Pleasant Cooperation

SINBAD Today was the day that the higher pack representatives would arrive. We were to meet them at the border. Father looked more professional and serious. With us was Sue and her father, Beta Charl. The middle aged man looked chubby and rosy as ever it seemed that the Pack's recent problems didn't trouble him much. My eyes narrowed at the pair but when the man turned to me I plastered a polite smile and reigned in my hostility. The representatives were supposed to be here an hour ago, but they were no where in sight. The back of my clothes were getting damp with sweat. It might be close to winter but today's sun was especially harsh. I turned to dad, he had a rigid expression and his back was ramrod straight. If not for the subtle rise and fall of his chest I'd have suspected he was a statue. I remember mom always said he had a soft heart but a strict face often acting like he had a stick shoved up his... "They're here" a guard's voice interrupted my thoughts. A black van drove in through the path. It stopped right in front of us and several people stepped down. Four middle aged men and two guys around my age. One of them had a look that screamed the world owed him, while the other was looking around in curiosity and experience veiled disdain. But I could see it. The faint yellow aura sorrounding him that basically said he was not impressed. The cold looking one surprisingly had no colour aura. I retracted my gaze when those cold eyes turned to me. This person was strange. "Alpha Dorian, it's a pleasure" one of the representatives, an amiable looking man, stretched out his hand for a shake Father caught his hand in a firm hold and shook it "the pleasure's all mine" There was tension in the air. Everyone knew that this whole thing was a joke, a farce, but no one will address the elephant in the room. Why? Because it's basic political courtesy. "I am Luther a Third elder of the council" I blinked in surprise, I didn't expect them to send a third elder. Although third elders were more like messengers compared to a first and second elder, they still held some power. He turned to another man who's features were less kind but not mean either, he looked normal, but the aura he exuded made me realize that he was not to be taken for granted. I'm actually surprised. I was sure they would probably send us some low ranking wolves to just murk through the formalities. But here we have an elder although low ranking and a man who seemed to be like a hidden dragon. "This is the Alpha of Silver Wolf Pack, with his son and heir, Logan" he gestured to the disdainful youth Dad for the first time seemed flustered but he got a hold of himself and gave a slight bow "greetings" "And this is Garsam Averi the heir of Royal Pack" There were hushed whispers. Who knew the heirs of the two greatest packs in the world would be here. Dad turned to me "This is my son Sinbad, my Beta Charl and his daughter" I turned to Sue, her face was glowing as she stared at the two handsome young men. I scoffed in my mind, she always claimed she was in love with me, yet at the sight of two promising men she drools. She coquettishly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Greetings" her voice was deliberately soft like a mosquito, the sad thing is that in her ear she probably sounded like a fairy. The two heirs didn't acknowledge her. They nodded to my father in customary greeting and followed after him as he led the way into the pack. I looked at Sue, an eyebrow raised in mockery, she paled a little when she saw me, she looked flustered. I smirked making her even paler before I walked away. *** It was already late in the evening. Tomorrow father will lead the representatives to the feral holding. It was a good thing that only a few Ferals escaped on the night of the halloween party, and since they were low level ferals we were able to hunt them down. My dad handed the task of settling the two heirs to me. They walked closely together as I led the way, so I knew that they were close, but it was strange that the heir of Silver Moon pack had an aura that reeked of hostility towards the heir of Royal Pack. Seems like there's more to this friendship that meets the eye. But that is non of my business. I led them to one of the better houses in the pack, reserved for distinguished guests. "We were not aware of how many people would be arriving so I'm afraid we're one room short" I said "So..." Garsam drawled "You both can share the room, another will be cleaned up by tomorrow" "Sure" "No" They spoke at the same time. I turned to Garsam who had disagreed "Why?" Logan asked before I could. Garsam shrugged "no reason, I don't like sharing a room" I could see Logan's hostile aura surge, but his expression was understanding. He smiled "It's okay" then turned to me " can you clear out another room for me?" I noted this with a frown. Logan was not a simple person. But their conflict had nothing to do with me. I nodded "I will arrange it, but it might not be very comfortable" It was a bit inhospitable but there really was nothing we could do. We obviously couldn't house the heirs in human territory, and our pack house was quite full. Logan nodded with an amiable smile "it's okay" If I couldn't see his aura of anger I'd probably think he was an easygoing and kind person. Which is probably what he was aiming for. Once the room arrangement was decided on I returned to my room exhausted. With nothing left to do my mind wandered to Aria. It's been a week since she disappeared. I could only feel a weak connection to her but it at least let me know she was alive and fine. But she's a witch if my dad finds out with his prejudice against her kind he will definitely make me reject her. I scoffed. Then like my dad I would have to wait for a second chance mate. My mom was his second chance mate. I don't know who was his first but he never mentioned her neither is there any trace of her in the pack. She probably has something to do with his hatred for witches.