Bear Naked 4: The Sons of Garm

Chapter 15

Amanda knew she was deaf and blind to the subtle interplay of dominance and submission that ruled so much of the wolves lives. She'd missed that the number of youth packs that walked over with them was anything other than a friendly gesture. But even she couldn't miss the seating of packs at the council.

Connor, Aaron and Arthur sat together to the right of the elders, their packs with them. Amanda and Tricia hung back, watching the scene unfold. The youth of wolf camp sat behind Connor, many leaving their parents to do so. Arthur had his daughters nearby. Aaron had several friendly packs with him.

There were a handful of wolves from other packs in attendance. The Skollsen representative sat and talked to Vince. The Ritters had joined, sitting amongst Arthur and his pack. The Skinwalker's had sent the same pack they sent last year. Amanda didn't know them, they hadn't met them while they were in Idaho. However, she remember the year before, when they sat far in the corner, listening but not interacting. Now they set with Tanner and Erica, talking freely as they waited for the counsel.

"Makes an interesting statement," Tricia commented at the large block of wolves seated around Connor. To the left of the elder was a similar block of wolves, mostly behind some man named Kenneth. He was gray haired and in his late fifties, but trim and broad. He had been one of Arthur's supporters, Tricia told Amanda in a low whisper. Now he was the best hope of the older, conservative faction of the tribe.

"It's ironic," Tricia commented as they watched the final wolves file in for the counsel. "The youth all support you guys. We see Connor as one of us. But our biggest complaint is how he was chosen as ambassador."

Amanda raised an eyebrow.

"We are glad it's him, don't get me wrong. But challenge? We are in the twenty first century and we chose our leader the same way a twelfth century viking might. Come on, let's get with the times."

"And the Sons of Garm?"

"Even more primitive," Tricia said. "Wolf King? Fuck that. This isn't medieval Europe. We need a democratically elected council, or just leave each other in peace, maybe. No, we won't stand for a king. Can't believe the older guys even think that's possible. Come on, they are about to get started."

Connor scooted to make room for her and Amanda leaned against his shoulder as she watched the proceedings. The elders offered up several minor matters and dealt with them as quickly. Everyone knew the big event was the upcoming meeting in Missouri.

As he announced that, Jameson turned so he was facing to the right, looking almost directly at Karen. "And to the subject of Connor as ambassador to this meeting the Sons of Garm," he said.

To his left, Amanda could see Kenneth scooting forward on his knees, trying almost desperately to get the elders attention.

"You would send my son, a boy of barely eighteen, into mortal danger," Karen said, her voice carrying.

"We have thought on this," another of the elder pack said. "And we have assigned one of our best warriors to protect him."

Arthur gave a short bow. "I have sworn to do all within my power. Lay down my life if I must." He shot a short look across at the others, as though to let them know they would have him to answer to if they defied the council.

They would not be cowed so easy. "Some of us fear he is already biased against any deal," Kenneth said. "And that in his youth, he might lead us all into an ill conceived conflict."

"He will deliver our terms, hear theirs, negotiate what he can," Jameson snapped. "But he will not make the final decision. That is for the elders. Aaron and his pack will be our runners, bring us updates about what this Fenrir wants. We have no concerns about Connor's ability in this."

"Fenrir already has it against Connor and his mate," another voice said. "And he might be biased against us. We should have a new ambassador. One Fenrir will treat with fairly."

"No," Arthur barked. "It's too late. To hide these wolves behind our territory lines and send another, we would lose too much face. You wish to avoid conflict. A noble ambition, perhaps." Arthur's tone showed that he did not particularly consider avoiding conflict to be noble. "But showing fear will bring them down on us."

"The Fleischers are drug dealers," Marcus snapped from behind Connor's head. "Is this what being a werewolf is? A gang, with the ruthless criminal at our head? Fuck that. That's not the Leidulf way. We won't be lackeys to some drug lord."

"You have no clue what a wolf war will be like," Kenneth snarled.

"The coward believes he will live forever, if he holds back in the battle, but in old age he shall have no peace," Amanda answered, something Darren read to her years ago. "I know bullies. If we accept a deal that gives them power, they will only want more next year, and the next. You'll condemn a generation to fighting a slow war to prevent a fast one."

Arthur treated her to a look and if she didn't know better, she would have sworn he was proud of her. "Indeed, we must go with strength, strength and cunning. They must see that to forces us to accept some king is not in their best interest. The other packs don't want this."

"I wouldn't be so sure," a voice called.

"They don't. But what can they do? They need one tribe to show some backbone, and they'll come running."

There was more back and forth, but it quickly became clear that the elders would not change their minds, and that the majority of the pack wanted Connor as ambassador. The council broke for the night and they head back to Aaron's cabin to talk and hang out.