Page 17 of Howl You Doin'

The comparison startled a laugh out of him. "Something like that. We have elders - wolves who've lived through multiple alpha transitions, seen packs rise and fall. Their opinions carry weight."

"And Victor'strying to win them over?"

"More like schmooze them." His wolf bristled at the thought of Victor's tactics. "He's been hosting dinners, making promises about uniting the packs. Creating this vision of a better future under his leadership."

Fiona leaned back in her chair, the leather creaking. "Sounds reasonable enough. So why do I hear your teeth grinding from here?"

"Because it's all smoke and mirrors. Victor doesn't want unity - he wants control." Caleb stopped by the window, watching the volunteers still working on the playground. His pack, his responsibility. "The elders remember when the packs were divided, constantly fighting. They think having one alpha would prevent that from happening again."

"Would it?"

"Under the right leader? Maybe." He turned back to face her. "Under Victor? It would be trading occasional skirmishes for constant oppression."

"You sound pretty sure about that."

"Victor and I..." Caleb's jaw clenched. "Let's just say we have history. The kind that involves hospital visits and restraining orders."

"Wow." Fiona's green eyes widened. "And the elders are considering him anyway?"

"He's gotten better at hiding his true nature. Plus, he's offering them what they want to hear - peace, unity, strength in numbers. Meanwhile, I'm the stubborn alpha who won't play nice."

"Their words or yours?"

"Both." He couldn't help but smile at her directness. "Though they usually phrase it more politely."

Caleb paced the office,his wolf restless beneath his skin. "There's another way to handle this though. The old way." He cracked his knuckles, a habit he'd never quite broken. "I challenge Victor to a one-on-one fight. Winner takes all."

"Because that's worked so well for settling disputes throughout history." Fiona's sarcasm could have stripped paint.

"It's straightforward. No politics, no schemes." The idea lightened his mood considerably. "Just me wiping that smug look off Victor's face."

"And if you lose?"

His wolf bristled at the suggestion. "I won't."

"Humor me." She propped her chin on her hand. "What happens if Mr. 'I'm-going-to-punch-my-way-through-this' gets his tail handed to him?"

"Did you just make air quotes at me?"

"Focus, Alpha boy."

Caleb ran a hand through his hair again, fighting back a grin despite himself. "If I lose, Victor becomes alpha of both packs."

"And you really want to risk everyone's future on one fight?" She stood up, hands on her hips. "Respect carries more weight than strength. Win over the elders, show them you're the better choice."

"By what? Hosting tea parties?"

"By proving Victor's all talk." She jabbed a finger at his chest. "Show them you're already doing what he's only promising."

His wolf perked up at her touch, which was... inconvenient. "The elders want unity. Peace."

"And punchingVictor in the face accomplishes neither."

"It would make me feel better."

"You're impossible." But there was a smile forming on her lips. "There are better ways to handle this."

The afternoon sun caught her hair again, and Caleb found himself momentarily distracted by how the light made her eyes spark. He cleared his throat. "Alright then, oh wise one. How exactly should I win them over?"

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