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77

Haken's voice rumbles a basso cheer. "This young one gets it! Even the youth who have lived their entire lives in captivity understand what it is to be a werewolf. Take note of his example!"

The end results of the vote don't surprise you. The majority favor starting with Ahote's approach, although many wolves voiced their support for Haken's plan if the protest doesn't improve conditions.

Ahote holds up his hands for silence. "We have all witnessed here tonight a public vote of our peers. The results, while not unanimous, clearly indicate that the majority of the pack favors a peaceful resolution. To that end, we will not be attending our jobs tomorrow morning. Instead, we will march through the streets of Haven, open and unafraid. We will show the humans that we are neither savage animals nor slaves to be exploited. At no point will we attack or harass the humans. In the event that you are attacked, do your best to disengage, fighting back as a method of last resort."

Haken grunts loudly enough to be heard over Ahote's speech.

"For now we'll leave this hall two and three at a time to return to our homes. I don't think I need to explain the need for secrecy to any of you. Avoid the patrols and watch your backs—in numbers we have power, but individually the humans can pick us apart. Tomorrow we'll show them what solidarity looks like. We'll gather at seven by the southern green. Get your sleep. We'll all need it."

Over the next half hour, the assembled wolves leave in pairs to return to their homes. Lapu waves to you from the crowd, and you make your way over to him through the tides of closely packed bodies waiting by the exit, eager to get to their beds.

"So how do you really feel about this fiasco? I know it's tough to speak your mind when a whole crowd is watching, but you can be honest with me," Lapu says in a hushed whisper, scratching at his blond hair nervously. "I'm so nervous, I've started to shed."

"Fiasco?"

"Pushing back against the humans. Whichever way you slice it, it's gonna be bad. Even Ahote's march is doomed to failure," the boy says gloomily.