The Alpha's mansion … during an underway meeting in his private study...
"Alpha Julian, I understand that you only agreed to taking in the werewolf child, however, certain dire situations had arisen in their homeland; so, I hope you can pardon what may seem as an impertinence on our part … please believe me that this is not what we mean this to be … but as things are now, I'm afraid we must insist that the Rainier Pack first agree to taking in not only the werewolf child but also the two dampyrs as well; otherwise, I'm sorry to say, we cannot move forward with this discussion.
"This is utterly preposterous!" Delta Colin is fuming after the condition set forth in the onset of their meeting. "How dare you; you insolent witch … our alpha had graciously agreed to take in that orphaned rogue out of the kindness of his heart; but now you show up here today with the audacity to insist that we accept two dampyrs which were never brought up in the arrangements? Tell me, just what kind of conniving schemes are you witches planning? He turns to the alpha. "You see, Julian, it's just like I said the other day, you can't trust witches."
The alpha admonishes his delta, "That will be enough, Colin! Regardless of what your personal feelings towards witches are, or what you think about the proposed terms, that is no way to speak to her. She is our guest, and I expect you as one of the higher-ranking members of our pack to treat her with respect and courtesy." He turns to Felicia. "My apologies, Felicia; please excuse my delta's outburst and uncalled derogatory comments. Please try to understand, his ancestors had … well let's just say not so pleasant experiences with witches … so, he holds some prejudices towards your kind. Again, my apologies."
"With all due respect, Alpha Julian, I believe that everyone's ancestors from every supernatural race had 'not so pleasant experiences' with another race at one time or another throughout the centuries … after all, in the past every race was at battle with one another at some point … but, with the current situation with the demons, perhaps it's time for all of us to try to look past those indiscretions and put aside any prejudices we may hold against one another. … But, with that said, I do understand the reasoning behind his attitude; so, I can let the comments go and forgive your delta."
"Thank you; I appreciate your magnanimity in this matter." The alpha takes in a breath. "Now … as for you request … can you explain to me why we must agree to take in all three of them?"
"I'm afraid I can't."
The alpha raises an eyebrow. "You can't? Or you won't?"
His visage is immediately overtaken by a stoic expression, making it hard for Felicia to read his feelings or thoughts. The tension which has been abounding the atmosphere in the alpha's study is steadily rising; and now, Felicia takes in a breath to prepare for what just may become a somewhat tempestuous discussion.
"I can't; not at this moment. Only after once you all agree to it, then I can tell you everything. And I promise, I will fill you in on everything that I know. For now, however, all I can tell you is that it's imperative that the three of them stay together."
Beta Stephen interjects, "If I may ask, Felicia; what happens if, let's say, we were to refuse taking in the dampyrs? Then what?"
Felicia turns to the beta. "Well, Beta Stephen, you all certainly have the right to refuse taking in the dampyrs. Obviously, we can't force the Rainier Pack to agree to taking them in; ultimately the decision is up to you gentlemen. But do understand, if you don't agree to these conditions, I'm afraid we'll have no choice but to leave here with all of them … that includes the werewolf child."
Delta Colin snidely comments, "Good riddance to the lot. Let's be honest, can we; from the very start of this insane proposal of taking in a rogue, most of the pack always felt that this was a bad decision."
Elders Elliot Chandler and Victor Strong, who are also present at the meeting representing the Tribunal of Elders, chime in...
Elder Elliot attests, "I must agree with Delta Colin on this point. The fact that Alpha Julian had even agreed to humor his sister's wishes to take in some wretched rogue was absurd in and of itself; but the very idea of also taking in two dampyrs along with it is utterly ludicrous. I don't see why me must stoop so low."
Elder Victor concurs, "'Stoop so low' you say, Elder Elliot … if you ask me, by accepting to take in two dampyrs would mean that this pack had truly hit rock-bottom."
Gamma Ray, who had requested … in truth, more like imposed himself … to be included in this meeting at the last minute. Since first laying his eyes on the werewolf child and sensing her incredible aura, the gamma believes he has a viable interest in this matter. The gamma emphatically cuts in...
"No! We have to take in this child! We must … even if it means taking in two dampyrs along with it." The gamma turns to the alpha. "Pardon the interruption, Alpha Julian, but I feel compelled that I must speak up now … and I hope you believe me when I tell you this … turning away this child would be the gravest mistake we would ever make. I swear to you, the decision made here today will without a doubt determine the path of this pack's future fate. I implore you, my alpha, please make the right choice and agree to their terms; take them all in. We need this child."
The alpha's intrigued. His gamma has never interrupted ongoing negotiations … especially when both the beta and delta, along with elders were present … let alone to be so brash and speak up so passionately about matters other than those concerning the pack's security and defense.
"Tell me, Ray; why is it so important for us to take in this particular child? What makes it so special?"
"Trust me, my alpha, this child is very special … and extremely powerful. And, if my suspicions about this child's identity are correct … which I strongly believe they are to be down to my very own wolf's gut ..." The gamma glances over at Felicia and displays a subtle grin. "Once Felicia explains everything, I'm sure you'll also realize that the Rainier Pack will soon be able to boast of having probably the most powerful warrior in all of werewolf history among its ranks."
The elders are stunned by this bold claim, while at the same time their curiosity is piqued.
Elder Elliot abruptly blurts out, "The most powerful warrior in all of werewolf history?! Really … are you sure?"
Elder Victor, who like Elder Elliot was taken aback, asks with an air of disbelief in his tone … "Can this be so … is the child really that powerful?"
The gamma emphatically affirms, "Yes, elders; I truly believe this to be true. I'll stake my reputation as gamma of the Rainier Pack on it."
Alpha Julian interjects, "I have to admit, knowing how seriously you take your reputation as gamma Ray, I'm almost convinced that you could be right … perhaps we should agree now to take all three of them in."
Delta Colin curtly scoffs, "That puny rogue … the most powerful warrior in all of werewolf history? Please, don't tell me you're all buying into this nonsense?" He tries his best to undermine the gamma's claims. "Didn't any of you hear when Gamma Ray said 'if' his 'suspicions about the child's identity were correct'? Are we really going to give merit to such unsubstantiated claims and blindly agree to take in an unknown rogue and two dampyrs … beings that aren't even werewolves?"
The alpha tries to placate his riled delta. "Relax, Colin, I said that I was almost convinced; I'm not quite there yet." He looks to Felecia. "Tell me, Felicia; honestly, is that werewolf child as powerful as my gamma believes it to be?"
Felicia tries to be as diplomatically tactful as possible as she once again skirts around the question...
"Again, Alpha Julian, I'm sorry; but, at this time I can neither say she is or isn't … not until you agree to take them all in. As I said, it's imperative that the three of them be kept together; I can't stress this enough. Those dire circumstances in their homeland that I mentioned before require them to stay together for the time being … at least until things settle down."
Beta Stephen, whom even before the meeting commenced, planned on keeping out of the talks as much as possible; blending into the background and keeping silent so he can earnestly concentrate on what's being discussed. But now, he decides to once again join in the discussion...
"Pardon me, Felicia, but you see, this is what really concerns me; you keep bringing up these 'dire circumstances' surrounding them … yet you refuse to give us an inkling of an idea of what they may be. And let's face it … whatever they may be … you and I both know that you can't stand before us today and in good faith honestly promise that the Rainier Pack wouldn't be dragged into their mess … possibly having to face some sort of consequence somewhere down the road for taking them in now, can you?"
This is the most Felicia's felt unsettled since the start of the meeting. She remains quiet, with her eyes averted down to the floor. The beta continues...
"I'll take it by your silence and lowered eyes that that's a resounding no; no, you can't assure us that we won't suffer any repercussions for taking them into our pack … correct?"
Still silent, with her eyes affixed to a spot on the floor in front of her feet, Felicia simply nods slowly. The beta continues...
"Then … at the risk of sounding like my boisterous, somewhat tiring colleague over there..." Beta Stephen looks to Delta Colin and shoots him a teasing smirk; then, turns back to Felicia. "You're really asking us to blindly accept your terms and commit ourselves to a situation that we know nothing about. Essentially, you're asking us to 'leap without looking' and make us agree to possibly sentencing our pack to an unknown punishment."
Feeling as if he's been suddenly somehow vindicated, the delta declares with an underlying inflection of relief in his voice...
"Finally … another voice of reason. I knew a smart guy like you would see my point and back me up. Glad to have you aboard."
Unfortunately for the delta it's a short-lived celebration, for in the next instant it's going to feel as if he's been sucker-punched in the gut.
"Settle down, Colin, I never said that I was on board; or backing you up for that matter." The beta notices the delta fiercely glaring at him, shooting those proverbial daggers out of his eyes at him; but immediately brushes it off. "Although it's true that I believe that we shouldn't hastily agree to these terms; I never said I was totally against agreeing to taking them all in. I just feel that we need to give more time and consideration to this matter."
Feeling betrayed by what for a second felt like an ally, the delta is seething. He scowls, and gripes through clenched teeth...
"Damn it, Stephen; I swear you could be such a weathervane … constantly changing direction depending on which way the wind blows. So frigging wishy-washy; can't make up your mind one way or the other."
The beta responds with a smile, which irks the already agitated delta even more. The beta tells him...
"Perhaps my seeming 'wishy-washy' is just your perception brought about by your own obstinance. Regardless ... whether your points are valid; or mine ... in the end, it all comes down to what our alpha decides. Our words and opinions are mere fodder for his decision-making process."
The alpha laughs, "Well, that's an amusingly interesting viewpoint, Stephen … and, at the same time, seemingly accurate. It's true; I suppose I do use your words and opinions as fodder … and right now, there's just a bit more fodder I require before rendering my final decision."
A presumptuous Elder Elliot foolhardily steps forward, placing his foot in his mouth...
"Of course, Julian; always happy to help. It is an honor to be of service to you at this critical moment. I think that at this time we..."
"Elder Chandler, though your words of wisdom always play a crucial role in our pack's business..." The alpha tries to maintain a straight face without laughing; and keep from alienating the elder's fragile ego. "I'm afraid this time I was referring to a different source of fodder."
Embarrassed, the elder turns a slight shade of red as he slowly slinks back. "Oh … of course. My mistake. I apologize for my exuberance."
"No apologies necessary, Elliot." The alpha looks to his gamma. "Ray?"
The gamma quickly replies, "Yes, my alpha?"
Glancing at Felicia. "Admittedly I don't fully appreciate the unexpected changes to the original agreement and the secrecy that the witches are keeping; I do understand the challenging predicament that they must find themselves in; and will honor their steadfast position." He turns to the gamma. "That said … from your fervid declaration before, it's clearly obvious that you may know the true identity of this child. … At least, you believe you're certain of its identity; am I correct?"
"Yes, my alpha."
"Then tell me, in all candor; who do you believe this child to be?"
"In all candor, my alpha?"
"Yes."
"By her powerful aura … I believe that she is most likely an Acrilian werewolf."
A sensation of shock-and-awe emanates throughout the air as a sudden deafening silence befalls the room. The Rainier Pack wolves are instantly taken aback, and other than an almost unison release of gasps, everyone is speechless at the moment. Even Felicia, who knew that the gamma had his suspicions, is a bit taken aback. She sharply turns in his direction as her eyes immediately widen. The alpha notices this and realizes that his gamma must be correct. The alpha asks the gamma...
"Ray … is that it? Or is there more?"
"My alpha … taking into account the recent events, and rumors circulating about them..." The gamma takes a moment to take in a deep breath before hesitantly telling Alpha Julian, "My alpha … I believe this child may be the unaccounted-for daughter of the luna of the recently massacred Shadow Hunter Pack."