With that bombshell dropped ... a tumultuous explosion incurred … and the fallout begins...
The once tension-filled atmosphere of the alpha's study is now in total disarray with a flux of emotions running high. Everyone present is still a bit flabbergasted while reeling in awe; but it's Elder Elliot who manages to speak up first...
"By the Moon Goddess's blessings herself..." A huge smile stretches across his crusty, wrinkled lips, which rarely ever display an indication of satisfaction, let alone an actual bona fide smile. The elder gleefully rejoices, "If this is true … if that child really is the daughter of the luna of the Shadow Hunter Pack … then fate truly has bestowed upon us the ultimate good fortune."
"You're absolutely right, as usual, Elder Elliot," Elder Victor … who's essentially Elder Elliot's lackey and 'Yes Man' … eagerly agrees, "it would be fortunate enough to receive just an ordinary Acrilian werewolf itself; but, to take in the daughter of an Acrilian werewolf luna, that is an amazing bestowal of luck and fortune upon our pack."
Elder Elliot … who's opinion and stance has taken an instantaneous one-hundred-and eighty degree turn after hearing the gamma's assumption of the child's identity … looks to the alpha...
"Alpha Julian … if Gamma Ray's correct about that child being the luna of Shadow Hunter Pack's daughter; then, he's also correct in saying that this pack needs that child. So, by all means, let's agree to take all three of them in. I swear to you, my alpha, you'll have my full support and backing when dealing with the pack should they become disgruntled or try to stage an uprising against this decision."
Of course, Elder Victor quickly concurs, "Yes, I totally agree with Elder Elliot. And naturally you'll also have my full support and backing in this matter as well, my alpha. I swear to you my loyalty as one of this pack's members of the Tribunal of Elders."
The alpha emits an amused laugh. "Wow … you two have certainly changed your tune; and fast. So fast in fact that my head is spinning. Tell me, Elliot; what happen to all those times you were advising me against accepting a rogue into our pack. And just moments ago, you were also steadfast against taking in two dampyrs; were you not?"
"Julian … again, if that child really is the daughter of the luna of the Shadow Hunter Pack, then she can't ever be considered as a mere rogue. That surely would be seen upon as a blasphemy in the eyes of the Moon Goddess herself; for she was the one who had blessed our race with the Acrilian breed. And so, if taking in a couple of dampyrs into our pack is required to receive that child, I say do it. … Heck, I'd even be willing to accept a whole clan of vampires into the pack if it means getting that luna's daughter."
The obstinate delta ... who still remains totally against this whole arrangement despite of the child's identity … holds his position, and voices out his opposition by spouting out what comes across as a most grievous remark...
"Uh-hmm … I am well aware of the fact that one's bones become brittle as we age; but elders, really, have you no backbone left at all? I really couldn't care less if that child were the daughter of the Moon Goddess herself; there's no way in Hell I'm willing to accept those two dampyrs into this pack."
A stunned Elder Elliot lashes out, "Blasphemous! How dare you speak like that … to talk in a manner which goes against the Moon Goddess herself?! To commit such an offense and affront her is..."
The irate delta curtly snaps, "'Commit an offense that affronts her'; me?! Are you totally daft, elder?! You dare accuse me of offending the Moon Goddess while all of you are planning on bringing dampyrs … which even though are weaker hybrids are still vampires nonetheless … into our pack! Vampires, who are just as bad as witches; you want to bring them in and taint our pack … if you ask me, that is a sacrilege that's more of an affront to the Moon Goddess."
The alpha sternly admonishes the delta, "Hold your tongue, Colin! Of course, as my delta, you are allowed to speak your opinion ... but you are not allowed to disrespect others in the process; especially this pack's elders! Now, apologize!"
The delta forcibly squeezes out through gritted teeth, "I apologize."
Elder Elliot replies in a haughtily taunting tone, "I know you're really not sorry for your insolence … after all, I'm not that daft. However, being a virtuous disciple of the Moon Goddess and revered member of the Tribunal of Elders; I suppose I can be the bigger wolf in this case and accept your apology … even if it was demanded by the alpha himself."
Now, the alpha admonishes the elder; although in a milder and more subtle roundabout fashion...
"Careful, Elliot; just take the win without poking the bear. Though there is some merit to your self-adulation; I must ask that you do not provoke my delta … especially when you were at some fault when you accused him of affronting the Moon Goddess."
The humbled elder slowly draws his head down into his shoulders and looks to the floor...
"Yes, of course, my alpha. Please forgive me; I apologize."
"Elliot, as I told you before, there's no need for you to apologize to me. Just heed my advice in the future." The alpha turns to the beta. "Stephen, you've been rather quiet since hearing this rather shocking revelation. I know everyone else's viewpoint; but tell me, what are your thoughts on this matter?"
"Permission to speak frankly, my alpha?"
"Naturally … as I told Ray before, speak to me in full candor."
"Very well then..." The beta takes in a breath. "Julian, if this child turns out to be the daughter of the luna of the recently massacred Shadow Hunter Pack … though perhaps, as the elders seem to feel, this could be considered to be a stroke of good fortune for our pack..." The beta takes a moment to take in an even deeper breath. "I'm afraid that this would more likely wind up being an inevitable death sentence for our pack."
Elder Elliot abruptly interjects, "Ridiculous! As I said, this truly is a blessing from the Moon Goddess herself. I really don't think..."
In his authoritatively commanding tone, "Elliot, please! I heard what you had to say on this matter; but now it's my beta's turn. Please refrain from speaking up and let him finish."
The elder assumes the same stance that he took when previously humbled...
"Yes, of course, my alpha." Then looks up to the beta. "My apologies, Beta Stephen; pardon my interruption. By all means, go ahead with what you were saying. … Something about our 'death sentence', was it?"
There was an evident hint of sarcasm in that last remark of Elder Elliot, but the even-tempered beta just shrugs it off, delivering an affably irksome grin to the elder before continuing...
"I'm sure you're all aware … after all, it's no secret … that the Demon Lord is currently hunting down the whereabouts of the missing luna's daughter. And it's also no secret that he's been cruelly retaliating against anyone he feels had an involvement in her disappearance; openly punishing them to get his point across not to partake in hiding her but rather turn her over to him."
There's a moment of heavy silence in the room as everyone appears to be mulling this over. The beta continues...
"Mind you, these are only individuals he suspects had a role in the disappearance. What would happen if we took this child in; and she turns out to be the actual child that the Demon Lord is adamantly hunting with a vengeance ... what do you think would happen if he were to discover her here among our pack? … Again … death sentence."
Gamma Ray … who's been silent since declaring his assumption of the child's identity … speaks up...
"Pardon the interruption, Beta Stephen; if I may?" The beta nods: and the gamma offers his thoughts on the matter. "It's true that the Demon Lord is searching for the missing daughter of the luna … and, I certainly understand your concerns; as I'm sure that everyone else here can, as well … but, according to the intelligence gathered by the Great World Council, so far; the Demon Lord has been concentrating his search … and punishing those … within the Balkan and Slavic regions; primarily those with close relations to Romania."
The beta inquires, "And your point being?"
"My beta; the child has made it all this way undetected. Think about it; if the Demon Lord had any inclination that the child was in the states, surely by now the North American Council of Werewolves would have detected demon movement involving the search. Clearly the Demon Lord doesn't expect the child to be so far away; or, has any idea of her current whereabouts."
"Yet."
A befuddled expression befalls upon the gamma's countenance. "Yet, my beta? I don't understand; what do you mean by..."
The beta cuts off the gamma. "Yet … the Demon Lord has no idea of her current whereabouts yet. That doesn't mean that he won't track her down eventually; especially if she's no longer on the move … it's only a matter of time before he finally catches up to her." The beta takes a moment to look about at everyone in the room before saying, "Do we really want it to be here … here among our very own pack … that the Demon Lord finds her?"
Another heavy silence befalls the room while the members of the Rainier Pack once again mull over the beta's seemingly foreboding words. Meanwhile, Felicia is becoming somewhat exasperated of this drawn-out meeting. She was really hoping by now that they would have at least either agreed to or refused the last-minute stipulated condition.
Aware they she may be proverbially 'shooting herself in the foot' by possibly swaying them to refuse taking all three of them in; at this point, Felicia just wants a resolution to this heated debate causing the standoff. She takes in a breath before speaking up...
"Ahem … excuse me … gentleman?" She waits until gaining their attention. "Um … not to 'throw a monkey wrench into the works' and make things more complicated than they already are … and please pardon my bluntness; but all of you are squabbling over matters that may or may not even apply to the current Demon Lord situation. The point is, regardless of how sure Gamma Ray believes he knows her true identity; it doesn't necessarily mean that he's correct in his assumption that she's the former Shadow Hunter Pack luna's daughter."
Elder Elliot abruptly inquires, "What are saying … that she isn't the daughter of..."
Frustrated, Felicia rolls her eyes as she now abruptly cuts off the elder...
"...'the luna of the Shadow Hunter Pack', … yada, yada, yada … yes, I heard this said over and over again … and, with all due respect, Elder Chandler; I'm beginning to get sick and tired of having to repeat myself over and over again. So, for the very last time … I ... can't ... tell ... you ... anything ... until ... you … all ... agree ... to ... take ... in ... all ... three ... of ... them."
The delta curtly snaps, "See here you insolent wi..."
Felicia snaps back just as curtly, "Witch?! Insolent witch is that what you were about to say?! Look here, Delta Thompson; I already gave you a 'free pass' once, and looked over and forgave you before for your rude remarks … but don't push your luck. As that obnoxious asshole sentry at the gate already realized … and made the mistake to say aloud … this witch can be a bitch when push comes to shove."
Felicia takes in another deep breath to try to settle her nerves and recompose herself. She then looks to the alpha … who's actually kind of impressed by this witch's mettle … and tells him...
"Alpha Julian, again, I realize that this unexpected change to the initial arrangement … which may seem unjustifiably imposing upon the Rainier Pack; but in truth, really is necessary … came to a surprise to all of you; and, as such, some deliberation would be needed before making a decision. Even before arriving here today, we totally expected this. After all, this is a reasonably understandable reaction on your part; and only fair given the sudden stipulation."
The alpha nods. Felicia continues...
"But, as I mentioned earlier, there are dire circumstances which make it imperative for us to find a safe haven for all three of them to stay together. And, at the risk of sounding pushy; time is of the essence, Alpha Julian. New arrangements are going to have to be made and plans set into motion as quickly as possible. So, I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist upon your answer now … will you accept them into your pack; or should we just leave."
All of a sudden, as if from out of nowhere, a seemingly frantic female voice resounds throughout the alpha's study...
"Julian … why is she asking if you'll accept them into our pack? And what does she mean that they'll just leave?"