Adea
“Everyone present has an alliance with the previous Alpha of Half Moon,” Alpha Rich said. “Your attendance shows you would like to take his spot here at the Alpha’s Table and continue said alliance.” When Shane didn’t speak, he continued. “Does anyone have any questions?”
When no one answered, Alpha Rich nodded his head. “There is also a peace treaty.”
“Explain the details of the peace treaty, would you?” Shane asked, his voice a low rumble.
“It’s a simple one. The peace treaty stands for every Alpha and his pack present,” Alpha Rich looked around the table. “By coming to The Table, you swear there will be no wars waged against any other pack here.”
“What happens if the Peace Treaty is broken?” Shane asked.
He said it as if he were talking about a simple matter like the weather or what he ate for lunch. I forgot that I was ignoring Shane and I just about broke my neck as I turned my focus onto him.
He was blatantly speaking about the elephant in the room. Shane’s arrogant smirk pulled at his lips again. It felt like a game and I had just lost.
His question was a clear threat. It wasn’t targeted at any other pack in this room but Desert Moon. I could feel Ethan’s anger rolling off of him and I gently squeezed his hand.
The room was quiet, so quiet, that I could hear a pin drop. I wasn’t the only one who held their breath at that question. Alpha Rich blinked and his brow furrowed as he tried to figure out if he had heard Shane right. When he realized Shane had indeed said what he said but was also dead serious, Alpha Rich spoke.
“Hypothetically. The terms of the Peace Treaty state that if a pack breaks that treaty, the rest of the Alphas from The Table will come to the attacked Alpha’s pack’s aid. The Peace Treaty demands our commitment and ensures a peaceful coexistence.”
Shane leaned forward, his elbows on the table, and his hands clasped in front of him. The veins in his hands were popping out and his knuckles cracked as he squeezed his hands together.
Shane smiled at me as he mulled Alpha Rich’s words around, his dimples popped out as his smile deepened. His eyes lit up as he held my attention.
To his right, Devin was sitting up straight in his seat and hadn’t commented since sitting down. He’d finally gotten his seat as Beta and I wondered if it was as cracked up as he’d hoped it would be. The expression on Liam’s face was one of a doomed man but I had no pity for him.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Shane answered mysteriously. Shane leaned back in his seat, way too comfortably, as if he were watching a football game.
“Excellent.” Alpha Rich’s reply was unsure. “We are here to bear witness to you swearing allegiance to the Alpha’s gathered here today.”
“Other than the times I’ve met you when I came with my father, this is practically my first time speaking to anyone here. Why should I swear my allegiance to men I do not know?” Shane asked.
“All new Alpha’s never really know anyone at The Table,” Alpha Rich said, treading carefully. “But as time goes on, our bond deeps as we get to know each other. The benefits of having a seat at The Table outweigh not having one.”
“It was simply a question,” Shane said nonchalantly.
“Would you like a seat at the table, Alpha Shane?” Alpha Rich asked. Shane gave a curt nod.
“Please stand.”
Shane’s eyebrows rose at Alpha Rich’s command. Without a word, he stood to his feet. His Beta and Gamma did the same.
“Do you swear to uphold the Alliance and the Peace Treaty signed by your predecessor?” Alpha Rich asked.
“I do,” Shane answered. His men repeated his response.
“You may be seated,” Alpha Rich said.
The three men took their seats and Alpha Rich smiled as he looked around the room.
“It’s official, Alpha Shane and The Half Moon pack are a part of The Alpha’s Table.”
The rest of the meeting consisted of Alpha Rich going over the laws The Alpha’s Table abides by, the usual meeting times, and emergency procedures. Followed by each Alpha introducing themselves. When it came to Ethan’s turn to introduce himself, he stood up and did so. The tension between the two of them was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Now that Shane had been sworn in and introductions were over with, I was ready to go.
“You still need to give due notice before crossing anyone’s territory,” Alpha Rich said. The meeting was nearing an end. “Until you are on close terms with the Alpha, notice before arrival is expected.”
“Noted,” Shane said.
“I believe we’ve covered everything of importance today,” Alpha Rich said. “If you have any more questions when you go back home, feel free to reach out to me.”
“Thank you, we will,” Beta Devin said with a nod to Alpha Rich. Standing to his feet, he dipped his chin respectfully. “If Alpha Shane needs anything, I will be the one you will speak to or see. I’m Beta Devin,” Devin said.
“I look forward to working with you in the future, Beta Devin.”
“As do I,” Devin said as he took his seat.
“I am happy to announce that the United Meeting has ended. I want to thank everyone for showing up. I know the meeting was called last minute but I appreciate all of you putting in the effort and being here today. Unless there is an emergency, I will see all of you at the next scheduled meeting,” Alpha Rich said. He sighed and with a kind smile on his face, he looked around the room.
The room erupted in applause as Alpha Rich took his seat. His Luna hadn’t said a single thing the entire time but she smiled warmly.