Tribunal

Chapter One

Prologue

Scott McCall and Derek Hale remain deadlocked in their efforts to kill the rogue alpha werewolf, Peter Hale, who has been terrorizing the citizens of Beacon Hills for the last several months. The Argent family, a group of hunters, has had even less luck than Scott and Derek. The bodies have been piling up and the more time passes the higher the stakes, it was only a matter of time before someone higher up on the food chain had begun to take notice.

Chapter One

Scott stood outside his house thinking about how he hated lying to his mother but what was worse was that his life seemed to keep putting her in danger. Already the alpha had attempted to attack her and strangely date her. With all the trouble at school during parent teacher conference and failing grades, Scott tried to shake off how weary he felt and had to admit that his late night escapes to the forest were finally catching up to him. Most nights his mother worked the overnight shift at the hospital but not tonight from the looks of things. The porch light was on and the car was in the driveway.

A high pitch whistle caught Scott's attention and as he turned he felt the prick of something sharp that hit him in the chest. Reaching down he removed the fuzzy red tail of what looked like a tranquilizer dart. Already the warm rush was filling his chest making it hard to breath and even harder to focus as whom dark shapes drew closer smelling of gunpowder and leather. Darkness swallowed Scott as a cloth bag was dropped over his head and his hands were bound before he lost consciousness.

Scott awoke to the feel of cold concrete under his skin as he lay on the ground. His other senses came flooding back to filling his mind as he recognized Derek's scent and the same smell of gunpowder and leather. The bag had been removed from over his head and, even in the faint light, he was able to blink back the clouds that still hung in his head. His hands were still bound but otherwise he was not restrained. Other smells began to filter in, sawdust, sweat, and metal, concrete and… Scott turned to find Jackson lying next to him in the same state. Scott turned his head as Derek began to come around.

"Derek," Scott whispered and watched as the other werewolf rolled over and shook his head. Derek's hands were bound behind him too but he managed to push himself up onto his knees and was about to struggle to his feet when a man in black emerged from the shadows carrying an assault rifle. He hit Derek between his shoulders forcing him into the ground again. The man was well trained for he flipped the gun around and trailed it onto Derek as the injured werewolf let out a growl. Scott felt his body tense waiting for the bullets to fly. But nothing happened.

"Stay down," the man in black said.

"And if I don't?" Derek asked.

"We aren't supposed to kill you… yet. But if you resist, we might ignore those orders and your friends would get hurt in the process."

Scott and Derek watched as red dots covered all of them including Jackson in the faint light. Scott and Derek exchanged a look.

"We won't fight you," Scott said.

"Fine, on your knees," the man ordered. Derek pulled himself up and Scott followed his lead. The man walked up to Jackson and gave him a kick. Jackson let out a grunt but remained unconscious. "What is wrong with this one?"

"Maybe you gave him too much," Scott said.

"Whatever." The man leaned down as several more red dots appeared on Jackson. The man slipped out a white tube and broke it under Jackson's nose. The astringent smell hit Scott and Derek with almost the same intensity as it woke Jackson, who blinked up at the man in black. The first thing Jackson was able to focus on was the barrel of the gun that the man held.

"Don't shoot," Jackson sputtered.

"On your knees," the man said as Jackson's eyes flickered to Scott and Derek who still had red dots on their chests. Jackson pushed himself to his knees and mirrored Scott.

"What do you want with us?" Scott asked and he was ignored. There was static on the radio piece that the man had in his ear, but even with their heightened hearing neither Scott nor Derek could make out what was being said. The man in black stepped passed them, gun still in front of him, and looked behind where they were sitting. Scott was tempted to look behind him but could not take his eyes off the gun. There was the sound of a door opening and headlights backlit the wolves as a black SUV pulled up. There was the sound of the door closing shut as the engine died and the lights went out. Now Scott did turn to look as five people got to of the car. Two men in the front seats wore the same uniform as the man in front of Scott and were equally as armed. These men pulled two other people out of the car, man and a woman, the instant their scent filled the air, and Scott and Derek knew exactly who they were. Chris Argent walked out into the faintly lit room escorted by the driver of the car. His sister Kate, was physically escorted by the two other men, each with a hand on both of her upper arms, she radiated anger as they stood her next to her brother.

"What is the meaning of this?" Kate demanded. Lights went up illuminating the werewolves and the hunters in stark white light. Everyone was blinking furiously to adjust to the blinding light. Not ten feet away three figures were also backlit. Kate's lip curled into a snarl. "Nice dramatic effect assholes, now tell us who you are."

The stoutest figure in the center walked forward leading the other two. His face entered the light revealing scars, salt and peppered hair, a beard and cold green eyes. Chris Argent was the first to react, he knew this man, this hunter by reputation alone.

"Colonel William Blake," Chris Argent said.

"I see my reputation has preceded me," Blake said with a smile. His Scottish accent colored all of his words and Chris Argent seemed to relax a bit.

"Chris, who is this guy?" Kate asked.

"Madame, I am the magistrate and my companions make up the Tribunal."

"So, what? You are going to give those animals a trial?" Kate indicated her head to the werewolves; Scott, Derek and Jackson all were quiet watching the hunters, this new information made them wary.

"Yes, but you and your brother also stand accused of breaking the code."

"That is ridiculous! You have no right-" Kate said but was cut off as the guard kicked out her knees forcing her to the ground in the same positions the werewolves were in. Blake turned to Chris.

"I will only ask this once Chris, kneel and be prepared to be judged."

Argent looked at the man in front of him and slowly took to his knees. His eyes never left Blake even as Kate was swearing next to him. Argent remembered the teaching of his mentor and their discussions about the Code and the importance of a hunter's honor. His mentor had warned him about the tribunal but it had been years since he had even heard a rumor of their activity.

"What are the charges?" argent asked.

"The werewolves you have identified as Derek Hale, Scott McCall and Jackson Whittemore stand accused of murder, attempted murder, assistance in mass murder of humans, terrorism, and betrayal of pack law. You sir, along with your sister stand accused of breaking the code, killing without sanction, provoking the werewolves to attack and breaking the faith with the people you are sworn to protect."

"If this is some sort of trial, don't we get lawyers or something?" Jackson asked, he was tired of doing nothing but thought different the moment the man turned to look at him.

"We three stand as judge jury and executioners. My associate Dr. Tyler Langston will present the evidence both for and against you, but for you three, Maya Stone Claw will determine what to do with you."

"Two," Maya said as she came forward revealing her face. The woman was well into her thirties with a stripe of white in her dirty blond hair. Her face told the story of laugh lines around her eyes and mouth but her brown eyes were filled with the weight of experience. She was solid and curvy at the same time as if she had once been an athlete and worked hard to maintain some of that bulk. But she wasn't tall, maybe five foot eight but even that towered over the smaller man on her right.

"What?" the magistrate asked.

"Only two of them are werewolves, that other boy is just a human." Maya pointed to Jackson.

"The lack of intelligence is rather showing, Argent. I expected better than this."

"We were investigating him, not accusing him…yet," Argent said, he frowned. "The boy knew too much about the others and was at several of the attack sites. Since he is not a werewolf, which means he wants to be." Jackson swallowed visibly as he looked over at Scott and Jackson. Not one of them said a word. The red dots remained steady as they continued to be targeted.

"We shall see," the magistrate said. "Maya if you would reveal their nature."

The woman nodded and merely glared at the wolves. Scott and Derek both felt as if their stomachs had dropped, turned into knots and that the wind had been shoved out of them. A cold heat flooded them both as they felt the need to shift to protect themselves and the need to submit to the more terrifying beast rose within them. Scott and Derek looked back at the woman with new eyes. Scott's were golden and Derek's a pale blue fire, but their faces portrayed no anger only fear and awe. Meanwhile at that exact moment, Kate Argent practically fell to the floor and it was the steady hands of her guards that kept her up.

"Truth Seer if you would be so kind to examine the accused." The magistrate took up a switch and used it to illuminate the area in front of them so that all could see those accused. The remote also turned on a red light of what appeared to be a camera set up on a tripod behind them. The lens swiveled and moved into focus.

"You brought a witch to do you investigating?" Kate asked her lip curled in disgust as the shorter, slight effeminate man walked towards Scott. He stood about five foot five, just a little taller than Lydia and obviously was African descent, yet his face held other features that Scott could not place that made him look also delicate.

"I have been called many things in my life; witch, wizard, psychic, touched, cursed, blessed, prophet, seer, they are mean the same terrible thing, I can always see the truth, whether I wish to or not. This was not something I ever asked for but it has been a trait handed down from father to son for hundreds of years." The Truth Seer stood before Scott. Langston only stood a few inches over Scott who was on his knees and would have dwarfed the smaller man had he been standing. Scott felt a bit sorry for the man in front of him for they had shared a similar circumstance. Scott hoped that this man would be able to see that he had never wanted to be bitten and all the power, fear, responsibility and danger that went with that. The man stared down at Scott and reached out with his left hand, which as placed on Scott's upper arm just below his t-shirt sleeve. Scott was shocked by how cold his hand was.

"Just breath, this will not hurt," the Truth Seer said as Scott's eyes filled with golden light. "This one is new; he had seen only a half a dozen full moons thus far. A friend foretold Scott's transitional change but there was little he could do to stop it. He has never killed nor harmed a living person."

The breath Scott had been holding slowly went out of him. Even as he relaxed his eyes never changed back. All eyes were on him as the Truth Seer probed deeper. He touched on the mating bond that was just forming in the young wolf's heart, but pushed this knowledge aside as he sought deep answers.

"What of the rogue?" the magistrate asked.

"The rogue is an Alpha who has transitioned from a Beta. He attacked this one and has been trying to force the pack bond onto him. They have fought many times and the Alpha has tried numerous times to force this one to kill…" the Truth Seer's face filled with surprise. "He has been able to break the alpha pulse, not once but several times, quite impressive for one so young." Only now did the mating bond become of interest, it had been strong enough to break the forced pack bond the rouge alpha had placed on Scott. This should not have been able to happen since the bond had never been consummated. The young wolf was becoming more interesting and impressive by the second.

"What can you learn from him of the alpha?" the magistrate asked.

The Truth Seer moved his right hand up and placed his fingers in the exact place that the Alpha had clawed Scott's neck and implanted his memories. The Truth Seer's face filled with pain and Scott felt the memories flood his mind. Together they watched the same terrible night and felt the fear and pain the Alpha had shared.

"Fire," the Truth Seer whispered. "The Alpha was changed by fire, pain, loss, grief, and rage. His vendetta is one of vengeance with the desire to share his pain with as many people as possible. He enjoys the fear and terror he possessed and can inflict on others. He wants a pack but in a bastardized way that would lead to even more death. This one has fought him and resisted the Alpha's will but not his strength, for the madness gives the Alpha untold and unchecked strength."

"What is your ruling?"

"This one is innocent of all charges, magistrate. Case in point he has done everything within his power to avoid these actions." The Truth Seer released Scott and stepped back. Scott felt his wolfish nature revert to normal as he shifted back.

"Release him," the magistrate ordered and the man in black stepped forward with a pair of pliers and cut the ties that bound Scott's hands. Ever so slowly Scott got to his feet rubbing his wrists where he plastic had bit into his skin.

"If you would be so kind as to step back," the magistrate instructed. "We must continue the evaluation."

The red dots did not leave Scott's chest but he took one step back and stopped unwilling to leave either Derek or Jackson. The Truth Seer walked the three feet over to where Derek knelt before him. Derek's blue eyes flashed but he waited silent and glaring at the shorter man. The Truth Seer reached out and placed his hand in the same place where he had touched Scott on Derek's left shoulder.

"This one was born not bitten. He has known the bonds of a pack what it is too loose such a bond. He is related by blood to the alpha but lacks a full pack bond with him; their connection is tentative at best. He has seen many battles and fights for dominance and yet he has never taken a life. Almost all his battles have been provoked or he has engaged in violence to protect those he cares for or feels responsible for." The Truth Seer felt the hole in Derek's heart. He had once known the power of a mating bond and consummated it. The loss and betrayal provoked by the female Argent, Kate, had torn him open and lead to the death of his family and of his clan. The remarkable thing was that as the Truth Seer sifted through Derek's memories, he found the wolf to have maintained his sanity in large part to the care and love he had held for his sister and her abilities as an alpha wolf. Laura Hale had been the future heir and alpha of the Moon Leaf Clan and her death had left Derek vulnerable to the rouge alpha in much the same way that Scott was vulnerable.

"What does he know of the rogue?"

"Only what he has been told. The rogue is his uncle, his blood and seeks a blood vendetta against those who have destroyed his family pack. This one understands the rage and loss but not the needless killing. There is no murder in his heart." Even now as Derek revealed the torture that Kate Argent had inflicted upon him there was still the ghost of the mate bond. In his defense and for his sanity he had locked up that part of his heart from ever being able to be shared again. His only comfort would come from a pack bond and this explained why he was so loyal and desperate to be Scott's friend.

"Thank you Truth Seer. Release him," the magistrate said. Derek mirrored Scott and stood. But with the grace Scott lacked Derek shifted back to normal and watched the Truth Seer with guarded eyes.

"You can't be serious," Kate said. "They are animals. Tell them Chris." She looked at her brother as they both watched Derek be released in the same way that Scott had been. Both the wolves watched their prosecutors with wary expressions. Jackson stayed mercifully quiet.

"They are innocent of the charges against them," the magistrate said turning to the hunters. "Now it is your turn to be examined."

The Truth Seer walked over to Chris Argent and this time offered up the man his right hand as if asking for a handshake. Argent looked at the man who waited for him to reach out to him.

"This must be your choice, Argent," the magistrate said. "Your family has distinguished itself with honor for generations and the burden of seeking to clear your name falls on you."

"And if I do not?" Chris asked.

"You will lose all protection from the council. Your crimes will be given over to the human authorities and you will lose all your financial support. Do you understand?"

"I do," Chris Argent reached out and took the hand of the Truth Seer.

"This man lives by the code. His has over 32 sanctioned kills to his name and everyone was by the code. He has stood to defend those who cannot defend themselves and sought only to hunt those who have proven themselves a danger to the public."

"And of the two wolves he stands here accusing of these crimes?" the magistrate asked.

"He has been working off intelligence that was delivered to him and was accurate to the best of his knowledge which we now know to be false, but that was not the hunter's fault. This one had yet to decide to purse the death of the accused wolves and wanted to gather more information before pursuing the hunt. Even then his intel only recently proved his assumptions correct and he lacked time to update our reports, thus sir the error in bringing them here was ours."

"Understood. Argent you have been cleared of all charges, please stand and join your brothers in arms." The magistrate nodded and the men guarding Argent stood back and saluted him. Argent stood and cautiously looked around him.

"How is it that the tribunal came to employ werewolves when they used to be the only ones to stand against them?" Argent asked.

"What you speak of was centuries ago. Times have changed and we had to adapt. Alliances can be a powerful motivating force when faced with a rising body count." The magistrate smiled at Argent.

"Bull shit," Kate mumbled. Those old eyes narrowed as the magistrate turned to Kate. She glared back at him defiant.

"You, Kate Argent stand also accused. Truth Seer, examine her," the magistrate ordered. The Truth Seer walked over to his sister. Kate glared at the smaller man with hate in her eyes that seemed to burn. Still it was apparent to all the wolves as her heart began to race and her skin went cold with fear. Derek could not help but smiled. The two guards remained firm with one hand from each resting on Kate's shoulders as she attempted to lean back and away from the Truth Seer.

"What are you going to ask me to shake your hand and threaten me too?" Kate asked with a sneer on her face.

"No, you have already shown yourself to be guilty of one crime through the eyes of the wolves. I have shared their pain as you not only hunted them but captures and tortured them." The magistrate made a signal and the men behind Kate made certain to have strong grip on her upper arms to restrain her. The Truth Seer walked over to as Kate began to fight. This time he did not bother with her hands or arm, but reached forward and cradled her face. Kate's face filled with fury.

"This one has broken the code. Of her 42 kills, only 22 were sanctioned by the Code. She has sought to hunt down every werewolf that she can find and even those humans who help them. She desires nothing more than the hunt and the kill. Her need to dominate has left many a comrade injured or dead. She seeks the power of the wolf without the burden of the curse. Her crime would be called blood doping on the blood of the wolf to make herself stronger, more vicious and bloodthirsty. She stands guilty of all charges against her and has brought dishonor to her family name which she has used to bring about these heinous deeds." The Truth Seer looked deeper into Kate's mind and flashed on the same relationship that Derek had revealed to him. He saw her plan the destruction of the Moon Leaf Clan and how she used and abused the mating bond that Derek had once forged with her. There had been such pleasure as she not only watched the pack burn but also in being able to remind Derek of his loss and failure over and over again. The Truth Seer was kind enough to omit these details but her crimes weighted heavy nonetheless.

"Detail her addiction," the magistrate asked.

"This one will captures and torture a wolf, draining its blood. She proceeds to filter out the red blood cells, freeze them until needed and then inject them into her own blood stream. Due to the nature of the wolf, only a bite will transmit the condition, but the blood allows better recovery from wounds, higher stamina, and increased speed."

"Kathleen Argent, you have been found guilty of all the crimes against you, do you have anything to say in your defense?"

"They are all animals and need to be wiped off the planet. I did what had to be done." Kate's words were filled with pride. She had killed for what she believed to be right, to hell with the code. From her point of view the advancements in the tribunal's thinking had brought only more death to the arena and she wished she could make them all pay with their lives. When Kate was a little girl she had dreamed of being on the tribunal in their heyday when there was no code to follow and the wolves died by the hundreds at the hands of the tribunal. These fools were not even worthy to walk in their shadow. Kate spit at the magistrate's feet, which he ignored.

"Very well, your sentence is death."

The red dots that had been on Derek and Scott now moved to Kate and the men holding her stepped back.

"No wait!" Argent shouted but it was too late. The sound of three pops filled the air as Kate took two shots in the chest and one in the head. Her body slumped over dead as Chris ran to her side. "How could you do this?"

"This is our law, Argent. You both understood that when you signed on as hunters. Kate did not deny her crimes but sought to create a bigger rift between the two peoples."

The Truth Seer walked over to the body. Argent glared at the man and held tighter to Kate's body. The Truth Seer held up his hands in surrender as the two guards behind him stepped closer to flank his side, guns now pointed at Argent.

"Let him pass," the magistrate ordered.

"What more is he going to do to her?" Argent growled.

"Last rights, she deserves that much," the Truth Seer said. It was only then that it dawned on all in the room. This man was a priest, just like the original examiner of the Tribunal's past. There had always been three; the magistrate, the enforcer, and the priest.

Without being given much choice Argent shook off the hands of the guards who tried to help him to his feet away from the body. His shirt was spotted with Kate's blood and Argent did not even bother to wipe away his tears. Scott could not help but feel sorry for him and relieved at the same time. Derek actually was wearing a smile that he wisely hid from Argent's view. The guards escorted Argent over towards were the magistrate was standing. The werewolves were exchanging looks not so subtle glances at the exits. The guards that had been on them had been transferred to Argent and that made his blood run hot.

"And what you are just going to let them go?" Chris glared at the wolves.

"No, they must be controlled. With the rouge alpha out there, it is more likely than not that this rouge will try to force his will on these betas. But that is why my associate Maya is part of the tribunal. She is here to make certain those tragedies do not happen."

"How can she help? Is she another witch like your Truth Seer?" Argent could not keep his insolence out of his voice though he knew better.

"On the contrary she is an alpha werewolf herself."

Maya walked forward. "Maya Stone Claw of the Red Paw Clan. I am mated to the pack master and alpha leader of the United Clans of the North."

Argent was livid. "You are trusting one of them?"

Maya looked down her nose at him. "I have proven myself more times than not Argent. I know your history and your families' legacy, but you do not know all of our secrets, if you had, the rogue would not have eluded you for so long."

"Argent, we have created a truce with the United Clans and by working with them we have been able to stop and prevent numerous attacks, new recruits and rogue wolves from breaking into the human population. You must trust our judgment in this," the magistrate said, but he sounded tired as if he had to explain this to every hunter he met and no doubt he did.

"You killed my sister, why should I trust you?" For once all his honor, duty, and loyalty to the cause seemed at a loss. It was one thing to lose those closest to you in battle but this…to have his sister executed for crimes that even Argent did not understand, left him doubting his life's work.

"You know she was tainted. That cannot go unpunished or unanswered. I am sorry for your loss but she would not have stopped. We have other enemies to worry about. My men and I are here to help you hunt this rouge alpha, but to do that, we need all the help we can get, which means working with these betas."

"They are just kids," Argent protested.

"But they are the best trackers you have."

"We cannot trust them."

"The youngest had proven himself beyond a doubt to be trustworthy and the other due to his motivation, it is understandable the actions he has taken. Besides, if you will but watch and learn, you will know why we can rely on them." The magistrate nodded to the woman who walked over to the wolves.

Scott and Derek could not help but feel a little odd. Never had a werewolf been privy to this much of the inner working of the hunter's command structure. Still being talked about as if they did not matter or were not there did rub them the wrong way, and yet they were the ones with the guns. Maya approached the wolves, who did not retreat, but watched her with open caution and aloofness. Jackson had been still under the effects of the tranquilizer and found it hard to focus so keeping quiet and remaining unobtrusive had served him well.

"I know you have heard everything that was said even if it was not meant for you. I am here to offer a pack bond."

"What is that? Scott asked. "Everyone kept talking about it but all I know is the last alpha to want that of us, tried to make me kill all the people I love so that he could go on a killing spree."

"You have every right to question. A pack bound can be forced but only so far, there needs to be consent from both the alpha and the beta or omega in order for the bond to form. The bond allows the alpha, the leader to draw energy, power, and strength from his pack to be used during 1:1 combat or battle but the alpha can also offer back their control, strength, healing, energy and power back to their pack mates. It is actually more often that the alpha will redirect the turbulent emotions of young wolves to teach or given them control especially in times of stress, fear, or pain. The alpha's first duty is to protect their pack and lead not only by example but also by power to keep those they care for safe and calm. It is a weak or abusive alpha that drains, manipulated and terrifies their pack. Those are the weakest bongs such as the rogue has tried to tie to you. If you join my pack and willingly take the pack bond, I will promise never to force you to fight or harm anyone against your will nor will I use fear or coercion to force you to do anything you do not wish to do. I will protect you and help you hunt down this rogue alpha. I offer you safety and a family."

"What about what you did to us earlier? What was that?" Scott was relieved to get answers but he could not bring himself to fully trust this wolf. She had been part in kidnapping him and Derek, which left little trust to go on. Still she was answering every single one of his questions thus far.

"An alpha pulse. Basically any wolf who is not bonded in some way is a lone wolf, therefore when meeting an alpha or even another beta there is a battle for dominance. My will and power is what hit you and forced you to reveal yourself out of instinct. This makes reading you easier for the Truth Seer and demonstrates your true nature."

"Will that happen again?"

"Once you are bonded if another alpha tries, he will hit the bond you share with your pack and the shared power of our pack. There are over 400 members of the Red Paw Clan alone not including bonds shared with the united clan alliance. It is doubtful another alpha could ever break through and thus it would not happen."

"What if you feel like doing this alpha pulse?"

"Than that would mean you had gone out of control and would be in danger of harming someone. The alpha pulse can stop most wolves in their tracks. It is useful on full moons or when mating battles occur or when a wolf is so injured they lose all sense of self and go mad."

"Mating battles?" Scott asked.

"Sometimes males will fight over females but usually this does not happen since mating bonds are preventative."
Each of her answers was only giving rise to more questions in Scott's mind. The fact that there was more than one bond, that wolves fought amongst themselves and that insanity was a likely issue, he did not like what his future could hold. Did she know of a cure? Surely someone as powerful as her would have to know but Derek cut him off before he could ask.

"And if we do not accept?" Derek asked.

"Then you will be imprisoned until after the alpha is dead. Your movements afterwards will always be monitored since any alpha could come in and try to force the bond. Lone wolves have a very high risk of insanity due to trying to cope alone with their vacillating emotions and moods. We need a pack; some lucky few can make a pack among humans but most need help from others like themselves."

Scott did not like the sound of that. "Can we ever leave the pack?"

"Yes, but I warn you now that this will only occur if both parties agree and my pack takes care of its own and will not allow members to leave unless they have another pack to go to. Family watches out for one another."

"I'll do it," Derek said. "What do I have to do?"

"I must have your answer as well Scott."

Maya's gaze bore down on Scott. He swallowed. "I agree."

"Then stand back." Maya removed her jacket, shoes and belt. With a grace and fluidity she began to change. Derek and Scott expected a monster like that of a beast that Peter Hale transformed into but this was different. Maya took on more of wolf form that was almost beautiful. Her fur was white, and her face more of a true wolf. She even had a tail and stood over seven feet tall. Her claws were white as well and her hands had dark paw pads. She lifted up her claw and slashed it across the palm so her right hand.

"You must do the same, use your claws," Maya said.

Derek didn't hesitate. He slashed open his hand and allowed the blood to flow onto the cement. Maya held out her bloody hand to Derek who took it mixing their blood together.

"We stand, bonded, pack now until we part. With a promise to protect, share, and respect one another. So I swear."

"I swear," Derek echoed and Maya released him. Derek had an almost relaxed look on his face as he looked down at his hand, which had healed.

"That's it?" Scott asked.

"It is meant to be simple," Maya said. "Now it is your turn,"

Scott had more difficulty in manifesting his claws but he managed. Cutting into his hand was also difficult and Maya had to cut herself twice before Scott was ready. Scott swore the same oath as Derek, and as he let go of Maya's hand, he felt as if a huge sense of relief flooded him. It was as if he knew it would be ok and a huge weight had been not fully lifted from his shoulders but instead shared. There was a sense of purpose and support as if he could sense the other wolves despite how far away they were. He even looked at Derek and Maya with new eyes and a new sense of smell. They smelled like pack, like home. He was wearing the same dopey grin as Derek in no time. While this had been going on one of the guards had released Jackson who was watching with almost a look of desperation on his face.

As Scott stepped back after being bonded Jackson marched up to Maya and knelt before her.

"What is it child?" Maya asked.

"I want you to bite me," Jackson said.

"And why would you want that?" Maya set down the same gaze that had weighted down Scott onto Jackson's shoulders; it was even more terrifying because she towered over him.

"I don't want to be afraid anymore, I want to be stronger, and I want to help."

"Child fear does not go away with the bite; in fact most wolves live with more fear than humans due to their nature. You are young and strong, as for helping, you do this by just supporting your friends in their struggles. Those actions have been more helpful than you may ever know."

"Please, I want to be like you, I don't have a good reason, but I want to be able to fight, to protect those I care about."

"You could become a hunter, theirs is an honorable profession." Maya indicated with her head to the hunters who were watching her with caution.

Argent was shocked to hear a werewolf say such a thing. Jackson shook his head.

"Please, if you do not do this I swear I will spend my life searching for someone who will give me what I want."

Maya looked back at the magistrate who nodded and then she turned back to Jackson.

"It is rare that I even consider giving the bite to a human, if I do this there will be a price."

"Name it."

"On the wolf moon of your 20th year you will present yourself to the Red Paw's tribal elders. You will be judged and asked to choose a mate from our clan or our sister clan."

"Why do you need that?"

"Blood lines thin over time and even though you are bitten your blood will offer a much needed change to the family line. You are young, attractive and no doubt fertile. "

"Wait, do we have to do this?" Scott asked.

"No, you will not be of my clan, your clan is the Moon Leaf Clan and have ties to that bloodline which is too old for this to work. That is the price."

"I agree."

"Then offer up your arm."

Jackson raised his left arm up. His pulse was in his throat as Maya took his arm gently in her mouth and then bit down. Jackson tried not to scream but swallowed his pain in a gurgle of a scream. Maya released him and stepped back.

"I will stay after the hunt to instruct you in your first full moon in three days. The magistrate will give you details and by tomorrow you shall have healed. Until then I must go and scout."

"What does that mean-"?

They watched as Maya shifted again this time into the full form of a wolf and shed her clothing. The white wolf bolted into the darkness.

"Aye that is a rare sight. Only a handful of werewolves can wear all four forms with such ease, it is no wonder she is the alpha mate to the pack master." The magistrate let this information sink in. Argent was still staring at him. The man's grief at the loss of his sister was hidden under the mask of duty. The magistrate walked over to him. Behind them the Truth Seer made a noise. Everyone turned to see what the loud crack had been. In an instant the body at his feet was awash in fire that burned so bright that it was white-hot. The wolves had to cover their eyes and even the humans looked away. Then as quickly as it started the fire died out. All the heat and flame had been isolated to the body itself. There on the scorched concrete floor was an ash pile that vaguely resembled a human figure. Despite the heat, there was no scent of burning flesh or charred meat. The burn was clean.

"What did you just do?" Argent screamed.

"Her soul had moved on and we needed to make the body easy to transport. I assumed you wish to take her with you and corpses are so difficult to transport."

Without another word, the Truth Seer proceeded to sweep up the ash and within moments had transferred it from the floor to a tall aluminum case. Argent just stared at her and it took everything he could to turn away from the man who held his sister's ashes and look at the man in charge.

"Are you ready for the task ahead?" the magistrate asked.

"After all this. After you executed my sister in front of me and let my sworn enemies not only live, but increase their numbers, you expect me to help you?" Argent's rage filled him with a cold realization. He wanted this fight, he wanted someone or something to direct his rage upon and to kill and destroy to help him be free of his anger.

"Yes," the magistrate said and stared Argent in the eye coming closer. "I know you. Duty is your life and you relish this hunt."

"I do."

"Then you must set aside your rage until it is needed. You must work with those you hate and learn from these trials to make you stronger."

"Oh, I will." Argent knew his new purpose. He needed to move beyond the hunt, and work his way up the ranks to the council if he was ever going to undo what this man had done to the tribunal. Argent stood in a measure of silence with the magistrate.

"Now what?" Scott asked.

"You, young pup are going to go home and wait for the morrow. Then in the afternoon, we shall all meet at the Argent home and begin to prepare for the evening." The magistrate turned off the camera and dimmed the lights. It was instant relief for the wolves. The magistrate removed a tablet from his coat and with the flick of his wrist turned it on.

"You want them to come to my house?" Argent asked.

"If is where we will group and arm ourselves for battle. Maya will have scouted out the alpha by then and be ready to deliver intel for us to work from. Then we will make our plans and face the rouge and end this." The magistrate was already working on several plans with in the touch screen. The other hunters too had begun to break down their equipment and pack up the tools of their trade.

"How many men have you?" Argent asked.

"Besides us in the tribunal, only six." The magistrate said frowning at the screen.

"So nine,"

"No, Truth Seer does not fight; he has his other uses as you have seen."

"Then only seven of you and the wolves."

"Trust me that will be very useful now that Maya has secured their alliance."

"Don't we have a say in things?" Derek asked.

The magistrate looked at him. "You two are mere pups, you shall play your part and receive the rewards but mind this, you will obey and we will follow a plan or you will find that Maya's words will ring true. No go."

Derek, Scott and Jackson all exchanged a look. The dismissal was clear but they could not help but wonder what new trouble they had gotten themselves into again. With Maya gone, there was little friendship from the hunters. It took only a little encouragement for the wolves to depart.

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