***[POV: Kyrie "Co Try It" Voss]***
"Here’s what I want you to understand. If we allow the Duskpaw to set this precedent - that hiring rogues to act in other territories, then beginning open conflicts after the fact is a door that can never be closed."
I gestured to the space around us, to the pack mbers of mine and his listening lazily in the stands, seriously at the edge, and fearfully from the shadows. In free mix of human and wolf form in this safe space.
"I have resources, Alpha Ashford. Significant. Resources. If so single Duskpaw can hire rogues to operate in my territory on nothing but promises alone, what’s to stop from hiring them to operate the sa way. In their territory... or yours for that matter?"
"You wouldn’t. That’s not the escalation that is-"
"Respectfully, shut up. You were called here to listen to my side, not to argue."
The man didn’t like to be quieted down by a woman, but he wasn’t the worst of the council. I’ve never had to catch a punch from him.
"If you support their pack in this instead of staying out of a matter that should never have been growing this big, you’re telling every werewolf on the continent that traditional boundaries and territorial respect are... negotiable."
The death knell to my argunt appeared on the projector. Full financial reports of the [Moon Ash & Sun Pine Logging Co.] group. They’d been struggling since so large logging contracts fell through.
With revenue down about thirty percent, it would clearly have an effect on Pineheart pack choices the following year - or worse - if it didn’t turn around. As one young man promised his daughter he could help with.
"Of course, I understand the appeal of their position. Traditional pack law has its rits when it cos to its core components. But I wonder - are you prepared for the consequences of taking sides?"
With anger even clearer on his face, I clapped my hands together - and the extensive contracts that a Lunarizon subsidiary keeps to provide lumber to Vossden itself for city projects, a local paper mill, and more shows up next.
"The leasing rights your pack holds on the northern slopes. The beyond favorable shipping rates I’ve been providing for your lumber exports. Docunts and agreents that the humans love to keep track of... and so do I."
I turn my wrist around and look at my watch. As if I have better things to do than stand here making these threats. But honestly, I have nothing better to do than protect my pack. Taking a cue from my Princess, I raise my chin.
"If you’re going to treat like the bully in the room that needs ganged up on... and not a benefactor who is now the victim of an aggressor, then I... Will. *Beco*. Your bully."
"You’re talking about starting another Lunar War!"
At this, voiced tight with the much fear, I tilt my head and scoff. I certainly hope this elderly werewolf standing behind the Pineheart Alpha was not in any decision making capacity.
"Am I? I was almost positive that I am talking about doing all I can to prevent one? Because that’s exactly what we’ll have if you throw in any sort of support for a group of wolves that are out there making plans and allies to *attack* my people and my city."
Scrolling texts from the man I’ve decided should be dealt with on sight flood the projection area, zooming and highlighting certain phrases.
"At this rate, my wolves will begin to see others as enemies and not friends. Because they won’t know who to trust if any mber or any pack decides they can hire rogues to settle their disputes with people in little proxy wars."
I could see the calculation in Ashford’s blue eyes as they glowed yellow around the edges. The weighing of biding ti against imdiate survival. It would be disastrous if I use legal force to halt anything my business arms can for his people.
Honestly, I don’t know what he was thinking at all to not give them a firm rejection. And it makes want to pin him down and tell what his problem is.
"The woman they’re demanding. What’s her status? Is she truly worth belittling the Duskpaw Alpha’s claim over?"
...Worth? A spike of fury shot through at the question. I had to fight to keep my voice level even as my arms changed. His Beta shifted entirely as I took a step forward, muscles bulging and brown fur spiking out in tension.
But I just stared down the yellow eyes in a daring challenge. Not a single one of my people moved. Not because they wouldn’t defend if multiple challengers ca, but because *they* weren’t afraid for .
"She is a visitor in my territory, by her own choice. Being accused of things without proof. Including by mbers of my own pack. All of you are belittling ** in the process."
My assistant launched up the gossip on the silly ’interpack leadership’ subforum. And the corresponding rumor posts that spawned from it that I’d been reading through instead of sleeping... to pick out the most *effective* ones.
"You see the level of access to information I have and yet you have your own opinions of the choices that I am making. So if any of you have sothing to prove by strength over intelligence, we can settle this now. I’m waiting."
Ashford was quiet for a long mont, his gaze moving between and his advisors as I panned around the crowd of my own people. Victoria was of course, not available for this eting. Even though I gave her plenty of invitation.
"What exactly are you asking of my Pineheart, Ms. Voss?"
"Neutrality."
"...That’s all?"
"What is the point of the coming conclave - of the council at all - if issues like this cannot be dealt with a re month and a half away? The Alphas will be there on the solstice, all of us peers, to stake our claims in person instead of breaking pacts."
It wasn’t really a choice at all. I had more mbers than so of their packs combined, both wolf bearing and Ogas. As well as more technology and connections to the werewolf hunters.
"The Pineheart pack will remain neutral in this dispute. But we expect the sa courtesy from your Ricoat. No expansion of territory and no... reciprocal hiring of rogues."
Luckily, Ashford saw it that way... enough to voice it to my face. Monitoring him will have to continue. Even before they were spoken, I knew my words would co out with force.
"I have no interest in destabilizing the region. I have only ever wanted to protect what’s mine. And let all of our kind prosper alongside the humans, without disappearing quietly."
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