Dane POV
Each pack in the Shifter Federation had a total of two representatives, typically the Alphas and Betas of the packs, as well as alternates. Bram voted on behalf of his pack and the Silverpaw Wise Woman Eirika Argad was the alternate voting with him. Occasionally, Wise Women could be pack alternates. Dane and Kyon served as the Evenhide delegates, with Patch as the alternate. Jiro and his beta, Barrett, served for the Crimsontails, with Cyran as the alternate.
Speaker Tyrell read the rules that everyone knew. "Declaring war, especially on a foreign power, requires a two-thirds majority of the vote. This means that sixteen of you have to vote to declare war on the Ember Faeries."
Dane could smell the sweat and the bravado in the room, not to mention nerves and aggression. Declaring war on an outside ally was no small thing. He attempted to gauge how the forty-eight representatives would vote.
Jiro's vote was a lock, and so was Barrett's.
Bram and Eirika? Obvious.
Alpha Caden? Questionable--Dane didn't know him that well.
Tyrell and his beta? Most likely.
Jett Wulfric and his beta? Probably.
Marcus Mond and his beta? One never knew.
Heller Santos of the Brokenridge Pack? Yes--Alpha Heller hated foreign interference.
Speaker Tyrell continued. "The Parliamentarian will record the vote. Voice vote."
The Parliamentarian, a modest, unassuming shifter, said, "Alpha Arnold."
"Nay," said the leader of the Feral Nightstalkers. His Beta also voted no.
"Alpha Jiro."
"Aye."
"Beta Barrett."
"Aye."
"Beta Bram."
"AYE."
"Wise Woman Eirika."
"Aye."
"Alpha Dane."
His voice rang out. "AYE."
"Beta Kyon."
"Aye."
"Alpha Heller."
"Aye." His beta also voted aye.
"Alpha Jett."
"Nay." His beta also voted nay.
Dane would have to forgive them for that one.
"Alpha Marcus."
"Present." His beta voted the same.
Well, that was unexpected. But not exactly helpful.
The votes continued. Dane tried not to fidget with his foot or hands or glass of water or the crystal pendant around his neck. It seemed as if the votes were moving in their favor, but anything could happen.
So far, two present votes, four nay votes. They couldn't afford to lose any more. Luckily, most of the delegates voted Aye. Finally, the last two were Speaker Tyrell and his beta Rhett.
"Aye," Rhett declared.
Dane relaxed, and so did Kyon beside him. Since Alphas and betas usually voted together, in sync, that was the end of the story.
The Parliamentarian noted, "Eighteen ayes, four nays, two abstains. The measure passes."
Dane hadn't realized he was holding his breath until it came out in a whoosh. He could feel Lilia's emotions swirling--a mix of relief and trepidation.
Alpha Tyrell projected his voice. "War on the Ember Faeries is hereby declared! Until Alpha Jude and Luna Ravyn are freed and returned to Silverpaw lands, all shifters are at war with the Ember Faeries. Hostilities have been declared. Now, we'll move to a discussion of war strategy and who should be involved. Whether it's wiser to send in troops, launch a covert operation, or both. We'll open the floor for debate--unless anyone wants a break."
None of the representatives did. Dane certainly felt hungry and did not want to lose the trail. Several seats down, Jiro looked poised, but only Dane recognized the subtly eager way he leaned forward.
Alpha Tyrell cleared his throat. "Options?"
"A diversion force," Marcus Mond suggested. Show-off. "I volunteer to lead it. Then, some of our shifters who are crafty and gifted with stealth can infiltrate the castle."
"We don't know the layout of the castle," someone pointed out.
Jiro raised his hand. "The witches among us can astral travel to scout the library."
Off to the sidelines but still making his presence known, Patch added, "The Wildefell Witch Circle has a map of the castle in their library. It's an old historical map, but it should do the job." He bared his fangs in a smile. "That library is just chock-full of interesting and useful information. You have no idea."
"Alright, then our attacking force can make a stop in Wildefell," Marcus said, as if he'd come up with the notion.
Dane flashed his own fangs. "Fine idea, and we can consult with my other in-laws Daxius and Marieke Houdini at the Bloodstone. I'm sure they'll have some insights."
Pouting more than an Alpha should, Marcus said, "Yes, I'll be sure to--"
Eirika Argad interrupted, her wolf eyes flashing, "And what makes you think YOU will be leading that expedition, eh?"
Sitting quietly in the back beside Patch, Tulaska smirked. Dane hid a smile, even though this was going to be a LONG debate.
* * * * *
Kyon POV
You could count on a few things in this world. Your pack, your family, the Moon Goddess, and fated mates. Oh, and Marcus Mond being a vainglorious fool, voting "Present" out of indecision but wanting to stick his nose in everything.
Still sunshine blond despite his wintry ancestral home, he looked brash and brassy. Since failing to mate with not one but two chosen mates, Marcus seemed a bit more reckless. No Luna to balance him out.
Alpha Caden Wolfbane, whom Kyon preferred in comparison, glared at Marcus. There was a difference between Marcus' rash grandstanding and Caden's earthy approach. Marcus' Wintertail Pack seemed to be more prosperous and less hardscrabble than Caden's pack. Thus, Caden possessed a tough, no-nonsense seize-the-moment attitude. Of course, Kyon might be biased, given the history.
Caden drawled, "We need an Alpha with a level head. It doesn't have to be an Alpha--it could be a beta, or an enforcer. But we need someone who will start a small fire, not a huge one."
"Literally?" one of the betas asked.
Caden bared his teeth. "Whatever gets the job done. It doesn't necessarily have to be a physical attack--they're faeries, after all. How many royal guards does this dark queen have?"
Bram spoke up. "One hundred and ten. A little excessive given that their kingdom is so small. I made sure to find that out."
"Hmmm." Jiro tapped his fingers on the ancient table. "My intelligence said fifty. Queen Ylavi has obviously stepped up her guard--and her paranoia. Incidentally, faeries are almost as indestructible as we are. Unless they all have dark magic, it could be a stalemate to attack the palace--not to mention risky."
Tulaska, from the back, called out, "That fire option, which Caden mentioned in the figurative sense, is sounding better and better. We need some sort of diversion."
"And then a show of force in case any other Dark Goddess-possessed faerie decides to kidnap an Alpha and Luna," Kyon offered.
Dane and half the Alphas gaped at him, but Jiro shrugged. "Sounds sensible to me. We're wolves. We can steal in while the faeries are distracted."
"I'm just shocked that came from Kyon," Patch quipped.
"I learned from you and Jiro," Kyon called out.
Dane shrugged, smelling mildly peppery with surprise at Kyon and Jiro being bold. "The idea has merit."
Alpha Jett, who initially voted no, really liked the idea of a stealth force invading the palace. So did Alpha Heller. Their betas backed them up. Bram still wanted a full-on frontal assault, but Eirika Argad offered, "Sometimes, the best way to unscramble people's thinking is to throw a little chaos at them."
The debate continued for hours, well into the next morning, until Alpha Tyrell stood up and declared, "We have a working plan."
"I move we adopt it," Eirika said.
"Second," Dane declared.
The vote was unanimous, and the full-throated howls of affirmation spread the spirit of battle through the gathering.
"Hold on, Alpha Jude and Luna Ravyn," Bram declared, being a bit more formal as acting Alpha. "Hold on, our pack brother and sister. Hold on, Father and Mother. We are coming."