Page 38 of Moonlight and Mischief
“Do you want a public apology or other repercussions?” Heath asks.
Hazel’s face scrunches up as she thinks. “Only if it benefits the pack. My pride is not delicate.” Her uncle nods approvingly.
Respect for Hazel rises up in me. Less than a year ago, she was living as a human in Los Angeles. But now she has blossomed into a generous and competent leader.
Smiling at her, I joke, “I mean, you already took their heir away from them, so there’s that.” She rolls her eyes at me. From the corner of my eye, I catch the slightest smirk on Hawthorne’s face.
“We could focus on our requested agreements including a counterbalance for their slights,” Linden suggests, surprising me.
“I like that idea,” Hazel says. Slate’s brows crease together. I suspect he’d prefer a public display of groveling and punishment.
Everyone pauses, the topic heavy. Finally Heath says, “We need to carefully consider what changes we may enact. And have variations prepared to adjust for the other pack’s input.
“The goal is peace. So we must consider the actions that threaten our peace and what measures we can take to curb them.”
“Granite Ridge’s thirst for new recruits,” Slate says automatically, and I have to agree.
Heath glances around, checking the faces of all of his subordinates. I give a small nod.
“They have outright stolen wolves from nearby packs,” I say carefully, “but not from our neighboring packs, excluding their move against Hazel last year. Sothey have deniability. So whatever guidelines we push for agreement need to take that into account.”
“What about using phrasing that better fits what they are claiming to do?” Hazel asks.
“They say the other wolves arechoosingto join them,” I say grimly.
“You could call it head hunting,” Hazel says, earning confused frowns. “Or poaching. They’re poaching wolves from other packs.”
“How can that be monitored or enforced?” Fisher asks.
“They should be held accountable. If we push the point of their offenses toward us, we could ask for interventions such as inspections,” Slate says.
Heath sighs. “Unfortunately, I think that’s unlikely to work.”
“It’s more than fair,” Slate says, his brow furrowing.
“That doesn’t mean it’s doable,” Sable reprimands. Slate’s mouth thins, his irritation a physical sensation through our pack bond. He’s hot headed when it comes to his mate.
“There has to be solutions we haven’t thought of yet,” Hazel says, smoothing things over.
The debate trails off, eventually being set aside for a future discussion. As the last order of business, Hawthorne outlines the top leadership of each pack to remind everyone of names and positions.
My parents, Ferris and Sienna, of the Granite Ridge Pack, will likely bring whoever their current Beta is, though that role changeshands often so we have no assured name. And perhaps they will bring their heir, my younger sister Ember. I’m curious how her training has evolved in my absence, since she is now first in line and not a spare. Knowing her, she’s probably ecstatic. I’m not doubtful she had been scheming to remove me at some future date, and I did it for her.
Zephyr leads Ironcrest, with a Beta named Beryl, and his Gamma, Dell. Beryl is effectively Zephyr’s heir, for he has no mate or children that we are aware of.
Unfortunately, Nyx of the Raven Pack will not be joining us, therefore the only other pack participating will be the Valley Pack.
Cashel has led the Valley Pack nearly as long as Heath has led Bracken Creek. He’s our closest ally. He’s likely to come with his heir, Beta, and son, Malachite. Hawthorne reminds us that his Gamma is a cousin, Zinnia.
My head is swimming by the time we’re done. But during the Counsel, my only role is to observe and interpret the actions of the leaders that I know. And to provide security. I won’t even be at the table.
We’ve discussed and planned for this meeting for months, but now that it’s concrete and fast approaching, anxiety gathers in my gut. Particularly with Zephyr’s strange meeting a few days ago. I have no idea what to expect when I set eyes on my parents.
The tension in my shoulders uncoils as I approach my cabin and hear giggling from inside. Marigold is perched on the sofa with a stack of papers on her lap.
She looks up and her face brightens from relaxed amusement to affection.
“Whatcha up to?” I ask, settling beside her.
