Faced with options

Mia strutted towards Eleanor, a smug look on her face. “What do we owe the pleasure?” she asked, coming to a stop and crossing her arms over her chest. To her total chagrin, Eleanor did not spare her a look. As if she didn’t see or hear her, she walked right past her and to Thomas. Mia rolled her eyes and scoffed, hiding her embarrassment. “Why did you remove my access to the pack’s funds?” Eleanor asked Thomas, getting right down to business. Thomas arched an eyebrow, facing her with an otherwise passive face. It hid the loathing and anger swirling deep inside him. “Why, were you planning to use them to throw a party to celebrate getting your divorce?” “Thomas,” she said in a serious tone, “I’m not here to play games with you. I want my access back right now.” He made a mocking sound in his throat. “You humiliated me at the summit and concealed the fact that you found your mate. Taking away your access is the least I can do to teach you a lesson.” Eleanor stepped closer until they were almost chest to chest. He was taller and looked down at her with an intimidating glare, but it did not scare her. “Listen well, Thomas. I’m not yours to teach lessons to anymore. I have every right to that money as much as you do, so I suggest you return my access right now. I have things to do and I did not come here so you could waste my time.” He huffed and took a step back, and then turned away from her. He walked to a couch and perched on its arm. “This is my pack,” he told her. “You can’t come in here and tell me what to do.” She walked over and unfurled her papers in his face. “Well, I sure do hope these papers can. I’m entitled to half of the property and land. We can do this the easy way or we can get the Council involved if you’d rather.” His jaw clenched as he looked at the papers, his passive facade long gone. He hated how much power those papers gave her. If only shredding them to pieces could take it away. Eleanor sighed and folded the papers neatly with her hands. “Why don’t we settle the property division right away so you and your people can get off my territory?” Mia scoffed and rushed over to them. “You little thief,” she seethed. “You are dreaming if you think anyone would choose you as their Alpha. Everybody knows you are selling us out to Darkfall.” Thomas came to his feet and approached Eleanor. “Sure you want to do this? I’ve been patient enough with you, Eleanor. If you do this, there will be no going back.” She arched a brow. “Who said I want to go back?” His jaw ticked. “Fine. Let’s ask the pack members to vote on which leader to follow. Let’s see who’s stupid enough to go with you.” Eleanor gave him a tight smile. “I’ll take my chances.” After that, Thomas left to call a pack meeting, Mia going with him. Eleanor went outside the house to tell the others about the developments. “There will be more than enough coming to your side,” Sophia assured her. “I managed to convince a lot before I left. Don’t worry.” Eleanor was grateful for Sophia’s efforts. She was also confident that her track record was enough to earn her a lot of followers, but that did not mean the pack members would think so. A female Alpha was unheard of and they might think she was crazy. Plus, if Mia was already spreading gossip that she was trying to sell out the pack to Darkfall, that might affect the outcome. She would get the territory whether or not she got the followers, but a small number would leave her pack weak. Mia and Thomas would do everything they could to ensure she didn’t get many members, leave alone more than the ones who chose to remain under Thomas. After about an hour, all the pack members were gathered in the main hall, ready for the vote. When everybody was settled, Thomas addressed the gathering. “As most of you already know, Luna Eleanor and I have split. We have both found our mates and she is no longer Luna of this pack. As per the new law, the pack territory should be divided between us equally. We have called this meeting so each of you can decide whether to remain in my pack or go to hers.” When he finished speaking, discussions sprouted all over the hall. They died down soon after when Eleanor stepped forward. “You all know me,” she began, “and you know everything I’ve done for this pack in the past few years. Under my leadership, my pack will grow, reaching heights never seen before. If you come with me, be prepared to live in a pack that’s focused on moving forward, heralding changes never seen before.” Thomas scoffed and addressed the gathering. “Anyone eager to go on a risky adventure can go to her side. But if you want to stay somewhere stable, where you are assured of continuity and safety, stay with me. I’ll maintain Blackstorm’s status and make sure we don’t stop until we rise above everyone else.” “Times are changing,” Eleanor took another turn, “and only cowards are afraid to change with them and venture into the unknown. If you’ve ever felt trapped in this pack, like there were things you couldn’t do because of outdated traditions, I’m offering you an out. My pack will treasure every member and give them an equal opportunity to make contributions to the community.” “Not all that glitters is gold,” Mia said, appearing beside Thomas. She looked towards the gathering. “Ask yourselves if it’s worth it leaving the pack you have known for all your life, and the one your ancestors built, for promises from someone whose loyalty is questionable at best.” “I’m sure members who’ve been in this pack all their lives know a lot about how loyal I’ve been to Blackstorm,” Eleanor responded, unfazed. “A few rumours cannot erase everything I’ve done for this pack. If I did not care about these people, I would have gotten my divorce and disappeared to live in another pack with my mate. But I’ve always had dreams about making Blackstorm the best pack, and I’m not going to abandon it just because my marriage fell apart.” Mia scoffed. “Whatever. Anyone who wants to stay in a pack with a real Alpha knows where they belong.” “Alright, everyone,” Thomas said. “It’s time to take the vote. It’s simple. Those who want to go with Eleanor should come forward and pledge their allegiance to her and settle on the left side of the hall. Those who want to remain with me should pledge allegiance to me and gather on the right side.” “Wait,” Mia said, lifting her hand. “There’s something all of you should know before you choose your pack.” “Go ahead,” Thomas told her. Mia gestured towards Eleanor with her hand. “Eleanor here cannot shift into a wolf. How can a wolf-less she-wolf lead a pack?”