When we were in Denmark, we had our team meeting once every week. We've not had any meetings ever since we returned to America and it was mainly because of Eric's unconsciousness. I don't think there will ever be a team or team meeting without him in it.
The points for discussion of our first team meeting in Silver Moon pack are mainly based on Ella. Not because we already had the plan to discuss her because of her crying episode earlier today, no! It was because the points for discussion had been accumulating ever since we started living in the Silver-moon pack
I was not surprised when I heard Eric officially made her his assistant. They are always working together after all. The two of them work well with each other. Eric usually reads out the content of what we call 'the agenda box' but since Ella is now his assistant, the responsibility falls on her today.
(The agenda box is where every member of the team drops a paper that contains the written point of what they would like to see being discussed in the meeting.
She opens the box and picks the first paper and reads...
• "We need to address and set a punishment for Ella's annoying habit of always questioning a direct order instead of quickly obeying them.
This one is signed by the Beta" She says when she is done reading, drops the paper, and picks another one from the box.
• "Discuss Ella's blatant objection to her Alpha taking a concubine, like she had the right to. Discuss her punishment for being so disrespectful... This one was signed by the General"
She says with a blush, stealing glances toward where Ivar is sitting
"Oh god, not again!" She murmured under her breath after opening the third paper she picks
• "Discuss Ella's open disobedience toward her superiors in the team.
This is not signed but the handwriting belongs to Henrik." She says and I can't help but chuckle. Ella is crazy. I bet she's sending a message to Henrik, 'I know you wrote this even if you didn't sign it.'
'Henrik, you signed your point anonymously and she still found out. Isn't that crazy?' I say through the mind link that I excluded her and Thomas from
'Very crazy!...' Henrik replies
Eric chuckles
'Oh, boy!... I guess I'm in trouble then' Ivar says
We got to understand the kind of trouble he is in when Ella read the next point for discussion
• "Discuss Ella's avoidance of handling silver and how the team can help her deal with it... This is also not signed."
She didn't say if she recognized the person's handwriting. She just shoots a deadly glare toward where Ivar is sitting before she picks another folded paper from the box to read
'she's going to kill you alright' I say and when I see the look in her eyes
'yeah, guess who's sleeping in the living room tonight?' Henrik says in his usual matter of factly manner and we all laugh
• "Ella is sometimes too emotional for a warrior. Isn't there a way we can help her become stronger?..." This one has Bear's name signed on it." She says
"My name is signed on it?" Bear asks in disbelief
"No, you didn't actually sign it. I recognize your handwriting. I recognize the handwriting of everyone in this room." She simply says as she puts the paper aside, reaching inside the box for another envelope
"This is the last one." She says as she opens it... "Finally, something that didn't have my name written on it." She said under her breath before reading
• "Discuss Thomas' negligence of withholding vital information about the Alpha's impeachment from the team. This one was also signed by the Beta"
I look at Eric with surprise before directing my gaze toward Thomas who is now standing with his head bowed
"We're going to discuss the last point first. Eric, you wrote and signed that?" I ask in disbelief since I find it hard to believe he would hide such important information from me and even allow the said person to continue with the team despite the gravity of what he did.
"What vital information did he withhold from the team?" I ask again
"He said he went to the general store and heard people discussing you being impeached and didn't think it was necessary to share the information with any of us because he stupidly thought it was just a rumor," Eric replies.
"I would have informed you about it but it slips my mind. I'm sorry It was a very busy time for us and I had a lot to deal with."
"Yeah, I understand," I say with a nod
I guess the matter conveniently skipped his mind because it wasn't that important anyway but we can't allow Thomas to know that, otherwise, he will conveniently make the same mistake which might turn out to be a grave one
"Sit down Ella! I'll come back to you later." I say with my eyes hard on Thomas.
"On your knees!" I command and he immediately falls to his knees
"No information is considered useless. Every piece of information is important. We always say at the end of every team meeting, yet you heard something that none of us knew about and you decided to keep it to yourself!?" I say
"I am sorry General. I apologize for my negligence. No amount of explanation will excuse my negligence and carelessness. I was foolish and I'm ready to accept whatever punishment the team decides on. Just, please, don't send me away from the team.
I have come to see you all as my family and it was an honor and a great privilege for my parents and me when I was chosen among many to be a member of this family. It would bring a great disgrace to me and them if I was sent out or demoted back to where I was before. It will kill my mother. Please, General..."
He says with tears before turning to Eric
"Please Beta!... Please! Temper justice with mercy..."
"What a great speech you've given. I'll have you know that..."
"It wasn't just a speech..."
Henrik gets up and kicks him hard to the floor before he can finish his sentence.
"You bastard! Your fighting skills were not the only reason you were admitted into this family, where are your manners? You're so mannerless you don't know you can never interrupt your Alpha whilst he's speaking. Clearly, you have a lot to learn."
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry..." He starts to say again, but this time Bear shuts him up.
"Shut the fuck up right now and listen to what the Alpha has to say! Nobody here cares about your stupid apology and certainly not about the disgrace your action will bring to your parents, you should have known better. So learn, unlearn, and accept your punishment like a man!" His voice booms so loud it feels like thunder. We all look at Bear with surprise as he isn't the type to raise his voice at people
"Look up!" I command and he immediately goes back to his kneeling position.
"You said to temper justice with mercy... I agree with you on that but sadly for you, I'm of the opinion that justice should not be substituted for mercy.