Carly felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on her. She desperately wanted to live up to the greatness of her deceased mother. Her territory was a constant concern; she worked tirelessly to keep it green and thriving for the wolves under her care, always mindful to keep their existence separate from the ignorant humans who remained unaware of their world.
The timid girl stood on her balcony. She wasn't inherently weak, but she hadn't yet learned how to project strength.
Carly understood the immense power she possessed as a council member, and the realization of it made her tremble. To be in control of so much felt both exhilarating and utterly inadequate.
In this very house, she had once watched her mother stand on this balcony. Only once. Her mother had stood proud and regal as she delivered a decree to the surrounding Alphas, positioned high above them all. The sight had made young Carly believe her mother was a queen.
But her mother had told her she was more of a harbinger of destruction. That when she stood on that balcony and howled to the Alphas, she was no better than a banshee screaming bloody murder. The messages she delivered, and the manner in which she delivered them, would affect every last soul in her region. This was a burden that often kept her mother awake at night.
It had already begun to keep Carly up as well. Her mother had never shied away from sharing details of past council messages and the diverse reactions in different regions. She had explained that violent actions among the wolves were often a direct reflection of how the message was delivered, not an inherent cruelty within their world.
The wolves were fierce and often settled disputes through displays of strength. However, this did not make them monsters. It was Carly's responsibility to accurately convey the Queen's message, the council's message, in a way that would cause the least amount of harm to those who would hear it.
She could hear her family moving around on the main floor, their murmurs filled with speculation about her impending announcement. They had asked her directly, but she had refused to divulge any information.
Carly was determined to do things precisely as her mother had done them. Not solely out of respect for her mother's way, but because she genuinely believed it was the best approach, the one that would minimize potential conflict.
Shifting into her wolf form, Carly felt her skin stretch and tear, revealing damp gray fur underneath. Her bones cracked and reformed, creating a stronger, more powerful body – her true form. She shook out her fur, preparing herself. Unlike some other council members, Carly was young, and her wolf's howl wasn't yet strong enough in her human form to reach all the necessary ears. She would need to be in her true form.
With an even breath, she leaped forward and unleashed her wolf's howl. The sound waves vibrated through the nearby trees. Her message had been sent: all Alphas must convene at the council mansion.
The sound of tremors filled her ears. The howl was impossible to ignore. Alphas were beginning to arrive. Shifting back to her human form, Carly quickly donned her Council robes and stood at the edge of the balcony, waiting.
With each passing moment, more and more wolves arrived. Her territory, unlike others, boasted the highest concentration of Alphas. This land was the ancestral home of the first wolves. These wolves were an unyielding sort, radiating a palpable level of strength and violent energy. Whether in their massive wolf forms – with fur ranging from deep blacks and browns to stark grays and even the occasional reddish hue, their eyes glowing with an inner fire – or standing naked in their unashamed human forms, a primal power emanated from them. Nudity was simply the norm amongst wolves. They were fiercely prideful.
Only after the separation from humans had wolves begun to venture further, establishing their own territories far from human civilizations and other wolf packs.
As nightfall approached, all the Alphas of her territory had gathered. Most remained in their wolf forms, while some stood unclad in their human forms, all waiting to hear the decree.
"We will welcome the exiles home. An attack on some is an attack on all."
She had rehearsed what she would say countless times. But she knew it was best to use the fewest words possible – enough to explain, but primarily to unite them. As a whole, we are under attack. That was all they truly needed to know.
"The defectives?" an Alpha called out, a hint of confusion in his voice. He hadn't considered the defectives in a long time.
Some of the Alphas exchanged subtle glances, a flicker of emotion in their eyes. They had family who were considered defectives, individuals they had been forced to cast out, forbidden from even speaking to or checking on their well-being.
Another Alpha sneered, his voice laced with disdain. "They aren't like us!" he stated unequivocally.
But as before, Carly remained silent. It was not her role to argue, but to ensure they understood the decree and the consequences of disregarding it.
"What are we to do with them?" another frustrated Alpha demanded.
Faced with their questions and resistance, Carly felt her only recourse was to repeat herself, emphasizing each word carefully.
"We will welcome the exiles home. An attack on some is an attack on all of the pack."
But at the last moment, Carly decided to add a few more words to the decree, a reminder of the fundamental truth of their existence. Sometimes, she thought, wolves needed to be reminded that the pack was all there ever was. An attack on their pack was an attack on their very being.