Chapter 3

We all walked into the fairly large hut. It was filled with tables and I assumed it was a dining hut. Valerie butted in and said that this was the High Council of the Pack's dining room. I politely told to cut that out. She was getting to be a caution. Then I had to tell her I wasn't mad but I wanted to learn some things on my own.

By the way everybody stayed away from one table and let me and Jonas walk over to it, I assumed Jonas was the leader of the Pack. We took our seats and I noticed everyone was staying silent so I stayed silent too. Then the door opened and in came a bevy of girls with food in their hands. The plates were wooden and in good shape.

There must have been six girls that came in with a plate in each hand. One of the girls came to hour table. Sh had strikingly red hair and the brightest green eyes I had ever seen. She looked to be about fourteen and had an amazingly large set of breasts for that age. After she sat the plate of food in front of us she went to her knees at the side of the table, keeping her head bowed.

It was after all the girls had knelt down that everyone started to eat. What a strange custom, I thought to myself. The food was great. I have never tasted meat as good as what they served. It was the best I have ever had. Then there were the vegetables. They were without a doubt the best vegetables I have ever tasted. I have no clue as to what they were and I didn't care. I knew one thing though, I was gonna find out. This is another reason I should join a Pack. That and the girls. One of which was kneeling beside her table. God I would love to know her name!

I know you told me not to, but there is something you really, really need to know before you join there Pack. It's about the initiation.

And it's very important? I asked silently.

Yes.

I sighed and told here to tell me if it was important.

There is a rivalry Pack five miles south of this one. In order to prove you are worthy, they will want you to go to the rival's village and collect the head of one of the High Council members. You have to kill to get into this pack. On the upside that Pack they want you to invade is one of the worst in the land. They think raping and demeaning women gives them power. I will leave it up to you to do what you will.

Then she was completely silent.

I was shocked. Not that they raped women, that disgusts me. No, I was shocked that my entry fee would be murder. Not that I was above it. Hell, I lost count of how many I killed in the SEALs. So, no, I could do it. And with a 9mm it would be simplistically easy. But should I?

I then looked at the girl kneeling not three feet from me. Hell yes, I should.

I put the last bite of food in my mouth and kept looking at the girl. When I looked back at Jonas I noticed he was smirking a bit at having caught me looking at the girl. He took the last bit of his food and sat his fork down. Then he looked at me with a smile.

"I will speak to stranger Shawn now," he said loudly.

It was then that all of the girls stood up and collected the plates as the men stood to leave. The girl that was kneeling looked up at Jonas and he shook his head. She smiled a little and bowed her head again. Damn she was beautiful. I wondered if she had a significant other.

After all but the three of us had left, Jonas spoke.

"I believe I know why you have come," he stated with a sure voice.

"Oh," I asked, a little amused.

"Yes, you want a mate. Do you know our customs?"

"I am ashamed to say that I have no clue of your customs. I have never been in a Pack." I told him with what I hoped was a sad look.

"That is not a problem," he stated. "You can trade for a mate with meat, skins or spice. We do not accept coin for mates. We feel it is not right."

"What kind of spice and meat would you accept? And I am ashamed to say that I do not know how much I will have to give you?" I asked him.

"Do you have spices?"

"Yes. But how much will I need?"

He leaned over and whispered something to the girl and she smiled, getting up and taking off. "So I take it I guess right for the reason you are here?"

"You guessed half of it."

"Oh, what other reason are you here for?"

"I have no Pack," I told him. "I want one."

He looked at me with sympathy again. Then he looked a little reluctant. "You do not know our ways and you may not make it through the initiation."

"What initiation?" I asked him with feigned curiosity.

"You have to bring me the head of a Council Member of the rival Pack five miles from here." He told me bluntly.

I looked at him impassively. "Only one?"

He looked a little shocked I was taking it so well. "Yes, as soon as you bring me the head you can claim this Pack as your own."

"I will leave as soon as we finish our talk."

He nodded at me with a smile, glad I was taking the proverbial bull by the horn. Or I thought so anyway.

It was then that the girl came back in and in her hands was a bowl. That was where she went. She gave Jonas the bowl and then kneeled in her former position. Damn she was good looking.

"Fill this half full and she will be your mate."

I took the bowl and stood up and walked outside. I opened my saddle bag and took the salt bag out and poured salt into the bowl until it was half full. Then I put it back in the bag and walked back inside. I walked over and sat down, handing the salt to Jonas.

He looked at me with a slight smile and dipped a finger in the bowl, bringing it to his mouth. After that, he just nodded.

He looked at the girl and spoke. "Stand and introduce yourself."

The girl had a large smile on her face as she stood up and cam over and sat on my lap. She looked at me with big eyes and spoke in a voice that was as sweet as honey. "My name is Hanya."

Hanya. Damn that sounded good.

I then wrapped my arms around her and hugged her to me. "I am Shawn, but you already knew that."

Jonas then cleared his throat.

I looked up from staring into my angel's eyes, looking at him with attentiveness. He was the leader of the Pack after all.

"Are you sure that you want to go through the initiation today? If you are, all you have to do is ride into their village and challenge one of the council to a fight to the death. Four of us will go with you to make sure that you only have to fight one. It is our and their custom to honor the winner of the fight with a walk of peace. That means that you get to leave peacefully for a day... Though they may send someone to challenge you on another day."

Damn. So much for using a 9mm. I guess I will have to do this the old fashioned way. I felt Hanya squeeze me in fright. I looked at her face and I could see she was frightened but trying to hide it. I felt for her, but this was something I must do if I was to have a Pack. Why did I need a Pack? I have no clue but the urge was strong in me.