Whew*
Chapter 8
Shadow knew the moment he walked in and saw Nattie's annoyed expression that something much worse the pack elders were waiting for him in his office. Wonderful....
"What?" he barked, crossing his arms.
"So sorry Alpha... He said the elders were expect him to join you..." Nattie mumbled, her fur raised slightly from nerves.
He gave her credit though. She was looking directly at him, dispite her obvious unease, her eyes only slightly diverted to show her repect. His cute, and sometimes naive, assistant who never once lacked for balls.
"Him?"
"Scourge."
And this time Shadow was the one to look away but towards the ceiling as he started to count to ten in his mind to keep his temper in check. When he made to one hundred with no improvement, he sighed through his nose and looked back down at Nattie with a serious look. "He's in there with them?"
"Yes. Ix, Fini and Fleetway"
Three of the most respected elders in the pack. The three men named all reached high into the late 60s, not unheard of but also not an easy feat with the Lycan lifestyle. The usual lifespan of young male Lycan was usually in the mid 50s due to pack lifestyle, social advancement and that feeling of invincibility.
Fate had balanced things out though. Lycans healed incredibly fast, broken bones healing in hours while cut and bruises would heal in minutes. They also had an immune system tat could fight off most if not all the viruses that plagued mortals. Once a Lycan reach 55 he could make it into his hundredth birthday. But only about 5% made it that far.
Females had it better since they fought fewer challenges, and didn't take as many stupid risks in their youth. A female Lycan had better chances of reaching their 70s-80s then a male did.
Shadow himself was 32 and if he survived another 20 years it would not be because of his dear, sweet cousin.
The door behind Nattie opened and smooth yet age filled voice called out, "We know you're out there boy, we haven't gone deaf yet. Come here we need to talk."
Nattie saw the twitch and asked quietly, "Want me to call in a few saying theres an emergency only you can handle?...."
"It's tempting... but hopefully this won't take very long..."
Nattie's ears flicked backwards as a questioning look took over her features, but she said nothing. She just watched as he straightened himself and entered what should have been his private space but, at some point, turned ino a kaizo trap.
They had all taken over the sitting area on the far side of his office, three elders of the Lycan race and one very annoying brat with the illusions of greatness. Ix, Finitevus, and Fleetway all sat relaxed and sharp-eyed on the brown leather sofa and matching club chair while Scourge stood in the corner, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed in a pose Shadow immediantly recognized and swore he'd never do again.
'Especially not if I look like that big of a dickhead when I do.'
The green jackass looked as well groomed and useless as ever. His quills and fur brushed and buffed, expensive jewelry on his ears and hanging from his neck. To make things worse, his claws were shining from a recent manicure. He had the kind of hands that's never done an honest day's wok in their lives. Or honest hour for that matter. He was the kind to think he needed to have what he wanted handed to him on a silver platter. And when he didn't get it that's when he got mean.
Shadow gave Scourge a glance before ignoring him, as always and focused his attention on the three pack Elders.
"Gentleman," he started with a nod in their direction, "To what do i owe this unexpected pleasure?"
"Feh, Pup please, we both know 'pleasure' isn't exactly your reaction to see us suddenly show up on your doorstep" Fleetway said with a slightly amused grin.
Shadow's lips twitched upwards slightly. Fleetway was about 65 but he didn't look a day over 20. His raggedy golden quills and trademark smirk made him very popular but the eyes were what usually scared away the weak. 
Swirling red Lycan eyes. 
No one knows how his eyes even got to be that way but it's rumored long ago a certain run in changed him in many ways....
He repected Fleetway though, so his response had a lot more self control then he thought was possible at the moment.
"Maybe... But i am curious as to why you're here. Haven't seen you 3 in the same place since my breaking year was up"
Even Lycan alpha spent his first year being watched closely by the Elders. They may have expected the Alpha to claim the title with raw power but they still wouldn't except him if he was incompetant at his job. Shadow, however, didn't even need the year. He was born and raised to lead his people.
"We figured you'd be able to run things better without word from the peanut gallery" Fleetway said.
"Yea, and look where that's gotten us," Ix grumbled.
Ix was always grumbling.... He was also the most pessimistic so he supposed it fit but at the same time, Shadow figured he probably tasted something really bad when he was being born. And he could still taste it.
Shadow grabbed onto his diplomatic skills carefully.... "This is one of the most peaceful and stable time in pack history since my great-great-grandfather..." 
"If you see it that way" Fini frowned.
"How else would i see it?"
"I think what they are trying to say, dear cousin, is that your leadership style is something to be... conserned about," Scourge said, his icy blue eyes glowing slightly from mockery and malevolence.
Shadow could not stop his lips from curling back, baring his fangs slightly. But if you smelt something disgusting, you wouldn't pretend everything was sweet as candy would you?
"If anyone wants to criticize my ways he should be able to do so by himself," Shadow growled, "From his own mouth, in his own words"
"Critisisms is such a heavy word," Fleetway said, keeping a steady gaze on Shadow. "More like a few issues we'd like you to pay more attention to. Suggestions is a better word for it"
'What. What the fuck was going on all of a sudden.' Shadow thought as he frowned at the unwelcomed guests. First, he finds the perfect mate only to learn that he was a male Breeder and mortal... Then he actually had the nerve to try and run away from him before his skin cooled from his touch. And now his sweet cousin, becuase it was oh so obvious what this was really about, sent the pack Elders to grade his performance as Alpha. Did they all suddenly forget what being Alpha meant?
Shadow stomped his quick rising temper in an attempt to keep calm as he raised an eyebrow, and hoped he just looked mildly confused and curious. If his expression came off as anything other then blood thirsty rage, then his luck might be changing.
"Oh?..."
"Yes. We have discussed a few problems we'd like to see you fix" Ix pulled out a piece of folded paper from his suit pocket before continuing, "It is your duty to guide the pack in the right direction after all"
'Holy mother of Luna... He's got a damn list'
"He also has to lead the pack without completely ignoring traditions...." Fini said, hands entwined and resting on his lap as he stared at Shadow. "We have never recorded our laws and customs in book like mortals. Too risky. If a mortal got their hands on that kind of library who knows what could happen. Ours has always been oral but that just means we have to be extra careful nothing gets lost..."
"And the only way to do that, id to make sure we keep those traditions the way we always have," Ix finished, "Which brings us to our first point"
"Really now..." Shadow had to hold himself grinding his teeth. "And what exactly is your point"
"Some of the pack members are a bit upset that you never appointed a new Erzähler since ol' Darwin passed away" Scourge commented.
Shadow looked at Scourge with obvious contempt in his eyes. "Oh? And you're one of them?" 
The alpha didn't bother hiding his sarcasm. The thought that Scourge cared at all about keeping the position of pack storyteller filled when most, if not all, of the packs within the 1000 mile radius had given up on that long ago was laughable. Shadow knew that and so did Scourge.
And honestly... the fact that, that of all thing was his opening line in their little private battle for the crown made Shadow very uneasy.
Scourge shrugged one shoulder and looked away. "It is an issue but i wouldn't call it my number one concern"
"So what is?"
"We'll get to that pup," Ix snapped.  "We're just getting started here" 
Shadow was will to accept being called 'pup' from Fleetway because he respected him and when he said it, it had no trace of malice and was fully lighthearts. Ix on the other hand... not so much.
Shadow looked at the elder calmly, arms crossing in front of his chest. "I'll hear every suggestion on your list old man," he said in an even, quiet tone that was more feirce then the angriest howl, "but this would be a whole lot cleaner if you remember how to adress me. You may be old enough to be my grandfather and i am still your Alpha"
Ix stiffened for a moment before looking away with asmall huff. "...Theres more important things to do here then argue"
Shadow gripped on his forearms tightly as his ear twitched oh so slightly from irritation. 
'Could've fooled me....'
"Some of the pack members think your failure to appoint a new Erzähler stemmed from your lack of respect for customs..." Fini said being careful to keep any malevolence out of his tone. "They have noticed your ignorance with Common Law. Anytime an issue involving Common precedence has been brought to you, you've had to talk it over with other advisors to know what the proper way to handle it was"
'Oh dear Luna, give me the strength...' Shadow thought, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
"Firstly, I have a great respect for the traditions of our race and pack," he sarted, "If i didn't, i wouldn't have bothered becoming Alpha. When Darwin died, no one wanted to take on the responsibility. I don't blame them, it's not an easy job for the younger members to do. In this day and age, we have many other ways to keep our traditions and history carefully recorded. I have hired, at my expense by the way, a highly respected and college trained anthropologist to make a record or all the Blackfur history and mithos. He's a Lycan so he's at least familiar with our basic culture, and he's also an outsider which means we can trust he will record each story he hears faithfully without fear. If that's not respecting traditions i don't know whtat is."
"Also," Shadow continued, "I know for a fact that my father cared as much about Common law as i do. If that was so much of a requirment for the job, then the packs best lawer would be Alpha rather then the best leader"
Shadow didn't bother to hide his disgust. What a huge waste of time, having to defend his spotless record as Blackfur Alpha just because his cousin decided to drag a bunch of old busyboddies around to chew on his tail. He had been a great Alpha and he every knew that.
'And they can suck my-'
"Well theres also your relationships outside of the pack" Fleetway said, waving his own finger around in a circle in the air, interrupting Shadow from his internal ranting and getting his attention back at the matter at hand.
For a brief moment, he thought they may have been talking about him taking his blue angel as a amte. He was already making a mental note on doing some research on how to get blood out of leather couches and carpets...
No one better try to come between him and Sonic.
"Before you took over, we kept the pack's involvement  with the Coucil of Others to a minimum." Scourge's words sounded concern but Shadow noticed the insincerity dripping off his tongue like snake venom. "We listened, but pack decisions were made within the pack. We didn't allow outsiders to tell us how to deal with our prisoners or how to keep our Veil intact."
"And you are going to actually stand there and say that i am taking orders on how to run my pack?"
"You are very close to both the past and present head of the Coucil. No one's speculating of course, but it is odd how you and the Coucil always seem to be in perfect agreement with each other"
'Holy fuck. Stay calm now, Shadow....'
"Did you ever think that maybe i agreed with the Coucil because i felt those decisions were reasonable, justified and in the best intrest of the pack?"
"Vector and Espio are not part of the pack"
"Really? And here i thought shapeshifters and Daemons were able to get junior member and our super secret decoder ring"
Fleetway rolled his eyes before holding up his clawed hands. "Now now gentleman let's not let this get turned into an argument"
"Too late," Shadow snarled, fangs bared. "I have just been accused of puttin gmy personal friendships over the well needs of my pack! I refuse to take such an insult from anyone! Elder, cousin or Lady Luna herself!"
"No one's accusing you of anything," Fini said a bit nervously, keeping his gaze on the Alpha's shoes as he shifted a bit. "We just thought these concerns should be brought to your attention. Perhaps if you limited your involvement with those outsiede of the pack, it'll calm those who question where your loyalities are"
Shadow's mind shifted to the Breeder in his bedroom. His sparkling green eyes and beautiful blue and peach fur.... A heart of gold and a body that could make even him keel over and his jaw tightened. If anyone tried to make him limit his involvement with Sonic, they would know what it felt like to eat their own heart.
"My loyalities are where they are supposed to be...." Shadow growled out, eyes narrowed, "with my pack, my family and my future.  And if anyone has a problem with that-!"
"I think the main problem is that no one knows where that future is going," Fleetway said crossing one leg over the other and tapping a finger on his knee. "What kind of furture does an Alpha have without a mate huh?"
"How about i ask once i find one"
He could just barely see Scourge stiffen out the corner of his eye.
"What do you mean by that? Are you saying you found a mate suddenly? That sounds awfully convineint... Who is she" 
The anger and unease in Scourge's voice made him mentally smack himself. He was the last person he wanted to talk to about Sonic. And the second through fourth were all staring at him with peeked curiousity.
"Well go on," Fleetway waved his hand at him. "This is great news. An alpha needs a mate after all, and i will gladly tell you it would calm some of the others down if you had one to introduce to them~ You should set up a Howl to make your announcement. Hasn't been one in a while actually..."
Shadow shifted his eyes towards the green Lycan and glared. "I've heard Scourge took care of that for me... Isn't there one scheduled for next weekend?"
"Neh, that can be moved. Howls are your responsibility after all, no one would notice if you override the one your cousin set up" Fleetway stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder before lowering his voice so only Shadow could hear him. "In fact, anyone who thought about siding with Scourgey over there would love to come back to you even with all those promises he made"
"Promises?..." Shadow wanted so much to just wring that little traitors next til he stopped kicking. Just because Shadow had a hunch he was conspiering behind his back doesn't mean he enjoyed the fact that it was actually true.
"He offered to make us a part of some 'Privy Council' Heh... the name fits seeing how the idea reeks like a cess pool. "Watch him will ya, the pup is up to no good... He honestly thinks he's the next king and would probably cut your head right off to get a grab at the crown"
"Don't i know it..."
"Hm?"
"Oh nothing. But i'm not ready to show my mate to the pack just yet" Shadow said, raising his voice for the others to hear him.
"That might not be in your best intrest.... The pack will want to see her. You know how people can be, make them wait and they'll think somethings wrong with 'er" Fini said
"Theres nothing wrong with my mate" Other then the obvious of course. "Anyone who thinks so can answer to me" Shadow looked at fleetway and grinned, "Oh you know how females are today right? They all want to be dated not mated. They want it to be like it is on T.V with all those pretty words and pretty please and all that crap"
Fleetway smirked. "Damn, in my day it was a whole lot eaier. When we found a girl we wanted we threw her down and crawled on top. If we managed to stay there long enough to play a little game of hide and seek, we called that a wedding!~"
The Elders chckled at the joke while Shadow just smiled. Scourge didn't seem too pleased however.
"Take my advise boy. Give her a little time to come to her senses. And if she still doesn't fall into line go down on her and play a little game~ Once the cub is on the way, she'll get the idea~"
Shadow doubt it would be that easy with his skittish, stubborn mate. But he still kept his smile and shook hands with the Elders as they left his office and went into Nattie's. Of course he noticed Scourge slipping out like the snake that he was but he ignored him...
Each of the Elders stopped to flirt a bit with the werefox and she handled each of them with a charm of innocent grand daughter leaving them smiling and  chuckling as they left. Scourge, however, took one look back before he also left, door slamming behind him.
"Gosh...." Nattie pouted a bit and looked over at Shadow as he stood by the door way. "Pat yourself down for holes boss. I know looks can't kill but there might be a puncture wound or 2 on after that glare"
Shadow took a deep breath and pinches the bridge of his nose. It was so hard not to completely destroy the wall but at the same time, he really didn't want to have to deal with more hassle.
"I've survived worse honestly..." 
"Still.. i wonder whats got him so upset..." Nattie pressed a pen against her lips and looked at Shadow though the corner of her eyes.
Shadow chuckled. "Trying to do a little digging are you?"
"Gotta get those treasures somehow~" she grinned.
"Suprised you didn't have a glass up against the door to listen in on us"
"Well i kinda just poured myself some tea. That would've been such a waste..."
Shadow turned and made his way back to theconnecting hallways that led back to his own home when Nattie sighed. 
"Not gonna tell me anything?"
It was hard to ignore the reflex after teasing the fox for so many years. But she deserve to know the basic truth at least.
"Nothing to say that you haven't already heard. Just Scourge playing another round of ' The hedgehog that would be King' "
"Blech. If he ever did somehow win that game, you'll see me play lead in the girl that would be gone. I swear i will run from here to Blue Ridge Zone so fast, i'd run over the water."
Technically, the pack over in Blue Ridge Zone had connections with the Blackfur so she wouldn't be completely out of Scourge's reach... But he appriciated the metaphor.
"Oh, i'm afraid i'll never get to see that"
"And why's that?"
Shadow flashed a feral grin, a low growl forming in his throat.
"Because the only way Scourge is going to be Alpha is over my dead body"