Tyler (Garrett and Jarretts' younger brother) who was outside sees his Memaw leading a bunch of she-wolves outside the house. He grabs his video camera from his bag he always carries with him, and starts video taping it. He has no idea why he feels compelled to record this event, but he does.

"Meri, when we get to the entrance of the council. All the family who are not widows will enter and join their mates who should already be in their places if my mate did his job. We will not enter yet."

Laura says, "Memaw."

"Hush child. You will join your mate. The council and all who are here are about to see the greatest insult and learn the most valuable lesson." She then stops and the crowd parts. "All who are not widow leave now."  They follow Andrew Butler's directions. She notices there are about 70 she-wolves in the parade behind her. Andrea gets to the entrance and calls out,  "Who has dared insulted this transitional wolf has insulted all of wolves who have gone through transition. I call upon all wolves who have ever gone through transition to join me." She then turns and circles the outer edge of gathering. More wolves both he and she join at the end of the line as it passes them.

Meanwhile, the council looks at each other. Councilwoman Marcia says, "my grandmother once told me about this type of gathering of transitional." She then laughs, "Meri once again has caused a commotion and everyone here will learn a valuable lesson from it. Let us go and officially kick off the hearing. Then try to scold them for being late."

They walk to their seats and Marcia bangs her gavel.  "Today we had Alpha Garrett from Moon Valley Pack file a complaint on Beta Brad Gridlock of the Grassy Plains Pack for dishonorable behavior of a Beta. This behavior was toward Widow Meredith Timberwood currently Ewok Pack. Her mates were Betas Brent and Bryan Timberwood of Silver Beam Pack.

Will, Beta Brad  Gridlock please step foreword." He is dressed in his full Beta uniform and his alpha is standing beside him. "I understood your alpha  agreed to the punishment and now requesting it be reverse."

The alpha stepped forward, "my Beta is claiming an innocent misunderstanding and he is requesting his punishment be reversed. I am requesting a full investigation to hear both sides before sentence is finalized."

Then Councilwoman Marcia calls out, "where is Widow Timberwood? Do we need to hold her in contempt of court as a no show?"

Then a older she wolf walked to the front, "the only one who should have contempt is the Beta who made the false claims do this council for allowing it."

bang bang bang, "you are in contempt $100 find."

"As the oldest member of transitional widow group I will not listen to you until justice is declared for a she wolf who was out enjoying the day at the carnival with her pups, nephews and niece."

"$500"

If you are going to fine me then I will give you something to feel contempt for. She transforms into a large she-wolf. Her clothes were shredded. "Memaw Noooo." Shouted Garrett and his mom.

She stuck her tail into air. The she made a dump in the middle of the aisle. You hear combination of gasp, laughs and outrage. She then walks up to stand in front of the beta and transforms back to her human self. "That was for you. You look just like your grandfather, Calvin Strike and apparently act like him too. Next time you see your grandfather tell him about my gift."

She then turns toward the council and they lower their eyes out of respect not to look at her naked body. A Delta steps up and hands her a robe. Then councilwoman Marcia says, "It is one thing to show a protest, but what you did went to far. You will be placed in the pillory for 24 hours, assigned 100 hours of community service and fined $10,000. You will surrender yourself upon the closing of this council gathering."

"I will gladly take that punishment." She looks over and her pile of 💩 had been cleaned up. She walks down the aisle to where Meri is. She takes Meri hand and is followed up the aisle with 231 transitional wolves following up the aisle. She gets to the front and does a single howl. Then every wolf who has been a transitional wolf life did a howl. It was a low sounding whispery type howl paying tribute to the old.

"I feel there is an education that has been forgotten. Many of the wolves here went through transition with no ceremony. Many wolves seem to know about the colored collars and muzzles, but knows little or nothing about a wolf in mourning or transition. It is easier just to see if he or she will go crazy. If they go crazy label them rouge or kill them.

You seem to know about the widow wearing black for mourning. When the Moon Goddess deems a wolf ready she will send signals to the leaders to start preparing for it. Meri was lucky that many of us are hear to help her adapt to transition and it will cause her mark to fade faster. We will be here for her and keep her sane.

Some of you were whispering about her adding colors during mourning. Those that are around the wolf will start to see color auras. You start off with a black auras and those with the power to understand auras know the difference between black evil and black mourning. Then as they heal colors will be added. In Meredith's case the red to represent the warrior of her mate. Then also white is seen. It was a true love and she is healing from their loss and is ready to start opening up to a new rebirth of life. As time goes on. Some you see yellow or orange which means warmth is interning back into her life.  Then you see green and this stands for life and your ready to be born again.  You have blue which means you have completed the transition and are healed. You will remember your first mate or in Meredith case MATES. Your mind and heart are ready to accept  a  second chance mate.

I have just now decided what my community service project will be. I am going to travel to various packs and teach how to do transitional. Then those who never went through a transitional ceremony will be given one and taught to lead them.

As the oldest transitional  I will be Meredith's guide.  Please add two chairs. Meredith and I will sit here quietly until she can tell her account."

One of the council members stated, "I don't believe that. You seem to hang with a troublesome bitch."

Councilwoman Marcia, " you are a member of the council and I am charging you   $5000 for that contemptible remark. Since you cannot be non judge mental in this case you are excused from duty. Plus 100 hours of community service."  Then Marcia stands up. "Next one who makes a sound before being called up to speak will be hit with $1,000 fine and 50 hours of community work."

Two chairs are placed in front of the council to the left side and two chairs to the right side. "I first ask that our one of our new councilmen, Blayne be in charge of defense of Beta Brad Gridlock. You will be on the left side. Then our other councilmen, Thomas be in charge of offense of Widow Timberwood. You will be on the right side." They both move to their chairs.

"Will Beta Brad and Widow Timberwood step up and stand in front of their council." They both move to their spot. "Guards bring forth the grey collar of truth and place on both candidates."

Garrett jumps up and growls, "you insult the widow by making her wear a collar when she did no wrong?"

Elder Ezra roars our, "this is my daughter. Are you going to collar the pups too who witness what happened?"

Councilwoman bangs her gavel, "bailiff mark them down in contempt. Keep track of everyone who speaks out of turn. I will explain this one time. Anyone who comes before the council will have a collar of truth put on them.  This saves time in the long run. They give their testimony and before we go into recess we will remove the collar. This collar will inform us how much truth they said. If anyone speaks on one of their behalves they too will be collared" then the collars are placed on them."be seated.

"Beta Brad, you will give you account of what happened"

Beta Brad, "my friends and I were at the fair grounds ride when I caught a scent of a she-wolf.  I seen she was talking to a few male wolves. This caused my wolf to go crazy. She had a buggy with various babies in it.The two older ones were calling her mama. She hugged and kissed those males goodbye.  I then turned and left the area. Later, I ran into her again. She was laying on a blanket under a tree. Her shirt was partially unbuttoned.  I then noticed a faint smell of a wolf who had sex recently. My wolf went crazy. I never felt that way before. I could smell several male scents on her. My body responded to her siren type appeal. It was like she had placed a spell on me. I knew she wasn't my mate, but my wolf was ready to fuck her." He look at Meri.

"My friends could not smell what I smelled. They were gonna take off toward the fairgrounds and leave me to an afternoon of entertainment.  I figured she was one of those pack sluts who could send her scent toward those in power. We were told about that in health class." He smirks when he said that.

"Beta Brad, can you tell the council why was nothing said to your alpha at the time of the accusation," asked Councilman Blayne?

"When you have an angry and stronger Alpha threatening you and realize her dad and brother just joined the discussion.- you stay quiet. Plus someone whose scent you smell on what I now believe was a jezebel in front of me. I figured it was safer to keep quiet until I got my alpha alone."

"Do you still believe she is a jezebel?"

"No, and I figured the odd scent coming from her that caused my wolf to go crazy has to do with the transitional, but still don't know why it made my wolf go crazy. I do apologize to the widow and the Beta's Timberwood's family.

Councilman Thomas ask, "where did you hear about this Jezebel syndrome again?"

"I remembered it from health class. Once I was away from her I could think clearly."

"Did anyone suggest you use this line of defense? Did you think use your untrained being a young beta as an excuse for your behavior?"

He did not answer right away.

"I repeat did this line of defense get suggested to k?"

Beta snarls, "yes, I was sent a letter about this being the possible reason I behaved this way."

"Since Elder Andrea Butler brought it up was it your grandfather who suggested it?"

He snarls, "no."

Bang bang bang, "that hostile growl is $2500 charge. If any more such behavior I will add an extra time in the dungeon."

Thomas says, "who sent you that note."

"I don't know."

Councilman Thomas says, "Council, I feel he is lying and refuses to tell who sent the letter. I request a recess while the bailiffs run and get a copy of the video surveillance of this area.

Councilman Blayne replies, "I object to him  referring to Beta Brad as lying and fishing for proof by requesting videotape. Isn't that what the collar was for?"

Bang, bang, bang, "5 minute recess while we determine the objection for video tape."

Beta Brad smirks and says, "great job at blocking for me."

Thomas growls, "I am just doing my job even if I disagree with what I am suppose to do. So shut up and  sit there until the council ask you to talk."

A few minutes later,. Bang! "Council resumes.  The protest is legitimate, but who comes and goes is not privilege. Objection over ruled. Beta Brad you can answer the question or we have our tech suppose determine who it is."

"Fine," he snarls. "It was my cousin who brought the letter."

Councilman Blayne ask, "did everything you say earlier was it the truth? remember the color will tell us"

"Fine what was sworn our against me was true, but my cousin sent me a note telling me to do this defense."

Councilwoman Marcia calls out, "I am calling for a full investigation into Beta Brad trying to manipulate the system.  He will be held into contempt for lying to the council. You will be assigned 200 additional hours of community service. You will be charged $500 for every percent you are below 100% truth. I call  upon 3 alphas who is not part of this case to step foreword." Four steps foreword, "we will use all 4 of you. Two of you hold the beta in place while the collar is  removed. Then all 5 of you look at the number inside. When the Bailiff fed indicates you all call out the number."

Two alphas grab him and they all look at the collar when the Bailiff holds it up for them to see. He said,"now" they all shout out 23%.

"You will owe $11,500 in fines. You also will get an additional 7 whips. You 4 alpha attach him to the whipping post and then return to your seats." They do as requested.

"I call forth the following Alphas: Ezra, Issac, Jacob, Conrad, Bartholomew, Garrick and Beta Brent." They step foreword.  "On the table I have had various whips. When your name is called you can choose your whip you wish to use." They walk and form a line.

"I call forth Elder Andrea and Elder Brendon to stand with the widow during  this time." These two walk up and stand by her.

Meri said, "Councilwoman Marcia can Elder Donna and Elder Emily please join us up here?" Marcia nods her consent and the two she-wolves join her. They each take her hands.

Then Elder Brendon looks toward Elder Brent, "I seek permission to hold your mate's hand to giver her support as you are taking part in the punishment." He nods permission. "Then he turns toward Elder Ezra and says, "I also seek permission for my mate to hold your mate's hand to give support." He nods his consent. "Since many of you represent the widow I seek permission for my mate and I to touch Meredith." They all give permission.

Councilwoman Marcia steps forward, "The punishment that the council has decided to issue is..."

A she-wolf yells, "STOP." She comes marching in and is wearing a wedding dress that she has ripped apart. "You, Beta Brendon have lied to me. You were my mate. You were suppose to be true to me, but you try to assault the widow of the Beta from my pack. Then you lie to me about it. I, Bambi reject you Brad as my mate."

Brad snarls and snaps at her, "I Beta Brad refuse your rejection. I invoke the ancient law that says no man can come between him and his mate when dishing out punishment not even an Alpha. Your punishment for trying to humiliate me with a public rejections will be," he sneers at her, "to drop to your knees and publicly suck my dick. Then have me take you wolf style in front of all as my mate effective immediately."

Gasp are heard from the crowd and council. They knew they could not interfere with that ancient law since it had not ever been reverse. Bambi tries to fight the command, but cannot.  She drops to her knees. Next thing she knows Brad is knocked out and the only reason he is not  on the ground is the chains that are holding him up.  Meri walks over to the table and grabs a collar off the table. She then hands it to Bambi. "The ancient wolves were very chauvinistic they never considered a woman could be an ALPHA. Even though I chose not to lead a pack, I still carry the rank of Alpha.  The ancient law said no male, but nothing about a female interfering. Now place the royal blue collar on him before he wakes up. This color represents heart ache.  He has caused heart ache toward his mate. He will wear this collar and no longer have mate control over her. He will not be able to remove this collar until he makes restitution to his ex-mate.

LET THIS BE WARNING TO ALL- AS A SHE-WOLF ALPHA I PLACE A HOLD ON ALL ANCIENT LAWS BEING USED UNTIL SAID ANCIENT LAW HAS COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL TO BE REVIEWED. I NEED 4 NON FAMILY MEMBERS TO AGREE TO THIS REQUEST TO MAKE IT A TEMPORARY AMENDMENT UNTIL COUNCIL CAN REVIEW IT. They have 30 days to decide." There were several Alphas who called out their name and pack.   She turns toward Bambi and says, "we may have had differences in the past, but you are still part of my past pack.  How about tonight at the bonfire we officially burn this dress. As a mate who was officially wronged you can add a public punishment.

Bambi replies, "I ask the whips be dipped in wolfsbane so he cannot use his werewolf healing ability."

She turns to the council and says, "I am sorry for interrupting this gathering. Let me know how much I owe for being in contempt, but I need to leave. I still feel the bond heartache and cannot stay to watch his punishment."

Councilwoman Marcia replies, "do to circumstances I pardon you from your outburst. Now go."

Bambi turns and runs way in tears.  Meri runs to Garrick's arms for comfort. He holds her while she cries. When she calms down  she turns and joins the four whom she was assigned to stand with.

"I am going to declare his punishment. Wake him up," and a bucket of water is thrown on him. He growls and looks around. He notices his mate is not there and before he can say anything, "Do not say another word. Beta Brad has been declared guilty of his crimes.

1.) As declared by Alpha Meri and Delta Bambi- Beta Brad has been collared with Royal Blue. He has intentionally caused heartache to his mate and refuses her rejection. She has collared him and until he makes restitution plus publicly   accepts   her rejection he will not be able to remove it.

2.) The council has based on Elder Beta recommendation have added two more colored collars. The second color he will wear is red collar stays on until true remorse is shown for his poor judgement.

3.) The third collar is a yellow color. It has a negative connotations of cowardice and/or dishonor which you would wear until you redeem your honor back. Basically means you will be ostracized by current betas.

4.) Beta Brad's alpha agreed to a double whip to represent the widow's two- mates. There was the widow and 6 pups there at the time who were innocent. It was decided it would be 14 whips all together.

5.) However,the council cannot let it go that he lied to us, he delayed the trial and he caused multiple problems with today's hearings. We are adding whips. We are adding another 7 whippings for lying, delaying and contempt charges. Which is 21 whips.

6.) Alpha Garrick-you filed the initial charge and he labeled you a liar- we are going to let you choose one punishment for him.

7.) Delta Bambi has requested as a mate who was done wrong by him that part of his punishment be that before each alpha whips him that the whips are dipped in wolvesbane. This means that the wounds will not heal.  But feel he should get extra whips for that which we will have be 7. This should be a total of 42 whips.

8.) Bailiff figure out the fine that he owes. His pack will pay the fines then leave this area. They can be sure he pays them back. He also is stripped of his beta rank and is an omega until he has had every color fallen off. The collars are magically enhanced and cannot fall off until he has met the goals each represent. He then can move up to Delta but never wear a leadership rank again.

9.) Bailiff figure  out how many community service hours he earned. Double it to represent the twin mates. Place a brown color on him. That collar cannot come off until all CS has been served.

Commence punishment now"