*Bella's POV**
Matt turned away from the camera and gestured to an Asian woman who sat with a rigid posture. She wore what looked like a traditional Chinese dress. Her chin was held high as if stuck in place.
"This lady here is Alpha Jinjing Wang. She, Along with the man sitting next to her who is her Luna, Rule over the packs within China. The luna of the Chinese Pack is called Lei Ling."
He gestured at the luna of the Chinese pack. He was tall, even while sitting down. His long dark hair cascaded up his back and sat utop his head in an elegant bun.
"You do you all seem so excited about seeing this?" Malum asked Curiously.
I heard Nathaniel's voice from behind the people who sat at the bar. He was serving drinks.
"Because we have never seen it first hand, Hermano! We only hear stories 3rd hand from our amigos."
Malum's eyebrows raised. "3rd hand?"
I spoke up this time with an irritated tone. "Yeah. The Alphas don't say much about it. They talk to their betas or very close friends, which then talk to us about it. Nothing that actually gives insight, though. Just small things."
"Why… all the secrecy? I can understand keeping the location a secret for security reasons, but after that…" Malum trailed off as he furrowed his eyebrows.
I nodded hesitantly. "Honestly, I've not the slightest idea. When Isaiah and I were married, the Pack Meetings got called off because of the war. From what I recall, they were never this secretive before the war."
Malum grunted. "Interesting."
"Señora! You want a drink?" Nathaniel asked while holding up a bunch of liquor bottles.
"A bottle of Guiness, please." I shook my head as I noticed he was already buzzed.
Lucifer giggled. "Bundle of fun, he is."
Lucifer turned to Nathaniel and spoke loudly. "You got any whisky back there, mate? Oh- that'll do. Cheers!"
Malum chuckled. "Still the life of the party, Lucifer."
"Well, unlike my brother, I tend to enjoy life."
Matt had already introduced the Australian pack's alpha and luna. He continued on throughout our short conversation and I realized I didn't know much about the packs that existed outside of the US. Aside from the Pack Meeting, no one really talked about it.
"And now, This lovely couple are both alpha and luna of the South American pack. Dominique has been the alpha of the entirety of South America for over 200 years! His luna, 150 years! Quite the longevity, alpha Dominique."
Alpha Dominique looked at Matt with a confident smile. Not arrogant- but confident.
"Sí. It has been long time since worthy challenger. But we enjoy the peace." Dominique's voice carried a thick accent and was gruff.
"Sí! It is so nice having some alone time with my mate~ we almost never-"
As soon as the South American pack got side tracked, I turned to Malum. "Any news on Birger?"
He clenched his jaw softly for a moment before sighing. "Yes…"
I sighed as well. "Okay, what happened? It was stupid?"
"Yes… he… uh… went to Helheim." He said awkwardly.
"W- the fuck do you mean he went to Helheim?! You're talking about Nordic Hell, right?!"
"Yes." He sighed again. "I have my people scouting Helheim for any vulnerabilities. One of them reported a human walking and, quote, 'jumping from a giant fucking icicle and onto a floating island,' End quote. What other human is there, aside from Birger, roaming that horrid place."
"…and he went there why?" I asked in a tight tone.
Lucifer spoke up from behind me. "Hmm. I think… this will be fun."
I turned to him and saw he had a wide smile on his face. "What do you mean Lucifer?"
"Yes, please indulge us." Malum said curiously.
"No… I don't think I will…" Lucifer grinned mischievously.
"Oh- come on-" I was cut off by the tv.
We heard a loud bang from off screen before a door flew in and landed on the table that the alphas sat at.
The people around me all quieted down and Nathaniel's hand paused as he was pouring a drink. It spilled across the counter.
"Hello, mate… upgrade, eh?" Lucifer chuckled wildly.
**Birger's POV**
"You guys are trying to use the rules of humans? For werewolves?"
Did they not understand? Government? For a species as territorial as them?
I mean- shit!
It was like using baseball rules for softball!
They might look the same but underneath the surface, they just don't mix.
My gaze stayed on the Asian woman for a moment longer.
One of my previous flames, you could say.
When I spent some time in Asia back in the 1700s, we'd met at a restaurant. The food was tasteless but the alcohol was sweet. Jinjing was a born wolf, so she'd been much more powerful than the others. Her wolf was inherent.
She was not my mate, nor I, hers. We'd been dating for 2 years before I found out she had been fucking her fated mate behind my back!
Why? Money, most probably. Me being a… respectable businessman back then.
But I digress. Werewolves should not be ruled by the rules of the humans.
"Tell me, Jinjing." I said while glaring at the woman's husband and fated mate. "What do you do when a wolf breaks your so called 'laws?'"
"We lock them up in a prison designed to keep the wolf contained." She spoke with a huff.
Selene spoke up in an irritated voice, "so you recognize that wolves are different from humans."
Jinjing jumped slightly and bowed while baring her neck. "Y-yes, Moon Goddess. Concrete and iron are not enough to hold one of our kind. We use concrete as a layer to separate the wolf from the silver hidden underneath. That way-"
Matt inhaled sharply, interrupting her speech. "If… I'm not mistaken, silver is poisonous for werewolves?"
I nodded angrily. "It's a disgusting and cruel fate to be trapped within a cube of silver for a wolf. Even close proximity will be mildly painful, like a muscle pain that won't ever go away."
Selene frowned heavily. "Birger, I do not like this woman. May I kill her?"
So Selene knew of my past with Jinjing. Otherwise, she would not suggest such action. Yep, this woman is in for a bad time.
"Do what you want, mate. I will support you." I said softly.
Jinjing gulped audibly as Selene stepped forward.
Selene grabbed her by the throat and squeezed softly. "I do not like you, whore. You played with my mate's heart, poison my people- your people, and you think it is a mercy. If I were weaker, I would have killed you. Find no solace in this fact, for you are simply weak in my eyes."
Selene dropped Jinjing back into her chair and she started to inhale weak, raspy breaths.
Selene took a step back and circled the leading alphas and lunas of each continent, staring at each of them individually.
"You think you are alphas and lunas. The best of your kind. You are not. I am a god. Your god. You do not treat me with respect, but fear. I dislike that. I am not just a werewolf, but the werewolf."
Her voice turned into a low growl as she stared at Isaiah. "You do not know your brother as I do. Do you not remember what I had taught you, little brother?"
Isaiah creased his brow for a moment before his eyes widened. "Wha- Ashina? What's going on? Who are you?!"
"I am Selene, the Moon Goddess, Mother of Were. I am Birger Age's mate, as well as Ashina, son of Hrundi." She was glaring at Isaiah and as the saying goes, 'if looks could kill…'
"Selene? Can we get back on topic?" I said softly.
She cleared her throat and stepped back. I tapped her head softly.
"Anyway. Our anger aside, you guys have no voice in this. I am your king. The Alpha of Alphas of Alphas. Thrice said and done."
I stared at the both of the South American pack's leaders. "You guys have your shit together. You will lead these talks from this moment forward. The love you both have for each other is pure and beautiful."
My gaze shifted to the African pack's leader. A single man who had piercings all across his dark face. "I don't know you, but you were silent during this whole exchange. I believe that means you are more inclined to learn and observe, rather than speak foolishly. What are your thoughts on the rogue situation. Do not be tactful. Speak the honest truth."
"Hmm." A deep baritone voice grumbled through the room. "I would say… it is deplorable. As you know, America, Europe, and Asia have had many rogues. Asia less so because of the horrid prison they erect. Both I and the Australian Pack have seen fit to… disregard the ideals of these pack meetings. A liar's tongue is cut, a thief's hand is severed, and a betrayer is no more."
I grinned at the man. "You will be the second. Your cold heart compliments the South American's kind one."
I turned to the Australian Pack's alpha and luna. Their alpha started speaking as I looked at him.
"'Ello mate. Name's Nigel. This is me lovely wife, Amelia." He spoke with a thick Aussie accent. "Been in charge for around 40 years. I usually just go with the flow. Not much interest in doing gods work, eh?"
I chuckled softly. "Free natured fellow, huh. Good on ya. Nice to meet you both."
I shook both their hands. Seems like they both were simple people. They'd be good to bridge the gap if there was ever a clash between South America and Africa.
"You'll be the third. You can keep away if you want, but if there are any issues, I trust you'll take an easy route."
"You got it boss! You're actually quite nice when you aren't spewing fire at the yobbos! We should throw back some doobies sometime!"
I started to laugh softly. "Aye. Simple fellow indeed. Might take you up on that offer. Whereabouts are you? If I'm ever around Australia I'll swing by."
"Ooh, Sydney mate. Best shrimp, that." He said with a smile.
Selene smacked my shoulder. "Are you guys seriously talking about smoking weed right now? Now?"
"Oi. The missus is angry with yuhs. Sorry mate."
"No worries. She means well." I said as I slung my arm around her shoulders.
Selene had a lot of similarities to Ashina in that sense. I was still confused about the situation between my past mate, Ashina, and my present mate, Selene, but that could all wait.
Right now, everything needs to be set aside.
Thinking of too many different issues at one time will only confuse you, so… we'll take it slow.
I looked into the camera. A message needed to be sent. On they would understand.
I tried using my Alpha's Voice for the first time as I spoke. "Werewolves. I am your king. I don't really care if you respect me, but you will understand this; my word is law."
I turned to Isaiah and Rosalind for a moment before continuing. "From this moment forward… each of the 7 continents will be their own body. You can make your own rules and laws but you cannot force them onto each other.
"I will not take an active part in ruling over the werewolves unless it is required. Heed my words, continental leaders. Things will change. There will be no more rogues."
Isaiah spoke up in an angry tone. "You're talking about bringing back executions, Birger! It's not right!"
Selene yelled at him. "Do not speak to my mate like that, Isaiah Reece! You have failed your people!"
Isaiah gulped and looked down slowly. "Have I truly? Is wanting peace so bad?"
"Peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice." I said, quoting Martin Luther King. "You missed the latter."
"So… I'll just end up like Hrundi again…?" Isaiah asked slowly.
I felt bad for Isaiah. Having a clear, honest goal, yet not knowing how to achieve it. How many times have I gone through that?
I turned to him and started walking forward. I kneeled infront of him and hugged him while holding the back of his head.
"Little brother, you are not Hrundi." I said in a serious tone. "But you should be a monster. An absolute monster, and then… you should learn how to control it."