mansion Foyer

[Solomon]

Canaan had just entered his room when he heard the ringing of the Alpha's summons he sighed looking at his clothes and decided against putting them on as he didn't wish to be late. Fully in the nude Caleb ran down the hall and padded quietly down the stairs to gather amongst the crowd. He stood on one side of the small crowd and as others looked at him, he felt slightly embarrassed but then saw at least one other pack member was nude and felt relieved. He looked up at the balustrade from which the Alpha, Gamma, and Delta looked down at the pack no doubt with the Beta soon to arrive. Canaan gave the Gamma a small wave hoping she'd notice it from among the crowd. Then soon after the pheromones of the gathered pack began to wash over him and the young warrior began to feel a slight headache he felt the urge to change to breed growing with in him. Canaan closed his eyes and breathed deeply doing his best to calm down, not get too horny, and to not shift into his lycan form. Then he looked back up at the Alpha expectantly waiting for the Windcaller's announcement. 

[BladeRunner]

With everyone gathered, well almost everyone, Austin would clear his throat. He had waited few minutes enough and decided it was time to speak. With a loud this of his fist to the railing of the stairwell, the Alpha made his noise that silenced others who were talking, mostly just to get everyone's attention. Whether or not they would like the information he was about to give the pack mattered not to him, all he wanted to do was keep them safe. Of course, destiny said otherwise at times. 

"You are all gathered here for recent news that has stirred. The mating season is coming up, already done of you have felt the effects of the yearly season, but... That is not why you are here. As you know we have been missing several scouts, refined warriors of stealth, possibly the finest personally trained by the Delta himself. While normally the Blackthorne Coven would be to blame, there have been evidence of a third party doing the damage gathered by the report of survivors,"

The Alpha allowed that to sink in, the information itself was sudden and worrisome.  However he kept a cool tone, a calm expression that mirrored wisdom and the steadiness of a slow weather. He had to be, if Austin shown panic it allowed everyone else to panic as well, it would create weakness, doubt, and right now he did not need that. Austin continued, "As abrupt as this may be, all scouts and territories will be pushed back to the forest, no longer will we have control of the deep woods. And for the time being, we have a truce amongst the Blackthorne Coven, they will not attack us or even encroach on our territories during the season, and in return we do not intrude on the deep forest." 

As he started to hear protest amongst the few, the Alpha raised a hand and his voice just so slightly, "This is not what I wanted either, but look around you," Austin gave yet another pause, "We have not had the numbers in some time, that is true even now, and with our current stature we can no longer risk constant engagement against the Coven. And with this new enemy, we do not know how many of them there are, and we will not know if they will strike again, however this new truce with the Coven will allow us an uninterrupted recovery. However long that will last, the Coven will be considered neutral forces, so do not just outright attack then lest they are intruding on our property; and even then, I would but one chance for then to turn back, one warning, and that's it." 

THe Alpha allowed his words yet again to hang low, and despite his best efforts there was a semblance of regret he had toward them. Austin was finishing what he would say, "Territorial victory and losses like this has happened before, albeit rare and under certain circumstances, so don't be surprised that it crept back to us, one day, we'll have the deep forest back. You all have done your duties with no question or issue- rest, reground, take the stress off yourselves, we may have lost today but we will never lose the future. If you have questions, you know where to find me. I have spoken." 

It was odd for Austin to take a backfoot for a change, normally the more aggressive out of all the previous Alpha's, to hear him speak of truces and losses were... Alien. However should anyone had argued these facts and decisions, they must realize that in all accounts he was right to do this. It would allow more breathing room and for the Pack to regain some semblance of order, but at the cost of being pushed back. And though the woods behind the packs territory were vicious at best, Austin always had a mind to claim that lot... If there weren't neighboring packs. The Alpha's thoughts were slow but riddled with ongoings, not in the stressful sense as he walked back to the Alpha/Luna Wing, unaware of any followed him. 

[love_and_poprocks]

A familiar scent came through the crowd as her head would turn to the male side of the room. Turning her head a moment she would open her eyes after having been concentrating on a relaxing in this mess of potent  hormones and anxiety form what the Alpha had to announce. Seeing Canaan she would give him a warm smile and wave back as he seemed uncomfortable from her perception. But soon the bellowing voice of the Alpha would bring her attention to the front as he stood there ready to speak. 

Listening to his announcement a brief moment of surprise graced her features as Samara listened to him eagerly. There was a lot of animosity in the crowd as they did not seem to understand the importance of this kind of step. Normally Alpha was so gung-ho for violence that she would ignore it to block the negativity. But their Alpha was changing things in her opinion for the better. Even pointing out their numbers she felt that this was a big first step to real change within the pack and make them stronger. She actually looked hopeful as she would look around the room to those making a fuss. Her eyes landing on the Gamma Minor she felt a real sense of relief as Laura would not be subjected to violence. None of them would really as long as they respected the boundaries.

Though Samara felt she could do more with this information; she would wait for the meeting to be over before standing. Those closest to her would fall silent as they seemed to expect her to speak or something. However that was not the case as she simply would follow the Alpha to his chambers needing another moment with him on how she should further assist with the pack. 

[KanTheKnight]

"...." Caleb's eyes shrink under the news Austin had to bring. There were more casualties? That bashes needles into the Delta's skin. And, as if a large hand grabbed onto his beating heart and gripped it around, with the threat to smash it into pieces. His hormones were acting up, but now they were just fueling anger at this point. What more is there to do? The numbers are already limited. And he can't mate, out of personal reasons. "Even the finest..? How..!?" Caleb thought. Yet the next unexpectance came around the corner. 

The truce wasn't the shocking part for Caleb. It was inevitable, outside help needed to be found. Or, no. Perhaps, they were being attacked by this party as well. Midnight doesn't know a single thing about this enemy, which drove Caleb further into frustration. "Not even a drop of hint..? What, the fuck is happening..Why, they were all wiped out..Why. For what reason, did they die..Just, to die and be victims written off?" Caleb thought, with a gripped fist, such intense power that his arteries around his hand jumped from pressure. He was furious, confused and rage. the Delta is most dangerous when met with rage.

Yet, he keeps himself in line, not even moving an inch. What he could do? They were already lost. It is hopeless now. They're gone. These children he formed into Scouts, into reliable soldiers. How much time he truly spent with them: now ripped apart somewhere into pieces. Their bodies not even recovered in the slightest. Caleb pivoted his foot against the crowd, shoving some of the males away from his path, walking out of the main entrance of the Foyer, taking his leave. Wishing to not participate amongst the Pack, nor in the mating season, this time with a much less personal reason.