129 What to do

In the end, Mike was forced to drag Greg out of the waiting room with some struggle, after he brought the poor girl to tears but still wasn't able to find a way to slipe after Lana and Paul. At first, Greg even tried to go there without asking, but the secretary explained between the sobs that it is only opening before the authorized person.

"I'm sure everything will be fine." - Mike tried to reassure him, leading the fuming guy through a secret room in an already familiar corridor. - Paul is with her, and no matter how he treats women, if he chose to defend Lana as a lawyer, then he will definitely not let anyone offend her."

Greg just grunted something like "I bet he will be the one offending her!" under his breath. Such talkativeness of a friend was beginning to annoy him, too. Mainly because he was right at some point. But Greg hated the feeling of helplessness the most. Whatever he did and no matter how much he achieved in life, among the shifters, he remained just a human. Even in their damn system, he could not be recorded without Lana or anyone else. A couple of months ago, he felt at the top of the world. And now? He has to wait for Lana while she stands for their relationship before the Council. And what's next? Now he is hiding behind Lana's back, and then when the question comes to a direct confrontation with her father? Hiding behind Brian or his mother in the hope that they will be able to revolt in a pack? Or hope that the Council will deal with it?

None of these options seemed to Greg good enough. In all, there were too many holes, and it was he who was the biggest one.

Seeing his friend's condition, Michael stepped back and gave Greg a bit of space to digest everything. Greg himself did not notice how he passed several halls deep in his thoughts. A strange cough ripped him out of his head.

Directly in front of him on the pedestal stood a huge stuffed wolf. Greg even shuddered, suddenly realizing that the beast looked more like some of his acquaintances than ordinary wolves.

"This is a beautiful creature, isn't it? A Dire wolf! Once it terrified the animals all around its dwelling." - A rough male voice sounded from somewhere on the side. Greg looked up from admiring the dummy and turned a surprised look at the direction of the speaker.An old man settled down on a small bench a step away from him. He was shuggy, with matted hair and a beard, and a bit unkempt. For some reason, Greg immediately thought that this man reminds him of a huge, furry dog. Noticing that Greg turned to him, the old man continued, without taking his eyes off the wolf.

"You know that some scientists believe that the Beast of Gévaudan and other evidence of mystical werewolves could have been made when people accidentally stumble upon the last descendants of this wonderful creature."

"Everything is possible." - Greg replied out of politeness and shrugged. He was about to leave, but apparently, the old man really wanted to proceed with the dialogue. So Greg decided to stay a bit. Not like he needed to hurry anyway.

"Now there are so many talks in movies and books about Alpha males and such."- proceeded the old man in the meantime. - "But in nature, it was not so at all. The main force of the pack has always been the main Couple. Two wolves- a female and a male, led the pack even to the hunt. Together. A pack for wolves is not a squad, but a family. And the leader is not the commander, nor the chief, but the head. A father who loves and respects his she-wolf. Take care and appreciate every member of his family, be it, kids or friends. Not just leads but points the way. And the only most important goal for Alpha was always the happiness and comfort of his pack, his family. Wolves lived through all those centuries and didn't go extinct because they are strong. But their strength in unification that only a wise leader can make possible. Don't be afraid to rely on others and be ready to offer your own shoulder anytime. That the law of nature for wolves."

Greg halted, listening to the words of an older man. It seemed to be such common truths that everyone heard. But these words touched something inside, made the heart beat faster. It was as if a thought was about to take shape in my head. Very important idea. But for now, it was only a shapeless cloud escaping from his hands.

Meanwhile, a shaggy man stood up and silently headed for the exit from the hall.

"Wait," - Greg called out, though he didn't know what else he wanted to ask. The old man turned around, his almost transparent gray eyes flashed oddly.

"Boy," - he said in a hoarse, but firm voice. - I think you already know what to do yourself. Listen to your heart. It has long made a choice. "

***

The time spent in the elevator seemed to Lana like a whole eternity. Her nerves were stretched like a string, and the presence of this guy who suddenly volunteered to help her did not inspire confidence at all.

"Just a little bit more, and you'll burn a hole in me," - Paul said sarcastically, catching Lana's cautious glance for the tenth time.

"Sorry," - she looked down. - "I just did not expect ... And Greg said that ... The girl wavered, not finding the right words and fearing to offend Paul. He cast a studying glance at her and tsked.

"So fangs and claws - just for show, huh? It looked awesome. But in fact, only a window dressing!" - He said with a clear disappointment in his voice.

Lana opened her eyes wider, not expecting such a biting remark.

"I can tear your ass into small ribbons if I really want to. Want me to show you?" - She snarled, looking menacingly at the guy. His haughty appearance began to annoy her terribly, and the general nervous situation also whipped her up.But as soon as she said that, Lana instantly regretted snapping like this. He probably was also nervose.

" Oh, really? I wouldn't say." - instead came his mocking voice. -" Rather, it looks like you are about to cry and rush away like a pathetic dog. All of you, women, are the same. So many loud words as long as your boyfriend is in front of you, but as it comes to fighting yourself, you will immediately bail with the tail between your legs."

"So what the hell are you doing here with me then?" - Lana growled through her fangs, feeling like her anger is boiling inside.

" I wanted to watch the show, of course!" - Smiled Paul arrogantly. Lana was ready to seize him by the throat as the elevator doors parted.

"Well, then I shouldn't disappoint you!" - She barked, like fury running out into the corridor. Paul grinned and shook his head, following.

Lana had never been here before. Not many shifters would like to be given such honor. The small corridor ended in a single door, so there was no particular choice. But the girl was so enraged that she didn't even stop to knock before rushing into a vast hall. Taking a few steps forward, Lana finally stopped to look around.

The room was definitely ancient. In addition to the bas-reliefs they had seen before, there were even torches on the walls, which of course no one used, but they created the atmosphere like in this hall of medieval gatherings. In the middle, there was a wide round table and 12 carved chairs around it.

Today, almost all of them were empty except for three.

A middle-aged woman turned around first. Her hair was already completely gray, which showed the respectable age of the counselor, but the face was still gorgeous. Lana recognized her immediately. Mrs. Stormbridge was a legend among the shifters. She was a real panther in every sense and the woman responsible for the whole felines kind.

Over two empty seats from her set a stout man with broad shoulders and a short hedgehog of blond hair. He was linning on his elbows at the tabletop,curiously peering at Lana. This councilman was also hard not to recognize. The oldest shifter without a pack and at the same time the one who took responsibility for all loners. Mr. Boyle was known not only for his strength but also for his harsh, irreconcilable character, which forced respect and fears out of everyone.

Seeing the third shifter, Lana involuntarily gasped. A man with long, pitch-black hair exactly like his son's and nephew's, only covered with a thick web of gray, gently smiled at the girl who entered the hall and motioned to the table.

" Hi, Ruslana!" - He said in a low and very warm voice. - "Sorry, but I was just talking to Peter and Tonya when they were informed about your arrival. So I tagged along. Hope you don't mind?"

"Mr. Benne?!" - Lana breathed out, not daring to move. Former Alpha of the Benne's pack disappeared about ten years ago after he transferred all his rights to Daniel. Lana could not even imagine that she would meet him here again. And what could that mean to her? What will he do when he learns the whole truth about her father, Ralph, and Greg?

"Oh My! The whole bravado disappeared so quickly?" - A mocking voice came from behind the door, and Paul's face with a nasty grin appeared in the doorway. Lana snarled under her breath.

"No!" - She snapped at him and turned around, boldly stepped forward.

"Mr. Benne, Honored Councilmen. I came today to tell you the whole truth at least. I can't tolerate this lie anymore, and I think it'll be interesting for you too to find out who is hiding among your fellows under the mask of a person who cares about his kinsmen!" - Her loud voice rang through the hall, making all three of them raise their eyebrows in surprise.