graham laughed at our exchange. "I remember those days with my mate. Alpha Davidson, you are walking a fine line. I suggest you try to smooth things over right now. I don't know, I thought my mate was the most beautiful when she was pregnant with my pups," Elder Graham beamed with a huge smile on his face.

"As you are with our pups baby. You get more and more beautiful every day. And don't you forget that," professed James as he wrapped his arms around my waist from behind.

"You know you are the most beautiful she-wolf EVER! I love you MY LUNA," cooed Davidson as he kissed me softly on the lips.

"Apology accepted," I softly whispered after the kiss.

"All right everyone, dinner is ready. Shall we go down and see what kind of reception we receive? Elder Graham, what order do you want us to enter?" James asked point blank.

"Why don't we enter as we would normally go in? Let's see how they react. It should be interesting," stated Elder Graham.

We all went downstairs to the dining room. As we entered, the pack members started making comments about the individuals who entered. When I entered walking beside Davidson, gasps and loud noises associated with shock were heard. Then, more comments were heard once again.

James stood up to address the pack. "Rock Canyon Pack. Tonight, we have the privilege of having Elders Graham and Terrance of the Council with us as well as Alpha Davidson and Luna Sandra of the Red River Pack join us for dinner. Let us all enjoy our dinner."

When James finished his address, the looks on some pack members' faces were smiles, some disbelief, and some anger. Elder Graham didn't miss a single expression. He took it all in. He noticed everything that happened while he was in the dining room. He heard the comments, the mumbled comments, and saw the gestures toward Luna Sandra.

Here are a sampling of the comments made:

'What is SHE doing here? Doesn't she know she's not wanted here?'

'Why can't she just stay away from us?'

'She's nothing but trash.'

'I hope she's here to stay. We need our Luna.'

'I wish these other people would just leave our pack so we could have our Luna.'

As dinner progressed, Greyson and Owen were telling us about their day at school. I ate my dinner while I also fed Jackie and Cassie their dinner. I have become quite adept at feeding two girls and myself at once. Luna Margarite asked me if I needed help feeding the girls and I told her I didn't want to intrude upon her dinner. I was used to feeding both of them at the same time.

It was then that I heard a particularly disappointing comment, 'She doesn't want help. She wants to show us how perfect she is. What a perfect mother she is to her pups.'

"I don't know who made that comment, but I am by no means perfect. When you have twins it becomes survival especially when Greyson was a baby. You learn how to do things to make things work for you. I'm sorry if I offended you, but who are you to make that comment about me?" I inquired of the pack member.

"Who made that comment? Come forward, NOW!" commanded Elder Graham.

Diane Dressel stood up. She couldn't move from her spot, and she was so terrified.

"Why would you assume I was perfect Diane? You know I am far from perfect. This is how I fed Greyson and Owen when they were babies. Why wouldn't I do the same for my girls? When Luna Margarite asked me if I wanted assistance feeding the girls, I politely declined because I didn't want her food to get cold," I explained to her. "Why did you feel the need to make a rude comment Diane?"

"I … it just … it just seemed like … you were …" Diane stuttered. "It just seemed like you were trying to look like the perfect little family is all."

"What are you talking about?" demanded James to Diane.

"She's never around the pack house. And … and tonight she's here with all your pups like nothing has ever happened to this pack because of …" Diane suddenly stopped talking and looked at Elder Graham.

"Go on and finish your sentence, Ms. Dressel. And she's here with all her pups like nothing has ever happened to this pack because of what?" demanded Elder Graham.

"Because of HER! She has caused so much death. Because of her, we have lost warriors and friends," growled Diane.

"Because of HER! NO! NOT because of Her. Because of ORSON PEPPERMILL! Her grandfather. It's people like you who cannot get it through your thick skulls-she's the victim in all of this. She has done NOTHING wrong. HE SOLD HER! Yes, warriors were killed when they defended the pack against attack. They did their job honorably. Luna Sandra carries the guilt of those attacks-something you know nothing about-pain and guilt," Elder Graham explained.

"Diane Dressel, you are hereby banished from the Rock Canyon pack and declared rogue. You will receive one week in the cells and 15 lashes. Do you have any questions?" commanded Elder Graham.

"Why am I being banished Elder Graham?" demanded Diane.

"You were already on the list of pack members who sent numerous hate messages to Luna Sandra after she was commanded to reject Alpha James. Additionally, you have been very vocal in your verbal disrespect of Luna Sandra. Even after the pack has been put on probation for the violation of disrespecting pack leadership. Any more questions?" demanded Elder Graham.

Diane just shook her head no. Elder Graham declared, "Beta Rafferty, have Diane escorted to the dungeons immediately. Thank you."

"As you wish Elder Graham," Beta Rafferty bowed to him.

The rest of the dining room was stunned into silence. I sighed softly and shook my head. I couldn't believe this happened yet again. Cassie brought me out of my thoughts by hitting the highchair loudly as if demanding more food, which elicited a few chuckles from her father.

We finished dinner and left the pack house for home. Davidson and I were more than happy to leave with the kids so I could go home and rest. As we drove home, I wondered if Elder Graham heard and saw what he expected. We won't really know anything until James returns home or the next day. Clearly, there are some in the pack who have not learned manners or the simple act of respect.