Can't Fight the Spark

The Whitestones

In his many years as alpha, Gregory had never been summoned to appear before the council. He tried his best to not interact with other packs so he never had to take any disputes to them. He didn’t allow his pack to be around humans so he never had to answer for any…unpleasantness.  He would have been perfectly happy if things had continued this way.

So, he was more than just a little unhappy that he had to interrupt his life to go before the council. He knew it was because all the alphas would have to go and hear the plan. Once the council spoke it would be up to them to obey.  However, knowing that didn’t make him any less resentful. If the Bloodclaws had been happy with what they had, or if the Silverpaws had been able to defend themselves, he wouldn't be in this situation. It was the stupidity and weakness of other packs that had made him have to do this and he was very irritated. 

Unlike his counterparts Gregory ran to the council house. He had never liked driving and pretty much refused to. He knew that he would need clothes, but he didn’t let that change anything. He had just sent them ahead and knew they would be waiting for him. If he had to do this he was going to get something out of this. Even if it was just a nice long run. 

His children were with him. Philip and Leanne were trotting on either side in their wolf forms. As much as he didn’t want to go to talk about politics and war it did feel good to be out with his children. He loved feeling the grass under his paws and the wind in his fur. If it was just an aimless trot in the woods everything would have been perfect. 

“Do you think this is going to take long?”  Gregory heard Philip’s voice itching in his head through their mind link “I know you don’t like to spend too much time away from the pack.” 

“I have no idea.” Gregory responded. “Unfortunately I think it will all depend on if Alpha Christopher can act rationally and I can’t remember a time he did that.” Christopher was a loose cannon, and everyone knew it.

“Well. If it goes too long you can always make an excuse and we can represent you.” Leanne chimed in. She was interested in things like this and thought she could be really useful. That is, if a need came up.

Gregory and Philp both chuckled at that, but it was Philip who spoke up. “I know you love politics and scheming but if the alphas and the council can’t come to an agreement, I doubt they are going to let one of the alphas leave.” And they really wouldn’t let him leave his daughter in charge. But he left that part out since his sister had a temper and he didn’t want her complaining and tantrums to ruin the run.

“So they would rather have a disinterested angry alpha than one of his children that is fascinated and trusted?” Leanne was stubborn and never took the first no for an answer. They were all used to it at this point, but Philip wondered how the council would handle it. 

“Well, they better hope that Alpha Christopher decides to listen to reason and follow their choices.” Leanne said with a new serious tone to her voice. It might have sounded like she was giving in, but Philip knew better. She was just pretending to be agreeable in hopes that if she dropped it when she brought it up again they would forget she had already asked and was told no.

Philip rolled his eyes. He knew it looked kind of weird to do that in wolf form but he couldn’t stop himself. His sister was just acting so ridiculous.  Than he looked over to his father, “Dad?” 

The large gray wolf that was leading the pack turned his head slightly to look at him with his yellow eyes. “Yes?” 

“What do you think should happen to the  Bloodclaw alpha.” It was an obvious question and Philip was surprised he hadn’t asked it yet.

Gregory didn’t answer immediately. This was the first time anyone had asked him. He needed to think before he just said the first thing that came to his mind.  Finally, after a few beats he responded, “I think we should follow the old ways. Alpha Christopher defeated Alpha James. The Silverpaws should be his.” 

Philip was going to answer, but before he could his sister jumped in. “But he didn’t defeat the whole line. There is a Swift left!” 

“Do you mean a daughter?” Gregory asked, turning to Leanne. “Because a daughter can’t take her father’s place as alpha.” Gregory really couldn’t believe the things Leanne came up with sometimes.

“Just because it hasn’t happened  before doesn’t mean it can’t.” Leanne continued to argue. "They just might be waiting for the right time.” 

“And you think this is the right time?” Philip was surprised to hear his father ask that question. Normally he was a man of few words and usually avoided debating with Leanne. 

“I don’t know. I am  not on the council and I am not an alpha. I guess we are going to all find out what they do later.” Gregory let out a little snarl and he wasn’t the only one annoyed. Philip couldn’t believe his sister would say something like that and then just back off like she hadn’t just suggested something outrageous. 

It also appeared to be enough for Gregory. He just gave another huff before he trotted faster leaving his son and daughter behind him. Philip closed the space between him and his sister and tilted his head. “Should I be keeping my eyes on you little sister?” 

Leanne’s light brown wolf shook her head. “No. I wasn’t thinking about myself, I was just thinking in general.” 

“Well you can stop that right now.” Gregory snapped. Philip and Leanne both jumped since neither even knew he was listening to them. “No woman has ever been an alpha. It is not the way things are done!”