This morning Ava had woken up inspired to do more for her pack, especially in the wake of that attack. If Cynthia’s words were the truth then she had been tracking them over a long distance. That meant that they were a more organized group than Arthur had made them out to be. It meant they could migrate out there as well if they hadn’t already.
The Mountain Coast Pack could be the next to be preyed on. So she came up with a multi-prong strategy that would help keep her pack safe.
Firstly, they would have to ensure each individual pack member could hold their ground in case of unforeseen circumstances. And they would have to build safe houses in case of emergencies and practice drills to make sure everyone could make it to a safe house in time.
Secondly, they would have to observe curfews. A pack member would not be allowed to leave the heavily patrolled pack lands at certain hours for their safety.
Finally, every strange occurrence had to be reported, if the enemy was coming, they had to keep their ears and eyes open for information alongside coordinating with other packs for information.
Even these approaches would be unable to keep them completely safe but it would go a long way to prepare them for what was coming. Or so Ava had thought. The elders of the council had taken one look at her and branded her foolish.
Oh, they didn’t outright say it after all she was their Luna and they had to show her respect but they showed it in every gesture. They hadn’t even let her get a word in about her idea before ripping her arguments apart.
She regretted telling Adrian to stay away from the meeting because she didn’t want to be constantly defended by him, she wanted them to respect her on her own, not as an extension of Adrian. Now she stood alone in a room of a dozen elders who wanted to hear exactly nothing about her plans for the pack.
“Luna, what Elvis is trying to say is maybe you should leave this matter to us.” Elder Asher said delicately, his lined face wrinkled into a look of sympathy that didn’t fool Ava one bit.
“You are still new to your station, that’s why we are here to assist you and guide you on this journey. Allow us to help you. For now you can function in other pursuits that you are more passionate about like the redevelopment of the pack’s clinic.”
The other elders nodded and murmured in agreement to this safe advice. Ava felt her pulse spike and she stood up to her feet, slamming her fingers against the table as she did so hard that the entire table went silent.
“I hear you loud and clear. You want me to stop butting in with pack politics and take a role where I will be a figurehead as a Luna is supposed to be.”
“Ah, Ava. That isn’t what we meant at all. We don’t want to stress you out anymore with the unusual mating that you had.” Elder Cayenne said with his grandfatherly voice. Ava had known him as a child but had never known he had this side to him.
She didn’t even know if the problem was with the fact that she wasn’t Gabby or if the problem was with the fact that as a Luna she was trying to have a more active role in the running of the pack.
“The unusual mating that I had?” Ava’s voice was deceptively soft as her anger grew exponentially. “My mate has been working and making decisions every day since we got mated. Does this unusual mating talk not affect him as well?”
None of the elders answered her, they merely looked at her like she had lost one too many marbles.
“You should all be ashamed of yourselves. You are the elders of this pack. Among the most experienced, the most versed yet you would allow prejudice to cloud your mind. I know I am not the Luna you expected, I know a Luna is seen to be an accessory to the Alpha but the time for that has long passed.”
*Our biggest war is on the horizon and fast approaching us but you refuse to take precautions simply because they came from me and not my mate. I told you what I have seen about hunters hunting down wolves with packs, the rogue population has suddenly disappeared, no one knows where to, and the boundaries of packs are being drawn and redrawn.”
“If these times still seem quiet to you, then know it is the calm before the storm. And I refuse to abide quietly while the lot of you drive our pack to damnation. Either work with me as the Luna of this pack or resign and leave so that I can recruit people who are as passionate about helping this pack as I am.”
The entire council chamber became quiet for a minute. The members interchanged looks that Ava couldn’t decipher.
“Luna, of course, we will work with you.” Elder Alvis intoned and although the others didn’t seem too happy about it they let her speak and they began to lay down the plans for the training.
Adrian watched from afar nodding in approval. He had been ready to step in in case things got out of hand but only then because to do otherwise would lessen Ava’s authority and dominance with the council. Sometimes the old men just needed a nudge in the right direction.
*******
Gabrielle didn’t know what she was doing at Cynthia’s house. Cynthia had promised to be able to help her out of this fugue that she found herself in but could she really trust her?
She knocked on the door and when it finally swung open it was Cynthia who opened it instead of her siblings or parents. With a hand on her belly and a sunny smile, she looked like a completely different person.
“Gabrielle, what a pleasant surprise.”
Gabrielle saw no need to beat around the bush. “You said if I needed to do something constructive instead of hurting myself I should meet you. So here I am.”
Cynthia opened the door wider. “Come on in then.”
The door shut behind Gabrielle as she entered the house.