Chapter 77 The Nomination

*Eric Lockwood *

Every wolf in the ballroom stood stunned at the announcement. However, when the black wolf spoke through my half breed granddaughter, their astonishment changed to fright and one by one, the wolves knelt down on the carpeted floor of the ballroom.

I suddenly felt a pain in my chest. The pain radiated all through my upper torso to my arms. I also had trouble breathing. "Bow," my wolf said, "or our queen will squeeze the life out of you."

"How did you not know of this?" I asked my wolf, as I slowly knelt down on the floor. "These are things that you as a wolf can sense. Long has the Lotus Pack waited for the return of the black wolf."

"Eric Lockwood, I have told you time and again to change your ways. Did I not tell you when you became violently ill that this was clearly a sign of your comeuppance? I did not have the permission to tell you. I had to wait for our queen to announce her arrival. Now that you know, I will warn you, she is angered by you and will extract punishment from both of us for all our crimes. OUR CRIMES! I have repeatedly looked the other way in all your wrongdoings and I will have to pay the price," my wolf said, sadly.

"Then there is no other way. We will have to kill my granddaughter," I told my wolf. I was surprised to hear him scoff at me.

"There is no way for you to kill Diana Lockwood-Crowne. All of us are merely puppets on a string. If you are alive, it is because she allows it. As you can obviously see, she even has the High Lord Wolf on a tight leash."

"Whatever," I scoffed back at my wolf. What did he know? The black wolf was not immortal nor was my half breed granddaughter.

There were always ways to get close to her. I could act like I finally accepted her and bring Lucas and her back to the mansion, back under the protection of the pack. With her as part of the Lotus Pack, we would become the most powerful pack in the country, maybe the world even. Then, when they least expect it, I could play around with their breaks and they could die in a car accident while I would remain alive to benefit from their deaths.

As I knelt on the floor, I watched Chase leave his chair and run off to the restroom. Chase was a liability. I would have to throw him under the bus. As for One, I would have to betray him if the need arises.

I noticed the other wolves around had risen, so I picked myself off the floor and sat in my chair. My half-breed granddaughter had left the stage and the High Lord Wolf was now announcing the election for the available seats for High Councilman.

"Sadly, three of our most esteemed High Councilmen had left this earthly world to accompany the Moon Goddess in the afterlife. I know they would have been deeply honored to have met Diana and would have welcomed her with high regards."

"Tonight, I will announce the six nominees for High Councilman. All of you will have until January 30th to campaign. On New Year's Eve day, we will hold our elections at Wolf Hall. The three newly elected High Councilmen will then nominate their choices for Elder. This year however, we will not only be electing three new Elders, but four as Minerva Allen has been stripped of her position and title for the murder of Alpha Matthew Adams, the missing Alpha of the Amber Eyes Wolf Pack. She has confessed to her crime and because she has undoubtedly served the longest as an Elder, her sentence has been reduced to life imprisonment," the High Lord Wolf said, the unhappiness clear in his voice. "This election, though, I would like to make some necessary changes. This has already been agreed upon by the High Council."

The whispers of the gossipy wolves could be heard throughout the ballroom. Some of the wolves even turned in their chairs to look at me. "Yes, you dimwits! Lucas wasn't the only Alpha that had gone missing," I wanted to scream at them. But I bit my tongue. I wanted to be nominated and I needed to win. For now, I had to play nice.

"Minerva Allen had a lot of skeletons in her closet. Imagine killing the High Lord Wolf's cousin. I wonder why she did it," Jacob Johnson whispered in my ear.

"She must have been a jilted lover. I remember Alpha Matthew. He was very handsome. She probably wouldn't take no for an answer," I whispered back.

"How was Minerva Allen in her youth? Was she even pretty?" Jacob asked me.

"No. I do not remember Minerva as pretty. She was very intelligent though and manipulative. I knew her to be a Priestess of some sort. She had certain powers and could manipulate anyone with a simple touch. She was Lucas's teacher in prep. She then rose in rank, became Headmistress of the school then, she was elected Elder. She has been an Elder ever since. No one ever dared try to cross her. She knew everything, even the time of day when you do your business in the bathroom," I said, chuckling. "I do remember she had a younger sister who was blessed with beauty. I suspect Alpha Matthew must have had his sights on her instead."

"I see where you're going with this, Eric. Minerva didn't like being overlooked. What a tragedy," Jacob said, shaking his head. He then points to Diana. "So what are your plans now? Your granddaughter is blessed with the black wolf of legend. If I were you, you should use it to your advantage."

"That's exactly what I'm planning to do J.J.," I said, as my lips curved upward. "That's what I plan to do."

Puppet on a string. I'll show that granddaughter of mine who's a puppet.

And it isn't me.

______________________

*Edward Crowne *

I wish the earth would open up and swallow me whole. I insulted the black wolf in front of everyone.

I felt my whole body shake in pain when we she asked us to bow. I almost collapsed on the ground when I hurriedly knelt down.

"You are an imbecile, Edward. You do not have an ounce of humility. I will not be surprised if the black wolf decides to break every bone in your body," my wolf said.

"How could I have possibly known? She looked so innocent and smelled so sweet. You did not even sense her presence and if you did, you did not even tell me," I argued.

"I was not in the position to announce her presence. However, it is in my power to warn you of your mistakes. Have I not told you to accept Ethan's destiny of mating with his fated mate? Wealth isn't a true measure of wolf. It is honor, integrity and respect. You no longer possess the ideals of a wolf and the black wolf knows this. You and I will be punished for our foolishness. I have accepted my fate. Now, accept yours," my wolf growled at me.

I will be punished? She could not possibly kill the father of her mate. Or could she? I would need to make amends with Ethan or make him think as such. As for Sophia Johnson, I would have to rethink our alliance with the Johnsons' and make a pact with the Lotus pack.

The High Lord Wolf announced four Elders will be elected which increases my probability of becoming Elder. I turned my head to glance at Eric Lockwood who was whispering to Jacob Johnson. From where I sat, it looked like they were conniving once again. I had to make my move soon, before New Year's Eve or I will never gain a place on the council.

The High Lord Wolf paused momentarily as he shuffled through the pages of the book of the Wolf Bylaws set infront of him on the podium where he stood. The whispers among the wolves became audible as the High Lord Wolf stood infront of all us, scanning through the pages.

"Wolf bylaw 126 clause 9. This bylaw gives me the power to nominate a wolf or wolves for High Councilman who was or were not previously elected as Elder as I deem necessary, granted it would be agreed upon by the High Council," he said.

The wolves were no longer whispering. They were no protesting. One Elder, who had a high probability of being nominated, stood from his chair and yelled, "This is preposterous! You have no sole authority in changing the election!" Every wolf went quiet and all eyes went to him. I scoffed at him. Serves all these wolves right.

"According to this bylaw, I do, Elder Tatum. If you have brought your copies of our bylaws, you can see that it clearly states I have the power to do so, if agreed upon by the High Council. I had a last minute meeting with them and they have all agreed that I may nominate someone who was not previously elected as Elder. This wolf will still have to undergo the rigorous selection process of the election. I would also like to remind our Elders, I and the High Council have the power to strip you of your position," the High Lord Wolf announced coldly.

I leaned back on my chair and watched the red-faced Elder Tatum sink back into his chair, embarrassed by his outburst. I again glanced at Eric Lockwood who was clearly seething in anger. Ah, the privileged have been put in their place.

I looked at where Ethan, Harriet and Kate were seated. The wolves at their table were clearly enjoying themselves. I shook my head sadly. If I had just brushed Eric Lockwood aside and welcomed Ethan's new Luna, I would probably be seated with them, laughing at the other wolves who have had the rug pulled from under them.

If I had only just...

_______________________

*Alpha Connor *

My first time to attend a shindig like this and I am loving how high society can topple and fall at a whim. As they say, the only one place you can go from high up is down. When Diana told them to bow, the wolves all knelt down on the carpeted floor. This was something they were not accustomed to.

We had a couple of glasses of champagne until I asked Michael if he could score me a couple of beers from the bar for Matt and I. I was surprised when Lucas and Ethan asked for beers too.

"Hey, I've been away from high society and lived in a small quiet place for eighteen years. Michael and I, we drink beer on our nights out. Nothing better than a ice cold six pack and a game of pool," Lucas said.

"Now that's a night I like. By the way, what are your plans after we get Athena's children? I'm heading back to my territory. You are all welcome to come with," I offered Lucas.

"Thanks Connor. I might take you up on that offer. But first, Diana, Michael and I will be going to the mansion to take what is hers. I would really appreciate it if you can help us out," Lucas answered. Michael had already come back with our bottles of beer.

"What Lucas means to say is, a fight won't be the same without you, Alpha Connor. I doubt it if Chase would give up his position to Diana...willingly," Michael said after putting the beers on the table.

"By the way, where is Chase? He was just here a while ago," Lucas noticed. I turned around to take a look at Eric Lockwood's table. Eric was there whispering to a friend of his, but Chase's chair beside him was empty.

"Uncle Chase is in the restroom. He's sick," Diana said, overhearing her father's question.

"Come on, Diana. Can't they enjoy one last party before they die?" I asked her.

"Onyx has no problem with that. She just wanted all the wolves to bow to her. Even if Uncle Chase's wolf begged him to bow, he resisted. I mean, even my grandfather, who wants to kill me, bowed. Yes, there is the fact he was scared Onyx would squeeze his heart and kill him. Maybe if Onyx gave Uncle Chase a harsher alternative then maybe he wouldn't be in the bathroom puking his guts out," she said, giggling. "Anyway, he will remain sick for maybe half an hour. Then, he will feel much better."

"Guys, some quiet please. The High Lord Wolf is scolding an Elder. While all of you are talking nonsense, the High Lord Wolf just changed the way nominations for High Councilman are made. This time he will be nominating someone who isn't an Elder. This means that this wolf is personally endorsed by him and he will be campaigning for him or her. This is quite exciting," Didi said. "Maybe it's Diana."

"Diana, High Councilman? She's already queen. Maybe it's Ethan," I argued.

"No, I doubt it. I'm too young. Even Diana is too young," Ethan said.

"Sssshhhh, let's see who the High Lord Wolf will be nominating," Didi said.

"Before I announce the nominees, I will be reviewing each and every Elder. I will be calling each of you to my office to clarify a few projects or transactions or maybe ask why you never had any projects. Make sure to answer my call and attend the scheduled interview at the prescribed time appointed to you. If I am not satisfied with your performance, I will strip you of your position and I will hold a snap election where each pack will be allowed to nominate a representative. Too long have we ignored the plight of the wolves. We pledged to be of service. Let us serve," the High Lord Wolf stated. Diana stood up and applauded the High Lord Wolf. That meant we had to clap too so we all joined in the applause.

"I know it sounds cliche, but without further ado, the six nominees are as follows..."

I drank my beer. Who cares? The Council of Wolves was a joke.

"...Elder Anna Hargrove, Elder Carlos Nuñez, Elder Francis Morris, and because Minerva Allen, who was the longest serving Elder is in prison, the nomination goes to the next longest serving Elder, Elder Margaret Rose Collins. Lastly, two wolves whom I believe have integrity and virtue and am proud to endorse. Alpha Connor Greene of the Night Walker Forest Pack and Alpha Lucas Lockwood of the Lotus Pack. Please come up on stage please," the High Lord Wolf said.

The applause was deafening. I must have heard wrong. Did the High Lord Wolf just say my name?

"Alpha Connor, it's you, come on," Diana said, tugging on my arm. I stayed in my chair, relunctant to stand until Lucas, Ethan and Matt pulled me up. Diana then hooked her hand in one of my arms, held her father in the other and guided us to the stage.

My first Christmas Ball and now I was nominated for High Councilman. I looked at Lucas whose face was sweating.

"Wipe the sweat off your face, Lucas." He looked at me, realizing I got back at him for a while ago. We both laughed.

As we were walking up the steps to the stage, I glanced back at Matt and Michael, who were standing side by side, two Betas who were proud of their Alphas.

I felt my heart swell up with pride.