Chapter Thirteen #4
Max and Russ were among the neutral expressions, sitting about halfway back in the rows of seats, but even from a distance I saw Russ take Max’s hand and took that as a positive reaction to the announcement.
I wanted to speak to the two of them, too.
Maybe I could convince them to help moderate the “virtual haven,” along with Ren, Trey Damone, Jamie Pasquale, and maybe Xavier.
That could be decided later. “Thank you all,” I said when the reactions and the applause for Kyle, who blushed a little before he sat back down, settled.
“If you wish to be part of the virtual group for arkhons or the one for alphas, see me before you leave tomorrow or send me an email. Werewolves go high tech.”
Kyle snorted, and the people around him gave him strange looks.
“If you wish to be part of Virtual Haven, you are welcome to speak to me,” I went on.
“You may email or even call me if you aren’t comfortable coming to me in person.
If you don’t feel safe doing any of the above, stay tuned.
Once the group is up and running, the moderators will send out information on how to join without giving yourself away to anyone aside from other members of the group.
I am an openly gay man, as is my mate, but we fully understand that some people are unable or unwilling to be open.
We want Virtual Haven, in particular, to be a place with no obstacles for those who truly belong there. ”
A hand went up among the alphas. “Serge Volensky, Alpha of Thunder Basin Pack, you may speak.”
A ruddy, brown-haired man stood in the second row. “Anax, will arkhons or alphas be informed of those in their regions or packs who have joined this Virtual Haven?”
I studied him for a second, trying to assess whether he was asking because he wanted LGBTQ+ werewolves to be outed to their higher-ups or because he wanted to be completely certain the virtual group would be safe for its members.
Deciding to give him the benefit of the doubt, I replied, “No, Alpha, they will not. The group’s membership will be unknown even to me.
Although I am part of the community we intend Virtual Haven to serve, because of my rank and role, I am choosing not to join it so that members may feel free to speak without intimidation or concern for consequences.
Only the members of Virtual Haven will know who the members are, and joining the group will include a pledge of privacy and confidentiality. ”
I paused, surveying the alphas. “If you suspect that a member of your pack is homosexual, transgender, or anything else other than straight and cisgender, and they do not tell you, I invite you to consider what sort of environment you have created in your pack that leads people not to trust you with truths about themselves.”
A couple of alphas opened their mouths, and those sitting beside them shushed them.
That was actually good. The ones who tried to speak were probably among those who couldn’t be trusted if they knew one of their pack members wasn’t straight or cis.
More weeds to keep an eye on. And the ones who shushed them might actually be allies. It remained to be seen.
“That’s all for meetings,” I said. “That is, unless we encounter problems or conflicts during tonight’s hunt, in which case we will meet briefly in the morning before people depart.
From now until six p.m., you are free to wander the house and the grounds, with the same restrictions as previously.
Beginning at five, supper will be available to those who prefer to eat before the hunt.
At six, everyone is expected to be on the first floor of the house.
I will give the word to proceed outside to shift; once we are outside, you will be under the direct responsibility of the leader you accompanied to this gathering.
Some of this information will be repeated before we shift tonight.
” Some of the wolves sitting in front of me wouldn’t remember a thing I was saying because they were already under the influence of the moon.
“I will be in my office, which is immediately to the left of the front door of the house,” I went on.
“I will not be alone. My mate, Kyle Slidell, is likely to be with me. One or more of the arkhons might be. And of course my guards Mandeep and Xavier will be there.” I paused.
“If you have need to speak to me in full privacy, I’m afraid that won’t be possible, but I will ask all except Mandeep to leave. The office is soundproofed.”
No one said anything, but some of the attendees were fidgeting, and one was pounding the arm of her chair with a fist. Time to wrap this up before the crowd mutinied purely because they couldn’t sit still any longer.
“You may go,” I said. “Arkhons first, then alphas, then the rest of you.”
Everyone got to their feet. The exit from the auditorium was surprisingly orderly, but it was obvious that everyone wanted to get the hell out of there.
I didn’t blame them. So did I. Except now I had to go to my office and deal with whatever needed to be dealt with.