CHAPTER 72

CHAPTER 72


THIRD POV

The great hall of the Northern Border Packs filled to capacity as wolves from both packs filtered in, voices hushed with speculation. Two packs gathering peacefully was rare enough to draw every member, from elders to pups. They crowded the wooden benches, pressing shoulder to shoulder beneath the massive timber beams.

Alpha Miker stood at the front, his broad frame commanding attention even before he raised his hand for silence. Beside him, his brother Alpha Deric waited, his expression carefully neutral as the room gradually quieted.

"Brothers and sisters of the North," Miker's voice boomed across the hall. "We've called you here today to announce a decision that affects us all."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Deric stepped forward.

"For generations, our packs have stood alone against everything," Deric continued where his brother left off. "We've defended our borders, maintained our independence, and kept our distance from the other packs during the celestial conjunction."

An elder wolf spoke up from the front row. "As we should! What business do we have mingling with the Eastern wolves and their fancy politics?"

"If we get invited we will definitely attend," someone whispered from behind.

Several voices rose in agreement, but Miker silenced them with a raised palm.

"The world is changing," he said firmly. "Alliances shift. Power grows in unexpected places. We can no longer afford to stand apart."

"What are you saying?" a female wolf called out from the back.

Miker and Deric exchanged glances before Miker answered.

"This year, both our packs will attend the celestial conjunction in the Eastern Territories."

The hall erupted. Wolves leapt to their feet, some shouting approval while others voiced outrage. A middle-aged warrior pushed to the front.

"We've never attended the conjunction! Why the sudden change?"

"It goes against nothing," Deric countered sharply. "It serves our interests now to be present, to be seen, to be counted among the great packs."

"And what of Alpha Queen Vespa?" another voice challenged. "The Eastern wolves won't recognize our sovereignty. They'll expect us to bow to her."

A heavy silence fell as all eyes turned to the brothers. This was the question everyone had been waiting for.

Mike took a deep breath. "For the purposes of the conjunction only, we will enter under the banner of Alpha Queen Vespa."

The outrage was immediate. Wolves howled in protest, some slamming their fists on tables while others leapt to their feet.

"Traitors!"

"Cowards!"

"You would make yourselves subjects!"

"We fought so hard to remain independent!"

"Are you finally going to surrender to her?"

Deric's roar cut through the chaos. "SILENCE!"

His alpha voice reverberated through the hall, forcing submission. Even the most vocal protesters fell quiet, though many still glared with open hostility.

Miker and Deric expected this from their pack members. They were fully prepared to face it all. Whatever that came with the announcement. They were convinced that they would be able to handle it in the end. They had already made preparations for what to say before coming to the meeting ground.

"Listen carefully," Deric continued in a dangerously low voice. "We are not becoming her subjects. This is strategy, nothing more. Alpha Queen Vespa has conquered every other pack in the Northern Territories. We alone have stood against her."

"And now you surrender?" an elder spat.

"We adapt," Miker corrected. "The Northern Territories must present a united front at the conjunction. It strengthens our position against the Eastern wolves."

"Alpha King Arlo expects weakness and division," Deric added. "He expects us to arrive as scattered packs, easy to dismiss. Instead, we will arrive as one force under the strongest alpha in our region."

A female warrior stood, her voice steady. "And what does Alpha Queen Vespa get from this arrangement? She's not known for her generosity."

Miker smiled thinly. "She gets what she's always wanted— the appearance of complete control over the Northern Territories. But appearances can be deceiving."

Slowly, understanding dawned on some faces. This was not surrender but calculation. A temporary alliance for a greater purpose.

"The vote has been taken among the pack councils," Deric announced. "The decision is made. We leave in three days. Pack leaders will receive their instructions tonight."

The meeting broke apart into smaller groups, some arguing heatedly while others nodded with grim acceptance. As the hall began to empty, Miker caught his brother's arm and pulled him into a shadowed corner.

"Is everything ready?" Mike asked, his voice barely audible.

Deric glanced around before answering. "The warriors are prepared. The special weapons have been distributed to the chosen few."

"And the signal?"

"Only those who need to know, know," Deric confirmed. "When the moon reaches its apex during the conjunction..."

Mike squeezed his brother's shoulder. "After centuries of waiting, we'll finally have our chance."

"If we fail..." Deric began.

"We won't." Miker's eyes hardened. "We've planned too long, sacrificed too much."

A young beta approached, forcing them to separate slightly. "Alpha Miker, the elders request a private audience. They have concerns."

Miker nodded. "Tell them I'll be there shortly." After the beta left, he turned back to his brother. "Make sure nothing leaves this circle. Not a whisper, not a hint."

"Trust me, brother," Deric replied.

They clasped forearms, a silent pact between them, before moving apart. To any observer, they were simply two alphas concluding a difficult pack meeting. But their eyes held secrets.