Chapter 261
0261
You may wonder why we chose to play the recordings instead of using an alpha order to command Bloch
to confess. Truthfully, we did both, and doing both was really important.
Playing the recordings publicly would do three things. First, it would help demonstrate that the alpha
orders were not forcing anyone to say untruthful things, just in case anyone (Margie, Sheila, or Stephanie) tried to make that claim. Second, it would demonstrate that Margie herself really was the one on the phone directing the trafficking, as opposed to someone impersonating her. Third, Lily wanted to see how
my parents and Robert would react to the audio, because that would give us a very big clue as to whether they were redeemable.
I listened to the audio recordings in between the meeting with my father and tracking down my stuff, so they did not surprise me. They did, however, shock and horrify my mother. I could tell that my father and Robert disapproved of the contents of the recordings, but their faces were largely unreadable beyond that. For their part, Stephanie and Sheila looked like the recordings were no big deal. Margie, on the other hand, looked like she was ready to kill someone… or rather, multiple someones.
When it was all over-and we clarified for the audience that Nick was working with us and never intended to actually do what Margie and Bloch proposed- Lily surprised all of us. She removed Bloch from the council -there was little way around that- but she did not remove his wolf, because Bloch’s wolf was not ready to give up on him yet. Bloch would still have to face a trial in a few weeks, and would likely spend a significant amount of time in the dungeons, but Lily strangely held out hope for him.
With four members of the seven-member council removed, Lily now needed to replace them. Believe it or not, this was the part of the evening that Lily had been most nervous about. She knew right away who she wanted in three of the positions. Each of the three had proven time and time again that they believed in doing what was right, even when it could potentially cost them personally, and both of us trusted them.
The problem was that Lily was not sure if the wolves she had in mind would accept. Being a member of the council was not a full-time job, but it included heavy responsibility, a decent amount of travelling, and involvement in situations that were often drama-filled and dangerous.
Thankfully, when Lily announced her proposed replacements, none of the three expressed any doubt or reservation. To our pleasant surprise, all three seemed incredibly honored and immediately accepted. That left just one spot that she would have to fill in the future.
Lily immediately swore in each of the new council members -using an oath that Rose told her to use– and the new werewolf council was announced and presented to the crowd:
Lily Brogan
Kevin Stoller
Peter Sampson
Dr. Jay Hyder
Dr. Ryan Miller
Alpha Brett Donaldson
[vacant]
As you might imagine, most wolves in the ballroom were thrilled and excited about the changes. The
applause given was loud and boisterous.
Many if not most of the wolves sitting in the boxes, however, were angry or upset. They knew that all the attention in the room would now be turned to them, and it was not going to be pleasant.
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