The conversation carried on nicely but diverted from my attention. I took the opportunity to finish my food, which was basically meat, meat, carbs, and meat. The conversation seemed to continue on oddly, turning to discussion about upcoming events for the Pack, then to the new hires Tristan was training, all young wolves with no experience. Next they discussed a challenge that had recently resulted in a draw, something that Ember assured me happened from time to time. Ember, as the Packs Judge, was the one who listened to the wolves problem and tried to solve it. However, she was increasingly annoyed with the two wolves because they had apparently been fighting over the ownership of an invisible trophy. Both would not give up as to who was the rightful owner and she couldn’t seem to win over their beliefs. Because no matter what she said the imaginary trophy kept changing to suit the person's argument. At the end the trophy had both participants' names engraved in the metal, it was gold, green, blue, and silver and one of the participants had licked it, to claim ownership, while the other had, apparently, peed in it. Ember hadn’t asked which had taken place first, she resolved the argument by promising both men actual trophies. They agreed, as long as the trophies looked exactly alike. Ember accepted, despite her growing irritation, knowing that she was soon to have a similar fight again. This time over two identical trophies and which one was better. 

I laughed at the story, werewolf politics were funny. The conversation changed once again to Tristan’s secondhand telling of Arrow’s fight with his wolves. Declan and Taron seemed impressed with my brother's capabilities, at least as they were expressed in the story. Both men piggybacked Tristan’s claim to spar with Arrow. Who responded with a confident smile at all the wolves. 

“I hear you have decided to let the wolves express their frustrations with your arrival.” Taron stated, addressing me. “Are you certain you want to do that? I realize your brother is a fighter and so I assume that you have had some-”

“Killer.” I interjected. His words died at my cold tone. “My brother is a killer, not a fighter.” I was getting rather tired of the wolves looking down at me. Sure I hated being a monster, but I was a monster. They would have to learn that. 

I turned to Rayen. She straightened to attention at my look and leaned back, self consciously. I knew that reaction all too well. I forced myself to regain control of my face. I wasn’t allowed to use this mask, I wouldn’t allow myself, unfortunately it fit on all too easily. I was just pissed off, and not at her. I regained control easily enough, but I still chastised myself for slipping, even this little bit. I was not allowed to be her, not with family, not with friends. I didn’t want to. 

I felt Arrows shadows slip against my skin. It was a comfort. He was taping me, reminding me he was still here, if I needed him. I was still too close to the edge to look at him, but appreciated it, and the shadows would tell him that. 

“The wolf from the hall,” I started, still addressing Rayen. “The one that growled at me, do you know him?” 

“Sure,” She nodded. “That’s Markus Grey.” She shrugged, when I continued to look at her. “He thinks he’s the biggest and baddest and everyone thinks he’s an asshole because of it. Now mind you he’s not entirely wrong, which does fuel the disdain, but he’s too cocky and mean. No one likes him, and if we had a reason we’d kill him.” Lupin grunted in disagreement and I turned to him. He said nothing and after a moment of my imploring eyes he explained. 

“He’s not essential but he’s typically very traditional and votes opposing the others on the council. I like keeping him around because he gives me another view on things.” I cocked an eyebrow at the description. 

“Would you be opposed if I killed him?” Some of the wolves around me sniggered, still disbelieving of my capabilities. Tristan and Rayen remained stone faced, assessing. Lupin only raised his brows. 

“Do you want to kill him?” At that I smiled real bright. 

“Very much.” He chuckled lightly. 

“I’m not opposed, but you should know he’s on the council, if you kill him you gain his position.” I cocked my head. Interesting. 

“What is his position?” Lupin smiled, the epitome of a wolf. 

“He’s my Third.” I narrowed my eyes at him and he shrugged. 

“You forget, love, that position is decided by strength, not my preference.” I shook my head.

“But I can’t be the Alpha of the werewolves, I’m not even a wolf.” He shrugged.

“Your my mate, whether you accept or not, the wolves will follow you.” 

“But if you were to die, Rayen would become Alpha, not me.” He nodded agreement.

“Yes, but that’s because you haven’t accepted.” I shook my head again, trying to comprehend. 

“So if I do accept, I become your Second?”

“No, you become the Female Alpha. If I die it is your preference as to whether you remain in power, or hand it to the Second.” I narrowed my eyes at him, thinking. 

“And if… if I were to kill Markus and still refuse you?” He sighed but answered. 

“You would remain my Third, unless you moved, then you would territorially belong to another Pack.” I took a deep breath, finally looking away from him. For whatever reason just looking at Lupin had calmed my anger. I thought out the possibilities. Apparently, if you kill a wolf, you will forever be associated with the werewolves. I supposed that made sense, because killing is how they decide rank. I’d be Third of the Pennsylvania Pack no matter where I went and werewolves would always be suspicious of me. 

I groaned sitting back in my chair. While I thought, the willowy female came back in, to take the babies to bed. Their parents kissed them goodnight and promised they’d see them soon. When the children left, I still thought. 

I supposed I had run from the wolves for long enough. I would always be connected to them no matter what I did now. I was Lupin’s mate, no one could change that, and I was still undecided if I wanted that to change. Either way, I was part of the wolves now, the question was, how much apart. I figured the whole Female Alpha thing could be settled at a later date. Right now, the only cunnumdrum was whether I could be a Third. 

I squinted at Lupin, and he smiled softly. 

“What would the position entail?” His smile grew. “Jackass.” I added. 

“You're not seriously considering this?” Arrow asked me. I glanced sidelong at my brother and his concerned face. 

“I Branded him.” My brother let out a noise of utter exasperation and slumped onto the table, head in his arms. 

“Why in the seven hells of Holy Fuck would you do that Fable?” Arrow muttered through his arms. I winced slightly and turned to face him. 

“I was a little on edge, ok. My mate had just left me, I had almost been mauled by vampires, I had woken up in a den full of temperamental werewolves, and a girl, who I have a very strong urge to rip open and tear out her guts, was leading me up and down flights of stairs on a still stiff leg, while those very same temperamental werewolves stared at me like I was an exhibit. So when the leering wolf got too close and bared his teeth I got a little too mad.” I took a very deep breath. “I do admit that.” 

Arrow lifted his head, cocking an eyebrow. 

“Feel better?” I sighed again. Lupin reached up and brushed a finger over the top of my hand. Apologizing and comforting. The touch definitely helped. It helped so much that I took his hand in mine, not caring about onlookers, and refusing to let go. 

“What's Branding?” Ava asked. I slumped against Lupin, my head on his shoulder. She definitely liked asking questions. My headache was back and I closed my eyes letting Arrow answer her question. 

Lupin’s presence just soothed me in an odd almost familiar way. Like a dream I had once, that was now coming true. He was just warm and soft and smelled nice. A strong part of me wanted to climb into his lap, I figured that was too far, especially in public. He apparently didn’t agree and lifted me into his lap. The wolves didn’t seem to care, Arrow gave me a look but seemed to understand. He turned to Ava as I settled in.

“Branding is something only a few banshee’s can do, our father has the ability and so do all of his children. The Brand is placed on a person to mark them for death, the imprint left behind is specific to each banshee. The drawback is that the Brand never goes away and if the person you Branded dies, not at your hands, then their next of kin inherits the Brand.” Arrow ran his fingers through his hair. “Typically this skill is used to Brand masked killers for revenge later on down the road. The problem being that sometimes you end up killing the cousin of the daughter of the sister of the man who actually murdered your father. Because you never knew his face and thus just assumed he was the guilty party because he had your Brand.” I closed my eyes listening as my brother explained something my father had taught me when I was seven. “Most of the time we try not to use it because we are made to kill the Branded person the next time we see them. Even if you're aware it’s not your father’s murderer you still have to kill them. There was this one awful instance when the guy's wife ended up inheriting his Brand, he killed her, of course. The whole thing was a mess.” My brother groaned again and I opened my eyes to take in the audience. They all watched me, a little perturbed. 

“I was having a bad day, alright.” I defended and snuggled closer to Lupin. Fuck them and their judgmentle looks. I felt Lupin shift, looking down at me. 

“Love, are you even in the right state to fight?” I refused to answer and just stayed still in his lap. Pompous werewolves and their strength. 

“Of course she can.” Arrow helpfully supplied. “Fable, could easily kill all of you if she wanted to.” He shrugged. “If I’m being honest, so could I.” 

“Your endless confidence makes us sound like weaklings.” I laughed against Lupin and sat up to lean back, peering at Tristan. 

“Trust me we’re both aware of your power. I know that if I had been caught in the same scenario as the vampires, against just one of you wolves, I would be dead.” I settled back against Lupin and looked at Arrow. I sighed. 

“I want to kill Markus Grey. Even if he didn’t have my Brand.” Arrow narrowed his eyes at me. 

“You sure?” I smiled and shrugged.

“What's the worst that could happen?”   

“You could die.” Taron stated, realizing I was actually considering this. I smiled at him.

“No she couldn’t.” Arrow reassured, not that it did much good. I looked around the table and all the wolves watched me with concern and apprehension. Oh for the love of God. 

I disentangled myself from Lupin, sliding out of his lap. 

“Let's go see if we can get Markus to challenge me.” Lupin scoffed and stood up. 

“That should be easy enough.” Declan shot him a look.

“You‘re really going to let her do this?” Lupin hesiated, just slightly, but nodded. 

“I can feel her sincerity through the Bond. She truly believes that she could kill all of us.” I waited for any more arguments. When none came I headed for the door, Urlatrice at my hip, and Lupin following behind. 

“Well,” I said when no one moved from their seat. “Are you coming to watch the show or are you just going to stay here?” Everyone stood up as one and followed us out the door.