Hybrid Warrior Luna

The Meeting

As everyone rushed back to the pack house, Alina sent a message out to every group in her Kingdom warning them to be on alert for the night, and ordering them all to be at the meeting hall at 8 am. Everyone arrived safely, and Alina sent the warriors home with Bryson to secure their lands and coordinate assistance for groups that needed it.

"Thank you for alerting us to the invitation Alpha Lucas. Today has been a *very* long day, and we have to prepare for the morning. I expect to see you, not your father, at the meeting in the morning with all the other leaders," Alina informed him before walking out the door with Ryan behind her.

"That's it? You're just going to leave?" Drayden called after them.

"What part of "we have more important things going on", did you not understand? For Goddess's sake!" Alina slammed the car door shut and started the engine, pulling off as soon as Ryan was safely in the passenger seat, snarling at him for laughing.

"You have to admit you're being kind of rough on him," he offered.

"I am not. It isn't my fault the Goddesses have a f*cked sense of humor, having us meet right now. Honestly!"

"I mean, that isn't his doing either. Besides, maybe they wanted you to have added support. Or maybe you'll need the power boost from completing the mating in order to beat Hope?"

"Oh yes, what a wonderful reason to connect myself to someone! Honestly Ryan!"

He chuckled and turned the music up, seeing he wouldn't get anywhere with that tonight. He settled into the seat, putting his hand on her thigh and tracing shapes as she drove, feeling her relax ever so slightly.

----

Alina and Ryan were at the meeting hall before 6 am. They had had their omegas prepare breakfast and set up options around the room. There were printed packets at every seat, plus an email with the file ready to be sent to each of them when they arrived. They had been awake well into the night preparing this new presentation and safety plan.

As everyone began to arrive, Alina was pleasantly surprised to see people who she knew were not fully supportive of her, like Alpha Stone, arrive and give her a tight smile of support. She knew that word had spread of how quickly she dealt with each fire, the support provided to each group as they repaired the damage, and her sending out groups to check in, search for Hope, and control the issue. She had done all that because it was the right thing, but she was happy to see it was also helping her image with those who had doubts. However, she noticed at least 6 groups were not in attendance.

She began with an information session about the current issues. She explained that while the land issues were still important, safety needed to come first. She assured them they would handle it as soon as possible, and told them how to submit their proposals and agreements for review, and promised to return hers to them as well. She assured them the coronation would be moved or rescheduled as needed, for the same reasons. Several groups aired grievances of neighboring groups slacking on safety, taking in "strays", and other issues. They did their best to quell these issues without veering too far off-topic. Ryan and Bryson took over for the safety explanation while Alina reviewed some footage a few groups offered up.

Some of the footage was regarding minor grievances, but other footage showed Hope wandering through the woods - seemingly alone, unknown wolves running through lands - with no footage of them shifting back, and strangers meeting with some of the missing groups. Alina pulled those who provided the footage aside to get more information. She asked everyone to review all footage from their lands in the last week - two if possible - and send over anything out of the ordinary, no matter how small. She assured them that she and the security council members would be reviewing all Kingdom footage, but having help to focus on the important bits would speed things up.

As expected, with tensions so high, people were arguing even as they left. Ryan broke up two fights, Bryson stepped into an argument before anyone started swinging, and Alina had to stand in the parking lot, ensuring everyone got in their cars and left without issues. This was going to be exhausting. She could feel it. She added everyone who was fighting and had grievances to her notes so she could keep an extra eye on it, and actively ignored Drayden trying to get her attention.

"Goodbye Alpha, the meeting is over. I'll be in touch if there is more to share."

"Seriously? This is how it's going to be?"

"Until my Kingdom isn't in danger, yes."

"Our Kingdom. We are mates."

"Oh absolutely not," she growled, looking at him for the first time. Annoyed that that required looking up, as he was much taller than her, even in heels. "This is my Kingdom. You do not get to share that because a goddess saw fit to tie us together. I earned this, not you. Ugh, the audacity." She rolled her eyes and looked up to find Bryn and Ryan giggling at them as they walked out of the hall after double-checking that everyone had left.

"Having fun?" Ryan smirked.

"Stay out of it, Beta," Drayden responded.

Alina growled before Ryan could respond, "Disgusting. I know damn well the goddesses did not give me a mate who needs to be taught respect and manners, so you'll do well to remember that."

"I don't like how he looks at you," Drayden roared quietly.

"Well, my relationship with Ryan will not be changing just because you exist. Fortunately for you, you have plenty of time to adjust to that idea as we deal with Hope. Now, I have work to do, goodbye." And she got into her car, leaving Drayden watching her, obviously annoyed.

"You could take it easy on him," Ryan sent through mind link.

"No. He's pushy, cocky, and a stranger."

"I'm cocky, fairly pushy, and he's also your mate."

"Yeah, yeah, I'll deal with that when I have time and energy to spare."

"You could benefit from it, ya know. Wow, I could feel that eye roll."

"Good."