Choices To Be Made

We all find we have choices that need to be made. We also know that with those choices we have to face the consequences that come with it. But no one tells you how to handle the choice that was made for you before you were born. No one can help you with the choices that were made for you while you're growing up. It’s when those choices that others made for you come and bite you in the ass and you are still trying to figure out why. You can never undo those choices, so all you can do is face them head-on and hope that you make it through them alive and unharmed. So a wise man once said, “See the light in others, and treat them as if that is all you see. Dr. Wayne Dyer” So when those choices come at you think of that quote and it will help. My mother used to say that to me and I am not sure why that thought came to me just now, but I think it is fitting since there are so many choices that everyone has to make. I need to have the pack help with this because it affects them. I wished I had my mother’s guidance right now. I miss her and my little brother too.

“I’m calling a pack meeting ASAP at the packhouse. I need everyone there please.” Alpha Athena told everyone through the mind link

Everyone started showing up at the packhouse for the meeting. Athena stood at the front of the group. Once everyone was there, she would start the meeting.

“Thank you all for coming. I know you all are wondering why I called this meeting. Well, as a pack we have some choices to make. These choices affect everyone here and we all will have to live with the choices we make. So we will make these choices together and I am hoping for an outcome but I need you all to make the right choices on your own as well if I make them for you. So I don’t want your past to completely make your choice for you, but how you would want the choice to be if it was you in the situation. Think about how we can make a difference and how and where the change needs to begin. We have nine wolves that can be reformed if given the chance too, and we have one wolf who I feel is a danger to what we are trying to do and to the werewolf kind. So we are here to vote on what we should do with the nine wolves and how the other one will die. Ok, two brothers came here to help the lead rogue but because he forced them to help. He was killing one brother to keep the other one in line. We can let them join us and help them back on the right path or we can send them on their way and hope for the best. The others are similar about being forced and not wanting to be a part of this. Mind you I know they are telling me the truth. But I will not let them stay if you all do not agree. I know how I am hoping this goes, but it has to be your choice. I need to know where your heart is. Do you show forgiveness to those who need it or do you cast them out and show no heart at all. Showing forgiveness does not make you weak. Showing forgiveness makes you better and stronger because you know you can hurt anyone, but being strong enough to forgive and help is the true strength within us. Which one is my pack? Tony and Toby are passing around the paper for all of you to vote on. But forgive if we try to save them, put cast out if we let them go on their way.” Athena said in a solemn voice to her pack

While the voting was taking place I looked over and I saw Aiden and Keme staring at me as if I was something special. I don’t know why they were looking at me like that, but I couldn’t help the blush that came over my cheeks. I looked away because I wasn’t sure what to say to them. I am just doing what the Goddess wants me to do as well as being true to myself.

“Thank you, Tony. Let me know when they have the count please.” Alpha Athena replied

“Yes, Alpha” Tony bowed his head and walked to where Toby and Lee were standing

All three walked over to me and had the count in their hand. I looked at them wondering what they wanted to say.

“I can see you three have things on your mind. Please tell me what you are thinking so I can help if I can.” Alpha Athena told them

“Well, it turns at we have a fantastic pack, but there are still some that need to get over the past and look to the future,” Lee responded

“We have fifteen that would cast them out and the other ninety wants to save them,” Toby added in

“I want to be the one to dish out Bart's punishment to Alpha. I don’t want that on your hands. I lived with a lair for many years thinking he had our best interests at heart. I see now he was not what this pack needed. I don’t want your good heart tainted by having to kill Brat for his crime.” Tony pleaded

“Tony I thank you for that. I have a lot to tell you guys about myself so we can move forward. I see we still have work to do in our pack before we can change anything else in the world. Mostly I am pleased how the voting turned out. Thank you. Let’s talk with our pack.” Alpha Athena said

They all walked back to the front of the pack to address the voting outcome.

“Let me say I am very proud of the ones who voted to save the rogues, I am still a little sad that we still have some living in the past and not looking to the future of our race. The voting came out to save the rogues. Now we have to give them the choice to let us help them. As for Bart, we will end his life. I will not let you have that choice or the burden to carry that choice in your heart. I have made that choice for us. Tony has asked to carry the burden to hand out that punishment. I will grant him that choice since he is the first to want to put everyone’s needs above his own. I will be there with him every step of the way. If you all support him to be at the clearing this evening to support our Beta Tony in the burden, he wishes to carry out. Thank you all for this. You are all free to go.” Alpha Athena announced

They all left and Keme and Aiden walked up to join us all.

“You are doing an amazing job sis. I am proud of you and mom would be too.” Keme said while giving her a hug

“You are a natural up there. You will have a very strong and loyal pack once this is all said and done.” Aiden added on

“Thank you both, but it’s the pack that wants to change that allows me to do what I need to do. I think it’s time to talk with the Beta’s and get Rami in my office since she is the one that it started with. She is the one that found me first and brought me here.” Alpha Athena said

They all followed her to her office and asked Rami to join them. Once everyone was there, she looked at them one by one.

“Athena just told them. I am here for you. I didn’t turn my back on you when you told me. You took me in and helped me and fought for me. I will do the same for you just like they would. Just give them a chance.” Rami said out loud

“Your right, they need to know. Thank you Rami” Athena said

“Tells us what? Why does she get to call you Athena?” Tony asked

“I will tell you. I had to make choices in my life that I will always have to face the aftermath for so others could be safe. The first choice was when I saved my brother from our father, second choice when I left my family pack and became a rogue. Third to take on the journey that the Goddess wanted me on, and forth to defeat Marcus for his pack and become the Alpha that I always meant me to be. There will be more choices I will have to make and I just want my pack to be there and understand the loyalty that I place in them. Do you all understand so far?” Athena asked

“So you were a rogue before you beat Marcus?” Toby asked

“Yes, and I was in hiding from my father,” Athena replied

“Why were you in hiding and how did you get so close to the Elite pack?” Lee asked

“Ok, I see I will have to start from the beginning. My real name is Kenda I am from one of the few anchorite tribes that are left here in the United States. My father is Algonquin and I am his only daughter. Keme is my older brother and we have a younger brother.” Athena was explaining until Tony interrupted her

“Wait, you're the daughter of Alpha Algonquin. Which means you were the second born but have the power of an Alpha. You're the rare female Alpha of the tribesman.” Tony exclaimed

“Yes, and no one knows that Tony. I am a rare female Alpha, but I am the great-great-granddaughter of the Goddess herself. Keme is her grandson. We are stronger but somewhere down the line, I became more. I could also be the female of the tribesman because of who my mother and father are, but I am also in great danger. My father wants the power for himself. He doesn’t believe a woman should care about such power. He feels that women rule with their hearts too much and not enough fear. He thinks fear keeps everyone in line. I believe that loyalty and love for each other holds a pack together. Those are the choices I had to make and those are the ones I will have to face. I am also facing the choices of the Goddess she made for me. I am ok with all of that, I want my pack to understand what I had to do to be here to help them. OK, with all of that said. Are we all on the same page so far?” Athena asked once again

“Yes, now where does the Elite pack come in?” Toby asked

“Before I ran away from my pack. I pushed my brother to join a different pack to save his life. So he came one day to ask our father to let him join the Elite pack. We all had to travel there to meet with the Alpha and Luna. While there I helped train some Elite pack warriors and got their respect. So, I ran to them for help to hide me from my father, which they agreed to help. So I have allied with them, which I am thankful for. For all that they have done for me and my brother. I will always be there for them. I am asking you all to stand behind me in this and help do what the Goddess wants from all of us not as Alpha Athena but as Alpha Kenda. But to the outside world, it will have to be Athena until we are ready to face my father. We will soon bring the Gamma and Delta in on this. Then the warriors and healing staff and so forth. It is much easier to break it all down in small groups than the mass. Now the choice is yours to follow or not to follow. I will understand no matter what your choice is,” Kenda said

“I will follow you. You have shown me that there is more to life than what I was living before. Athena, I mean Kenda or would you like to be called Alpha?” Tony said

“Kenda and Athena is fine unless its pack business where you need to be formal, that goes for everyone,” Kenda said

“You already know I am with you till the end,” Rami replied

“I will stand with you, because you gave me the chance that no one else would. To show people what I can do and to protect others.” Lee popped in

“I can’t see myself following in one else,” Toby added

“Thank you all for your support. Tomorrow morning we need to train with the warriors. My brother has volunteered to get your training started at five am. So please let the warriors know and if anyone else would like to join they can.” Kenda said

She felt better now that they knew her true identity and would be there for her. She knew the rest would follow, but she knew it still needed to be their choice. Now to deal with the rogue's choices and hope that all goes well. I didn’t want to put the pack in harm's way just yet, even knowing it’s coming.

“Guys we need to bring the nine rogues out and give them their choice before we dish the punishment out to Bart.” Kenda reminded them

“I hear Amy yelling that it’s time for lunch. Let’s all go see what the woman and her helpers made for lunch.” Tony said

We all walked to the dining room to see that Amy and her staff had made a wonderful lunch for all the pack members. They all waited for me to come in and sit at the head of the table. Then the rest followed where they needed to sit at the table before they served lunch.

Amy and her staff made a wonderful meal for lunch. They made a salad with tangerines in it and nuts. Then a roasted chicken and noodles with a glaze. It was one of the best meals I have ever had. I think the pack all enjoyed it.

“Amy can you and your staff please come out here,” Athena asked out loud

They all walked out and were a little worried and had their heads bowed down.

“Is everything ok with the food Alpha?” Amy asked with a shaky voice

“Amy always holds your head up high. Be proud of your work and what you do. I am here to thank all of you for your hard work at lunch today. I would also like to tell you it was one of the best meals I have ever had. I can’t wait to see what you do for dinner. Also everyone needs to help give Amy and the others thank you for cooking for everyone. Without her and the other we would not have such a great meal,” Athena smiled at Amy and the staff as she got up and walked back to the office to figure out how to handle the rogue issues.

“Lee you and Tony will need to bring the nine rogues to the clearing before the punishment of Bart. I want to deal with them first. Aiden do you want to help any of these rogues if they choose not to join my pack? I will let that part be up to you, if not then I will let them be rogues that agree not to harm anyone unless they are being challenged. Is that good with everyone?” Alpha Kenda asked

“Yeah, we can see what they say. Dad said he wanted to be on board with the change that you are making happen. Plus, I am to tell you-you are to be at dinner at the house in a week because mom wants to talk to you. I do not understand what it's about, so don’t ask.” Aiden said while laughing

“I guess we need to get this show on the road. Lee and Tony get the nine the rest of us will meet you at the clearing.” Kenda told them

They left to go get the nine rogues to take them to the clearing, while the others headed straight for the clearing. I was surprised to see so many of the packs there to give support for their fellow pack members. She was proud of her pack and how they are growing stronger together. I see that Lee and Tony are coming with the nine rogues and they look a little scared. I can understand how they feel not knowing their fate.

“Welcome my rogue brothers. I know you're scared and I can understand that. I am here to make you and offer a choice if you will. You will have three, maybe four choices and how you answer will depend on you and what we do. I have looked into all of your hearts and none of you wanted to do what he had you do. All of you are looking for a place to belong. I will offer you a place to belong and be a part of history. Choice number one you can join my pack, choice number two you can join the Elite pack, choice number three you can stay a rogue as long as you hurt no one unless it challenges you to slash threatened. If you don’t want any of those choices, then you will be put to death. Make your choice,” Alpha Athena said

“If you choose to be a part of this pack, please step toward Beta Lee, if you choose to be a part of the Elite Pack please step towards Alpha Aiden, if you stayed a rogue please stay where you are.” Beta Toby yelled out

All of them but two-step to be in my pack, the other two went to be in the Elite Pack with Aiden. We were gaining seven new members now and I couldn’t be happier. We did the new member pack induction ceremony and we all could feel the new members. Then I had all three of my beta tests the ranks of the new members. We end up with four more warriors and a teacher and two knowing construction. I would say that my pack is becoming well rounded. Now it’s time for Bart.

“Keme can you and Toby and Lee go and bring Bart to the clearing. I want three of you going so he can’t do anything tricky or do something dumb. I want him here in one piece, Keme. No matter what he says about me.” Alpha Athena said

They all walked off to go get Bart and bring him back to the clearing with Keme not to be happy about not being able to hurt him if he pops off.

“Tony are you sure you want to do this?” Athena asked

“Alpha I would do this ten times over just so you wouldn’t have too. I want to show you that I am here for you no matter what.” Tony replied

“Thank you, Tony, but I have seen into your heart I know you would. I am grateful for that fact. You don’t have to do this to prove yourself to me,” Alpha Athena said

Tony blushed and wondered what else she saw in his heart when she looked. He didn’t have time to ask because they had Bart in the clearing.

“Oh, you are going to give me a fair fight now or you are going to do that sneak attack like last time.” Bart snared

“Bart we will not fight. You are here for your punishment. I first want to see where you rank. Tony go stare in his eyes to see where he ranks,” Alpha Athena said

He was not as strong as Tony but he has some strength. So I gave Tony a little extra strength to help him out for this. You could tell he felt the extra power boost but didn’t comment on it.

“Bart you will face my Beta Tony there for your punishment. Your heart is black and you do not show any redemption. So I hear you sentence you to death. It will be swift and quick'' Alpha Athena roared

“Bring it on little man. I hate to take you out beta but so be it.” Brat yelled and turned into his wolf

With the extra power boost that I gave Tony, he was in his wolf form in a flash and took Brat down in no time flat. Bart could get a hold of Tony’s leg and then Tony got Bart behind the neck and shook. Bart then got loose, but he didn’t get far when Tony pinned him again and ripped out his throat ending Bart's life. Tony carried out the punishment and I took back the extra power boost so he could calm down. Everyone cheered for their Beta and patted his back. Toby and Lee help get rid of Bart’s body. I walked over to Tony and he bowed his head out of respect. I smiled at him to let him know he did good.

“Thank you all for coming. The punishment was handed out. We can all go back home and have a nice dinner. I am sure Amy and her staff will await us soon. Go get ready for dinner.” Alpha Athena said.