203 Lucas: Council (II)
"We need a show of force," I say, meeting each alpha''s gaze in turn. "A coordinated effort to secure our borders and protect our people. Every pack needs to increase patrols, double up on security. We need our best trackers on the ground, searching for any signs of vampire activity. We need to know which cities to keep an eye on. We need to find out who''s involved. And we need to know where to defend."
I turn to Alpha Talon, holding his stare. "Whispering Pines will be the first to fall if ckwood does. It''s in your best interest to help us hold our line. If you can send more scouts, more enforcers, it would go a long way in establishing a solid defensive wall against their efforts."
He scoffs, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed over his chest. "And what do you expect us to do? Abandon our own territory to y guard dog for you?"
It''s hard to bite back the retort on the tip of my tongue. "No. But we need your cooperation and your vignce."
There aren''t enough warriors to be counted on in the ckwood territory. Westwood is already spread thin to cover both packs, and too many untrusted ckwood wolves remain. We''re going to have to do something about that, too.
Alpha Twilight Ridge clears her throat, drawing my attention. "And what of Twilight Ridge? What would you have us do?"
"We need your scouts," I say inly. "Your pack is known for
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knowing your enemy Your scous fare more expetere than any then he ass. We test semasance. Menee ko
what they''re nning With Westovi and Bacorood under úviors survence, we need some une else to break our
valemate Weve been made therapist an eligence system in
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The tods slowly considering Andin er? What do we get for putting our necks on the line?
I resist the urge to growl Always a bargain with these old wolves. Always looking out for their own interests above all else.
"The safety of your pack I say struggling to keep my voice even. "The knowledge that you''re doing your part to protect our way of life. In''t that enough?"
She arches a brow, a faint smirk ying at theers of her mouth. "Pretty words, Alpha Westwood. But we both know that''s not how this works."
the
I take another breath, forcing myself to think past the anger, frustration. "An alliance, then. A promise of aid if Twilight Ridge ever finds itself in need. My word as an alpha that Westwood will stand with you." She holds my gaze for a long moment, but doesn''t respond.
A silent veto.
"What of Aspen?" I ask, turning to yton. "Can we count on your support?"
He nods without hesitation. "Of course. Aspen stands with Westwood, as always"
2018 Lucas Coun
Gratitude helps ease the frustration within me. Despite his feelings for Ava, yton has stepped forward as an alpha-a Council member-should. He''s helped more than strictly necessary.
IfI didn''t want to punch him in the face every time I think of him and Ava together...
But even those thoughts are distant these days, crushed between the mountain of stress that ckwood and their vampire friends have brought to my door.
"Then let''s put it to a vote," Xavier says, his deep voice cutting through the tension. "All in favor of Alpha Westwood''s proposal?"
yton''s hand shoots up immediately, followed by my own. Xavier raises his a momentter, his expression grim, and my heart jumps. Finally, Progress.
But Alpha Talon and Alpha Twilight Ridge remain still, their arms crossed over their chests.
"All opposed?" Xavier asks, a note of resignation in his voice.
Two hands raise, slow and deliberate.N?velDrama.Org content rights.
"The motion is carried." yton says, a note of triumph in his voice. "We move forward with Alpha Westwood''s n."
But Alpha Talon shakes his head, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Not so fast. You''re forgetting the ckwood vote."
I stare at him, incredulous. "What ckwood vote? ckwood is
gone. Westwood controls their territory now."
He shrugs, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the table. "Maybe
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203 Lucas: Council (11)
1. so. But their vote still stands. And I say it sides with me and Alpha Twilight Ridge.
I''m on my feet before I realize it, my chair ttering to the floor behind me. My wordse out more growl than English. "You can''t just im their vote for your own." But he just smirks, unfazed by my outburst, his eyes ring yellow for just a moment. "Can''t I? Seems to me like the ckwood vote is up for grabs. And I''m grabbing it." yton stands as well, his jaw clenched tight. "That''s not how this works. The ckwood vote goes with the majority. You can''t just choose it arbitrarily." Alpha Talon spreads his hands, a picture of innocence. "Who''s to say it''s arbitrary? Maybe I have inside information. Maybe I know something you don''t."
I can feel my control slipping, my wolf wing at the edges of my mind, desperate to break free. This is insanity. Pure, unadulterated insanity.
The Council''s going to fall, because I''m going to kill this
motherfucker with my bare hands.
"This is absurd," I snarl, my hands curling into fists at my sides. "The
ckwood vote is irrelevant."
But even as I say it, I can see the satisfaction in his eyes, the smug curl of his lip. It doesn''t matter what I think; he''s just here for the power y. Posturing Neutral party? Fuck neutrality. He''s nothing more than a snake. Just like ckwood, only his real self had hidden in in sight,
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203 Lucas Council (0)
overshadowed by ckwood''s antics.
"Enough, Xavier says, his voice cutting through the chaos like a knife. "This bickering solves nothing. The ckwood vote is null and void. We move forward with the original tally." Alpha Talon opens his mouth to protest, but Xavier silences him with a re. "I said enough. The decision is made. Westwood has the majority. We will lend our support, as agreed." Alpha Twilight Ridge nods, and Alpha Talon grimaces. "Fine."
I let out a breath, my shoulders sagging with relief. It''s not a perfect solution, not by a long shot. But it''s something. A step in the right direction.
And right now, that''s all I can ask for.
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