When Terrant arrived yesterday the council room was under construction. The giant rectangular table was being taken out piece by piece and a large circular table was being built in the room. Joseph came up with the idea for the circular table after they had spent over an hour arguing about seating arrangements. All the Alpha's are used to being at the head of the table, so to sit anyone at the head of the table implies that they have more authority over the other Alpha's. Thus the circular table, which will put all the Alpha's on the same level.
As Terrant walked in, behind Joseph, he was surprised. The room was a large square with red wood trimming on the walls and a dark short carpet. The table was massive and gave off a smell of fresh cedar. Along the walls were comfortable chairs for the Beta's. The Alpha's quietly starred as Terrant and Joseph walked silently to the two open spots in front of them. Terrant felt the power radiating from each Alpha as he passed, it was almost stifling how much power was in one room. He silently wished they had picked a bigger venue; Joseph sat down giving Terrant the floor.
Taking a breath he began. "Welcome to the war council. Thank you for heeding our call and making time out of your busy schedules to take care of this threat. Also thank you to our host Alpha Fairing," Joseph nodded in response, "for providing the accommodations. Before we begin I will remind all that only Alphas and higher ranking officials are allowed in the meeting. Alpha Fairing will handle council protocol, and then I will continue with the presentation."
Terrant sat down and Joseph stood up motioning toward the black folders in front of everyone. "If you would open your folder there is a copy of the treaty that is to be signed." After a fluttering of papers Joseph began reading the peace treaty.
"In regards to the immediate threat of pack lives and property a council meeting convening on October the 23rd of 2018, of the human calendar, will commence. Those undersigned will agree to provide information, assistance, and any other service necessary to be rid the threat. During this time and 20 years after the final battle all members agree to continued peace between packs. No pack will be allowed to bring arms or claws against another pack within the treaty without violating the treaty and suffering the consequences. If any Alpha violates this treaty their land and pack members will be forfeit to this council who will decide their fate. All members of this Council will convene every year of peace to meet on any matters regarding the threat, recovery, and continual peace. Any acts of espionage by the undersigned or directed by the undersigned will be considered an act of war and will suffer the consequences of this pact. Any behavior that can be considered an act of war against this council but is not covered under this treaty is subject to the remaining council's judgment."
Joseph set down the treaty and looked around the room. A few of the Alpha's shuffled uncomfortably as his piercing blue eyes locked into theirs. "These are all the terms that were agreed upon. Are there any questions?"
"Why is the pact only for 20 years? Tradition dictates 50 years, at the very least for a peace treaty." The Alpha Intent said matter of factly.
"Some Alphas in this council would not agree for the traditional time period." Almost immediately there was a shift as everyone glanced in Alpha Hunts direction. Apparently everyone knew who had insisted on the change. Alpha Hunt didn't look embarrassed, in fact he lifted his chin and smirked. "Either way the time period was agreed upon and we cannot continue with the council until the treaty is signed." The Alpha Intent shrugged and glanced at his Father who was watching Joseph intently.
Joseph allowed a uncomfortable silence for a full minute before signing the treaty with a flourish. "I Alpha Joseph Fairing agree to the terms of this treaty, as such I seal my loyalty in blood." Biting down on his thumb with his canine he pressed his thumb over his signature. Pulling it away his thumb already healed itself leaving a bloody thumbprint on top of his signature. He slid the treaty to the left; Alpha Woodland took up his pen and signed the treaty. Repeating Joseph he said out loud, "I Alpha Woodland agree to the terms of this treaty, as such I seal my loyalty in blood." Then left his own bloody thumbprint on top of his name. He passed it to the left to Alpha Freeman and his son. Both signed and stated out loud their loyalty before pressing their thumbprint. Next Alpha Hernandez then Alpha Black and on to Alpha Hunt.
Alpha Hunt took a long time looking over the document allowing the tension to build up in the room as he teased his pen down the treaty and then slowly... very slowly, brought the pen down and signed the document.
'Show off,' Ian thought to Terrant. 'He just wants to make everyone sweat.' Terrant smirked but quickly cleared his face as Alpha Hunt looked up just then with a irritated glare, almost like he heard their private conversation.
Alpha Gray was next in line and after a 5 minute monologue Alpha Woodland growled in irritation which prompted Gray to sign quickly and push the treaty to Akihiro who completed the ritual with no hesitation and passed it along to Terrant.
Terrant looked at the names sealed with blood before he completed the act and added his own blood to the pact. He took one more look at the empty spot on the treaty, the spot for Alpha Winters, as he stood up.
"Thank you." Terrant said motioning to Ian and Peter who shut the blinds and turned off the lights. "I am first going to go over the intel that we currently have, and then we will go over our plan."
It took about two hours to get through all the information. Many of the Alpha's had questions and information to add, but the general idea was to pull in all pack members from around the eastern borders and set them up in refugee camps. Then set up military bases along Alpha Winters and Alpha Terrant's eastern border. At least until more intel was given about the enemy's chosen point of attack.
Terrant decided that it was a good time to take lunch break when Alpha Black and Alpha Hernandez began going at each other. "Okay, let's take this back up after lunch."
Everyone began moving when Alpha Hunt said, "What will you do if Alpha Winters doesn't agree to join the council?" Everyone stopped as they looked at Alpha Hunt who was leaning back in his chair with a cold smirk plastered to his pasty white face.
Alpha Gray took the bait, "What do you mean?"
"I mean that there is an extra chair in this room an extra spot on the treaty and Alpha Winters is even a necessary part of the military operation, but... we don't even know if he has conceded to come join us."
All Alpha's looked around at Terrant. Terrant ignored all of their questioning looks and stared directly at Alpha Hunt. "We have yet to receive word on Alpha Winters decision. However, we do have contingency plans if worst comes to worst."
Alpha Hunt started laughing, a high, cold, mocking laugh. "Your whole plan falls apart without Alpha Winters." He stood up and motioned to all the Alpha's, "What do we know about Alpha Winters besides the rumors? I mean if Alpha Winters agrees in the first place, would he agree to the demands that this council asks. I don't know about the rest of you but putting so much faith in a wolf that none of us know seems more risky then signing a 20 year peace treaty."
A grunt of a throat being cleared broke Terrants and Hunts staring contest. Joseph put his hands on the table smiling as he said, "I think I can shed some light on the situation. Myself and Alpha Hernandez are some of the few who have met Alpha Winters, and I can assure you that if Alpha Winters agrees to help... he has many resources available."
Alpha Hernandez looked like a mix of angry and horrified as he grunted with a thick Spanish accent, "I met.... Him few years ago. What Joseph says is true. Alpha Winters is very many... resources." He glared at Joseph before saying, "Could we talk about this with lunch? My insides want to eat themselves."
Terrant looked up at Alpha Hunt who didn't look phased at all. In a fluid motion he stood and started toward the door.
Joseph smiled at his retreating back, "Dismissed for lunch then."
Terrant wished he could have had his lunch in the library. After the meeting dispersed they all had a brief break and then met in Joseph's private dining room. Instead of having peaceful meal talking about things unrelated to the war it just turned into another hour of arguing, the only difference was this time there was food. Terrant remained quiet the whole time watching the relationships unfold.
Alpha Hernandez has some sort of feud due to an insult dealt to his sister which apparently was delivered by Alpha Black's brother.
Alpha Freeman was chatting animatedly with Alpha Akihiro about the potential arranged marriage between their children. The Alpha intent had enough decency to look uncomfortable with his fathers blatant behavior.
Alpha Grey appeared to be taken with Alpha Hunt and was hanging on his every word as he freely discussed different parts of the plan with Joseph and Alpha Woodland. Terrant felt like he was learning more during lunch then he did reading all night. However, it wasn't really a break and they still had so many details to hash out.
Joseph gave Terrant a knowing look and stood up. "I hope the food was to your liking." Everyone mumbled in agreement, except Alpha Grey who snorted. "I suggest that we postpone our afternoon meeting in regards-" Joseph stopped as his eyes glazed over.
"Joseph?" Terrant asked in concern.
Joseph blinked and his eyes cleared, he then looked down at Terrant and gave him a small smile, "Alpha Winters is here."
Terrants eyes widened and everyone stared silently, listening "Where?"
"In the conference room. Looking over the treaty."
Terrant stood feeling as though his heart was going to beat out of his chest, "let's go." With those words everyone stood and followed him and Joseph out of the room and down the hall. He was a mix of nerves, excitement, and relief as he turned the corner heading to the conference room. He could feel the tension from the others behind him as he walked. It felt as though they were all on a hunt of the mysterious person known as Chris Winters. They all wanted to see the person behind the rumors.
Terrant's hand trembled slightly as he gripped the door handle and pulled it open. He walked in with the entourage of Alphas spreading out behind him.
There was only one person in the council room; sitting at the round table, facing them.
Long silver hair, black dark sunglasses, and deep red lips greeted him..... he stopped dead in his tracks as the woman looked up, sat back in her chair and smirked, "Hello boys."
*Thanks for reading! Please vote and comment! I love constructive criticism, however if it becomes mean I will take you down.*
-LostArrow-