Page 63 of Welcome Home: When Shifters Unite!

I give Elena a nod and smile as she leaves the office, and I get back to checking the grocery list to pay Asher what is due.

Taking a folder from the pile on the side of the desk, I look up when the door opens and Mavis, Thomas and Lars walk inside. All three are carrying a box piled high with folders.

“Here you are Alpha Adira. All the relevant folders and information that you will need to keep safe. We have recorded all our dealings over the years, but left that at the town hall in the office under lock and key of course.” Lars drops his box on Mavis’ table and turns to look at me, with a sweaty red face.

Thomas places his box next to Lars then turns to me. “Most of the information is now relevant if you want to research, but not relevant to the day-to-day running of the pack. We have been winding down our workload for quite some time. The town now it is set up and running correctly. There is no need for anyone to oversee the businesses, school, etc.”

“Thank you for bringing all this over to us. I’m grateful for all you have done for the town. Without you all putting your efforts into what people wanted to achieve, most of the businesses would be none-existent. I have heard so many good things about the council, and you all should be proud of the years of effort you have given. I have discussed with Barrik regarding your suggestion, and we feel an advisory council would be ideal. We can call you if and when we need you. If you are able to do this, we would like you to maintain the office at the town hall. It would be best for it to be used then left vacant most of the time. Mavis is going to make use of it for some of the pack’s daily issues to be resolved, and once a month either myself or Barrik will be available to the pack for anything they want to bring to us,” I can see both of them relaxing. It seems what I had to say is more than welcomed.

“That will be good. I will speak to the others and we’ll make sure the town hall is kept running smoothly for the pack.” Thomas gives me a slight nod, grabs Lars by the sleeve, and pulls him out of the office. I look over at Mavis and she’s smirking towards the door, obviously as amused as I am.

Later that evening, I’m sitting next to Barrik and speaking with Alpha Rudik and Luna Serena. I feel we are building a friendship more than just being allies; it is a pleasant feeling, and I hope one that we can build on.

“We have spoken to four Alphas and all are happy to call for a meeting and cast a vote to remove the Elder Council. They all feel as we do that they are outdated and tyrannical. Three of thefour we spoke with had been disgusted at the mail they received that you were up for grabs. Apparently, that is how it came across to some of the Alphas.” Alpha Rudik looks disgusted.

Luna Serena speaks from where she is sitting close to Alpha Rudik, giving me a tiny finger wave as she does so. “Can we cut the formalities somewhat, please? Call us Serena and Rudik.”

“I’d be happy to do that. All this Alpha and Luna titling is a bit tiring.” Barrik chuckles. I nod in agreement, too.

“James has spoken to six and they are all onboard. I have spoken to three, and so are they. We can do this if we get the timing of all the requests for an audience at the same time. They will be bound to think something urgent is needed.” Barrik looks at me, kisses the side of my temple then turns back to the face call.

“We need to select a day and let everyone know. What about a week today?” Selena suggests.

“Yes, that will give us time to get the letter ready and our postmistress will make sure it’s delivered,” I add.

“Postmistress? Oh, Rudik we need one of those,” Selena states and she’s very serious by the look on her face.

“Yes, dear,” Rudik responds, giving Selena a pained look. Probably he’ll get nagged if it doesn’t happen, and I let the small laugh out before I realize and it has Selena grinning at me.

“I will contact James, and the Alpha’s I spoke to about this and give them a week today to get their letters to the Council. This is going to be a shock for them, but I’m hoping this happens without bloodshed,” Barrik wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me tight to his body, as if to stop any harm coming to me.

I nod in agreement. “Our Town Council have voluntarily resigned their positions as we are now a pack, and not just a town. We have only a few that are townsfolk and not pack members, but we don’t mind that at all. The now retired council members are remaining in a position of advisory council, and will only have a voice if we ask them for it. I think that will work well, as they know more about the town and its history than I do at this point.”

“We have an advisory council also, and they only speak when asked. They are all elders of the pack, and have earned respect for the years of service they have given. Retired warriors, teachers, business owners, all with experience of life.” Rudik informs. “It works well, and I hope it works as well for your pack.”

Hearing a noise, Rudik turns to look away from the face call before turning back and giving a pained look, “I’m sorry but something has come up. We’ll speak again when we’ve sent our letters to the Elder Council. I will make sure all the Alphas I spoke to do so.”

“Thank you, Rudik. Take care, both of you.” Barrik says as he cuts the call. Turning to look at me, he then nearly whispers, “Next week things could change dramatically. We need to make sure everyone in the pack is on alert. As a just in case, of course.”

“They will no longer have the power, Barrik.”

“But they will still have the Council warriors to command until the link is broken and reformed with the new council that is put into place. They could use the warriors to murder an entire pack.”

Kissing Barrik, we retire for the night, but the worry remains in the back of my mind. Only time will tell what is about to happen. I just hope everyone is ready for anything that may come to us.

Chapter 33

*Barrik*

Today, Adira and I are walking around the pack, speaking to each and every member we come across. Trying to remain casual but getting opinions for and against us handing the Strongbow territory to the Dark Water Pack in return for two-thirds of their territory.

If I’m honest, I expected quite a fair amount of objection, but that isn’t the case. Only one has objected from the dozens we have spoken to so far. That, of course, was Maisie. I controlled the smirk I wanted to give when Adira asked Maisie if she had any real constructive objections. Objections that we could place before the advisory council. Maisie looked like she’d swallowed a lemon as her face soured with the none retort she had, right before she scurried away.

Sitting in the café we bring up the subject to all that are here eating, and again the positive response gives us confidence that we can do this if James’ pack agrees. It would expand our territory enough that we would have growth, and would not stretch both myself and Adira. Nobody can be in two places atonce, and I don’t want one of us to live on one pack territory and the other one in another.

“It looks promising Adira, and I’m not sure we will even need a pack meeting on the matter. What do you think?”

Adira frowns in thought, then turns to me. “I think we should do a secret voting system. We have Leo, Rom, Stella or Thorn with a box and each pack member has a vote. They put a tick or a cross on the paper and pop it into the box. They only have one vote, and that would be why we need someone to watch over the voting box.”

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