***[POV: Busy Alpha CEO]***
"The environmental impact assessment came back favorably, and the proposed resort would create over two hundred jobs in the first year alone."
Despite my
satisfaction
as the presentation continued, I kept an aloof look. Seated at the
head of the conference table
, I watched the facial reactions of the assembled group rather than the projected slides I’d already skimmed.
To my right, Melvin Silverton’s perpetual frown deepened with each statistic. Across from him, three representatives from the
Stonewater Pack
sat with careful posture.
Their Alpha,
Joseph Greyclaw
, was flanked by their middle aged finance officer - also known as his Gamma - and their young head of development. Looking confident enough, just like they’d been coached.
The city’s zoning commissioner, Rozario Herrara, made careful notes on a tablet as one of
my stellar interns
at Lunarizon continued to deliver all the information that had been collected on the project. I must remember to get a
full contract offer
sent by Claire after this.
"Traffic patterns show an expected seventeen percent increase on weekends, but the infrastructure improvements we’ve proposed would actually improve flow for local residents by creating some alternate routes."
My phone vibrated in my jacket just once - and I could feel the
spike of adrenaline
hit me. I resisted the urge to check it immediately, despite the earpiece on one side alerting me
who it was from
.
That it was a
picture attachment
with a message made my
need
worsen. But I held strong as Lodestar spoke this information.
I forced my focus back to the meeting, but Joseph’s eyes had flicked to me... just briefly. He’d taken in my momentary distraction and would probably bring it up later when we spoke in
private
.
The Stonewater’s Alpha had survived decades of
territorial negotiations
and political maneuvering; he missed very little. Neither did the zoning commissioner.
"There’s no denying the economic benefits and how far the project has gone to address civil engineering concerns. But the city council remains concerned about the cultural impact. The casino feels pointless to harp on now, after eight good years, but this new resort complex would transform the entire northeast corridor."
"Human culture changes constantly. Preservation has the most value when it benefits the main needs of a civilization. The jobs, tax revenue, and tourism dollars would only enhance your city’s prosperity."
With confidence - but also a
soft spoken kindness
that only came with
wisdom
- the Alpha whose project I was helping mediate spoke his opinion. It was a fine bit of speech, circling back to the
benefits
most of all.
Yet, my fingers
twitched
and
curled
with the desire to reach for my phone instead of acknowledge his comment. My mouth opened, wanting to ask to be excused for a moment but lifted my water glass instead and drank like it could
quench
and
compose
my thoughts.
And it went noticed - as many of the eyes turned to my movements. I spoke about what I
should
, instead of what I
wanted
.
"Commissioner Herrara, the Lunarizon Foundation has already pledged to fund the expansion of emergency services in that district, regardless of this project’s approval."
The older hispanic human woman looked surprised at my statement, even though I’ve had nothing but a history of
helping
the city - especially once Lunarizon Industries really took off. She still treats me like
the former Alpha
sometimes, unwilling to invest in anything to do with humans.
Pack may come first, but the people that live in
my city
deal with
my people
every day. In that regard, they are an important part of our ecosystem and should be protected - not just used for
profit
.
"And as the presentation of Ms. Winters showed, the architectural plans incorporate numerous elements that honor local history. Culturally, it can even be argued as an improvement."
I didn’t need to add that Joseph’s pack had been in this region
centuries
before Vossden was founded, giving them more claim to
local history
than most of the city council combined. Except perhaps the Omega from the Cloudtail that worked his way in during the last election thanks to Whitecrest
contributions
.
With the sound of a short knock, the door opened and Luca slipped in quietly while nodding an
apology
for his tardiness. Unusual for my
punctual
Beta.
Claire, standing over near the projector controls, gave this the
briefest smirk
before her face returned to that forced professionalism. I’d have to ask her about that later - she rarely
chose
to show amusement during business meetings, even toward him.
"I still have reservations about this loss of territory. The casino footprint was agreed upon, but this expansion encroaches significantly more on old hunting grounds."
Melvin interjected, his hands folded carefully on the table. Despite carrying the name
Silverton
, he was very much a Rimecoat - and the representative of the
dissenting voices
to anything that bucks the still
conservative
pack views that exist.
Even though I’d
expected
this objection, I felt my wolf stir with irritation. The man had served my predecessor
faithfully
as one of his yes-men Gamma.
But... this insistence on maintaining
outdated territorial boundaries
had become problematic. In a city with a population gain of about eighteen percent over the last decade, the needs to grow and expand
before it tears apart
at the seams are greater than ever.
"Those ’hunting grounds’ haven’t seen actual hunting in over fifty years. If you’ve looked at the project, you’ll see that most of it remains green space in the proposed plan. Just with new maintained hiking trails that all packs’ members and visiting humans can enjoy."
"It sets a precedent. My concern is for future generations, not just some current convenience."
"Is it now? So you’re saying this is not also my concern and yours is the more appropriate one for the pack?"
A bit more
irritated
than usual because of wanting to
run off
and see the photo... or
find her
and mark her... or
anything
but deal with this man’s attempt to
control me
... my growl makes the
old wolf
avert his face.
Counting to ten
while clutching the bridge of my nose, I turn and find the other Alpha’s eyes
meeting
mine for a moment. Gratitude flickered briefly in a
turquoise glow
before Joseph turned away himself first to give me
a little further respect
.
"My mind is always on our future. For everyone. Is that clear?"
The young Stonewater developer leaned forward after I spoke.
Ellie Rushwater
, if I remembered correctly?
"With respect, Elder Silverton, the Stonewater aren’t looking to take territory. We’re looking to use it, improve it, and share in its prosperity together. The same way that the Cloudtail did with their ventures in the warehouse district."
Their pack had indeed integrated successfully
into that part
of Vossden’s business community, thanks to some
familial ties
between their Omegas with some of our pack. Particularly the Whitecrest...
I wondered if that was what really bothered the
former Gamma
who worked with my predecessor? Not the territory itself, but the fear that our
distinct pack identities
would ultimately
blend away
into the human world around us.
As if the
Lunar Goddess
would hate us for working
better
together. If that was the case, why would she do things like bring a former Duskpaw
into my life
as my fated mate?