Chapter 102
The Council by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Mason
The next morning, we arrive at the conference room ready to take on the other Alphas. We decided
that Seth and I would take on the petition for changing the iming process and Hana and Jara would
take on the petition for the Luna Council.
Title of the document
I let Jara know that we needed to meet with Alpha Davis after the meeting ends today, or maybe at
lunch time if things don’t get too crazy this morning.
As we get our coffee and get settled, Elder Jasones in, moving to stand at the front of the room.
We get settled and hees forward.
“Good morning everyone. Today we have three petitions that we need to address. Of note, there are
two that seem to be in direct conflict with each other, so I’m sure that there will be some discussion
about the direction of our packs in the future.”
He turns, pulling my petition from the table behind him. “The first petition has been submitted by Alphas
Mason and Seth. They are proposing to change the way the annual iming process is handled.”
“Of course, they are.” I hear Gunnar growl under his breath.
“This petition has six sections. We will go through each one individually and discuss it before moving to
the next. Any questions?”
When no one has any, he continues.
“The first part of this petition states that ‘a*s*sessments will happen within one month of the iming’.”
“Is there enough time toplete a*s*sessments for a couple hundred imaints within one month?”
Elder Stanley asks.
“It would depend on how many imaints there actually are for the im and how many a*s*sessors
we have. Now that we have fewer packs and fewer werewolves, I think it could be done.” Surprisingly,
it’s Elder Carson that agrees that this is possible.
There are a few other questions, but this is pretty straightforward. It was meant to ensure the safety of
the she-wolves as much as possible, but it’s already a requirement, it just shortens the timeframes for
completion.
“Let’s take it to a vote.” Alpha Jason says, and all fourteen Alphas agree.
“Done. Moving on to the second part of the petition. It states, ‘Killing is not allowed and will disqualify
the imant from that and all future imings’.”
Not surprisingly, this one causes a lot of grumbling.
“Are we wolves or are we wolves in sheep’s clothing. Fighting is what we do, it’s how we show
dominance.” Alpha Gunnar says loudly, his minions nodding in agreement.
“Except, the imings are open to all ranks. It gives an unfair advantage to ranked wolves and is
depleting our omegas at an rming rate, especially after this year.” Alpha Zaire speaks up.
“Then perhaps you should do a better job of training your pack members, Alpha.” Alpha Emanuel says
sarcastically.
“No matter how well you train an omega, or even a warrior for that matter, they could never win against
an Alpha or a Beta. And they’d be lucky to beat a Gamma unless they are a younger brother with true
blood lines.” Alpha Luke speaks up. “I agree with the elimination of the killing. It was a f*uc*king
bloodbath this year, and for no good reason.”
“Oh, poor Alpha Luke, lost some of his pack members. Too bad, Alpha. Get with the program. I vote
that the killing continues. Isn’t that the point of the iming? Let the strongest im their mates?” Alpha
Gunnar says.
“Just because you don’t care about the loss of your pack members, Gunnar, doesn’t mean the rest of
us don’t. I agree with Alphas Seth and Mason. Eliminate the killing during the iming.” Alpha Antonio
says.
“Let’s take it to a vote.” Elder Jason says. When we vote, he reads the tallies. “Nine in favor of
changing thews, five in favor of keeping them the same. Thew will change and killing will now be
illegal during the iming process and those that kill either before or during the iming process will be
eliminated from that and all future imings.”
I can see Gunnar from the corner of my eye. He’s fuming, especially since Alphas Davis and Quinton
sided with me. Of course, both of them have small packs. They can’t afford to lose their members to
something stupid like the iming process. It could easily cause them to lose their pack status, forcing
them to be absorbed by another pack. That may not sound terrible, but it means that the Alpha of the
absorbed pack also loses their Alpha status and must now submit to another Alpha. I know I wouldn’t
do it.
I look at Gunnar more closely. Maybe that’s his n. He didn’t increase the size of his pack too much
during the meeting yesterday. So, maybe he’s hoping his alliance with the other packs would allow him
to absorb their members over time. It makes him more dangerous, and certainly worth watching.
“What is it?” I hear Jara in my head. I look at her and see her watching me closely. “I’ll tell youter.” I
say, needing to stay focused right now.
“The third part of the petition states that All imings, regardless of the rank of the female, will be
limited to fifty imants.”
The response is instant and has many Alphas on their feet. “No!”
“No way!”
“That’s the best way for someone to get a ranked female. You can’t limit it.”
Elder Jason turns and looks at me. “Alpha Mason, Alpha Seth, would one of you like to exin your
reasons behind this part of the petition.”
I stand, knowing Seth and I had already talked about me taking the lead. “In this year’s iming, it
became very apparent that therger the group of males in the lottery, the more likely and more quickly
the iming haze would take you. In Luna Hana’s iming, for instance, omegas and warriors were
falling into the haze before they entered the territory. It was a bloodbath and they never made it into the
im. By the end of the second day, the haze had started to take ranked members as well. No one was
immune. It was the same in Alpha Jara’s iming. Members were falling to the haze almost
immediately and no one was immune, which caused the deaths of at least one Alpha.” I turn and look
at Alpha Asher, nodding at him. “Possibly the death of Alpha Typhon, nearly taking Alpha Luke and
countless other ranked members.”
I stop, looking around. “Many of you lost ranked members this year. Some of you are in your positions
because your Alphas were killed in previous imings. Some of you have killed the ranked members of
other packs. By limiting the number of imants, we limit the effects of the iming haze.”
“Haze or no haze, like Alpha Gunnar said before, we’re wolves. We’ re a violent species. I say we keep
the numbers. Every wolf has the opportunity to excuse themselves from the iming. Every wolf knows
the risk of entering a im, no matter the size of the lottery. I say leave it as is.” Alpha Conrad, one of
Gunnar’s minions says and I see many others nodding in agreement.
“Even if they know the risks, some pack members are so close to going feral, that it’s worth it. Some of
our pack members will die whether it’s in the iming territory or by their Alpha’s hand a few months
later. I agree with Alpha Conrad, the numbers shouldn’t be reduced because of the haze.” Alpha Jonas,
one that I felt wouldn’t side either way, says. He makes a valid point, one that I see several others
agreeing with.
“So, we will modify the previous statement, then? Killing outside the iming territory is not allowed.
But what happens once in the haze inside the iming territory is unavoidable.” Alpha Emanual says. I
don’t like it, but I know from experience you can’t change your instinct once you’re in the haze.”
I look at Seth and he nods. “Fine.” I say, turning back to the group.
N?velDrama.Org is the owner.
“Let’s take it to a vote.” Elder Jason says.
This time, the votes are split down the middle. Seven in favor of the change, seven against it. It doesn’t
escape my notice that the ones against it, still don’t have mates.
“Since this is a tie, we will take it to the Elders.” Elder Jason says, turning to his brethren. “All in favor of
changing the maximum limit in the imings, raise your hand.” None of them do.
“All in favor of keeping the lottery numbers as is, raise your hand.” All four raise their hands.
“The votes fall to the side of those wanting to keep the lottery numbers the same. Nows will be
changed.” Elder Jason looks down a moment. “If I had needed to vote, I would have voted in favor of
the change. I cleaned up too many dead bodies this year. Dead bodies of YOUR pack members.” He
says, and it’s almost as if he’s scolding the Alphas.