“They have to be on the constant lookout for humans,” Medow said, there was a lot of compassion in her voice.
“They are looking for a way to get out of the situation,” I concluded.
“Then we offer to take them in, under our current Alpha and our pack,” Martin suggested. Both Finlay and I shook our heads.
“It won’t work. We won’t inherit their rank just because we take in their members. The only way to get the protection of their rank is for us to join them,” Finlay explained.
“That sucks,” Sam said.
“But won’t it be a deterrent?” Martin asked.
“How do you mean?” Finlay wanted to know.
“If we take their pack into ours. Won’t other packs know it and see it as us increasing in strength? Which would make them less likely to want to fight us,” Martin explained.
“That is a good point,” Finlay told him.
“But do we want these wolves in our pack?” I asked. Everyone looked at me. “I’m not saying we shouldn’t be willing to help others. But I don’t think we have explored their motives deep enough. Yes, we know they need new land. But why get it through merging with another pack?”
“Because they are a decent pack and don’t want to attack us?” Medow suggested.
“Sure. But why do they need another pack’s land at all? They are a mid tier pack. According to them, they are a stable pack. They should have the finances to buy new land. If their pack is living on land like that, why don’t they pool their resources, sell the land and get new land? When you left your old pack, you had no notice, no time to plan, and you managed, as a new pack, to buy this land. Heck, we have managed to save up so we can buy a couple of more acres in spring. How long have they lived on that land? How many years have they had to save up to move to a better place?” I asked. There was silence around the table.
“You suspect there is trouble in their pack?” Finlay asked.
“I don’t know. I just know that there is a reason why they are still on that piece of land. Until I know what that reason is, I’m not comfortable letting them into our pack. And I will vote no on us joining them. My wolf won’t accept a new Alpha,” I told him. He chuckled.
“I should have expected as much,” he said. “What about the rest of you?”
“A definite no on us joining them. We have a good pack, a strong pack in so many ways. I’m not willing to risk us going back into a pack which doesn’t have the right values. I’m open to letting them join us, but I agree with Amie, we need more information,” Martin said.
“I agree. No to join them. Maybe to them joining us,” Sam agreed. Medow nodded.
“Maybe we can arrange a meeting and get to know them?” she suggested.
“That is a good idea,” Finlay said. “I will call Alpha Jackson and turn his offer down but suggest we find another solution.” Everyone agreed.
“Do you want to join me for a beer?” Finlay asked, as everyone got ready to leave.
“Sure,” I said. I got the feeling he had something he wanted to talk about. “How about we get some dinner to go from the pack kitchen?” I suggested.
“Great idea, I heard we are having pizza today.”
“Pizza and beer, that’s a good combo,” I told him. We got our pizza from the kitchen and headed over to Finlay’s house.
“Take a seat on the couch,” he told me as he put his pizza box on the coffee table. As I got comfortable, he lit the big fireplace and got us beer. From the windows of either side of the fireplace you could see his snow-covered garden and beyond that the brook. It was cosy sitting on the sofa with him, eating pizza and enjoying the fire and the view.
“What do you think will happen when I call the Rolling Hills Alpha?” Finlay asked as I had almost finished my pizza. I put down the slice I was eating and took a moment to think about the question.
“It depends on what kind of Alpha he is. If his intentions with the offer are good, he will most likely understand and be open to an alliance. If he had an ulterior motive, he wouldn’t be happy,” I answered. Finlay nodded. He had a hard look on his face which didn’t suit him. I liked the playful and relaxed look he had most of the time. Even when it was a mask. I could read him well enough that I didn’t need his expression to show me what mood he was in. Irritatingly enough, he was just as good at reading me as I was at reading him.
“Do you think he will try to force the issue?”
“Attack? Maybe, if he is desperate enough. I’m guessing they are uncertain of how strong we are, or that they are weaker than they look. Otherwise, they would have gone for that option from the start. The offer is too risky. They have to know that we won’t just accept it,” I thought out loud. “Or maybe it’s just me being a pessimist and they are really doing it out of the kindness of their heart. You know I like to prepare for the worst. I’m not really a happy, happy, fluffy bunnies and unicorns that farts rainbows kind of a person,” I told him. He burst out laughing and it made me smile. At least I could brighten his mood a little.
“I needed that, thanks,” he said, still chuckling. Then he sighed and turned serious. “I think you are right to be on your guard. Something felt off with the call I had with him. He was too friendly, something with him rubbed my wolf the wrong way,” he said.
“Trust your instinct, it’s a good one. And I know you worry about the pack and about the threat we face because we aren’t ranked. But we are a strong pack, and everyone is willing to take that risk because they believe in this pack and in you as its Alpha. None of us would be here if we didn’t,” I told him.
“Thank you. I think I need to be reminded of that sometimes,” he said. He put his feet on the coffee table. I was about to object when I remembered we were in his house. He leaned back into the couch and looked out the window. It had started snowing again.
“I will remind you when I think you need to hear it. I just don’t want it to go to your head,” I told him and leaned back as well. I didn’t put my feet on the table though. I knew my mother’s spirit would take physical form and smack me in the head if I even tried. Finlay chuckled softly. We sat on the couch, watching the snow, drinking beer and enjoying the peace and quiet. “I should head back home,” I said a couple of hours later. We had time to talk about less gloomy matters and play cards.
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