Page 4 of Wicked Wolf

Kade snorted. “We hope so. The council would not have the power to change laws or the way the hierarchy works. That’s not how we rule. We are not humans. We are not a democracy. The Alpha’s word is law.”

Gideon growled in agreement.

“The council will be there to find a way for our two Packs to trust one another more,” Kade continued. “If there are issues between individuals that need to be resolved, the council can find out what those are. I don’t believe everyone is telling us everything when it comes to how they feel about the other Pack. I understand that. It was odd for us to form this treaty with one Pack while we were fighting another. The lack of true trust makes sense, but that doesn’t mean we can allow it to continue. It’s been too long for them to cling to their resentment.”

Gideon nodded. “We joined with you right after I became Alpha. It was the first major decision in my new position, and not everyone agreed with me. It was a major gamble. We need to show the others that we can work together when the time comes and when it is needed. We are still two Packs and have two Alphas. That doesn’t mean, though, that we need to fight over every little thing.”

“We need to be able to stand united while retaining our own identities,” Kade added. “Pack members who know the wolves in all generations, not just the older ones who have seen war, will be of an asset. If our submissives don’t trust their dominants to protect them within the two Packs, then we are lost. That is what the council is for. We need to be able to shift with the future, and I don’t think staying safe within our dens under the magic of wards will work forever.”

Gina swallowed hard. The wards had broken once before. She didn’t want to see that again. Her parents had died within the wards because of a traitor. When the wards had broken…that had been even worse.

“We are living in an age of technology, and we can’t hide like we used to,” Gideon said. “That is another part of the council. We need to be able to communicate with all Packs around the United States, not just between the two of us. If our plans work, that will be the next step.”

Gina’s eyes widened. “That’s huge.”

Quinn growled in front of her, and her wolf did a full body shiver. “That’s something that cannot be accomplished with a few words and paltry promises.”

“I know,” Gideon said softly. “But we need to start somewhere. If we show the others within our own Packs that we have a sense of trust, it will help us. It’s just one step in the process. We need a voice within the Packs that does not come from alpha authority. If the council can find ways for the Packs to work together on things outside of war, it will help when war comes.”

Their words scared her; she wasn’t going to lie. They’d had many years of relative peace, but that peace had been broken once before. Who’s to say it wouldn’t be broken again?

“I fear that if we don’t do this, we’ll lose everything we worked so hard for,” Kade said before meeting Gideon’s gaze. “The fact that you aided us in the war helped some people trust, but after the Centrals’ demise, I’m afraid it will take more than war for that to continue.”

Gideon nodded. “We had our own struggles, our own failures with our Pack. Fighting might help with the baser needs of our wolves, but actions that involve confidence but not dependence on the other Pack are the only things that can help bring true trust—and one day, hopefully, the moon goddess’s favor.”

“Who do you propose be on the council?” Jasper asked.

Kade tapped his fingers on the table. “Parker would be a good choice. He can mediate others with a sense of calm that I’ve not seen in many wolves.”

Gideon’s eyes widened marginally before he nodded.

Gina held back her own reaction. Parker was her cousin but, like her, hadn’t been born into the Jamensons. He was only two years younger than her but seemed far older.

The fact that both Alphas wanted him as part of their council was a huge step. Not everyone trusted Parker because of the blood in his veins. Gina had always thought that was a crock of shit, but then again, not everyone trusted her because of her powers.

She was a fire witch, her powers inherited from her birth mother, Larissa. But unlike her mother, she didn’t have full control of her powers. The only other witch she knew, Hannah, was an earth witch and the Healer.

There was no one to train her, and if she was honest with herself, she was scared as well.

Not that she’d tell anyone else that.

They named three more wolves, so that there were two from each Pack. Gina didn’t know the other Redwood, Farah, well, and had never met the two Talons, but that meant only that they weren’t high in the hierarchy or friends of hers.

“As for leaders, we need one from each Pack to work as a unit,” Gideon put in.

Kade nodded. “Agreed. I propose Gina.”

She blinked, more than a little shocked. Yes, they’d invited her to the meeting, but she was going to be the Enforcer. Wasn’t there a reason for not making pack hierarchy a requirement in the group?

Gideon nodded. “Good with me.”

Kade met her gaze, and she lowered her eyes. “The council will not always be comprised of the same people. It will fluctuate. I trust you to do right by our Pack. When the other kids grow up, and you all find your new powers, we can re-evaluate the council. For now, it will be a good experience. For all of you.”

She nodded, stunned at his trust, despite the witch blood running in her veins. Between her and Parker, they were the poster children for weird family trees within the Pack. But she would not betray her family’s trust and dishonor them by saying no.

She wasn’t sure she could say no.

“Quinn, one of my lieutenants, will round out the council,” Gideon said.