Wolf Camp (Bear Naked 2)

Chapter 6, Part 1

Amanda had thought that the lodge had been full for the first council but it paled in comparison to the second. This one was so big it had to be held in the arena outside the lodge there were so many bodies present. Even then it was crowded. There were just over sixty packs of wolves in the Leidulf tribe and every one of them was here for this. In the wolf clan, only one in ten had the gift and there were some six thousand kin. Less than a quarter knew the full truth, but still, that left a thousand and a half kin that knew, and a fair share of them were there as well.

Finally, there were envoys, individuals or packs from more than a dozen wolf tribes. Lukas, the envoy from the Sons of Garm, sat opposite the elders. It was, Connor whispered, a place of honor. Arthur was on his right and the Fleischer envoy to his left. The Skollsen envoy sat beside Aaron and the two conversed freely. The younger Skollsen pack mingled with the wolf camp. Hannah was seated with their pack and Amanda couldn't help but notice her hand had slid into Erica's. Amanda just shook her head.

Across from where they sat was, according to Connor, more neutral territory. There were two older men dressed in black slacks, white shirts, and black vests. When Amanda had first seen them the day before she thought they were Amish. They were, in fact, Grimweir, a tribe that lived in Indiana and Ohio. They were noted for clinging to the old ways and were reputed to do Hex magic. Aaron had been startled when Amanda knew what that was and then he chuckled and muttered something along the lines of "Darren." Next to them was a single man wearing sweats, he had come a long way in wolf form, she was told and had to make do it with hand me downs. His tribe lived in the deep south and were allied with Fleischers. Two men with leather chaps and vests over jeans and T-shirts sat nearby, representing the Ritter tribe. Finally, so far off in the corner they were barely visible, was a group of three Skinwalkers, Native American cousins to the Werewolves. They observed the proceedings closely but did not attempt to participate.

Amanda had to agree with Aaron's assessment of Lukas, the wolf was very political. He spoke in vague but glowing terms about the possibility of further cooperation between the tribes and a new era of relations between werewolves everywhere, under the banner of his alpha, the Wolf King. Despite his warm and pleasant words, Amanda couldn't help but wonder what would happen to those that didn't wish to cooperate with this new regime. The dark expression on Connor's face, Aaron's grim looks and the more calculating looks of many of the Leidulf tribe, showed Amanda that the implied threat had not been lost on them either.

Lukas finished his speech with a formal invitation to the Leidulf tribe to send an envoy to a council of the all the wolf tribes in the Central U. S. next summer where this would be further discussed and decided. In the meantime, he hoped the tribe would consider the possibility with due consideration.

No sooner had he sat down then Aaron stood. An elder nodded at him in recognition.

"This man," Aaron told the assembled crowd, "speaks fine words, that is certain. Cooperation amongst the tribes is something that the Leidulf's have long worked for as well. If his alpha, and his tribe, are all as well-spoken and well-intentioned, then such an alliance might be considered." Aaron paused. He went on, "unfortunately, my pack has had dealings with some of his kinsmen already. This interaction has given me cause to question their real intentions and their goodwill. A pack of his tribe has come into my territory without announcing itself."

"A regrettable mistake," Lukas interjected. "Fenrir's brother, Loki, was working under the assumption that he had free right of passage in this territory."

"Even with right of passage," Aaron replied, "to stay in my territory for many months without announcing themselves is beyond rude. It is deceitful."

"I doubt it was many months," Arthur put in at Lukas's side. "We know there was an unfortunate incident a couple of months ago, but before that-"

"Before that, they were in my territory. Hunting." Aaron shot back. "Hunting another shifter. Without my knowledge, permission or consent."