Chapter 9
FLINT
I have as much information as I can get from Gerry, so now I have to speak with the other council members. We have traveled back quickly to be able to speak face-to-face with the other council members.
We have to get these pack members back, and Alpha Aurora along with them. If they also have an Alpha, then they are collecting strong shifters, and think they have bargaining tools.
Walking into my office, I make the call to Ulmer Oakfold to call a meeting. “We need a special meeting, and we need it today.”
“Okay, I’ll make it happen. Anything I need to know prior to the meeting?” Ulmer asks.
“The meeting is about Alpha Aurora, the Blood Pearl Pack, and the rogues in no-man’s-land.”
“I’ll get the meeting set for 3:00 pm. I’ll have to push that I’m the second in command of the council because we both know Eve is going to cause trouble when she knows it’s about Aurora.”
“Yeah, and if she does she’s going to get more than she bargained for, because I’m sick of her attitude toward what is a very capable Alpha. Her being female should not make a difference to how we treat her, or her pack,” I snarl. I’m not snarling at Ulmer, I’m snarling at the situation.
“I will get it organized, and we’ll be in the conference room on time.” Ulmer closes the call, and I take a seat behind my desk, wondering how we are going to get them all out safely.
Mind-linking Gerry to come to the office, I wait for him to enter. Resting back in my seat, I think about the times I’ve been in Aurora’s company. She is a strong, capable she-wolf, with a massive amount of care for her pack. The Blood Pearl Pack could not be in better hands and I intend to get her out of no-man’s-land if I possibly can.
Knocking on the door has me call, ‘Come in.’
Gerry steps inside, and I point to the chair in front of my desk for him to take a seat. “I’ve called a meeting with the other council members for this afternoon. I need you to have all the relevant information that we can get. I know you wanted to stay with Warrior Roul, but you are needed here. You have more experience than all our other warriors, and you also know how to deal with the council.”
“I think we are going to have a problem with Eve Planter. She’ll use this to stop us from helping Alpha Aurora.”
“I agree, Gerry. She may find herself in hot water if she stops us from being able to help an alpha in distress.” I rub my hand across my face, feeling as though I need a week's worth of sleep. This issue with the rogues has gone on long enough, and I think we are heading for a war with them, wiping out all that won’t bow down and submit.
After a very late lunch, I freshen up, then quickly make my way to the conference room. I’m sure the other council members will be there, ready for what I have to discuss with them. There are eight of us now, as Holah Hardmain and Anika Greenstorm are both deceased.
Walking to the head of the conference table, I take my seat before giving each of the members a slight nod of the head. “I’ve called the meeting today to discuss an urgent matter that has come to my attention.” Taking a deep breath and knowing I have everyone’s attention, I continue, “Alpha Aurora and ten of her pack members are hostages of the rogues in no-man’s-land.”
“Oh, my, that is distressing.” Cinder Walker quickly states and has her hand on her chest, showing all of us why she was such a caring Luna of the Spirit Walker Pack. Her mate, Roman Walker, takes her hand into his and rubs his thumb gently over her knuckles to still her distress.
“What happened?” Merry asks. Now, Merry came to us from the Blackshadow Pack, and has been a great addition to the council. She also is not afraid of Eve, and not worried about confronting her either.
“Trust her to get into trouble, and dragging her members along with her,” Eve states sarcastically, rolling her eyes and with a sneer on her lips.
“You don’t know what has happened as yet, Eve. Yet, you have shown your worth as a council member already, and I’ll say not a good show either.” Staring at her, I let her know I’m not impressed with her behavior or comment.
Sniffing, Eve quietens, but we can all see she is not going to be on the side of Aurora, no matter what the issue may be.
“Warrior Gerry has the floor. He will update you on what he knows, and what he advises the council to do about the information he has.” I sit with my elbows on the table and hands clasped before turning my head slightly to watch Gerry speak.
“Good afternoon, honorable council members. I was called by Councilman Flint to assist Alpha Aurora on a mission to find missing pack members. Members that have been held hostage by a rogue, who has called himself Alpha, creating a pack with the rogues in no-man’s-land.” Gerry begins to tell the story.
My eyes, however, are now on Eve, who is sitting at the conference table as though we have formed a knitting circle. It is coming to a time where something has to be done, and will be done about her attitude and her standing.
“I think the rogue alpha will try to force Alpha Aurora into being a chosen mate. She’ll be pushed into a no-win situation because we all know she’ll do whatever is required to save her pack.” Warrior Gerry finishes speaking, and relaxes somewhat in his seat.
“We need to look at all areas of the camp on our map. See if we can devise some form of attack, keeping everyone’s risks to a minimum,” Lykos Greyfoot states.
“Why? Why would we put our warriors, or any pack, in danger when she didn’t come to the aid during Blackshadow’s troubles?” Eve states, and every member turns looking to see how serious she is.
“Are you being serious?” Porter Riverrun snaps. “You would leave an Alpha alone to fight her way out of something like this, and get her pack members out safely. Are you for real? I’m not sure why you have this vendetta against Alpha Aurora, but you are showing you have about served your purpose here with the council.”
Roman Walker, who was a strong and capable Alpha of his pack before handing it over to his son and heir Lyle, gives Eve a dark look. I notice she is struggling to hold his gaze, and she has to drop her eyes when he gives a small growl from the back of his throat. “I became a member of the Shifter Council, so I could be part of something special. Something that helps, encourages and safeguards packs, and the lives of every pack member. Being a pack member includes the Alpha and Luna, and if you don’t agree with that Eve, I propose that you be removed from the council, or myself and Cinder will stand down and return to the Spirit Walker Pack before the day is out.”
“I have to agree with that sentiment. I am not impressed with Eve’s attitude and don’t feel it is appropriate as a member of this council. If you are proposing Eve be removed, Roman, I will second that proposition,” Merry says, clearly and with force.
“Let us all calm a moment. We don’t want to do anything rash. But, I will say that if this proposition continues, I will at this moment in time give my vote alongside yours, Roman and Merry. I have been on this council a long time, and worked tirelessly for the good of our wolven society. Eve, at one time, you were a splendid member of this council, one we all looked up to and valued. Maybe you need to consider if you will remain with the council or take retirement? It all depends on your attitude and if you can control it.” I can’t help but wish she would retire because it would be more honorable than being removed due to lack of council member support and confidence. A vote of no-confidence would not be a good way for her to retire, as all respect would be lost. “I suggest we stop for today and reconvene in the morning.”
I watch as everyone leaves before turning to look at Gerry, who is frowning at the door. “She is a problem that may need to be removed forcibly. I’m not sure she will ever step down from her position willingly. What happened to her?”
“I do not know, Gerry.” Rubbing the back of my neck where tension has built, I sigh before continuing to speak. “We are going to need to have the other alphas contacted. They need to know there is a viable threat to themselves or pack members being taken hostage. We will find who will help, or who wants to wait and see what happens.”
“I’m trying to find who the missing alpha is. A pack somewhere is missing an alpha, but as none of our packs have contacted us, I will have to speak to the other Parklands, and find out if they are missing one. They may not want to tell me unless I spill about Alpha Aurora. We can expand from that point if we need to.” Gerry looks at me with a frown on his face.
“If we have to, then so be it, but we could just say an Alpha. Do you think you can do this before we meet again in the morning? Or do you want me to do it? You are a warrior, but I would like to bring you onto the council when you finally decide to retire.” I grin at Gerry, who’s looking more than a little shocked at my comment.
“I never gave a thought to being a council member. Finding a chosen mate, or a second chance mate, would be nice. Settle down and have some pups would be ideal, but if it is not going to be, then I could devote my life to the council,” Gerry replies, and I can’t help but think he’d be a great mate for a strong she-wolf. She’d have to be strong because I cannot see an omega satisfying Gerry’s sense of adventure.
“I’ll do my best to contact everyone, and I will speak to you before the meeting in the morning.” Gerry quickly takes his leave, and I walk back to my office with so many thoughts running through my mind that the tension in my neck is even worse than it was an hour ago.