The Alpha’s Companion - Chapter 96

About a week later, after everything had settled down, Julien called the very first council meeting of all the packs in the area. And it was mandatory that all Alphas attend.

Julien hosted it in the smaller dining area adorned with Julien’s paintings. Although it was much smaller than the grand dining hall, it would be big enough for this meeting. Lacey had ensured that a meal was properly prepared for the meeting and all packs were given a room if they chose to stay overnight.

When Eric and Seth walked in with Arkin, they both shook Julien’s hand as he and Lacey greeted the Alphas and pack leaders at the door.

“Julien, I’m so glad you did this,” Arkin said, looking around at all the different factions. “It’s about time we all start working together.”

“Precisely,” Julien agreed. “I truly appreciate you coming. There’s some things I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Sounds good,” Arkin said. “Whatever you need.”

Julien nodded and then turned to greet the other Alphas coming in behind them.

“Hello, Alpha Queen.” Arkin smiled as he pulled Lacey in for a hug and gave her a kiss on both cheeks. Then he pulled back, his eyes filled with concern. “How are you?”

“I’m fine, but please call me Lacey,” she said, smiling. “Are you okay?”

A broad smile spread across Arkin’s lips. “Never better.”

“Did you bring my mother with you?” Lacey asked, fearing what she would say about Lacey having to kill Thorn.

Arkin nodded, concern coloring his face. “She’s upstairs in her room.”

Lacey nodded, fearing that another showdown was coming.

“Hey, sis!” Seth said, pulling her into one of his bear hugs, lifting her off her feet.

“Woah!” she said. “Easy there! I’m still recovering!”

“You are not! You’re a shifter! You heal quickly!” Chris said and then tapped his brother’s arm. “My turn!”

Lacey’s feet only touched the floor for a moment and then Chris pulled her in for a big bear hug, too. Again, Lacey wished that she had grown up with them. If she had, her childhood would have been a lot different. But as she looked over at Julien, she was glad it had turned out the way it had. “Put me down, you big oaf!” she teased as everyone laughed.

Chris set her on her feet, smiling. “Now you’re getting the idea!” He laughed. “We’ll talk to you after.”

Then to her surprise, her half-brother, Roth Tarregan, Thorn’s eldest son, walked in, obviously there to represent The Silver Pack. He shook Julien’s hand and then nodded to Lacey. “Alpha Queen,” he said and then headed toward the table and took a seat.

Lacey nodded, knowing another storm was brewing with her brother, too. But she quickly pushed the thought aside, and then turned to greet the other Alphas as they walked in. She was pleased to see that all the packs in the area were represented. It was also a show of respect for Julien as the Alpha Supreme, too.

When everyone was seated, Julien took Lacey’s hand and led her to the chair to his right as everyone stood. Once Lacey was seated, then everyone took their seats again. But Julien remained standing.

“Thank you all for coming today,” he addressed the Alphas and pack leaders. “There’s an initiative that the Alpha Queen and I have created, and it’ll be mandatory that everyone participate.”

There was a grumble of protest throughout the room.

Julien held up his hands, bringing the room to silence. “Things have to change. Sure, we are all from different packs, but we are also part of the same tribe, the same species.” Julien looked over at Lacey and smiled, and then turned back to address the Alphas. “The rogue wolves have been a problem for a while, but we hope that this initiative will help. That said, every pack will be responsible for creating an initiation program for rogue or new wolves who wish to join your packs.”

A grumble of protest resonated throughout the room.

Julien held up his hands, once again bringing the room to silence. “One of the reasons why the rogue wolves rose up was because they had no pack of their own. We hope this will help to combat the problem. And if you need help setting up your program, the Alpha Queen will be glad to help. But if there’s a wolf that would like to join your pack, then you will give that wolf a chance to prove their worth and join your pack.”

“What if a wolf wants to change packs?” Roth asked. “What then? Will it be considered treason?”

Julien leaned over and whispered the Lacey. “What do you think?”

Lacey covered her mouth. “I feel that if someone wants to change packs, they should be allowed to do so. I’m just thinking of Thorn. If I could have changed packs, I would have.”

Julien nodded once and then raised up. “If anyone wishes to change packs, then they should be allowed to do so, but only once every five years. I don’t want packs to have a revolving door.”

There was a rumble of agreement throughout the room.

“That said, there will be some rearrangements of a few packs. No one leaves the room until I have a chance to speak with you,” Julien announced. “And on a positive note, this council, The Alpha’s Pack Council, will meet twice a year, December 1 and June 1, to hash out differences between packs. Also, if I have something to announce, I’ll do so then, face to face.” Julien let out a deep breath. “In addition, if there is a dispute between packs, I will be the final judge and the Alpha Queen will be the mediator. I don’t want any more wars between our packs.” Julien placed his hands on the table and leaned forward, emphasizing his point. “We are all brothers. The same tribe. And war should only come as a last resort. Also, the rogue wolves that were caught have been dealt with.”

“And what have been done with them?” Roth smirked, raising an eyebrow. Obviously, some of his pack was among them.

Julien looked straight into his eyes. “They will remain in my dungeon for fifty years. Then their cases will be revisited on an individual basis.”

They spent the rest of the meeting discussing pack business and Lacey passed out pamphlets regarding the membership initiation. Just when the meeting was about to break up, Julien announced, “I’d like to thank you all for coming. Of course, those of you who wish to do so may stay the night as our guest. However, I would like Roth Tarregan and Arkin, Seth, and Chris Emerson to stay behind to talk privately.”

Roth sat back hard in his chair, glaring at Lacey, and her heart sank.. The war was not yet over.