Chasing Mates (MxM)

Chapter Twenty-two

Shawn's P.O.V

"They're drawing closer to our borders and reports of empty campsites being found near the south district is increasing each week. We can't afford to have more warriors abandon their posts from inside of the pack. Doing so will only leave us open and vulnerable." Elder Nazaire says.

"The scouts I train day in and day out are more than capable to take their place until we can figure out why their numbers are dramatically increasing. There haven't been any threats to the pack in five months."

I stare across the table, looking at the wrinkled faces of the four Elders of The Moonshine Pack. I listen to them half-heartedly as they explain to everyone about recent reports and updates on newborns being spotted continuously on our pack borders.

The Elders are the four most wise hags and geezers in a pack. They sit on their asses all day and tell everyone what they are doing right and wrong. They advise the young and support the training warriors to overcome some of their trauma and fears.

Additionally, they provide historical information when the Alpha needs it. Sort of like in a way to keep history from repeating itself. Unfortunately, the old bastards are failing miserably at what they should be doing. Rather than being a helping hand, they are being a pain in my ass.

"You foolish, naïve boy. Do you think that just because Mikealis hasn't made a move we are in the clear? We cannot ideally sit around and wait for them to act first. Paul would have had this situation handled by now." Elder Nazaire professes to me with a scorned stare. I twitch at his comment and lean back into my seat as I look around the room. 

"Elder-" my brother says from the head of the table, in a warning tone.

"We should attack before they do! Gather our strongest men and have them take out the newborns and seek out Mikealis. I know my people.

We do not need warriors from other packs coming into our territory. We don't need others to help us fight our battles. We've been fine for the last five years and we will be fine now and for the years to come." I explain sternly in one go.

"Do you hear yourself!? Your wretched ways have already decreased our numbers and brought nothing but mournful households to this pack! Now you want to put everyone's lives at risk by pulling our strongest men away from the pack and have a bunch of untrained pups take their place." Elder Nazaire says next.

"Nazaire is right. Pulling our strongest men from the pack is like us putting our own 'Kick Me' sign on our backs. Even with the allied Hecate Coven, they won't see this as their problem. At best, they will agree to put up a barrier around the pack but they will not fight alongside us. We have to reach out to neighboring packs for their assistance." Elder Margaret says as she closes the documents of my plan in front of her.

"You wanting to bring strangers into our pack and have them stay here for Goddess knows how long is no better. That only compromises the information we hold, putting the pack's safety at a greater risk. And what will happen if we do, huh? No pack is going to help us for free. Just look at what happened last time we opened our homes to other packs for an alliance. A traitor slipped through our hands and is now allied with Vampires. Not to mention, as of now, we don't even know what she knows or what she may have told Mikealis. Are you trying to repeat history?" I explain in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Watch your tone with us boy."  Elder Nazaire says through clenched teeth. We don't have time for this. Arguing with a bunch of geezers that have outlived their time is a waste of my own.

"I'd rather lay down with the faes and fairies." I mutter into the quiet room.  Elder Nazaire scrunches his face in disgust and then stands to his feet.