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Chapter 8 Rise

"A pack divided cannot hope to stand against the crushing weight of oppression. We elders have had our time. Now we must look to the youth to guide our path." — Ahote, Haven elder

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"Blood must be met with blood!" Haken slams his fist down on the wooden podium, the strength of his blow causing a fracture in the cheap wood finishing. "Would you stand here in silence, watching as your friends and family are picked off one by one until you stood alone?"

You stand on the stage to Haken's left, thrust into this uncomfortable position by the Council of Elders. Ahote, it would seem, had instructed them that in the event of his death or capture, you would succeed him as appointed packleader, something that Haken and his supporters want no part of.

Truth be told, you're unsure if you want any part of it yourself. The loss of Ahote is still keenly felt, and even now you can catch a whiff of his scent on the stale air, drawing your gaze to the doorway where he was dragged out by Williams and his men. A growl rises in the back of your throat, and you catch a glimpse of Dena out in the crowd, her face grief stricken.

"Ah!" Haken exclaims. "The pup does have teeth!"

You go over your strategy in your head. You've lived your entire life among the pack, and you know they admire strength and tenacity. If you get cornered, admitting mistakes might be a viable solution, but if it sounds like you're whining, the debate could take a bad turn very quickly. You don't necessarily need to be a warmonger to win, but you'll need to be willing to act. When it comes to voting blocks, the Alpha Assembly holds a great deal of power and influence, but the laborers—the Builders—have a larger number of votes.

Influence or numbers. It's a difficult decision to make. Of course, if you wish to throw the election entirely, you could always do your best to sound like a sniveling coward, paralyzed into inaction. The method leaves a sour taste in your mouth, but at least you'll have the option if it comes to that.

The elder spoke of the humans' politics at length," Haken says dismissively, but you can see that you've got the attention of the crowd. You open your mouth to speak, but Haken cuts you off.

"Ever the elder's pet." Haken addresses the crowd. "One more failing in a long list of disastrous choices. Ahote preaches pacifism, and we are brutalized. He holds power in the hands of the elders until it suits him to bestow it on an unworthy pup. Is there any rule that the old man holds sacred enough not to bend to his will when he sees fit?"