Can't Fight the Spark

The Council

“So, are we in agreement?” Jacob Nester asked the rest of the council. He was overseeing the meeting today. No one else had wanted to so he had stepped up. He acted like he was doing them a favor but really he was pleased that he was in charge. This was going to be a very important day. Whatever was decided would change the course of the region. He needed to make sure that everything stayed even and the sales weren’t tipped in favor of one pack over the other. “Are we?” He asked again. He knew they weren’t, but they were running out of time. They needed a majority before they started meeting with the packs. His question was meant to get them talking.

“We are not!” Jamie Gibson shouted out. “The Bloodclaw pack were the clear winners of a battle! They should get the spoils!” Jamie’s blue eyes were bright in anger and when she spoke she pounded her fist on the table. 

“You are being blinded” Margaret Sylvan spoke up. “Christopher is your son, you want him to succeed, even when he shouldn’t.”

“And why shouldn’t he?” Jamie snapped back. “He ended the line!”

“No he didn't.” A soft voice from the other end of the table said. “Cecily Swift is still alive and well.”

“A daughter can’t inherit!” Jamie cried out, slapping the table again. 

“There is no law saying that a daughter can’t inherit. It  has just never has been an issue before.” Helen Carmichael chimed in. She spent a lot of time in the library and knew the laws better than almost anyone. “Whenever there was a coup before they made sure that they wiped out the entire line.” She shot a glance at Jamie like she wanted to remind her that her son had been sloppy.

Jamie snarled and Daniel Carter growled and looked at her. “That is enough! You aren’t here as a Luna of the Bloodclaw pack. The fact of the matter is there is a Swift left and the Silverpaw pack would rather follow her than Alpha Christopher. They see him as a murderer, not a conqueror.” 

“And we do have the out of state threat as well. If we gave the Silverpaws to Christopher there will be an all out war.” Jacob added, “And we can’t allow that.” 

“So we should allow Cecily Swift to be the alpha of the Silverpaw Pack, but we do need to give the Bloodclaws something.” Tobias Harlan chimed in. 

“We could give them some land.” Lydia said. “A simple redrawing of the board could give the Bloodclaws more territory and acknowledge them as victors.” 

“What about the people who already live on that land? Margaret spoke up with her head tilted to the side. "The Silverpaws are spaced out throughout the territory and really love their yards and space."

“They can either join the Bloodclaw pack or they can move.” Jamie snapped before anyone could say anything else. She looked around the table like she was challenging the others to disagree. Maybe her former pack would be able to gain some members as well.

When no one spoke up Jacob cleared his throat “Alright, that sounds like that is an agreement to me.” No one argued, no one looked thrilled, but since there was no argument the issue was done. “So now, we need to figure out the best way to make this happen?” 

“What do you mean?” Lydia asked after a long silence. 

“Well alphas usually start training to lead the pack when they are children. Cecily hasn’t had that training.” Helen jumped in before Jacob could respond.

“I am sure she has been trained. She is a werewolf with alpha blood.” Lydia responded. 

“But not as an alpha.” Tobias added. “Alpha training is different and more intensive.” 

“That’s right.” Helen said. “We can’t just have faith that she will figure it out. That could be just as bad as a war.” 

The men who all sat on the council looked at each other. No one knew it but they were Lycans sent by the King to make sure things operated smoothly.  They knew exactly what they wanted to have happen. But they also knew that they had to be careful. They needed the Lunas to think it was their idea. It would just make things easier on everyone.

There was a hum of voices as they all started to all talk at once. There were several different ideas being thrown around, but none of them were the one they wanted. It was frustrating to the Lycans, they thought it was such an obvious answer, and yet none of them were finding it. Daniel was getting frustrated until finally Helen’s voice spoke over the others. 

“All the sons of an alpha get the training. The Frost moon pack as a second Perhaps he and Cecily could work together.   

“They Do have the training.” Lydia said as she glanced down at the notes she had on all the packs. “Cody. He is 24 years old. Cecily is 19, so they are around the same age.” 

“But he is a man.” Jaimie said, rolling her eyes. “No man is going to want to play Luna to that girl.”

“No one said anything about him acting as a Luna.” Helen said through gritted teeth. She was getting irritated with Jamie and it was hard for her to hide it. “I was thinking it was going to be a partnership, and they can both do whatever task they want or are capable of doing.” 

“Has anything like this ever been done before?” Margaret asked. 

“Of course not.” Helen responded. “This  is all new. We will have to be careful with how we approach this plan.”

“Do they have mates?” Margaret asked.  They all knew how strong the mate bond was. If they were mated than it would be impossible for them to push Cecily and Cody together.”

“No. They don’t” Helen responded. “Wouldn’t it be convenient if they were each other's mates? It really would make it all easier.” 

“And if they aren’t.” Jamie asked in a huff. Things weren’t going here way and she was annoyed. 

“Well. We could have them mark each other. It would sever any bond they have and they would be able to function as mates.” Helen Responded. 

“We are going to make them mark each other? No matter what Just like that?” Lydia seemed shocked that they were suggesting something like that. It would be going against the Moon Goddesses' plan, and they never did that.

“Of course not.” Helen was the one to respond again, and Lydia let out a sigh of relief. “We will give them a year. If they haven't’ found their true mates then they will mark each other. 

Jamie looked like she was going to disagree some more but before she could say anything Margaret jumped in. “And what makes you think Alpha Charlie will agree to this?”

“He will want balance as much as the rest of us. Once we discuss it he’ll see reason.” Jacob responded. He had no doubt in his mind he would be able to make Alpha Charlie understand. 

One way or another. 

“I think its a good idea. It really is the only one we have at this point.” Helene said. The other Lunas nodded, Jamie looked angry and Lydia looked sad, but they were all agreeing. 

“So. We are in agreement?” Jacob asked as he shuffled some papers. Everyone nodded and he made a quick note. “Alright. It looks like we have a plan.” He turned to a large man in the corner. “Nathan. We are ready. Go get Miss Swift and bring her to us.” 

“Yes sir.” The Warrior said as he left the room to go get the girl.