39 Ch 38 Before the Council (2/2)

”The other? You really have lost your marbles.”

I just chuckled and clapped him on the back. ”Tammy wanted to thank you for helping with my transport there.”

I was glad Jacob walked in right then, giving me a reason to avoid an irate Mac. I was curious to see how Jacob planned on teaching me.

Working with Jacob was like taking what I had learned from both my parents and adding science and math to it. He was surprised at my understanding of anatomy until I told him about my mom being a veterinarian. He used math to explain leverage. I used instinct. He explained about blows against internal organs and the ratio of a strike's power versus what the muscle can absorb. We worked on aim, making precise hits against specific organs. Even though it didn't seem like a difficult workout, I found myself satisfyingly wore out by the time he called it a night.

I could hear Mac in the basement as I made good my escape.

My boss, John, was still acting strangely at work. He kept sending me off to areas that really didn't need anything, or had me spending the day doing little busy work.

The weekend couldn't come fast enough!

This time it was Mahina and I on my bike, with her luggage in Derrick's car. I was used to traveling light, and her full suitcase for a weekend trip left me shaking my head.

Derrick patted my shoulder. ”It's a woman thing,” he said after I had swung it with a grunt into his trunk. ”You should see what my mom ends up packing whenever we traveled. I swear she packs everything but the kitchen sink!”

Both Mahina and Derrick enjoyed the tour of the ice caves, especially since it was a private tour. Derrick was pressuring Chani to talk about whatever was between her and I. He was getting frustrated with her. I knew at some point we would all have to talk about it. For now I tried to ignore them as I enjoyed Mahina's company.

That evening I walked into the council meeting on my own. The few times I had been before the council, it had only been a few council members and I had been silent unless some asked me something directly. Usually it was if I gotten into trouble and the council wanted assurance that I would behave. Now for the first time I came on my own behalf.

Running Elk and I exchanged a look, him acknowledging my medicine bag, me showing him a claw while tilting my head slightly toward the elders. His eyes got wide for a second before he gave a slight nod.

”Little Wolf, what are you doing here?” asked one of the council members.

”I have a few things I wanted to make the council aware of.”

”I can't think of any reason for you to be here. You haven't been chosen to intern with the council.”

A few others murmured agreement. Before I could respond to what was clearly meant as an insult, Auntie came over and put her hand on the councilman's arm.

”Where is your father, Little Wolf?”

”At home. He isn't the one with news for the council.”

”Wait in the back of the room, Little Wolf.”

I gave her a slight nodding bow and headed back toward where Running Elk was standing.

”Cuz?”

I just shook my head, not willing to get him in trouble. I didn't understand the attitude I was getting. After awhile I caught his eye and looked down toward my side briefly. I looked back up when I saw him glancing over and used my thumb to double tap my ring finger. I refused to look back over at him. When I finally gave in and moved my eyes slightly he merely flared his nostrils at me to express his excitement, while trying not to grin.

During our silent conversation the council had finally finished gathering and Grandfather had started the pipe. Only those who were speaking had the pipe passed to them, and I wasn't invited forward.

I didn't come to observe or be ignored. I felt a growl work it's way up and I swallowed it down. Anna came in, whispered to Auntie, who sent her over to Grandfather. I could see the disconcerted looks from some of the other council members.

”Is there something we should be aware of?” asked the man from earlier.

Grandfather was in no hurry, holding out his hand for the pipe. He waited for the pipe to make its way back to him and took a puff before speaking.

”Little Wolf,” he said as his eyes suddenly focused on me, ”why don't you wait at my place and we will speak after the council meeting.”

”I came to make a request or two of the council, and to update you with what has been happening with my pack.”

”Pack,” someone scoffed. ”You take this wolf thing too far sometimes Little Wolf.”

”This wolf thing?”

”We will speak later Little Wolf. You are dismissed,” Grandfather said, as if I was a child.

”I came to...”

”You are dismissed, Little Wolf,” Grandfather commanded, raising his voice slightly.

”Dismissed?” I growled. ”Why? Because of this wolf thing?”