LM0034 The Assembly of the Alphas

"Oh, you're here too, Suzuki?" Alpha Kamui of the Ice Wolf Tribe greeted his counterpart, the Alpha of the Red Paw Pack in Nagoya, with a casual wave as he strolled into the tea room. Kamui's distinctive Ainu attire—a heavy fur-trimmed coat adorned with tribal patterns—brushed softly against the tatami mat as he approached. His sharp golden eyes sparkled with amusement, his confident posture radiating a calm yet mischievous air, as he addressed Suzuki, whose posture radiated thinly-veiled exasperation.

"Of course, I'll be here. The Wind Pack called for a meeting. I'd never miss it for the world," Suzuki replied with a sarcastic flourish, his tone as dry as the winter air. His crimson kimono, embroidered with the Red Paw emblem, seemed to ripple like flames as he leaned back and rolled his eyes so hard that Kamui thought they might get stuck.

Kamui let out a hearty laugh and joined Suzuki at the low table set with delicate porcelain tea cups. "You look absolutely thrilled," he teased, pouring himself a cup of steaming green tea.

"Over the moon," Suzuki deadpanned, picking up his cup and taking a long sip as though the tea could drown his annoyance.

Kamui smirked and leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "Ookaze is at it again."

Suzuki snorted, almost choking on his tea. "What else is new? The man can't resist a spectacle. But, I'll admit…" He set his cup down with a deliberate clink, his crimson eyes narrowing. "If what he stated in the invitation is true, then he has reasons to show off."

The deliberate emphasis on the word if made Kamui chuckle, but the weight behind it was unmistakable. Suzuki's skepticism mirrored that of many alphas who had gathered at the Wind Pack's domain. In the past few decades, Akechi Ookaze, Alpha of the Wind Pack, had made it a habit to convene the alphas for grand declarations or thinly veiled boasting sessions. While these gatherings often felt like an exercise in endurance, the Wind Pack's Salutaries—a dwindling yet invaluable resource—made attendance a necessity.

Kamui nodded in agreement, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. "True. They've been losing ground for years, but if there's even a sliver of truth to his claims this time, it could change things."

"If," Suzuki repeated with a faint growl, irritation surfacing in his tone, "half the time these meetings are just excuses to parade their supposed superiority. But the Wind Pack knows we can't ignore them. If the hidden healer clan were still around, they wouldn't be this demanding. We need their healers—even if their alpha is as annoying as he is."

Kamui leaned back, crossing his arms. "Annoying doesn't even begin to cover it. The last time I was here, Ookaze spent thirty minutes lecturing me about the superiority of his pack's natural water sources. Thirty minutes, Suzuki."

Suzuki arched an eyebrow. "Water?"

"Water," Kamui confirmed, a haunted look crossing his face. "He even made me drink it. 'Taste the blessings of the Moon Goddess,' he said."

Despite himself, Suzuki chuckled, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. "At least you didn't have to listen to him wax poetic about the lineage of his pack's wolves for an hour. An hour."

Kamui shook his head, his expression both amused and exasperated. "He really knows how to test our patience, doesn't he?"

"Test it? He's turned it into an art form," Suzuki replied with a wry grin.

Their shared laughter was cut short as the door to the tea room slid open, revealing a young servant bowing deeply. Her kimono, a simple design of soft blue and white, reflected the understated elegance of the Wind Pack's domain. "Alpha Kamui, Alpha Suzuki," the servant began, her voice steady despite the tension in her posture. "Alpha Ookaze has requested your presence in the Great Hall. Dinner will be served shortly."

The two alphas exchanged knowing glances. Kamui was the first to speak, his tone light but tinged with resignation. "Let's see what grand performance he has planned for us tonight."

Suzuki stood, brushing off his robes with a sigh. "Whatever it is, I just hope it doesn't involve water."

As they followed the servant toward the Great Hall, their footsteps echoed softly against the wooden floor, a quiet prelude to the storm of politics, posturing, and thinly veiled tension that awaited them. The corridor walls were adorned with intricate ink paintings of wolves running through forests, a subtle reminder of the Wind Pack's storied history.

Suzuki and Kamui trailed toward the Great Hall, their pace leisurely as they prepared themselves for whatever spectacle awaited. However, as they stepped through the doors, both stopped in their tracks, their eyes widening in disbelief.

"Hey, Suzuki," Kamui muttered, nudging his companion. "Is that Alpha McCann over there?" He nodded toward a towering man with grizzled features and bushy red hair on his head.

Suzuki squinted, then groaned. "It is. The Scottish Alpha."

"And look over there—Cesar Wolfe. The new Alpha of Lake City." Kamui gestured toward a younger man seated near the front, his wolfish grin as sharp as his tailored suit.

The two exchanged looks of disbelief, their expressions almost comical as they scanned the room. It wasn't just the local alphas who had shown up this time—Alpha Ookaze had cast his net wide, summoning pack leaders from across the globe. The hall buzzed with energy, the din of multiple languages blending into an intimidating symphony of power.

"He's turned this into an international assembly," Suzuki muttered under his breath, crossing his arms. "Typical Ookaze. Always trying to outdo himself."

Kamui smirked but said nothing, his sharp eyes darting toward the head table. There, seated in an elevated position for all to see, was Alpha Akechi Ookaze. His long hair, streaked with silver, shimmered under the lantern light as he surveyed the room with a smug expression. To Suzuki and Kamui's irritation, the most coveted seats at the head table had been given to the foreign alphas, leaving the local leaders relegated to the farthest corners of the room.

As they begrudgingly made their way to their assigned seats, Kamui leaned closer. "Do you think the Shadow Wolf Pack would come?"

Suzuki snorted, lowering his voice. "Do you think Ookaze would dare shove all of us Japanese alphas to the edge of the room if that one had decided to show up?"

Kamui chuckled, though he made no effort to disagree. "Fair point. If Kagerou ever bothered to attend, Ookaze would probably reserve him his own seat at the head of the table. Too bad—I wanted to see him, but he hasn't been social since. The last time I saw that boy, he was still eight years old."

Suzuki nodded thoughtfully. It wasn't an exaggeration. Hizuki Kagerou wasn't just the Alpha of the Shadow Wolf Pack—he was the Lycan King, a figure so far removed from the usual power struggles that his mere presence could send shockwaves through any gathering. The problem was that this alpha was antisocial, never attending gatherings or showing his face in public. The Shadow Wolf Pack didn't need alliances; they were entirely self-sustaining. And with Shadowlane Logistics making Kagerou a billionaire, his influence extended far beyond the werewolf world.

"Still," Kamui murmured as they settled into their seats, "it would've been interesting if he had come."

"Interesting is one word for it," Suzuki replied, his tone dry.

Before their conversation could continue, the room hushed as Ookaze stood, clearing his throat. The alpha's presence commanded attention, his voice booming as he addressed the assembly.

"My esteemed guests," he began, spreading his arms in a gesture of welcome. "It is my honor to host such a distinguished gathering of alphas. I am deeply grateful for your acceptance of my invitation. Please know that we have spared no effort to ensure your stay here is both comfortable and memorable."

He gestured grandly to the feast laid out before them, a stunning spread of traditional Japanese cuisine. Platters of sushi and sashimi gleamed under the lantern light, each piece delicately crafted with vibrant slices of tuna, salmon, and octopus. Bowls of steaming miso soup sat alongside platters of grilled fish, their golden skin crisped to perfection. There were mounds of tempura, the light batter shimmering with a golden hue, and lacquered trays of chirashi sushi adorned with colorful vegetables and delicate shreds of seaweed.

For dessert, there were mochi in soft pastel hues, daifuku filled with sweet red bean paste, and taiyaki—fish-shaped pastries oozing with custard and chocolate. Servers moved gracefully among the tables, pouring sake and green tea into delicate porcelain cups.

"I must apologize," Ookaze continued, his tone taking on a deliberately casual air, "that my entire family is not here to personally welcome you. My daughter is currently residing at Kageoden."

Gasps rippled through the room like a sudden gust of wind, and murmurs erupted among the gathered alphas.

Kamui and Suzuki stiffened, exchanging glances. Ookaze's expression, a mask of polite humility, couldn't hide the glint of smug satisfaction in his eyes.

Kamui leaned closer to Suzuki, his voice low. "Kageoden. That could only mean one thing."

Suzuki's lips pressed into a thin line. "A bride," he muttered grimly.

They both fell silent, the implications settling heavily between them. If Ookaze's daughter were truly intended as a bride for Hizuki Kagerou, it would be a move that could shift the delicate balance of power among the packs. The Wind Pack, already a significant force thanks to their control of the Salutaries, would gain unprecedented influence through an alliance with the Shadow Wolf Pack.

Kamui sighed, picking up his chopsticks but barely glancing at the food on his plate. "Well, this just got complicated."

Suzuki nodded, his appetite completely gone. "Very."

The two alphas sat in silence, their thoughts churning as the murmurs around them grew louder, the air thick with speculation and unease.