“Not true.” Gerald cleared his throat, the sharp eyes of the fox full of speculation when they fell on Larsen. “When the town was created, our forefathers drafted a rough constitution. Cougar Falls is a living testament to who and what we are, and it protects Shifters as a matter of course. But should any member, and specifically a citizen with clan leader status, bring harm and discontent to his or her people, this law was put in place to disabuse such injustice. Plus, it prevents a lot of unnecessary bloodshed.”
“I don’t know about unnecessary,” Micah said in a loud voice, earning him major points with Cullen.
“Calm down, Micah,” Gerald said. “We’re here to determine if there’s any basis to what Sarah and the Whitefeathers are accusing.”
“There sure as hell is.” Cullen shook off his brother’s arm and approached his family. “I witnessed five raptors challengingoneto an illegal duel. Jenny Larsen led the pack and would have killed Sarah had I not intervened.”
The noise level in the crowd swelled. Around them, more and more raptors entered the hall, until it was standing room only around the panel of accusers and accused.
“Everyone, shut the hell up!” Grady roared, then sat back in his chair. “So help me, the next bird who squawks out of order is going to be lunch.”
You could hear a pin drop in the hall.
“Well said, cat.” Stovall grinned, showing bright white fangs.
Linda rolled her eyes. “We’re all predators here, gentlemen. So if we could get on with the proceedings? Cullen Whitefeather, you have something to add?”
Cullen quickly explained what he’d seen, and how much damage Sarah had taken.
“Sarah, come here.” Linda motioned for Sarah to approach.
Sarah walked around to the back of the dais, and the clan representatives left their seats to gather around her.
“Do I have to?” Sarah asked in a soft voice, one he was attuned to hearing.
“I’m sorry, dear. It’s necessary,” Linda answered.
Cullen suddenly understood why she hesitated.
“Show them,” he encouraged, pleased when she peeked over Linda’s shoulder at him and scowled.
After a moment, the clan reps dispersed, and Sarah returned to her position within the Whitefeather fold. Cullen moved to stand protectively between her and the Larsens.
“There’s another scar along my sternum,” Sarah informed them.
“After a week, it’s yet to heal. That was some fight.” Farley surprised them all by glaring at the Larsen group. “You know the rules were put in place to keep us from killing ourselves as a whole. Hell, Jenny. You want to take on Sarah, why not challenge her full-on, the legal way?”
“Because she didn’t want my name linked with hers,” Sarah answered. “The reason Jenny and her idiot friends came after me had to do with her unfaithful mate. Dennis Larsen cheats on her as much as Will Shaw cheats on his own wife. Both men are in complete violation of the raptor code of conduct.”
Farley sputtered. “That’s just rumors, Sarah. You of all people know not to listen to those.”
“Come off it, Farley, even I’ve seen Larsen getting it on outside of town,” Grady said with a huff. “I thought you raptors mate for life?”
“We do.” Farley suddenly took on the full force of his animal spirit. The older man’s rage was clear, much to Cullen’s surprise. He hadn’t thought Farley would separate from Larsen, but then, how much did he really know about these people? He looked at the Mike Shaws and Rob Jenkins types and made assumptions, just as the clan had made incorrect assumptions about Sarah.
“I think we have enough to merit an investigation into the events here, at least into Dennis Larsen’s ability to lead by raptor standards,” Farley announced.
“Then you’d better call Will Shaw into question as well.” Gerald sighed. “I’ve seen him with several different women in what you could say compromising positions. Which also calls into question his version of events as it led to Sarah’s near-expulsion from your clan years ago.” Gerald faced Sarah. “You have Linda and a few others to thank for sticking up for you. My father once told me that Larsen, Shaw and a few others were ready to string you up by your toes.”
“Funny how the men in our clan can get away with anything,” Sarah spat and turned to face the clan as a whole. “I can’t believe you people. You made my life hell, had the gall to try to attack me en masse, and the most you all can do is startan inquiryinto this mess?” She turned to glare at the panel.
“Raptor politics, sorry,” Grady said. “Now if you were cats, we’d settle this with a battle to the death.”
“That’s a fine idea,” Cullen growled, stepping toward Dennis Larsen. “I challenge—”
“The hell you do.” Cullen’s mother elbowed him hard in the gut. “This isn’t your fight right now.”
“I challenge Jenny Larsen to a fight,” Sarah yelled, overriding Cullen’s complaints. “Winner lives, loser either dies or leaves town, along with her entire family.”
