34.

Farryn was not greeted kindly when they returned to the small pack town. Tony had been waiting at the border for her return to inform her that he had called a meeting of the council. Darius’s seat needed to be given to someone new and Farryn’s lack of results needed to be addressed. She had known that the pack would want the empty council seat to be filled as soon as possible but she had assumed that with naming Jason as her Beta it would get some of the doubters off of her back for a bit, obviously, she had been wrong.

As they entered the town Farryn sent Tony to fetch Ian, claiming that she would need to speak to him briefly before the council meeting. He had hesitated to leave her side, making it crystal clear that he no longer trusted her. Farryn swallowed down the bitter feeling and walked on with Tristan and Ashia behind her. No one had stopped to question who Ashia was, though she was certainly earning herself plenty of cautious looks as she gazed around the small town with eyes as wide as a newborn pup.

“I would not have thought this was here. You all are self-reliant?” She asked curiously, stepping up to walk at Farryn’s side. The alpha looked to the younger female as she nodded her head.

“That’s right, we forage and hunt for food and have a clean stream nearby to provide water that we’ve managed to redirect to feed into the buildings. Despite being out here so far we do have electricity to provide light but that is about all we need here.” Though Farryn had not been one to build the small town, or to help with the pack settling in she did feel a sense of pride when talking about it all.

Ashia hummed softly as she nodded her head, drifting away from the wolves for a moment as they walked to Farryn’s home. There was no worry that the young Dragonkin would run into trouble among her pack but Farryn was still curious as to how she might be able to help. As they reached the front door Tony and Ian crossed the street.

“You wanted to see me Alpha?” Ian gave Farryn a formal bow, she had come to understand that he only acted this way in front of others. Several pack members blamed him for her taking the title of Alpha from Jason and his continuous show of support for her has helped to comfort some.

“Yes, let’s head inside first, the other members of the council shouldn’t be kept waiting forever.” Farryn made sure to look to Tony as she spoke as well. She had suspected he was on the verge of giving her a snide comment about making everyone wait but thankfully by beating him to the punch he held his tongue and nodded instead. Ian’s confused gaze was mirrored by Ashia who had never seen the way a werewolf pack operated before.

Farryn led the way to the meeting room where everyone else was already seated, Jason was seated closest to her chair at the head of the table. Upon her entrance, only two council members rose to greet her out of the eight councilmen in the room. The corner of her lip twitched into the beginnings of a growl but she quickly suppressed it, now wasn’t the time to be instigating anything, not yet. She motioned for the two to sit, and for Tony to take his seat as well while she made her way to her chair. Instead of sitting down however she stood at the side and waved Ian from the door. Jason was quick to catch her eye, it was clear he wanted her to say something to those disrespecting her but she wasn’t ready for that fight just yet.

“I know that despite the best efforts of this pack that Darius has remained missing for far too long. Unfortunately, we now must assume that the Moon Goddess has reclaimed another of her children.” Farryn gave a formal pause as everyone who knew the older male dipped their head in silent respect, a few sent a quiet prayer to the Goddess that she welcomes him with open arms.

“Despite this loss, the pack continues to live on, with this in mind we all know that the seat Darius had occupied is now open. I will be giving this seat on the council, the member who will be responsible for all hunting parties to come, to Ian.” She extended her hand to the young male who’s eyes lit up in excitement. He had not been expecting the position, he hadn’t put Farryn in her position in hopes to better himself and she knew that. She had seen how hard he worked to prove himself to the pack. The council remained silent, perhaps waiting to see if she was merely joking with them.

“I, as Beta to Alpha Farryn, second her decision.” Jason's voice of encouragement warmed Farryn’s heart, but it was all it took to send the council into a flurry of rage. She saw the way Ian shrank back in disappointment.

“Alpha you must be joking! He is no older than a pup! What could he possibly know about leading a hunting party?!” The calls of outrage continued for a moment longer. Farryn closed her eyes as she breathed deeply before taking a mental step back. Her fist hit the long table with enough force to splinter the wood to the far end. The move silenced the older males quickly. When she opened her eyes it was clear to all that she had given control over to her wolf. Her icy blue gaze swept the group, there wasn’t a drop of respect for the males before her.

“You call yourself a council of the pack? You have done nothing but question and doubt our decisions from the moment we took the title of Alpha from this one!” She pointed a finger to Jason who didn’t dare flinch or look away in remorse for the loss of his power.

“Your job is to help guide us in protecting the pack, we have not done anything to put this pack in danger with our actions or words but that isn’t enough for you. That isn’t enough for any of you. Why don’t you just step forward and challenge us if you dare? If you think we are so unworthy of this title then take it from us! Otherwise, shut your mouths and sit down.” The snarl that echoed through the room with Lola’s words drove several members of the council straight into their seats with their heads lowered in shame. Tony was among the small group who hesitated before slowly lowering themselves.

What she had not been expected was for the power in her voice to affect those she was not talking to. Ian and Tristan had both lowered their heads in submission. As Tristan tilted his head back to watch his Alpha his amber eyes seemed to glow with excitement. He enjoyed watching her stand up for herself, but more than that he enjoyed watching Lola. Ashia, who had been standing near the corner of the room, stood with her mouth agape in surprise. She had not been expecting to see anything like this.

Farryn’s eyes slowly returned to their regular green color as she slowed her breathing. It had been the first time she willingly allowed Lola to speak through her, and she did not regret the decision. It was unsettling to watch as she had no control over her actions and words but she felt nothing but pride for the white wolf. She motioned for Ian to take the empty seat near Tony.

“I expect you all to treat Ian with the respect you would give any new member and to give him any guidance and support he may need as he gets accustomed to his new role in the pack.” Her tone of voice was much softer as she spoke and many councilmen relaxed their shoulders now that the presence of the white wolf was gone. She was happy to see the way Ian took his seat with his head held high, she knew he was the right choice for the position as he would do his very best.

“Now, we also need to discuss the issue of Amelia and Darius. I know many in the pack suspect Tristan, is this correct Tony?” Ashia’s skeptical gaze returned as she looked quickly to the male who had remained standing by the door. Even from her seat, Farryn could see the way the muscle in his jaw feathered as he resisted the urge to try and defend himself. Tony nodded his head, glancing once towards the male before looking back to Farryn.

“Yes alpha, after finding the blood in his home when Darius went missing many had begun to suspect him then. When Amelia’s body was brought home it pushed many to begin to call for his blood.” Tony remained as passive as he possibly could, doing his best to try and seem neutral in the situation but it was clear he was on the side of killing Tristan. An elderly male seated at the back slowly rose from his seat. He had been one to rise in greeting when she had entered.

“Alpha, we have not had a chance to be properly introduced before with everything that has been going on since you have arrived. My name is Edmond, I am the one who is responsible for making sure the pack has all of the resources it needs, especially medicine. I have been on this council for well over thirty years. I have seen this pack go through Alpha’s faster than I would care for, however, I can say with confidence that you made the right choice in sparing young Tristan.” Tony and a few other council members scoffed quietly at the old male’s words.

“You have been our Alpha for three months now, only two have died thus far and not because of you. You have chosen not to begin your time as our leader in bloodshed and for that, you will always have my support and respect.” Edmond placed his hand to his heart as he lowered his head. Farryn’s spine straightened slowly with surprise, she was touched by his words, and even more so that several other members rose to their feet and copied his motions. It seems that Ian wasn’t the only one who believed she was the right choice after all. Farryn gave everyone a true smile.

“Thank you, and for those who are still hesitant, I will earn your trust one day.” She promised solemnly before everyone was seated once more. Farryn turned her attention to Ashia and had her move to everyone's view. For her first time outside of Aeston Ashia was certainly confident.

“This is Ashia, she is visiting from Aeston while several sources are investigating matters for me. She will be staying here in the main house and I expect everyone to treat her with respect.” Tony growled loudly in objection.

“How many times will you bring outsiders into our business? At the rate you are going we won’t solve any issues on our own anymore. First the silver ones and now this?” He motioned his hand flippantly to Ashia who stood a few feet away from him. Her gaze locked onto him solely as her head tilted in a predatory way that Farryn hadn’t seen from her before.

“You like to talk loudly because it is the only way others will listen no? You are in that chair because of your father. You worry that the new Alpha will remove you, so rather than support Alpha, you belittle and judge. Little wolf, the louder you are, the less you are needed.” Ashia flashed the pale-faced Tony a toothy grin as he pressed his lips together tightly. Jason chuckled at Farryn’s side.

“You certainly seem to enjoy bringing those with a flair for the dramatics,” Jason whispered teasingly. Farryn bit down on the inside of her cheek to keep from barking out a laugh. He had no clue just how right he was though she didn’t realize until afterward just how dramatic her new allies were.

“Little wolf, you are…” Ashia paused as she tried to find the word she was looking for, Tony’s cheeks had begun to flush at the nickname she had decided to give him despite the difference in their ages.

“Sentry?” She asked, her wise gaze drifted to everyone in the room, hoping someone would help her.

“Tony is the head of our guard, in a sense yes he is a sentry, he is responsible for keeping our borders and town protected.” Jason gave her the information that she needed. Ashia nodded her head in quiet thanks before looking back at Tony once more.

“You are good at your job. It is the right fit for you. You have a cautious nature but should stop looking at those in power here. These are not the people who have wronged you.” Ashia took a few steps back from Tony to give him a more respectful amount of space. When her eyes found Farryn, the Alpha smiled. She didn’t fully understand how Ashia figured these things out just by looking at Tony but she was beginning to understand that the younger female was not to be underestimated in any way. Farryn finally took her seat at the head of the table and laced her fingers together.

“Now that introductions are out of the way, let us begin the meeting.”