Hunger of the Heart (Wolves of Ravenwillow Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

alliance, nothing more.
    “The peace treaty with the pack of Darkwood Springs is what this pack needs.” he stated firmly as he tapped his finger against the table.
    “And who said that was what this pack needed?” Derik; the third elder stated with a scoff.
    “What you should be doing is focusing on strengthening your pack; not making friends. There are several wolf shifters in Darkwood Springs, not to mention several rival packs nearby. Why haven’t you made any attempt to expand this pack’s reach?” He asked, giving Eric a rude, accusing look.
    “Expanding the pack’s reach” was just another way of saying to make war with other packs in effort to take control. In the past it’s what was done amongst wolf packs. But the thought held no taste for Eric. He was by no means a peace loving man; he was a man that did what had to be done. Damn the consequences as long as the outcome was worth it in the end. He did want his pack to be strong. Constantly engaging in pack wars for more power was not what he wanted.
    “The treaties with other shifter packs are important to the survival of this pack. One of these days, there will come a time that we will need the aid of the shifters of Darkwood Springs. For this pack to survive and thrive we need to have allies. That is what will increase our strength, not warring with other packs for more territory.” His hard gaze fell on each of the elders as he spoke firmly.
    Silence stretched through the room, as the elders must have seen that his mind wouldn’t’ be changed on the topic.
    “Our pack will never be strong until we have an Alpha pair to protect and govern us.” Jonathan; the fourth elder reasoned gently, earning several approving nods from the others.
    And there it was, the true reason for the elder’s ambush meeting today. Eric growled in the back of his throat. Why couldn’t they just leave this matter alone? He was a strong and fair leader. What the hell would having a woman at his side matter?
    “What does this have to do with the security of my pack?” his voice rumbled out with displeasure.
    Peter folded his hands on top of the table before answering. “An Alpha female is required within any shifter pack. The reasons for this are unimportant, but it is something that needs to be addressed.” At the end, his thin finger tapped against the table in emphasis. Peter’s voice rang out with a tone of authority that he seemed to think he possessed in that moment.
    “This is not the fifteenth century,” Chris stated, moving from his guarding position by the door to come and stand beside Eric. Folding his arms over his chest, he frowned at the arrogant elders. “It’s never been a requirement that our Alpha has to have a mate to control and run this pack.”
    Eric was grateful for his friend’s support, but he was too furious to summon the effort to show it. None of the elders ever liked how he’d won the title of Alpha. Unlike most Alphas; who were born into the position and only had to challenge their parent for the title, Eric had been different. He’d been born of two low ranking parents that held no title within the pack. He’d always known that he wouldn’t be content to follow the leadership of another. So, he’d fought and shed his own blood for his title and he’d be damned if some snooty elders were going to find ways to take that away from him.
    “As of this moment, we’ve come to an agreement.” The female elder said gently, responding to Chris’s words as she waved her wrinkled hand toward the other expressionless faces around her. “We’ve agreed that it should be a requirement. Your recent interests have shown us that you are not concerned with what is best for all the members of this pack and its future and that puts the safety of this pack at risk of attack from another. By seeking out other; unnecessary alliances and your refusal to seek out a replacement for the position of Alpha female, you have made us appear to be a weak