Unfortunately it was a few days later, and not a few hours, that saw Sophie once again follow Zack to the pack meeting at the community hall. The two alphas from the council had decided to begin interviewing pack members, and so had not left pack grounds for days. And because Zack felt the pack meeting should be conducted with only pack members in attendance, it meant that it had to be delayed. Sophie was not happy with the delay but ultimately she understood why Zack wanted to keep it away from the councils attention.

The delay had also meant that she and Zack had been together almost constantly for the last three days. They had talked and argued, laughed and cried (her doing the crying) together and just gotten to know each other. And she was amazed to discover she actually liked her mate.

He had a sharp sense of humour and a dry wit that she loved. He had told her stories from his childhood that had tears of laughter streaming from her eyes. She had told him about her parents and her idyllic childhood, before their death. And she discovered that they had a lot of likes and dislikes in common. If not for their tragic beginnings, they could have had the perfect mating.

She strode confidentiality alongside her mate as they entered through the large open doors, she found that this time there were no nerves as she looked over the assembled pack. Only determination.

The pack had already gathered and the noise was profound as curious pack members speculated on the purpose of the hastily called, then postponed meeting. When the first person saw us enter, word spread quickly and the noise soon quietened till an uneasy silence prevailed. As we stepped up on to the dais, together this time, Zack stepped up to the front and slowly looked out over his assembled pack.

Sophie could see the determined set of Zack's spine and shoulders as he looked out over his pack and a feeling of pride in him crept over her. In one way she was proud that he was finally taking a stand against those members who were just bullies. But she couldn't help the feeling of disappointment and even despair that it had taken this long for these changes to happen. But she knew he was now trying to do the right thing.

The saying "better late than never" came to mind, but was quickly dismissed. Sometimes it is just too late. She hoped this wasn't one of those times.

Sophie turned her attention back to Zack as he addressed the assembled pack.

"Good evening everyone. Thank you all for coming here tonight. I'm sure you all are wondering why I have called this meeting, well I won't keep you all waiting." Zack paused, looking at Sophie.

"I stand here before you today and I am ashamed!" He proclaimed. Gasps and murmurings came from the pack. Zack held his hands up silently asking for quiet. When there was silence once again, he continued.

"Yes ashamed. I am deeply ashamed of both myself and of certain members of my own pack." More gasps and muttering. "When I think back to when I was a young pup, I was so proud to be a member of this pack and proud to be the Alpha heir. I had what most, even humans, would call a perfect "childhood". But what I didn't know then was that it was all an illusion. What I didn't see when I was young was the darker side of pack life, because it didn't effect me, I could not see it."

He shook his head sadly. "And when I did begin to see something wrong......I did nothing. When I took over as Alpha I told myself I would change things. I would make pack life fairer for all. I vowed to protect the weak and stand beside the strong in defence of my pack. When I took the alpha vow I wholeheartedly meant every word. I had saw what had happened to my own mate, under all our noses and I told myself that I would make sure nothing like that would ever happen to a member of my pack again. But I failed."

Zack hung his head before slowly bringing it up again to look out at the many shocked faces. "To my shame I told myself that I could only do one thing at a time. I was faced with so much opposition from certain pack members that I told myself it was better to fight the fights I knew I could win, before moving onto issues that were more......controversial. That was wrong!"

"Even after knowing what had happened to my own mate I still did not do enough to protect the weaker members of this pack. The other day it was brought to my attention that some members of this pack are subjected to a wide range of abuses, from verbal to physical. I can not tell you how ashamed and devastated I am with myself. It should not have taken my mate to almost hit me over the head with this for me to have seen it. I knew, like all packs, we have our problems but I did not realise just how bad it was. And that is on me!" He sighed loudly.

"I have failed you all! But especially those who I have failed to protect." Zack squared his shoulders, and drew his head up. "Because of these failures I am prepared to step down as Alpha!"

The noise was instantaneous. Loud protests, calls for him to stay, tears, could be heard from all over the large room. And from a corner.....agreement.

Zack once again called for quiet and although it took longer this time there was silence once again. "I have decided to put it to a vote. You all get a say in whether I remain as Alpha or step down. No ones opinion is worth more or less than another's. My beta's are making their way through you all with paper and pencils. On it all I want to to write is stay or go. When you have all voted five of you will be selected at random and be tasked with counting the votes. And I will abide by your decision." He paused once again, seeming to gather himself before once again addressing the pack.

"I promise you all this. If you choose to keep my as your alpha I will not make the same mistakes again." Hs voice rose, passion and determination ringing clear. "No longer will any of you live in fear. No longer will you feel as if your voice goes unheard. No longer will abuse of any description, be it verbal or physical, go unpunished. No matter who the perpetrator, they will be punished harshly and swiftly. There will be no second chances! Depending on the severity of the crime, punishment will range from demotion within the pack ranks, either permanently or short term to complete banishment from the pack and pack lands."

Zack paused, looking once again sad. "I love my parents very much, but they made mistakes. And to my eternal shame I continued to make those mistakes myself. Their old fashioned views on pack hierarchy shaped my own. I can see now how wrong that was. I can only apologise to you all and promise if you want me to remain as your Alpha I will do better."

Zack turned back and looked at his mate. "And to you, my brave beautiful mate. To you I owe the biggest apology. Here in front of you all I want to tell you how profoundly sorry I am for all the wrongs you have suffered at the hands of the people in this pack, who were supposed to love and care for you when you were most vulnerable. And I will, every day, for the rest of my life strive to earn your forgiveness for my part in your suffering."

Sophie could see he meant every word, and a small part of her heart cracked and thawed. She could feel the tendrils of the mate bond twining a little tighter and growing a bit thicker. And it broke her heart all over again. The secrets she knew he still kept would always be between them, and she could not see how that was ever going to change as long as he was protecting his parents.

The noise levels climbed as Zack's betas made their way among the pack handing out paper and pencils and after a surprisingly short period of time the five pack members, comprising two elders, the pack healer Rose, a young submissive female and Ron Stevens friend Walter where sitting at a table in the corner counting the votes cast.

Sophie could see that one pile was notably bigger than the other. A shiver worked its way down her spine as she wondered for the first time what would happen if Zack lost the vote. Who would take over as Alpha? That question worried her more than she cared to admit.

After another ten minutes or so one of the pack elders who had been tasked with counting the voted approached the stage and stepped up next to Zack, who it seemed had barely moved a muscle since the voting began. "Alpha, if it is agreeable I will announce the results?"

Zack stepped back, waving the elder wolf towards the front of the small stage. "Please do Elder Theo."

Elder Theo cleared his throat and in a clear strong voice addressed the pack. "The decision by our Alpha to give us a say in the leadership of the pack was a very unusual step. I can not, in my many years on this earth, ever remember hearing or seeing a similar situation and for that alone Alpha you have my unwavering support." He turned and gave Zack a small respectful bow of his head. "The result of the vote is as follows. Votes in favour of Zack stepping down as alpha......twelve. Votes in favour of him remaining as our alpha two hundred and fifty five, no abstains." He turned and addressed Zack directly. "Alpha it is my honour to read these results. And if I could just say, that I am so disappointed that it was not a unanimous vote. Those who voted against you," he turned and looked at the corner in which Zack's fathers inner circle stood a look of disgust clear on his face, "and I'm sure we all know who that is, shame on you! I have seen many alphas come and go over the years and I have yet to meet one as fair and unselfish as you. Yes you have made mistakes, but tell me an Alpha who hasn't made mistakes. It is a testament to your character that you can admit these mistakes and takes steps to correct them and to do better. I pledge my support and help in any way you need."

As Elder Theo moved off the stage a resounding cheer rand out, echoing through the room. Voices raised in congratulations and more pledges of support.

Sophie saw Zack swallow, and on closer inspection, the shimmer of moisture glittering in his eyes. She knew she was the only one close enough to see this and was surprising moved by the display. Zack stepped up to the front of the stage again, clearing his throat roughly. "Thank you all for your support and for giving me a second chance. I say again to you all, I will do better. My door is always open to any of you who wish to speak to me. And know that anything you tell me will be kept in the strictest of confidence. Thank you all!"

Zack turned, took Sophie's hand in a tight grip and led her through the throngs of pack members who all vied to touch a small part of their Alpha as he made his way to the door. Once outside he let out a breath and the tension seemed to seep from his bones. He turned and said quietly. "Now for the hardest part, now it's time to bring the young home. Once we do that we can concentrate on us."

Sophie looked at her mate. Pride in him warred with old conflicts. It was going to be a long road and she only hoped it turned out the way he hoped. She wished she could be sure that it actually would.

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