Chapter 60
The next morning I went to a hill. I was looking down at the wide valley, I felt a heavy sense of duty. The sun was starting to rise, giving the land a golden shine. Soon, the strongest werewolves in the country would meet here. This gathering could change everything for our kind, and it depended on my ability to bring together these different and sometimes opposing groups.
I sensed Xander’s presence before I saw him, his warm, comforting energy always helped me feel better. He stood next to me, holding my hand gently.
“The view is spectacular,” he said quietly. “Are you ready for this?”
I took a deep breath, still looking at the valley. “As ready as I can be. So much depends on this, Xander. If we can’t get them to agree…”
“Hey,” he interrupted, turning me to face him. “We’ve prepared for this. You’ve got this, Aurora. And remember, you’re not alone. Asher and I are right there with you.”
I nodded, feeling encouraged by his strong belief in me. “You’re right. We can do this. We have to.”
As we walked down to the meeting place, I saw Asher checking the last details. The meeting area was a big, round open space, surrounded by old, tall trees that looked like they were keeping an eye on us. In the middle was a huge, flat rock our meeting table for the day.
The first Alpha arrived as the morning mist was still clinging to the ground. I stood with Xander at the entrance to the clearing, greeting each Alpha with the formal customs of our kind. When I shook hands with each of them, I used my new abilities to feel their emotions and thoughts. They had a mix of doubt, interest, and hidden anger, which was quite intense.
One of the first people to come was Thorne, an older leader from the northern areas. His grizzled appearance and scarred face spoke of countless battles, and his eyes held a wary distrust as he approached.
“So,” he growled, looking me up and down, “you’re the one claiming to be our new ‘Protector’. We’ll see about that.”
I held his gaze firmly, refusing to be scared. “I’m eager to talk about our people’s future with you, Alpha Thorne,” I said calmly.
As more Alphas arrived, the atmosphere became heavy with tension. I could feel their eyes on me, filled with unspoken questions and doubts. But I also noticed curiosity and, from some, a guarded hope.
When all the Alpha’s had gathered, Zara stepped up to perform the opening ceremony. Her voice was clear and powerful as she called on the Moon Goddess for guidance and blessing. As she spoke, I felt a comforting warmth spread through me, coming from the crescent mark on my wrist. It reminded me of the divine support behind this effort, giving me more courage.
I stood at the front of the stone table, looking at the gathered Alphas. Their faces showed a mix of youth and eagerness, as well as the experience of years in leadership. All were now focused intently on me.
“Alphas,” I started, my voice reaching everyone in the open space, “I’ve gathered you here today because we are at a crucial point. The werewolf community is facing both old and new dangers, from inside and outside. It’s time for us to come together and create a council that will lead and safeguard all werewolves, no matter which pack or area they belong to.”
A murmur spread through the group, with some nodding in support and others looking doubtful.
“I understand that some of you may have concerns,” I went on. “About me, about this idea. So let me be clear I didn’t seek out this position. The Moon Goddess herself appeared to me, calling me the Protector of our kind and giving me new powers to carry out this responsibility.”
To demonstrate, I let my power flow freely. My eyes began to glow with an otherworldly light, and the crescent mark on my wrist shimmered visibly. A gasp went up from several of the Alphas.
“But this isn’t about me,” I pressed on. “It’s about all of us, about securing a future for our people. Xander will now present our proposal to the united werewolf council.”
Xander stepped forward, to put on the projector. As he detailed the structure of the proposed council, I watched the reactions of the other Alphas closely. Some leaned forward, clearly intrigued, while others sat back with arms crossed, their expressions guarded.
When Xander finished, there was a moment of tense silence. Then, predictably, Thorne spoke up.
“Pretty words and fancy magic tricks,” he scoffed. “But what gives you the right to propose such changes? Many of us have led our packs for decades. Why should we bow to the whims of a young upstart?”
Before I could respond, another voice cut in. It was Sophie, a younger Alpha from the coastal regions. “Because she’s offering us a chance to be stronger together,” Sophie argued. “Can’t you see the potential here?”
And just like that, the debate was on. Voices raised in argument, Alphas standing to make their points, the air crackling with tension and conflicting opinions.
I caught Asher’s eye across the table, and he nodded, smoothly inserting himself into a particularly heated exchange. His diplomatic skills shone as he mediated between opposing viewpoints, always steering the conversation back to the benefits of unity.
As the arguments raged on, I found myself grateful for all the preparation we’d done. Every concern raised, every objection voiced we had anticipated most of them and were ready with reasoned responses. Still, the sheer force of personalities clashing was intense, and I could feel the summit balancing on a knife’s edge.
After several hours of debate, I called for a break. The Alphas broke into smaller groups, some huddled in intense discussion, others taking the opportunity to approach me directly with questions or concerns.
I found a quiet moment with Xander and Asher, the three of us conferring quickly on how to proceed.
“We’re making progress,” Asher said in a low voice, “but there’s still significant opposition. Thorne and his allies are the key if we can sway them, the rest will follow.”
Xander nodded in agreement. “Aurora, I think it’s time to drive home the urgency of our situation. Use your bond with the Moon Goddess to help them see the importance of this situation.”
I took a deep breath and prepared for the next part. When I called the meeting back to focus, I could feel the strong tension in the room, like it was almost solid.
“Alphas,” I started, speaking with a strong and clear voice, “I know you have worries. Change is hard, especially when it involves the customs we’ve followed for many years. But I need you to understand something.”
I paused, making eye contact with each Alpha in turn, letting my power flare visibly. “The threats we face are real and growing. I’ve been granted visions of what may come if we remain divided. Hunters with new technologies that can track us, rival supernatural factions encroaching on our territories, and dangers from our kind who would abuse their power.”
A feeling of worry spread among the people. I continued, “The Moon Goddess didn’t pick me because I’m the strongest or the smartest. She picked me because I know how important it is to work together and stand united against these dangers.”
I turned to Thorne, meeting his gaze directly. “Alpha Thorne, you spoke of your decades of experience. We need that experience on this council. Your experience and the strategies you’ve developed through tough times-they’re extremely important to all of us. This isn’t about giving in to anyone’s desires. It’s about combining our strengths to guarantee the survival and success of all werewolves.”
As I continued to address the concerns raised earlier, I noticed a change in the atmosphere. The hostility was fading, replaced by thoughtful consideration. When I opened the floor for discussion again, the tone was markedly different.
Sophie, the young female Alpha, stood up. “I’ve heard enough,” she declared. “I’m fully supporting this council. When we work together, we’re more powerful, and it’s time we start showing that.”
Her words seemed to break a dam. More Alphas began to voice their support, each statement building on the last. Even those who had been staunchly opposed were now nodding along, caught up in the wave of unity sweeping through the gathering.
Finally, Thorne slowly rose to his feet. The clearing fell silent, all eyes turning to the grizzled old Alpha.
“I’ve led my pack through more battles and hardships than most of you have seen moons,” he began gruffly. “And I’ve done it by trusting my instincts.” He turned to face me directly. “My instincts tell me that you, Aurora, despite your youth, have the makings of a true leader. Someone who cares about everyone, not just a few.”
My heart felt full as he went on, “I might be old, but I’m not too stubborn to know when it’s time for something new. You have my support, and that of my pack.”
A cheer went up from the gathered Alphas, the energy in the clearing transforming instantly from tense uncertainty to jubilant unity. As the noise died down, I called for an official vote.
One by one, the Alphas cast their votes. With each ‘yes’, I felt a mixture of relief and awe. We were doing this, really changing the course of werewolf history. When the final count was revealed with a huge number of votes supporting the creation of the united Werewolf Council I needed a moment to gather myself, feeling very emotional.
As I stood up to speak to the crowd for the last time, I felt a strong sense of power and purpose.
“Alphas,” I began, my voice carrying easily over the excited murmurs, “Today marks the beginning of a new era for our people. By choosing to stand united, we’ve taken the first step towards a stronger, safer future for all werewolves.”
I explained the next steps forming the council, choosing representatives, and making new laws and rules that would guide our combined packs. As I talked, I noticed the excitement and strong will in the eyes of the Alphas in front of me. They were no longer just leaders of individual packs, but part of something greater.
“There will be challenges ahead,” I concluded, “make no mistake. Change is never easy, and some will resist. But together, with the blessing of the Moon Goddess and the strength of our united packs, there is nothing we cannot overcome.”
As my words faded, a howl rose from the gathered Alphas. It started with Sophie, her young voice clear and strong, and was quickly joined by others. Even Thorne lifted his head, adding his gruff howl to the chorus. Soon, the air was filled with our combined voices, a powerful and united sound that seemed to shake the trees.
I felt Xander’s hand holding mine, and Asher stood on my other side. As we added our voices to the howl, I felt a sense of wholeness and rightness. This was what I was meant for, and all our struggles had led to this moment.
As the gathering started to end, leaders came to shake hands and share words of encouragement; I took a moment to look up at the sky. The Moon Goddess might not be visible in the daylight, but I could feel her presence, her approval flowing through me.
“Thank you,” I whispered, my hand instinctively touching the crescent mark on my wrist.
I knew that the real work was just starting. Forming the council, implementing our plans, and dealing with those who might oppose us the challenges ahead were numerous. But looking around at the Alphas now chatting amiably, making plans to work together, I felt a surge of hope and determination.
Whatever came next, we would face it as one. The age of divided packs was over. A new era of werewolf unity had begun, and I was ready to lead us into that bright future.
As the day wound down and the last of the Alphas departed, I found a quiet moment with Xander and Asher. The three of us stood together, looking at the empty space where something important had happened.
“We did it,” Asher said, sounding surprised.
Xander held my hand tightly. “Thanks to Aurora. You were amazing out there.”
I shook my head, smiling at both of them. “We did this together. All of us. And this is only the beginning.”
As the sun started to go down, making long shadows over the valley, I felt calm. The road ahead could be tough, but with Xander beside me, and the united power of all werewolves backing us, I knew we were prepared for whatever happens next.
As we started to return to our pack, I took one last look at the summit clearing. In my mind, I could still see the gathered Alphas and could still hear their united howl. It was a memory I would always cherish, a reminder of what we could achieve when we stood together.