Chapter 46
The Council Meeting II
Jason :
After the full moon ritual, the other members of the new pack all hiked down the mountain back to the city, while Clarissa stayed back with me. She was to sleep with our pack and head out with me as early as possible to the council meeting, which was over the Acacia mountains.
The next morning, Clarissa and I prepared ourselves for our long Journey ahead of us, after which we hiked into the cold morning; it was barely even dawn. When the cold became intense, we changed into our wolf forms and continued our journey. When we were tired, we stopped and rested a bit. In the evening, we had gotten to the Acacia Mountains, where there was a guide awaiting us. Together with the guide, we conquered the mountain and found our way to the venue of the meeting.
When we arrived at the venue of the meeting, we were stunned by all of its beauty. It was a very tall building made completely of black shin, or crystals. The air was soft, there were vases of colorful flowers, and the Elders sat still like statues at a round table with their leader seated on the chair encrusted with sapphires. Throughout my few years as an Alpha, I had never seen such majesty. My head reeled in awe of the beauty. I held onto Clarissa’s hand subconsciously as we both looked around.
“Jason, we’ve heard of your conquer of the formidable Clyde’s pack. We do not commend you for destroying your brother, but we’re going to give you permission to expand into his territory as the Alpha of them all, given that you pay us royalties annually. And also, we command you to offer us our fair share of the spoils of war. We ask that you comply by sending us your messengers by next week; failure to comply attracts punishment.”
Clarissa:
As we stood in the majestic building of black, shining crystals, I couldn’t help but feel a mixture of awe and anxiety. The air around us was gentle, carrying the fragrance of vibrant flowers arranged in beautiful vases. The Council of Leaders welcomed us to the meeting, their eyes scrutinizing our every move.
“Jason and Clarissa, we welcome you to the 145th Elder Council meeting. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Said their leader, whose name was Joshua.
“Thank you; we’re truly honored.” Jason and I echoed
I could sense the weight of their gaze as I stood beside Jason, my heart pounding with nervous anticipation. The council wasted no time and immediately turned their attention towards me, their piercing eyes questioning my actions in the city. The room fell silent as I began to explain, my voice trembling slightly. After Jason had been spoken to, Joshua faced me:
Now, as for you, Clarissa, you were once a Beta of a formidable pack, and we’redeeply insulted by your actions in the city. How dare you start up a half-assed pack! You shall face the due consequences.”
I spoke of my desire to protect the pack and my longing for unity and strength. But my words fell on disapproving ears as the council scolded me for opening a pack without their permission. The punishment for such disrespect was severe—death by hanging. Fear clenched at my heart as I realized the gravity of the situation.
Before I could fully comprehend the dire consequences, the council ordered the executioners to take me away. Panic gripped me, and I turned to Jason, my eyes pleading for help. In that moment, he rushed forward, his voice filled with desperation, offering his own life in exchange for mine.
“Elder, I beg of you! Have mercy, or instead, take my life instead, please, I beg you.” Jason talked, shielding me with his body.
The room erupted into chaos as Jason’s selfless act stirred emotions within the council members. Their hardened expressions wavered, and a profound silence settled over the room once again. The Leader of the Elders Council, Joshua, seemed deep in thought, contemplating the situation before him.
Suddenly, a decision was made, as if a shift in the wind had altered their course. The council’s initial intent to end our lives was replaced by a change of heart. Instead, they commanded us to leave unharmed, their words ringing with a mixture of uncertainty and leniency.
Relief washed over me like a soothing wave, and I clutched onto Jason’s arm, grateful for his bravery. As we walked away from that fateful meeting, I couldn’t help but wonder what had caused the council to spare us. It was a second chance, a reprieve we hadn’t expected, and we would make sure to honor it and prove our worth.
Joshua (Leader of the Elders Council):
The grand hall shimmered with the ethereal beauty of black crystals, reflecting the authority and wisdom the Elders possessed. We welcomed Jason and Clarissa, the newcomers to our meeting, with a stern gaze. It was time to address their requests and actions.
I cleared my throat and spoke with a commanding tone, addressing Jason directly. We granted him the mandate to expand into Clyde’s pack territory, but not without conditions. They were to pay annual royalties to the Elders, acknowledging our authority and supporting the pack’s collective growth. We also decided on the percentage of spoils from battles that would be rightfully ours.
As the attention shifted to Clarissa, she began to shake like a leaf. We interrogated her regarding her actions in the city and her bold move to establish a pack without the council’s permission. Disapproval lingered heavily in the air as we lectured her, reminding her of the consequences of such disrespect.
The punishment for her audacity was death by hanging. We instructed the executioners to prepare for the sentence, intent on teaching a lesson to those who dared challenge our authority. However, before the noose could tighten around her neck, Jason sprang forward, offering his own life in exchange for hers.
“Take her away!” I proclaimed and our executioners came forward to cease her.
The room erupted in chaotic whispers and murmurs as Jason’s sacrificial act touched the hearts of the council members. We deliberated over the situation, contemplating the ramifications of our decisions. In that moment, something shifted within us—a glimmer of compassion breaking through the layers of rigid tradition.
Against our initial judgment, we decided to spare their lives. Jason’s selflessness had moved us, and we couldn’t ignore the power of such an act. We chose to grant them a second chance, allowing them to walk away unharmed.