Just before I get up an Omega hands me a beautiful leather portfolio that has my name embossed in gold on the front. I thank her and smile, which earns me a tiny smile and wide eyes of confusion. Do people not use manners with the staff who work here?
“My name is Sophie, Miss Skylar. I’ll be your assistant today, let me know if you need anything at all.” She smiles warmly at me. She is close to my age, maybe 12 or 13. She is quiet, but I don’t get the feeling that she is shy, just well mannered.
“It’s nice to meet you Sophie, I’m glad to have a kind female near me today.” She giggles, but quickly schools it, like she isn’t allowed.
“Some of the women can be a handful.” She shrugs, like that is the most normal thing in the world.
“First, please tell me if I am being a handful. Your job is to assist me, not wait on me hand and foot. Second, tell me what I’m holding, this is my first time here and I’m not trying to make a fool of myself in front of these people.” I smile at her and she takes a deep breath.
I walk next to Xander and Sophie is just behind my right shoulder whispering in my ear explaining my schedule for the day.
Like Alpha Reggie said, I would be attending the three biggest meetings today. I guess some other meetings are set up to talk about treaties or territory lines and patrols between territories. This is neutral territory and mediators are present so the negotiations don’t get out of hand.
I will be attending everything with Xander and Alpha Reggie today. First up is the distribution of warriors amongst the packs in the kingdom to help train smaller packs to defend themselves. I guess there has been a shortage, but now that I know about this Rogue King and his attacks on packs surrounding the royal territory, I understand why the Alpha King is reluctant to send warriors away.
“We need assistance, now! What is the Royal Pack prepared to do if we are attacked? Every pack surrounding us has had an attack in the last three years, it’s only a matter of time before we are attacked.” A grizzly old man all but shouts directly at the King. Apparently, some formalities are left outside this room.
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. This man has spent the better part of twenty minutes asking for help and demanding help, but not actually saying what he has done as a leader in his pack to make things better or to be prepared. It sounds like he wants to be the damsel in distress and to just be saved without doing any of the work.
My impression is that he has watched too many Disney movies. I stifled a little laugh at the thought, but clearly didn’t do a good enough job since Grizzleface glares at me then looks back at the King with a raised eyebrow, again, waiting for the King to do something about the situation. “Alpha Arthur Brecc of the Irontooth Pack, meet Skylar Makain, one of the lead warriors of the Blue Crescent Pack.
I believe Skylar has some thoughts on your situation.” Alpha Reggie says calmly, almost bored.
“There’s no way she is a lead warrior of any pack, she’s so tiny and she’s just a child.” He basically spits at me, and as much as it makes my blood boil, I keep my calm. He won’t bait me into acting like the child he thinks lam. As uncomfortable as I am sitting in this room talking about training and warriors, this is my wheelhouse, this is what I do best, calm under pressure in a complicated situation.
I ignore his comment about my age and size, that isn’t something that will be reasoned with, so it’s a nonissue”
I have a few questions, Alpha Brecc. First you have asked for assistance, but not mentioned what you and your warriors are currently doing to prevent and protect against an attack. How do you expect anyone to proceed with assistance if they have no idea what type of situation they are walking into? Second, you are surrounded on three sides by very prominent packs and if memory serves, all of their attacks were on the opposite sides from your territory.” I point to a sprawling map that is painted into the gigantic circular table we are sitting at.
“I would know, because my warriors and myself had to travel through your pack to lend assistance.” So much for not raising to his bait, oh well watching him squirm is even better than I thought.
