Free Only Witness, The by Shannon Flagg

through the crowd. “To mark this occasion, we will join not only in spirit but in flesh. Piper, come forward and join us.”
                  Deacon felt something inside of him clench tightly. In his anger over The Grievers being here and now welcomed into the fold, he'd forgotten about Piper. Forgotten to wonder why The Old Man wanted her here.
                  Deacon watched as Piper walked forward. Her expression was unreadable, but if he knew her at all he knew she was scared. He was also scared for her because now he was sure he knew who would be joining in flesh to celebrate the new union.
                  “My child,” The Old Man reached out and touched Piper's face as she came to a stop in front of him. Even from the distance Deacon could see how tense she was. “Now that you are home, where you belong, it is time for you to take your rightful position within the pack. It is my honor to present your future husband.”
                  There was a collective intake of breath through the entire pack. Piper was the only one who remained silent, and Deacon was sure that she was in shock. Even he hadn't seen this coming, truly he'd thought that The Old Man was giving her to Josiah as a physical reward for joining the pack.
                  “I understand that this is sudden and unexpected,” Josiah moved forward, held him hand out to Piper. “It must be a shock to hear that...”
                  “A shock?” She didn't manage to bite back a laugh as she interrupted him. “A shock is walking in on your parents fucking. This is...”
                  “Watch your mouth.” The Old Man snarled and stepped forward, his hand ready to take a blow at Piper, claws and all. Deacon braced himself. If he raised a hand to Piper there would be no course of action but a challenge.
                  “Ezekial, please.” Josiah held up a hand, moved between father and daughter. “It's not unexpected that Piper wouldn't throw herself at my feet. You were the only one who believed that it would actually happen.”
                  “Let me be very clear, this wedding is happening. Josiah will be paired with you, a female worthy of him. I will have you bound and brought to the altar if necessary; however, if you make me take that step, I will see you punished for it.”
                  The threat hung heavily in the air. The Old Man's favored method of punishment was simple yet brutal, whippings carried out in front of a crowd to act as a reminder of consequences. Deacon took a deep breath, tried to clear his mind.
                  “Wait,” his sister's voice called out before Deacon could center himself and act. “I willingly, without hesitation, offer myself in Piper's place. You speak the truth, Leader, our numbers grow fewer and fewer. We must work together to remedy that.”
                  “Adelaide,” Deacon spoke up because he couldn't just stay quiet any longer. He certainly couldn't stand there and let her do what she was trying to do, especially with the way that Josiah was looking at her and the way she was looking at him.
                  “This is my offer to make, Deacon. I'm assuming of course that I will appeal to Josiah and that our Leader will give us his blessing.”
                  “Do not doubt your appeal to me,” Josiah moved to where Adelaide stood. “Leader, do you have any objection?”
                  “It is agreeable to me,” The Old Man spoke, and his voice filled the air, carried through the clearing. “Caro! Amanda and Piper, prepare your sister to be married.”
                  Deacon felt a vein begin to pulse in his temple. Either his head was literally going to explode or he was going to have a stroke. He opened his mouth to speak, but once again his sister beat him to the punch. “No, I mean