Page 15 of Spirit Walker Pack (Kingdom of Wolves #5)
“I have known Flint for more years than most of you have lived. I have never had any doubt that he has only done what is best for the packs in our area. In fact, I know of more than one occasion where he has gone outside of our area to help a pack or its Alpha.” Lykos looks at Flint with raised eyebrows.
We can all see that this is true and that Flint was unaware that Lykos knew of it.
“That being said, is there anyone present that calls for the resignation of Flint Sable from the current Shifter Council?” The room remains totally silent.
“Councilor Flint, the pack leaders have been unanimous and extremely silent in their support of you remaining on this Council. Please step back here to your position and resume your duties.”
As Flint stands from his place at the end of the council, everyone stands and gives him a tip of their head.
Lykos, seeing the emotion within Flint, waits for him to approach the center chair, reaches out and clasps his arm. “No more of this stupidity, my old friend. Get on with the task at hand and let's see what is to be done.”
Resuming his seat, we all take our own seats too and wait for what pearls of wisdom Flint may offer.
“With Porter out of the picture, Arric has lost most of his intelligence network. We have been able to backtrack and isolate most of those that were willing, or coerced, into helping. It has been proven to be an extremely unpleasant business with some unfortunate casualties. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Alpha Falan. Without his fast actions on discovering the truth, things could have been far worse.” Flint gives Falan a nod and then continues.
“If he doesn’t know already, it won’t be long before Arric realizes that his intelligence stream has been severed.
What he will do next is anyone's guess. Personally, I think he will move his plans forward and we should prepare for an earlier attack. Alpha Gerry and Alpha Lyle, you both should bolster your border guards as soon as possible. Any pack that can send spare warriors should do so, but do it quietly. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?”
Gerry stands and addresses the room. “I believe Flint is correct. Arric will not want to give us time to prepare for his onslaught. I believe he will not find out about Porter for at least a couple of days. From what we know of him, I doubt anyone will want to give him that tidbit of information. If we gather our forces away from prying eyes but in a position that we can reinforce where necessary quickly, I don’t think we can do much more… ”
“I have a suggestion, but it will take some reconnaissance to decide on its feasibility. I can discuss it with Lyle after the meeting. I don’t mean to sound distrustful, but I think security should be at the top of our agenda for the time being.
” Bronze looks around the room and meets anyone’s gaze that wants to question that statement further.
No one speaks and so I nod at him and we both silently know that we will meet in one of our rooms in the packhouse away from any of those prying eyes or ears.
The meeting continues for another hour, and discussions range across the board around logistics, weapons or more precisely bats with Talia’s input of her personal guards' requirements, food, field hospitals and even latrines.
Once we have discussed everything that we believe is relevant, for the time being at least, we leave the town hall and most return to the Wolfsfoot packhouse.
Falan takes the opportunity to visit the town and see how everyone has integrated.
Fenya, of course, is his shadow and I decide to leave them to it and walk back with my own escort.
We haven’t gone far when a vehicle pulls up and Gabe nods for us to climb aboard and accept a ride. I see the wheels in Tati’s head whirring as she keeps glancing from me to Gabe and back again.
“Leave it be, Tati. What will be, will be,” Gabe says quietly to her and then shakes his head.
“It’s not natural not to accept a fated mate. I can’t believe she can’t see what she is turning down. Stupid!” She positively hisses back at him. Crossing her arms, she scowls at Gabe.
“Don’t scowl at me. I have done nothing.
If you want to scowl at someone, it should be Alpha Lyle.
He’s the one that hasn’t made himself irresistible.
” Laughing, he turns attention to me and raises his eyebrows.
I just scowl back, which has him laughing even more.
Fortunately, no one else in the truck pays us any attention.
Once we’re at the packhouse, I search out Bronze and he takes me off for our secretive discussion.
I think his idea is nothing short of genius and agree to action the necessary reconnaissance when I return home.
As I leave, I find myself accosted in the corridor by Talia and dragged back into the room.
“I need to fill you in on Lavender. She has certainly taken to her fated mate. I don’t think poor Wylder knows what’s hit him.
He came to see me for some feminine advice.
He is being run ragged by her constant attention and wondered if it was normal.
He thinks she has ‘abnormal energy levels in every department’. His own words.
“All I can say, Talia, is I’m glad she has found someone to dedicate her ‘energies’ to other than myself. I hope they live long and happy lives.” I smile at Talia.
“I’m not sure how long Wylder will live.
He looks almost a shadow of his former self.
She is wearing him out and I know for a fact he is already trying to avoid her.
Not good for such a new relationship.” Bronze looks at Talia and waggles his eyebrows.
“I never felt the need to avoid my mate, far from it.”
Talia glares at him. “I hope you’re not suggesting that you were not receiving your due amount of attention in that department?”
Laughing at the shock on Bronze's face as he realizes the hole he has dug for himself, I make my escape.