Yvonne pushed through the canopy and, in shock, stopped to stare at her older brother who was lounging in one of the chairs, long legs stretched our in front of him, blocking her path. "What are you doing here?" She rushed forward to place a hand against his flushed cheek.
"Good to see you, too, Sister." He smiled up at her with a wince, looking much to pale, except for the fever burning on his cheeks and in his deep blue eyes.
"André! You're supposed to be in a hospital bed getting well." She turned from him in a huff and walked across the room to get him a glass of water.
He ran his hand through his golden brown curls. "If you really think I'd let you face this alone..."
"I hoped you would. I will not be the reason for your death!" She thrust the water at him with a frown.
"Don't you think I feel the same?" he asked gently.
"I wouldn't die." She settled into a chair facing him, biting her tongue with worry. "Exactly."
"Yes, exactly."
"Well, look at you. What do you plan to do about it, anyway? It's not like last year. The fight wasn't that easy; and you were at the top of your game. I can't, won't let you get into a dogfight over me in your condition. I'll say 'yes' first." She blinked back tears.
"Yvonne?"
"No. I mean it. I love you, you're my big brother. I've already almost watched you die, André. I can't do it again." She found herself in his arms.
"We'll figure something out."
"What?" she asked into his shirt, then sighed, "If only it was true."
He pulled back to frown down at her in puzzlement. "If only what was true?"
"Nothing, it's nonsense really, I heard about this law from..." She suddenly found herself stopping, the girl's face flashing in her mind when she said 'don't go getting me in trouble'. "From someone. According to them I could fight him, and I wouldn't even have to win, only last five minutes. They said it's a law no one talks about because they don't want us to know we have that option."
André settled back into his chair. "How do you know it's nonsense?"
"How could it not be?"
"I don't know, but I think it worth looking into." His eyes grew distant as he mentally reached for one of their pack mates. After a few minutes he looked at her. "Tom's going to do some very discreet research. I told him to contact both of us when he had an answer, either way."
Yvonne tried to keep calm, but an odd excitement began to grow in her. "What if it is real? Do you think I could last five minutes?"
"You're a Belcourt. Of course you can. Especially if he's unprepared for it." He looked at her worried face. "And we'll practice, every free minute."
She nodded, then focused on him. Was he paler?
"Let me get you something to eat."
"Thanks."
She hurried into the tent where the food was kept and bumped into her tall little brother.
"What are you doing here?"
Luc grinned down at her. "I thought you needed a break from socializing?"
She couldn't help the half exasperated laugh that escaped, he looked so much like a gangly André. "I was until André showed up and needed to be fed."
"He's here?" He shook his head with a slight laugh of his own, "Of course he's here. Our blood runs true after all."
"That's not funny!"
He raised his eyebrows at her and she opened her mouth to give him a detailed explanation of why, when the sound of screeching tires claimed her and everyone else's attention. Joining the throng, she exited the tent to see their Beta, Theo, standing beside his car, looking around frantically. She raised her hand. His gaze grew even more worried and he hurried forward.
"Let me guess. André disappeared?" Luc asked casually.
His eyes closed with relief. "Is he okay?"
"He's pale. I was about to get him sustenance." Yvonne said softly.
Theo straightened, his jaw tightening with resolve. "I'll do that."
She nodded, giving him a sympathetic smile and pat on the arm. She and Luc walked back to their tent.
André looked up with a strained smile, his eyebrows raising at the lack of food in her hands. He nodded to Luc.
"Theo's here."
André groaned and settled more comfortably into the chair.
Noticing that he had a fine tremor going through him, she hurried to her bed to grab a blanket, which she then wrapped snugly around him, despite his protest.
"Yvonne. I'm fine."
"Tell that to Theo. Because I..."
"Alpha?" Tom's voice sounded in her head, stopping her in mid lecture. Both she and André went still as Luc looked between them in confusion. Yvonne offered her hand and taking it, Luc was able to join the silent connection.
"Yes?" André's voice held caution and excitement.
"The law exists." Tom informed them with no inflection in his voice. She could almost picture his calm eyes focused on a book. "From my research it is as valid today as the day it was first put into effect. So I see no reason why Yvonne cannot use it to her advantage. She simply needs to say 'I do not accept Alpha Scott and I am choosing to use the law of Self Choice, Statute 7154N'. They might have to look it up, but it is there for them to find."
Luc shot them a look of complete confusion as they shared a smile of relief and hope.
"Thank you, Tom." Andre said softly.
"Oh, my gosh! Yes! Thank you!" Yvonne added.
"My pleasure. Good luck Yvonne. I can't wait to hear how you took out that arrogant git. I want a play-by-play when you get home." Yvonne laughed as the connection was dropped.
"What was that about?" Luke asked as Theo pushed the tent flap open, a mountain of food piled on two plates.