1. THE MEETING

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Council of Wolves

Location: Dark Moon Pack, Oregon.

He walked into the already crowded room and everywhere became airily silent with some craning their necks to see the cause of the sudden change in atmosphere. As he walked past some seats he could hear some werewolves attempting to whisper in hushed tones like that was possible.

"That's the usurper–" his sharp ears picked but he didn't let that deter his steps as he kept on walking up front.

"So vile." He heard another spew in disgust. H

"Poor Alpha Bryant__"

He balled his fists so tight that he could literally hear the snapping of bones as he began feeling the urge to shift. To rip someone to pieces.

How dare them disrespect him so openly? Not that he was feeling entitled, no far from it but he felt he hasn't done anything to warrant such hatred from them. He just recently got inaugurated for fvck sakes, if they indeed hated him so much why then did they have to bring him back from Cyril to step in for the deceased Bryant!

Do they think he was that vain that he would kill Bryant while still grieving? Blessed moon goddess! He sincerely wasn't even interested in the position in the first place. If Kaden and a few others didn't haul his a** back home he would still be wasting away in Cyril grieving his lost mate.

His eyes swiftly did a three sixty of the room, absorbing to memory the faces of those who mocked him and persistently questioned his leadership.

No surprises there, same old werewolves who enjoyed causing commotions. He inwardly sneered when he caught sight of Jack muttering something in someone's ears.

Jerk

Channeling control from the moon goddess as the urge became slightly unbearable to control, he started retracting his already elongated fangs and claws and growled menacingly.

Silence once again reined as the culprits cowered in fear.

He recognized only two of them. The duo of Jack and his cohort, Mason. They were newly inaugurated as well as him to be Alphas of Crescent and Silver moon packs respectively.

He was not well acquainted with the latter as he previously knew him only as the former's best buddy. In the past there were inseparable since they almost grew up together. Albeit he didn't know how their both parents managed to preserve their bond when they lived miles apart. Crescent and Silver moon were not that close to each other in terms of proximity as there were few packs as well that were rather in between.

Taking the seat at the head of the table, He addressed them.

"I first of all want to thank you for honoring my invitation. I called for this meeting to discuss the issue of the continuous rogue attacks on our packs. From the information I've gathered thus far, we need to find out the cause of their recent uprising and come up with a way of strengthening our borders and to secure the people of Oregon."

By the time he finished with his speech, he could hear murmurings from all round the table.

"You have spoken well, Alpha Maxwell. This recent occurrence is frightening. We haven't faced anything like this since centuries ago, which makes it bad for our packs. And also, the possibility of having a traitor in our midst should not be ruled out." Alpha Kaden from Black Mountain pack said, incurring more murmuring.

"A traitor in our midst?" asked one.

"But that's impossible–" another said.

"Who could that be?" They all asked each other in confusion.

"Silence!" Maxwell thundered. "Enough of the murmurings. we are no longer pups, What we need is answers instead of more unnecessary questions disrupting the course of this meeting. If you know something meaningful to say or you have a suggestion to present to the council, do so now."

The noise ceased. And just then, a deep baritone voice spoke. "I heard something." Alpha Jax from Midnight pack said, coming out from the shadows.

"My apologies for coming late." They were grunts of approval and disapproval as he made his way to the table, pulling out an empty chair in the position meant for Alphas.

Alpha Jax has been a sworn enemy of Dark Moon Pack since the inaugural of Maxwell. He is one of the firm believers of the alleged usurpation.

Prior to the sudden demise of Alpha Bryant, the predecessor of Maxwell. Both packs has been in alliance since the past decades. Alliances ranging from security, transportation, networking and importation of weaponry from foreign countries. Most werewolves believed that the two packs would be merged as one because of their close-knit relationship. And with Jax emerging as the new Alpha of the unified pack.

It later came as a shock to almost everyone when a will which stated Maxwell as the new successor of Bryant came to light.

"Tell us what you heard, Alpha Jax." Maxwell inquired suspiciously, as they all watched Jax keenly.

"I just came back from touring Oregon," he paused. Sitting cross legged as he put a finger on his chin pretending to think. "The humans are still ignorant of our kind.

For now, they are happy with the current administration. As for the weres, majority of them think you stole Dark Moon Pack by killing Alpha Bryant."

"What nonsense Jax!" Alpha Kaden growled, coming to Maxwell's aid as the room erupted in loud whispers. "That's total bullsh*t. For all we know, you could be fabricating things just to frame him." He continued, cocking his head in Maxwell's direction.

"I will do no such thing!" Alpha Jax got up also growling as he released his sharp claws. "Don't forget, there was no blood on Bryant when we found him lying face down, dead! in his own study."

"That doesn't prove a thing–" Alpha Kaden retorted.

"Sure it does. We all know only a werewolf could kill so swiftly." Alpha Jax said smugly.

The murmurings increased as Alpha Kaden spoke. "You seem to have forgotten the nightcrawlers." He said dryly.

"Those bloodsuckers are no longer in Oregon. Besides, there were no bite marks. It couldn't have been the vampires." Alpha jax rebuked.

"It could have been the witches." Someone said from the table, with uncertainty clear in his voice. And Alpha Jax burst out in a fit of laughter as his solid body vibrated.

"You don't mean it! Was that what he told you?" he accused, pointing at Maxwell who has maintained a calm demeanor during the whole outrage. "The witches have been in hiding since the Trogen war. To rephrase, what is left of them. We don't even know if they still exist. we haven't heard from them since centuries."

"They would have been lurking around, bidding their time to strike." Someone else said in defense of Maxwell which angered Jax.

"So why come out now when we have them outnumbered? That theory doesn't make sense." Alpha Jax scoffed.

Alpha Kaden snorted, "And yours does?"

"The witches can't risk the safety of their coven by coming out to declare war on our kind by killing an Alpha of the biggest pack in all Oregon. Unless, they work for someone amongst us." He defended, looking squarely at Maxwell with undisguised hatred.

"And to answer your question–" he turned to face Alpha Kaden. "Yes. My theory makes absolute sense. I just need to find concrete proof to back it up." He sat down.

The room was filled with grunts, growls and whispers from the table. Some arguing in favor of Alpha Maxwell, and others in support of Alpha Jax. Creating an obvious division in the council of werewolves.

"One house," Maxwell said, garnering the undivided attention of the council. "The whole purpose of calling for this meeting has gone into complete disarray–"

"Because we have started pointing fingers at the right direction." Alpha Jax interrupted flippantly.

The facial muscles of Maxwell contorted like he drank something sour. His grip on the table intensified as he exhaled loudly.

"I will overlook this level of disrespect for the last time." He said, making direct eye contact with Alpha Jax who glared in return.

"As I was saying–" he continued. "We need to work on the way we raise up issues. Next time, before making any allegations, you are to provide this council with substantial evidence to work on. This meeting has been adjourned till further notice."

As he finished, some grunted in approval "What about the elders?" Alpha Kaden asked.

"I'll inform them when a date has been fixed for our next meeting." Maxwell replied, standing up to leave the room.

As the werewolves dispersed, Alpha Kaden goes over to shake hands with Maxwell. "You did well today. Self-control is one of the greatest virtue of a good leader. You will always have the full support of the Black mountain pack."

"I'm grateful" he nodded as he made his way to the door.

"Don't think you have won this fight. I still have my eyes on you." Alpha Jax snarled as he walked past Maxwell.

"Until I supply evidence to the council, enjoy the power while it lasts."

again reined as the culprits cowered in fear.

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A/N: To explain some things you may find confusing while reading, I decided to drop a note for this chapter.

Oregon_ The setting of the story( kinda like a country or settlement, for both humans, werewolves and other supernatural creatures.)

The packs;

Dark Moon_ The biggest pack in Oregon, in terms of land mass, number of wolves, weaponry, leadership, finance etc. The Alpha can exert control over other Alphas.

Midnight_ Second to Dark Moon. The pack has the most skilled soldiers and best transport route.

Black mountain_ Oldest pack.

Crescent_ Richest in production.

Silver moon_ The pack has the best trackers.

Luna_ The newest and smallest pack.

~*~

Trogen war_ The war of the supernatural.

Elders_ Oldest wolves in each pack.

Mate. Destined partner (soulmates) just for wolves.

Pup_. Young werewolf.

Rogue. Packless wolf (half-crazed) they normally have putrid smell the longer they stay without a pack.

Affirmity_. A special gift from the Moon goddess (mostly given to Pack doctors)

Wolfsbane. A potion meant to weaken werewolves. It could be harmful if taken in large quantity.

Mind link. The ability of werewolves to communicate telepathically.

Hierarchy of wolves

Alpha_ First in command (leader of the pack)

Beta_ Second in command (second to only the alpha)

Gamma_. Third in command. (In charge of parole guards)

Pack doctors_. Werewolf doctors (special ones are blessed with affirmity from the Moon goddess)

Soldiers_. Warriors/security of the pack(Good in combat & weaponry)

Trackers_. Excellent finders.

Omegas_. The Ordinary wolves.

...

A/N: Thanks for reading