Can't Fight the Spark

The Silverpaws

Cecily, or CiCi as everyone knew her, was nervous. Her hands were shaking so much she couldn’t drive. She hadn’t even been able to make it out of her driveway before she had to pull over and have her father’s Beta, Robert, take over. She loved Robert like an uncle, but this was not how she wanted to arrive at the council. She couldn’t help but feel like she was a little kid being dropped off at her first day of school. It was not the impression that she wanted to make. 

Well, If she was being honest she had never wanted to have to make any sort of impression. Being called to appear in front of the council was something that only happened when things were going very wrong. Not only did things have to be going wrong but you had to be a leader to meet them, and she never wanted to be a leader. 

But she was the last member of her pack to have alpha blood. Well, her mother did as well, but it was from a different pack and apparently that didn’t count. Her mother could attend with her, but it was just for moral support. CiCi was the one that the council had demanded to come talk to them. And CiCi was the one who felt like she was going to throw up.

She was being forced to step into a role she never wanted because of someone else’s selfishness.  They were trying to make her be an Alpha She didn’t know if she had it in her, but she had no choice  but to try her best. 

Not only was she going to have to step up into a role she didn't really want, but she was going to have to see the man who killed her father and brothers. She knew he was going to be there. She knew that she was going to have to face him But she was praying to the moon goddess that she wouldn’t have to be alone with him.

Just thinking about the alpha of the Bloodclaw pack made CiCi’s wolf angry. It had been such a senseless attack and murder it filled her with an anger she had never felt before.  Even though was in the car with people she loved and trusted and had no reason to feel unsafe she felt her nails digging into her seat. She tried to contain herself, but instead a low growl slipped from her lips.

“Are you ok?” Robert asked as he looked over at her. When He saw the look on her face he sighed and shook his head. “Of course you're not. This is a crazy day. I guess I meant you aren’t going to go wolf are you. I don’t think it would fit in the car.” He was trying to lighten the mood, even if that was an impossible task.

There was a long moment of silence before Cecily finally broke it. “No. I will be able to control my wolf for now.” She forced her hands to loosen their grip on the seat and took in a deep breath. “Hopefully I will be able to do the same once we are there.” Because she knew that if Alpha Jackson said the wrong thing she might snap. 

Cecily felt her mother reach from the back sweat so she could squeeze her shoulder. “You’ll be fine Cecily. The council won’t let him hurt you. Just try to keep your emotions in check.” 

“I know.” CiCi twisted her body so she could rest her hand on top of her mother’s.  “It’s going to be hard, but I will try my best.” She didn’t know how she was going to do it. She was feeling nervous, upset and sad all at the same time. It was a lot for anyone to contain. “I just hope they won’t make me be alone with him.”

“I don’t think they will.” Robert said as he slowed down for a changing light. “They are trying to avoid more violence. They council isn’t stupid. They know putting you two together alone would be a bad idea.”

“I just wish that there was someone else who could do this.” She wished that for two reasons. One was that she really didn’t want to. She was dreading this and was worried she was going to be sick. The other was that if she wasn’t being forced into this it would mean her father or brother were alive. And she missed them more than any words would say.

“We know sweetie” Her mother said as she squeezed her hand. “But you are stronger than you know. We will get through this.”

“Thank you.” CiCi said as she leaned back. She closed her eyes and sighed deeply. “Both of you. I don’t think I would  be able to do this alone.” 

“You know we will do whatever we can to be there for you CiCi.” Her mother said reassuringly. 

“But there might be a limit to what we can do.” Roberts interjected. It sounded like it hurt him to say it, but he needed to put in some logic into this conversation.  “The council might not let us go into the meeting with you.” This was new ground for all of them so he was trying to not make promises he couldn’t keep.  “But we will do what we can.” 

It wasn’t exactly what CiCi wanted to hear, but she knew it was the truth. As much as it kind of made her sad she appreciated the honesty. It was probably good preparation for having to hear what she considered bad news.

“How much longer until we are there?” She asked. She could have just picked up Robert’s phone and checked the GPS, but she hated the silence and she needed a way to break it.

“About an hour,” He answered as she shifted the car from one gear to the other. “It’s all a straight drive from here.”

“Is there anyway we could slow down?” CiCi asked. She was joking. Mostly. She didn't want to go there. But she also knew making them late wouldn’t help with anything.  

“No.” Robert answered with a defeated sigh, “Being late won’t do us any favors little alpha.” 

CiCi’s hand turned to face. She turned so fast she almost got whiplash. “What did you call me?” She knew what she heard, but she didn’t know why she heard it. And she didn’t think she wanted to hear it again.

“I called you little alpha…I am sorry Cecily.” He knew he had made a mistake, and now he felt really guilty. She was going through enough. She didn’t need this too.

“Please don’t.” Cecily knew there were a lot of members of her pack that her hoping she would step into that role. She was the last Swift and they had all pledged themselves to Alpha Swift. She didn’t want to disappoint them, but she know how it would  be possible. 

“Ok CiCi. It just slipped out. Don’t worry about it.” He knew that girl he loved like a niece was nervous. Calling her that wouldn’t help. Although he really was hoping that the council would put the pack in her hands. But he couldn’t say that. He needed to be quiet and just get her there. They’ll have to wait and see what happens.