He continued, "There would be no freeloaders. Taking their resources, like money, food, materials would make the West Wood Pack mbers feel a little comfortable, while it would offset your pack mber’s complaint and dissatisfaction. After all, no one wants to be inconvenienced by freeloaders."
"Besides," he added, "Who wouldn’t want to leave a pack that is being hunted by monsters daily? Trust they’d do everything to leave, even giving their wealth and half their lives." Ryder had lived enough to know how living things were.
Reana thought about it. What he said made sense. She liked it.
The West Wood Pack still has rchants bringing them goods every week. Reana could order them to stock up more on food, dicine, and clothes. And with her pack’s resources combined with theirs, they all might just make it through the harsh winter.
"Alright," she said finally, her voice firm. "Let’s do it. We’ll take over the West Wood Pack and prepare them for the winter fury..." she trailed off and frowned as she voiced her concern.
"Taking over the West Wood Pack would require the council of Alphas to acknowledge as the rightful leader. But after what happened with Alpha Killian, I’m not sure that’s going to be possible."
"Do you care about their acknowledgent so much?" he asked, his voice low and even. "Does what they say matter? You could choose to do what you want and I’ll be solemnly behind you."
Reana shook her head, "That’s not how it works, Ryder. The pack is a complex system, and the Alphas have a say in who leads. If you try to force it, there will be resistance, and it could lead to war or we’d be ostracized."
Ryder’s expression remained calm, but Reana could sense a hint of amusent in his voice. "Are you afraid of war and to be ostracized?"
"Who wants war?" she asked rhetorically, then continued, "No one wants war. And yes, we can’t handle being ostracized. Our rchants trade with other pack rchants. You understand what it ans if we’re ostracized?"
Without waiting for him to reply, she continued, "The Dark Snow Pack haven’t attacked their enemies for decades because the packs in the Mainland present a united front. If we’re ostracized, we’ll be vulnerable to attacks from, not just the Dark Snow Pack, but others who’d been envious of our pack’s resources."
Ryder arched a brow. Really? These people thought their unity was what stayed his hand? He almost chuckled. If he wanted to attack all the pack’s together, he could.
He stopped attacking his enemies because he found it boring, and not because of what Reana thought.
But anyway, he had to humor her, otherwise, he gave her sothing to be suspicious about.
With a ’thoughtful’ look, he nodded. "I see," he continued. "So, getting the council’s acknowledgent is crucial."
Reana nodded, her brow furrowed in concern. "Exactly. And with Alpha Killian’s circumstances, considering it happened in my pack, I’m not sure where the council stands on this matter."
"But he bullied you and we retaliated." Ryder frowned.
Reana sighed, rubbing her head against his chest. "I’m a woman, Ryder. Those n don’t see worthy to be in the position of power, especially one that challenges their masculinity. They feel it’s insulting."
She took a deep breath. "That’s where Alpha Killian’s hatred for ca from. What do you think they would do if they knew that a woman wants to expand her territories?"
She continued, "South Wood Pack is the largest pack in the Mainland. The Alpha is Killian’s cousin. He would never allow to take over the West Wood Pack without a fight."
"What about the Dark Snow Pack? Where do they stand in all of this?" He probed.
Ryder never cared about these things. It was he who isolated their Southern Islands, closing all doors to the pack’s in Mainland. He didn’t even attend any of the gatherings he was invited to.
Now he wished he cared a little.
Reana paused, mindlessly playing with the lace on Ryder’s chest as she explained. "The Dark Snow Pack may not be like every other generic pack, but they’re part of the Alpha Council."
"Are they?" Ryder asked incredulously.
Reana, oblivious to his shock, continued, "Yes, and they send a representative in every eting. And it’s likely they would vote against growing my pack."
"Oh?" Ryder tilted his head. He was part of the Alpha Council? Why was he not aware?
He opened his mindlink, searching for Marcus. Unlike everyone else, Ryder could mindlink anyone, anywhere, no matter the distance – provided they were in the pack’s premises. And he could single out whoever he wanted to mindlink.
After a while of searching, Marcus responded. ’Why am I not aware that I’m a mber of the Alpha council?’ Ryder didn’t let him breathe before he attacked him with the question.
’Alpha council? Ah, that. You said not to bother you with any trivial matters, so Beta Qasas never told you about it.’
’And who did you send to the council in my place?’
’A few ogas. Our warriors are too proud to sit with weaklings.’
Ryder’s lips twitched. How many things were these people doing behind his back? Well, not like he could bla them. He cared about nothing, except the prosperity of his people and searching for his Luna.
"What are you thinking?" Reana’s voice cut through his thoughts.
Ryder’s gaze shifted, locking eyes with her. With a calm smile breaking out on his face, he told a clean lie. "I was thinking we could use Detroit. He’s a Dark Snow mber. He could write to the Alpha Council on his Alpha’s behalf."
Reana frowned, "That’s..."
"If the Dark Snow Pack gives you their vote, do you think any other pack would dare to go against that?" His smile widened, "No one wants to go up against Alpha Snow, not even the South Wood Pack."
"How would you know?" she suddenly asked, catching him off guard. "Have you t him before?" Thinking of it now, he should, right? Considering his power and age, he may have t the enigmatic Alpha Snow, whose face has never been seen, but his na was whispered in fear, hate, and reverence.
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