Yvonne smiled at the outdoor set up. There were long tables with white lacy tablecloths piled high with delectable looking confections that were more art then food. Not that that was stopping the males from demolishing them at a rather fast rate. A small stage was set up in front of little round tables and was decorated with colorful flowers. Fairy lights were strung over every available surface. It was really charming.
And her fellow guests. They had all turned out in style. Each and everyone was dressed to the nines. While there was a fine tension in almost all the unmated ones' shoulders and a forced gaiety about them, it was only noticeable if you looked for it. And no one was looking.
The Alpha in charge of this year's festivities was a friend of André's and had lost a daughter to an unsuitable mate's claim and her own despondency. Information Phoenix had supplied and told her how to use. He was all for them changing the law, both for her memory, and for his younger, unmated daughter's happiness. So when he stood up and the crowd grew silent, there was a twinkle in his eyes as he handed the microphone to André.
André took it with a captivating smile. Yvonne fought a grin as most of the females let out a sigh and the males straightened their shoulders. She knew the power he held combined with staggering good looks and an easy going charm often had people handing him what he wanted even before he could put it into words. Phoenix was right, he was a great weapon.
"I hope you don't mind if I talk today? I know I'm not hosting until next year. But I figured it wouldn't hurt to practice." There were a few laughs at this. "Today is a big day. I see your confused looks. Tomorrow is supposed to be the big day. Today is fluff, a final party. Unfortunately not so." His eyes began to twinkle.
"For you see last year started a change. Soulmates turned out to be true. Now the world is spinning counter-clockwise. And I am shocked that we have been living this lie. Allowing soulmates to be ripped from each other. Doubting the Moon Goddess's wisdom. I am standing here as the chosen speaker for all the unmated wolves. We speak to the council. Who are both among us and have the power to do as we ask. We are offering a choice. Repeal the law that allows males to force the mate bond on females that are not their soulmate. Or we will walk out of here and these parties will stop. And we all know that these parties are not really about the mating. They are for forming and reforming alliances. Gaining and trading commodities. Do you really want them to stop?"
"No offense Alpha Belcourt, but do you truly think you have that much power?"
André's eyes flashed silver as a huge wave of dominance flowed from him and the speaker paled. A slow smile curved his mouth. "It actually has nothing to do with my power. We are simply going to boycott these meeting if you don't change the law. Over ninety-six percent of us unmated males and a hundred percent of the unmated females are prepared to walk out of here right now and not come back."
"You can't do that." someone shouted, followed by muttered agreements.
"Ah. But you see, we can. Most have come through the years because it tradition. Never even thinking of reading the laws. But this time the party was bigger. Why is that?" He cocked his head, watching the wolves in front of him shift uneasily. "Is it because all you have to do is to pay a small fine and you are then excused? Luc?"
Luc, grinning so big Yvonne was sure his mouth would start hurting soon, joined André on the platform. Pulling the money from both inner jacket pockets, he handed one stack of bills over.
André's smile grew cold. "I have in my hand enough to pay every fine here. Luc has in his hand enough for next year. And let me warn you. This law will die, you are not going to just make the fines bigger or make coming a requirement. If you try to do anything but kill this law, my power will come into play. For all I know my true mate was forcibly claimed by another at one of these parties." He growled each word. Silver and black flickered in his eyes. "The mere thought of that makes my wolf and me livid. As it does every other unmated wolf in here. Don't test us. We're not playing."
Yvonne's eyes widened at the bitterness and anger in these words. He took a deep breath and rolled his neck before looking back at the assembled wolves, his easy going charm back in place. "We'll give you half an hour before we walk. Oh, and to make it even easier for you all, I, as a council member, propose we repeal the claiming portion of the law."
Yvonne's eyes widened until they hurt, a portion of Phoenix's words playing though her head. "You need a powerful male they have to listen to." Had she known what even his sister hadn't?
The Alpha hosting this party stood. "I, as a council member, second the repeal."
André smiled at him. "Now the rest of you need to vote. Half an hour." And with that he walked off the stage, joining Yvonne and Luc. He raised an eyebrow at their shocked faces. "What?"
"A council member?"
He smiled.
He was called away by the hosting Alpha. They, with a large group of wolves, moved to a table in a corner and began a heated debate. The room grew silent as every eye turned to watch and every ear strained to hear. But the wolves spoke in low, if angry, voices and only a word here and there was distinguishable. No one moved. They barely even blinked.
André checked his watch and with a sigh announced for everyone. "We have been at this for twenty-seven minutes. No more arguing. Cast your votes as there's only three minutes left. I vote 'Aye'." he stated in a strong voice, his power rolling off him in waves and his eyes silver.
The hosting Alpha nodded, "Aye." He also let his dominance expand.
Yvonne shivered at the tension of the room. She grabbed Luc's hand and held on for dear life. Noticing many others do the same. Tightening her hold at every 'Nay'.
When they had all cast their votes, the "Ayes" out-numbered the "Nays" by 3. André nodded satisfactorily. "The Ayes have it," he growled and then pulled out from his inner jacket pocket a copy of the law with the changes already in place. The hosting Alpha handed him a pen. He signed it with a flourish and handed it to his friend who also signed with relish. The next wolf balked at taking the document. André's eyes flashed silver. "Don't waste our time. Not one minute." he growled.
After that the signatures flowed quickly from the pen. Picking up the paper, he checked them carefully and with a nod, folded it and tucked it back into his pocket. Turning, he leaped back on the stage. "The law is dead!"
The cheer the wolves let out shook trees around them. Newly found soulmates embraced each other happily. Tears flowed. Laughter was heard. Slowly they were able to calm down enough to give him back their attention. He grinned. "I have been told this is the best part of hosting. So I won't steal it." He glanced over at the table. "My friend." He held the microphone out.
The hosting Alpha gave a laugh and bounded up to the stage. "Thank you, André." He took the mike and Yvonne, seeing André's signet ring on his pinky, smiled wider than ever. "Since Alpha Belcourt was serious about his threat, all the tents have been taken down and packed. The cars are ready for their passengers. This party ends today. So I would like to ask all the unmated females to go to one side of the room and all the unmated males to go to other."
Everyone hurried to do as he asked.
"Wonderful, now for the first time ever, I would like to ask those who have found their soulmates to step forward."
Yvonne joined those who laughed in joy. And watched as seven couples walked towards each other with smiles until they were almost touching. The males held out their hand and the females in placing theirs in it, found themselves crushed into a tight hug.
"Congratulations!" He gave a booming laugh. "And with that, this year's mating party is over."
"No." Alpha Mitchell was across the room and had arm wrapped tightly around Yvonne's throat and the other around her waist. Screams echoed around them as females hurriedly back away. "I don't think so." He smiled at André who was moving forward. "I wouldn't, it would be so easy to snap."
André stopped.
"I believe my claim is grandfathered in. So while you all watch, I'm going to," he shifted so he held the top of her head, tilting it, exposing her throat to him, "claim her."
Yvonne squeezed her eyes shut as he leaned forward. Only to feel him jerk slightly and pause. Seconds passed and she opened her eyes in confusion. André pulled her out of his hold and he fell sideways. A purple dart was glowing in his throat.
More screams were heard.
An arrow landed at Yvonne's feet with a note tied around it. Yvonne quickly opened it.
"Yvonne, read this part aloud", the letter instructed. So she did. "The dart contains nightshade, which has a paralytic effect on wolves. If left untreated it will stop his heart. There are antidotes in every medical kit. Save him. If you must."
The next line said: "Stop! Stop reading aloud and save for later". Yvonne crumpled the paper in her hand and watched Alpha Michell's Beta and men carry him to one of the long tables while another wolf came running with a kit.
Shaking her head, she turned to look up at Andre. He was shaking, eyes flashing black and silver.
"André," she said sharply, wishing he had found his mate as her touch would have soothed him. And all she could hope was that he wasn't so far gone that he couldn't hear her.
He focused on her and breathing out sharply, lost some of the wildness. "Your friend?" he growled. She nodded. He turned to glare at the group trying to save the Alpha. "He's a dead man."
She grasped his arm. "I'm sure. But not today, okay? I want to go home." He slowly nodded at her.
"Luc, take Yvonne to the car. I'll take our leave of our host and meet you there."
She leaned gratefully into Luc's side as he tucked her close, with an arm around her shoulder. He settled her gently in the car and smiled at her. "I'm going to go get André. Lock the doors. I'll be back soon." She nodded and clicked the lock button. As soon as his back was turned she smoothed out the note.
'I readied this note in advance so I'm not sure what's going to happen. I'm hoping the law is dead. But knowing Alpha Mitchell's reputation for being a very sore loser, and a spoiled child who must have his every want catered to, I couldn't take any chances. Not with you. Otherwise, I'd have to return this ring and I find I like sapphires. All joking aside, I will always try my best to protect my loved ones. I'm telling Warren about whatever stunt he pulls. He'll make him sorry, if your brother doesn't get to him first. Love you! Text me.'
Yvonne pulled out her phone and texted:
'Thank you.'
A quick response came back:
'Don't mention it. ;D <- Look! That's a wink!'
Yvonne began to laugh.